Feel Be Filled

 

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Imagine a jar that is made to fill salt but instead you forcefully fill it with large, jagged and heavy rocks. Before long, cracks develop and the jar threatens to fall apart. And we start wondering why this is so.

We are intricately created and woven together by God as an amazing being (science attests to that); created you in such a way that only a TRUE and MEANINGFUL relationship with God can fill the void in life. However, we, myself included, sometimes choose to have relationship (often times ungodly ones) with people and things. We fill it with people who seem but cannot meet our real needs, activities/things that seem to temporarily meets the need or numbs it. It's no wonder things come crumbling down sooner or later, just because it's just not meant to be that way.

Try all you may but go back to your Creator and Daddy God because ONLY He knows and can fill you. Man are fallible and will fail you. Activities and things are but temporal and, well, just things. You have only one life to make the right choice for eternity. Live it well and come back to God and be filled in just the right way.

"We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves.
We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed". (2 Corinthians 4:7-9 NLT)

God has been trying to get your attention and stands in the doorway to receive you in His arms, no matter you have yet to come to Him or have once came to Him but now far away. Here you have nothing that you need to prove about yourself and is where you CAN be accepted.

"But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him". (Luke 15:20 NKJV).

Feel be filled.

Vengeance is Whose?

Life Checkpoint: Do you have in your life some unresolved issues where someone has wronged you and you feel great distress whenever you think of him/her? Do you think "how dare him/her after all I have done? I don't deserve this!" if so, I sensed from my quiet time to share this with you.

Recently in my healing and wholeness, I have also come to realise I have unresolved hurts that held on to and literally controlled my life. But that has been dealt with. Yesterday, was just chatting with someone on what it means to forgive and forget. And as I read from 1 Sam 24 & 25, I sense God teaching me on it. In 1 Sam 24, we see how David (who was pursued by King Saul for his life, though for no wrongdoing of David's) had an opportunity to kill Saul but yet he did not. But yet in the next chapter, he encountered Nabal who was insolent to him when he asked for food for his people and he refused, mocking him saying that he (Nabal) does not know who David is. This after all the kindness that David has shown to Nabal's shepherds. Unlike in the previous chapter, David got angry and arose with his men to want to kill him, only to be stopped by Nabal's wife who stopped him midway and reasoned with him. To which David, finally realising it, said that her advice is good and stop him from needless bloodshed and taking vengeance in his own hands (1 Sam 25:33).

And we read on that Nabal was struck dead by the Lord ten days later and King Saul was dead some time after. God has indicated 3 times in the bible, both old and new testament that vengeance is His.

Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but  rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. (Rom 12:19 NKJV)

Why does the Lord requires that we leave vengeance to Him? I could only think its because God does not want us to even entertain evil in our lives and have our lives wrecked by it.

In the words of King David, ‘Wickedness proceeds from the wicked.’ (1 Sam 24:13a NKJV). When we hold on to unresolved bitterness, we allow wickedness and evil into our lives.

In the word of Nabal's wife, "don’t let this be a blemish on your record. Then your conscience won’t have to bear the staggering burden of needless bloodshed and vengeance" (1 Sam 25:31a)

God sees the heart and is more concerned of your heart, not wanting it to unnecessarily be filled with malice, hatred, bitterness, which is not of Him and which wrecks your life. If you do have these unresolved issues, think about how it's eating you and your life up. When we let go and let God, we are trusting in His good time things will work for good for you who follow His way. God will deal with it. Not letting go to God is not trusting God and wanting to run your own life. His purposes for you are always good.

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28 NKJV)

God is not asking you to let go of your bitterness but to let go to Him and let God take over so you can be pure. He judges.

God's Antivirus Version U

Reading God's word is just like installing an antivirus on your computer.

New computers may come with no antivirus or with limited antivirus. In the same way, when we come into the world, we might not have the knowledge of the Word of God (the Word of God is always with and around us) or we might have it (though in a limited way) while we were growing up in a Christian family.

However, there are always people who wants to wreck havoc in our lives and create viruses. And new viruses are added each day. In the spiritual realm, satan does that. While some links, softwares and pirated warez looks tempting and nice, it has an army of viruses waiting behind to do the damage it has been programmed for.

It is thus crucial that we find the right antivirus and that's not the end; we need ensure it is updated so when a new virus tries to enter our system, we can nip it in its bud and/or clean it. God gives this antivirus and it's His word and it's free. No need for annual subscription to renew license, it's free.

Do you have the right antivirus software and are you updating it to deal with new challenges? If not, it's little wonder that damage is sometimes done and systems can halt and jam and even die.

And even though you do not have antivirus, are on a much limited antivirus, have not updated it and/or have been infected, there's nothing that God's antivirus cannot rectify and it's never too late to install the right one and update it to God's antivirus.

Satan longs to disarm us of God's antivirus or to have us stop updating it as he throws old tricks (new packaging) at us.

God's Word is a gateway which prevents unnecessary infection, and even though infection has taken place, He can rectify it because the Programmer created you and gave the antivirus; His word.

No wonder it's called B.I.B.L.E: Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth.

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16, 17 NKJV)

Keep Pedaling...

Hello everyone,

These few days, I have been reminded of Emmanuel, God with Us; that no matter what happens, even when it seems that we are all alone and everything seems to be falling apart, He is always still around. 

It is something I am reminding myself.

Also came across a nice story shared during chapel today and hope it blesses you.

Just Pedal

At first I saw God as my observer, my judge, keeping track of the things that I did wrong so as to know whether I merited heaven or hell when I die. He was out there sort of like a president. I recognized His picture when I saw it, but I really didn't know Him.

But later on when I met Christ it seemed as though life was like a bike ride. But it was a tandem bike, and I noticed Christ was in the back helping me pedal. I don't know just when it was that He suggested that we change places, but life has never been the same since. When I had control I knew the way. It was rather boring, but it was predictable. It was the shortest distance between two points. But when He took the lead, He knew delightful long cuts, up mountains and through rocky places at break neck speeds. It was all that I could do to hang on. And even though it looked like madness, He said, "Pedal."

I worried and was anxious, and I asked, "Where are you taking me?" He laughed and didn't answer. That's when I learned that I was going to have to trust Him. I forgot my boring life in every adventure. And when I said, "I'm scared," He leaned back and just touched my hand.

He took me to people with gifts that I needed, gifts of healing, acceptance, and joy. He gave me gifts to take on my journey, and off we were again. He would say, "Give the gifts away. They are extra baggage, too much weight." So I did to people we met and I found that in giving I received and the journey continued and our burden was light.

I did not trust Him at first, to take control of my life. I thought He would wreck it. But He knows bike secrets. He knows how to make those sharp corners, and how to jump to clear high rocks, and do things I could have never done if I were in control. And I am learning to shut up and pedal in the strangest places. I am beginning to enjoy the view and the cool breeze on my face with my delightful companion, Jesus Christ. And when I am not sure I can do it any more He smiles and says, "Just Pedal!"

~ Author Unknown

Where are you now?

Are you on the bike?

Are you leading the way or God leading the way?

Are you holding on to God?

Are you receiving His gifts to you?

Are you giving His gifts to others?

Are you trusting in Him and enjoying the ride?

Extreme Heart Makeover

Been Thinking - Our Choice

Been thinking - Who we are today is largely determined by what we give entry into our lives. God made us wonderful biological life systems with choice. So we choose: positive & negative thoughts, love & unforgiveness, friends & influences, wholesome & flawed perspectives, emotions, decisions, food, exercise etc. All our choice & consequences will largely determine who we are today…

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

A Delay is not a Denial from God

Received this from Raymond and it's a nice reminder about what God can do in our lives.

I like a quote in the article "remember how far you've come, not just how far you have to go". And yes, how true it is, sometimes, we let the daunting path ahead distract us from remembering what God has done in our lives so far.

As 1 Cor 1:26 beckons us "think of what you were when you were called".

A Delay is not a Denial from God

by Rick Warren

These things I plan won't happen right away. Slowly, steadily, surely, the time approaches when the vision will be fulfilled. If it seems slow, do not despair, for these things will surely come to pass. Just be patient! They will not be overdue a single day! Habakkuk 2:3 (LB)

"Remember how far you've come, not just how far you have to go."

The Bible is filled with examples of how God uses a long process to develop character, especially in leaders. He took eighty years to prepare Moses, including forty in the wilderness. For 14,600 days Moses kept waiting and wondering, "Is it time yet?" But God kept saying, "Not yet."

Contrary to popular book titles, there are no Easy Steps to Maturity or Secrets of Instant Sainthood. When God wants to make a giant oak, he takes a hundred years, but when he want to make a mushroom, he does it overnight. Great souls are grown through struggles and storms and seasons of suffering. Be patient with the process. James advised, "Don't try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed." (James 1:4, Msg)

Don't get discouraged. When Habakkuk became depressed because he didn't think God was acting quickly enough, God had this to say: "These things I plan won't happen right away. Slowly, steadily, surely, the time approaches when the vision will be fulfilled. If it seems slow, do not despair, for these things will surely come to pass. Just be patient! They will not be overdue a single day!" (Habakkuk 2:3, LB)

Remember how far you've come, not just how far you have to go. You are not where you want to be, but neither are you where you used to be. Years ago people wore a popular button with the letters PBPGINFWMY. It stood for "Please Be Patient, God Is Not Finished With Me Yet." God isn't finished with you, either, so keep moving forward. Even the snail reached the ark by persevering!

In what area of your spiritual growth do you need to be more patient and persistent?

The Dedicated Temple of God

Hi everyone,

I was doing my quiet time today and felt spoken to from 1 King 8 and thought of sharing what God has placed in my heart.

In 1 King 8, we read about King Solomon has completed building the temple for the Lord and is dedicating it. And we read in verses 10 and 11 that the temple begin to be filled with the glory of the Lord:

1 King 8:10-11 (NIV)

When the priests withdrew from the Holy Place, the cloud filled the temple of the LORD. And the priests could not perform their service because of the cloud, for the glory of the LORD filled his temple. 

Solomon proceeds to pray what would happen in the temple of God. As I read, I sensed God speaking to me about my life because we are the temple of God now that we have the Holy Spirit residing in us.

1 Corinthians 6:19 (NIV)

Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own;

Therefore, let's see what happens to a life dedicated and consecrated to the Lord and reflect on where our lives are at this point in time.

Solomon prays that...

1. ... there be the forgiveness of the Lord in the temple.
   
   "Hear the supplication of your servant and of your people Israel when they pray toward this place... and when you hear, forgive." (v30)
   
   In the temple of God, there is forgiveness of sin. Similarly, in our lives, we started off with the acknowledgment of our sins as we come before God to accept Him into our lives as Lord and Saviour. But, what other sins do you currently have that you need to deal with in the Lord. Remember that in the temple of the Lord, there is forgiveness of sins.
   
2. ... there be judging by the Lord in the temple.
   
   "When a man wrongs his neighbour and is required to take an oath and he comes and swears the oath, before your altar in this temple... Judge between your servants, condemning the guilty... declare the innocent not guilty and so establish his innocence." (v31-32)
   
   As the Lord's presence is in the temple and judges between people, He is also in our lives and watches over the choices we make and how we walk. And we will also have times where we may have been wronged but there is trust in the Lord that He will judge between the guilt and innocent and will eventually declare and establish our innocence. Sure there will be situations where you may have been wronged but will you trust in the Lord that He is the Judge and will vindicate you in His time?
   
3. ... there be restoration by the Lord, as we repent.
   
   "When your people Israel have been defeated by an enemy because they have sinned against you, and when they turn back to you and confess your name, praying and making supplication to you in this temple, then hear from heaven and forgive the sin of your people Israel and bring them back to the land you gave to their fathers." (v33-34)
   
   We know that as we come to the Lord, we will receive restoration in our lives to how God had intended it to be, restoration from hurts, pains, bitterness and a live lived apart from God and His blessings. Are there areas where you need restoration?
   
4. ... there be teaching of His ways, as we repent.
   
   "When the heavens are shut up and there is no rain because your people have sinned against you, and when they pray toward this place and confess your name and turn from their sin because you have afflicted them, then hear from heaven and forgive the sin of your servants, your people Israel. Teach them the right way to live, and send rain on the land you gave your people for an inheritance." (v35-36)
   
   The Lord longs to teach us His ways and decrees so we can walk according to His ways and stay in His approval, blessings and favour. So, as we continue to have the glory of God in our lives, He will teach you, step by step, to grow in righteousness and to His likeness. Are you still keeping your hearts and minds open to the Lord's teaching, rebuking and correction?
   
5. ... there be the fear of God.
   
   "When famine or plague comes to the land, or blight or mildew, locusts or grasshoppers, or when an enemy besieges them in any of their cities, whatever disaster or disease may come, and when a prayer or plea is made by any of your people Israel—each one aware of the afflictions of his own heart, and spreading out his hands toward this temple- then hear from heaven, your dwelling place. Forgive and act; deal with each man according to all he does, since you know his heart (for you alone know the hearts of all men), so that they will fear you all the time they live in the land you gave our fathers." (v37-40)
   
   A life with God's presence will also have the fear of the Lord because of who God is; the Almighty God who sees the heart of man and can do all things. Personally for me, I have seen what God can do in my life, especially when I grief Him, and so the fear of the Lord keeps me trying to always walk righteously. The day we do not have the fear of the Lord is the day we no longer stay within the boundaries of the Lord and of His love, peace, favour and blessings and we are in the danger of taking God for granted.
   
   Proverbs 16:6 (NIV)
   Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for; through the fear of the LORD a man avoids evil.
   
   Proverbs 14:27 )NIV)
   The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, turning a man from the snares of death.
   
   Proverbs 19:23 (NIV)
   The fear of the LORD leads to life: Then one rests content, untouched by trouble.
   
   Do you have the fear of the Lord in your life?
   
6. ... that God's name be glorified.
   
   "As for the foreigner who does not belong to your people Israel but has come from a distant land because of your name- for men will hear of your great name and your mighty hand and your outstretched arm—when he comes and prays toward this temple, then hear from heaven, your dwelling place, and do whatever the foreigner asks of you, so that all the peoples of the earth may know your name and fear you, as do your own people Israel, and may know that this house I have built bears your Name." (v41-43)
   
   When the glory of the Lord is in the temple and in our lives, God's name will also be glorified through it because of the great things that He will do in you and through you, you will be seen as bearing His name and people will come to hear and know of God.
   
   Do you bear the glory of God in your lives that is a living testimony to others who have yet to know Him. A living testimony, likened a living bible, who will result in others wanting to know about God?
   
7. ... that there be favour.
   
   "When your people go to war against their enemies, wherever you send them, and when they pray to the LORD toward the city you have chosen and the temple I have built for your Name, then hear from heaven their prayer and their plea, and uphold their cause" (v44-45)
   When the temple of God is filled with the glory of God, there will be favour as we walk with the Lord and He upholds our cause.
   
   Are you experience God's favour in your life?
   
8. ... there be deliverance when we come in repentence.
   
   "When they sin against you—for there is no one who does not sin—and you become angry with them and give them over to the enemy, who takes them captive to his own land, far away or near; and if they have a change of heart in the land where they are held captive, and repent and plead with you in the land of their conquerors and say, 'We have sinned, we have done wrong, we have acted wickedly'; and if they turn back to you with all their heart and soul in the land of their enemies who took them captive, and pray to you toward the land you gave their fathers, toward the city you have chosen and the temple I have built for your Name; then from heaven, your dwelling place, hear their prayer and their plea, and uphold their cause. And forgive your people, who have sinned against you; forgive all the offenses they have committed against you, and cause their conquerors to show them mercy; for they are your people and your inheritance, whom you brought out of Egypt, out of that iron-smelting furnace." (v46-51)
   
   When our lives are filled with the glory of God, we will receive deliverance from bondages and things that we are caught in captivity by. Do you need something which you are captive of now that you need God to deliver you from? Just as God delivered the Israelite from Egypt? God indeed has the power to "bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners" (Isaiah 61:1), both Himself and through His servants doing His will in your life.
   
9. ... there be the honour of being chosen by God.
   
   "For you singled them out from all the nations of the world to be your own inheritance, just as you declared through your servant Moses when you, O Sovereign LORD, brought our fathers out of Egypt." (v53)
   
   Ephesians 1:4-5 (NIV)
   For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will
   
   God chose you and what a privilege it is to be called sons and daughters of the living and Almighty God. And we are reminded that "we were by nature objects of wrath" because of our sin but God in His love and grace and mercy, gave us His son so we can be made alive in Christ while we were dead in our sins (Ephesians 2:3). That's the wonders of accepting the work of Jesus on the cross and appropriating it to our lives. Do you believe in your position as a child of God in your life?
   
10. ... there will be turning of peoples' hearts back to God.
    
    "May the LORD our God be with us as he was with our fathers; may he never leave us nor forsake us. May he turn our hearts to him, to walk in all his ways and to keep the commands, decrees and regulations he gave our fathers." (v57-58)
    
    Often times, when we become restored and have experienced the love, grace and mercy of God and His work in our lives, we will naturally want to share this wonderful privilege with others who have yet to know and experience Him. And hearts will be turned to God through the work of our hands and the testimony of our mouths.

So, is your life filled with the glory of God...

• ... so much so there is forgiveness of your sins?
• ... so much so, there is trust in your life of God as the Ultimate Judge; that He knows everything that happens and is capable of vindicating you of wrong done to you?
• ... so much so there is restoration in our lives as we come to him in repentence?
• ... so much so we are receiving teaching from the Lord day after day as He continues to work in us?
• ... so much so we will have the fear of the Lord which will keep us within His boundaries, approval, blessings and favour?
• ... so much so God's name is glorified through us?
• ... so much so we experience God's favour in our lives?
• ... so much so we receive deliverance from things which keeps us captive?
• ... so much so we know and are affirmed of our position as children loved by God?
• ... so much so we see the turning of peoples' hearts back to God?

I know I am not there yet but yes, I pray that my life will be a wonderful temple, consecrated and dedicated to the Lord, filled with the glory of God.

How about you?

NLE Testimony

NLE (Men), now known as Divine Encounter (Men), is coming from 30 Oct-1 Nov @ Mercure Johor Palm Resort & Golf. Wonder any of you keen to go along together for a time of refreshing, healing and restoration? I do strongly encourage you to go if you believe that it would help or especially if the Lord is prompting you that you need further restoration. Just make the step in faith and leave the rest to the Holy Spirit.

I share with you here my concise testimony which I shared in church last year. I have previously shared my encounter in detail here.

Psalm 23:1-3 (NIV)
¹ The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. ² He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, ³ he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

As I shared in my previous testimony, the Lord may be saying to some of you "the time for restoration and healing is now". May the Lord make you lie down on green pastures and lead you to quiet waters.

“An upgrading project”… that’s how I would describe my experience with the New Life Encounter (Men) last year. Just like an upgrading project, I have come to realize in the days following NLE, that God has begun a work of significant restoration through NLE. Having been through the beatings of life… I’ve experienced God’s healing, restoration and renewal. He is also slowly working in my life to make things better than before…

Hello, my name is James. I am from OneLife and am currently also serving in the cell ministry there. I thank God for the opportunity to be able to stand here to share with you about NLE (Men). Frankly speaking, when I was approached more than a month ago to share my testimony for NLE, I was very hesitant. I still remember and am very grateful for the work God did in me through NLE. But being the introverted me, I thought that “this is not for me, leave it to others”. And yet, a part of me battled with that thought and gradually, I became convicted of the need to testify to what God has done in my life, and to bless others as God has blessed me. So, I told God that I am going forth in faith, believing that He will use it for His glory.

I came to RiverLife in August 2005. At that time, I was going through some struggles in my work and personal life, everything seemed to be falling apart. I was deeply wounded by people and circumstances and badly needed respite. In addition to that, I was also burning out at work.

I had backslided for some 15 years. For years, I had rejected friends’ invitation to church, for fear of being looked down upon as a backslider. But this time round, my friend told me that RiverLife was having a service to launch her new building and so I thought I would just come by to visit.

During that service, I was ministered to and rededicated my life to Christ, and God began healing my hurts. It’s interesting how God brought me back during that service (which happens to also be RiverLife’s anniversary). So now every year, I am reminded of my own coming back to God as the church celebrates her anniversary.

Over the course of time, I began to be ministered by God through the weekly sermons, and it began to help nurse my past disappointments, emotional hurts and unforgiveness. But one day, I realised how I had not really gotten over some of my unforgiveness. God impressed upon my heart how I was overwhelmed by unforgiveness and bitterness towards the people who had hurt me, and this was affecting both my personal and spiritual life. And I thought, “It is by no fault of mine that I am this way!”

But my problems in trusting people persisted. Everytime I got emotionally hurt again, I would spiral downwards. It was as if I had hit a glass ceiling and could go no further… I was getting real sick and tired of always yearning to connect with people but yet battling my tendency to withdraw from them for fear of disappointment and hurt again. I was getting very frustrated and desperately needed a breakthrough! And so, I decided I would give NLE a try.

I can recall the day of departure to NLE at Harbourfront, I was waiting around with the other brothers-in-Christ. I remember “beating myself up” emotionally, asking myself “why did I subject myself to this, coming to this retreat all alone?” The introverted side of me was causing me to feel real vulnerable amidst all the unfamiliar faces. I remember asking how I was to survive the next 2 days. I uttered a short prayer to God to watch over me the next 2 days, and help me keep the focus of dealing with my issues.

I had always thought that I had forgiven people for how they hurt me. But on the contrary, I came to realize during NLE how the hurt was still pretty raw and painful. The sessions not only helped to surface my unforgiveness towards others but even towards myself for the things I had done to grieve God. Some of these things have been repressed for so long I had totally forgotten about them. Most importantly, I have come to learn and understand from the heart, how we have been commanded to forgive, how Christ Himself set an example of releasing forgiveness through His work on the cross, how we are all WIP (Works in Progress), and how God not only loves us but wants to be reconciled with us, and to empower us.

Immediately after NLE, I went back to journal about my experience and encounter with God. It was a good time of reflection as I came to full realization and appreciation of the work that God had begun in me. So, I have much to share and can really go on and on about my 2 days experience. But the main thing is that I am really here to encourage those who need a touch from the Lord- take a step of faith and come forth to let Him start His work of significant restoration in you. Ecclesiastes 3:1 says “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven”. And I believe that God is saying to some of you here that it is time for you to release and commit your struggles to Him…allow Him to breakthrough for you.

Are there any areas of unforgiveness and bitterness in your life now? Are there areas which you find difficult to let go? God is willing to work with you and heal you if you yield yourself to Him… Thank you.

James Lim Soon Leong
OneLife
RiverLife Church

Discussion: Abiding in the Presence of God

Open the Eyes of My Heart

Lover of My Heart

Lover of My Heart - Paradise Community Church

I Just Want to be Where You Are

God Always With Us
Elder Andrew Goh spoke on the presence of God recently. One of the thing about what I have learnt thus far in my walk with God is that God is ever present, even through the good times and bad times. Even though when things seems to be falling apart or not going well, and it feels horrible, God has never forsaken us because aren't Christ called "Immanuel" (Matthew 1:23), which means "God with us"? Similarly through the Old and New Testament, we have been reminded that as we seek the Lord, he will not forsake us:

Old Testament - Psalm 9:10
Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you.

New Testament - Hebrew 13:5
"Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."

Feeling God Has Forsaken Us
Do you believe in that? I do, because I have seen how God has brought me through many personal, family and ministry struggles in my life so much so it becomes more than coincidences. But this do set me thinking why does it sometimes feel as though the Lord has forsaken me? I am reminded at devotion this week at work that these feelings are common, even to David who sought after God's heart, when in Psalm 22 he started "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" but he goes on to proclaim that he believe God will lead him out in victory. David has never took his eyes off God and proclaimed to him in verse 19 "But you, O Lord, be not far off; O my strength, come quickly to help me..." He believed in the power and will of God in his life. In Isaiah 49:14, the people of Israel felt that God had forsaken them but Isaiah puts forth his argument that God would never forget them as a loving mother would not forget her little child.

Isaiah 49:14-15
14 But Zion said, "The LORD has forsaken me, the Lord has forgotten me."15 "Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you!"

Feeling Forsaken: God's Deliverance Through Trials
Why then do we feel "forsaken" by the Lord sometimes? Personally, I cannot answer that... but I do believe that God has His will in everyone's life... firstly to receive everyone into a relationship with Him and then to work with the person... I am reminded of how I came back to Christ when a sister-in-christ asked me "God has not forsaken you, have you forsaken him?" I was in a low period at that time and was going through horrible struggles but looking back, I can see how God has His plans for me as he reminded me when I first came back with Jeremiah 29:11. God has brought me through different phases and seasons and have made life better. I am reminded of a saying during one of my devotions that sometimes God does not deliver us FROM trials but delivers us THROUGH trials.... perhaps that's the reason why James has mentioned in James 1:2-4

2. Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3. because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

Feeling Forsaken: God's Pruning Through Trials
As I reflect back, God has used trials to prune me, removing undesirable parts of my life

John 15:2
He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.

Feeling Forsaken: God Revealing Himself
And through trials, He showed me how he is real... So sometimes we feel "forsaken" because we need to be delivered just as the struggles came to bring me back to Him and then for Him to do His work on me.

Feeling Forsaken: Us Withdrawing from God
Perhaps we feel forsaken because we had to take responsibility for our actions and we withdraw away from God, just as Adam and Eve withdrew away from God when they ate from the Tree they were told not to eat from (Genesis 3). God loves them still and had wanted the best for them, to be in a relationship with Him. But they have fallen away and withdrew from God as they hid among the trees and as God called out "where are you?" In a recent devotion, I have read how sometimes, in our sinfulness, we make deliberate choices to withdraw from Him because we are uncomfortable having Him near. So it became clear to me that it is not God who has forsaken us but sometimes we withdraw from Him. But the good news is that "He allows us to stay in our dark places for a time, but he doesn't leave us alone. He patiently watches over us, waiting for any indication that we desire to emerge" (from "A Devoted Heart" in New Men's Devotional Bible). So where are we now?

Where Are You?
Where are you with regards to the presence of God? Through Matthew 14:22-33, Elder Andrew God brought us through lessons we can draw lessons on our journey of abiding in God's presence. Where are you now?

Presence of Christ Lost
Presence of Christ Dreaded (v26)
Presence of Christ Revealed (v27)
Presence of Christ Desired (v28)
Presence of Christ Trust (v29)
Presence of Christ Forgotten (v30)
Presence of Christ Restored (v31-32)

Do you desire a touch of Him or to abide in His presence daily?

Why is Abiding in His Presence Important?
Last week, I was reading my devotion on Acts 16:16-40, I began to see how God not only walked on in journey with Paul and his companions, watching over them but also how God cared for everyone, including the slave girl who was kept following Paul and Silas proclaiming how Paul and companions are servant of the most High God and have come to tell people the way to be saved (v17). But what struck me the most is how Paul and Silas could ever by praying and singing hymns while in prison (v25). To me, I thought to myself, it must be the presence of God comforting them...

But as we discussed last week, that if God is omni present and dwells within us, why do we still need to strive to abide in His presence and seek for something that is already all around and within us?

Reasons to Abide - A Relationship to be Developed
Many of you shared how it is because Christianity is a relationship with God and how like in any relationship, it is important to spend time with the person in developing the relationship. In the same way, just as Senior Pastor was sharing in sermon last week on spiritual disciplines, it takes time and effort; it is not automatic, does not happen instantaneously and it is not a mystical experience meant for super saints. I remember sharing with someone that just as in relationship, no one else can ever help you to "pak tor" (go dating) and you yourself will have to put in the time and effort in developing your relationship with God. So abiding in God's presence helps you build a relationship with God.

Reasons to Abide - Remembering God in Your Life
Some of you shared how abiding in His presence help you to remember God amidst all the distractions in life; work, temptation etc. So abiding in God's presence help some of you to remember God in your life.

Reasons to Abide - Knowing God More
Yet for some of you, you have shared how abiding in His presence help you to know Him more. I like the way that Jason had put it... you can read Lee Kuan Yew's autobiography but still not know him. In the same way, are we putting in effort to know God... Having a relationship with God is more than just reading the bible and not allowing to shape your life. So abiding in His presence helps some of you to know God better.

Reasons to Abide - Experiencing His Power
I have shared how for me, personally, learning to abide in His presence helps me experience His power and glory. Sometimes it just makes me want to see God's glory and power more and more in my life. I have shared how over the span of a week, God had worked miracle in my family and how things feel into place, including my dad's hospitalisation, and my mum began coming to church again after many years of prayer and feeling that it will never happen. I shared how it was amazing seeing during the Chinese New Year week how God had worked; how while visiting our relatives, they had one after another asked if my mother is going to church, how my father's sudden cramp attack during CNY day 3 early morning and hospitalisation seemed to have an impact on my mum, how God had brought Min Qin to my house to invite her to the CNY service in church, how as if God knew that I needed time to work on my devotion on Thursday had granted me leave on Wednesday to rest after sending my dad to A&E and also work on my devotional sharing in Thursday. Every step of the way, it was amazing seeing how God worked and this has been a constant thing in my walk to see how God works and it just amazes me. And, I have also seen how God has worked in my life and by His grace, I continue to do relatively well in my job which He had called me to when I returned to Him. And even though I had no prior experience doing volunteer management, He continued to guide me through and I give thanks everyday at work as I see how things work out and how I am sometimes being asked to share with other organisations on volunteer management. All these over a span of 3 years. On my own, I would not have been able to do it so I can only attribute it to God. This is similarly so for cell ministry as I looked back how He continue to guide me and teach me things in ministry. So abiding in the presence of God helps me to do things that I will not be able to do myself and helps me see Him at work.

Reasons to Abide - Experiencing His Comfort
I have also shared how this time round, when I sent my dad to A&E, I have come to realise that though I was still anxious, I was relatively less anxious as compared to the time when I rushed him to A&E a few years back when he had a heart attack. I remembered crying in A&E and feeling all lost and not knowing what to do as I faced the uncertainty and the thought of losing my dad. But this time round, I felt relatively more comforted and prayed and committed my dad into God's hands, trusting in Him after having seen how He is so real in my life. So abiding in the presence of God helps me to feel not alone and comforted in times of crisis.

Whatever the reason, I do pray for you to be able to experience God in your life as you continue to walk with Him.

How do you abide in His presence?
Again, I don't think there is a secret formula but as some of you have shared...

• for some it is daily bible reading and reflection
• for some it is daily devotion using devotional materials e.g. Our Daily Bread
• for some it is being still and in solitude with self and God
• for some it is listening to praise and worship songs and reflecting on the lyrics
• for some it is singing aloud while with yourself
• for some it is writing, blogging and journalling in helping you to be more God-aware
• for some it is strumming away on the guitar and singing to the Lord

Whatever it is, find your way of relating to the Lord and you can start today in experiencing God in your life...

Jeremiah 31-2-3
² This is what the LORD says:
"The people who survive the sword
will find favor in the desert;
I will come to give rest to Israel."

³ The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying:
"I have loved you with an everlasting love;
I have drawn you with loving-kindness.

Look Up, Within and Ahead!

Recently, I have been sensing a strong prompting to pray for one another in cell and I know that different ones of us may be facing challenges, big or small, family, career, finances etc... frankly, though I may not know what some of you are going through but then I am praying to God to show me how I can encourage you all...

For 2 days, I did my morning devotional and also randomly opened my bible devotional earlier on... both are from the book of Job.

The first day, I read about Job's response to the trials and accusations he was facing. Here is someone who lived a righteous life and didn't deserve the troubles that came his way. And he cried out to God in Job 31:5 onwards that "If I have walked in falsehood or my foot has hurried after deceit-let God weigh me in honest scales and he will know that I am blameless".

But Job claimed God's loving sovereignty and looked UP and claiming God's right to rule over his life

"Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised." Job 1:21

The, he looked AHEAD and counting on the Lord's promise of resurrection:

" I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God; I myself will see him with my own eyes—I, and not another. How my heart yearns within me!" Job 19:25-26

If you ever gets weary and find it hard to believe, remember the times when God delivered you as He delivered Israel:

'You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles' wings and brought you to myself" Exodus 19:4

Those times are testimony to how He had been real in your life and how He had drawn you to Himself.

Lastly, Job looked WITHIN and confessed his own lack of understanding:

"I know that you can do all things; no plan of yours can be thwarted. You asked, 'Who is this that obscures my counsel without knowledge?' Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know." Job 42:2-3

Today, I prayed and asked God to speak to me so I can encourage and randomly flipped my bible to a devotional on, yup you guessed it, Job again. The first few lines mentioned:

"God doesn't always deliver us from our troubles; sometimes He delivers us through them. That's a hard truth to accept but it represents a very real dynamic in God's economy.... but as with Job, sometimes God has a greater purpose-to teach us, to draw closer to himself, or for some other reasons we struggle to understand..." things that are too wonderful for me to know.

I have to agree that Job is always a tough book because it speaks of hanging on in times of trials. But personally, even as I go through some struggles myself even now, I cannot deny how God had been real and had blessed me and even brought me through past struggles... so I do look within and admit I can never fully comprehend God and His ways, I look up ahead holding on to the promises He had previously given me through His word especially Jeremiah 29:11) and I look up and accept his sovereignty in my life.

And so I will still sing...

"many things about tomorrow, i don;t seem to understand, but i know who holds tomorrow and I know who holds my hands..."

I Know Who Holds Tomorrow - Alison Krauss and The Cox Family


Perhaps, like Senior Pastor has reminded... who is your pilot? in times of turbulence, it is not the time to jump out of the plane but to trust the pilot, return to your seats and fasten your seat belts. Times of abundance and blessings bring praises to the Lord but what about times of trials and tribulations, draw closer to Him.

I hope we will just keep praying for one another, for our church leaders as they go for their leaders' night tomorrow, for our church and for all who are hurting... be a blessing to them.

Isa 40:13 says "Who has understood the mind of the LORD, or instructed him as his counselor? But
Isa 40:31 says "but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."

When we know of nowhere to turn, fall on your knees and pray.
As someone sends me an sms, it says "in times of troubles, do not say 'God we have a big problem' but 'Problem, we have a big God!'"

I hope I have been able to bless your hearts.

From FAI-lure to FAI-thfulness

Hi everyone,

Thanks for allowing me to share on Friday and for sharing with me too.

My Thanksgiving
I began by thanking God and as I looked through my weeks, I realised I had so much to thank God for:

1. I thank God for work; how he had moderated my work these few weeks especially when I wasn't feeling very well... there are just days when my volunteer mailbox had no emails to attend to and this is just rare considering that it is supposed to be a peak period with my fundraising project going on
2. I thank God for my dad's health; that he is cleared of Lymphoma, TB and HIV, although there is a chance that his current medical condition may lead to Lymphoma but then there is nothing I can do now except to trust God.
   
3. I thank God for my bonus and the recognition I have received at work be it from management or from volunteers and their parents
4. I thank God for showing me how there are still nice people throughout the time I did kettling and for sending passionate volunteers to me to busk in their passion to help
5. I thank God for my leg that the pain seems to be going away
6. I thank God for bringing comfort to me throughout the past 2-3 weeks and for speaking to me, by sending friends, bible verses to encourage and also through sharings by Nick Vujicic and Nanz-Chong Komo. I thank God for working with my negative emotions in my life.
   
7. I thank God for watching over a friend spiritually
   

On Failures
I thank God for bringing to me Isaiah 41:8-20 in time to share with cell. I was at a loss not knowing what to share for cell on Friday but God, you brought the verse to minister to me when one of my colleague opened his diary and there staring at me was Isaiah 41:10:

So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

It is interesting how so many bible verses were given to me this week but none spoke to me at such a deep level than this. It became clear that God had wanted me to share about the topic of failure and our propensity to feel we are so. God brought Nick, then Nanz and then He brought me Isaiah 41:8-20 and showed me how (i) He have chosen us and not rejected us; in fact we sometimes reject ourselves (v8-9), (ii) that we should not fear as God is with us (v10) and (iii) that through our weakness, God's glory will be shown as we stand as wonderful testimonies of His work (v18-20).

Hanging On to our Faith
Following Nanz's sharing, it became clear to me upon reflection that I am still learning to hang in there and trust God because sometimes when the tough gets going, it can be tough to hang on. But, I have learnt how the following have helped me to navigate through tough times:

1. How I still trust that God is real and in control from how I see Him work on a daily basis in my life; even though sometimes it takes a little reminding, I have come to trust that He has His plans for me (Jer 29:11)
2. How I stuck on in God's community because it is tempting to just pack and leave. God DO send people to uplift me, even though sometimes in surprising ways. I have also learnt that God can send people but then it is whether we sometimes open ourselves to help from them
   
3. How keeping a thankful heart (1 Thess 5:18) and seeing how God work in my life, through regular thanksgiving and through journalling have helped me to continue to have trust in Him.
4. How I believe I can claim on His promise made that He has His plans for my ministry and when He send me verses, circumstances, people and sharing to encourage me on, I can claim that promise

How are you keeping on?


Rescue
You are the source of life
I can`t be left behind
No one else will do
I will take hold of you

Chorus:
Cause I need you jesus
To come to me rescue
Where else can I go
There's no other name
By which I am saved
capture me with grace
I will follow you
I will follow you

My heart is your for life
I need your hand in mine
No one else will do
I put my trust in you

Bridge
I will follow you (This world has nothing for me)
I will follow you (This world has nothing for me)
I will follow you (This world has nothing for me)

Devotion on Patience

Hi everyone,

We recently covered the topic of patience at our department devotion, so thought of sharing it here for comments and discussion :)

God is often more patient with us than we are with ourselves. We assume that if we fall, we aren't born again. If we stumble, then we aren't truly converted. If we have the old desires, then we must not be a new creation.

If you are anxious about this, please remember, "God began doing a good work in you, and I am sure he will continue it until it is finished when Jesus Christ comes again". (Phil. 1:6)

"We also have joy with our troubles, because we know that these troubles produce patience. And patience produces character, and character produces hope. And this hope will never disappoint us, because God has poured out his love to fill our hearts." Romans 5:3-5

"We have around us many people whose lives tell us what faith means. So let us run the race that is before us and never give up. We should remove from our lives anything that would get in the way and the sin that so easily holds us back. Let us look only to Jesus, the One who began our faith and who makes it perfect." Hebrews 12:1-2a

"My brothers and sisters, when you have many kinds of troubles, you should be full of joy, because you know that these troubles test your faith, and this will give you patience. Let your patience show itself perfectly in what you do. Then you will be perfect and complete and will have everything you need." James 1:2-4nds of troubles, you should be full of joy, because you know that these troubles test your faith, and this will give you patience. Let your patience show itself perfectly in what you do. Then you will be perfect and complete and will have everything you need." James 1:2-4

Why does scripture says that we should have joy and be full of joy when we face trials?

• It is not saying that we should deny our negative feelings about trials and feel joyful that we have trials
  
• Difference lies in that we can have the assurance of Christ in us and in our lives, that He has His plans for us and will see us through

Why are there trials?

• I guess that is a question no one can answer but we can be certain that trials are part and parcel of life because we will (i) face trials when we go through the different stages in life and (ii) the devil do taunts you as well along the way, and/or (iii) sometimes we can be stubborn and refuse to "let go and let God", among many other reasons.
• But one thing about the scriptures is that it says "trials produced patience and patience produced character and character produces hope" (Romans 5:3-5)
• To me, the last 2 years of spiritual growth (ever since I have returned to the Lord from backsliding) had been most intense. Sometimes, I go through trials e.g. my trials in leading cell, and cry out to the Lord, not understanding why I am made to go through these trials. But upon reflecting, through the trials, I have learnt:
  • How God uses me and my experience to minister to others - Just like how He recently used my experience facing career crisis to minister to a sister-in-christ, who was going through a similar situation. Both of us placed our self-worth on our jobs rather on God. By the end of the session and sharing, we both come to recognise that we can choose to place our self-worth in people and jobs (which may fail us at times) or on God (who never fails)
  • How to rely on God - At times, maybe due to stubbornness, we refuse to "Let go and Let God" and it is through the various trials I faced these 2 years which have helped me to learn the hard way to rely on Christ and indeed, He never fails, just like how He is blessing my cell leadership now and I thank God for that
  • How God uses trials to build character, both for ourselves and for our ministry
  • How God is in control and has His plans for us: Jeremiah 29:11

How do we respond in times of trials?

• Trials are for certain here to stay but then the important thing is how do we respond to God when we face trials? Sometimes, we trust God and hold on, sometimes we start to doubt God, sometimes we lament to God, sometimes we lift up our fists to God etc
  
• But we have seen how God has sustained people and used people's trials for good e.g. Nick Vujicic and Joni Eareckson. I cannot imagine myself living their lives. In the words of Nick, "it is not as if one morning he woke up and have this confidence but it is a journey, it is character building". He had the willingness to let God use him to share the gospel
• So how do we we respond? Is it: Trials-Triumph (in Christ)-Testimony (of God's grace, faithfulness and work in your life)
• Do we beat ourselves up, despite having been saved, that we still stumble and sin? But we are reminded that we are work-in-progress and Phil 1:6 reminds us of that. But do we suffer from the, as Sy Rogers call it, "Dirty Diaper Syndrome"; when children mess up, some run away from parents (because maybe they fear being scolded) but all the parent want to do is clean you up (and maybe nag or scold a little).
  
  So when we mess up, do we run from or to God? Do we become so disappointed that we run away from God? If God can send Christ to die on the cross and forgive all who have yet to even ask for forgiveness, what more the power of coming before the cross, confessing our sins and repenting?
  
  Romans 5:5 reminds "And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us." He has and will continue to do so.

Psalm 37:23
23. If the LORD delights in a man's way,
he makes his steps firm;

24. though he stumble, he will not fall,
for the LORD upholds him with his hand.

Radical Trust

Isaiah 43:1-13 (NIV):
1 But now, this is what the LORD says—
he who created you, O Jacob,
he who formed you, O Israel:
"Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have summoned you by name; you are mine.

2 When you pass through the waters,
I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
you will not be burned;
the flames will not set you ablaze.

3 For I am the LORD, your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your Savior;
I give Egypt for your ransom,
Cush [a] and Seba in your stead.

4 Since you are precious and honored in my sight,
and because I love you,
I will give men in exchange for you,
and people in exchange for your life.

5 Do not be afraid, for I am with you;
I will bring your children from the east
and gather you from the west.

6 I will say to the north, 'Give them up!'
and to the south, 'Do not hold them back.'
Bring my sons from afar
and my daughters from the ends of the earth-

7 everyone who is called by my name,
whom I created for my glory,
whom I formed and made."

8 Lead out those who have eyes but are blind,
who have ears but are deaf.

9 All the nations gather together
and the peoples assemble.
Which of them foretold this
and proclaimed to us the former things?
Let them bring in their witnesses to prove they were right,
so that others may hear and say, "It is true."

10 "You are my witnesses," declares the LORD,
"and my servant whom I have chosen,
so that you may know and believe me
and understand that I am he.
Before me no god was formed,
nor will there be one after me.

11 I, even I, am the LORD,
and apart from me there is no savior.

12 I have revealed and saved and proclaimed—
I, and not some foreign god among you.
You are my witnesses," declares the LORD, "that I am God.

13 Yes, and from ancient days I am he.
No one can deliver out of my hand.
When I act, who can reverse it?"

How many times have we found ourselves facing someone in crisis and saying "Don't worry, God is in control". But the question is really, why do we need to have trust, or rather radical trust in God?

In this week's OTC reading, we read about Hezekiah and how he was faced with a threat of attack by Sennacherib, King of Assyria, and despite being chastised by him (2 Chronicles 32:10-19), Hezekiah nonetheless responded in trust in the Lord and "cried out in prayer to heaven about this";

Isaiah 37: 14-20 (NIV)
14. Hezekiah received the letter from the messengers and read it. Then he went up to the temple of the LORD and spread it out before the LORD.
15. And Hezekiah prayed to the LORD :
16. "O LORD Almighty, God of Israel, enthroned between the cherubim, you alone are God over all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth.
17. Give ear, O LORD, and hear; open your eyes, O LORD, and see; listen to all the words Sennacherib has sent to insult the living God.
18. "It is true, O LORD, that the Assyrian kings have laid waste all these peoples and their lands.
19. They have thrown their gods into the fire and destroyed them, for they were not gods but only wood and stone, fashioned by human hands.
20. Now, O LORD our God, deliver us from his hand, so that all kingdoms on earth may know that you alone, O LORD, are God. "

And we read that in the end:

2 Chronicles 32:21 (NIV)
21. And the LORD sent an angel, who annihilated all the fighting men and the leaders and officers in the camp of the Assyrian king. So he withdrew to his own land in disgrace. And when he went into the temple of his god, some of his sons cut him down with the sword.

Perhaps radical trust would mean to have having trust in something which under normal circumstances, others would not have. I check with the dictionary revealed that the word "radical" has quite a few meanings, one meaning "extreme" while another referring to that forming a basis or foundation. But I do agree with yesterday's discussion that the focus should not be on the definition because "radical trust" would be different for everyone at different points in time. For someone, radical trust might be trusting in God for matters ranging from exams to going away to serve full-time as a missionary. As Arun points out, someone may find "going to cell on Friday night while others may spend it resting or chilling out" radical. I believe God meets each of us at our varying levels of our faith.

But back to the fundamental question on why is "radical trust" in God necessary? Some have shared how having radical trust in God, though nerve-wrecking because sometimes it does not make human sense, helps us live out our lives according to God's purposes and plans. I have shared how Jeremiah 29:11 have brought me back to Christ after having backslided away from Christ for 15 years. Just at the point in time I was facing crisis in some relationships in my life and in my work, I remember telling myself I will not work in a Christian organisation (because I had backslided) but God had His plans to, within a few days bring me back to Christ and subsequently to a Christian organisation to work. But how do we build trust?

1. Testimonies - hearing testimonies help us know how real God is in others' lives as well as our lives. Hearing from others help us build our faith while sharing our testimonies help edify another while remind us of how God has worked in our lives. Do we remember God's faithfulness or are we like the Israelites in the bible who constantly forgets God's faithfulness and/or take it for granted?
   
2. Reading the Word of God - I believe that God sometimes seek to encourage and assure through His Word and by reading His Word, we will come to open up communication channels with God
3. Prayer - Some have also shared how prayer with God also helps build faith as we commit our lives and circumstances into His hands and keep communication channels open
4. Believing in and Obeying God - Some shared that it is not enough just to only read the Word of God if we do not know and fear God. Trusting in God also means obeying Him under every circumstances. Once you know God for who He is, we will come to know His character as our Father and how real He is. He comforts, assures, encourage but also disciplines. Obeying Him may sometimes mean doing His will even if it does not make human sense. Some have also shared how obeying Him in every little small decisions and big decisions and making it into a lifestyle has also helped to build trust.
   
5. Learning from Other's Faith - Some even shared how they learnt from others' faith, even faith of children and loved ones who show us what it is to simply have faith in God.
   

But another question which crossed my mind is that whether does radical trust have a negative flipside to it? Can trust be misplaced? Well, the answer is fundamentally yes. We can simply ask ourselves, where do we have our trust in? Sennacherib asked in 2 Chronicles:10 "On what are you basing your confidence, that you remain in Jerusalem under siege?" In Isaiah 7:3-9, the Lord spoke to Isaiah and asked him to speak to Ahaz about an impending invasion:

Isaiah 7:7-9 (NIV):
7. Yet this is what the Sovereign LORD says:
" 'It will not take place,
it will not happen,
8. for the head of Aram is Damascus,
and the head of Damascus is only Rezin.
Within sixty-five years
Ephraim will be too shattered to be a people.
9. The head of Ephraim is Samaria,
and the head of Samaria is only Remaliah's son.
If you do not stand firm in your faith,
you will not stand at all.'

Where is your trust in? Who is your head? Is it the Lord or man?

Psalm 118:8 (NIV):
It is better to take refuge in the LORD
than to trust in man

I watched a recent movie called "Rendition" and it was indeed sad to see how a terrorist group was made to believe that they have to sacrifice their bodies, blowing themselves into pieces, for the sake of God; to be answerable to God how they have used the "weapon" God has given them for His sake. Deep within me, I was rather uncomfortable how God can be used and/or misinterpreted by man to cause pain and terror.

So what is your level and trust and where is your trust in?

He Never Sleeps


Great is Thy Faithfulness


Still

Devotional: Habakkuk 3:17-19

17 Though the fig tree does not bud
and there are no grapes on the vines,
though the olive crop fails
and the fields produce no food,
though there are no sheep in the pen
and no cattle in the stalls,

18 yet I will rejoice in the LORD,
I will be joyful in God my Savior.

19 The Sovereign LORD is my strength;
he makes my feet like the feet of a deer,
he enables me to go on the heights.
For the director of music. On my stringed instruments.

My Heart Christ's Home

Hi everyone, I was blessed by a colleague last week. She is working as a part-time receptionist but then was going off for operation. One morning, she gave a little book to me. I really didn't think much about the little booklet because it looked a little old and dated, even the pages were yellow. That day was a busy day, so I set it aside, telling myself that I will read it when I am free (but frankly, I did not think I will be reading it given my work schedule).

Then the next day morning, on my way to work, I decided to read through the booklet and I was so blessed by it. Though told as a "parable", I learnt important lessons about inviting Christ into our hearts and how we treat Him as He dwells within us. In fact, as I was reading, I was touched especially the part about the drawing room (living room in this version). "How true!" I thought. Miraculously, I finished the book on the way to work and as I walked into my office, I passed by the receptionist. With a big smile, I thanked her from the bottom of my heart for blessing me with the booklet. I have thought of re-typing the whole passage but thank God I managed to find it online:

My Heart Christ's Home

by Robert Boyd Munger

In Paul's epistle to the Ephesians, we find these words:

"That (God) would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith" (Ephesians 3:16). Or, as another has translated, "That Christ may settle down and be at home in your hearts by faith."

Without question one of the most remarkable Christian doctrines is that Jesus Christ Himself through the presence of the Holy Spirit will actually enter a heart, settle down and be at home there. Christ will make the human heart His abode.

Our Lord said to His disciples, "If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him" (John 14:23). It was difficult for them to understand what He was saying. How was it possible for Him to make his abode with them in this sense?

It is interesting that our Lord used the same word here that He gave them in the first of the fourteenth chapter of John: "I go to prepare a place for you .. that where I am, ye may be also." Our Lord was promising his disciples that, just as He was going to heaven to prepare a place for them and would welcome them one day, now it would be possible for them to prepare a place for Him in their hearts and He would come and make His abode with them.

They could not understand this. How could it be?

Then came Pentecost. The Spirit of the living Christ was given to the church and they understood. God did not dwell in Herod's temple in Jerusalem! God did not dwell in a temple made with hands; but now, through the miracle of the outpoured Spirit, God would dwell in human hearts. The body of the believer would be the temple of the living God and the human heart would be the home of Jesus Christ. It is difficult for me to think of a higher privilege than to make Christ a home in my heart, to welcome, to serve, to please, to fellowship with him there.

One evening I invited Jesus Christ into my heart. What an entrance He made! It was not a spectacular, emotional thing, but very real. It was at the very center of my life. He came into the darkness of my heart and turned on the light. He built a fire in the cold hearth and banished the chill. He started music where there had been stillness, and He filled the emptiness with His own loving, wonderful fellowship. I have never regretted opening the door to Christ and I never will - not into eternity!

This, of course, is the first step in making the heart Christ's home. He has said, "Behold I stand at the door and knock: if any man hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me." (Revelation 3:20). If you are interested in making your life an abode of the living God, let me encourage you to invite Christ into your heart and He will surely come.

After Christ entered my heart and in the joy of this new relationship I said to Him, "Lord, I want this heart of mine to be Yours. I want to have You settle down here and be perfectly at home. Everything I have belongs to You. Let me show You around and introduce you to the various features of the home that you may be more comfortable and that we may have fuller fellowship together."

He was very glad to come, of course, and happier still to be given a place in the heart

The Library

The first room was the study - the library. Let us call it the study of the mind. Now in my home this room of the mind is a very small room with very thick walls. But it is an important room. In a sense, it is the control room of the house. He entered with me and looked around at the books in the bookcase, the magazines upon the table, the pictures on the walls. As I followed His gaze I became uncomfortable. Strangely enough, I had not felt badly about this before, but now that He was there looking at these things I was embarrassed. There were some books were there that His eyes were too pure to behold. There was a lot of trash and literature on the table that a Christian had no business reading, and as for the pictures on the walls - the imaginations and thoughts of the mind - these were shameful.

I turned to Him and said, "Master, I know that this room needs a radical alteration. Will You help me make it what it ought to be? - to bring every thought into captivity to you?"

"Surely!" He said. "Gladly will I help you. First of all, take all the things that you are reading and looking at which are not helpful, pure, good and true, and throw them out! Now put on the empty shelves the books of the Bible. Fill the library with Scriptures and meditate on them day and night. As for the pictures on the walls, you will have difficulty controlling these images, but here is an aid" He gave me a full-size portrait of Himself. "Hang this centrally," He said, "on the wall of the mind."

I did, and I have discovered through the years that when my thoughts are centered upon Christ Himself, His purity and power cause impure thoughts to back away. So He has helped me to bring my thoughts into captivity.

May I suggest to you if you have difficulty with this little room of the mind, that you bring Christ in there. Pack it full with the Word of God, meditate upon it and keep before it the immediate presence of the Lord Jesus.

The Dining Room

From the study we went into the dining room, the room of appetites and desires. Now this was a very large room. I spent a good deal of time in the dining room and much effort in satisfying my wants.

I said to Him, "This is a favorite room. I am quite sure You will be pleased with what we serve."

He seated Himself at the table with me and asked, "What is on the menu for dinner?"

"Well," I said, "my favorite dishes: money, academic degrees and stocks, with newspaper articles of fame and fortune as side dishes." These were the things I liked - worldly fare. I suppose there was nothing radically wrong in any particular item, but it was not the food that should satisfy the life of a real Christian. When the food was placed before Him, He said nothing about it. However, I observed that He did not eat it, and I said to Him, somewhat disturbed, "Master, don't You care for this food? What is the trouble?"

He answered, "I have meat to eat that you do not know of. My meat is to do the will of Him that sent Me." He looked at me again and said, "If you want food that really satisfies you, seek the will of the Father, not your own pleasures, not your own desires, and not your own satisfaction. Seek to please Me and that food will satisfy you." And there at the table He gave me a taste of doing God's will. What a flavor! There is no food like it in all the world. It alone satisfies. Everything else is dissatisfying in the end.

Now if Christ is in your heart, and I trust He is, what kind of food are you serving Him and what kind of food are you eating yourself? Are you living for the lust of the flesh and the pride of life - selfishly? Or are you choosing God's will for your meat and drink?

The Living Room aka The Drawing Room

We walked next into the living room. This room was rather intimate and comfortable. I liked it. It had a fireplace, overstuffed chairs, a sofa, and a quiet atmosphere.

He also seemed pleased with it. He said, "This is indeed a delightful room. Let us come here often. It is secluded and quiet, and we can fellowship together."

Well, naturally as a young Christian I was thrilled. I couldn't think of anything I would rather do than have a few minutes with Christ in intimate companionship.

He promised, "I will be here early every morning. Meet me here, and we will start the day together." So morning after morning, I would come downstairs to the living room and He would take a book of the Bible from the bookcase. He would open it and then we would read together. He would tell me of its riches and unfold to me its truths. He would make my heart warm as He revealed His love and His grace He had toward me. These were wonderful hours together. In fact, we called the living room the "withdrawing room." It was a period when we had our quiet time together.

But, little by little, under the pressure of many responsibilities, this time began to be shortened. Why, I don't know, but I thought I was just too busy to spend time with Christ. This was not intentional, you understand; it just happened that way. Finally, not only was the time shortened, but I began to miss a day now and then. It was examination time at the university. Then it was some other urgent emergency. I would miss it two days in a row and often more.

I remember one morning when I was in a hurry, rushing downstairs, eager to be on my way.

As I passed the living room, the door was open. Looking in, I saw a fire in the fireplace and Jesus was sitting there. Suddenly in dismay I thought to myself, "He was my guest. I invited Him into my heart! He has come as Lord of my home. And yet here I am neglecting Him."

I turned and went in. With downcast glance, I said, "Blessed Master, forgive me. Have You been here all these mornings?"

"Yes," He said, "I told you I would be here every morning to meet with you." Then I was even more ashamed. He had been faithful in spite of my faithfulness. I asked His forgiveness and He readily forgave me as He does when we are truly repentant.

"The trouble with you is this: you have been thinking of the quiet time, of the Bible study and prayer time, as a factor in your own spiritual progress, but you have forgotten that this hour means something to me also. Remember, I love you. I have redeemed you at great cost. I value your fellowship. Now," He said, "do not neglect this hour if only for my sake. Whatever else may be your desire, remember I want your fellowship!"

You know, the truth that Christ desires my companionship, that He loves me, wants me to be with Him, wants to be with me and waits for me, has done more to transform my quiet time with God than any other single fact. Don't let Christ wait alone in the living room of your heart, but every day find some time when, with your Bible and in prayer, you may be together with Him.

The Workroom

Before long, He asked, "Do you have a workroom in your home?" Down in the basement of the home of my heart I had a workbench and some equipment, but I was not doing much with it. Once in a while I would play around with a few little gadgets, but I wasn't producing anything substantial or worthwhile.

I led Him down there.

He looked over the workbench and what little talents and skills I had. He said, "This is quite well furnished. What are you producing with your life for the Kingdom of God?" He looked at one or two little toys that I had thrown together on the bench and held one up to me. "Are these little toys all that you are doing for others in your Christian life?"

"Well," I said, "Lord, that is the best I can do. I know it isn't much, and I really want to do more, but after all, I have no skill or strength to do more."

"Would you like to do better?" He asked.

"Certainly," I replied.

"All right. Let me have your hands. Now relax in me and let my Spirit work through you. I know that you are unskilled, clumsy and awkward, but the Holy Spirit is the Master-Worker, and if He controls your hands and your heart, He will work through you." And so, stepping around behind me and putting His great, strong hands over mine, controlling the tools with His skilled fingers He began to work through me.

There's much more that I must still learn and I am very far from satisfied with the product that is being turned out, but I do know that whatever has been produced for God has been through His strong hand and through the power of His Spirit in me.

Do not become discouraged because you cannot do much for God. Your ability is not the fundamental condition. It is He who is controlling your fingers and upon whom you are relying. Give your talents and gifts to God and He will do things with them that will surprise you..

The Rec Room

I remember the time He asked me about the playroom. I was hoping He would not ask about that. There were certain associations and friendships, activities and amusements that I wanted to keep for myself. I did not think Christ would enjoy them or approve of them, so I evaded the question.

But there came an evening when I was on my way out with some of my friends, and as I was about to cross the threshold, He stopped me with a glance and asked, "Are you going out?"

I replied, "Yes."

"Good," He said, "I would like to go with you."

"Oh," I answered rather awkwardly. "I don't think, Lord Jesus, that You would really want to go with us. Let's go out tomorrow night. Tomorrow night we will go to prayer meeting, but tonight I have another appointment."

He said. "That's alright. Only I thought that when I came into your home, we were going to do everything together, to be close companions. I just want you to know that I am willing to go with you."

"Well," I said, "we will go someplace together tomorrow night."

That evening I spent some miserable hours. I felt wretched. What kind of a friend was I to Jesus when I was deliberately leaving Him out of my associations, doing things and going places that I knew very well He would not enjoy? When I returned that evening, there was a light in His room, and I went up to talk it over with Him. I said, "Lord, I have learned my lesson. I can't have a good time without You. From now on we will do everything together."

Then we went down into the playroom of the house and He transformed it. He brought into life real joy, real happiness, real satisfaction, new friends, new excitement, new joys. Laughter and music have been ringing through the house ever since.

The Hall Closet

There is just one more matter that I might share with you. One day I found Him waiting for me at the door. An arresting look was in His eye. As I entered, He said to me, "There is a peculiar odor in the house. There is something dead around here. It's upstairs. I think it is in the hall closet." As soon as He said this, I knew what He was talking about. Yes, there was a small closet up there on the landing, just a few feet square, and in that closet, behind lock and key, I had one or two little personal things that I did not want anyone to know about and certainly I did not want Christ to see them. I knew they were dead and rotting things left over from the old life. And yet I loved them, and I wanted them so for myself that I was afraid to admit they were there.

Reluctantly, I went up with Him, and as we mounted the stairs the odor became stronger and stronger. He pointed at the door. "It's in there! Some dead thing!"

I was angry. That's the only way I can put it. I had given Him access to the library, the dining room, the living room, the workroom, the playroom, and now He was asking me about a little two-by-four closet. I said to myself, "This is too much. I am not going to give Him the key."

"Well," He said, reading my thoughts, "if you think I'm going to stay up here on the second floor with this odor, you are mistaken. I will take my bed out on the back porch. I'm certainly not going to put up with that." Then I saw Him start down the stairs.

When you have come to know and love Christ, the worst thing that can happen is to sense His fellowship retreating from you. I had to surrender. "I'll give You the key," I said sadly, "but You'll have to open the closet and clean it out. I haven't the strength to do it."

"I know," He said. "I know you haven't. Just give me the key. Just authorize me to take care of that closet and I will." So with trembling fingers I passed the key to Him. He took it from my hand, walked over to the door, opened it, entered it, took out all the putrefying stuff that was rotting there, and threw it away. The He cleaned the closet and painted it, fixed it up, doing it all in a moment's time. Oh, what victory and release to have that dead thing out of my life!

Transferring the Title

Then a thought came to me. I said to myself, "I have been trying to keep this heart of mine clear for Christ. I start on one room and no sooner have I cleaned that then another room is dirty. I begin on the second room and the first room becomes dusty again. I am so tired and weary trying to maintain a clean heart and an obedient life. I am just not up to it!"

So I ventured a question: "Lord, is there any chance that You would take over the responsibility of the whole house and operate it for me and with me just as You did that closet? Would You take the responsibility to keep my heart what it ought to be and my life where it ought to be?"

I could see His face light up as He replied, "Certainly, that is what I came to do. You cannot be a victorious Christian in your own strength. That is impossible. Let me do it through you and for you. That is the way. But," He added slowly, "I am not owner of this house. I am just a guest. I have no authority to proceed, since the property is not mine."

I saw it in a minute and dropping to my knees, I said, "Lord, You have been a guest and I have been the host. From now on I am going to be the servant. You are going to be the owner and Master and Lord."

Running as fast as I could to the strongbox, I took out the title deed to the house describing its assets and liabilities, location and situation and condition. I eagerly signed it over to belong to Him alone for time and eternity. "Here," I said. "Here it is, all that I am and have forever. Now You run the house. I'll just remain with You as a servant and friend."

He took my life that day and I can give you my word, there is no better way to live the Christian life. He knows how to keep it in shape and deep peace settles down on the soul. May Christ settle down and be at home in your heart as Lord of all!

Robert Boyd Munger (1911-2001) was a minister who wrote this timeless work exactly 50 years ago.

Source: http://christiandevotionals.blogspot.com/2006/12/my-heart-christs-home.html