HowToTRUST (Total Reliance Under Stressful Times) #ForLife Experiences 5: Dwarfing The Giants

Image

Who are your Goliaths? The giants who loom and lord over you?

What occupies your mind nowadays? What keeps you awake in the middle of the night? What possesses you the entire week? Have you been stewing anxieties for months?

Let’s face the number one adversary that seek to sidetrack us- FEAR (of any sort).

FEAR in its naked form simply an acronym of False Expectation Appearing Real.

We fear anything, and every thing. Fear has no other name, call it a spade, a spade. And is a no respecter of persons. But fear knows our name, intimately; it croons each night to jolt us from slumber; it robs us of peace that we could have enjoy for the day; it revs us up in hyperventilation mode any time.

Fear is irrational, it can blind, deafen and desensitise us. It grips, immobilises and gags us with a band of strong men, imprisoning us for prolonged period if we continue to allow it the authority to play punk.

Fear is unreasonable, argues baselessly with faith, and loves to wrestle and tussle insensibly with Trust.

None of us are strangers to those legitimate fears that are so “real”. And these are Satan’s favourite hot buttons to activate our system breakdown and cause us to go haywired easily.

But fear shall not be the final voice because God has the last say, if only, we tune in to the correct source and listen, “Headline these Truths!”:

1. TRUST.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways, acknowledge Him (God) and He will make straight your path. (Proverbs 3:5-6)

Life won’t make any sense, no matter how and no matter what, because we live in a fallen world that is utterly broken. We won’t be able to find or get any answers to life’s uncertainties and its unfathomable fallacies, anyway. The only recourse is to surrender and simply trust that God will work things out for good, with all our heart.

2. TRUST.

I will have no fear of bad news; my heart is steadfast trusting in the Lord. My heart is secure, I will have no fear; in the end I will look in triumph of my foes. (Psalm 112:7-8)

There is always light at the end of the tunnel. We just have to keep walking, walking, walking, no matter how tiring or how long it takes… God will always make a way when there seems to be no way- the Light is round the corner if we keep our gaze ahead.

3. TRUST.

You will keep me in perfect peace if my mind fixes on you, because I trust in you! (Isaiah 26:3)

In order to experience the supernatural Peace of God, we simply fix our mind on the God of Perfect Peace. Look up and we will never get to see the shadows. God is, and still is, in control: He holds the ground, he holds the fort. Pax Vobiscum.

Internalise the truth, and trust God, He is way much better at handling our lives than we do our own. Our giants will come tumbling down, and down, and down… It is time for your own Disney’s sequel of “Honey, I shrunk the kids!”

#RecessionProofed #HowToTRUST (Total Reliance Under Stressful Times) Experiences 39: Word-proofed your life, for life.

Image

Not long ago, a colleague requested for a no flour, no egg and no sugar cake. It was a challenge to me since I used to be in the cookies business for years using these key ingredients. After rounds of studies and experiments with my own creativity, I have attempted a healthy recipe that received encouraging feedback to make it as my signature for dessert. At the same time, I was reminded that God has His Specialities too:

He specialises in cliff-catching;

He specialises in turning disappointments into divine appointments;

He specialises in rescue missions;

He specialises in turning water into wine;

He specialises in unlocking prison doors;

He specialises in being the Sovereign ALL-MIGHTY (Emphasis in caps).

With the world specialises in turning our lives upside down, life can indeed be so paradoxical – someone can earn a million and still lose it in a financial crisis; a health fanatic can invest on healthy diets, and still plagued with cancer; a job can be offered with all the perks, and still be terminated any time. The world is always in a constant state of flux, tossing us along the ebbs of volatility. But bemoaning over spilt milk won’t help matters. And living in this broken world will often get us entangled in the web of insidious nature of sin- when we worry, it means some area of relational peace is out of sync.

Sometimes we may subconsciously or unknowingly self-deprecating thoughts to defeat the Spirit’s work in ourselves, so we succumb to Satan’s lies. Do you know, the most stressed-out people are literally control freaks, because they scare being out of control will throw their world out of their desired order.

So how do we disarm anxiety? Stockpile our minds with the thoughts of God through the instrumentality of His Word.

I’ve banked your promises in the vault of my heart so I won’t sin.

⁃ Psalm 119:11 (MSG)

You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. -Isaiah 26:3 (ESV)

Free from fear.

Free from dread.

Free from anxiety.

Free from imprisonment.

Christ be the personal and living centre, around which the entire Christian theology is ensphered. He is alive, was—and is—speaking to you. Put your trust in the inerrancy of the Scriptures, there is no other way nor a short cut to it.

But first and foremost, the sure-fire first step is to scrub away sin, as the Bible exhorts, “Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded” (James 4:7–8). But how? “Come near to God and he will come near to you” (v. 8). These are sanitizing words describing the necessity of turning to God to scour away the soil of sin from our lives.

And before you putter out before the end, at those moments of “Feel-less-than-able”, the key to a healthy discourse is to proliferate throughout the Scriptures to be emboldened to live a life full of holiness, anticipation, and joy. So, scale up one level, and be “Godified” in Wordmanship (Notice the difference in this word?) Yes, that is “Word-man-ship”.

Last but not least, never negate the importance of praying- our prayers have a thermostatic impact upon the actions of heaven, triggering the ascension of angels and the downpour of power!

We cannot run the world, but we can entrust it to God. It is a wiser choice to put your ultimate trust in Him. Nothing should supersede your relationship with Christ.

#RecessionProofed #HowToTRUST (Total Reliance Under Stressful Times) Experiences 38: God Takes No Vacations, Check In To His 247 Hotel

Image

What a MAR-vellous month planning for an upcoming trip to Europe (finally my maiden step into this continent…) to be inspired to pen this devotional – whilst I am getting all excited with this blessed vacation, it dawned upon me that God never takes a vacation… He is always working, tirelessly, without twiddling his thumbs nor fidgeting his fingers.

He takes no breaks- You will never find a holiday email responder that will greet you, “I am currently away and may not have access to my mailbox. Apologies for any inconveniences arise thereof, and I will get back to you as soon as I am able.”

He never stops- You will never find His STOP sign wherever you are out on the roads.
He never retires- You will never hear Him announcing it is time to enjoy the next phase of life.
He never disappears- You will not find Him missing any where.
That is yes.
And God owns a hotel, for the weary travellers.

Welcome to God’s “Everland Rendezvous Hotel” (if I may be audacious to name it at such)- that offers beyond 5-star services, 247 (24 hours times 7 days), and promise a picturesque view. This hotel is famous with their brand tagline, “If there is nothing more you can ever lose, then the next best thing you can ever have, is TRUST, for this cost you nothing. Welcome to a FREE stay!” Woah, sounded like a great deal too true to snag? (Understandably with the inundated slew of scams going on that would turn anyone into a skeptic.)

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe in Me as well. In My Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and welcome you into My presence, so that you also may be where I am.”
– John 14:1-3

While familiarising the route around the hotel, don’t violate the moment between sunsets or sunrises, pause, and consider this whenever a sunrise or sunset, steals your breath, and the sun ray kisses your face, visualise such awe-inspiring magnificence of God’s palpable presence. Look up to the vastness of the skies, and you will find yourself so minuscule in view of God’s borderless expanse.

While ambling gingerly to your assigned room, do look out for the welcome mat embroidered with Psalm 46:10, “Be still, and know that I am God.” And there a poster on the wall arranged in a typographic layout, “Trust in Him at all times, you people; Pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us.” (Psalm 62:8 NKJV)

In the middle of the room, a cosy king size bed allures you to plonk right into comfort that is blanketed with God’s loving care- “He will not let your foot slip— He who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, He who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord watches over you— the Lord is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.” (Psalm 121:3-8). Not forgetting a fluffy pillow nestling on the bed cushioned with God’s appeal to rest up, “Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him” (Psalm 37:7 NASB).

(Do you know: Waiting is a spiritual discipline that call for a sustained effort to focus on God through concerted prayers and continual belief. It is not an inactivity nor passiveness, or to be in a state of assuming the worst, to worry, fret, make demands, or take control. The key is perseverance with diligence.)

The lamp by the bedside is conspicuously a physical reminder from Psalm 27:1-2, “The Lord is my light and my salvation– whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life– of whom shall I be afraid? When evil men advance against me to devour my flesh, when my enemies and my foes attack me, they will stumble and fall.”

Look no further, a clock display on the side table, flashes an interactive message,“It’s useless to rise early and go to bed late, and work your worried fingers to the bone. Don’t you know He (God) enjoys giving rest to those He loves?” (Psalm 127:2, MSG).

Last but not least, get ready to fuel up with a good tea-break by the coffee table with an artisanal tea-set tray array with the finest curated snacks, “When your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart’s delight…“ (Jeremiah 15:16A).

What an amazing room that is filled with God’s Goodness! You will feel spirit-charged even for a night, and of course you can stay as long as you need. Won’t you be able to trust such an Owner who take care of everything we need?

P.S. Upon self check-out, remember to look out for this little last reminder memo sticked to the box, “Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying.” (Roman 12:12 NLT)

#RecessionProofed #HowToTRUST (Total Reliance Under Stressful Times) Experiences 37: When Satan Have You Hooked, He Have You Cooked.

Image

Does the headline arrest you?
The warning is hard to miss too.
Chances are, you got your answer.

Watch out! Don’t let your hearts be dulled by carousing and drunkenness, and by the worries of this life. Don’t let that day catch you unaware, like a trap. For that day will come upon everyone living on the earth.
– Luke 21:34-35 NLT

According to the statistics on Mental Health, anxiety disorders are reaching epidemic proportions.

So Satan is real. He is anywhere and especially near to those who live in darkness. He is indeed a formidable foe, as a Prince of Darkness, often elusive lurking around like a shifting shadow, flagrantly wielding his power and perpetuating his malevolence and deceit. He will always be on the prowl to steal, to kill and to destroy any thing in your life. As a Great Tempter, he is adept at playing mind games, making us susceptible to his attacks so that we can succumb to his lies, for he knows our weaknesses- where, how and when- to press our hot buttons. If he has you hooked, he has you cooked.

Know your real enemy, Satan is no respecter of persons – Temptations are inevitable; but suffering is optional. Satan doesn’t have the last laugh nor does he have your last page. Only God has the final say.

Satan aside, have you ever wondered too, when we found ourselves in the valley, it may be the consequences of our poor choices, pride and sins that we had not dealt with? Sometimes, when we get “too big for our britches,” we will find ourselves humbled by a affliction, infirmity, natural disaster, war, economic depression, or social unrest.

And yes, bad things do happen and unexpected events do seem improbable. We may not have all the answers to life’s questions in our own finite understanding. Notwithstanding, the real battle is with Satan, we can still live our best possible, if we first get Satan off our back or track:

Face your hurts squarely
Face the music bravely
Confront your sins honestly
Unlock your secret doors fearlessly
Stop giving excuses seriously

Let go and let God. God’s power is unparalleled and available to every believer who believes, for His glory bewilders our limited imaginations, and His greatness exceeds our wildest dreams. He is far beyond what we can fully or completely comprehend.

So nothing is off limits, unless you chose to be bound by the limits you have set upon your own.

“I will give you the treasures of darkness and hidden riches of secret places, that you may know that I, the Lord, who call you by your name, am the God of Israel”
– Isaish 45:3

Whatever you are facing now, may seem insurmountable. But only you can decide if you want a change – Who owns you: Satan, for a continuously broken life, or, God, who can reweave your broken past into a future filled with hope?

Who do you rather trust your life and future with?
Your choice will determine the outcome.

Man says… Show me and I’ll trust you.
God says… Trust Me and I’ll show you.

#RecessionProofed #HowToTRUST (Total Reliance Under Stressful Times) Experiences 36: Growing, Going and Glowing: Gloom to Bloom

Image

‘Then this shall be the sign for you: you will eat this year what grows of itself, in the second year what springs from the same, and in the third year sow, reap, plant vineyards, and eat their fruit.
– 2 Kings 19:29

My little garden makes a great visual reminder that God takes care of all His creations, and how He supplies all the necessary provisions for daily living. I am in awe that God is such an amazing Designer – He creates so many varieties of plants for our pleasure!

Since I do not have green fingers, I have to consecrate more effort in taking care of my “green pets”. Any garden can turn messy if we neglect it. And if we fail to do our part in watering, pruning and feeding them with light, the garden will see “gloom”, and in a matter of time, it will be “doomed”…

Make no mistake about this: You can never make a fool out of God. Whatever you plant is what you’ll harvest. (Galatians 6:7 GW)

Indeed, we reap what we sow: if we sow little, we will reap little; if we fold our arms, we get nothing; and if we chose to play dumb, we get messes.

He who watches the wind will not sow and he who looks at the clouds will not reap. – Ecclesiastes 11:4

A Church put up a sign that reads, “God makes miracles out of messes and mistakes.”

Whoa, wouldn’t this uplift your spirit from woe that pinned you against the hard wall of life-altering circumstances?

So how can we grow a blooming garden in trusting God for our lives? Do you know, God has great 101 planting tips that can be gleaned from the Bible:

‘For there will be peace for the seed: the vine will yield its fruit, the land will yield its produce and the heavens will give their dew; and I will cause the remnant of this people to inherit all these things.
– Zechariah 8:12

Plant a mustard seed, named TRUST:

“For truly I tell you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.” (Matthew 17:20-21)

Fertilise the ploughed soil, with TRUST:

As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty. (Matthew 13:23 ESV)

Water with a living stream, of TRUST:

He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water. (John 7:38)

“Vitamin-ise” with the son-light, under TRUST:

Because of the tender mercy of our God, With which the Sunrise from on high will visit us, To shine upon those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, To guide our feet into the way of peace. (Luke 1:78-79)

Prune with care, in TRUST:

Jesus says, Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that continues to bear fruit, He [repeatedly] prunes, so that it will bear more fruit [even richer and finer fruit]. Pruning is vitally important for us to grow in our walk with God. (John 15:2 AMP)

Wait with perseverance and patience, and TRUST:

Sow your seed in the morning and do not be idle in the evening, for you do not know whether morning or evening sowing will succeed, or whether both of them alike will be good. (Ecclesiastes 11:6) and he goes to bed at night and gets up by day, and the seed sprouts and grows—how, he himself does not know. (Mark 4:27)

We may not have the know-how and we may not always understand what God allows, but we can always trust the Master Gardner with our “garden” whatever its condition, who can take care of messes better than we do.

I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth. – 1 Corinthians 3:6

And be patient, for you shall see your garden flourish in the Hands of God. The crux is, do you trust Him?

#RecessionProofed #HowToTRUST (Total Reliance Under Stressful Times) Experiences 35: Stop Making Excuses!

Image

Time fly in a twinkle of an eye indeed, it feels like COVID19 is barely yet over, and we are now about half a month into the new year… January is a special month to me, albeit exciting episodes for the past months, taking a 2-year hiatus from my favourite pastime in baking, yet my resilient character has been unfazed by these changes, because I have been taking the time to do deep “house” (spiritually, physically and emotionally) cleansing and modifications- God had to prime the pump of my heart through a major crisis of epic proportion in 2022 that lead me into a larger story… (which has got me started this series of devotionals to share my experiences, encouragement and breakthroughs.)

Now come 2024, so have we usher well into the new year in renewed confidence with a new mind, a new heart and new eyes to see what God has prepared for us ahead? Or we are simply too busy to do a reality check, balancing our last year book of Accounting, cleaning up the avalanche of dust and cobwebs swept under the carpet, and decluttering our wardrobe of life?

At this time, many of us who are Chinese, are now consumed with getting ready to celebrate Chinese New Year that is around the corner: Thousands of things are vying for our attention: flashing golden lights, cacophonous music, and crowded walkways lined with festive goodies. In all likelihood, we may not have time to declutter our lives…

Regardless, we should consider restarting this new year with all gut-level honesty without the need to sugarcoat our response:
1. Do you wrestle with the question of life’s purpose?
2. Are you stuck in a rut in your faith?
3. You think you know best- You want the autonomy to pursue your own way, to get what you want, and resist any authority that restricts you, but eventually feel the heat that your situation irredeemable through the trenches of your life?
4. Are you being contented to be a lollygagger, or a fence-sitter, and just flow with the ebbs of life without any purpose?

What is truly the raison d’ être of your life? Surely, life is too short to make excuses for complacency and reprehensible laxity, and let it be wasted, don’t you think so?

It is already a constant struggle that we live in an era of watered down truth in a world that says, “if it feels good, then do it.” reinforces by the modern day culture that promotes licentiousness and greed.

Envy is a coal come hissing hot from hell.
– Philip James Bailey

Little wonder our heart get desensitised easily. Our level of faith wavers, and our walk with God has been utterly inconsistent.

To quote Joel Osteen, “You can’t conquer what you don’t confront.” C.S. Lewis also aptly put across, “God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pains: it is his megaphone to rouse a deaf world.”

Doubters are a dime a dozen: Whenever we fret over life circumstances, it curtly demonstrate unbelief; Whenever we move out of fear or anxiety, it signifies that we have believed a lie about God’s nature.

We all have our own share of foibles and flaws but moping about our failures is not going to help matters- lingering on yesterdays, ruining our todays, and clouding our tomorrows. The wounds and sins of the past become the bag of heavy rocks that we may have unknowingly drag over the new year- and taking those rancid rocks out of the bag and inspecting them over and over again to our misery. We even doggedly hold on to some of our “pet” sins, and use them to prove why we can’t move on with our lives…

So it is high time to conduct a realistic check on your current circumstance and review your understanding about God’s character. And in renewing your mindset with hope will not be some kind of pie-in-the-sky spiritual cliché that will diminish your suffering, but to arrive at a conscious decision to trust God in the midst of everything.

True faith drops its letter in the post office box and lets it go. Distrust holds on to a corner of it and wonders that the answer never comes.
– A. B. Simpson

A breakdown is always the door to a breakthrough. What seems to be the end is always a beginning… And what goes down eventually will have to come up… It is but a matter of when… So hang in there, don’t give up, for perseverance will pay off its due in time to come.

Let’s take the time to conduct your own good “funeral” for 2024 with this good quote from OS Hillman, “Whenever we stress over a matter, get angry over a daily circumstance, or seek to have our own way – it is a sign there is still life in the grave. We need to fill it with dirt and smother the life of our flesh so that Christ may live freely, unhindered by the “old” man. Send yourself some flowers today. Have a good funeral. “

“Trust God to work in your life, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.” (Gal 2:20).

#RecessionProofed #HowToTRUST (Total Reliance Under Stressful Times) Experiences 34: Debugging Your “Head-ware” or “heart-ware”

Image

Good news to welcome your 2024- This devotional warrants an eyebrow-raising headliner: Someone Can Make The Dead Alive!

Feeling the ‘D’ emotionally from the 3Fs (Frustrations, Fears, and Failures) of the modern-day struggles: Dumb, depressed, denied, disapproved, demotivated, disappointed, discouraged, disillusioned, disenfranchised, depreciated, despondent, desperate, demoralized, defeated, debilitated, depleted, deserted……

Actually so much of our stress is self-imposed:

Accumulating the ‘D’ from obsessions:

With our world obsessed with getting more, spending more, doing more. How much is ever enough……

Feeling the ‘D’ from fixations:

We know that the past is no longer in our control, yet we dwell over it. We also tend to believe that we hold the future in our hands, yet we fret about what may come, with joy or pain……

Bearing the ‘D’ from assumptions:

When life sucks, we often wish we can change our present circumstance, whether we are living ok (hoping for something better) or not ok (seeking for a breakthrough)……

Before the year ends, it is high time to give life a clean slate by bidding ‘D’ goodbye. For a certainty, we will not live a life free of trials. Trials are served for purposes to test if our faith holds real, or simply barely surviving on empty words.

At any point in time, our level of faith will unveil how much we trust God – there are some circumstances which we have no control over – He allows such circumstances to happen in our lives in order to give our faith opportunity to be proven, through situations like a compromised business dealing, a project that suddenly turn awry, plans that go south, unexpected persecution, an unreasonable boss, a difficult colleague, or a challenging relationship that requires unconditional love – so as to unravel what is in your mind in order to reveal what is your heart: the “head-ware” or “heart-ware” issue.

That is life. We have our fallibilities and flaws, living with imperfections and inconsistencies, day to day. We will be confronted on any front emotionally, physically, financially, relationally and socially, where we will face the harsh reality that challenge our faith in our natural responses:

Shock: Why did this have to happen?
Anger: Why me?
Grief: What have I lost?
Fear: What is going to happen next?

So what is the case in point- In reality, we often leave God at the periphery of our lives and look for Him only when we are desperate and have no other options. We mess up, rebel and ignore His Truth, then want Him to bail us out. This carnal self-centeredness has been hardwired in our human spirit, since the Fall of Adam.

The reason why our public life is so disordered and our private life so hampered by anxiety is because we will not be still and know God.
– A. Maude Royden

Just as a doctor must cause pain when he sets a broken bone so it may heal, so God’s discipline is not capricious but curative, and ultimately life-giving.

God, who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did. (Romans 4:17)

For He is a Master Fixer.
He is a Master Surgeon.

It is a clarion call for us to surrender and buck up, there is no neutral ground. We can trust that God will reveal what we need to know. So long as our faith rest totally in God, we need not weigh the risk of failure, for only He can turn your setbacks into comebacks. Let Him ride with you through your storms and tide over life’s irascibilities.

The Lord has made everything for its purpose, even the wicked for the day of trouble. (Proverbs 16:4 ESV)

P.S. The afterglow of Christmas may have dimmed to welcome 2024, but if you have Jesus in your heart, every day can be celebrated.

#RecessionProofed #HowToTRUST (Total Reliance Under Stressful Times) Experiences 33: God Wants To Check Your Book!

Image

After working in a Finance department for 6 months, I am inspired to pen this devotion with accounting terms.

“INSUFFICIENT FUNDS!” sounded ominous that can grip us in total paralysis – You’re OVERDRAWN!

You spent more than you had to spend. You gave more than you had to give. What would you do if you don’t have any money?

Our PAY day is always a good reality check where we usually get more pragmatic if our SAVINGS ACCOUNT be in the SURPLUS or DEFICIT by end of the month after all the minuses….. In addition, our stack of the latest CREDIT CARD statements may add on to our woes……

Our BANK ACCOUNT is God’s business. He is concerned what is in our balances: Have we been managing our finances prudently and wisely? Did we conduct due diligence in checking our EXPENSES, and trace our accountability? Are we in good CREDIT health?

It is time for RECONCILIATION and CONSOLIDATION of all our BANK STATEMENTS. For a certainty, we are all in some sort of financial DEBT due to LOANS and other commitments.

Aside to finances, we are also in debt spiritually and relationally, and our book of life will somewhat have records in the “red”. The crux is, does our book of life record more entries on the negative or the positive?

Don’t be one of those who enter agreements,
who put up security for loans.
If you have no money to pay,
even your bed will be taken from under you.

Proverbs 22:26-27 (HCSB)

Let’s meet The Payee whose name is Jesus, who has paid for everything we owe. He allows us to DRAW and OVERDRAW from God’s heavenly Bank Account with unlimited assets, anytime. God has set aside an ACCOUNT RECEIVABLE where we can receive by faith, and an ACCOUNT PAYABLE where we can pay our due with simple faith:

Debit WORRIES, credit TRUST;
Debit FEAR, credit TRUST;
Debit INSECURITIES, credit TRUST.
Simply MINUS all the negatives and PLUS more positives.

Unload all your burden on to Him, since He is concerned about you.
1 Peter 5:7 (NJB)

So you are going to spend the rest of your days huffing and puffing to get to the drive-through window before the bank closes each month.

P.S. Two more weeks to go and we soon be crossing over to the new year… It is time to have our books in check before the year ends. And the good news is, there is no withholding tax on God’s “with” promise!

#RecessionProofed #HowToTRUST (Total Reliance Under Stressful Times) Experiences 31: Trust-proofed In God For Troubleshooting Issues Of Life

Image

“Under heaven’s lock and key, we are protected by the most efficient security system available: the power of God.”
– Charles Swindoll

Having worked for a Finance department for 3 months, I have acquired some general knowledge of IT for secured access to all its accounting applications. Although user can have full control of access, but there are times of occasional technical glitches which render impotency in performing certain tasks.

Correspondingly, we too often place our securities in things we think we have control, or we trust in what we can see with our eyes or do with our hands. Even nowadays, financial institutions have been alluring for our investments with irresistible offers.

Life itself can bring us through the huffs and puffs, botches and bungles. And our own insecurities are accentuated in living with much uncertainties amidst the volatility of today’s world of constant changes.

However, ever wonder, who can offer the best security system insured with protection coverage?

“Truly is not my house so with God?
For He has made an everlasting covenant with me,
Ordered in all things, and secured;
For all my salvation and all my desire,
Will He not indeed make it grow?
2 Samuel 23:5

Also the tree of the field will yield its fruit and the earth will yield its increase, and they will be secure on their land. Then they will know that I am the Lord, when I have broken the bars of their yoke and have delivered them from the hand of those who enslaved them. They will no longer be a prey to the nations, and the beasts of the earth will not devour them; but they will live securely, and no one will make them afraid.
Ezekiel 34:27-28

I am not an IT expert, but in my own simplicity,-faith does not overthink- I simply trust that whatever circumstances I am in, and with all that I am, and with all that I have, God is my security net, in whom I can safely fall back upon. I simply remind myself that God is the original Designer in all creations, that only He has the blueprint in troubleshooting issues of my life.

Be Trust-proofed in God.

#RecessionProofed #HowToTRUST (Total Reliance Under Stressful Times) Experiences 30: R.I.S.K-proof Your Faith With Jesus As Your Detonator

Image

What is keeping you from trusting God completely?

When it is nearing bill time or tax time, almost all of us will get the jitters if our accounts have sufficient funds. When the world broadcasts catastrophes, economic collapses, embargoes, and pandemics, our confidence and security get shaken up and we crumble in a heartbeat.

The first appearance of bad news or unexpected situation can instill great fear upon us to the extend of paralyzing us. But every circumstance is, a call or an opportunity, to trust God (even more, if I may emphasis) and discover how God can provide or demonstrate His Sovereignty.

So, are you treading on a landmine right now?

Perhaps, you are carrying a timebomb that have been tickling away:
What ruffle you?
What derail you?
What cause you to be depressed?
What cause you to lose sleep?
What instill fear?
What blindside your faith?
What lies have you believe in?

What callous your heart that your eyes can no longer perceive and your ears too impaired to hear God?

Or, life became so worldly that you have choked or ousted God out of your life?

“Abraham, when hope was dead within him, went on hoping in faith . . . He relied on the word of God.” – Romans 4:18 (PHILLIPS)

Faith looks at situations through the eyes of God, not the eyes of our finite understanding. We often put the limits to what God can do or we box God up with our limited understanding. And because of our weak or lack of faith, our level of trust recedes accordingly.

His Word tells us, “My God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:19). Trusting God always come with R.I.S.K.:

R: RESPONSE (in faith)
I: INSULATE (in the Word of God to fireproof your “house”)
S: STOP (entertaining negative thoughts)
K: KNOW (in full assurance that God is still Sovereign)

The equation may be simple to understand and apply but revolutionary to follow through – this is the JesuShaped way of living! Find the Lord in your circumstance today- Exercise your faith and trust Him for His outcome in the situation His Way and in His Timing- Jesus can detonate your time bombs, so let go and let Him! (P.S. Our bombs won’t kill Him, after all He is Sovereign).

True Love Transformer For Life

Image

A recent movie on Transformer, reminded me that Jesus is the true Love-Transformer, for life. He is the Greatest Lover of our Soul, that we all need loving reminders gleaned from the greatest lessons in 1 Corinthians 13, from time to time:

LOVE:

is PATIENT = Be patient with each other’s imperfections……

is KIND = Be gracious, thoughtful and considerate……

isn’t JEALOUS = Don’t be or get envious or covetous……

doesn’t sing its own PRAISES = Remember that true appreciation comes from someone who recognises your value not thumbing our own chest……

isn’t ARROGANT = Be humble and treat each other with true humility for we all are standing on the same ground……

isn’t RUDE = Watch your language- be gentle in spirit, courteous and respectful……

is not SELFISH = Serve the other person’s needs first. Their interest matter more because love isn’t self-seeking or to satisfy one’s pleasure first……

isn’t IRRITABLE = We all have our own idiosyncrasies and unloveable moments, so keep annoyance at bay for anger resides in the lap of fools- it made you look more foolish and not God-honouring……

keeps NO RECORDS of wrongs = Keep your accounts short: Add more credits, minus all debits.

isn’t happy when INJUSTICE is done = Let go of hurts, for your own sake, they will only spoil your day isn’t it? After all they provide any benefits……

is happy with the TRUTH = Honesty is the best policy, so being true-FULL is liberating and healing……

is LONG-SUFFERING = Bears all things regardless what is to come- persevere in tolerance with great patience, times seventy-seven times……

never stops BELIEVING = Always trust that things will work things out for good in the hands of God……

never stops HOPING = Put your hope in God alone, turn to Him, and remains steadfast during challenges……

never GIVES UP = Love endures, and never fail. Remember that God doesn’t give up on you too! So others need our tolerance as well……

Not easy to apply? Sure, great (usually come with pain) lessons take a lifetime to learn and be better, together. Any relationship makes up of 2 imperfect persons, coming together to learn and enjoy the differences. And forgiveness is divine- that is why we need God in the center and as the Centre. And the power of the Holy Spirit can, transform and empower us- from MISSION IMPOSSIBLE to “I-M-POSSIBLE”! God never fail, amen?

Have a LOVING Sunday! It is time to put into practice……

#RecessionProofed #HowToTRUST (Total Reliance Under Stressful Times) Experiences 29: Right Here, Waiting.

Image

Taking a breather from my early morning swim, I heaved myself up over a ledge of the pool, and lying supine looking up at the vast skies, I was then inspired to ‘pen’ a spiritual version of a once popular hit in the 80s, “Right Here Waiting” by Richard Marx, with words edited in (brackets):

Oceans apart,
day after day
And I slowly go insane
(Can’t) hear Your voice on the line
(And pain doesn’t go away)
If (can’t see You soon or ever)
How can (I stay) forever?

Wherever You (are),
whatever You do
(God, I am) right here waiting for You
Whatever it takes (and) how my heart breaks
(Lord, I am) right here waiting for you

I took for granted all the times
That (Your Love) would (stay) somehow
I (feel the heartaches), I taste the tears
But I can’t (feel You near) now

Oh, can’t You see it, (my Lord)?
(It had) got me goin’ crazy

Wherever You (are),
whatever You do
(God, I am) right here waiting for You
Whatever it takes (and) how my heart breaks
(Lord, I am) right here waiting for you

I wonder how (I) can survive
(Without You)
(And) in the end, if I (still) with You
I’ll take (Your Hand)
……

Can a man hide himself in secret places so that I cannot see him? declares the Lord. Do I not fill heaven and earth? declares the Lord. – Jeremiah 23:24

Be in the moment- the vast expanse of the skies made me feel so small and insignificant… When I fix my gaze upwards longer, suddenly, everything seems to be downsized to minuscule when engulfed by the magnitude of His Presence and enshrouded in the magnanimity of His Grace.

Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me. – Psalm 139:7-10

When adversity and disappointment take its toil, parch your heart, wilt your spirit and have your life sidetracked or derailed, “un-tunnel your vision” by looking up at the skies to upsize your view, upsize your thinking, and upsize your faith- trust and believe- that God is always present: He hears, He knows, He feels and He understands, right here, right now.

Be in the moment, God is, right here, waiting, for you.

That they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us, – Acts 17:27

#RecessionProofed #HowToTRUST (Total Reliance Under Stressful Times) Experiences 28: Mission Impossible into “I-M-Possible”!

Image

The recent movie by Tom Cruise, Mission Impossible, and an exclusive interview with Salt & Light by Tan Huey Ying from Salt & Light, posted on July 11, 2023, reminded me that God can turn Messes into Messages; Tests into Testimonials; and Victims into Victors.

Our lives are not without His purposes, nor our circumstances without His reasons, nor our disappointments without His appointments. Nothing happens by accident.

Reinforcing Pastor Buddy Owen from Saddleback Church who quoted, “Never put a comma where God has put a period; or vice versa to put a period where God has put a comma…” – There is always two sides to every thing: the beginning and an end; the good and the bad; the up and the down; the light and the dark. And our choice, sound or poor, determines its outcome or arriving at a “destination”. But, nothing can be a finality, because there are no places too deep beyond God’s reach nor lives too broken beyond God’s Grace. God is still Sovereign, and a Miracle-Maker,

If only, you trust God enough to let go and let Him. Without trust in the possibilities of your life, where will you be?

Extracting part of the interview from Salt & Light, “It wasn’t my fault that you fell. It’s your balance that was no good.” These were the words that 12-year-old Edelyne Lau, wearing her brand new hearing aid, heard her father say to her. She had only recently been diagnosed with moderate hearing loss caused by nerve damage. It was irreparable and her hearing would regress with age.

For the quiet prepubescent, the diagnosis was the answer to some questions she had never thought to ask.

Why was it so hard to understand what people around her were saying? Why did her teacher sound so far away even though she was so near? Why were there weird looks on her classmates’ faces whenever she spoke?

After an audiologist narrowed the cause of the damage as a form of brain trauma, her father revealed something Edelyne had never known: When Edelyne was three, she had hit her head after falling down a flight of stairs and later developed a high fever. But her father didn’t take her to the doctor and instead, merely waited for her fever to subside over the next few days. The cost of a medical check-up did not seem like a necessary expense, he told her……

Do continue reading the rest of my story at https://saltandlight.sg/profiles/god-has-not-shortchanged-me-woman-who-lost-her-hearing-from-brain-trauma-after-falling-down-stairs-when-she-was-three/

#RecessionProofed #HowToTRUST (Total Reliance Under Stressful Times) Experiences 27: Look Beyond The Pluses and Minuses

Image

June 2023- we have passed half the year into the endemic of COVID19 in a twinkle of an eye. If we have make some resolutions for the year, perhaps it is time now to (re)examine the public and private arenas of our lives, as reminded of a noteworthy dictum by Socrates, “The unexamined life is not worth living.” It underscores the importance of self-reflection amid living in a world that falls for facades where one can easily be blindsided.

With the perennial news of inflation amidst a volatile economy, affecting all strata of society, no one is spared from such brevities of life. And anxiety has now taken up a notch and ruling the world with much notoriety, any one can be easily disconcerted by the exigencies of life.

I am not exempted, undeniably human, where I am in the middle of life’s earthquakes, going through physical, emotional and financial tidal waves the past 6 months- My business has gone belly up over the years (but gratefully not to the extent of filing for Chapter Eleven), and transitioning between various upskilling training and seeking a new job, I can’t help feeling afraid about my future and worrying over my finances. My savings for such rainy days will soon be depleted by the rising cost of living. I feel like a failure somehow, as I keep repeating my own folly: not learning my lessons, not able to sustain my business, unable to hold down a get-by job longer, nor making any headway in life at this middle age. I often wish I would have this or that if I had not done or did back then, I may have different outcomes now, perhaps. But honestly, it serves no purpose to keep crying over spilt milk, wallowing in prolonged self-pity parties, or waddling woebegonely in the muddled pool of the past- We have lost focus or we focus on the wrong thing- where and who did we look to?

This verse has helped me to loosen my grip on my obsessions and possessions- “The Lord owns the world and everything in it—the heavens, even the highest heavens, are his” (Deuteronomy 10:14 NCV).

Indeed, failures are part and parcel of life, so think of them as lessons, instead of defeats. It may be a catalyst of change, and is an opportunity for growth. Oftentimes they come as blessings in disguise. Sometimes failures illuminate our tunnel-vision regarding issues in our lives that lure us into our own undoing. Especially our major issue with trust lies in the area of finances.

So, what truly determine our financial worth?
Do you equate your worth with your purse?
Do you compute it in terms of dollars, possessions, properties, or investments?
Do you believe a financial reward will insure you against potential financial disaster?
Do you create fortresses that will insulate you from calamities of life?
Do you often trust in your own resources?

What is really your true net worth?

In the Bible, Paul reminded Timothy that the ultimate gain, the gain of incalculable value, is really determined by a very straightforward formula:
Genuine net worth = (A godly character) X (Contentment, irrespective whether you have more or less).

After all we can’t take any of our possessions when we depart from this earth. And we can easily lose our assets anytime. Nothing stays permanent, except our character. That is why, our character is worth the investment as money cannot buy who you are and what you can be.

God has never get mired in our past failures. He is constantly viewing our lives with future success in mind. “See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland” (Isa. 43:19).

So, look beyond the pluses and minuses of life: When God is all you have, He is all you need. Trust God with all you have, He will provide for all you need.

#RecessionProofed #HowToTRUST (Total Reliance Under Stressful Times) Experiences 26: Psst! I’ve Got A Great Secret How To Rid Your Monkeys!

Image

The June school holidays is a hot season for travelling bugs. Planning itineraries and what to pack for the trip have been the fun part for any travel enthusiast. And whenever I travel, I would be reminded of a dear friend who love bags and pouches, big or small, where all her stuffs are always well-compartmentalised. I am always amazed by how neat her luggage is. The only problem is, her luggage is always full to the brim, which made me wondered if it is necessary to bring along stuffs that may not be essential. Imagine how wonderful if we travel light, not having to bear the weight of lugging?

Apart from luggage, how about our usual haversack or bag that we carry for the day? Friends have been commenting about my 2.5L load haversack, that looks “overbearing”, and too burdensome for me to lug it around. And yes, I am always teased as a food delivery Jane!

Indeed, haversack or luggage is heavy, especially when we load what goes in. I feel more at ease to be well-packed, or at least comforted to know I am in control to be over-prepared than under-prepared. Unbeknownst to me, between the first step on the floor to the last step out of the door, I have grabbed some baggages , unconsciously or subconsciously, without thinking much- the bags I grab aren’t made of special materials but made of burdens: The suitcase of distrust; A duffel bag of anxieties; A hanging bag of weariness; A backpack of doubt; An overnight bag of fears. Not to mention, it is already load-FULL to count! Little wonder, before the sun set, my strength is already waning with fatigue paying a visit. Lugging luggage is indeed physically draining!

Don’t you realise, oftentimes, God has been whispering, “Set that stuff down, my Child! You are carrying burdens you don’t need to bear!” Let’s read Matthew 11:28, where Jesus says, “Come to me all of you who’re weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.”

So how about packing Jesus into our luggage and carrying God as our backpack? We all need to learn to travel light (with God). We all have our own monkeys, but we needn’t have to piggy them any longer, give them over to God and trust Him to navigate through life’s course. He is “weightless”, yet essentially a heavyweight (for any situations), and He is all we need.

#RecessionProofed #HowToTRUST (Total Reliance Under Stressful Times) Experiences 25: Get Real With The Real Thing

Image

I often found myself in the midst of challenges and struggles, probing, “Lord, where are you?” Somehow though in my consciousness I know God is knowable, yet incomprehensible- I can “feel” and “hear” Him sometimes, but at other times, God can be ‘silent’. When I operate in my subconscious mode, I often vacillate between doubts, like a double-minded man, knocking on heaven door anxiously and impatiently, “Father, are you there?” I ever wondered, which is the real me- Trust what I can see, like a normal human being, or what I can’t see, like a spiritual giant?

Does this sound familiar to you too?

If this is the case, let’s do a simple litmus test- can you see air? So do you believe there is oxygen in the air?

Oxygen. A component we can’t see, feel or touch, but we need oxygen to survive, isn’t that a credible evidence that oxygen exists because we are breathing and kept alive?

Yet Scientists or the atheistic trust gravity and air, but depend upon principles that they cannot see until they produce results in the tangible world of human perception. All of us believe in something whether seen or unseen, but no matter what our belief system is, we ultimately have to trust what we can’t see, isn’t it?

God. A creator we can’t see, feel or touch, but we need Him to save us. And isn’t that a proven fact that God exists because we are living and kept alive? Our God is knowable indeed, but He is unfathomably incomprehensible. The seen world we are living in now is subject to diseases, disasters, decay, disorders, and death. The unseen world, Heaven or Hell, is where we will be going to at the end of our life, is beyond what we can perceive.

Someone supernatural has sustain us, protect us, provide for us, fight for us, and guide us, through the brevity of life- the seasons, the ups and downs, the twists and turns. Is there any ‘One’ in the same league?

Can we now trust God who is real, and whose promises is the real deal?

The Lord has established His throne in heaven,
and His kingdom rules over all.
Psalm 103:19 HCSB

Yours, Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the splendor and the majesty, for everything in the heavens and on earth belongs to You. Yours, Lord, is the kingdom, and You are exalted as head over all. 12 Riches and honor come from You, and You are the ruler of everything. Power and might are in Your hand, and it is in Your hand to make great and to give strength to all.

1 Chronicles 29:11-12 HCSB

#RecessionProofed #HowToTRUST (Total Reliance Under Stressful Times) Experiences 24: Upsize Your Spiritual Meals

Image

A breakfast at Macdonald’s reminded me that the option of upsizing our meal can be applied for upsizing our faith too! And it is such a simple request for any time of the day!

But starting each morning with the Lord can change the trajectory of your day. All you need is a good spiritual breakfast, imagine you get so roused to action and go off “half-cocked” which you may end up messing the day in your bluster and haste.

Though life can bring about a series of tests that seem uncharacteristically cruel, and challenges cannot be passed over by simply gutting it out, but remembering that God is in control is key to overcoming anxieties of any sort. The upsize spiritual meal option is very simple with this acroynm of TRUST:

TURN your focus on God;
REMEMBER that God is in control;
UPSIZE your faith and downsize your fears;
STAY still in His Presence and be connected to His Word;
THANK Him for everything, regardless.
Edelyne Lau, 17 April 2023

In other words, trust God WITH your fears and failures,
trust Him THROUGH your fears and failures.

To quote Henry Blackaby, “If you want to experience something you’ve never done, you must do something you’ve never done.” In his book Experiencing God: Knowing and Doing His Will, Henry Blackaby writes, “You cannot go with God and stay where you are.”

Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!
Psalm 34:8 NKJV

REFERENCE:
Henry T. Blackaby, Experiencing God: Knowing and Doing His Will (Nashville, TN: Broadman and Holman Publishers, 1998), p. 132.

#RecessionProofed #HowToTRUST (Total Reliance Under Stressful Times) Experiences 23: “What’s next, Papa?”

Image

The trial.
The fears.
The scourging.
The crucifixion.
The rejection.
The silence.
The tomb.
The resurrection.
The presence.
The miracle.
The joy.
The hope.

Recall God’s faithfulness,
Reflect upon His Sovereignty,
Rehearse His providences,
Recount His provisions,
Remember His promises,
Resolve to trust God for all your next.

The celebration.
For God has risen!

#RecessionProofed #HowToTRUST (Total Reliance Under Stressful Times) Experiences 22: Submit All Your HOWs to WHO

Image

Days come, days go……
Do you wake up wondering what is next in life to come? Is life simply to live unfettered hedonism, after all the pursuits and indulgences? Or you have reached a plateau where you find life meaningless and unpurposeful, to the extent of hypocrisy and phoniness?

And one fine day…….
HOW am I going to live past this day?
HOW will I face tomorrow?
HOW can I overcome?
HOW will I know it is from God?
HOW will I know it is God’s timing?
HOW can I be sure if my decision is right?
HOW can I be assured if the path I am undertaking is the way to go?
HOW, how and more how……

So……
WHO do you look to for life’s answers?
WHO do you run to when life turns upside down?
WHO do you have in your life whom you can trust and fall back on?
WHO do you have in your life who never fail you?
WHO?

And gotcha……
Do you stumble at the last question?

“[Christ’s] love has the first and last word in everything we do.
Our firm decision is to work from this focused center.”
2 Corinthians 5:14 MSG

Life’s pain, often get us riled up about the most inconsequential issues, day in and day out. Even appealing activities can be detours that lead us away from the Lord, and engaging philosophies are often paths that end in a mire of muddled thinking.

Let’s take a pause to reflect- assume that you may live up to 80 years on earth, if truth be told, you probably left with around 30 percent of remaining years? Won’t this stark statistic jolts you to reality that life is short and so transient that time passes in a twinkle of an eye?

Nothing is guarantee tomorrow, and living with much uncertainty than ever, would you not value what your today more precious than yesterday? And not everyone get to live tomorrow, to some today may be their last… In view of such plausibility, wouldn’t NOW be the best time to do what you need to do? Because you wouldn’t know when or how long you get an opportunity. Wouldn’t you not surrender all your “HOWs” to the “WHO” can help you then?

Pain is a fact of life but suffering is optional. Put your trust in the One who can show you and direct all your “HOW”s.

The best time is NOW.

“Instead of worrying, pray . . .
It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.”
Philippians 4:6-7 MSG

#RecessionProofed #HowToTRUST (Total Reliance Under Stressful Times) Experiences 21: The Pressure Cooker: The Broken Things And The Stepping Stones.

Image

Days of anxieties often have me looking up into the blackening sky appealing, “God, when will there be light?” I often find myself wondering the whys God has allowed turbulences: the world is getting so volatile and chaotic, the moral fiber of our world has eroded and many hearts have to hurt, and life itself is getting tougher in the midst of rising inflation and saddling insecurities. I wonder do things have to breakdown in order to shake us up?

Do you feel you have been left up the creek without a paddle by life?

Every so often prevalent storms and the encumbrances of life weigh us down. Turbulent days with doubts when the enemy is too big and the answers too few. In such days can we say, “Surely this is our God; we trusted in him, and he saved us. This is the Lord, we trusted in him; let us rejoice and be glad in his salvation.” (Isaiah 25:9)

Broken things in the hands of God are merely stepping stones in our maturity process with faith-testing and character-purification where we can only see our true selves when placed in the pressure cooker of life’s tests.

Our failures, no matter how astronomical or insignificant, do not surprise God. All our stumbles and crumbles don’t frazzle Him. Our mistakes aren’t fatal nor final. They do not put a dent to our identities either. Bad things do happen to good people. We all are susceptible to the brokenness of this fallen world, so no one is immune nor insulated from pain. Nobody sails through life problem-free. The Bible says, “The good man does not escape all troubles—he has them too. But the Lord helps him in each and every one” (Psalm 34:19 TLB).

Let’s cultivate a deep-seated faith in God, fight the enemy’s attacks by involving the Word of God. No discovery will disillusion Him. No rebellion will dissuade Him. He is always faithful, trustworthy and true.

When you feel the pressure of life is too much, take a good look at the pressure cooker in your kitchen (if you have)- You will never discover how strong you really are until you face the pressure that you have never faced. It may seem unbearable, but the fact is, when God has allowed it to happen, it means He has His eyes upon you that you can handle it. He will not allow the pressure He has not temperated for you to handle. He did not promise to make a way of escape that you could run from it, but so you can “endure it.”, and will always be able to bear whatever comes your way. Even Apostle Paul under tremendous pressure could say in 2 Corinthians 1:8-9: “It was so bad, we didn’t think we were going to make it . . . But it turned out that it was the best thing that could have happened.

Instead of trusting in our own strength to get out of pressure, we were called to trust God totally—for God can do what you can’t do, and remember He is the God who raises the dead!” (The Message)

So, you are stronger than you think.

Lean on God’s unfailing Love, the One who never fail despite our own failures (and that of others). Let’s place our trust on God’s unchanging Character, the One who holds up our everything.

#RecessionProofed #HowToTRUST (Total Reliance Under Stressful Times) Experiences 20: The Greatest Love of All

Image

God is the……

Author of your story,

Perfector of your faith,

Bread of your life,

Water for your soul,

Healer of your body,

Provider for your needs,

Anchor for your storms,

Peace for your anxieties,

Counsellor for your emotions,

Source for your strength,

Hope for your future.

Such is He a,

Lover of your person,

and a trusted

Companion on your journey,

For life.

So, can’t you trust the One who can hold your everything?

For those who find Me (God) find life and receive favor from the Lord. - Proverbs 8:35

#RecessionProofed #HowToTRUST (Total Reliance Under Stressful Times) Experiences 19: Travelling Places- Gas Up or Break Down?

Image

“I get to lie down in green pastures, being led beside quiet waters, and guided along the right paths. Even if I walk through the darkest valley, I will not fear, for God is with me.”
Psalm 23:2-4

I missed travelling… I dream I could have an opportunity to sit in a caravan that go places. Though I am not a driver, but having been chauffeured, I can well imagine myself at the steering wheel, capturing picturesque sceneries:

Sun-dappled meadows. Arid dry lands. Snow-capped mountains. Treacherous terrains. Luscious pastures. Dew-laced woodlands. Meandering rivers. Breathtaking peaks. Rugged plains. Deep valleys. Magnificent cityscapes…….

Don’t you marvel at these sights that everything in creation gives evidence of God’s existence? Sighting the intricacy of snow that falls, the thunderstorm that roars, the mountain stream that trickles, the vast sea that flows… which concluded that God is, undeniably, there, with His handprints every where.

Life itself is full of mountains and valleys, the ups and downs. Today’s economy is getting more volatile than ever, and the market can turn topsy-turvy any time. The weather is also getting unpredictable and can change by the hour. The future is, but an untraveled trail with unexpected twists and turns. Even the best route isn’t all sun-dappled meadows and quiet riverside lanes. We will journey over rugged terrains or through dark valleys, from time to time. While travelling, we may come across these warning sign-posts erected by the roadsides:

Sharp bends. Land slide. Under construction. No fishing. No loitering. No swimming. No entry.

Then the dashboard of our life beeps an alert- Tank running low! If we are not in time to gas up, we will be in danger- Engine will stall soon. We will have to resort to emergency brake……

At that critical moment, there seems to appear a mirage that reads, “Life Guard on duty”.

Will the barometer of your TRUST engine then be zero? Half-filled? Or full tank?

In the fallen world of change, in all our heartbreaks and disappointments, there is only one constant- God, whom we can trust- so we need not have to fear change, for He is our anchor that holds our strongest storm. He will be our strength in our worst battles. We don’t have to be afraid, we can put our trust in Him, for His word and His promises always come through.

“The Lord himself will go before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forget you. Don’t be afraid and don’t worry.”
Deuteronomy 31:8

And the Lord knows the path before you, He is your perfect Guide for life. He watches over your every steps and teaches you His paths revealed through His word. The only way to ensure we are walking on the right path is to follow Him who knows the way. Even on our darkest days, God says, “I’m here and I’m with you.” And when life doesn’t feel good, He is faithful. That is, if you will humble yourself and reverence Him, He will give instructions about the way you should choose. Because He sees every obstacles and temptations along your way, and He wants to guard your steps so that you won’t stumble off course.

“The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.“
Psalm 32:8

Choose to trust the Lord and pursue His will rather than what might feel good or look right. You will be blessed with much more than you can ever imagine.

Take heart too that God is also a Comforter, who promises to walk alongside you so that you never have to face life’s challenges alone.

“You, Lord, give true peace to those who depend on you, because they trust you. So, trust the Lord always, because he is our Rock forever.”
Isaiah 26:3-4

#RecessionProofed #HowToTRUST (Total Reliance Under Stressful Times) Experiences 18: Trust or Bust?

Image

God whispered to me this morning, “I am (……)”, which dawned upon me that His assurance comes in the present tense, it is not the past tense of “I was (……)” nor the future tense, “I will be (……). That means God is in the present- He is with me, any where, every where- now. God will always assure, “I am your Father, who love you a lot to surely take care of you. And I know exactly what you are going through, as well as what you need…”

In other word, we should live in the present- now – today. We should not borrow tomorrow with the strength we have today. Wouldn’t it be wasted if we miss the blessings of 12 hours to enjoy today?

So look up, look around, and look out. Miracle is there- it need not be in the package we expect, nor appear significantly magical- no matter how minuscule, we should count our blessing and be grateful.

Let’s live one day at a time.

Between TRUST (that God will take care of what we need) and BUST (from feeling anxious or worried) is ENTRUST (our burdens to Him as He is far better at handling our lives than we do our own).

It is enough for the day.

#RecessionProofed #HowToTRUST (Total Reliance Under Stressful Times) Experiences 18: Be Unmovable And Unshakeable!

Image

God although is incomprehensible, and His ways often unfathomable, but He is never subject to infallibility. If we are equipped with a better understanding of the invariable rock-solid truths about the immutability of our infinite God, will help us to trust Him more (and more):

His Omnipotence: God is all-powerful.
His Omniscience: God is all-knowing, Including about the past, present and future.
His Omnipresence: God is present everywhere.
His Omnibenevolence: God is all-loving and all-good.

His Character, unchanging.

His Sovereignty, unequivocal.

His Presence, undeniable.

His Love, unrelenting.

His Mercies, unending.

His Faithfulness, unceasing.

His Patience, untiring.

His Forgiveness, unlimited.

His Devotion, unswerving.

His Support, unwavering.

His Guidance, unconditional.

His Provisions, unimaginable.

His Answers, unthinkable.

His Promises, unfailing.

His Miracles, unexpected.

HIStory (HIS-story and History), unalterable.

#RecessionProofed #HowToTRUST (Total Reliance Under Stressful Times) Experiences 17: CNY2023 Ang Pow 兔 (“To”) Huat 兔(“To”)gather And Be Blessed by PaPa 兔(“too”)!

Image

Greeting in Singlish and dialect to toss up the festivity of Chinese New Year, “Huat Ah! Wishing all a prosperous new year! Stay hearty and healthy always!”

Bless you with an ‘Ang pow’ (Chinese red packet) based on the acronym of ‘TRUST’:

1. Tenacity

“… (you) are more than Conqueror through Him who loved (you)…” (Romans 8:37)

2. Resiliency

“I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13)

3. Unequivocalness

“And Jesus answered them, “Have faith in God. Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” (Mark 11:22-24)

4. Satisfaction

“And the Lord will guide you continually and satisfy your desire in scorched places and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.” (Isaiah 58:11)

5. Treasures (in jar of clay)

“But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.” (2 Corinthians 4:7)

Amen?

Let’s keep trusting in God’s providence and provision.

#RecessionProofed #HowToTRUST (Total Reliance Under Stressful Times) Experiences 16: Satan may have the first giggle, but he doesn’t have the last laugh!

Image

I visited a sister from our small group on 8 January 2023 with a buddy. We marvelled at how she had such a speedy recovery from a bursted vessel at the back of her brain just a month ago. Her prognosis after surgery wasn’t hopeful as her life might be hanging on a thread due to internal bleeding and occasional shrinking of the affected blood vessel. The seemingly bad news activated our church network to intercede for her intensively with daily prayers. But all glory and praises to God for an unexpected miracle when her condition was finally brought under control. Even the affected immobility on her right side was amazingly restored! Now she is looking as good as if she didn’t go through an ordeal!

Silence may be deafening.

Heart may be wrenching.

Hope may be wavering.

Darkness may be looming……

The only way to get over such a trial, or going forward in such a testing, is to adopt the attitude of a “Keeper”:

1. KEEP Walking:

For we walk by faith, not by sight. (2 Corinthians 5:7)

Don’t burn out; keep yourselves fueled and aflame… Don’t quit in hard times; pray all the harder. (Romans 12:11-12)

2. KEEP Believing:

When a believing person prays, great things happen. (James 5:16)

And all things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive. (Matthew 21:22)

3. KEEP Trusting:

When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me? (Psalm 56:3-4)

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. (Proverbs 3:5-6)

So KEEP the faith and trust that God is working behind the scene, He promises that at the right time He will answer your prayers! (Isaiah 49:8) [He] will never go back on [His] promises. (Romans 11:29)

Always remember that the end is always greater than the former glory. (Haggai 2:9) Trust God for the outcome. He knows the end better than you do, and He is not finished with you yet.

#RecessionProofed #HowToTRUST (Total Reliance Under Stressful Times) Experiences 15: Proof or Poof?

Image

Yesterday.

Today.

Tomorrow.

Which day would you choose to live in?

Yesterday is gone. Past. Over.

Tomorrow yet to arrive. Future. Unknown.

Today is now. Present. Not yet.

Yesterday messy…

Today merry…

Tomorrow misty…

Far too often, we keep fussing over our tomorrows and delving into our past, that we miss out the blessings for the day.

Which day would you rather enjoy then?

You can’t relive your past.

You can’t live in the future.

You can only live today.

TRUST God to take care of your future.

TRUST God to take control of your past.

TRUST God to take charge of your present.

Live one day at a time.

Enjoy now.

For the miracle is in the little things you may have overlooked.

It is always the least expected, or unexpected.

TRUST that God is there, somewhere, somehow.

Good things happen to those who trust God.

Blessings.

TIP FOR THE DAY: How to trust God? One sure way is to pray as much as you worried, you will then have a lot less to worry about. Because when you pray, there is no room for worry to co-exist in the same space.

New Year, New Hope, New Life. Blessed 2023!

Image

Life without meaning has no hope.

Life without hope has no faith.

⁃ Nick Vujicic

We all have foundation, we all know the Word of God, it is a matter of how solid or how well is our structure that can withstand the winds and storms of life.

2022 endemic was eventful, 2023 may be rough but we can hang on tough because tough season won’t last but tough people do. So no matter what we are going through, or what we be facing, God is still in the picture.

Because He is a Living God- He is always there, always speak, always watching over us… It is us who fail to grasp His Presence and His Person. We are either blindsided or deafened.

So the question is- why?

Very likely that we rationalise too much. We get too secular. We put God in a box and limit Him. And the key issue is our own belief system is flawed – we believe what we chose to believe. We are myopic and have not change our glasses. Our inner man is overpowered by our flesh.

So basically, the poke (gentle stage) or furnace (advance stage) test is- how well is God living in our life?

Life will have its struggles because the world we are living in will have troubles which God has already warned that in this world we will have troubles, that is expected, but take heart that Jesus said He had overcome the world, if you expound this word ‘overcome’, He overcame then and is still will be now and future unless the world (which we are living now) disappears.

So there are 3 principles we can live in the power:

1. Anchor

What is an anchor? It is a heavy object attached to a cable or chain and used to moor a ship to the sea bottom, typically having a metal shank with a pair of curved, barbed flukes at one end. That is a physical description.

How does this apply in a spiritual context? We need to anchor deep in the Word (Bible as the sea) of God to keep us stable on sea of life and choppy water of the seasons. So the deeper you anchored, the more firm you stand. It holds your ship.

Be still and know that I am God (Ps 46:10). Let not your hearts be troubled; believe in God, believe also in me. (John 14:1)

2. Hope

What do you understand about ‘hope’? Dictionary defines hope as a feeling of expectation and desire for a particular thing to happen; it is a feeling of trust.

So how do we place our hope in God?

If to summarise what the dictionary defines, that means “to trust God for something you want (expect / desire) it to happen.” Thus He promises in Isaiah 49:23, “I am the Lord; those who hope in Me will not be disappointed.”

And hope should be the last thing to lose- Many people are depressed because they are losing or lost hope, and they keep looking or dwelling on the dark side but fail to consider there is always two sides to a coin, and we have choices- hold on, persevere, stop dwelling or the flip side.

On another plane, actually what do you consider as miracles? Something “poof” or some kind very magical? Truth be told, it is not necessary, it can be something small, Nd it may not come in a package we have expected. It is simply mean God’s Handprints upon something, so the truth is, God does miracles every day, we just need ears to hear and eyes to see (2 Kings 6:17)- isn’t we are still living considered as the greatest miracle? Imagine we can live another day to do what we love doing?

So life has hope. It isn’t the end- there is always light at the end of tunnel if we keep on walking.

3. Presence

We all know that God is Omnipresent and Omnipotent. The question is, what do we need to do with or in His Presence?

We just need to practise abiding, for He is always there, and in His Presence we can find strength. So we just need to keep still. Yet we fail to abide… So what is actually abiding? Literally, it means to ‘stay’ or ‘remain.’ To abide in the Lord means that we continually receive, believe and trust that Jesus is everything and has everything we need. Abiding also mean the need to be still, to let God be God to do the things in His Will and in His Timing, knowing and trusting that He is in control. Abiding is also a time where we need to recharge or pluck to the power source, which is God alone.

As disciples, our faith will always be put to the test. In 1 Kings 19:11-13, God told Elijah: “Go stand in the presence of the Lord outside your cave on the mountain… First, a violent windstorm came up that blasted the mountain… but the Lord was not in the wind.

Got the last verse? Imagine God is not present where you are or going to, including your prayers for His answer… So His Presence matters.

To sum up in a nutshell, we need to abide in His Presence, anchor deep in His Word, in order to be upward-looking in Hope, forward-looking in Faith, and outward-looking in Strength.

Bless your 2023 with the 3 keys of a good start!

RecessionProofed #HowToTRUST (Total Reliance Under Stressful Times) Experiences 14: REboot For A Good REstart

Image

2022 marks the endemic of COVID2019…

2022 to the many may be a year of winds and storms:

Ups and downs.

Breaks and wrecks.

Hits and misses.

Light and darkness.

Peaks and valleys.

Days and nights.

Moments and seasons.

Today and tomorrows.

Failures and successes.

Joys and tears.

Learnt and un-learn.

When 2022 just doesn’t add up: the inevitability and brevity of life- when the rain patters down, attacking the roof of your life; the streams rise, flooding the foundation of your life; the winds blow, beating against the walls of your life- launching attacks relentlessly on all sides that you have no control over……

When 2022 may not make sense: the mire and muck of our world- with fearmongering messages revving up, we find our way in a pluralistic world of competing voices, and lights our path so given to despairing cynicism and phoniness. On top of our own selfish nature clamouring for supremacy, and the world with all its pursuits and pleasures, granting us the license to live unfettered hedonism……

But, even in the worst times, you can trust this: God has a good purpose, a good plan, and a good reason. For Psalm 16:1-2 (NCV) says, “Protect me, God, because I trust in you. I said to the Lord, ‘You are my Lord. Every good thing I have comes from you’”.

God’s voice must outrank the voices of our stress-laden society, even our innate sinful nature. We ought to anchor to the unshakeable Word of God, the only foundation you can trust.

So found yourself under the furnace test of TRUST?

Take heart- tough season don’t last (please ‘chew’ the following passage in ‘bite size’ very very slowly for the benefit of optimal digestion…):

To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven:

A time to be born, and a time to die;

A time to plant, and a time to pluck what is planted;

A time to kill, and a time to heal;

A time to break down, and a time to build up;

A time to weep, And a time to laugh;

A time to mourn, and a time to dance;

A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones;

A time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;

A time to gain, and a time to lose;

A time to keep, and a time to throw away;

A time to tear, and a time to sew;

A time to keep silence, and a time to speak;

A time to love, and a time to hate;

A time of war, and a time of peace…….

He has made everything beautiful in its time.

⁃ Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, 11

Have you sounded the depth of this promise? (Perhaps you may need to reverberate the above passage once again…)

Still can’t stop worrying? Christ can, and He lives within you. He will do what you cannot do. With Him in you, you have a million resources you can draw upon. Despite 2022 filled with whoops and hollers, 2023 will soon beckoning with a new chapter, a new beginning- let’s unload the baggages of the past, lay down the burdens of the present, and give over our hopes, our future and our dreams to God. Get rebooted in the camp of Trust, and come out stronger, better.

God wants you to trust Him. You matter to Him, because He loves you.

Happy 2023! God bless you with more “Son”shine (sunshine)!

RecessionProofed #HowToTRUST (Total Reliance Under Stressful Times) Experiences 13: Reasons For The Season

Image

Merry Christmas!

Let us be:

1. Forward-looking:

Because God is AHEAD of us.

So there is ASSURANCE

that God is in control.

2. Outward-looking:

Because God is IN us.

So there is CONFIDENCE

that God is at work.

3. Upward-looking:

Because God is FOR us.

So there is HOPE

that God is present.

TRUST Him, with your everything.

When He has given you His Best that cost Him everything, today.

Blessed Christmas!

#RecessionProofed #HowToTRUST (Total Reliance Under Stressful Times) Experiences 12: This Christmas Will You Look For The Real “Santa Claus”?

Image

Today’s world of consumer-culture has commercialised Christmas into a hyped-up holiday. And poof, Santa Claus is at work everywhere, “Ho, Ho, Ho…” offering the world as your oysters.

So what would you wish and hope for this Christmas?

Jolting back to reality, unfortunately, this hoping-for-the-magical-Santa-Claus is only a figment of our imagination… Amid the festivities underneath the tinsel, the busyness, and the lights, this season offers one of the most valuable gift beyond the dollars and cents, by Someone who is even more amazing than Santa Claus. He is far able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power… (Ephesians 3:20).

And He has a storehouse in Heaven abundant with what we could ever wish for… so if God comes like a Santa Claus, what would you be hoping to receive in His here-is-your-gift bag this Christmas?

God isn’t a vending machine dispensing all our whims and fancies, but as a loving Father, He will provide what we need and what is good for us. He invites, “Ask and it will be given to you, seek and you will find, knock and the door will be opened to you.” (Matthew 7:7)

If His gift will be just a word, TRUST, and tagged with this promise, “You will have no fear of bad news; your heart will be secure as you trust the Lord. Your heart be secure, you will have no fear; in the end you will look in triumph on your foes (whatever that you are facing…).(Psalm 112:7-8)

Will you then gladly accept this gift? (There is nothing to lose, isn’t it?)

P.S. Come Home this Christmas. Whatever you are going through this season, let God have your burdens, trust that He will work all things out in His timing. And trust that He will never let your challenges be wasted- I can ensure you that I have seen His Faithfulness, tasted His Goodness, and experienced His Greatness! He never fail. All difficulties are always incubator for something better, take heart!

RecessionProofed #HowToTRUST (Total Reliance Under Stressful Times) Experiences 11: Bank Savvy, Don’t Penny-wise And Pound-foolish Your Future

Image

The year end season is the time of hope, for bonus payout to count our eggs, baskets, and nests in preparation for the new year, or for in case of unexpected emergencies. We get busy tallying the equations, and get obsessed if we have enough in the bank to see us through another year, or over the money in the bank if they are secured…

Banks are certainly busy wooing savers and investors, campaigning never-failing gimmicks along the line of “The Best Global Bank You Can Trust”, dangling jumbo-sized carrots that we can barely resist to bite.

Yet in today’s world of great uncertain volatility, can we really feel safe and assured that we are in good hands of any bank we can fully entrust our money with?

If truth be told, no bank on earth can promise a 100% guarantee. So we ought to really consider these factors:

1. Which bank opens 24/7 over 365 days with a direct live chat for unlimited services?

2. Which bank can vouch a 100% safe guarantee if we place a deposit?

3. Which bank promises attractive rewards or generous redemptions whenever the criteria of eligibility is fulfilled?

4. Which bank can recognise our unique ID without the need to go through 2FAs verification for secured access?

5. Which bank can manage your assets and resources in one full view, tallying your accounts with formulas that will never fail?

Doubt we can find any on earth. But there is one bank that is not subject to market conditions nor be restricted with terms and conditions. Only one keyword is required to enjoy its services, any time any where- TRUST.

Wouldn’t such a bank give you absolute peace of mind to place your TRUST and enTRUST your life with?

Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God. – Corrie Ten Boom

A trustworthy bank, is for life. That simple to invest. And the bank’s call for action is to test it. That is why the title of this devotion come about.

P.S. I am not advocating not to put our money in any physical bank. This is written to present that there is a “bank”— God— whom we can turn to for help in time of needs.

RecessionProofed #HowToTRUST (Total Reliance Under Stressful Times) Experiences 10: “Daddy, Please Help!”

Image

A recent Marvel movie, Black Devil, inspired me to pen this devotion on how a super Hero can overturn the world of evils- My creative mind started to conceive a dare devil called, Trust Avenger, gear in a full armour of God with supernatural power in: (a) turning wasted places into flowing springs; (b) extinguishing any fires; (c) and can control time with his hands. His mantra will be, “I am Avenger of Trust, right beside!” He will respond to whoever utter, “Daddy, help me!” because His omnipotence provides a loving presence as a encompassing Father *who loves, cares and provides for every of our needs.

(*CR Mathew 7:9-11 NLT: You parents—if your children ask for a loaf of bread, do you give them a stone instead? Or if they ask for a fish, do you give them a snake? Of course not! So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him.)

Such a rich figment of my imagination? No, there really is such a Hero: A cross-nailed, thorn-crowned and blood-stained Savior. A crimsoned face of Heaven’s darling, God’s only Son.

The world is in chaos right now, with warring evils and principalities. We don’t know what the future holds, but we do know who holds the future. And yes, there will be uncertainty, but God is still in control. He will keep you from evils and harm. Trust the One who can part the Red Sea to keep you between the drowning walls of water. Let’s hand over our life to the One who can see the big picture with a 20/20 vision- so we can simply trust in Him, and wait upon how He can turn things around in due time.

“…blessed is the one who trusts in you.” (Psalm 84:12B)

Trust, that means to take God at His Word-

“For the word of God will never fail.” (James 1:17)

Trust, that means God is in control-

for all the world is mine and everything in it. (Psalm 50:12B)

Trust, that means nothing is impossible with God-

“I am the Lord, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?” (Jeremiah 32:27)

Trust, that means we can overcome anything because we have God who loves us-

…in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. (Romans 8:37)

Trust, that means placing your hope in Someone who has been proven to be trustworthy.- No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you. (Joshua 1:5)

P.S. May I add one more power to my super Hero? The more we trust Him in any circumstance, especially in trying trials, the bigger he will become. The more we magnify His Name, He can loom over any of our enemies we are facing.

RecessionProofed #HowToTRUST (Total Reliance Under Stressful Times) Experiences 9: Who or What Rule Your Day?

Image

Just simple manna that is easily digestible for the day, ‘Choice’:

We all have choices, each day:

To trust God or not to trust Him.

To obey or not to obey.

To believe or not to believe.

Which is better- which choice do you want to rule your day?

All you need is to decide in your mind, consciously, and the rest will follow.

Test it.

That is.

#RecessionProofed #HowToTRUST (Total Reliance Under Stressful Times) Experiences 8: God Have You Fully Covered For Life!

Image

My recent review on my insurance coverage have inspired me to pen this devotional that God can be our ultimate Insurance-

All of us feel secure to have some sort of protection to be well prepared for rainy days. There is nothing wrong in so-doing, but oftentimes, life doesn’t go as planned- None of us like unexpected ‘surprises’ that life may throw at us. But God has us all covered for life with these fundamental Truths from His original policies.

God Is Our Life Policy.

You are a hiding place for me; you preserve me from trouble

He will never leave us nor forsake us, He will be our safety net we can fall back on.

God Is Our Protection Policy.

Behold, God is my helper; the Lord is the upholder of my life. – Psalm 54:4

No matter what happens, God is the Strength and Promise that undergirds our lives, 24/7.

God Is Our Savings Policy.

And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. – Philippians 4:19

He is our ultimate Provider, who meets all our needs.

If I may be audacious to propose a brand tag for God’s TRUST Insurance succinctly, it will read “The ONLY GUARANTEE, TRUSTED for life.” with these guarantee:

God never fail.

“I am the same yesterday, today and forever.” – Hebrews 13:8

He is the only constant that will not change though times can change; He will not call quits and abandon though markets can crash: He will not contradict His Integrity as it is part of His Divine character even though the laws on earth may evolve from time to time.

He will take care of ALL our needs.

The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need.

– Psalm 23:1

God knows exactly what we need, even before we ask of Him. In Him, we will lack nothing.

100% Safe.

The Lord will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life. The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore. – Psalm 121:7-8

God is a strong tower and make a good hiding place; where He can preserve us from troubles, keeping us safe.

Where on earth can we find such a FREE insurance coverage that not only guarantee for life, we can also reap much benefits from it! God is good!

#RecessionProofed #HowToTRUST (Total Reliance Under Stressful Times) Experiences 7: Downsize Mountains To Molehills (With A Chair?)

Image

Continue from my previous post on “Birds, Birds, Where Are You?”, this time I shall relieve myself from missing holidaying by “imaginary travelling” to another picturesque landscape- the alps. (P.S. Interestingly, the devotional topic for my own Quiet Time on 7 October, is about mountain with the key verse from Isaiah 26:4, “TRUST (Emphasis for my devotional series!) in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord is the Rock Eternal.” Perhaps God is hurrying me to finish penning this piece, lol!)

I have always marvel at how majestic God created the mountains. They are towering over me so sky-high that the horizon seems to reach ‘peakless’. While meandering through the path from mountain to mountain, at certain juncture, I suddenly feel so small and insignificant… I found myself entertaining randoms, “What if the mountain suddenly topple over me? Will I be crushed to death?” Rocks of adversity and avalanche of messes precipitate crises that can easily enshroud any one in darkness.

But do you know there is a difference between belief and trust? Belief in something does not mean you are trusting in it. It is simply giving a mental assent to an idea, but not placing your faith in it. For example, you may believe that a trapeze performer can carry you across a waterfall in a wheelbarrow on a tightrope. But until you get onto the wheelbarrow, you have not placed your trust in what you believe about its safety. The performer assures and invites you to entrust your life completely to him to get you across. So the question is, “Can you believe that it is safe to get onto this wheelbarrow and trust with your life to this person who can carry you across safely?”

Let change another scenario, this time bizarre (if I may be being creative), a chair is placed in between the fearsome-looking mountains. Will you scrutinise this chair to such an extent-

“This chair looks small…”, “The legs look flimsy…”, “Can it really support my weight, it won’t give way?”, “It does not look safe to sit on…”. In short, that means, you do not believe that this chair can be trusted to sit on safely.

Believe and trust, or, unbelief and distrust? A better choice is still, believe and trust. A simple back to basic timeless Truth will be a solid anchor for life:

“Trust in and rely confidently on the Lord with all your heart. And do not rely on your own insight or understanding. In all your ways know and acknowledge and recognise Him, And He will make your paths straight and smooth [removing obstacles that block your way].” (Proverbs 3:5-6 AMP)

The above verse, in most translations reinforced the word, TRUST, with the word, ALL our heart. Why our heart? Because our heart: (1) is the wellspring of life; (2) where everything you do flows from it; (3) determines the course of your life; (4) is the issues of life.

Our vacillating feelings can deceive us, our fallible wisdom can fail us, but the immutability of God stays indisputable. Surely, He is our secured anchor of hope! If we, in all our ways, acknowledge Him, then our “mountains” will shrunk into “molehills” and our paths will be made cleared.

Remember, the Lord was long before any mountain and will be long after it has been reduced to nothing. He is the only rock of security and stability. All our tomorrows belong to Him. So we can live in trusted confidence that He will take care of us!

Amen?

#HowToTRUST (Total Reliance Under Stressful Times) #ForLife Experiences 6: Birds, Birds, Where Are You? Tweet: “Fear-LESS, be trust-FULL.”

Image

Is your life hanging by the cliff?

Are you down to the last dollar for your next meal?

Fear is waiting to rear its ugly head?

It seems like you are probably reaching at the end of your tether, and you are struggling to balance walking on a tightrope of life challenges.

A tough season.

The glimmer of hope is, tough season don’t last but tough people do.

Perhaps it is time for some reorientation. How about take a day out for some birdwatching? God has so much to say about them. They can be His physical reminders of His Great love and Faithfulness. And appreciating nature is a great way not only to de-stress, it helps to reorient our focus on God who is the Creator, Provider and Sustainer of all things. Nature can teach us something- Look at the caterpillar, the birds, the grass, and the “mountain / hill”:

He also gave their crops to the caterpillar… (Psalm 78:46a)

“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. (Matthew 6:25-34)

Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds. (Luke 12:24)

Who provides for the raven its prey, when its young ones cry to God for help, and wander about for lack of food? (Job 38:41)

All the birds of the heavens made their nests in its boughs; under its branches all the beasts of the field gave birth to their young, and under its shadow lived all great nations. (Ezekiel 31:6)

Even the sparrow finds a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, at your altars, O Lord of hosts, my King and my God. (Psalm 84:3)

Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. (Matthew 10:29-31)

Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God. (Luke 12:6)

I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber. (Psalm 121:1-3)

He said to them, “Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.” (Matthew 17:20)

Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him. (Mark 11:23)

Why is it so difficult to stop striving and simply trust in God’s provision? Perhaps, you are thinking that your best isn’t good enough… So how to be fear-proof? TRUST. (With added emphasis). Simply trust, it flushes the trash of worry and anxiety. Abide and rest in God by trusting that no matter what happens, God will take care of things like He takes care of the birds, He clothes the grass of the field. He is the Maker of all things, so He is ultimately in control– Fear-LESS and be trust-FULL, day by day, step by step, God provides the manna one day at a time.

P.S. Take time off for some bird-watching yeah?

#HOWTOLEAN On #TRUST (Total Reliance Under Stressful Times) Experiences 4: Facing The Giants And The Pharaohs One Day At A Time

Image

I ever wondered if I know how my future is, I may be better prepared now to face the “unforeseen” of what is forthcoming. Nothing is further than the truth- if I saw what it shouldn’t be, I think I would have better off not knowing than to be anticipating with anxieties or fears of what will unfold each day— the giants and Pharaohs I have to face, the rejections, the closed doors, the health challenges, the financial crises— I might think, “It is better to just stay where I am so that I don’t get into those troubles…” I may even manipulate the course to force a desired outcome out of my own myopic insensibilities and ended up with more messes or in situations that are (potentially far) worst than “originally allowed”.

And there comes the groans of the heart— we have heard them, because we made them— They are the vernacular of pain, the chosen tongue of despair. And when prayers do not come, the pain sensors will up the notch, to get us tuned in and we will get haywired.

That is why, God is gracious for not showing us the details because He knows we would talk ourselves out of it. If we can’t figure out how something that is ever going to work out, we will start to get anxious and be robbed of the peace for the day.

It is more comfortable to live in the moment, and one day at a time. For tomorrow has enough troubles of its own, why would we need to borrow tomorrow troubles with today’s strength? Would it be needless to be robbed of today’s joy over tomorrow’s worries (which might not even happen)?

Our responses should be, “God, I don’t see a way or have the answer for how this situation can work out, but I trust You!” This attitude of faith allows God to do great (and greater) things. He had the solution before we had the problem. All we need to do is to pass our own test and simply trust Him for the outcome, which will be temperated by His Love and Faithfulness.

One day, at a time.

HOWTOLEAN On #TRUST (Total Reliance Under Stressful Times) Experiences 3: Do You Know You Have Unlimited Trust Funds?

Image

“Miss Worrywart, are you not a beneficiary of God’s trust funds?”

Pray.

Great miracles happen.

Trust.

Good things follow.

Believe.

Opportune times ensue.

HOWTOLEAN On #TRUST (Total Reliance Under Stressful Times) Experiences 2: Get Your Hands Off!

Image

Penned on 7 Aug 2022:

DISORGANISED TO REORGANISED:

Since I was injured, my mornings are getting sufferably earlier and longer that I have had so much time to catch up with a long list of “to-do”s, one of which is to tidy up my devotionals and blogs that have been collecting e-cobwebs since the season of COVID, lol!

(Seriously! Ok, back to my penning now…)

STIR UP TO LEVEL UP:

If you found yourself often catching laborious breathing, experiencing jittery hands and being immobilised with a hyperventilated soul. Chances are, something must be getting out of control… And coping with changes can be unsettling. But changes can be used for good, which is necessary for growth.

So if there is one thing to drill home, it is this: nothing in this life is guaranteed nor stay constant, not health, finances, business, career, nor any of our plans. Anything can change and not everything we can have control over. God, who is infinite, is the only constant. We can be assured that God’s character remains unchanged, no matter how much change in the day to day, God will forever remain powerful over all things, trustworthy in all He says, and faithful and compassionate through all changes.

God’s faithfulness and compassion are not dependent on our faithfulness, He is faithful and gracious to us because of His character. That’s just who He is, so you and I can be assured that God will always be faithful no matter what happens, and that His compassion for us will never fail!

Therefore…

1. Relinquish the Need for Control: Shift our focus

We need to recognise and accept our own limitations, fallacies and finiteness. We need not be victimised by changes while living in the fallenness of this world, we just need to relinquish the need for control, believing in the promise that Jesus has already overcame the world and is standing with us in victory over our foes.

Whenever anxieties hit, shift the focus that God is ultimately sovereign and in control in every situation.

RESET TO REGAIN:

2. Recommit the Decision to Trust: Exercise our choice

Trust is not a one-time commitment. It has to be a daily practice. It is a rededication of worship; surrendering the need to know everything. It is indeed a tall order and a very hard lesson to learn—especially when each day looks more uncertain than the last or the next. Trusting God has to be an active choice, it cannot be fundamental on our feelings, as our feelings will change, but choosing to trust in God is an act of faith- to trust beyond how we feel, whether we like it or not, even when we don’t feel like it.

Every challenge provides room for growth in new and powerful ways. In teaching us obedience, the Lord redirects our natural inclinations so we can grow in a Godward direction.

Humble yourself therefore, make it your goal to be a pliable student in the Lord’s hands, do not disdain His discipline in moulding mind, shaping values, and tutoring heart. Let your plumb line be measured by His precepts. Do not try shortcuts or short-circuiting the desert time of God, as it will only leads to cul-de-sacs, which force you to revisit the lesson(s) you have yet to learn. Embrace the process, so that you will come out purified by His Refiner’s fire, temperated with His Great Love.

HOWTOLEAN On #TRUST (Total Reliance Under Stressful Times) Experiences 1: Knowing The One Who Can Be Trusted To Help

Image

My recent trauma with a critical fall on May 14, prompted me to consolidate my experiences on the word, ‘TRUST’ and ‘FEAR’, as part of my learning process. In sharing this series do not mean I have mastered being trustful, but to remind myself in retrospection and reflections should 1 day I be confronted by this giant. I hope in sharing, those seeking life answers may find hope, peace and breakthroughs in some ways.

P.S. We all are work in progress, and learning about life is never a destination but an ongoing process of discovery.

Penned on 1 Sep 2022:

While the world is beginning to wake up from a forced hibernation of the post-COVID19 endemic, some of us are beginning to be jolted to reality, coming to terms with what has been broken, displaced and lost.

Anxieties and fears have been a common vocabulary for the past 2 years when unforeseen circumstances beckon us in the first instance to cower to niggly fears- fear of bad news, fear of what is next, fear of lack in the future… The stress and the fear of the unknown rattled us, with the merciless cronies of anxieties, dismay and gloom, gnawing our innermost relentlessly, leaving us insecure and uncertain about life that often seems like a long, zig-zag winding road, disconcerting us when we can’t see what’s around the corner…

Amid the uncertainties, we can still find peace by ruminating on the truth that God is in ultimate control and we can trust that He is Sovereign- He rules and reigns in the spiritual and physical realms in power:

1. God is our Guide For Life.

He holds the compass with our journey already pre-mapped out, navigating the biggest bends to the smallest curves, positioning the sign-posts along the way and erecting road blocks against deadly ends. God will direct our every steps under His watchful eyes.

2. God is the Author Of Our Story.

He knows the unwritten pages of our future, and has penned down a plan for each of us in advance. There is no need to worry because He holds the last page.

3. God is our Helper Of All Times.

He is always ready and timely, in great faithfulness, step by step, and day to day. We can fall back on His Safety Net without being afraid. He is always ready to catch us should we stumble.

Each time we decided and chose to obey in faith, the shackles of anxiety will loosen gradually. We may still feel fear, but we do not have to let it dictate our life and immobilise us. Our human tendency to catastrophise must fully yield to trust in God’s sovereign care.

Remember that nothing can get to us without first getting through God. So no matter what happens, we will still be in God’s good Hands.

Remember that Jesus has overcome the world.

Remember that God takes care of the birds of the air and clothe the grass of the fields, would He not care about us and take care of our needs since we are much more valuable as His children?

DO YOU KNOW #RelationshipsMatters #ItTakesTwo #BeTheChange Tips 40: It Is Not Over, Yet.

Image

Final?

Finally.

Get going, beyond.

Serve, beyond.

Give, beyond.

Persevere, beyond.

Die (to self), beyond.

Exceed, beyond.

Change (first), beyond.

Forgive, beyond.

Live, beyond.

Love, beyond.

Break the mould.

Push the boundaries.

Exceed your own limits.

Easier said than done?

Sure, nothing in life is easy anyway.

Enough is enough?

Really, what is the limit of enough anyway.

He or she is simply not the right mate?

Truly no one is perfect anyway.

Just do it anyway.

Just do it every way.

Just do it all the way.

Be better,

not perfect.

Go, beyond.

Do, beyond.

Moving, beyond.

Period.

P.S.

And yes, this ends my sharing of a total of 40 relational tips series, whew! That is why, “Finally!” Hmmm…… my pen may ink a limited edition whenever inspiration visits, keep your eyes peeled! No promise though, (smiling).

DO YOU KNOW #RelationshipsMatters #ItTakesTwo #BeTheChange Tips 39: Deshackle The Me Kingdom

Image

This is a fact- People won’t change as much as you want them to.

This is the truth- You can’t change others.

This is the key- Don’t expect other people to change.

This is the miracle- Nothing changes until you (first) change.

When you change, other people change.

What is to be changed? Your mindset.

It is all in your mind-

An anonymous quote that goes, “It is all in your mind. Whatever you hold in your mind will tend to occur in your life. If you continue to believe as you have always believed, you will continue to act as you have always acted. If you continued to act as you have always acted, you will continue to get what you have always gotten. If you want to have different result in your relationship (applies to your life too), all you have to do is change your mind.”

“Who say so?”

What is your problem?

Your problem, and my problem, is, The Me Kingdom.

The Me Kingdom is ruled by the self:

Who made the law?

You. And me.

It all starts in the mind.

Our mind is the command tower or center that control every part of us – it sends out messages through our thoughts and translate into actions to the rest of the “distribution facilities” of our body. As a result of these “top-down instructions” to function internally, we automated outwardly.

People can’t see the inward roots of our lives but they can tell by our outward fruits- bad roots produce bad or rotten fruits don’t they? Good fruits can only grow on good roots isn’t it?

So what is the cause of any relational breakdown? Find the root, get to the root, and uproot it:

Deshackle The Me Kingdom;

Denounce your throne;

Demolish all strongholds.

All you need to do is, to change your mind.

DO YOU KNOW #RelationshipsMatters #ItTakesTwo #BeTheChange Tips 38: Radically Reset Your Terror-tory

Image

Don’t give your relationship a terror-tory (territory, pun intended). This isn’t a finger-pointing game but a dare devil call to honesty:

1. Do you mask your inadequacies through a need to always be right?

2. Are you blinded with your own self-seeking?

3. Do you see any signs of over-control in how you relate to others?

4. Can you allow others the freedom to fail?

5. Are you fearful of failure?

6. Do you always insist to have the last say?

7. Do you always apply emotional blackmail to get your way?

8. Can you accept that your perspectives may be clouded and your values and belief system are flawed?

9. Do you “murder” the offended party in your mind and heart?

10. Do you camouflage your insecurities through verbal and emotional retaliation?

(The list is inexhaustive…)

In all honesty, chances are, you are likely to be in a defensive or self-denial mode- unwilling to face the stark truth.

Self-denial is a self-made prison, locked with all walls around our heart in a locked room… And we hold this key… Darkness always encroach upon our heart because we try to hide our own sins. There are always those little monsters lurking around and rearing its ugly heads all the time, which they might have grown stronger over the years gagging the owner (you truly) who refused to slay them.

It is also our innate desire or human nature that we stay within our comfort zone, unchallenged, complacent and enjoying the “fake” peace, stuck in the rut or get stunted in our growth.

But only truth can set you free. Surely, if only you first recognise the signs and accept the truth. Turn on your inner “stereo” and “face the music”. Light up some candles and “face them in the light”-look around, where there is light, there is no room for darkness isn’t it?

Free yourself from the dark dungeons of such terror-tory, and you will be able to set the other prisoners free.

The choice first lie with you.

DO YOU KNOW #RelationshipsMatters #ItTakesTwo #BeTheChange Tips 37: Stop Leasing Out Rooms To The Wrong Occupants

Image

My recent hunt for a house has inspired me to pen this article about leasing rooms-

I have learned from the School of Hard Knocks over the years, that if I fill my mind with the right thoughts, there will not be any room for any wrong thoughts. If the occupants of the rooms are positive thoughts, then when negative thoughts come knocking, there will be a “No Vacancy” signboard hanged on the bolted door- they will not be welcomed. (But of course, unless the occupant chose to open the door and allow them in.)

In other words, you need to take inventory of what is / are occupying the rooms of your life. And there can only be one occupant of a room- If we lease a room to Fear, Faith stands outside, as there is no space to contain both. If you lease out a room to Worries, then Peace will be shut out. If you rent out a room to a “I can’t do it” jerk, the “I can do any thing” fella will be barred.

Be firm not to allow negative thoughts and emotions have a permanent home in your life. So quit renting out rooms to the wrong occupants, otherwise they may overstay and wreck havoc any time. Be discerning and choose your residents wisely. It is time to evict negative thoughts, “You have occupied my rooms long enough, so get out of the room immediately, I have new and better residents moving in now!”

Bear in mind that those wrong occupants will upset and hurt your guests when they pay a visit to your house- there will be repercussions on any relationships. Consider the unthinkable!

DO YOU KNOW #RelationshipsMatters #ItTakesTwo #BeTheChange Tips 36: Do You See Your “Glass” As Half-empty Or Half-full?

Image

A friend always try to remind me, “Do you see your glass half-empty or half-full?” This phrase never fail to confound me- it is a good litmus test to determine perspectives about life and its conundrum.

It is the oxymoron of all oxymorons- what you perceive is because of what you see, and what you see is because of what you think- The quality of life is determined by the quality of your thoughts.

So here’s the question, again- “Is your glass half-empty or half-full?”

What are you truly thinking about? Or what have you been rehearsing in your mind?

Life will always have its share of dark, dank moments, and the daily grind of each day make up part of trajectories of life. The inevitables. The uncontrollables. The inconceivables.

Similarly, truth be told, we coloured how we see others by what we first think about the person. And over the years, through various encounters or experiences, our lens get foggy, badly compensated and discoloured, as a result we often view the offended person with much prejudices- “it-is-not-ok-to-fail” instead of “it-is-ok-we-all-make-mistake-and-be-forgiven”.

Here’s the question in application- “Do you see your “glass” half-empty or half-full?”

Let’s look beyond the actions of others with re-prescribed lens and renewed mind, you will then be able to emphatise with them better. All it takes is a change in perspectives to receive a “glass-full” of true riches for the soul.

#halfemptyofhalffull #amatterofperspectives #besetfree

DO YOU KNOW #RelationshipsMatters #ItTakesTwo #BeTheChange Tips 35: MRI Your Heart

Image

Ego unsquashable; Anger unquenchable; Heart unfathomable; Mind unamenable; Differences unacceptable; Reactions unlovable; Actions unforgivable; Relationships unsalvageable; Consequences undesirable.

Truth be told, relational breakdowns or meltdowns are usually induced by our own self-centredness, first- own choices, own perspectives, own desires, own beliefs, own inflexibilities, own terms, own rights, own understanding, own priorities, own judgement, own conclusions…

By conducting a MRI of our heart can it really x-ray areas of our lives that we struggle with selfishness. And follow by an open heart surgery, incision of those affected areas can then be performed.

As Rick Warren, the author of the Purpose Driven Life book, pointed out, “There is no growth without change; There is no change without loss; There is no loss without grief; There is no grief without pain.”

It is time to conduct a reality check on your heart, for the heart of the matter is the matter of the heart.

Finally, the take home point is- Oftentimes we do not feel like being merciful to someone who has hurt us, but forgiveness is an act of the will more than an act of the heart. Focus on what the person you get offended with CAN be, not what he / she may not be yet, for no one changes by being reminded of their failures and shaming them for their behavior. People change when we accept them as they are, while lovingly challenging them to grow. Genuine love is when you know the most about this person and still love them in spite of their imperfections and weaknesses. Celebrate how far they have come rather than judging how far they still have to go- being patient is a great virtue to embrace.

#challengedforgrowth #changeforbetter #heartmatters

DO YOU KNOW #RelationshipsMatters #ItTakesTwo #BeTheChange Tips 34: 3Cs: Chance. Challenge. Change.

Image

“Why are you always a problem?”

CHECK MATE: Are you culpable too?

Every problem is a signal, alerting us on areas that need attention. It provides a learning opportunity to grow and be better. (Or do you growl and get bitter instead?)

Problems are educational too as no one is born to be a problem-solver. We all learn through school of (hard) knocks, accumulating wealth of experiences over the years, and we won’t graduate until we get to heaven, for life will be a lifelong journey of learning, relearning, and learning.

Problems test our mettle like no other time, exposing areas that necessitate adjustments and changes. Problems jolt us out of our comfort zone or state of complacency to skill-up to the next level. We can best identify our strengths and weaknesses through overcoming roadblocks or hurdles.

Problems are not set to crush our spirit, it is how we respond to them that affect how we react. If we have reacted negatively, it only reflect the flaws with what we think, see and feel. In other words, problems test the quality of our patience and tolerance.

The take home point is, love is long-suffering isn’t it?

So if you are facing some issues right now, embrace them with an open mind, open heart and open hands, only then can we discover new perspectives, breakthroughs or miracles because you are willing to give or take the chance to challenge and be changed.

#daretobechallenged #bewilling #learntogrow

DO YOU KNOW #RelationshipsMatters #ItTakesTwo #BeTheChange Tips 33: The Power Of Spoken Words

Image

A liner from a recent K drama, ‘Tomorrow’, “It is the weight of your words that have power to save a person’s life.” reminded me that indeed our words have such weight- to curse or to bless, to empower or to destroy, to lift up or to tear down…

Some of the scenarios in the drama reflected real life cases where hurting words can scar for life. If we are real with our feelings, we will always remember or recall words that hurt us as if they have been erected as walls in a prison cell that imprisoned us.

Little do we know that we also may cause relationships to breakdown with words that undermine or devalue the other person, even if you do not mean it. And oftentimes we react too quickly (usually lashing out in angry words) in conflicts, because we want to validate our existence with acceptance (in retaliating against rejection) or the need to be heard (to feel important).

Sometimes all you need to turn things around is to either keep silence or only choose to say the good things. One practical way to bridle our tongue is to not be critical—to avoid putting people down. Instead, think of the good things about others. When we have aligned our thoughts first- our mind like a command or message centre- will align our words accordingly. (P.S. Yes, it will be challenging, but constant practice will make progress (not perfection since we are not perfect being)).

Remember, words can cut like a knife and murderous as a weapon. Once damages are done, consequences can be unthinkably irreparable. So chose to be a giver of “life”, not a robber of “life”, and you may salvage a challenging relationship.

Only you hold the key to this freedom – to set yourself free and the person who has been hurting you over and over in your mind and emotion.

#begiveroflife #powerofspokenword #freedom

DO YOU KNOW #RelationshipsMatters #ItTakesTwo #BeTheChange Tips 32: Level Up Your Relational Skills- Show Up. Shut Up. Buck Up.

Image

So often we get lost in the grit of day-to-day relationships. And living in the world today of instant gratification, a society of fast-paced consumerism have “tuned” us to want more for less with a quick fix. Not to mention this world of the new generation where the ability to persevere through adversity is a rare character trait- we can call quits anytime whenever we are stressed or unhappy, as it is MUCH (emphasis added) easier to give up than to endure; we choose to opt for short term gain rather than long term happiness. Sadly, our “my happiness first” mentality and attitude has caused us to be even more self-centred and myopic.

Are you at the crossroad of a difficult situation, tempted to quit: (a) because you have reached a plateau; (b) reeling from a loss; (c) unmoored by a relationship that has ended and feeling purposeless now that the nest is empty……

Whatever the situation you are in, in any relationships, you will find these tips that are practical all the time:

SHOW UP

All it may take is just your presence- always be ready and available.

Talk the talk, and walk the walk

SHUT UP

The golden rule is silence. It is better to hold your tongue in.

Do not be too quick to speak. Practise pause, pause, and pause… Do not insist to have the last say. A person with wisdom is prudent with their speech, it is wiser to simply zip up.

BUCK UP

You cannot expect to receive what you do not have or unwilling to give. It takes humility to acknowledge and admit that you have a part to play.

Be humble to listen and learn where to buck up.

It may deem like monumental task to put these tips into practise, however it is not a call to be perfect, which we will never be. Just remember- Consistency over perfection- The routineness of life may not be exciting, but we will not become all we were created to be without being our best when it is mundane. When we are doing the right thing with a good attitude month after month, committed to being faithful with the little things in average days, we can be trusted for bigger things and see exceptional days.

#leveluprelationally #ShowUpShutUpBuckUp

DO YOU KNOW #RelationshipsMatters #ItTakesTwo #BeTheChange Tips 31: Be Willing And Courageous To Unlock The Chain

Image

“Why are you like that?!”

Many of us have had dealt with people whom we do not understand why he or she always have a certain kind of attitude, behaviour or action that seem unacceptable, unlovable, to the extent of being unforgivable when our patience has breached the tolerance of enough-is-enough.

Little do we know that a person is who he or she is, might be shaped by these major culprits during growing up:

A trauma or crisis;

Whenever there are unresolved wounds, they translate into poor choices in life. Bitterness, guilt and pain of the past will hold us to the present and will incapacitate us in the future. As the saying goes, hurt people hurt people.

the way he or she was brought up under some value system or beliefs that might be flawed.

Belief always precedes behaviour. Flip back the flaps of his or her soul, and you may discover some set of beliefs grounded like pillars to the foundation of their lives. One’s belief system is often the answer to fundamental questions about life—It is a set of convictions upon which his or her life hinges on— they feel strongly that his or her beliefs are true and their responses are valid.

It will not be easy for this person to change due to being imprisoned by past wounds and conditioned by ingrained beliefs.

But there is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known- where there is light, darkness will have to flee; and when facing the truth, it will set us free.

Reinforcing a quote from the author of the Purpose Driven Life, Rick Warren, “A breakdown is the door to a breakthrough; you can’t make a comeback until you admit your setback.”

So the first step to a breakthrough is to face the truth squarely, then we will be able to find the key to unlock the chain, where freedom awaits behind this closed or secret door. And be willing to let go for change to take place.

#BeReal #BeTrue #BeTheChange

DO YOU KNOW #RelationshipsMatters #ItTakesTwo #BeTheChange Tips 30: What Love Truly Is……

Image

A popular keyword on the search engine is “Love”–We are all made to be loved and to love- we all yearn for appreciation in order to be affirmed as being valued in any relationships. And many strifes can be solved if this gap is met.

But what love truly is?

“Love endures long and is patient and kind; love never is envious nor boils over with jealousy, is not boastful or vainglorious, does not display itself haughtily. It is not conceited (arrogant and inflated with pride); it is not rude (unmannerly) and does not act unbecomingly. Love (God’s love in us) does not insist on its own rights or its own way, for it is not self-seeking; it is not touchy or fretful or resentful; it takes no account of the evil done to it [it pays no attention to a suffered wrong]. It does not rejoice at injustice and unrighteousness, but rejoices when right and truth prevail. Love bears up under anything and everything that comes, is ever ready to believe the best of every person, its hopes are fadeless under all circumstances, and it endures everything [without weakening]. Love never fails [never fades out or becomes obsolete or comes to an end].”

Love gives instead of expecting and taking. Love in its simple form – take action, based on the quality of patience, graciousness, humility, gentleness, self-control, affection, compassion, endurance and forgiveness, keeping the account short. Above all, honour and value the other above oneself.

No wonder the adage that goes, the middle of sIn is a big I!” When “I” become more important than others and what “I” want, “I first…”, “I need…”, “I win…” and that “I… I… I…” is more significant than what the other truly needs.

May it be a good reminder – True love endures long, and never fail. Unconditional.

So make a difference this Valentine’s Day, with simple tips that may take a lifetime to learn… But the first step is dethrone ourselves with our selfish crown. Practice doesn’t make perfect (for no one is perfect), but better. And together, we progress.

#LoveIs #LoveLikeNoOther

DO YOU KNOW #RelationshipsMatters #ItTakesTwo #BeTheChange Tips 29: Short-term pain for long-term pleasure

Image

With Valentine’s Day round the corner, not many will feel love in the air…

Every event has its place and purpose;

Every friction has its palpable moments;

Every timing has its opportune break.

None of us is spared from weariness from challenges, wounds from battles, and worries that our world is spinning out of control? But we don’t need to become undone by tough times, we can become unleashed for the rough times- Be unbeatable, be indomitable, be indefatigable!

As a saying goes: “They (the seemingly unlovable people) are the grit out of which we are to fashion our pearl.” That is why endurance, patience and gentleness seem so unattainable and hard to put into practice.

But let this be a reminder: We will make mistakes. We will blow up. We will mess up. We will hang up. We will fumble. We will stumble. We will hurt others. We get ugly, all the time. And checkmate – Every time we blame, we are just being lame. Guilty as charged?

Rick Warren, the author of the Purpose Driven Life, shared that if we endure pain for the short term now, we will gain pleasure for a long term in the future. In other words, as opposed to, if we rather gain the pleasure now, we will have to pay with pain in the future.

No one can foretell the future, we can be too myopic to consider repercussions in time to come. Remember, life can only live once- think thrice, thrice, thrice (with deliberate emphasis here…), in making choices!

#shorttermpainforlongtermgain #dontgiveup #getthroughthegrit

DO YOU KNOW #RelationshipsMatters #ItTakesTwo #BeTheChange Tips 28: No Pain, No Gain!

Image

What really matter? If last year’s fumbles and stumbles left you questioning when life didn’t add up; when a relationship turned into a stalemate; when we have done all we know to do and the formula just didn’t work out, it left our heart sick.

And being indifferent in 2022 is not going to work because indifference will only desensitise you. Whatever season you are in now, you don’t need to sugarcoat your circumstances but you can be brutally honest- What Truly Matter? Really.

Whether we like it or not, pain is inevitable part of life, necessary to mold and shape us, we will learn and grow to be strong and mature. Pain is a good teacher if we give room for learning:

Pain is often a catalyst for change or growth to be better.
Pain is an indicator that something is wrong.
Pain rouses us from deadness.
Pain brings us to a reality check.

As the common adage that goes, “No pain, no gain.” Perhaps the struggles through the trenches of your life have pilfered the life out of your life, and you don’t know where to turn—but don’t give in to despair. Don’t give up, for there is too much at stake! Things will get around somehow, sometime, somewhere—It will be beautiful at the right time. Be patient, hold on to hope, never cease seeking and wait for it.

#NoPainNoGain #Freedom2022

DO YOU KNOW #RelationshipsMatters #ItTakesTwo #BeTheChange Tips 27: New Year, New You, New Breakthroughs!

Posted on January 8, 2022 by christedelyne

A recent catch up with a treasured friend jolted me “harshly” that many things have changed around us and hard to believe another year passed “so soon”…

The world gets messy, for sure. Any relationships will try us, for sure. Life’s trajectories will always have us caught off-guard, for sure. But, winters do not last forever, and springtime is only a turn of the calendar away.

New beginnings: A new year is often a springboard for new changes, new hope, new dream… But a new chapter will require new perspectives, and get into new actions to have new outcomes. Let’s not just sit and brood, take stock of your life, take a look at your relationships- if there are any sins, habits, or attitudes that might be areas to overcome, to change and set right.

Be the change instead:

Fear can’t stay where faith is. Discouragement can’t stay where hope is.

Bitterness can’t stay where forgiveness is.

Stress can’t stay where peace is.

Overlook the offences—rather than get offended;

Show respect—rather than to dishonour;

Be gentle—rather than be provocative;

Be appreciative—rather than nitpick;

Be thankful—rather than complain;

Adopt a good attitude—rather than be indifferent;

Choose to love—rather than to hate;

Choose to smile—rather Than to frown;

Choose to build—rather than to destroy;

Choose to persevere—rather than to quit;

Choose to compliment—rather than gossip;

Choose to heal—rather than wound;

Choose to give—rather than grasp;

Choose to act—rather than to procrastinate;

Choose to forgive—rather than to curse.

Life is a matter of choice.

#Breakthroughs #new2022

DO YOU KNOW #RelationshipsMatters #ItTakesTwo #BeTheChange Tips 26: Learn, Un-learn. Re-learn

Image

To quote one of Body Shop’s marketing tagline, “Small acts lead to big change.”

It reminds me of my recent re-start on making cookies with my new toy that necessitate many adjustments to get the desired outcome. I must say the process wasn’t easy and I do not always get it right- Learn, Un-learn. Re-learn – as each attempt somehow bring a different set of challenges with different ingredients and setting like room temperature. And one thing for sure, the more hands-on in refinements, skills will level-up and outcomes turn out to be better.

Similarly, every relationships go through such “process” too as each new day may bring about unexpected changes, uncalled situations and unforeseen issues. As we progress in life, changes are inevitable, and things will not stay the same as before.

Changes can be good if we allow it to mold us into being better. Little by little progressively, we be in for unexpected breakthrough.

DO YOU KNOW #RelationshipsMatters #ItTakesTwo #BeTheChange Tips 25: Don’t Trust Your Feelings

Image

The fatigue gets to you. The worries eat into you. The stings wounded you. The people annoy you. The burdens break you. Struggles seem to pilfer the life out of your life.

You may be staring down a seemingly impossible situation, and you are feeling torn in making some tough choices – but don’t trust your feelings. Feelings change; Feelings come and go; And feelings can be misleading.

Wake up to the reality that life is a bell curve, going through up and down, so do our relationships with its seasons of high and low. For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter:

a time to plant, and a time to de-root what is planted;

a time to “kill” and a time to heal,

a time to break down, and a time to build up;

a time to weep and a time to laugh,

a time to embrace and a time to refrain,

a time to seek, and a time to lose;

a time to keep and a time to throw away,

a time to tear and a time to mend,

a time to keep silent, and a time to speak;

a time to love and a time to resent,

a time for war and a time for peace.

Seasons come, seasons go. It may be a hyperbole to say seasons don’t last but tough people do. It may be an overstatement to say that there is always light at the end of the tunnel.

But when life gives you lemons, make the best lemonade out of it. Take courage to embrace changes, for the opportunity is golden, and, something new begins.

DO YOU KNOW #RelationshipsMatters #ItTakesTwo #BeTheChange Tips 24: Fast From The Bad, And Feast On The Good

Image

Fasting is a discipline that helps to unveil what is inside ourselves and to deal with them. It also help to bring us back into focus and manage our needs. Like purging our bodies of any latent built-up of toxins, practising fasting on the bad things and learn to feast on the good things will reward us with more enriching relationships:

(Modified from a quote by Arthur Lichtenberger)

Fast from nagging, feast on appreciation.

Fast from criticism, feast on affirmation;

Fast from resentment, feast on contentment;

Fast from anger, feast on peace;

Fast from bitterness, feast on forgiveness;

Fast from harshness, feast on gentleness;

Fast from pride, feast on humility;

Fast from selfishness, feast on service;

Fast from fear, feast on trust.

Fast from depression, feast on joy;

Fast from resentment, feast on love.

Fast from temptations, feast on self-control.

Let’s not shortchange ourselves and others- time to start fasting!

DO YOU KNOW #RelationshipsMatters #ItTakesTwo #BeTheChange Tips 23: Turn Disappointments Into Appointments – The Choice Is Yours

Image

Every disappointment is actually a call for a divine appointment:

Things change, people change and so do our perspective. It is a matter of which side do we see- do we see the light or we see the shadows? Do we look up in hope or we are cast down by discouragement? The choice is yours.

Damages cannot be undone, neither can you go back to change what has passed, but you can (re)start where you are and change the ending. The choice is yours.

Life will always have its ups and downs with unexpected events or situations. Everything may not be perfect, but you can be grateful to be alive, grateful for today’s opportunities, and make the most of this day. The choice is yours.

Life will throw hard things your way, but instead of worrying over what you have no control over, channel your energy and focus on what you can do. So learn to be contented and happy right now. The choice is yours.

Never forget how far you have go – those times you have persevered even when you felt you couldn’t; all the mornings you got out of bed no matter how hard it was dreading another day. When you don’t see progress, keep going and don’t give up, never forget the strength you have gained along the way. The choice is yours.

Don’t wait for things to happen, make it happen. Give your best, leave the rest and you will live your best. The choice is yours.

Let go of the disappointments, let go of what didn’t work out, get rid of anything from yesterday that’s weighing you down and wipe the slate clean. The choice is yours.

The choice is yours- and that decision determines the outcome.

DO YOU KNOW #RelationshipsMatters #ItTakesTwo #BeTheChange Tips 22: You Shall Reap What You Sow.

Image

Whatever we sow, we shall reap- Our return is always in proportion to what we plant. “He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully”.

So plant according to your need:

In need of love, plant the seeds of love.

In need of more time, plant the seeds to give away your time.

In need of attention, plant the seeds of giving your attention.

We will reap what we sow, sparingly or bountifully.

So let’s be careful what we sow into our relationships. Last but not least, even farming takes time for the seeds to grow, so plough the ground first, plant in the seeds, and water them. Patience is key.

DO YOU KNOW #RelationshipsMatters #ItTakesTwo #BeTheChange Tips 21: Making A Difference – How Best Will You Go?

Image

Life has no “What If…” or “If Only…” because we cannot live backwards. And many things in life doesn’t work out the way we want. So there will always be “why” questions left unanswered.

It is pointless to rue over the past, crying over spilt milk, or wallowing in self-pity parties. We ought to be thankful we have another day to live, another chance for a fresh start- what would you do to make a difference? Living from this moment forward, how best will you go?

Lesson learnt is the best stepping stone for a good change- be a better you, and you will find things around you will change too.

DO YOU KNOW #RelationshipsMatters #ItTakesTwo #BeTheChange Tips 20: You Made The Choice

Image

You can be happy as you chose to be;

You can be forgiving as you chose to be;

You can overcome as you chose to.

It all boils down to what you decide in your mind, and that will translate into action. Yes, nothing is without effort.

Fail? Never mind, get up and try again, again, and again…… No one gets all in order. We will all mess up, we will all get stressed up and we will get all heated up. But we will get better each time. Just like playing any mobile game, we conquer stage by stage and we get stronger through each challenge. And challenges aren’t designed to kill us but to build us up, unless you heed for danger. It is often how close we are to the finishing line when we chose to give up… Remember, there is always light at the end of the tunnel… It is not the last page of the chapter yet- You made the choice.

DO YOU KNOW #RelationshipsMatters #ItTakesTwo #BeTheChange Tips 21: Honesty Is The Best Policy.

Image

To quote Sam Rayburn, the famous Speaker of the House (U.S.A. House of Representatives), “Tell the truth the first time and then you won’t have to remember what you said.”

That boils down to Integrity- There is nothing to fear, if our conscience is clear. The more we try to hide, the more we fear, and cover with one lie after another, till eventually we get trapped losing ourselves in a web of deceit. Even a seemingly innocent white lie is still a lie.

It is a matter of fact that character is who you are when no one is watching. So are you consistent in public and private? We can mark on this – what is in the dark will one day be exposed in the light.

Honesty is always the best policy and it is wiser to be truthful and walk in integrity.

So is your relationship strained by dishonesty, hidden secrets and deceit? It is time to handover the key behind the locked door in order to clean up the cobwebs, and when you know the truth, the truth will set you and the other person free indeed. Your relationship will then be restored on a clean slate.

DO YOU KNOW #RelationshipsMatters #ItTakesTwo #BeTheChange Tips 19: Does Being Out Of Control Freak You Out?

Image

If the title gets to you, chances are you may be a control freak. If you think it will freak you out when things are not within your control, likely you will freak others out when you are too controlling.

So what makes a control freak? He or she likes to micro-manage others to act in accordance with his or her expectations. Failing which, they manipulate changes in the aim to get what they want. Control freaks have a strong need to have things under control all the time, so when their patience and self-control are challenged, they get anxious easily, since they cannot stand mess, stress and surprises well. Control freaks get argumentative and defensive, always justifying their behaviour that they are always right.

A control freak in any relationship can hurt, emotionally and relationally, with devastating consequences. Are you in the red alert as being a micro-manager or you are not aware that you may have this compulsion? The first step to a breakthrough is to recognise that you have this problem, and face up to the area(s) where you have contributed to the strain in your relationship- be humble to apologise and be willing to seek help from others (even from professionals if need be).

The only way to attain love, without control, is by being loving selflessly and sacrificially, exercising self-control and enduring patience. Just as we learn to walk by walking, study by studying, and to work by working; so we learn to love by being loving. The reality is, it takes years to get better, and better, each day.

Deal with it – Let go, let go, let go……

DO YOU KNOW #RelationshipsMatters #ItTakesTwo #BeTheChange Tips 18: Warning Signs On Your Relational Dashboard?

Image

I am not a driver, but I do understand that every drivers need to check their dashboard to ensure the car is not running on out-of-control engine with empty tank, high temperature, low battery and malfunctioned utilities.

In the same context, checking our gauge for an indicator on the health of our relationship whether it is tipping to the alert scale, or whether it is being maintained well and stay healthy.

Is it time to call for a detailed check? An early audit will help mitigate potential risks from any unpredictable accident sooner or later. Let the truth embolden us to do and live right if needful rectification is required.

DO YOU KNOW #RelationshipsMatters #ItTakesTwo #BeTheChange Tips 17: Together, We Can Overcome

Image

The individual ingredients used in baking do not taste good on its own, but when all are mix together, they produce a palatable end product that serve its intended purpose. In the same context, every challenges, experiences, changes, and pain in our lives are certainly not pleasant, yet they are not without purpose nor do they happen by “chance”. Oftentimes, they are signals or warning signs that something needs our attention and require our action.

In essence, no one can be good in everything- we all have our own strengths and weaknesses, but together, we complement and compensate each other’s weaknesses with our strengths. That is, we need one another, so as to learn how to grow and overcome our own weaknesses and build our strengths, which in turn will help to nurture our relationships stronger and healthier.

DO YOU KNOW #RelationshipsMatters #ItTakesTwo #BeTheChange Tips 16: Grow, Go, Glow

Image

Life cannot be live backwards or re-lived, and time cannot be recovered, period. Yet many of us live with regrets of the past, bemoaning over the present and rueing the future (bearing the consequences of our mistakes and failures at that point in time).

Whenever bad things happen, we have the tendency to question, “Why is this happening to me?”. It is a fact that nobody likes changes, It is also a reality that we fight too many battles that don’t really matter. To quote Robert Louis Stevenson, “Sooner or later everyone sits down to a banquet of consequences.” In other words, our own short-sightedness, impatience and foolishness will only exacerbate problems that have regrettable repercussions in the future.

If only we stay humble and retain our level-headedness, we need to first look within ourselves and reflect, “What should I learn from it?”, or “How can I be a better person?” or “How can I handle it better?”

Do not try to shortcut painful times, it will only leads to cul-de-sacs, which force you to revisit the lessons you are meant to learn. Embrace them instead, so that you will grow (in wisdom), go (in strength) and glow (in your character).

DO YOU KNOW #RelationshipsMatters #ItTakesTwo #BeTheChange Tips 15: Checkmate – Are You An Emotional Wreck?

Image

Hurt people hurt people – Behind every bitter person is a hurting soul. They are who they are because they are wounded themselves. Similar to playing a mobile game, your life battery will get depleted whenever you get injured by your opponent.

In the same context, you can’t give love when you do not have love. When love hurts, the love tank gets depleted, and when if it doesn’t get a reload, the relationship will get affected, resulting in festered wounds which may eventually lead to “death” (emotionally and relationally).

None of us can love naturally, that is why we need to exercise the will to love and choose to act on it. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for the other person.

Love never fail- You can only give love when you have love; you can’t give away something you do not have. Therefore, your own love tank needs a refuel before you can give love to the other. Our love tank do need daily top up through love language(s) as identified by Gary Chapman: You need help with certain ACTS OF SERVICES? Is it pampering with GIFTS that make you happy? You want QUALITY TIME to feel significant? You like to receive WORDS OF AFFIRMATION to be appreciated? You feel loved with some PHYSICAL TOUCH? Let’s not forget the other person’s love language may be different and need a refuel too.

DO YOU KNOW #RelationshipsMatters #ItTakesTwo #BeTheChange Tip 14: Watch Out! Don’t Do To Others What You Don’t Like To Experience Yourself

Image

Our words communicate and clarify, and our actions validate and assure – We can tell someone we love them by our speech and express our appreciation by our action.

The level of closeness of our relationship with the other person determines how we relate to him or her, and what we understand about this person shapes everything in our life- Nothing influences our life more than our own view. And our thoughts will translate into our speech and eventually our actions. May this be our barometer to weigh our thoughts and actions:

(a) Is It true?

(b) Is It right?

(d) Is It beneficial?

(e) Is it objective?

(f) Is it worth to mention?

In essence, let your yes be yes and no be no; and your actions show and tell. Do not promise anything that you are not capable of keeping, to say the least.

DO YOU KNOW #RelationshipsMatters #ItTakesTwo #BeTheChange Tips 13: Temperate Your Tempers.

Image

Sensible people control their temper; they earn respect by overlooking wrongs. We don’t win by flaring nor show our prowess with our tempers. In fact, we display the most folly by our frayed nerves, losing all our sensibilities when we do not restrain ourselves.

A hot-tempered (not excluding a quick-tempered) person stirs up strife, but one who is slow to anger quiets contention- a gentle response turns away wrath. And it is to one’s glory to overlook offences and guard our heart into being inoffensive.

Unfortunately, there is no quick fix nor a short-cut in exercising self-control and practising gentleness, but practice makes better: (a) Hold your tongue and stay silent; (b) Stay away or stay out to temperate yourself. (c) Respond only after a few days when your emotion is stable.

Last but not least, we need to recognise that we all are made different – sometimes, we need to respect our differences and reach a mutual understanding to agree to disagree.

DO YOU KNOW #RelationshipsMatters #ItTakesTwo #BeTheChange Tips 12: Pain Is A Great Teacher

Image

What cause conflicts, quarrels and fights among us? Is it not come from our own pleasures and selfish desires that are at war within us, fighting to take control?

Little wonder we have 3 ”P”s inevitable in our lives: Pressures, Problems, and Pain. Nothing is by chance- there is always a purpose in our failure or pain – it is a call to address our Problems, identify our hot buttons of Pressure and be more aware of our Pain-points, so that we can rise up from being a victim into a victor, turning our mess into a message; tests into testimonies; and trials into triumphs.

Of course, changes may not always be good but they can be used for good- There is no growth without pain isn’t it? If life is so smooth-going, do you think you have a need and want to grow? If relationships are free from conflicts, do you think you will grow And here’s a reality check to face it squarely – if others cause you pain, you are a cause of pain for others too.

So if you have arrived at a stalemate in your relationship, all it may take is a change in our Perspective to rediscover the Purpose and a call to Persevere under testings.

DO YOU KNOW #RelationshipsMatters #ItTakesTwo #BeTheChange Tips 11: It Takes Two Hands To Clap

Image

Broken hearts, broken people, broken home, and broken dreams because relationships are torn between the hard places and empty places. Many relationships grow cold because love gone cold. And instead of working hard in fixing the broken places, we attempt the easiest way out calling quits at hard places, just because the other failed to fill our empty places.

It is high time to conduct a MRI on our hearts to bring to light what we have been concealing and the dust that we have swept under the carpet:

(This list is by no means exhaustive)

REflect on our part

RElook into each other’s pain-points

REassess where and why you are hurt

REcall incidences that you cannot forget nor forgive

RElate honestly how you are hurt

REmove the dust hidden under the carpet

REclarify issues with mutual understanding

REveal to each other areas of vulnerability

REview priorities

REdefine expectations and REalign realistically

REadjust preferences

REconcile the differences

REcover from relational and emotional wounds

REstore lost love

REfill your love tank

REnew commitment

REpair the relationship

REcollect the wonderful times spent

REdiscover each other (again, again and again…)

REaffirm one another

REassure the person from time to time how much you love and treasure them

REevaluate the gaps in communications

REinforce values that build each other up

REciprocate heart-fully

REspect one another

REestablish interdependence

REfresh your eyes and mind daily

REappreciate each other in new ways

REsist temptations

REject wrong thoughts and emotions

REfrain from impetuous retaliation

REturn evils with kindness and grace

REact with gentleness

REpeat what you didn’t hear clearly

REjoice with thankfulness for every little thing

REmind each other lovingly on the things that need reminders

RElax and enjoy the moments

REmain faithful

REmember it is not the end.

REstart.

REfresh and REstart.

(And yes, REFRESH and RESTART. Period.)

Easier to say, difficult to apply… Certainly, life isn’t a bed of roses, so expect things will not go easy either.

DO YOU KNOW#RelationshipsMatters #ItTakesTwo #BeTheChange Tips 10: Expel The Toxins of “I. Me. Myself.”

Image

It is interesting to observe that the middle word of “SIN” is a big word “I”- I, Me and Myself- we are by nature self-centered:

My space. My priorities. My agenda. My perspectives. My focus. My pride. My preferences. My right of way. My freedom. My happiness.

We are born as an individual and may have brought up being individualistic and independent. We may have been taught to camouflage our inadequacies by inflating our importance and magnifying our significance. We grow up being influenced with value systems and beliefs that everything is I-matter-more!

(Do you notice by now the first word of the keywords in this paragraph is the letter “I”?)

It is a matter of fact that our perspectives can get distorted because we view things from our own standpoint. And our understanding about issues can be erroneous if we are insistent on our own justification. We may also invalidate others with flawed principles that we have picked up from the world. As a result, we experience injustices, intolerances, indifferences, and emotional injuries.

Sin is also about doing something wrong, not doing something right, or not doing any thing at all.

So how do we overcome this I-in-the-middle sin? There is no other way then to die to the self. When we sacrifice our preferences for another, we show our respect and affection. When we sacrifice ourselves, our wishes, and our preferences, it is the greatest expression of love.

Surely, there is no gain without pain.

DO YOU KNOW #RelationshipsMatters #ItTakesTwo #BeTheChange Tips 9: Time To End The Blaming Game

Image

Isn’t it true that whenever things go wrong, we are always quick to point the finger first? Oftentimes, we did not stop in our track to reflect over the situation why things have happened if due to our fault first.

We often see the speck in others, but fail to notice the plank in our own eye. Are we not hypocrite? We have our own blindspots, and are often blind to our own sins, therefore, what rights can we exercise in pronouncing judgement and condemning another? As the common adage that goes, “the pot calling the kettle black,” reminds us that we are also subject to the same standard of measure we have judged others.

Let’s own up- we each have a part to play and contribute to the causes in some ways.

Just as we age over the years, degeneration of our body robs us of certain physical abilities, our lenses will get defective too and cause us to go “blind”. It is time to put a stop to the blaming game, and reflect in all humility how our coloured lens hurt not only us, but the other person too.

The heart of the matter is also the matter of the eye.

DO YOU KNOW #RelationshipsMatters #ItTakesTwo #BeTheChange Tips 8: The Road Ahead

Image

I was inspired by the NDP theme song this year to pen it in another version on marriage:

Two persons on a journey

One love in a bond

All it takes two to make a home in love

Is both a single commitment
A hope that we can be
The change that we’ve been longing to see

For our home, our family, our future

It’s all within our reach

Look at our home, every part around

Hear this yearning, it’s the voices of our hearts

Come whatever on the road ahead

We did it before, and we can do it again

When the testings turn to trials

And the only last hope is gone

Look around us always and remember

There are times we feel disappointed

But we just keep walking on

It’s always darkest just before the dawn

Look at our home, every part around
Hear this yearning, it’s the voices of our hearts
Come whatever on the road ahead

We did it before, and we can do it again

Our home, the love we share

Where our dreams always hope towards tomorrow

The road ahead may seem daunting

Together we gonna be alright

Our family is precious- It takes hands to build a House, but only hearts can make a Home: A House is made of walls and beams; A Home is made of love and dream.

Marriage is never a destination, but a journey. It is never a period, but a continuation mark. It is a lifelong process of discovery and re-discovery, learning and re-learning, and transformation and re-transformation. In a marriage, two imperfect beings are united though a covenant where they made a vow to share life together in all circumstances, till end of lifetime.

Love is a lifelong commitment.

DO YOU KNOW #RelationshipsMatters #ItTakesTwo #BeTheChange Tips 7: Imperfections. Expectations.

Image

Let’s face it- we are all imperfect aren’t we? We have our own quirks, peculiar habits, and idiosyncrasies. We have our differences. So how can we expect perfection from another imperfect person? We will certainly be in for disappointments since there will not be any one person to meet all our needs.

So when disappointments happen, let’s remind ourselves to look at the other person’s good qualities and count your blessings in that light. Far too often, we take things for granted and keep looking at the flaws and things that the other person fail to do. Perhaps, our expectations may have been unrealistic for the other person to fulfill.

We have to learn to accept the other person’s imperfections (shortcomings and all) and manage our expectations as realistic for the person to meet where possible.

Imperfections are inevitable but expectations can be negotiable.

DO YOU KNOW #RelationshipsMatters #ItTakesTwo #BeTheChange Tips 6: Emotional Burnout? Love Endures…… Long.

Image

I ever asked a friend whom has been married for more than 20 years her secret in sustaining her long marriage, she summed up in one word, “Commitment.“. And added, “You need to learn when, what and how to close one eye, over the years. Certainly, it wasn’t easy, we need lots of forbearance. And of course, it isn’t like a fairy tale where our hearts flutter, we don’t “feel-feel” all the time as feelings come and go. Sometimes we need to act upon it and feeling will follow.”

The key is FORBEARANCE. Because love endures, it is long-suffering. Dictionary defines ‘long-suffering’ as “enduring trouble, provocation, offense or hardship, long and patiently.”

Just as life will not spare us from trials, relationships will test us. And one’s wisdom yields patience; it is to one’s glory to overlook offences- so to speak, to close an eye in such context means to take no notice of wrongs, to refuse to retaliate or seek revenge, and let go of affronts, in other word, to forgive.

Love is primarily a decision to exercise your will to cultivate unconditional love and stay committed to the relationship. It is not just a feeling, but a choice to act on it. Love is but an action. Feeling will fade, but it is your commitment choosing to love that withstands time and challenges. So the only recourse is to bite the bullet and go through the grind… in forbearance.

DO YOU KNOW #RelationshipsMatters #ItTakesTwo #BeTheChange Tips 5: Love Is Not Selfish

Image

Love is…… self-giving: Love gives and love serves.

If we can be honest, we often calculate our relationships based on what others can do for us. And far too often we are more concerned whether the other person is making us happy. We always demand our rights to how we feel or claim entitlement to what we should have or need, and insisting certain things to be done our way. As a result, we may not have realised that we conditioned our love to fill the gaps with expectations that are hard to fulfil.

But love isn’t selfish, self-centered or self-serving. It lives out in serving and sacrificing. Self-giving love means to give our time, attention, emotional response and service to another. It serves the other person’s needs first. It isn’t demanding, it lives out in willingness.

In loving well, we honour the other person, who may in turn honour us with reciprocity.

#SelfgivingLove

DO YOU KNOW #RelationshipsMatters #BeTheChange Tip 4: Be The Change Instead

Image

Be the Eyes to see, the Ears to listen, the Mind to understand, the Heart to care and the Hands to support- by practising examples of doing right more than being right or to get them right, and give life than to get even, will renew hearts that have gone cold and callused as a result of one’s own sins.

The point isn’t about who need to change but who is willing to change. And that require dying to the self- denying our own desires, preferences, and even our own needs, daily. Such surrendering or submission is something we give from our heart willingly, not something that can be demanded of us.

Last but not least, do not expect the other person to change (first), be the first to change, and you will one day (be able to) see the changes in the other person.

#FirstToChange

DO YOU KNOW #RelationshipsMatters#BeTheChange Tip 3: Second Chance… Again… Again… And Again.

Image

Everyone makes mistakes, and a second chance makes a world of difference- We need forgiveness as much as we need to forgive.

Forgiveness doesn’t equate forgetting, nor does it mean condoning offenses. It is merely for our own good not to hold on to unforgiveness that will grow into bitter roots which will then invade our soul.

Forgiveness calls to let go of the hurt, put down the burden of carrying the emotional baggage, and allowing ourselves to find peace even with those who disappoint us.

Make a conscious effort to relinquish the right to get even, decide to forgive, releasing the hurt and the person, give the person a second chance. Forgiveness truly is a gift that you give yourself. And remember, you too will need second chance.

#Forgiveness #SecondChance #ForgiveToBeForgiven

DO YOU KNOW #RelationshipsMatters#BeTheChange Tip 2: Hear To Listen, First, Seek First To Understand, Then To Be Understood.

Image

Do you know why we are created with 1 mouth and 2 ears? So that we be quick to listen (and listen well) and slow to speak (so that we don’t regret the words we shouldn’t have say…).

If we are honest enough, most of us are really deaf- we merely hear but don’t listen. That is why some of our immediate needs are not met. We are also quick with our words with the intent to get our messages across to be first understood than to seek to understand. But only by truly listening, can we then gain a better understanding about the matter.

Seek to be a better listener, with the intent of understanding, appreciating, and affirming. And the willingness to listen is a choice. Honour the other person with your ears, and you will find communication more effective, purposeful, and reciprocal, which in turn enhances your relationship.

#SeekToListenFirst #BeAGoodListener

DO YOU KNOW #RelationshipsMatters#BeTheChange Tips Series

Image

I was prompted to compile a series of useful resources on relationships which I had acquired from attending equipping classes, handling various ministries and volunteering in outreaches.

#RelationshipsMatter because they are fundamental to our well-being. But this world is made up of imperfect individuals who are wired differently, brought up in different environment that influenced their upbringing and emotional make-up. Our life experiences also influence the way we see, think, feel, and response. In any relationship, it takes a lifetime to truly know and understand a person, better and better over time. Certainly, nothing comes easy, and often easier say than done, but not to forget, as much as it takes effort with two hands to clap, each of us have a part to play.

DO YOU KNOW #RelationshipsMatters

#BeTheChange Tip 1: The Heart Of The Matter Is The Matter Of The Heart

What we see determines the way we think;

What we think determines the way we feel;

What we feel determines the way we react;

And how we react determines the way we act.

So what consumes your mind controls your life. And at the center of it all is your heart- It will do good to look at our heart to get to the root cause of a problem. Each of us hold the key to our hearts- unlock it to reveal the truths. And when you know the truth, the truth shall set you free.

#HeartOfTheMatter #MatterOfTheHeart

The Best “F” Word Ever…

Image

A General Practitioner dispenses antibodies pills to combat viruses, bacteria or germs in our body whenever we fell sick. But what about when we succumb to spiritual illness? Our Divine Physician already built a mobile 24/7 dispensary with unlimited stock, where we can consult for all sort of conditions, without the need for a physical Queue ticket. (P.S. We can stay safe wherever we are!)

Like Vitamin C for our daily immunity booster, try this reinforced supplement staple to be consumed 3 times a day for building a strong spiritual immunity for a well-fortified soul:

FRET not

Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray! Let petitions and praises SHAPE your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. – Philippians 4:6 MSG

The bible reminds us that our thoughts run our lives, and we do have a choice each day: DECIDE if to see things under the “Son”light or in the dark, and that will determine how we end the day, week(s), month(s) and even year(s). Our perspective is often obscured by magnifying our problems, forgetting how BIG our God is. In the era of social keyboard-warriors, we should be spiritual verses-warriors, and be a game changer! And expect to see how God does His work.

FEAR not

You can be sure that God will take care of everything you need, because of what Jesus has DONE for us. – Philippians 4:19 LB

F-E-A-R is simply False Expectation Appearing Real. The more we fear, the more it opens door to allow the Devil to mess with us. The best antidote to counteract fear is to recall what God has already done for us, and remember that He who paid with His life, love us so much, will He not know what we are going through and surely give us what we need?

FORGET not

You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are FIXED on you! – Isaiah 26:3 NLT

Our faith may wane at times, but no matter how tired, tried, and tested we are, we just need to take time to be still to recall the God, the Keeper of time and eternity, is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow, can keep us in perfect peace when our minds are fixed on Him as we trust in Him.

Water it down well with God’s Living Water from Psalms 89:34, “My covenant I WILL NOT BREAK, nor alter the word that has gone out of My lips.” and John 13:17, “Now that you KNOW these things, you will be blessed if you DO them!”

Last but not least, remember to have enough rest and a good night sleep, a tired mind and an exhausted spirit is prone to attacks, as the Bible reminded us in Deuteronomy 25:17-18, “Never forget how the Amalekites… attacked you when you were exhausted and weary, and they struck down those who began to lag behind…”

#PostCOVIDseason: Living Through Life Dilemmas

Image

Recent health check sent me a little unnerving, as it is my first time to hit a record high in my pressure reading… I can’t believe that it hit me since I am pretty conscious of my diet and exercise almost daily… Getting a little pensive, some burning questions gnawed in the deep recesses of my soul relentlessly- “I am already half a foot in the grave, how should I be living the next half?” “Will I be muddling through life living the same old same old?’ “How best should I be living as if tomorrow may be the last day of my life?”…

The past one year hanging tough through COVID19 should have shed some new light to a post pandemic season:

“You have experienced many things. Were all those experiences wasted? I hope not! (Galatians 3:4 ICB)

RE-VIEW the what-have-been’s and the what-should-not’s.

“Did you go through this whole painful learning process for nothing? It is not yet a total loss, but it certainly will be if you keep this up!” (Galatians 3:4 MES)

RE-LEARN and un-learn from life challenges.

You can’t control what gets your attention.

You can control what keeps your attention.

Rick Warren

RE-DEFINE the new, not resume the old.

We may make our plans, but God has the last word. (Proverbs 16:1 TEV)

RE-SET for a purposeful post-COVID living.

“I’ve banked your promises in the vault of my heart” (Psalm 119:11 MSG)

RE-START in hope with God.

Obey God and be at peace with Him; this is the way to happiness. (Job 22:21 NCV)

RE-FOCUS so as to live intentionally.

“Lord, the people who set their mind on you, you keep completely whole and steady on their feet, because they keep at it and don’t quit. So, depend on God and keep at it because, in the Lord God, you have a sure thing! (Isaiah 26:3-4 MES)

We can take heart that God bolsters us with His love and presence throughout the seasons.

Garbage In, Garbage Out

Image

In the past 2 months of Circuit Breaker, people have been nuahing at home the whole day and glued to anything rectangular – TV, phone, tablet and laptop – as a keyboard warrior on social media, posting on Instagram or Tik Tok, or drama or FB Live, bingeing die die also must have potato chips, ice cream or snack on hand to feed itchy mouth. Cannot tahan, the whole pack sure gone in no time and you grab more and raid the fridge. Alamak, with such lazy-bum lifestyle, little wonder all complaint kings and queens cry father cry mother that they are getting bui bui from being chronic couch potatoes. And aiyee, the pot bellies gets deeper and the muffin tops spill out more…

(P.S. Sounded like you and it is time for a detox: Garbage in, and garbage out? Let me offer you some slices of “bread” as a healthy option that won’t tip your weighing scale- Eat bread and live life to the full!)

“I (Jesus) am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” – John 6:35

Ever since I embarked on my newfound joy of making bread with my new toy as part of my “keep-me-sane” therapy, I have learnt a lot from “Bread”: from studying recipes to creating new inventions and learning about the entire baking process. It is not as simple as I thought which I once dismissed that bread is simply a clump of flour. Only when I am hands-on, did I discover that each ingredient, the quality right down to the quantity affect the outcome- each loaf turned out differently with different mixture, shape, size, colour, aroma, texture and taste. Individual ingredients need to be mixed well to form the dough, and the success of the bread lies in the kneading process that tested how well the dough is made.

The bread maker by default comes with preset menus for different made with its minimum duration. From time to time, I love to peer over the status monitor to check on the progress. I thought being mindfully watchful ensure the bread will be in good hands. I can’t hurry nor short-circuit the process otherwise the bread will not be baked well and the outcome may be ruinous! The entire process is long but somehow I have developed greater patience, as a result- Aren’t good things worth waiting for after all the hard work? Imagine the indescribable joy of witnessing the final product with satisfaction.

Bread may be a simple staple food for everyone, but to me, it holds a deeper meaning – not just my love for this carbohydrate, it is a visual reminder that God, as my Provider, whom I can go to Him with a child-like petition to ask for provision each day:

Give (me) today (my) daily bread (Matthew 6:11). And which of you, being a father, will give a stone to his son, who makes request for bread or for a fish, will give him a snake? (Luke 11:11 BBE)

While physical bread represents an essential for survival, so God will ensure we are fed in order to live; Spiritual bread represents a necessity for sustainability, so God will provide all that we need to survive well.

…for man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God. – Matthew 4:4

The kneading process also bring me to a deeper realisation that God’s handprints are in every details of my life- He is intimately aware of the ongoing situations; every pull, every tug, every grind, every turn, every pressure, every processes: He knows all my pain and counts all my tears. Each journey may be fraught with challenges and often offer new learning experiences, but God is always there and with us all the way. We can be assured that we are in His good hands, and will be provided for if we trust Him, day to day.

P.S. Never say bo jio – wanna taste my bread, private message me ha!

#SGUnited #StayHomeStaySafe #SinglishQT Series (5) QT: No-mess Spiritlicious Recipes For Good Health And For Life

Image

Everyone can guess that the trending posts on FB during Circuit Breaker period is “I also can cook!” Imagine it can be very kang kor for Singaporeans who love to makan are being barred from dining out. When the popular quick-fix fast food giant, MacDonald, suay-suay kenna infected with the COVID-19 virus, had to cease operations on 19 April, forced many to find alternatives to jiak. So since being “imprisoned” at home may as well learn to anyhow masak-masak up a storm and get to hao lian photo-bombing on FB and IG. And wah sei, some really machiam restaurant style. Lagi best, some anyhow agar agar chin chye hantam, throw in anything into the wok also turned out to be bagus siah! Really, it can be super leh chey and sian to da pao all the time. And every day eat same same can be jelat. So may as well check out recipes online and be creative as a chef-wannabe with homecooked food!

(Ok, enuff with the Singlish liao…)

And now, isn’t it wonderful all the ways in which this distress has goaded you closer to God? You’re more alive, more concerned, more sensitive, more reverent, more human, more passionate, more responsible. Looked at from any angle, you’ve come out of this with purity of heart. – 2 Corinthians 7:11 MSG

While relishing a succulent muffin, I got into my usual habit to dissect what ingredients that gave the muffin its flavourful oomph. Each individual ingredient, may be tasteless, but they are integral to the success of making the muffin as a whole. And when these ingredients are mixed together, the final first bite gives it its verdict.

And yes, the bible is our best “recipe” book we can turn to if we want “omphlicious” food that feed us spiritually. Just as physical food feed our body, we need spiritual food to feed our soul. And what we feed grows, what we starve dies. So when we eat well, we get stronger. And the more we eat, the bigger our muscles when we build them up. (By the way, it is harmless to binge on spiritual food and we will not grow out of shape too!)

Depending on our “craving” at the time, we will need the right “ingredients” from the bible, follow the “recipe” as instructed, and just have to wait patiently for the “timing” to get the final product. We can trust that the result is always to our “satisfaction” if we “follow” the “full” recipe correctly. But of course, we may not get it “100%” right all the time because of certain or unexpected “human and mechanical errors”. It is also necessary to go through more “trials and errors” in order to “improve” our “skills”, as each “process” offers different “learning” experiences.

Practice makes better. Nothing will go wrong if we fully follow the instructions given. After all, God’s the Teacher, we’re the students, so trust His training. There will always be something new to learn each day- so check out God’s “recipe” today, you can be assured of the most satisfying meal for the day (and minus the stress)!

#SGUnited #StayHomeStaySafe #SinglishQT Series (4): Soul-less But Not Soulless

Image

(Be warned: Cheem local ‘vocab’ may test you! Power singlish siah!)

It was chin chia scary to walk through malls where all shops were closed and not many souls in sight during this Circuit Breaker period. It felt like I was walking through a ghost town with dim lightings and can kenna spooked anytime. The gahmen was desperate liao so boh pian and had to order local malls to close shops in order to prevent the Keh Ki (meaning “stubborn”) to the boh liao to the too eng not kiasi Singaporeans-shopaholics and those finding excuses to KLKK to stay home. Very the sian, but heng ah, it is only for a short but dunno for how long period though……

(Ok, resume with proper English now…)

The godly may trip seven times, but they will get up again. But one disaster is enough to overthrow the wicked. (Proverbs 24:16 NLT) Do not gloat over me, my enemies! For though I fall, I will rise again. Though I sit in darkness, the Lord will be my light. (Micah 7:8 NLT)

The world seemed to come to a standstill and I felt as if I was alone and abandoned, as though I was stranded in a desert. I could not deny a momentary pang of fear incapacitated me- would I fall into a quick sand or be engulfed by a sand dune? Although I have not personally been to a desert, but dark times are synonymous to desert experiences.

It is when a person walks at night that they stumble, for they have no light. – John 11:10

Desert experiences are usually times of disorientation, derailment and deprivation. It means we are living without things and comfort that we are normally accustomed to. Such times test our mettle like no other time, filtering out what is truly in our heart-

How do we respond when times are bad as opposed to when times are good? Do we only remember God when we are desperate, lost, and in need, but forgotten about Him when times are good? How’s the health of our Spirit? How’s the level of our faith? And how do we manage His resources and blessings that we have been entrusted with?

To trust God in the light is nothing, but to trust Him in the dark—that is faith. – Charles Haddon Spurgeon

Desert times provide new lessons and new experiences that we can learn like no other time. So what desert experience has the Lord brought into your life?

Perhaps, it is time to:

re-define our setbacks
re-evaluate how we live
re-think how we do our job / business
re-align our priorities
re-calibrate our direction in life

And re-member-

The Truths of God are unassailable:

His mysteries unfathomable,

His ways unpredictable,

And His miracles unthinkable;

For His Love undeniable;

His Power unstoppable,

So we have a hope unshakeable

And our joy be unspeakable.

Surely, one of the miracles we all will receive is this word, “bouncebackability”, which is defined as ‘the capacity to recover quickly from a setback.’

So do not fear when the heat comes or has been intensified. God will not let us be tested beyond what we can endure, and He will provide a way out so that we can pass the test (1 Corinthians 10:13). But how fast we get out of our desert is contingent on how well we learn our lessons and how obedient we are to His discipline.

Remember how the Lord your God led you all the way in the desert these forty years, to humble you and to test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep His commands. He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your fathers had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord. Your clothes did not wear out and your feet did not swell during these forty years. Know then in your heart that as a man disciplines his son, so the Lord your God disciplines you. (Deuteronomy 8:2-5)

#SGUnited #StayHomeStaySafe #SinglishQT Series (3) QT: Don’t Play Play, Keep Safe From Evils

Image

(Be warned: Singlish overloaded! Cheem local ‘vocab’ may stretch you! Power siah!)

Desperate times really need desperate measures during this COVID-19 season when infections posed alarming threats to the community, that the Government had to employ Social Distancing Ambassadors (refer as “SDA” hereafter) to ensure measures are strictly adhere to. It is confirm guarantee got chop that many will buay song and break rules- some gei gei and act blur not to observe safe distancing, wear mask corrightly or even wear at all. Many Ah Bengs and Ah Sengs with ego problem behave like Ah Longs ready to fight anytime. So, our SDAs sibeh suay, always kenna tekan until can die (one case kenna stabbed!). Actually hor, many people would siam or diam diam to avoid confrontation, so those kind souls who volunteered to be SDAs really need to be tough as well.

And the infamous Ms “I am a Sovereign” had made our Shunfu Market gone viral. Not sure if she was being wayang, but Ms “Sovereign” very one kind confront until vomit blood and really kiam pah. Glad she kena caught and sent to Institute of Mental Health to wait for verdict. Sekali she diagnosed to be mental then won’t kena prosecuted… Then she win liao lor!

Tell you what, really leh, no one is sovereign, don’t be geh kiang about not keeping safe, so cannot play play, orh hor?

(Oops, let’s turn sane with proper English now.)

It is an incontestable fact that only the infinite God, who created Heaven and Earth, is sovereign as a supreme authority over all things under His control. He is the Lord of all as the Creator, Owner and Possessor of Heaven and Earth. Sovereignty is an attribute of God, where He has absolute right, full authority and power to do or allow whatever He desires. We as God’s creation in the form of human beings, are finite with limitations, so we are not sovereign since we do not hold any power nor have control over any thing.

However, as Christians, God has given us an authority- as we appropriate the living Word of God, it releases His Power when we exercise this given spiritual authority to fight or to overcome (spiritual battles), seek protection or breakthroughs.

The bible says in Luke 10:19 (ESV), ‘Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you…’.

The best illustration is the use of electricity- it is generated by a power company which is the power source to supply electricity and deliver to our home. This power doesn’t belong to us but it is under our control. It is up to us whether to use this electricity and get it to work by turning on the switches to let the power be activated. Viola, that’s how we got light to light up a room of darkness!

In the same context, we are given the authority to use as we acknowledge the source of this power under our command, and we do what we need with it:

We have Christ living in us, which we can count on His power;

We have the Spirit of God, which we partner with to live in power;

We have been given the living Word of God, which we can appropriate with power.

We have been given all the power necessary, so we simply need to appropriate this given authority with faith to exercise the power of God’s might and set it to work.

The verse, Luke 10:19b, ‘nothing shall hurt you’ doesn’t mean that nothing will happen to us nor does it infer that we will be “fire-proofed” from the exigencies and catastrophes of life. Since living in this fallen world ruled by Satan, we live in the flesh that subject to sins, sicknesses, disorders and every evil practices, but we need not be subject to those fears. We do not wage war according to the flesh for the weapons of our warfare are not the weapons of this world. Instead, they have divine power over the schemes of the wicked ones. (2 Corinthians 10:4). And nothing shall separate us from the love of God, and that all things will work together for good to those who love Him (Romans 8:39; Romans 8:28).

#SGUnited #StayHomeStaySafe #SinglishQT Series (2) Labour Day Special QT: Mai Kan Cheong, More Than Enough- Stockpile Treasures From Heaven.

Image

(Be warned: Singlish overloaded! Cheem local ‘vocab’ may stretch you! Power siah!)

When the local government raised the Disease Outbreak Response System Condition (DORSCON) level to Orange as a result of increased cases of the novel coronavirus on February 7, sending signal that the disease was deemed severe and infection might be contagious. This news was enough to drive Singaporeans into a panic mode, worrying about their livelihoods and the top-of-the-mind response was, “Food!”. You got it- Singaporeans went siao chiong-ing to raid the supermarkets. Worried over food scarcity should the country follow suit to lockdown nationwide, they die-die must stock up the necessities. And wah piang eh, the situation was really sibeh jialat, the shelves for toilet rolls, kitchen towels, wet wipes, maggie mee, rice, eggs, canned meat and hands sanitisers had been wiped out almost clean! I simply don’t understand such mentality especially with paper products which are not edible! Wah lau eh, like that die already loh when the aunties with mountain-full trollies of those essentials made the headlines with our infamous Singaporean symptoms: Kiasu-ism and Kiasee-ism. I myself malu as a local to witness the snatch and hoard culture. My fellow Singaporeans, tolong leh, steady pompipi, it is not the end of the world lah! This kiasu virus is even more potent than COVID-19 and soon the buay tahan virus would evolve even stronger. Sian, I had to join the queue just to get a few simple essentials, but no choice leh before the stock kosong! And sibeh suay to have to jostle with the crowd, the snaking queues really had me flipped!

(Ok, let’s turn sane with proper English now.)

These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. (Matthew 6:32) Do not be like them (the pagans), for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. (Matthew 6:8)

So, the question is, “Are you the type of person who see half a glass of water as, half full or half empty?”

Insecurities. It is what drive us to react and response the way we did. Living in today’s world which prizes achievements, social status, material comfort and wealth, that equate success, has bred a downhill trajectory ethical culture. Failing which or fallen short of such benchmark, we may feel insecure like social misfits. And this label left many of us a disgruntled lot with a “hoarder” mentality- the constant need for covetousness and accumulating possessions to feel safe in the least. Sometimes, even the more than enough is not enough…

Because, insecurities will always breed insecurities. This fella will always precipitate:

i. Fear, so we worry.

ii. Lack of faith, so we get anxious.

iii. Distrust in God to provide or can provide, so we take matters into our own hands.

But the best counter-measures to overcome insecurities:

1. Turn on the power of prayers

Because worry and prayer cannot co-exist at the same time, either you expend energy worry or better utilise the time to pray- which is useful?

And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith. – Matthew 21:22

2. Magnify God instead of zooming in on the situation

Turn your focus to our infinite God who is much bigger and can handle anything and everything.

‘Ah, Lord God! It is you who have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and by your outstretched arm! Nothing is too hard for you.’ – Jeremiah 32:17

3. Meditate on God’s Promises

Rehearse the truth of His Promises over and over until they sink in, for example, one of the good reminders from Matthew 6:25-34, “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. …”

4. Allow God’s Peace to rule in our heart

If God’s Peace anchors our heart, insecurities will not rock or cause a rippling effect to our soul.

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. – John 14:27

5. Recall how God has met our previous needs and be reassured that God still care

We are all forgetful beings, so we need to make conscious effort to recall how God had previously provided for our needs. In so doing, we will be more assured that God who is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow, still care to meet our needs.

Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. – 1 Peter 5:7

6. Trust God to supply as He knows our needs

God, as our loving Father cares for His children, will take care of what we need.

Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. — 2 Corinthians 9:10

7. Learn to live in contentment

Keep life free from having to want more, and learn to live with what we have at present.

But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. – 1 Timothy 6:6-10

8. Seek to live one day at a time

Worry does not serve any purpose for good, just as Corrie Ten Boom aptly put across, “Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow. It empties today of its strength.”

Therefore, take no thought about tomorrow, for tomorrow will take thought about the things of itself. Sufficient to the day is the trouble thereof. – Matthew 6:34

So, stockpile the treasures above instead and the inventory will keep us in good faith to fight a good fight, over the long run.

#SGUnited #StayHomeStaySafe #SinglishQT Series (1) QT: Seriously Sugar Rush?

Image

When our Prime Minister announced on the evening of April 21 that ‘Circuit Breaker’ (hereafter will be abbreviated as ‘CB’) had to be extended till June 1 with more safe distancing measures enforced to mitigate risks of infections within the community, especially some of the non-essential services have to be temporarily closed. One of the affected services was bubble tea, which caused an ‘uproar’ with tea-lovers scrambling down to get their sugar-fix before it ceased operation at 23:59! And the social media was abuzz with these stores busy on the ground with tons of orders for the night. Bubble-tea-lover-netizens expressed that they die-die must have this sugar-with-pearls-fix, otherwise can mati if do without for the next 30 days (or longer for crying out loud)!

The posts sparked off two ‘acrid’ responses: (a) “Sure boh, simi logic? Seriously???”, (b) “Aiyoh, where is the safe distancing measure in place??”

Risks. When people have something they would die for, they would not mind taking the risks. The debate then is, is it worth risking your life for? Indeed not my ‘cup of tea’ to seek to understand the craze over this beverage.

But it inspired me to pen my thoughts behind this episode- The perpetrator is a great Tempter.

Many of us have sweet tooth and crave for sweets; some of us are merely bored and need to have some sweets; some of us are stressed and seek after sweets to destress; some of us turn to sweets as comfort food; some of us simply cannot resist the temptation to binge; and may be some of us are just tempted to follow the trend.

Temptations. Of course, temptations come in many forms, not just the sugar or the pearls- Tempted to rebel; tempted to complain; tempted to doubt; tempted to entertain negative thoughts; tempted to fear… and the list is inexhaustible.

We made of flesh are susceptible to temptations from time to time, and vulnerable to the devil’s schemes. But it must be emphasised that Satan cannot make us do anything! It is our own choice either to listen to him and succumb or turn away from him and resist. Satan can entice us to sin but he cannot force us to act upon it. It is our sole responsibility how we respond with either a ‘Yes’ or ‘No’. And we can’t pin the blame on anyone if we choose to be subject to temptation.

But by the Grace of God, it is by His Word we can resist temptations- ‘He (Jesus) answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’ ” (Matthew 4:4)… Jesus said to him, “It is written again, ‘You shall not tempt the Lord your God.’ (Matthew 4:7) Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written,… (Matthew 4:10a).’

“It is written…” is a spiritual authority from the bible given to us as a weapon and as a defence shield. The bible is our first aid kit, survivor guide, life manual and ammunition pack, for life.

At such unprecedented season, the extended CB has affected all strata of society. So let’s face it squarely- life may beat us down, but we can live above it when we stand firm even when life’s headwinds gust our way. Instead of focusing all our attention on ourselves and the curveballs life throws our way, let us persevere by fixing our eyes on Jesus who is our Overcomer, and He has already provided the ‘sweet healthy pearls’ from the bible:

Be aware of your weaknesses or hot buttons that Satan already know:

that no advantage may be gained over us by Satan: for we are not ignorant of his devices. – 2 Corinthians 2:11

Be watchful and mindful of being ensnared anytime:

Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. – 1 Peter 5:8

Yield yourself to God decisively and the devil will flee:

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. – James 4:7

Stop instantly to break the sin pattern or vicious cycle:

Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. (1 John 3:8a) And give no opportunity to the devil. (Ephesians 4:27)

Avoid situation that will tempt you:

abstain from every form of evil… – 1 Thessalonians 5:22

Remind yourself of your position in Christ and Who is living in you:

Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world (1 John 4:4). I can do all things through Him who strengthens me (Philippians 4:13).

Remember that God will not allow any temptation that you can’t handle and He will help you:

No testing has overtaken you that is not common to everyone. God is faithful, and He will not let you be tested beyond your strength, but with the testing He will also provide the way out so that you may be able to endure it. – 1 Corinthians 10:13

Appropriate the power of prayer with “It is written…” or “God says…”

For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. – Hebrews 4:12

The devil is already a defeated enemy when we are freed by Christ, and we who is “in Christ” live “in Christ” cannot be recaptured, unless we subject ourselves to practices of this fallen world where Satan is still very active. Remember, if you give an inch (2.54 cm), he (the devil) will take a mile (1.61 km)!

BE INTENTIONAL (12): Changes- It Is Time To Recalibrate Our Lives

Image

I am the Lord, and when it is time, I will make these things happen quickly. -Isaiah 60:22 NCV

It is often said that life is a like a game of chess – a strategy board game where every decision made on each move of a chess piece will impact the entire game. And each move will result in different outcome.

By the same token, COVID-19 pandemic has effectuated changes in our lives that require us to adapt to everyday situations and adjust our expectations. Changes is fundamental for us to get our acts together.

So what is God doing right now? It is time to recalibrate our lives and thrive in this season of crisis. We cannot remain where we are and expect to move with God, nor expect Him to move without doing anything.

And to quote someone, ”Stupidity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different outcome.”

We need not be victims of circumstances, though we do not have control over the external, but we have control over what we can do at best, and leave God the rest.

So changes is not necessarily a bad thing- There are times when God need to shake things up to force us to change – He is intimately aware that we will not move forward without a push. So He will put us in situations that will make us uncomfortable (in whatever our area of struggle) to stretch us and make us grow. His ultimate goal isn’t to make our life miserable but to push us to a greater purpose for His higher Glory.

Change, and we be changed too.

When people’s lives please the Lord, even their enemies are at peace with them. – Proverbs 16:7 NLT

So hang on tight, and trust that God will eventually bring something good out of it, one day.

I trust the Lord God to save me, and I will wait for him to answer my prayer. – Micah 7:7 CEV

BE INTENTIONAL (11): If You Can’t Trace His Hands, Trust His Heart- Live One Day At A Time

Image

Lord, You have assigned me my portion and my cup; You have made my lot secure.

– Psalm 16:5

April 2020 marks unprecedented moments in this little red dot where our government had implemented the temporary 1-month “Circuit-Breaker” measures to curb the spread of COVID-19 within the communities:

i. All staff to be deployed to work from home.

ii. Only takeaways from any food establishments.

iii. No social gathering allowed, even at home.

iv. Schools and retail stores (except supermarkets) are closed.

Almost everything has come to a screeching halt, and the downtowns look like ghost towns. Never in my lifetime did I witness such an impact nationwide, and for the first time, I felt so peaceful not having to jostle with the crowd on public transport and along the streets. This pandemic indeed has the world on tenterhooks: Feeling the blues from threatening financial security? Feeling the stigma of rued chances of “If Only…” for the times we have taken for granted? Grappling with great anxieties of the unknown that life is so unpredictable? Doubts assailed our minds and fears plagued our souls like relentlessly that we are left with all the “why?” that has no answer. And it is often said that life exigencies or adversity are God’s manure for spiritual “drawing-near” or callings to repentance or a greater intimacy with the Lord.

That be true, we may also have forgotten momentarily that God’s perspective is way superior to ours (Job 42:1-5). His thoughts are so much higher than ours, that we do not always see His Goodness in painful situations, and instantly disregard His Goodness. His permissive will may allow bad things to happen for some reasons or for His Higher Purposes, but that does not diminish God’s Goodness. If we can’t trace His Hands in crises, but we can trust His Heart, eventhough we may not understand His ways- For those who love Him, He can bring good out of the worst circumstances (Romans 8:28).

This Good Friday, remember too what He has done:

“Nails didn’t hold Jesus to the Cross.

Love did.”

– Anonymous

We have not been forgotten, we are still loved yesterday, today and forever, so we can be at peace anchoring on this unassailable Truth. So let’s turn our raw guttural prayers into prayers that truly express what is in our hearts. We should not be seeking to remove ourselves from the pressure cooker of life, but adopt a heavenly perspective to use such pressure cooker to reveal the power, glory and grace of God through our lives to others, Galatians 2:20 reminds us, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.”

“It’s not how long you live, but how well you live.”

-Anonymous

P.S. How about taking this time too as an invitation to take stock of our lives to reconsider what is truly important and review our priorities, for life is more than just work, getting pay checks and chasing after the status symbols of this world.

BE INTENTIONAL: Fight or Flight- Lock down but not knock down

Image

Through You we will push back our adversaries; Through Your name we will trample down those who rise up against us. Psalm 44:5

SPECIAL THANKSGIVING FOR THE HEALTHCARE HEROES AT THE FRONTLINE BATTLING COVID-19:

No words can really describe how it has not been easy for all the healthcare personnels on the frontline, working tirelessly with the day to day demands in battling COVID-19 and coping under untold pressure. These unsung heroes have my utmost admiration for their great sacrifices, especially their time with their families. May they continue to stay resilient and God rewards them greatly. I would like to bless them with these verses:

Yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary (Isaiah 40:31). For the Lord your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory (Deuteronomy 20:4).

Let us remember too we each have our part to play by exercising social responsibility, and together we can overcome! Keep strong and safe everyone!

——————

For the first time I felt the heat of “the gloom and doom” of the unprecedented season of COVID19 pandemic, that has the world in crumbles.

For the first time I have personally witnessed empty malls and people are getting 1-metre distant because of the new safety measures imposed for personal safety and protection from the spread of infection.

For the first time I can feel the intensity of the battle when the numbers of infected cases rising each day, as if earth is coming to its last day:

Borders are closed.

Entertainment venues are closed.

Enrichment centres are closed.

Schools are closed.

Offices are closed.

Malls are empty.

Food establishments are empty.

Streets are empty.

Events are cancelled.

Flights are grounded.

Salaries are cut.

Jobs are lost.

Deaths are counting……

Uncertainties, anxieties, insecurities and fears plagued everyone as news spread on social media like rampant bush fires. No one can really make sense of what is happening right now.

Does adversity mean God is not at work or His seemingly absence imply His nonchalance? Why don’t we consider hearing this Truth:

Hard times and trouble are God’s way of getting our attention! And at this very moment, God deeply desires to lead you from trouble and to spread your table with your favorite food. – Job 36:15-16 CEV

It is a wake up call that need our attention.

Cry out in the night… Pour out your heart like water in prayer to the Lord. – Lamentations 2:19 NCV.

But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive. – Genesis 50:20

We may be locked out but not knocked down- tough times don’t last but tough people do. Keep the hope and fight with faith, together with God, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. (Romans 8:37).

BE INTENTIONAL (9): Fear-less and be fearless

Image

Don’t be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight… – Nehemiah 4:14b

Ever since the Wuhan Coronavirus proliferation raised to a Orange DOSCON Alert level in Singapore, the locals flocked to the supermarkets in panic mode to stock up supplies, rummaging through the shelves and wiped out toilet papers, instant noodles, rice…… It was quite an alarming sight where trollies were piled mountain high with the essential items which they do not need that much to tie over this trying period.

The social media was since abuzz with photos of those exaggerated hoarders and inadvertently shed limelight onto Singapore where the “kiasu” (a hokkien word to describe a person having a grasping or selfish attitude arising from a fear of missing out on something) or rather “kiasi” (a hokkien word to describe a person who is afraid of death, or having the attitude of being overly afraid or timid.) viruses are evidently more potent than the Wuhan virus itself, and very soon the “buay tahan” (derived from Hokkien and Malay which means “cannot stand” or “cannot endure”) virus will join in the revolution.

This local mutated virus is a lot harder to treat as it is psychological, with the root stemming from FEAR. Worrywarts are on the rampage because they fear about risks they have no control; fear of being powerless to protect themselves; fear of losing; fear of not having enough; fear of dying; fear of more gloom; and fear breeds more fears…… Fear is far more scary than any virus- FEAR is “False Expectation Appearing Real” is mongering at its core, cannibalising many human soul and paralyse us beyond irrationality.

No wonder the bible provides 365 antidotes, “Fear not.”. In other words, God has provided us with one “fear not” message for each day of the year! It is also interesting to observe that almost every time God talks to someone in the Bible, the first thing He says is, “Don’t be afraid!”

Do not be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them. – Daniel 10:12

Someone once said, “Don’t tell God how big your storm is. Tell the storm how big your God is.” God is actually saying, “Get the message. Don’t be afraid.”

Your right hand, O Lord, is glorious in power. Your right hand, O Lord, smashes the enemy. In the greatness of your majesty, you overthrow those who rise against you. You unleash your blazing fury; it consumes them like straw. – Exodus 15:6–7

Fear not, because we have God on our side; be a fearless Conqueror, arming ourselves with the Armour of God, and fight with the powerful “fear-not” ammunitions which God personally designed.

BE INTENTIONAL (8) 250120: Beyond Limitations.

Image

The God who gives life to the dead and calls things that are not as though they were. – Romans 4:17

Today is the first day of the Lunar New Year and every Chinese will get ready for the festivities lined up for the day, especially little children who will get excited to receive “ang pows” (red packets) from the elders (who are married).

And not forgetting we have our Father in Heaven who is ready to bless us, His Children, with “ang pow” too.

However, beyond seeking the monetary gain, what will truly be the “ang pow” will we really ask from our Heavenly Father who generously give good gift to those who ask of Him? (Matthew 7:11).

Many of us dare not ask because we felt insignificant to request for something we do not deserve; many of us struggle to trust God for the impossible as we cannot see beyond the limitations. But God, is the God of Life, gives life to the dead and calls things that are not as though they were (Romans 4:17), promises that nothing is too hard for Him (Genesis 18:14).

God loves to turn the impossible into the possible, because of a greater Glory that no one can steal from Him nor deny His Omnipotence. Simply recall one of the greatest miracle in history where Moses was at a dead end at the Red Sea, with the pursuing Egyptians hot on his heel. And voila, God parted the Red Sea to provide a way out for His people, and the enemies tailing behind them was drowned by the same sea!

In need of a blessing from Abba Father today? Ask, and you shall be given. (Matthew 7:7)

In need of a breakthrough? God who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things? (Romans 8:32)

In need of an answer? God desires to bless our heart desires, and He will not withheld the request of our lips. (Psalm 21:2)

Don’t give up on the situation you see as hopeless, for God is the God of all hope, and faith is the currency for miracles. God is still in the business to do the impossible.

BE INTENTIONAL (7): Let it all out, lay it all down, leave it all behind.

Image

Every morning you’ll hear me at it again. Every morning I lay out the pieces of my life on Your altar and watch for fire to descend. – Psalm 5:3, MSG

Hello 2020! A new year often signify changes that can make us apprehensive and uncomfortable— Seasons change; plans change; people change; feelings change; and things change— Ways we cannot see; times we cannot control; events we cannot comprehend; and things we cannot understand. Undeniably, changes are inevitable and unpredictable, but God is still in the center of it all. As the calendar turns another page, each day comes with a God-given Gift:

Gift of a NEW day.

They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. – Lamentations 3:23

Each morning is a new day, new beginning. It is a chance given to start over or make the best out of it. It is a loving reminder how God has sustained us the night before and bless us with a gift to live another day. He carries us through day to day. What greater gift can there be to live another day? So, treasure each day and live for His Glory.

Gift of SURRENDER.

So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. – James 4:7-8

Do we want to carry baggages from the past year(s) to the new year: Insensibilities. Sensualities. Guilt. Mistakes. Wilderness. And whatnots. Lay them down; let them go; and hand them over. Each day is a call, a chance to humble ourselves and surrender all that is in our heart, our mind and on our hands. Breakthroughs take 100% God and also 100% man- to let go and let God – God can’t do any thing if we withhold any thing. Let God have the key, He is way far better in handling our lives (and messes) than ourselves.

Gift of MERCIES.

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.” – Lamentations 3:22–24

The God who is slow to anger, and abounding in love and faithfulness, is ever so gracious. His Grace unmerited and given, therefore we can hope in Him to see us through the seasons, whatever we are facing.

Gift of RENEWAL.

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. – 2 Corinthians 4:16

Day by day, continuously, God makes us new every moment, and each day brings a fresh beginning.

Gift of LOVE.

His Love endures forever. – Psalm 136

God is love. No matter how faith less or faithless we are, He will always be faithful. Since God has already given His All which demonstrated the extent and the depth of His Love, no good thing will He withhold from us.

Gift of BLESSINGS.

See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. – Isaiah 43:19

The crux is- what do we “see”? His blessings are actually everywhere— it is a matter of perspective— they may not come in the package we expect, they may be the little things we often dismissed or overlooked. Look around, and count our blessings, and we will realise we have actually forgotten to be grateful.

Gift of the HOLY SPIRIT.

You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. – 1 John 4:4

The Holy Spirit living in us is an Overcomer – that with Him and through Him, we can do all things.

Gift of ASKING.

Ask of Me, and I will give you… – Psalm 2:8

Ask and you shall be given (Matthew 7:7)! What would we want to ask God for? Call upon Him and He will answer and tell us great and unsearchable things we know not. (Jeremiah 33:3)

Gift of EMPOWERMENT.

The Lord is my strength and shield. I trust him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. – Psalm 28:7

What is the center of our lives? And this centre will drive us. Chase feelings and feelings will bring us on a roller coaster ride with highs and lows; follow our heart and our heart will bring us go places with heartbreaking zig-zag turns; chase the world and the bible warns that we will lose our soul. Make Jesus the centre, and life will be back in the balance.

BE INTENTIONAL (6): Change Yourself First

Image

Let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. – Romans 12:2 NLT

I once observed my two young nieces, a pre-schooler and a toddler, jostling with each other over a toy. The robbed child, indignant with sourpuss grumpiness, would then howl in anger and attempt a scratch or a snatch. At this juncture, I would intervene to parry the blow. “No, no, no! You can’t do that…” This incidence reminded me that our gut reaction to lash out doesn’t change as we age.

I once asked a friend this question- can a person who struggle with anger a patient person? I think, a person who has issues with anger may not produce evident fruits of patience and gentleness, as opposed to a person who is patient and gentle.

It is innate that we all are quick to respond, whether in christlike manner or otherwise. Sometimes we spew out senseless drivel and hurtful speech when tempers frayed. Unmet expectations. Unresolved issues. Unsettled disappointments- Every pet peeve writes a check on our joy account. And bitter roots start to weed…

But, God’s grace is immeasurable, His mercy inexhaustible, His peace inexpressible. He can empathise with our human idiosyncrasies. He knows that for us to well and truly grow up, we must learn to grow out of our past and grow into our future.

So instead of changing the other person, choose the way we respond.

Instead of seeking power and control, choose to response to needs.

Instead of pursuing perfection, learn from mistakes, acknowledge them and rectify them.

Instead of focusing on unmet expectations, choose to be realistic that men will fail and accept that only God can fulfill that void.

Instead of pointing finger at anyone, turn your negative emotions to God and let Him have the final say.

Instead of retaliating, leave your vengeance to God and let Him give the verdict as the Judge.

Have a brake on your tongue; hit the throttle on your ears. Pray this simple prayer,

“Without You, I am nothing.

Apart from You, I can do nothing.”

Partnering God and working with Holy Spirit will be rewarding. Let Him surprise you that the outcome is far beyond what you can apprehend. For God is a God of Miracles.

BE INTENTIONAL (5)- Be Grateful and Contented

Image

Wisdom is a shelter as money is a shelter, but the advantage of knowledge is this: that wisdom preserves the life of its possessor. — Ecclesiastes 7:12

As my company book closes for the month, it is also the time of the year for me this day to review about life- June has been my most stressful month where my brain usually launched into overdrive and my soul seems trapped in an undercurrent of discontentment:

I cannot count the number of gripes I grumbled and the many complaints I mumbled;

the mistakes I fumbled and the fall I tumbled;

much less to track the sins that had me crumbled and the pride that called me to be humble.

June is the month to account for the state of my finances, whether healthy or unhealthy: my brain crunches numbers each night long after I am supposed to be asleep, accelerating my pulse. Issues at work jab me from the right, shove me from behind and punch me square in the nose. As the adage goes, it never rains but pour!

In our rapidly volatile and uncertain present-day economy, money matters and work can drastically elevate our stress. And the double whammy of living in a consumerism culture where instant gratification is celebrated, mankind of the fallen nature categorically do not like to wait: We want instant gratification; we want life’s knottiest dilemmas to be dissolved immediately; we want everything chop-chop.

I guess I am sane, for I am not alone…

During such challenging times, when my strength wanes and peace eludes me, the thoughts of I-don’t-know-what-is-the-heck-I-am-doing assailed me relentlessly with discontentment gnawing at me ferociously. Temptations of calling quits or running away beckoning… I got real last Monday, coming to terms with my inner struggle, my Spirit started singing away Don’s Moen’s song, “Take Me Deeper”,

‘There is a longing only You can fill,

A raging tempest only You can still…

My soul is thirsty Lord

To know You as I am known

Be in Your Presence

Forever satisfied…’

Indeed, there was a very deep yearning I had not felt from time immemorial. My soul has been very parched as I got distracted by the cares of this world… And I can’t seem to hear God very much recently, but I knew my spiritual antenna isn’t working well. Interestingly, past online devotionals touched on money matters. And God spoke with a Rhema word, “Continual”:

His continual Presence will be my comfort and strength;

His continual Guidance will direct my every steps;

His continual Infilling of the Holy Spirit will empower me;

His continual Protection will be a canopy over me wherever I am;

His continual Healing will be a living testimony of His Power over my weaknesses;

His continual Faithfulness will be reminders of His never failing Love;

His continual Forgiveness bears the hallmark of His Grace;

His continual Provisions are wrapped in blessings, big or small, each day.

I am very thankful God rein me in. Since I can’t change my circumstances nor ignore my emotions, it takes greater wisdom (since we are more inclined to trusting our own “smart aleckness” and relying on our own strength) in knowing who is the Ultimate safety net to fall back on, and trusting God to bring us through.

The reward for perseverance is – God is faithful- I have received much surprises this week that made nice birthday presents today. I am learning to be grateful for the big and small alike, and count my blessings so that I can cultivate contentment.

BE INTENTIONAL (4): Seeking the Only One True King

Image

Jesus answered, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to Me will never hunger, and whoever believes in Me will never thirst. – John 6:35

At this time of the year, a king would stay over at my place for a few days. And my family look forward enthusiastically to have a big feast with him, except me, as I struggle to be hospitable, due to his overpowering body odour. Not long after, the entire house would stink heaven high for hours! (And yes, I should have a deodoriser on standby!)

Only Singaporeans would know what I am talking about – yes, the durian season with the ever familiar stench of the year is here again, and it is time almost the entire Nation would go ga-ga over the king of fruits. They would even travel the miles just to lay hands on this smelly fruit. And whenever I passed by roadside stalls selling durians, I would never failed to see a single soul craving to polish off the seeds without gesticulating KFC’s famous slogan, “Finger Licking Good”.

If only Singaporeans can turn the same passion in seeking after a one true King, who is the King or Kings and the Lord of Lords (Revelation 19:16), whose Fruit* will always satisfied:

Jesus Christ is the true life-eternal-giving Bread, whose Word is life-saving and have the divine power for supernatural intervention. He is to the soul what bread is to the body, nourishes and supports spiritual life. Those who come to Christ, believe in Him, and eat of this spiritual Bread of Life shall be filled and be satisfied in every need. It also sustains the spiritual life in strength, and refreshes the weary.

“I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And this bread, which I will give for the life of the world, is My flesh.” – John 6:51

Just as our physical body need food every day, our spiritual body need to be fed daily too in order to grow and live well. May this durian season be a great reminder to seek the One True King whose flesh will always satisfied.

P.S.

Good news for the diabetic, since the sugar content found in this spiritual Fruit* is very healthy. And for those who have sensitive nose, this Fruit* only release sweet-smelling aroma.

BE INTENTIONAL (3): RESTART- Get Up, Get Out And Get Going

Image

When my heart is overwhelmed, lead me to the rock that is higher than I. – Psalm 61:2

Not too long ago I upgraded the tank for my swimming pets (Wonder shrimps and water snails) so that they will have more room to manoeuvre. I had also made a special request to the shop owner to change two of the decorative shells on the sand bed to rocks instead. Rocks to me is a great reminder that Jesus is my Rock, and on this Rock I can stand on solid ground where I will not be shaken!

As the tank sits on my desk, I can steal glances at my pets any time. From time to time, I notice that some of the snails will hide in the crevices of the rocks, and some seem to be lodged in there for a very long time.

This sight brought to my mind that many of us are like those snails, refusing to budge- We burrow deep into our own valleys, wallow in our self-pity parties, sink into a seemingly bottomless abyss of emotions and refuse to get out of the mud. The snails probably thinking it is safer to hide in the crevices, but how great is that darkness that enshroud them! Isn’t that more frightening not able to see any light at all?

Many of us are deceived while ensnared by the traps of the evil ones and enslaved by the devil to derail our faith by blindsiding us to the Truth. As a result, we get veered off course in the wilderness and rendered us asunder in the spiritual chasm.

But the steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord- where God directs, there is safety. When overwhelmed by our own anxieties, we often forget that we have a powerful weapon in our spiritual arsenal that provide powerful ammunition against all evils (unless we are rusty in using it).

Nobody have it altogether in order to get right with God- God can take our broken pieces, exactly what we are, and made us whole. And building our lives on the solid bedrock of God’s Word, we will be able to stand strong on this Rock of Foundation, no matter what life tsunamis hit us.

The key is, our choice has to be intentional – we must want to be set free, decide to break away and not turning back. And that has to start with the mind to make that choice and follow through no matter what, then the rest of our action will follow – So get up first, then get out, and get going!

BE INTENTIONAL (2): REFUEL- Hope, Moment to Moment

Image

Those who hope in Me will not be disappointed. – Isaiah 49:23

Broken homes. Broken dreams. Broken relationships. Debilitating diseases. Devastating news. Crippling fears. Looming darkness. Relentless pain. Despaired tomorrows. Bleak future. Robbed lives. Tough 2018.

Tough life. Yes, it will be, if we live without hope. The Bible did warn us that without hope, we will be like living zombies (1 Chronicles 29:15; Proverbs 13:12). That is life on earth in a fallen world – the inescapable passage of time, with inevitable phases of suffering.

But just one simple Truth will change our lives- put our Hope in God who never fail- Our flesh will fail, men will fail and things will fall away but only God, who is Omnipresent and Omnipotent, can transcend all things.

God knows the plans He has for us, plans to give us a hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11), and He promises that He will be our portion (more than enough), therefore we can put our hope in Him, for the Lord is good to those who wait upon Him and seek Him. (Lamentations 3:24-25). We also have a Living Hope in the power of the resurrected Christ (1 Peter 1:3), and with Christ living in us, we have the Hope of Glory (Colossians 1:27). We can take heart too that hope that is seen is not hope at all; for why do we still hope for what we can see? But if we hope for what we do not see, we will then eagerly wait for it with perseverance (Romans 8:24-25).

We can draw near to God who offers better Hope (Hebrews 7:19) This Hope serves as an anchor for our soul, firm and secure (Hebrews 6:19). Now may the God of (all) Hope fill us with all joy and peace in believing, that we may abound in Hope by the power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 15:13).

Hope has to be in the moment – be intentional, live moment to Moment. And we will find renewed strength.

Right Here Waiting

Image

This old popular secular song originally penned and composed by Richard Marx, has been playing like a broken record of late in my spirit for quite sometime, which I was inspired to modify the lyrics to remind us that no matter what we do and where we are spiritually, God is always “Right Here Waiting”.

RIGHT HERE WAITING

———————————–

Distance apart day after day

And I slowly drift away

I hear God’s voice a whisper

But it doesn’t soothe my pain

If I see God next to never

How can I stay on longer

Wherever I go

Whatever I do

God will be right here waiting for me

Whatever it takes

Or how His Heart breaks

He still be right here waiting for me

I took for granted, all the times

That God always there for me

He knows my struggles, He counts my tears

But I can’t get near Him now

Oh, can’t you feel it Father

Life gets me broken-hearted

Wherever I go

Whatever I do

God will be right here waiting for me

Whatever it takes

Or how His Heart breaks

He still be right here waiting for me

I wonder how I can survive

Lost and tried

But in the end God is with me

I’ll keep the faith

Oh, can’t you feel it Father

Life gets me broken-hearted

Wherever I go

Whatever I do

God will be right here waiting for me

Whatever it takes

Or how His Heart breaks

He still be right here waiting for me

Waiting for me

BE INTENTIONAL (1): Complete Surrender

Image

“Surrender your heart to God, turn to him in prayer, and give up your sins—even those you do in secret. Then you won’t be ashamed; you will be confident and fearless. Your troubles will go away like water beneath a bridge, and your darkest night will be brighter than noon. You will rest safe and secure, filled with hope and emptied of worry”. – Job 11:13-18 CEV

We are already a few weeks into 2019, and it feels like 2018 passed not long ago… Many of us are probably still looking back and counting the misses or the whatnots- which may affect our outlook into the new year with hope or apprehension. Therefore, the Lord has birthed this word in my heart, “BE INTENTIONAL”, to embark on a new series of writing for the year. And the first key to unlocking God’s promises of an abundant life is, “SURRENDER”.

Why? One word we usually fear the most is “Surrender”. Because the last thing we want is to give up control. The world associates “surrender” with defeat, humiliation, and losing, thus pride can be a barrier in surrendering to God. Another reason why we are fearful to surrender to God because surrendering to God requires obedience. And if we are completely honest enough, it is just that we don’t trust God thus we resist surrendering to Him.

But, if God is going to do His deepest work in us, it will begin first with surrendering.

So what happens when we do not surrender to God? Everybody eventually surrenders to something or someone. If not to God, we will surrender to the opinions or expectations of others, to money, fear, pride, lust, ego or emotion. Without surrendering, we will be led to more frustration, disappointments, and self-destruction. WE cannot fulfill God’s purposes for our lives while focusing on our own ways, plans and methods.

So what does it mean to surrender to God?

1. Surrender means to yield ownership, relinquish control over what we consider ours: our possessions, our resources, our rights, even our dreams. When we surrender to God, we are simply acknowledging that what we “own” on earth actually all belongs to Him, we are just His stewards entrust with a responsibility to take care for Him.

2. By surrendering to God, we admit that He is ultimately in control of everything, including our present circumstances good or bad. It helps us to let go of whatever that has been holding us back from God’s best for our lives. Through surrendering, we make the conscious choice (be intentional) to let go of that control.

3. When we surrender, we “give over” to God all that has kept us from wanting God’s ways first, and put the focus back to where it rightfully belongs to God.

4. Obedience is demonstrated as the best answer- “Yes, Lord” to whatever He asks of us. We cannot call Jesus our Lord and refuse to obey Him. God demands 100% obedience.

Surrendering our lives comes on a daily basis, and is the only way to live the abundant lives God has for us. If we often find ourselves living defeated, it is simply because we have not truly come to the end of ourselves in surrendering fully to the Lord. We will know that we are surrendered when we do not react to situations emotionally, we do not demand our rights, and we are not self-serving.

The Bible is very clear about the benefits of a fully surrendered life unto the Lord:

In surrendering, we are intentional to give up our sins, including our deepest hidden sins. Thereupon, we can experience freedom without shame nor fear, and all that has a hold over us will be shackled by the power of this divine exchange. We will no longer be engulfed by nights of darkness and be embraced by the light of hope. This freedom promises safety, security, hope and a worry-free life when we are able to walk in victory with the Lord.

It is better to choose (be intentional) to obey Him, even if we do not feel like it. The sooner we surrender to God, the sooner He can start getting our lives straightened out. We can trust that an All-knowing, All-mighty and infinite God can run our lives far better than we do now and the future. And being a loving God, He wants only the best for us. But He won’t step in until we ask Him. Nothing can be out of control if He takes control.

The Nature Call of Love

Image

While clearing my tray, I was amazed myself by this poetry that I penned 17 years ago which was selected by the Judges of International Library of Poetry to showcase in its “The Harvest of Dreams”, and it was also awarded by its Editor’s Choice Award for Outstanding Achievement in Poetry in October 2001.

The Nature Call of Love

With the dawn glimmering in the skies

It is where the sun in a symphony of gold it lies

Even the silent rays are dancing with the haze

This kaleidoscope of coloured world I desired to laze

Glazing though the vastness of the green meadow

Which flanked by bushes of dewberry that has mellowed

Humming my way through the gentle rustle of the breeze

My poor heart still left in a wrenching freeze

Gazing wistfully into the glittery horizon stood the cold mountains

The chirps as lovely as the rhythm of dancing water in the fountain

The faun of the green meadow rouse with the dawn

The attract butterflies flitting on the flowers they fawn

The scene so mesmerising that ignited my tears to flow like a river

The peace on earth as precious as silver

My sorrow still prevailed relentlessly like drops of rain

The effort to repress my vehemence of emotions still in vain

My cries for you to hear from ta faraway land

Can you feel the despondency within me with your hand

Travel the lonely path without you I must

My heart still lingers from dawn till dust

It Is Always Easier To Quit!

Image

Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the way that leads to life, and only a few find it.… – Matthew 7:13-14

A recent conversation with a friend caught me mulling over a point blank question, “How desperate are you for a breakthrough?…… It is your choice, and your choice determines the result.”

We all live each day with decisions to make, big or small, poor or wise, and our choices determine where we will end up in: each decision will result in either repercussions or blessings.

Some of us hate to make choices; often vacillating between A and B, unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. Let’s face it- most of us love to take the easiest route, and it is a no brainer to make that choice. Why? Because it is always easier to quit than to continue, and it costs us less pain. Who doesn’t like the easy way out?

SO,

we chose to cave in and give up, too readily and too easily.

BUT,

if things come easy, do we need God?

AND,

The heart of the matter is often the matter of the heart.

The crux is, how desperate are you for a breakthrough? Here’s are some gauge you can find answers in:

Are you griping, “Too tall an order I can’t do it. I am just a common man.”?
Is your decision based on self and emotion or God and His direction?
How many times have you pray about the situation in a day?
4. How many times have you consulted the Bible and the Great Teacher in the day
How often do you humble yourself at your knees in seeking breakthrough?
How willing are you to die to yourself?
How willing are you to change yourself first than to change the situation?
Have you exercise other sound options and try until something happens?
Have you persevere until something happens?
Do you prefer to settle for less?

Great men of suffering ever shared their experiences:

When God does an impossible task, the takes an individual and crushes him.

– Charles Swindoll

Until a man is nothing, God then can make nothing out of him.

– Martin Luther

Ever wonder, the greatest Glory awaits those who chose to persevere? Jesus persevered, at the point of death. If He didn’t, there is no Hope for mankind. Jesus is God, yes, but He was also 100% man, in the same skin as you and me.

I recalled the time I was in a health, Identity and financial crises, so broken from coming to the end of my tether, and desperately begging for a breakthrough that I literally chewed the Bible for any morsel of God’s living Word, day in and day out. As a newborn spiritual baby, I prayed like a mad woman not knowing how to fire with any spiritual gears bestowed. I just need to get out of my valley and get up on my feet. Was it easy? No. Was it quick? No. It took me a year (may be longer). Miracle happened because I chose to preserve, I made the choice to believe that God will bring me through it, and God didn’t waste my tears, my efforts to die to self and gut-wrenching pain. I didn’t give up then, so here I am, a living testimony of His Grace and amazing transformation.

If I chose to give up then, I believe my life would have cost me more agony and landed me in more mess than before.

So it all boils down to your choice- Be wise.

Some of us may shrug at this devotion and brush it off “It is not applicable to me”. Let me submit to you that the Bible says in John 3:30, “Only when I decrease, so that God can increase”. Like it or not, we will all be tested- Brokenness is fundamental to restoration, and it is the only antidote to our self-centered nature.

When I am unable, God is Able;

When I am powerless, God empowers;

When I am faith-less, God is faithful;

Whenever I cringe in fear, God always stay near.

We Have The World Looking At Us

Image

Be ready to spread the word whether or not the time is right. Point out errors, warn people, and encourage them. Be very patient when you teach. – 2 Timothy 4:2

There was this exchange in a networking group which disturbed me quite a lot- As I read the screen-captures of a conversation between the two members: one of them was a notorious perpetrator, a Christian who openly declare her faith on her Facebook profile, casted aspersion about the latter. And the latter a non-believer, was hurt by her insults.

And yes you guessed it, there are some other non-believers in the group, were taken aback and raised questions why a Christian behaved that way… As a result, this episode tarnished God’s perfect reputation in some ways. And whether we like it or not, people look at us by our attitudes and actions, irrespective if we are just as them, fallible human beings with errable nature.

When the conversation escalated to an unhealthy debate, I felt God’s prompting to step in to release these words to diffuse the fire:

“Sometimes it is to our glory to overlook offenses (which “J”, you have done well to pardon her despite her demeaning remarks). We are human beings susceptible to mistakes due to our own weaknesses/ flaws one way or another, and bound to rub people the wrong way or vice-versa. Therefore, let’s forgive and we will too be forgiven; judge not and we will not be judged too. The golden rule we can learn- don’t treat others what we ourselves don’t want to be treated the same. Otherwise we be stooping to their level too.”

And the exchange immediately ceased. No spiritual jargons needed, just biblical truths in layman language that are “pleasing” to everyone. No wonder the Apostle Paul says to “be wise in the way you act with people who are not believers, making the most of every opportunity. When you talk, you should always be kind and pleasant so you will be able to answer everyone in the way you should” (Colossians 4:5-6).

The bible also remind us, “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen” (Ephesians 4:29).

And nothing is further than the truth – People can only relate to God through us, His vessels. As much as we point them to look at the perfect example of the Son of God, Jesus, people can only see “God” through us, physical beings.

Although God has all-seeing eye and an all-forgiving heart, we should watch how we live and not take His all-knowing nature for granted.

Unchangeable. Unbreakable. Unstoppable.

Image

Whenever life gets into a mess

From the trying times of high stress

Those moments caught me faith less…

When Providence seems to be taking me for a ride

There is nowhere I could hide

I no longer know how to take things in my stride…

All the wanderings in my mind

Caught my spirit in a bind

There are no answers to life’s vicissitudes I could find…

The battles I have to wrestle each day

The rebellion of sins hold me in ransom to pay

There are times I could not even pray…

The silent nights seem long

My waning soul long for a song

In need of His Love to stay strong…

The core of my soul crippled in pain

Every fibre of my being in need of an Angel’s slain

I am back in the valley again…

Weary from all the fight

When days passed without light

And God is no where in sight…

The howling storms of doubt and fear assail,

I cling to the promises of God that never fail,

by the living Word of God I ought to prevail…

As I watch by the breakwater the turn of each tide

The sea reminds me that God’s Love is deep and wide

That I have forgotten God is right by my side…

As I watch from a distance the day falls from dawn to dust

I look up to God whom I place my trust

Hold on to the Almighty I must…

His Character is unchangeable

His Promises unbreakable

His Love unstoppable.

(Everything He Did) He Does It For You

Image

I was inspired to pen a spiritual version of this popular secular song by Bryan Adams, “(Everything I do) I Do It For You” as my spirit was crooning away… If you know the song well, you can sing along as a love song from God. You can google Youtube for the soundtrack.

(Everything He Did) He Does It For You

-Written on 14 Sep 2004

Look into His Eyes,

You’ll see what you mean to Him

Search His Heart

Search His Spirit

And when you find Him there you’ll search no more

He tells you, you are worth saving for

He tells you, you are worth dying for

You know it’s true

Everything He did, He does it for you

Look into His Heart

You’ll find there is nothing there to hide

Just come as you are and give your life

He would take all of your sacrifices

He tells you, you are worth loving for

You can’t help there’s nothing you want more

You know it’s true

Everything He did, He does it for you

There’s no love – like His Love

And no other – could give more love

There’s nowhere – unless He is there

All the time – all the way

He’ll tell you, you are worth dying for

You can’t help it there is nothing you want more

He would fight for you

He would die for you

Walk the fire for you

He had died for you

You know it’s true

Everything He did, He does it for you.

Trials into Triumph: 7 Truths to Anchor Deep When Life Gets Tough

Image

Christ is all, and is in all. – Colossians 3:11B

We all know that life is never perfect, and can never be perfect in this fallen world, with the vicissitudes of life in the volatile times. Sometimes, life does not go the way we want to, and we get caught up in our daily lives, and forget that this world does not define us. Whenever things are not going well, there is an inherent tendency to believe that God is not working in the situation. We are also tempted to think the worst, where everything from our vantage point seems bleak- We see no way out and perceive gloom and doom over the future. But little do we know that in such times, God is actually working behind the scenes orchestrating His plans to accomplish His purposes for our good and for His Glory.

We may hate to admit that tough times draw us nearer to God with greater dependence and reliance on Him that result in a greater level or new level of faith. And those lessons are precious which can never be learnt in the good times. God knows what we need in life, but we need a fresh perspective on our situation- what we perceive will be different from what God can see. Remember, tough seasons do not last but tough people do, so in order to hang on well, we will need to anchor ourselves on these living truths:

#1. Fight the good fight and keep the faith

“In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome!” – John 16:33

Life will always be a series of tests and our faith will come under fire. And during those times of challenges, do we cringe in fear or cling to faith? Stand firm, let nothing move you, and always give yourself fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord will not in vain (1 Corinthians 15:58).

We will be trained to persevere and fight in faith, for faith is the confidence what we hope for will actually happen, it gives us assurance about the things we yet to see (Hebrews 11:1).

#2. Don’t lose hope for the day and keep disappointments at bay

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. – Romans 12:12

Each day is a day of renewed hope since God has made each day a new page, a new chapter and a new beginning. We should be heartened to know that the faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease; Great is His faithfulness; His mercies begin afresh each morning (Lamentations 3:22-23 NLT).

Therefore we have hope each day and rejoice, no matter what is happening around us, let us not lean on our own understanding, but in all our ways, acknowledge God and He will make straight our path (Proverbs 3:5-6). And always be joyful, keeping up a prayerful spirit at all times (1 Thessalonians 5:16).

#3. Refuse to have conversation with the Devil and stand firm

Jesus turned to Peter and said, “Get away from me, Satan! You are a dangerous trap to me. You are seeing things merely from a human point of view, not from God’s.” – Matthew 16:23 NLT

It is ok to be in the wilderness but it is not ok to sojourn in it, any longer we will get lost wandering and likely to end up as bitter souls like the Israelites. When we are emotionally and spiritually down, we are susceptible to attacks. The devil loves to take advantage of our vulnerabilities to play his favourite tool- deception. As a father of all lies, he will never stop insinuating doubts into our subconscious mind. Be careful what you think, because your thoughts run your life (Proverbs 4:23 NCV)– an idle mind is the devil’s playground, and every temptation always start in the mind, therefore we must always guard our thoughts and renew our mind with the Word of God constantly.

The devil is also good as masquerading as angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14), so not everything good is from the Lord, whether through opened doors or providing options, hence make no assumption and be spiritually discerning if it is really from God.

One of the key values we ought to learn is to be content whatever our circumstances, and always be thankful, this way the power of the enemy will not have a hold over us since his ability in frustrating us will be rendered impotent.

Each time we are tempted, we should consciously choose God’s Truths over the devil’s lies; choose to gravitate our mind Godward; choose to believe that God will work things out in the end; choose to trust God and be patient for His divine provision or intervention; choose to live in peace and joy in the moment, and find rest knowing that He has good things in store for your future.

#4. Be still and know that God is still in control and keep on trusting

“I am the Lord, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?” – Jeremiah 32:27

Although God can do anything and nothing is impossible with the Almighty, but sometimes it is not necessary that God will provide a way out in our situation, He will provide a way through it. We just have to keep trusting that God knows best because His ways and thoughts are far higher than ours (Isaiah 55:8-9). And blessed is the one who trust in the Lord and make Him his hope and confidence (Jeremiah 17:7).

Be still, let go of your concerns, and let God be God. (Psalm 46:10). After all, God is not deaf nor his arms too short to move (Isaiah 59:1).

#5. Cast your eyes on God alone

I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. – Psalm 121:1-2

Whenever we look down, we can only see things with shadows, but if we look up, we will have a wider perspective and see light. In other words, we either magnify our problems or we magnify God in the situation- which is a better choice? It is also good to look around us and admire God’s creations- there are wonders beyond our apprehension what God can do, that you be surprised there is actually miracles everywhere.

#6. Remember God is faithful even when we are faith-less

If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful, for he cannot deny who he is. – 2 Timothy 2:13 NLT

It is an immutable fact that God is 100% faithful, even if we are faithless or faith-LESS. He knows what we need, He understands how we feel, He anticipates what is to come, and He is familiar with all our ways. He promises His Presence whenever we call on Him (Psalm 145:18).

Count your blessings what you have, not what you do not have. Recall how God has provided and blessed us with in the past, insodoing that will assure us that God will work things out in the end.

#7. We are more than conquerors through Christ who strengthen us, and continue to declare the living promises of God

No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. – Romans 8:37 NLT

The almost impenetrable wall of Jericho came tumbling down only after seven days of incessant prayers marching around it (Hebrews 11:30). It is a great reminder that no matter how impossible a situation is, we will have the ultimate victory in Christ Jesus. With the Bible at hand, where it contains His Word like fire and like a hammer that smashes a rock (Jeremiah 23:29), and the living promises that when God speaks, He acts upon it and will not be unaccomplished (Numbers 23:19), we are more than conquerors through Christ in us and for us.

Therefore, be anxious for nothing, submit our concerns and lay down our requests to God and the supernatural peace of God will transcend all understanding will guard our heart and mind in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:6-7). So be patient until God speaks and acts.

How To Tip the Scale of Depression

Image

The way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know over what they stumble. – Proverbs 4:19 ESV

The recent spate of suicides by celebrities rendered me pensive that the world is getting darker, and darker… Many must had been in great emotional and mental turmoil that they could not overcome the lurking darkness that had gnawed relentlessly at their soul perpetually. How great must be that darkness! Indeed, even the bible warns that anxiety weighs down the heart (Proverbs 12:25) and hope deferred makes the heart sick (Proverbs 13:12).

It is not unknown that the bible even recorded godly men have their fallen times and overtaken by darkness, one example can be found in Genesis 15:12, which reads, “Now when the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and behold, terror and great darkness fell upon him.”

I can empathise to a certain extent since I once wrestled with the onset of mild depression. Given a pessimistic nature as a result of an unhealthy upbringing during childhood, I could anticipate gloom and doom whenever my soul was down-casted.

“But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light that is in you is darkness, how great is the darkness! – Matthew 6:23

With no one at home to turn to nor able to share my struggles with whenever I needed help, I found it hard to trust people around me as I was taught that no one in the world was trustworthy. I was a loner, growing up with a belief system that if-no-one-can-help-me-only-I-can-help-myself. It was a sheer misery growing up that life in itself was meaningless. I painfully questioned my existence as I was lost in my own darkness and not knowing where I was heading… I could not recount the number of times I did contemplate (in my mind) to just end my miserable life, and that indelibly etched encounter with a speeding car which stopped on time at inches away from me, did jolt me up. It took me decades to surrender myself – I just need someone, whoever and whatever it was, to save me out of crises on all fronts- I was at the end of my tether then.

Thanks be to God, He drew me out of my deep water.

For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, – Colossians 1:13

Can you imagine that I used to be a super anti-Chirst, who cursed the God who gave me a rotten life (at that time). Such was a cynical and critical soul I was that I blatantly refuted the bible indisputably. Yet lo and behold, just because I took the first step in surrendering myself, on my humble knees desperately crying that I needed help. And miracles happened- my life was never the same since. I must say my conversion was very dramatic.

I had to expose the deeds of darkness so that I would not be held captive by them:

(a) Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them; – Ephesians 5:11 NASB

(b) But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light. – Ephesians 5:13 NASB

And because I had exposed them, I let Jesus into my life:

(a) The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. – John 1:5 NASB

(b) When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” – John 8:12

(c) This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all. – 1 John 1:5

It is definitely no easy feat to come to the end of oneself to the point of total surrender. We can all be deceived or misled into thinking we are doing alright. The bible warns in 1 Corinthians 10:12 NLT, “If you think you are standing strong, be careful not to fall.”Luke 11:35 also reads, “Then watch out that the light in you is not darkness.”

Fears can also keep us from moving forward:

(a) Everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come into the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. – John 3:20

(b) And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul? – Matthew 16:26 NLT

(c) For even though they knew God, they did not honour Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. – Romans 1:21 NASB

The critical step is to first acknowledge we have a problem and need help, and want to be helped. God will then take care of the rest if we are willing. Let God has the driver’s seat, He is far much better in steering our course and in control than us. Here I am, very thankful to God that I did not lose any ounce of my sanity. All I did was to stop being stiff-necked to wallow in my own self-pities parties any longer. There is no way I can stop wrestling with darkness until I let a glimmer of light in.

P.S. In addition, I actually could not find answers to the vicissitudes of life in other religion at that time until I picked up the bible where I found Hope, Love, assurance, comfort, strength, wisdom and direction. Thereupon, it lays the foundation of living in Freedom, Truth and Light.

Why Waiting Is So So Hard……

Image

“God does everything just right and on time, but people can never completely understand what He is doing” – Ecclesiastes 3:11 NCV

Living in today’s fast-paced world where everything is a quick-fix, quick-gain, quick-grab, quick-bite, quick-sale, quick-fly, quick-quit and quick-confirm (a Singlish terminology), little wonder that people are a lot more impatient now than ever. Nobody likes to wait — except Singaporeans’ unflinching penchant for good food that long-long queue means die-die-must-try (speaking in Singlish again) — as waiting always challenge one’s patience, and is always the hardest and perhaps painful, especially when we are in a hurry.

And it hurts to know that God has never been in a hurry- He is never too early nor too late – His Timing is always perfect. But we are the problem – how do we hear His answer, nor know His Timing?

Wait, wait and wait… Delay after delay… And yet God is still silent. We all have such seasons in our lifetime. But God has His reasons that we are not able to grasp His infinite incomprehensibleness.

So when we are in a hurry, we are susceptible to commit the fallacy in taking matters into our own hands, thinking that God will still bless us if we think our decision is right. Little are we aware that impatience really means it is a lack of trust. When we are impatient, we are implying that we do not trust God enough to wait any longer, because time is running short and we reinforced our decision, thinking that God does not care enough to answer on time in our best interest, or perhaps, we think that God’s way is not the best. And here’s another pinch to our already bruised soul- God never reveal His Timetable nor His plans for us, ahead.

Sounds familiar?

I had been there, and it took me donkey’s years to really learnt that trusting God’s timing is always a maturing of character and testing of faith, that I need to discern between hearing God says, “No.” and “Not yet.”. And delays are not necessarily His denial. (And yes, I often wish God can simply say, “Yes!” and make my life easier, but I guess I would not have learnt what it means to differentiate discernibly His Will in so doing.)

From time to time, I often have to remind myself how God had prepared Moses for 80 years, including 40 in the wilderness from a somebody (he was born a Prince) to a nobody (he became a refugee from murder) then to be somebody He had intended Moses for (leading the Isrealites to the Promised Land). I am sure, like Moses, we all have wondering and wandering times, struggling with “What is next, God?”, “When, God?”, “Is it time yet, God”, “What is this, God?”, “Are you there, God?”…… And God’s “Not Yet” took Moses 80 years in waiting… Woah, it is a-gulping-long-time…

God can do any thing any time, time is never a factor to Him. But He is far more concerned in our Character than our comfort; that we act in Faith than respond in fear; and that we preserver in Trust than we panic and tumble. Common to the adage that great souls are birthed through seasons of pain and suffering, our learning path will be shorter so long as we do not short-circuit our process of God’s refinements. Just as James advised, “Don’t try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed” (James 1:4 MSG).

Just remember where we are standing now- how far we have come, we are not yet where we want to be, but at least we are not where we used to be.

Here’s God’s golden rules:

Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for him to act – Psalm 37:7 NLT

Also it is not good for a person to be without knowledge, And he who hurries his footsteps errs.- Proverbs 19:2

Last but not least, LEARN to be patient and WAIT in trust for God’s Best in His perfect Timing.

God Exists Beyond History

Image

… He gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began… – 2 Timothy 1:9

My strongest tertiary education subject was history. I ever did come across these two abbreviations ,”B.C.” and “A.D.” that I really wondered why history marked events ‘Before Christ’ and ‘After Death’. I was not a Christian then to totally grasp an understanding about such a dating system in history- why not other gods to be mentioned?

Google search revealed that “A.D.” actually stands for the Latin phrase anno domini, which means “in the year of our Lord.” “B.C.” was “Before Christ,” and since His birth, we have been living “in the year of our Lord”.

It is interesting to observe that historians around the world recorded the events of ‘B.C.” and “A.D.” in the life and times of Jesus Christ, which was clear that the birth, life, ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ are the “turning points” in the world history, and befitting to state that Jesus Christ is the separation of the “old” and “new” eras.

Isn’t it an irony that there are so many in the world who do not believe in God nor acknowledge His existence when these abbreviations actually evidenced His Presence. Although “B.C.” and “A.D” are not referenced in the bible, there are truths which can be gleaned from it which found in Genesis 1:1, which reads: “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth”. That means, time itself is actually a created entity, and God is the Creator. And cross-referenced to Psalm 90:1-2, which reads, “Lord, you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations. Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the whole world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.”

And more……

For He was foreknown before the foundation of the world… – 1 Peter 1:20A

Before me no god was formed, nor shall there be any after me. – Isaiah 43:10B

Behold, God is exalted, and we do not know Him; The number of His years is unsearchable. – Job 36:26

Truly, clearly, God is real? Isn’t this truth strong enough to refute any tongues that disclaim His existence? Blessed are those who have not seen God yet believe in Him (John 20:29).

P.S. The bible recorded so many miracles Jesus had performed in His Time, and the media has reported God is still working in the world today, which I need not have to add anything further hereto.

Supernatural Outcome Comes From A Supernatural God

Image

Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said, “And we are coming with you.” So they went out and got into the boat; and that night they caught nothing. As morning was breaking, Jesus [came and] stood on the beach; however, the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. So Jesus said to them, “Children, do you have any fish [to eat along with your bread]?” They answered, “No.” And He said to them, “Cast the net on the right-hand side of the boat (starboard) and you will find some.” So they cast [the net], and then they were not able to haul it in because of the great catch of fish. Then that disciple (John) whom Jesus loved (esteemed) said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” – John 21:3-7 AMP

Our human nature have the tendency to confine God in the boundary of our finite thinking and understanding, that we believe only what we have experienced or witnessed in the physical realm. As a result of this limitation, we have shortchanged ourselves in believing what God can really do what we can’t do. But God is so much bigger, so much powerful and so much incomprehensible, the Mystery of all mysteries, and as a supreme knowable Unknown, miracles do not happen by what we can see or think imaginable.

As you do not know the path of the wind, or how the body is formed in a mother’s womb, so you cannot understand the work of God, the Maker of all things. – Ecclesiastes 11:5

We will always be awestruck with wonders what God is going to do or can do, for no one can fathom His Ways- Supernatural outcomes come from the hands of a supernatural God. If we can do what we can do, it doesn’t require faith because it is natural; faith however is super-natural that is required when something is beyond us that we can’t do ourselves and that is why we need God in this equation. And a super-natural faith must come super-naturally, which come only by hearing the living Word of a supernatural God.

So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. – Romans 10:17

(Do you wonder by now why I add a hyphen between ’super’ and ‘natural’? Because we need to “supplement” something to the “natural” in order to have “supernatural” result. And that “supplement” requires us to input by “hearing” and “believing”… Read on below.)

There is no other way nor a shortcut In moments when we find ourselves in doubts, or weakened spiritually, chances are we are not in tune with the Word of God, which means we have been missing spending time feeding on His spiritual manna. The tragedy is, prolonged exposure in the world will cause us to live in the flesh, dull our spiritual senses, dim our understanding about God and quench our passion for the things that matter to Him.

And the tall order is, having faith alone is not enough. We need to also supplement it with believing God. It is only when the two are combined that God’s power is released and manifested in the physical realm.

And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. – Hebrews 11:6 ESV

Therefore, pray for God to open our supernatural eyes to see beyond the physical and believe God for a supernatural outcome as a result of a super-natural faith. In God’s Timing, we can then exclaimed like John did, “It is the Lord (who did such a miracle)!”

Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, – Ephesians 3:20

“I Tell You The Truth…”

Image

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth. – 3 John 1:4

Did it ever occur to you that some of Jesus’ words were affixed with “I tell you the truth…”? Nearly seventy times found in the Bible that Jesus is quoted as having said that famous liner. This revealed not only was Jesus concerned with the truth and to express what He had to say was the truth as it is, but to reinforce the importance of that truth in order to remind us to pay attention to it.

We may all claim that “Of course, I know…”, but if we honestly examine our attitudes and actions, we had have to confess that we do not always measure up nor really act like we do. Sometimes the voices in the world can delude us into believing certain truths what our sinful nature likes and be deceived into endorsing them. We ended up feigning ignorance or take the truth with a pinch of salt and even dismiss it readily citing excuses on the weakness of human nature.

It is evident that nobody likes hard truth, much less to hear the truth being slapped to our face. Surely none of us like to be forced to accept certain truth as the Only Truth. But it remains a fact that as Children of Light, if we claim that we experience a shared life with Jesus and continue to stumble around in the dark, we are obviously lying through our teeth— we’re not living what we claim. (1 John 1:7A MSG)

The entire Bible is the Ultimate Truth, whether we like it or not. And that is the hard truth.

Here’s some of the stark truths that we may not like to hear but will stop us in our track to reflect over our walk with God:

Is there a difference in our spiritual life now compared to where we were a spiritual baby? Do we experience true transformation since our first conversion? (Cross reference to Ephesians 4:20-24)

2. Judgement Day will bring to light our work and its quality will be tested with fire to reveal if it can withstand the heat. (Cross reference to 1 Corinthians 3:13). Do we have any thing to present to God when we come before Him one day? Will we be proven faithful to the things He entrusted us with or call us to do?

3. Not everyone who calls the Lord “Lord” will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of God gets to heaven (Cross reference to Matthew 7:21-23). Will God really know us when He separates His Sheeps and goats on the Final Day?

4. All our deeds, big and small, whether spoken or unspoken, done or devising, blatant and hidden, will be recorded in the books, and we will be judged accordingly. (Cross reference to Revelation 20:12). How would we stand before God?

5. We all find it nauseating to have distasteful lukewarm food, and in the same figure of speech found in Revelation 3:15-16 which used to express disgust that God had for those who are lukewarm, in other words, lacked spiritual zeal. Would we still continue to be complacent as bench-warmer with a folding-arm mentality in our walk with God?

6. Do we come to God only when in need and treat Him like some cosmic vending machine expecting Him to bless us when we have not been spending time with Him, choose to go to Abba’s House only as and when we like, we neglect our spiritual growth, we complain about the chores of carrying out God’s work, choose to be disobedient to His commandments etc.? (Cross reference to Deuteronomy 28)

The truth is this: We can believe in God and sin, but we cannot walk in sin and enjoy God’s Presence at the same time. 1 John 3:9 (NLT) says, “Those who have been born into God’s family do not make a practice of sinning, because God’s life is in them. So they can’t keep on sinning, because they are children of God.” In addition, Romans 6:2 (NLT) says, “Since we have died to sin, how can we continue to live in it?” In other words, we should not want to sin. And the closer we are to God, the more conscious we are of sin, and the less we will do it. Habakkuk 1:13 says, “God’s eyes are too pure to look on evil; he cannot tolerate sin.” So if we walk with God, our eyes will be purified too to look on evil, and we will come to hate sin like God does, as the one who called us is holy, so we too should be holy in all we do (1 Peter 1:15).

And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free. – John 8:32

Image courtesy from Richard Chan

A Victim into Victor: When You Can’t Trace God’s Hands, Trust His Heart

Image

And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will Himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. – 1 Peter 5:10

Not so long ago, there was a continuous spate of events about the breakdown of our local train made me realised that humans grumbled a lot when they encountered the inconveniences of disruptions. Regarded in the same light, we are also quick and inclined to throw a fist at God for the one thing that caused us great disappointment or anger, yet we failed to count the times God has blessed us with so much more. Just one setback can discount everything else.

When things aren’t going in our favour, we are susceptible to strike a protest or stage a long-drawn rebellion. And before long, we spiralled down to a spiritual “black-hole”. The truth of the matter is, there is always a cause and effect in everything – it all start with an incidence that provoke a thought to engender a decision which in turn evoke our emotion and lead us to an action. Don’t belittle even the little thing because it is often the little foxes that spoilt the vineyards (Song of Solomon 2:15). A small spark is capable to set an entire forest on fire. (James 3:5B)

I once was on a rampage why life was so unfair to me. I felt coerced having to accept my “ill fate” that I did not deserve. Broken dreams broke my heart, so much that I came to hate this God who claimed He was good and everything was in His control. I had been cussing vehemently, “What a joke! There is NO God.” I was so broken that God actually came in person- In a deliverance session of dealing with my deepest pain, I saw myself as a three year old lost, enshrouded in darkness and wailing away. At that instance, Jesus came smiling, held my hand to comfort me and led me out of that darkness. As the back view of the two silhouettes dimmed away, I found my heart touched in a very supernatural way in showing me how much I was loved that He came to lead me out of that black-hole. That was my personal encounter with a living God that I could not deny His existence. That was how God got my little fox- it was the aching void of rejection in the need to be loved.

We all had our past, our former way of life with old mindsets and belief systems. And life in the fallen nature has us on roller-coaster from time to time. Although we may have accepted Jesus into our lives which already marked a new beginning, but some of us are still living with foxes that are nestling in deep burrows. The quality of our lives now reveal traces of what had been once-upon-a-time.

Hollow out the little sly fox(es). Jesus is very near to the broken-hearted. When we can’t trace HIs Hands in whatever situation we are in, we can trust His Heart no matter how you feel. A victim by exigencies can become a Victor by overcoming.

P.S. Today is Good Friday, let’s look at the Cross, again, the horizontal beam demonstrates how wide is His Love and the vertical beam shows how deep is His Grace. And when the two beams intersect in the middle, God affirms that nothing can separate us from the Love of God, no matter how far and how deep we have wandered. Because of His Greatest Sacrifice sending Jesus nailed on the Cross, there is no redemption beyond the impossible. Jesus bore our transgressions, carried the cross for our shame and sting by painful rejection from His own Father, yet He was willing to lay down His Life for our sake, so that we can live. Shouldn’t that give you reasons enough to hand to Him what you can’t handle? Shouldn’t that teach us not to take His Grace for granted?

Trials into Triumphs: Fear to Faith

Image

My life is in your hands. Save me from enemies who hunt me down. – Psalm 31:15 CEV

I ever wondered why some of us do struggle with trusting our Heavenly Father with our lives when we can entrust our own mortality to pilots who take us across bottomless oceans and precipitous mountains. Those who love to travel have this unspoken assurance and faith that the planes they are in will arrive at their destinations safely. Such is an absolute trust in finite pilots behind the wheels, but yet we fall short in trusting God altogether who is infinite and in control of the entire universe.

I am one such traveller who is apprehensive about taking flight. I really do not like the idea of floating in mid-air for hours, I felt as if my heart may pop out of my mouth any time, hence, I never get to enjoy the flight with ease. However, I do love the destination. Regrettably, in order to get to the destination, we need to embark on the journey whether we like it or not, and the road ahead is often paved with uncertainties of what is yet to come.

And truth be told, life is never perfect nor free from trials and testings. Many a times we made zig-zag turns or even u-turns in life that mess up our lives. As a result, we unwittingly enter into the wilderness or even the Valley of Baka (weeping). During those times of testings, it is human nature for believers to struggle even in our faith. Trials can incapacitate us with fears physically, spiritually, emotionally, financially, relationally and mentally.

Yet the place of our greatest triumph is usually birthed from our greatest pain- God will use our greatest failure or deepest sorrow as a catalyst for a glorifying end in our lives and the lives of others. Our valley or pit becomes revived springs for ourselves and others, where we will go from strength to strength (Psalm 84:6). Only through ‘death’ can new springs come forth and a new strength emerges.

Recall Jesus at the Garden of Gethsemane, pleading at the feet of the only One who can sustain him. How deep was His anguish that He even shed tears in blood. Even to death, Jesus submitted to His Father’s Will obediently (Hebrews 5:8). Ultimately, He overcame His testing, triumphed over His enemies and emerged victoriously.

It takes fear to confront Faith;

It takes Faith to conquer Fear.

Faith and fear cannot co-exist in the same plane.

Only through partnering God, can we be overcomer like Jesus did. (John 16:33) Take heart that in all things God works for good of those who love Him. (Romans 8:28)

A Mess Into A Message: Your Story Is HIStory (“HIs-Story”)

Image

They bruised his feet with fetters and placed his neck in an iron collar. Until the time came to fulfill his dreams, the Lord tested Joseph’s character. – Psalm 105:18-19 NLT

In the earlier days as a new believer, I saw myself in a few visions where I stood before a congregation to share about God. Lo and behold, I was requested to share my testimony for a session, “Faith To Heal The Wounded Soul” at my church’s Women’s Encounter. I had to muster enough courage to stand ‘naked’ before an audience of unfamiliar faces just to relate my checkered past. At some point in life, I really hate my life, I always begrudged why my life was beset with issues and challenges that were hard to bear. My life was such a mess up- a broken home, broken body, broken life and broken dreams- health crisis, identity crisis, financial crisis, and family crisis, I had been through them all. I did wonder would my life turn out differently if I have known Jesus much earlier…… If only I stop being so obstinate, I would have avoided much hard knocks of life and saved myself from much bruises and injuries. Perhaps, I am bearing the consequences of my own rebellion and bad choices.

But I must brutally confessed that it is better to go through life with God than without Him. Life will be more bearable with an Almighty than to shoulder it alone.

And my story is HIStory (“HIs-Story”), that took me years of broken dreams and humble circumstances in order to break every ounce of pride and self-will, to come to the end of myself.

If you ever wonder why life can be a series of mess- adversity of failing health, failed career, failed finances, failed relationships, and broken dreams?

Ever wonder why are we on earth for, having to go through such crises in certain seasons of our lives?

Ever wonder why must we go through storms of life?

And ever wonder if we took one wrong turn, we have missed out God’s Best?

Even after much wrestling with God, we can never seem to find those answers with bended fists, brandished arms and clenched teeth. Most of life’s difficult questions are best answered when we go through things that try us the most, for those are the things that God allow to prove by the truth of the Word of God and His Sovereignty. And there is always Light at the end of the tunnel, no matter how long, His purposes will always prevail. God certainly desire us to be freed, if only we allow Him a free rein in our lives- changes can only happen when we embrace them openly.

We are made for more than just managing problems in life, that whatever we are going through act as catalysts in experiencing God’s Purposes, Grace, Power and Glory, that unfold a greater story. And the good news is, even if we missed an opportunity, took the wrong turn or made a wrong decision, “The Lord will fulfill His purpose for me” (Psalm 138:8). God is much bigger than our disobedience or mis-calculation on our part, isn’t that comforting to know our entire life won’t be thrown off course? Everything in life has His gentle Handprints, but you hold the pen to your story.

Some of the staunchest Christians I know are people who had periods in their life when they questioned the Bible, Christ, and God. But as they continued to examine the matter, there was overwhelming evidence that only “the fool hath said in his heart, there is not God.” In God’s economy, you must go down into the shadow of grief before you can scale the heights of spiritual glory. You must come to the end of self before you begin to live. When we come to the end of ourselves, we come to the beginning of God.

– Billy Graham

When A Dream That Seems Too Big To Even Dream

Image

“When the angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon, he said, ‘The Lord is with you, mighty warrior.'” – Judges 6:12

A few friends ever asked why I quitted my job to come out of my own eight years ago when it had been comfortable and I loved what I was doing then. Honestly, I didn’t plan for it, nor even dream about starting on my own, as such a decision to face an uncertain future unnerved me. Somehow an opportunity presented itself then, and after weighing the decision with my cell leader and the Body of Christ, I embarked on the entrepreneurship journey with peace of mind.

However that decision did not come easy, given that it would be an uphill task for me with my present physical limitation, and having to venture into the unknown left me feeling insecure and apprehensive. It was indeed a huge step of faith to take the leap: I had no back-up plans, no blueprint to follow, neither did I have a very sound financial safety net to fall back on should my business encounter some financial hiccups. I literally started on ground zero. Despite all odds, I believed that so long God was with me in this, and had commissioned me for such an assignment, He would provide and supply the means to get me through.

It was a great paradigm shift from being an employee to a self-employed, where more challenges await and fear of the unknown beckoning. I couldn’t count the number of times I felt intimidated, inadequate and unfledged. More often than not, I had been threading on a very thin tight rope, ready to topple any time.

At some point in time, I often remind myself if I can accomplish things in my own strength, where would that leave God? God doesn’t call the qualified, He qualifies the called, as such, He requires of us to be in a position of complete faith and trust in Him, more than we could possibly accomplish in our own strength.

That brought me to the story of Gideon (Judges 6:11-8:32). Gideon perceived himself to be the weakest in the tribe of Manasseh and the least in his family, that his own inferiority caused him to be insecure about his divine calling. Even when the angel of the Lord appeared to him and said, “The Lord is with you, mighty warrior”. Gideon was threshing wheat instead of rising up to the call to deliver Isreal as the Lord had appointed him. God had to assure him personally and said, “Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian’s hand. Am I not sending you?” (v. 14)

God knows our own limitations and how much we can do but He always sees our potential, not the failures of our past or present, nor our current “handicaps”. Only He can see our future, ushering us in His Highest Plans for our ultimate good and for His Highest Glory. He desires to work through us to accomplish His dreams on earth only each of us can do.

Is God birthing a dream within you that is bigger than you? God doesn’t put a dream in you without a purpose. Much less to say, He won’t put you through what you cannot handle. Our life on earth is exceedingly fleeting, be mindful that we may be missing out what God has intended for us. So be open and let God lead you through that vision or dream.

The Only Way To Defeat Darkness Is Light

Image

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. – John 1:5

A tagline from a movie trailer flashed, “The only way to defeat darkness is light.” It reverberated to me that the world is getting darker…… The recent surge of suicides reported in the news, reinforced with campaigns in promoting awareness about depression and mental illnesses, and triggered by a recent traumatic event, it hit me that the scariest part actually isn’t darkness itself, it is when there is no light inside of us – a spiritual darkness that has inconceivable repercussion on a person’s soul that will beget physical consequences.

Let’s supposed a room encounters a sudden power outage, and it is enshroud in complete darkness. Any normal human being would react with a panic at an instance; most of us would cringe in anxiety of the surrounding darkness, which as a result render us immobilised with fear. And the longer we sit in that room, darkness will loom to be larger that it seems to be. Eventually, we held in hostage by its principalities.

If anyone walks in the dark, he stumbles, because the light is not in him.- John 11:10

We certainly cannot war against darkness with our mere flesh and strength, it is the principalities behind it that require spiritual weapons. Just as a physical light lights up the room of darkness, spiritual light (inside of you with the power of Holy Spirit, God’s Word, and prayers) can cause darkness to flee too!

Therefore when there is no light inside of us, we can’t activate its power, we will be like a walking dead, and life will seem like an abyss of darkness. The only way to defeat that darkness is light.

In Him (Jesus) was life, and the Life was the Light of men (John 1:4). Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God (1 John 5:5).

But the sad reality is, many of us get so accustomed to the darkness over prolonged period that we do not want to turn on the light, or rather we refuse to do anything to seek the light. Some of us have succumbed too easily; some of us held on too tightly to the chains that bound us to our own dungeon and not ready to face the light. The truth is, God has already provided the options for us to be freed, the key is whether we have let go and let God.

David prayed, “When I am ready to give up, he knows what I should do” – Psalm 142:3 GNT

Do not gloat over me, my enemy! Though I have fallen, I will rise. Though I (may) sit in darkness, the Lord will be my light. – Micah 7:8

Get up, search for the light, turn on the light, walk towards the light and look to the light. Darkness will have to flee even with a flickering light, no matter how small or weak is the candle wick, let the light shines.

Problems. You Have Not Reached Your Limit Yet!

Image

Sometimes it takes a painful situation to make us change our ways. – Proverbs 20:30 GN

A threesome conversation with friends on how our flesh becomes flabby as we age, that we burst into laughter when we were jesting about how soft our “chicken wings” (the area where biceps is located) are. It is a sad reality that women are more prone to donning “butterfly sleeves” if we do not exercise our arms.

I trained with weights almost every day in order to maintain the toned muscles I had painstakingly built since my younger athletic days. (P.S. Trust me, I am not motivated to exercise all the time when I had my times of lethargy, busyness and moodiness. I would try to find lame excuses to resist training….) It takes daily discipline (certainly a lot of dying to the self) and resolution to take the grind. Just as the adage that goes, “No pain, no gain.”

Weights build resistance. By adding more weights to our training, pressure are applied to our resistance which help to stretch our muscles further. Our muscles are stretched every time we add pressure and our resistance gets better with each intensity. As a result, our muscles are toned according to the weight we can handle.

In the same context, pressures of life, problems, challenges, stresses, troubles and trials help to train us towards building stronger faith-muscles, higher resilience and better character. The more intensified our training, the greater the reward to God’s Glory.

Here are some of God’s purposes in our problems to train us:

We can rejoice when we run into problems they help us learn to be patient. And patience develops strength of character in us and helps us trust God more each time we use it until finally our hope and faith are strong and steady (Romans 5:3-4, LB). training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age. (Titus 2:12)

They are opportunities to stretch our limits and to rely on Him to help;
They add spiritual dimension to our faith;
They are test to reveal our heart and purify our motives;
They offer difference experiences in order to break down our wrong values and belief system in order to change our perspectives and our heartitude (heart and attitude) for renewal;
They help to direct us when we derail from His plans for us or we are threading on dangerous grounds;
They are showcases for God’s testimonies when we overcome them.
They are temporary and can’t be compared to the eternal glory that outweigh them all.

Remember that God is much more interested in our character than our comfort; He is more concerned how we journey in our race than how well we started or how far we go. He will use trials to refine our character, and until we have learnt what we need to learn, God will always bring back the same issue again (and again…). What is God speaking to you through your problem or situation today?

“Problems are inevitable, but suffering is optional.”, for we have the Holy Spirit living inside us to help us.

Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world (1 John 4:4)