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

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

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

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.

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

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):

1. His Omnipotence: God is all-powerful.
2. His Omniscience: God is all-knowing, Including about the past, present and future. 
3. His Omnipresence: God is present everywhere.
4. 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. 

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#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”)!

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.

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

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.

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

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!

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

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 10: “Daddy, Please Help!”

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.

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

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.

BE INTENTIONAL: Fight or Flight- Lock down but not knock down

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

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 (7): Let it all out, lay it all down, leave it all behind.

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:

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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. 

7. 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.

8. 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)

9. 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. 

Unchangeable. Unbreakable. Unstoppable.

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

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.

Thank You God

It stirred upon my heart to offer a worshipful prayer with thankfulness of His Love and Grace upon my life. And the best thing is, I can feel my heart changes: (a) when I show my gratitude for each blessing; (b) when I realised about the things I failed to see in the moment until I recount them.

Thank you God that Your Love and Faithfulness is new every morning! Great is Your Faithfulness and Your mercies never failed. Thank you for being faithful even when I have been unfaithful.

Thank you God for loving me when I have been unlovable. Thank you for bearing with all my nonsenses, my wilfulness and my wanderings, forgiving me time and again for all my failings, even when I have hurt You.

Thank you God for sustaining me each day, that I can live, breathe, hear, walk, think, speak and do what I am able. Thank you that all has been well with my soul.

Thank you God for all the wonders You have made, and the miracles no one can count. Thank you for reminding me that miracles happen every day, in the big and even in the small, for it is You who made them.

Thank you God for Your life-giving Word that speak alive to me when I need it. Thank you for every Rhema Word, revelation, and divine guidance that direct me, change me, encourage me, strengthen me and nourish my soul physically and spiritually.

Thank you God for reminding me that even with a mustard seed of faith, I can move my mountains of impossibilities. Thank you that there is nothing too great on earth that you can’t handle!

Thank you God for helping me to keep the faith that You are in the process of healing me and restoring me to complete wholeness. I should be thankful for what I have than what I do not have, because things could have been worst had it not been for your divine intervention.

Thank you God for all your plans to prosper me and not to harm me, plans to give me a hope and future. Thank you for ushering me in Your Highest plan for my highest good for Your highest purpose. Thank you that in all things God You work for good.

Thank you God for every inspiration, ideas and concepts at work for You are my Creator and my creativity comes from You. Thank you for Your Hands upon my business, its operations, cashflow and working relationships. Thank you for each supernatural favours and divine intervention that you appoint men into my court.

Thank you for each and every provision each day. I thank you for for the good and bad times and how thankful I am for every one dollar added to my bank account.

Thank you God that You are my true Source, apart from You I am nothing, without You I can do nothing.

Thank you God that you are the Ultimate Sovereignty, in control of every situations in my life, and my future is in Your good Hands.

Thank you God for all the angels whom You have sent to cross path with me. They have been your vessels of Love, Hope and Faith. Thank you for making my journey on earth more bearable.

Thank you God that You have keep me safe from all harm’s way, and watching over me, even when I sleep.

Thank you God for seeing me through each season of my life, the ups and downs, that Your Presence matters to me more and more. Thank you for being my constant tower of refuge and strength. Thank you for upholding me when I am downcasted and Your Comfort brings consolation to my soul.

Thank you God for each milestones and breakthrough in my life, that You are intimately involved in every details that bear Your handprints of unmerited grace and unending mercies.

Thank you God for blessing me in ways I cannot see, for each blessings I counted that I am so blessed far beyond what I can ask for and imagined.

Thank you God I am who I am, where I am and how I am, because of You.

It Is Not The End

I felt very led this morning to pen this “song” after I heard the song by a singer from Taiwan last Sunday at service. It resonated deeply with my soul, as I could relate entirely to his lyrics as I walked through that path before. Thus I decided to pen my own, as my deepest writings are always birthed from my darkest times. But they are not the end, like the Psalmists, God’s Glory always prevail. I have included the English translation lest some may not understand mandarin well.

 

在我失意堕落的时候

在我失信迷路的时候

眼前的黑暗让我迷失了自己

 

所有的疑问困惑

所有的恐惧痛苦

让我看不到以后的路怎么走

 

慌了碎了哭了

累了服了放了

这条路仍然还是要继续走

随着时光的流逝

随着时间的考验

我依然还能坚强到底

因为有一个人能够承担我所有的一切

祂不会让我孤单

也不会让我孤独

祂会陪我走完这条路

因为有祂的爱

这世界充满了希望

有了祂一切都能捱过去

 

English translation:

When I lost hope and felt depressed

When I lost faith and felt lost

The darkness ahead overwhelmed me

 

All my doubts and confusions

All my fears and pain

Caused me to lose sight of how I should walk the path ahead

 

Confused. Crushed. Teared.

Tired. Surrendered. Let go.

I still have to continue to walk on.

As time passed

As time tested

I still can endure to the end

Because there is Someone who can carry all my burdens

He will never leave me

Nor let me be alone

He will walk with me to the very end

Because of His Love

There is hope in this world

With Him, I can overcome everything

And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. (Romans 8:28) In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. (Romans 8:37) For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. (1 John 5:4) For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. (Philippians 4:13)

Courtesy photo (P1040119) taken by Rachel Hong @ Bandung, Indonesia, August 2017.

 

God In The Details

Lest I be full and deny you and say, “Who is the Lord?” or lest I be poor and steal and profane the name of my God.- Proverbs 30:9

A friend gave me a hassle-free nano aquarium with self-sustaining eco-system of mini wonder shrimps and water snails. I love to take a break in between work to peep at these pets as it is therapeutic to observe how carefree they are around the tank. What really amaze me is, they can find food within their environment- they literally feed on any microorganisms bred in the specially designed eco-system. All I need is to feed them supplements – though not necessary- every alternate days to keep the shrimps happy. The round-shaped squishy looking mossy Marimo (in other word, algal ball in Japanese) latched in between the twigs provided decorative filaments to the already pretty aquarium, other than their main function to provide oxygen, and absorb waste and debris. (And yes, Marimo is considered a pet too, according to Wikipedia, since they are living organism.)

This aquarium is a very good reminder as a physical parallel to how I as an owner, an imperfect human, care for these little pets, and make sure they are fed and living well, so how much more our Heavenly Father who is perfect so desired to feed and provide for our every needs?

“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… – Matthew 6:25-34A

I have also picked a leaf from these pets that they seem to have a quiet assurance that they will be cared and provided for so they can live worry-free and happy. How much more, we as Children of God, even more precious to Him who love us, care not how we are doing?

You know when I sit down and when I rise up; You understand my thought from afar. (Psalm 139:2) For now You number my steps (Job 14:16A). And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. (Matthew 10:30) 

God is in the details. He cares for every little things in our lives. He knows what we are going through, and our every innermost thoughts. We can take heart that God takes great pleasure in giving us what we need, because He is our loving Father.

“Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” (Luke 12:32), And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19). The Lord does not let the righteous go hungry. (Proverbs 10:3A) 

Therefore, God knows what we need even before we ask of Him. And His provision always come on time, not too much lest we forget Him, nor too little that we dishonour Him. It is always just right and on time. It is better to trust God than to put confidence in men or even ourselves. (Psalm 118:8)

Courtesy photo (P1030698) taken by Rachel Hong @ Bandung, Indonesia, August 2017.

Knowing His Voice

“The watchman opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.” – John 10:3-5

I’d learnt a very valuable lesson from my furry pet dog, Whiney- I was amazed that she only listened to me, despite my family tried to get her attention. When I called her, she was scuffling to search for that familiar voice that’s dear to her (because I am closest to her). After she found me, she would lay besides me to bask in my presence.

She never failed to recognise my voice. (Yes, she had been with me for 15 years.) Whenever she heard a stranger’s voice in the house, she would bark at that unfamiliar voice.

I was reminded that this lesson parallels to John 10:3-5. We too, can have such familiar and close relationship with our Shepherd- the more you walk with Him, the more you can recognise His Voice. Like any other relationship, in order to foster a good bonding, you spend time together (synonymous to a Quiet Time with the Lord), find out a person’s like and dislikes (synonymous to reading the Bible), communicate more to understand the person (synonymous to communing with the Lord) and do something that will delight Him (synonymous to doing God’s Will, like winning souls etc.).

And because we can hear the Voice of God, we are able to recognise the contradicting voice of the devil, and not be ensnared by him. And the good news is, just as His Word emphasised, “He (our Shepherd) goes ahead of them”, which means, our Shepherd will lead and pave the way for us to ensure that our journey is safe, for He knows the route best. He fences off attacks from the wild beasts that seek to devour His flock.

Another take home point is, “His sheep follow Him because they know His voice”- you will never get lost in the wilderness, if you have follow Him.

So start romancing your First Love and you will find His Voice endearingly familiar.

The Ultimate Stress-Buster

God knows when you sit down or stand up. He knows your thoughts even when you are far away” (Psalm 139:2). “And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.” (Luke 12:7)

I was sauntering around the bustling Raffles Place, the heart of Singapore’s great commercial emporium, where contemporary skyscrapers towering over me seem to glint back at me from every direction, amidst throng of immaculately well-dressed office folks scrambling from building to building. I observed that the folks there seemed to be hunchback with stress. It is comprehensible that as the society progresses, it is getting more competitive and fast-paced, that life comes burdened with daily stress. Busyness can throw us off balance and stress can easily immobilise us, but chronic stress do far more irreparable damage to our health.

Although stress is inevitable, whether as a salaried employee or self-employed, but suffering is optional. That is, we need to be like Mary, who take the time to sit still at the feet of Jesus and listen to what He had to say (Luke 10:39).

When you are overwhelmed, do you recite your woes more naturally than you do Heaven’s strength? You may even feel that God doesn’t seem to care about the nitty-gritty details of your life. But have you forgotten that your omnipresent Father who loves you, is waiting for you to draw near to Him? God already know when you sit up and stand up. He knows each intimate details right down to the number of your hairs on your head. Wouldn’t He be able to grasp your innermost thoughts and inexpressible struggles? He even know when we are far from Him.

Don’t you realise too that worry or getting anxious is not going to help matters? So why not choose the better- take your focus off and take the time to draw near to God. He will refresh, recharge and reaffirm you that He is looking out for you and taking care of your every needs.

Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. (1 Peter 5:7 NLT) Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life. (Philippians 4:6-7 MSG) The Peace of Jesus given unto you, let not your heart be troubled, neither be afraid. (John 14:27) Let not your heart be troubled, trust in God. (John 14:1)

Faith Even On Rainy Days

The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. – Psalm 37:23

A cell mate shared this beautiful Chinese song with me which lyrics resonated with every fibre of my being- I can relate to those times when I felt downcasted. In translating this song to English (though not literal), I hope to share this song to minister to those who need to hear it…

Song title: 祷告 (Pray)

– By Streams Of Praise

(Listen at www.youtube.com/watch?v=9YbBwg5B9Uk&feature=youtu.be )

 

祷告，因为我渺小；

Pray, because I feel inconsequential;

祷告，因为我知道我需要明了，你心意对我重要。

Pray, because I know I need understanding, to your Will as it is important to me.

祷告，已假装不了；

Pray, I can no longer pretend;

祷告，因为你的爱我需要；

Pray, because I need Your Love;

你关怀，我走过的你都明白。

You care for me, and know every path I tread.

有些事我只想要对你说，因你比任何人都爱我；

There are things I can only share with You, because You love me more than any one else could;

痛苦从眼中流下，我知道你为我擦。

Tears shed from pain, I know You will wipe my tears away.

在早晨我也要来对你说，主耶稣今天我为你活；

Come morning I pray, Lord Jesus I live for You today;

所需要的力量你天天赐给我，你恩典够我用。

I need Your Strength each day, for Your Grace is sufficient for me.

 

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. (Psalm 34:18) You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my thoughts even when I’m far away. (Psalm 139:2)

Even on rainy days, the Lord is near; Even in the pit, the Lord is there. He knows every details of our lives. He searches our heart and know our thoughts even before we could find the words to say. (Psalm 139:23)

Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. (James 4:8A) The Lord will protect you from all evil; He will keep your soul. The Lord will guard your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forever. (Psalm 121:7-8 NASB)

Keep faith. Keep going. Keep praying. There is always light at the end of the tunnel.

Why Is It Hard To Rejoice?

“Rejoice in the Lord, and He will give you strength. (Nehemiah 8:10) In His Presence is the fullness of joy.” (Psalms 16:11)

There is actually a difference between joy and happiness. Joy is something that lives inside of us, as it is part of the fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22), which we have access to the divine joy of God. It will always be there even through downtimes. Whereas the latter is something you must attain or arrive at in order to be happy.

The key to “REJOICE” in the Lord in pursuance of renewed strength:

1. RE-JOY – Daily choose to re-joice, in order to turn on the tap of outpouring joy.

Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again–rejoice! (Philippians 4:4 NLT) For the despondent, every day brings trouble; for the happy heart, life is a continual feast. (Proverbs 15:15 NLT)

2. RE-JOIN – Daily choose to re-join to the Holy Spirit, in order to tap onto His power.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.” – Galatians 5:22

3. EN-JOY – Enter the joy of your salvation and enjoy it. Remember what you are saved for.

Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. – Psalm 51:12

Why joy eludes us? There may be areas we can identify:

1. Because we let the burdens of this world weigh us down and wear us out. It is a sign that we have been walking in our flesh — for the fruit of the world is emptiness— and not the Spirit (since one characteristics of the fruit of the Spirit is joy).

2. There may be areas in our lives that have drawn in darkness, i.e. unreconciled issue with someone or even God. When a candle is flickering, it can barely lit the room. The strength of the candle wick reveals the power of the flame. So when the wick is strong, the flame will be burning strongly and the room will light up brightly. Likewise, joy works in the same equation.

3. There may be an unwillingness to die to the self that we struggle to walk in obedience to what God says in some aspect of our lives.

4. We let joy be contingent on our circumstances. Does it mean we can only feel joyful during happy times? No doubt, humanly speaking. But, real joy comes to test even in difficult times. A praise-full soul find renewed strength and joy in the Lord and not through circumstances.

5. We are not living in God’s presence. How is your relationship with God? Is God merely a weekend visitor? Or a last minute drop-by when there is pocket of time? When life gets too busy to even read your bible, or pray, or to offer praise, it is simply too busy.

Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. – Romans 15:13

The Parable Of The Sun

While encouraging 2 friends who were burdened and discouraged with their vicissitudes of life, God spoke to me about “The Parable Of The Sun” where we could find God in Nature.

1. Have you ever pause to look at the sunrise, when you wake up each morning? 

If you have not, pause, and look at the sun, be still- It is a beautiful reminder that God’s love is new every morning.

“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.” The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord. – Lamentations 3:22-26

2. Have you ever pause to look at the sunset, when you are heading home each evening?

If you have not, pause, and look at the sun, be still- It is a lovely reminder that we are not to let our burdens for the day to weigh us down when the sun sets…

“In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.” – Ephesians 4:26-27

(Though the bible mentions only “anger”, burdens beget sins too.)

Come tomorrow, admire the sun which God has created, and remember He makes each day new, with renewed Strength, Hope, Faithfulness and Love- It is a NEW chapter. It is a NEW you. And God still stay the same.

“Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you unexpectedly like a trap.” – Luke 21:34

The Tunnel. Hope.

Delayed hope makes the heart sick… (Proverbs 13:12 HCSB) Having hope will give you courage. You will be protected and will rest in safety. You will lie down unafraid… (Job 11:18-19A)

The front cabin of the new Downtown Line train has a glass window which allow passengers to peep through the underground tunnel. The tunnel is fairly dim and it takes considerable effort to observe what lies ahead. As the train approaches a destination, the tunnel is aglow with light, brighter and brighter. While half drowsy from the sleep-inducing passage underground, a small still voice jolt me, “There is always light at the end of the tunnel. Do not lose hope.”

God really has a way in distilling life lessons through things around us- the tunnel is a great reminder that no matter how long the tunnel is, no matter how long it takes to catch a glimmer of light, there is always light at the end of the tunnel. The only way out is to keep walking, for the longer I sojourn in the tunnel, the more overwhelming darkness seem to enshroud me. But having hope is stronger than entertaining fear.

When hope is delayed at any length of time, the mind gets uneasy and the heart will sink, ultimately it fails till our inner man gets dispirited and ready to be dejected, giving up all hope.

There is this quote that goes, “We can live about 40 days without food; about 3 days without water, and about 8 minutes without air, but not a second without hope.” And another, “Hope is the last thing to lose.”

The bible warns that heaviness in the heart of man makes it stoop (Proverbs 12:25A), and a crushed spirit saps a person’s strength (Proverbs 17:22). And when strength is dried up like a potsherd, the tongue will cleave to the jaws; as if we are laid in the dust of death. (Psalm 22:15). The antidote to a sick heart is, to have joy, for a cheerful heart is good medicine for the soul (Proverbs 17:22). And having hope engenders joy.

We may be fallen on bad times, but as we set our eyes and heart on the God of all Hope, He promises His encompassing Presence (Jeremiah 23:23-24). We can take comfort because as we draw near to Him, He will draw near to us (James 4:8). Never lose hope, because tough season won’t last but tough people do. And we have hope in God who never fails.

P.S: Do take the train through the tunnel, and observe the passage.

The Wilderness

Just as I thought I had left Egypt years ago, instead of being whisked into a promised land of milk and honey, all I see was mountains and snakes at every turn. I had trod into an unfamiliar territory- another wilderness! When I finally woke up from my “deep slumber”, alas I was standing at a verge, with the army of the Egyptians hot on my heels, facing me is the Red Sea! There is no way of escape.

At that crucial moment, I cried out as hard, as much, as long, to the Almighty to save me and deliver me from my helplessness… By a bat of an eyelid, I found myself on a Rock, my three enemies no longer pursued me. God finally broke the long chill of the silent nights, “Do not let your heart be troubled. TRUST in God, trust also in Me.” (John 14:1) reinforced with Proverbs 3:5-6 “TRUST in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways, acknowledge Him, and He’ll make your paths straight.” His voice resonated with the word “TRUST”.

In the silent mire of abyss, my impatience got the better of me, I doubted God had heard my prayers. But I ended up with a megaphone blasting my ears, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?!” (My hairs really on stand…) By this, God has shown me that even a mustard seed of faith can move mountains and they shall be moved! Thence, my faith skyrocketed to a new level.

Much as “snakes” tempted me into taking a court action and discouraged me in my unemployability, just as much God has faithfully sustained me with His blessings and His double-portion strength in each and everyday. By His Grace, He gave me a gift of an encouraging Spirit that I could be optismistic; He gave me a vision of conquering the “Goliath(s)” in my life; He spoke to me His Promises that I could profess victory; He shown me that He is a God of Multiplication when He impressed me with a scenario where Jesus multiplied 5 barley loaves of bread and 2 fishes to feed the 5000 people full; He inspired me to compose a poem that Jesus can still a nasty storm; and He led me to pray with prayers I had never prayed before.

Instead of cowering under pity-blankets as I would in the past, I would recall how the Lord delivered me from the slavery land of Egypt years ago and His never-failing faithfulness. I drawn near to Him and He draws near to me. My turning point came when I confessed of a cherished conviction, in repentance I cried to the Living God, “Help me!”

No doubt God is teaching me something. No doubt He brought me closer to Him so that I can hear Him better. No doubt He is disciplining me through His refining fire to keep me going from strength to Strength and from faith to Faith. I can rest unto God’s Peace, “Peace I leave with you; my Peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14:27) and His Faithfulness, “If you abide in me and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish and it will be given to you.” (John 15:7)

I am thankful that God has been there. I am also thankful for the people who has helped eased my burdens. I have been through the dark tunnel a few times and God has been there. And God is not hard of hearing- Our tears are precious to Him for He is especially close to those who are crushed in spirit. Just be still and let God be God. He will walk on the water and grabbed you before you could sink just as Jesus rescued Peter from drowning when His faith failed him.

“The more secured you are in Christ, the stronger you stand even if your whole world came crushing down. Your security is not found in transient things but in Him alone.”

When You Feel Small……

I believe, some of us, from time to time, felt challenged by our own inadequacies or bruised under a barrage of discouragements, that we did question our own identity.

I recalled one instance in my life (as a very young believer) when I was crushed under pressure at work coupled with a personal sting (I was still struggling to recover from my identity crisis resulted from a broken home and emotional turmoils since young), my spirit was grieving. And that one catalyst engendered a chain reaction that maimed my confidence. The next instance, I struggled with speaking for days, fumbling with words.

One night in the midst of that emotional struggle, I distinctly heard a small voice, “The least is more significant to Me…” God was lieterally speaking to me! I quickly turned to my bible in order to tune my spirit to the Truth. Just as I flipped open, I was led to 1 Corinthians 12:22-25 that read “... those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other.”

Recalling Paul, the great persecutor of his times, who constantly felt tormented by a messenger sent by Satan, yet God empowered him with His Grace and supernatural Strength; Mary Magdeline, the adulteress, whom Jesus saved her from being stoned by the people who condemned her; And not discounting Moses, who once was a murderer, struggled with his own inadequacy and speech deficiency. Needless to mention those hard tax collectors who were regarded as scums of society, had became close disciples of Jesus.

Yet, these are the people who were greatly used by God. Jesus indeed had a special heart for “the-not-so-normal-people”. He saw beyond what men failed to see. Men look at outward appearance but God looks at the heart. People around you may judge you by what you can’t do, but we can take comfort in the God who believes in what you can do.

For he who is least among you all — he is the greatest. – Luke 9:48

“So the last will be first, and the first will be last” – Matthew 20:16

“For I am the least of the apostles and do not even deserve to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them — yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me.” – 1 Corinthians 15:9-10

At times when you may have felt small, Jesus cares.

Those times when you may have felt condemned, Jesus cares.

When you felt no one cares a dime about you, Jesus cares.

He has a special heart for those the world has chosen to disparage.

Global Positioning System (GPS)

This is what the Lord says: “Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths,  ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. – Jeremiah 6:16

My ex-colleagues have always been addressing me as “Miss GPS, can you direct me how we should get there?” or “GPS, is this the correct way to that place?” or “GPS, please direct me, otherwise we will all get lost!” Isn’t it funny that a non-driving-license holder has a better sense of direction than those (I mean, not all drivers have poor sense of direction) who own a driving license? Perhaps, I just know a little more since I was quite “well-travelled” being chauffeured around.

Not long ago, this GPS teaser shed a new light…

The best GPS system is still the One who is omnipresent and all-mighty. He can see a far much better picture and has the “state-of-the-art navigating system”. He is the best Person to get directions, directing our every path; where we should be heading and where we should stop. And He knows best which is the safest route without the unnecessary zig-zag turns, the crazy jams and the merry-go-rounds. And we can trust that we will be in one piece without the mess-ups. Wouldn’t all drivers like to travel safely with no time waste?

So let God has your driver seat. Just admit it, we are all poor drivers (I mean, in life). You will come to a cross-road, a juncture, not knowing if you should turn to the left or the right- His Way or your way? From time to time, you will come to an amber light, should you dash ahead or slow down- wait for Holy Spirit or run ahead of the Spirit? You will at times beat the red lights, and oh dear, you are summoned to face a fine- to be rebellious or be obedient? You will certainly be stuck in a heavy traffic jam that seemed to take ages to clear, and oh no, you find yourself in the throes of mood- be patient for God’s timing or be impatient and miss your kairos moment? You will occasionally miss the correct turns- trust God or trust your own wisdom? Not to mention, you will have to go one big round- how long will it take for you to learn a lesson?

Ring a bell? Remember how the Isrealites had been wandering in the dessert for 40 years. Remember how God called Abraham to a place he did not know and God gave him the Promise. The difference between the two is- trust God or trust yourself? Obey God or rebel against Him?

And one thing for sure, God works for those whose hands willingly let Him take the driver seat, the heart that fully surrender to His Sovereignty that He will take them where they should be going.

So allow God to be your GPS. And He will take you places!

I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them. – Isaiah 42:16

“A voice of one calling in the desert, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him. Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill made low.  The crooked roads shall become straight, the rough ways smooth.” – Luke 3:4b-5

Let your eyes look straight ahead, fix your gaze directly before you. Make level paths for your feet and take only ways that are firm. Do not swerve to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil. – Proverbs 4:25-27

Your path led through the sea, your way through the mighty waters, though your footprints were not seen. – Psalm 77:19

The Antidote For The Pain That Comes A-knocking On Your Door* (Part 2)

*Continue from “When Pain Comes A-knocking On Your Door” as posted the previous day

 

Here is an antidote for your pain from Luke 8:50:

“Don’t be afraid; just believe, and [you] will be healed.”

For the wounded hearts and the ailing souls.

 

In need of more prescriptions? The Physician will be glad that you ask.

 

“Don’t be afraid; just believe, and [you] will be provided.”

For the pockets decorated with holes.

 

“Don’t be afraid; just believe, and [you] will be delivered.”

For the lives at the end of the tether.

 

“Don’t be afraid; just believe, and [you] will be guided.”

For the future that loomed with an overcast.

 

“Don’t be afraid; just believe, and [you] will be victorious.”

For those who need to straddle through many hurdles.

 

For effectiveness, gargle your prescription with a glass of faith three times a day after “bread” and voila, you are on the brink of restoration.

When Pain Comes A-knocking On Your Door

Tension-mounted. Debts-saddled. Disease-stricken. Affliction-wrecked. Rejection-pierced. Emotions-tempest. Pain-aknocking. And taken aback by God’s silence.

Your life seems as if you have traversed though the cyclone-ravaged Philippines- burst pipes, ripe-off roofs, smashed windscreens, dilapidated walls, razed grounds, excruciating screams, broken homes and broken dreams. And taken aback by God’s indifference.

When you tried to make sense of all that is happening, vindicating the God who parted the red sea from the pursuing Egyptian army, the God who tumbled the walls of Jericho to the God who rescued Daniel from the lion’s den. And the prayers for God’s deliverance, mercy and grace bounced back like a dishonoured check. Where is God when life hurts?

Doubts crept into your head with pounding insinuations: Am I getting what I deserved? Is God so peeved with me that He allows my life to turn topsy-turvy? Or God, are you mad?

My candle is flickering, the wick is smouldering, the darkness is engulfing. In the center of that cold room lies an answer from:

A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out. In faithfulness he will bring forth justice. – Isaiah 42:3

Your pain has a purpose. Your problems, struggles, heartaches, and hassles cooperate toward one end- the glory of God. “Trust me in times of trouble, and I will rescue you, and you will give me glory” – Psalm 50:15 NLT. (Lucado, p122).

Recall the bible of a blind man and his lifetime of darkness; a deaf man who never hear a compliment; a paralysed man who never get to straddle; a bleeding woman who get anaemia; and a dumb man who can never croon. And Jesus has the answer, “It was neither that this man sinned, nor his parents; but it was so that the works of God might be displayed in him.” – John 9:1-3

A calling from God to display heaven’s strength, to showcase the work of Christ and to amplify God’s power, for His Glory sake. By the power of His name, even demons shudder so by the power of His might, afflictions or infirmities will skedaddle but why didn’t God do so? You would have feel indignant for the fading pulse and bated breath of Lazarus.

You may find yourself ushering into the higher plans of God as in Numbers 23:19, “God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?”

You may find yourself in the composition of God’s song where your faith in the face of suffering cranks up the volume of His song. Are people strengthened by your struggles? Are the hounded perplexities of life eating away your faith even when you do not receive healing then?

How can an Almighty God fail you? God glimpses when His light prisms through your aching life and radiates in a symphony of suffused golds and pinks. And Lazarus walked out from behind the stone, breathing.

God uses whatever He wants to parade His glory. Rather than begrudge your problem, explore it. Ponder it. And most of all, use it to the glory of God. (Lucado, pp.126-127).

A bystander will not let a hope goes unnoticed.

Cross references from:

Lucado, Max 2004, It’s Not About Me: Rescue From The Life We Thought Would Make Us Happy, Integrity Publishers, Nashville.

The One Thing

Many of us wake up each morning or through the day thinking or asking, “What should I wear today?”, “What should I eat today?”, “Where should I go today?”, “Who should I go out with today?”, “Which movie should I watch today?”, “What should I cook today?”…

Though God assures in Matthew 6:25, “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?…” Oftentimes I felt we are inclined to treating God like a vending machine dispensing our wants, expecting our due we think owing to us, or perhaps, even as an ATM machine where we can dispense cash from the Heavenly Bank anytime we ask for it.

The bible is indeed full of promises that God will take care of our needs, and our daily living does matter to Him, but what is the ONE thing that really or truly matters to you? Would you rather have material needs than God’s Presence? Would you rather indulge in earthly pleasures than gaining heavenly treasures? Would you rather be dissatisfied with more than to be contented with the One?

Have we ever try starting our day asking God or think about thruough the day “What do You want me to do today, God?”, “What can I do for You today?”, “How can I please You today?”, “How should I start my day with You?”, “Where do You want me to go today?”, “Who should I bless today?”…

Like the Psalmist in Psalm 27:4 asks, “The one thing I ask of the Lord – the thing I seek most – is to live in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, delighting in the Lord’s perfections and meditating in his Temple.” As Psalm 84:10 reinforces “Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wicked people.” (I can relate to this verse that indeed I am most happiest in God’s House (His Church) every Sunday than being at the most prestigious corporations any other day).

Let us be like the Psalmists to seek the one thing that matters most first- God Himself.

When You Do Not Feel God’s Presence In Your Life

“When you get serious about finding me and want it more than anything else, I will make sure you won’t be disappointed.” – Jeremiah 29:13 MSG

This new year, I have been greeted with many bad news of friends who contracted stomach cancer, a dad in critical condition in the ICU, and another whose father just passed away… It was enough to cause me to pause- “These are your children, where are you God in all these?”

It was not a new year to begin with, but I prayed that their trials will not derail them from the faith. We all have from time to time, in our lament under trials and testings, could not feel God’s Presence too. And the irony is, God promises that He is always there, in good times and bad times. Why is that we could not feel Him?

There are 3 keys found in the preceding verse: (1) Denial of self; (2) Drawing near; (2) Desperation

1. Denial of self = ver 13a “when you get SERIOUS”

We can only have room for God if we deny ourselves: our rights (rights to get angry etc.) and our treasures (any possessions, relationships etc). God did knock on our hearts, we may have opened the door, but the crux is, did we allow him to enter and take a VVIP room in our hearts? Some of us probably did not realize we only allow him a common room or a temporary stay in the suite. How to know? Simple, when our lives get successful or rather sufficient, we will get our true answers.

2. Drawing near = ver 13a “FINDING me”

I am sure all of us prayed the hardest during hard times. Have you felt like God was a million miles away or like there was this veil between you and God? Our sins have separated us from God. But if you feel far from God, guess who have moved? Us. Because God is always there. We can pray all we want, but God beckoning us to draw near to Him and He will draw near to us. (James 4:8). Drawing near means being still in God’s Presence, seeking Him with cleansed hands and purified heart (James 4:9).

3. Desperation = ver 13a “want it MORE THAN ANYTHING ELSE”

Why God let us get to our pits? Because He knows what we are made of so He let us try if we can figure out anything. He knows we will only surrender when we get tired, frustrated, helpless or hopeless. The only way out or up fm our pits, is to call for help- help from a more sovereign power. This is the only way, He gets the attention of those who are deaf to His whispers that He needs to shout to rouse us.

Then, God ends with “I WIll MAKE SURE YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED”.

Therefore, be desperate, even in good times, and you will never be disappointed.

Remember, God says, “I am the WAY (narrow pathway), the TRUTH (never failing promises in the Word) and the LIFE (salvation and abundance).”

Even the Seas, Mountains, Rivers, Hills And the Rocks Obey God!

I was prompted to turn to Psalms 114. The exegesis of this Psalms is about the Lord’s deliverance for His people:

1. Leading to a Promised Land (ver 2);
2. Parting the Red Sea to make way, (ver 3 cf Exodus 10- Fleeing fm the pursuing Egyptians);
3. River Jordan dried up, (ver 3 cf Joshua 3- Delivering the ark);
4. Mountains and hills like Sinai seemed to jump like animals (ver 4 cf Exodus 19- the earth shakes and awakens);
5. God gave living water from the hard rocks in dry places (ver 8 cf Exodus 17- Drawing water from dry rock).

The Psalmist is reminding us of the miracles God had performed- even the Seas, Mountains, Rivers, Hills and the Rocks obey God! Nothing is impossible with Him (Luke 18:27), such is the Goodness and Power of our majestic God. All we need is, a mustard seed of faith (Matthew 17:20) that can command the sea, move mountains and draw and turn water- nothing is too hard for the Lord (Jeremiah 32:27).

Roughing out in the pit? Stuck in dead places? Surrounded by insurmountable obstacles? Turn to the Psalms where the psalmists record miracles, deliverance, restoration and comfort of the Lord.

Remember that God is the God of the “mountains” and “valleys”:

“In the wilderness prepare the way for the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Fill in the valleys, and level the mountains and hills. Straighten the curves, and smooth out the rough places. and the glory of the Lord will be revealed… and I will make my mountains into level paths for them. The highways will be raised above the valleys. I will lead the blind by a way they do not know, In paths they do not know I will guide them. I will make darkness into light before them and rugged places into plains. These are the things I will do, and I will not leave them undone.” (Isaiah 40:3-5A NLT; Isaiah 49:11 NLT; Isaiah 42:16 NASB)

Half-hearted?

I was pondering over why many people would share their struggles with hearing God for an answer. Not that we need supernatural powers nor the gifting to hear Him… I was pointed to this verse…

“You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with ALL ur heart” – Jeremiah 29:13

God promised we will find Him, and the key is “ALL”. The question is, how do we seek God with ALL our heart when we so consumed by the demands of our day, work, ministries, home responsibilities etc., that even our prayers have to be in between pockets of time, remaining time, or by-the-way-quick-pray-and-get-done-with.

“ALL” lies in:

1. ATTITUDE of seeking Him ALONE

Do we really take time to seek Him and spend time with God truly? Or for the sake of doing it or going through the motion? What is the posture or attitude of our heart? Jesus spent time with His Father intently. Jesus had already set an example: (1) We need to come to a place where we are not distracted- Jesus got away to a place of solitude to pray; (2) while it is still dark (likely the time we are all sound asleep), Jesus got up to spend time with His Father before he started His ministries. Morning is the best time when your mind is still fresh, uncluttered and has room for God. We become accustomed to His voice in the quiet and recognize Him in the noise of the worldliness. He wants each of us to hear directly from Him, as our thoughts are made new as we receive a download from God Himself.

Seek the LORD and his strength; seek his presence continually! – 1 Chronicles 16: 11

2. LISTENING

Practically speaking, get in the Word. God’s Word is alive now. He speaks through the bible- our Living Instruction Manual. The problem is, do we listen? Or rather, do we be still and listen hard enough? Or we are deafen by the World?

“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” – Psalms 46:10a

3. LENGTH

The last key is Patience. Unhurried. Do we spare time for God to response? The hardest part is to WAIT. We all like to do things quick, fast, don’t waste time. But God most of the time says, WAIT.

Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; – Psalms 37:7a

Take home point: Being fulfilled in His presence changes how we see and approach that which He’s called us to. If we do not first find peace and satisfaction in God’s Presence, then what we do will not be from Him, but by relying on our flesh. Spending time with God is the only way how we gain Kingdom perspective, and it is foundational to all we do.

If You Love God (Enough), You Will Trust Him

I once was seeking God’s direction for my life, when it suddenly dawned upon me that “If I Love God Enough, I Will Trust Him.”

Hard word… Chewing upon it, I realised that in any love relationship, it takes TRUST. If you love your spouse, you trust him / her implicitly don’t you? Likewise, you trust him/ her because you love him/ her right?

In the same light, have you ever pondered the reason why many of us find it hard to trust God is simply because we don’t love Him enough? Sure, it can be due to lack of faith. But, (aside to a sovereign reason), you put faith in something you love or trust, don’t you?

Put it simply- if you love a person, you would believe in the person, have faith in the person, trust the person, you want to spend time with the person… because you love him/ her.

So it caught me hard why I do fail at trusting God (sometimes…) Lack of faith? Possible. But the root is still, because I do not love Him enough.

If you love Me, you will keep My commandments. – John 14:15 NASB

So when Jesus said,”“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me.” (John 14:1). Do you keep His commandment? If you love God, you will keep His commandments. So when Jesus asks us to trust Him, do you take Him for His Word? If you love God, you will take His Word and trust Him.

By the way, if you find it hard to trust God sometimes, is as good as loving Him sometimes and at other times mean you don’t love Him since you can’t trust Him?

But, love never fails (1 Corinthians 13:8), irregardless in good times or bad times.

How shall we then love God? First, rekindle the first love relationship with Jesus by spending time with Him and rebuild that trust by romancing Him, alone. All things else will fall in place if you seek Him with all your heart, He will be found by you (Jeremiah 29:13). Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you (James 4:8)

Drawing Near- His Words (From Psalm 119)

To me, nothing beats spending that time of intimacy with God. Only at such an appointment, I feel very close to Him, I get encouraged, refreshed and strengthened each time. And I feel my faith rises to a new level. It is especially touching to hear Him speaks. And one of the ways He speaks, is through His Words (your bible, His billet-doux to you). I was brought to Psalm 119, and was inspired to pen this piece.

Drawing Near- His Words (From Psalm 119)

———————————————————————-

When my soul is faint from longing for Your Presence

Your Word brings alive a glimmer of Hope

Your Love never snuff out my flickering wick

For Your Faithfulness endures forever

 

When my soul gets weary with sorrow

You strengthen me with Your Word

Even when I am deep down in my valley

Your Word preserves me through and through

 

Turn my eyes from worthless things

Turn my heart from selfish gains

Turn my feet from deceitful ways

You will ensure my well-being according to Your Love

 

In the morning You are my portion

Into the night You are my song

Your Word is like a lamp unto my feet

And a light unto my path

 

Those who love You will tremble at Your Word

And nothing can make one stumbles

Nor be caught in a deep slumber

Peace will be my everlasting convenant

 

Though I constantly take my life in my own hands,

And often tested Your Promises

Yet Your hand ever ready to help me

And save me from straying in my wilderness

 

If I truly and humbly obey Your Laws,

You will keep my ways pure and steadfast

Neither will I be subjected to shame

I can walk about in Freedom and in Light

Your Love Covers It All

When hurts aching

You are stronger

than all my weaknesses

 

When faith shaken

You are greater

than all my mistakes

 

When condemnation knocks

You are bigger

than all my failures

 

When darkness despairs

You are brighter

than all my darkest moments

 

When hopelessness cries

You are deeper

than all my pits and valleys

 

When silence can’t find the words I could say

When tears can’t express exactly how I feel

Lord, you have counted them all-

my every heartaches, and my every tears.

 

I need Your embrace right now, O Lord

I know You stay close beside.

Although darkness falls, Your Light will shine

And I will rise, with You

For Your Love covers it all.

 

“Love bears all things, believe all things, hopes all things, endures all things. (1 Cor 13:7) Be strong, and let your heart take courage, as you wait for the Lord! (Psalm 31:24) Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. (Rom 12:12)”

Anchor Deep

“Anchor Deep” I had written 10 years ago, to encourage your soul or with someone who needs the Saviour Hand.

Anchor Deep, this written piece was inspired from a beautifully written book of Max Lucado, Six Hours One Friday: Hurricane Warnings.

I have always likened my difficult times to a journey sailing through a rough thunderstorm, charting the uncertainties and battling the odds, but with all my strength sapped. Efforts came to naught and the end seems near… With weather-beaten fragility, I still hold on tight, bobbing along the lashing waves, not letting go, never.

Your storms of life brewing right now?

Anchor Deep.

In His Strength– “… Do not be fainthearted or afraid; do not be terrified or give way to panic before them. For the Lord your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory.” – Deuteronomy 20:3-4

In His Promises– Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress. He brought them out of darkness and the deepest gloom and broke away their chains. – Psalm 107:13-14

In His Love– “Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake?” – Matthew 7:9-10

 

ANCHOR DEEP

———————-

The sky blanketed in sudden darkness

The wind hollered at gale force

The trees swaying in a matchless rhythm

Uninvited. Unexpected. Uncontrollable.

Cold sweat coalesced. Tension mounted. Perplexities hounded.

The weather is brewing…

Anchor Deep.

To the Power of the Cross.

 

The sails jostled relentlessly

The hull throbbed awash

The storm whipped incessantly

Thunder rumbled. Rain rattled. Waves lashing.

Doubts. Apprehension. Disillusion.

My hope is eluding…

Anchor Deep.

To the Love of Christ.

 

The waves buffeted with futility

The sea resounded with finality

A soul tossed with fatality

Yet futile. Yet final. Yet fatal.

The blows. The crumbles. The crunch.

Yet Heaven seems so distant…

Anchor Deep.

To the Truth of His Promises.

 

Anchor Deep.

For that pair of Hands across the uncharted water of death.

 

Anchor Deep.

For that Voice even storm stands still.

Whiney & I: My Master & I

Excerpt from the journal of a dog:

10 years. I have been through thick and thin with my master since I was 2 months old. My master have been a surrogate mother to me, she nurtures me with much love and care, training me in ways that she knows what is best for me.

She meant the world and everything to me. I seek to be the first to greet my master every morning by her bed, every evening by the door and every night before I hit my la-la land. Our daily bonding time gives me the affirmation of my worth and the assurance of her presence.

When words are beyond me, she can understand totally how I feel. Whenever I am fearful of rumbling thunders or feel insecure in a threatening environment, I will run to my master cadging her to carry me. Only then will I feel safe snuggling in her arms because I can trust that she will protect me. Even her voice alone is such a great comfort, I will feel uneasy if I do not hear her for a single day. Needless to say, I always stick close to her day in and day out as I know I will never get lost following her.

I pleased my master the most when I am obedient. Nothing matters more to me than my master’s approval. My task is to make her happy in everything I do. At times I have my fair share of tantrums, I hurt my master with my defiance or inappreciativeness. When I still remain a recalcitrant brat, my master left me as a cold turkey. Despite the cold treatment, my master did not leave me to my device, her unwavering patience and faithfulness had touched me to penitence.

I am very thankful to my master for what I am now. I wondered, how would have life been without her…

Woof woof, Whiney.

Not trying to drum up a publicity on my beloved dog, I am simply marveled at how a little fury creature has taught me valuable lessons, that is, it illustrates implicitly in the same breathe on our relationship with God. Whiney’s devotion and faithfulness to her master stemmed from her love for her.

How much more would a loving God, our Master, do for us just like I would take care of Whiney?

If you were to pen your journal, how would you have written on your relationship with your Master? And how would you show your love for your Master? Since God has given His Best to you, what is the best you can give to Him?

Spending time with the Lord daily requires consecrated commitment and a reverent heart. Every day is an invitation to draw near to Him- commune with Him in prayers, listen to His Voice in worship, know Him by His Word and understand Him with His Heart.

He is faithful till the end. Because your name is Beloved.

This song by Don Moen plays back many times in my head, as if an antique gramophone clamor to play again…

I Want To Be Where You Are

——————————————–

I just want to be where You are,

dwelling daily in Your presence;

I don’t want to worship from afar;

draw me near to where You are.

I just want to be where You are,

in Your dwelling place forever;

Take me to the place where You are,

I just want to be with You.

 

Chorus:

I want to be where You are,

dwelling in Your presence,

Feasting at Your table,

surrounded by Your glory;

In Your presence that’s where I always want to be.

I just want to be,

I just want to be with You.

 

Bridge:

O my God, You are my strength and my song,

And when I’m in Your presence

Though I’m weak You’re always strong.

 

Pls: Yes, mothers, your kids can be a more relevant example.

– Inspired by the movie “10 Promises To My Dog” and “The King & I”

The “Goliath(s)” In Our Lives

Many times in vain I attempted to hear from God what is going on in my life as it beset with problems and struggles. Just few weeks ago, with a bated breathe and a heavy heart I entered into God’s sanctuary, ceased striving and kept still that I would find rest for my soul. I persistently seeked Him and desired to hear Him. With my eyes closed, I cried to God for help and counsel.

In a flash, I saw myself in a battlefield, brandishing my bible in mid-air charging at the ferocious looking “shrek” (if you know the animated movie showing in the cinema. I did not see the show though…) in a gigantic height, towering over at the other end of the battlefield, with an army!

But what that vision trying to tell me? The scenario changed, I saw this pint-sized boy, cladded in a shepherd garment, brandishing a weapon like a stone tied with a rope, galloping head on fearlessly. In a juncture, Goliath was clobbered dead and the philistine army was wiped out! A small boy triumphed over giants?? Still, what this vision was trying to tell me?

The vision unveiled, David triumphed over Goliath not by his own strength. As small his built was, he had a very big heart for God and a big faith to believe God would definitely help him to fight this war for him. David’s boldness did not beat a fearful retreat, and neither did Goliath touch even a strand of hair on David’s head. David professed faith when he trusted God, “I know God will fight for me and delivered me out of this.” No wonder, God called David “A man after His Own Heart”.

It described succinctly in a contemporary context where “Goliath” could represent our fears, worries, anxieties, challenges, obstacles or whatever weaknesses we maybe struggling  with in our lives and that it may have grown insidiously. Goliath may come with an army of other “Goliath-buddies”. But as we face them head-on, instead of cringing in fear, try recalling the spiritual victory of David over Goliath, we will be able to stand in faith for the battle is not ours alone. The bible is our spiritual weapon to call on the Living Power of God Words to wage against whatever Goliath(s) in our lives, as in Hebrew 4:12 says, “For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow…”

This vision had been spiritually resonating in me that I have been asking myself, everyday is a challenge, would I beat a fearful retreat and let the army of Goliath advanced against me or should I summon even if it is a mustard seed of faith to trust God to deal with my Goliath(s)? Trust God or trust our own strength, victory or defeat is determined by our faith.

The Potter And His Pot

I have all along been struggling to reconcile with God- I cannot believe what I am, what I have or what I have been through are His best to me. How can a perfect God gives an imperfect “best”? I might have thought, since I missed His best timing or gift(s), I can only make do with His second best, or, for a lack of better word, it should be “alternatives”. I might have thought, because of my sins, I lost the best blessings from a Holy God.

During my usual retreat to seek the Lord in the last lap of the year, the first leaf that appeared when I turned the bible to Jeremiah 18:2-4, “Go down to the potter’s house, and there I will give you my message.” So I went down to the potter’s house, and I saw him working at the wheel. But the pot he was shaping from the clay was marred in his hands; so the potter formed it into another pot, shaping it as seemed best to him.”

Read the last verse one more time, slowly this time….

The rhema word to me was: God still gives His best, even for the second time. (There is always a second time again, isn’t it?)

God is a perfect God, He cannot give imperfect gift(s). But these gifts are given to what seemed best to Him, not to us. God is also an infinite God of all-power and knowledge, He knows best what is best for us, how can we mere finite beings questioned an infinite Being on how things should be or expect how life should be?

God is our potter and we are His clay. You can trust that only beautiful pieces are displayed in a master’s showcase. Each pot is his masterpiece; handmade things are never the same, they are all uniquely shaped and made, and every pieces have his fingerprints. Know for a certainty that the master is proud of each and every one of them.

He has you in mind when He made you.

(Pls: When cracks appear on any of the pots, it never missed the eyes of a master. Sometimes, instead of patching up the cracks, He may made a new piece to replace the cracked pot. This time, the new piece may be even better than the old. Sometimes, He allows the cracks to be there, as He thinks in His best capacity, the cracks enhanced the pot beautifully and make it more outstanding.)

Who Else But You (The Wonders Of (His) Nature)

 

Who alone can set the earth in motion, and the universe be filled, but You. (Gen 1)
Who can command the morning, and cause the dawn to know its place, but You. (Job 38:12)
Who can control the clouds, and flash lightning, but You. (Job 37:15)
Who can still the storm, and hush the waves, but You. (Psalm 107:29)
Who can turn a desert into pools of water, and a parched land into springs, but You. (Psalm 107:35)
Who says to the snow, “Fall on the earth,”and says too to the rain to shower a downpour, but You. (Job 37:6)
Who will oversee the land with its increase, and the trees to yield their fruit, but You. (Lev 26:4)
Who can lift up valleys, lower the mountains and hills; level uneven ground, and rough places a plain, but You. (Isa 40:4)
Who feeds the birds of the air who neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and also provide food for the wandering ravens, but You. (Mat 6:26; Job 38:41)
Who can deliver from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, will also deliver from the hand of the Philistines, but You. (1 Sam 17:37)
Who can part the Red Sea and drown all the pursuing Egyptians, and tumble the walls of Jericho to enter the Promised land, but You. (Exo 14; Jos 6:20)
Who can multiply 5 loaves of bread and 2 fishes to feed the 5000, or 7 loaves of bread and few fishes to feed the 4000, and much is leftover, but You. (Mat 14:13-20; Mat 15:33-38)
Who opens the door that no one can shut and close the door that no one can open, but You. (Rev 3:7)
Have I not given you the power of life and death by the authority for which you speak and the faith to believe? (Prov 18:21; Mat 10:20; Mat 21:19b; Mark 11:23-24)
Have I not given you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven, that whatever you bind on earth will be bound in Heaven and whatever you loose on earth will be loosen in Heaven? (Mat 16:19)
Don’t you not see and realize now? Trust and believe. (Rom 10:11 NIV & NASB)