"What do you want Me to do for you?"

Jesus asks "What do you want Me to do for you?" (Mark 10:36,51). In two separate occasions, people approached Jesus to ask of Him in Mark 10:35-52.

"... how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him! (Matthew 7:11b NKJV).

Daddy God longs to give good things to you; provisions, spiritual and emotional wholeness, health. All we need do is ask of Him what will please His heart to give, simply because He grants good gifts for us to grow in His glory; according to how we ought to be in Him.

In Mark 10, James and John asked to sit at the left and right of Jesus but to which He replied that it is not for Him to grant but by the Father. But in verse 46-52, a blind man comes to Jesus and was healed. Not only by God but also by his own faith.

Ask the Father for what would please His heart to give and exercise faith. It pleases Him to give you good gifts. Keep asking because, God loves you.

"... God is faithful... For the Son of God, Jesus Christ... was not "Yes" and "No," but in him it has always been "Yes." For no matter how many promises God has made, they are "Yes" in Christ. And so through him the "Amen" is spoken by us to the glory of God. (2 Corinthians 1:18-20 NIV).

Has the Lord given you a promise? As I read this morning, I sensed from the Lord His reminder that nothing that the Lord spoken will not come to pass i.e. what He says He will do He will do. So trust in Him. If in Samuel, what the Lord spoke of Eli's house, who displeasured Him, came to pass, let alone His good promises that He gives you. He will bring it to pass. Hold on to His promises. The loving Father God has good plans and promises for you and me.

No Sin is Righteous

Therefore “Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, And I will receive you.” “I will be a Father to you, And you shall be My sons and daughters, Says the Lord Almighty.” (2 Corinthians 6:17, 18 NKJV)

David has been described as a person after God's heart. And the verse above sheds light why this is so. Even though David has sinned, but his heart continues to seek to depart from what is unholy and unrighteous.

"I will set nothing wicked before my eyes; I hate the work of those who fall away; It shall not cling to me. A perverse heart shall depart from me; I will not know wickedness." (Psalm 101:3, 4 NKJV).

Sin is sin. Unholiness is unholiness, regardless the reason. In 1 Sam 15, God gave victory to King Saul but mentioned that he is to destroy all. Not because God is sadistic but because He loves His children and know that they will be corrupted if corruption is allowed to remain. But Saul greatly displeased God and did not destroy all. Even though he gave the reason that the best is left for sacrifice to God and tried to put the blame on his people, God sees the heart and was greatly displeased, to the extent of rejecting Saul. God cannot be mocked and no reason, even if it is to be used as worship and sacrifice to the Lord, is acceptable for sin. Sin is sin and God is holy. Reasoning and blaming won't help.

Perhaps that is what sets David from Saul; not that David never sinned but his heart was tender towards God and sought to depart from unholiness so that God can be pleased to call him His child. This is how much God loves you to want you to stray from Him.

Paul says "We then, as workers together with Him also plead with you not to receive the grace of God in vain". (2 Corinthians 6:1 NKJV).

"For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7b NKJV)

What aspects of your life do you need change so God will be pleased with you? Reasoning won't help.

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)

Be the Song You Are Meant to Be

Thanks to my sister for sharing this with me...

Yep, we are all a symphony written from above, written out of God's love.

Each of us have notes to play; we need to stay in tune and also in unison with fellow instruments.

We will then be a wonderful symphony that brings hope, comfort and warmth.

And yes, the less I get in the way, thinking I know best, the more God can let the music play.

Be the best song you are meant to be...

YOUR SONG
Music and Lyrics by Corrinne May, ‘Crooked Lines’ 2012

Silent, wordless
Everything was still
You breathed us, yearned for us
Our hearts began to thrill
A brand new creation
A symphony
Written from above
Written out of Love

Chorus:
Let me be Your instrument
Let me be Your voice
Let me be the reservoir
Where thirsty hearts rejoice
Let me be the hand
That wipes the tears away
Oh Lord,
If it be Your will
Let me be Your Song

A violin, a piano
Each one has a role
Major or minor
Or just a single note
So take the time to stay in tune
Cause we’ll never know
When we’re called to play
It could be today



A song of hope for the hopeless
A song of comfort for the pain
A song that warms the frozen heart that
It might beat again

For what am I but a single breath
That only You sustain
The less I get in the way,
The more the Master can let the music play

Min Qin's Testimony

… a new posting and sudden change of working environment in June 2011 after my advanced diploma in gerontology nursing, yet it’s a place where the harvest is plentiful and where I see my calling to be… news of my father-in-law bring diagnosed with Stage 3 lung cancer in October 2011, yet after a good battle with the illness, he went home to be with the Lord in early February 2012… a farewell to my beloved Grandpa in Hong Kong as he went home to be with the Lord peacefully in his sleep just a month before my wedding, but not before the Holy Spirit giving me promptings so I was able to talk with him the day before he left …… busy preparations for my wedding in November 2011 and saw how everything just fall into place so wonderfully, with the help of all our family members, cell members, church friends, colleagues and friends… being diagnosed with having a 10.5cm diameter fibroid in my uterus in October 2011 but yet received much peace and joy from the Lord, successfully went through my first operation in April 2012 to have the 11.5cm diameter fibroid removed with much success and without much complications and also receiving a speedy recovery from the Lord now…That’s my  life in the last few months! 

I m truly grateful and am filled with thankfulness for all that God has done in my life!

MY WORK

Praise God that I graduated from the advance diploma in gerontology nursing on 10 June 2011.

With 5 distinctions, 2 As and 2 B+, this has been the best grades and achievement I have gotten in all my life of studies thus far. I still remember how  I was having a terrible running nose and fever on my last day of my exam and could not remember much what I wrote on my exam script. But when the results were released, I remember being filled with great joy as I come to realize that I scored a distinction. I know that this marvelous achievement has not been by my own strength but that God has truly been with me and has led me on.

On 13 June 2011, I was informed to report at another clinic and to serve my 2 years bond. Initially, I felt a bit disappointed as my former workplace was just 4 bus-stop from my home and, apart from that, I knew that going to a new working environment, I will have to readapt to a new culture and rebuild new relationships. But, just as I was making my way to my new workplace, I uttered a prayer and surrendered my work into God’s hands. He then convicted me with Jeremiah 29:11, reminded me that He has plans to prosper me and not to harm me.

Over a period of 10 months, I developed strong relationships with my new colleagues and saw how God has placed me in this place where I could be a blessing to my colleagues and my clients. I also discovered that this place is a fertile field where the harvest is plentiful and I was affirmed, through many circumstances, to be called to station in this place for this season.

With the Holy Spirit’s prompting in April 2012, I used the Evangelism Explosion tool and skills which I have learnt from the course and reaffirmed the salvation of a colleague of mine, whom I have been praying for 9 months. Hallelujah!

I believe that more will come to receive their salvation very soon. My motivation to go to work every day is to save 1 more for Jesus!

MY FATHER-IN-LAW

My father-in-law (Mr. Eddy) was diagnosed with Stage 3 lung cancer in October 2011 and after fighting a good battle with the illness, he went home to be with the Lord in early February 2012.

I thank God for how He has given me an opportunity to interact and know my father-in-law during chats and visits. Though just a brief period, I felt that I have known him for long. We spent time together, having ‘makan’ and he would share with me his life and his past. He treated me like his own daughter and I feel very comfortable and loved by him.

I also thank God that I was also able to apply what I learnt in my nursing studies and understand the treatments offered and provided relevant information and support to my husband and his family in terms of treatments, medications and caregiving matters. And when my father-in-law went home to be with the Lord, 

I also thank God for the strength and wisdom as He guided me through in assisting and supporting James and his family in preparations for my father-in-law’s funeral.

I remember that just when I needed strength to move on during that period, God provided it and helped me to carry on with my work everyday, sent people to pray alongside me, granted me peace and comfort in my heart and granted me wisdom in supporting James especially.

MY GRANDPA

My beloved grandpa in Hong Kong went home to be with the Lord peacefully in his sleep a month before my wedding and I really thank the Holy Spirit for giving me promptings to call my grandpa on Saturday afternoon (a day before he pass on) while I was making my way to the hospital to visit James’ dad. Though he conversed with me with a weak small voice, I could hear him call my name. I teared after talking to him as I missed him so much and I could sense that he might not live long. I quickly contacted my cousin who stayed with him to check on him and I even shared with my mum my plans to fly off to see him the next day.  Unfortunately, with a phone call from my aunt early next morning, I was awoken in cold sweats, and learnt from her my grandpa has just gone home to be with the Lord. I was devastated, the feeling was so painful and I cried myself to sleep.

Later that morning, I told myself that I will still go church to worship God even though my heart was still grieving badly for the loss of my grandpa  (he was closest to me among all the grandparents, and I always confide in him about many things in my life).  As I made my way to church, my tears would begin to flow whenever I think of him. As service began, and the worship leader led us in singing ‘Amazing grace’, my heart ached so badly I cried as I sing. But later as I cried, I asked God to heal my grief and allow me to trust in Him that grandpa is in a better place. I could remember every line of the lyrics of the song as the whole congregation sang graciously. When worship segment ended, I could feel deep comfort and God’s embrace around me.   

I am thankful that my new manager was understanding and granted me leave to fly back to Hong Kong for my grandpa’s funeral. Little did I expect, during the funeral, I was given opportunities to evangelize to my closest cousins, my aunt and uncle. Though they have yet to say the sinners’ prayer, I know that I have planted some seeds in them. I am still praying for their salvation and know that the day is approaching!

Even though I still feel a bit emotional now whenever I think of my grandpa, I am grateful that God has granted me a chance to talk to him the day before he left. I miss him a lot but I am certain that I will see him again in heaven.

MY WEDDING

 

Amidst all the circumstances-my grandpa’s departure and James’s dad health condition-I asked God for strength for both James and I as we made preparations for our wedding in November 2011. By October, we actually had a long list of “to do”s but miraculously, God just helped to ensure that everything fell in place. From the bridal shop, make-up artists, photographer, emcee, church venue, banquet matters to helpers, everything just came into place perfectly so much so it amazed both us and our friends around us! One thing is certain, everything in our wedding preparations went so well and wonderfully because God has blessed both James & me with the help of all our family members, cell members, church friends, colleagues and friends. Praise God!

I thank God for the opportunity and courage to share my testimony at my wedding banquet in Hong Kong. A month before the wedding, God impressed on my heart to share my testimony to my relatives. Without much thinking, I obeyed His call to testify. Due to our hectic schedules, I did not have the time to prepare my testimony, even more so, in Cantonese! But God helped me to prepare my testimony, ‘freshly out of the oven’ the night before the banquet dinner. I could remember frantically rehearsing in the hotel room continuously! I was filled with great excitement that our relative’s salvation day is here! James & I prayed that our banquet dinner would be special; that people will at ease and enjoy the dinner and my testimony would impact them. That night, the banquet went extremely well. In fact, we were amazed that the banquet manager, who looked “straight faced” as I shared my testimony, shared that she back-slided as a Christian and how my testimony encouraged her to return back to church once again. My Hong Kong make-up artist, who stayed for the banquet, also shared that she was inspired by my testimony. Even though none of my relatives came forth to talk to me about my testimony, many shared that they enjoyed the whole dinner and the heart-warming atmosphere of the banquet. That night, I was just so amazed by all that God has done and all that He is continuing to do that I think I was smiling all night in my sleep!

MY HEALTH

In early October 2011, I was diagnosed to have a 10.5cm diameter fibroid[1] in my uterus during my pre-marriage health checkup. I felt rather depressed as much has happened during that period, with James’ dad just being diagnosed with lung cancer and my grandpa just passed away. I desperately prayed and asked God for strength as I felt that I was at the bottom of the pit.

I am thankful that God has brought my family, my husband, my in-laws, my cell members, friends and colleagues into my life because God used them to bless me abundantly. They have provided me with physical support, prayers support, send words of encouragements and support via sms & emails and they also availed themselves to help me in my every need wholeheartedly. I felt really blessed.

I am thankful for God’s word which I feed on daily to strengthen my inner man and took courage to face all the mountains in my life. Even though the devil frequently came to steal my joy and bring fear, such negative feelings only last for awhile. I have learnt to proclaim God’s words in faith over my situation several times everyday. One of my favorite remains to be from Psalm 118:17: “I will not die but live, and will proclaim what the Lord has done”. I thank God for His peace to rest every night without fail.

I am thankful that God is teaching me to endure through tough times and to learn to truly rely totally on Him in all circumstances. He has convicted my heart to not think and feel about my health condition from just a medical angle but instead to trust in the Lord with all my heart and lean not on my own understanding; in all my ways submit to Him and He will make my paths straight (Proverbs 3: 5-6). God also impressed on my heart that He would be directing the whole operation and that I need not worry.

On the Sunday before my operation, I felt a deep pleasurable heat on my right hand as the worship leader led us in the song ‘Jesus loves me this I know’. I felt such a deep sense of Jesus’ hand and presence that He is holding me and telling me to be secure in Him; He assured that I am being taken care of and am in His good hands. After service, I went forth for prayer and Elder Andrew anointed my hands with oil and prayed for me.

Throughout the whole time, I could sense God’s will for me to just trust and obey Him and to go through the operation instead of living in fear. He shared with me in my devotions that my step of obedience is a part of His greater plans. On 24^th April 2012, I successfully went through an operation to remove a 11.5cm diameter fibroid without much complications. Hallelujah!

Despite the difficult times, I have learn to give thanks in all circumstances for this is God’s will for me in Christ Jesus (1 Thessalonians 5: 18). I am thankful to God that my operation was successful; no blood transfusion was required, no wound infection, no deep vein thrombosis and my uterus was preserved. I did not experience much side effects from the morphine, was able to walk and sit up on the second day and slept well during my hospitalization. In addition, I was taken care of by a good team of healthcare workers, regained my appetite quickly and felt really great physically, emotionally & spiritually after the operation.

Now, I am into my 2^nd week post-operation and I can see God’s work through all that has happened. I could see my faith being heightened to a new level. My testimony has encouraged others who are sick and have given hope to people around me. My family relationship has also become closer. My mother-in-law prayed out loud for me for the first time. My husband shared that he was inspired by my courage and faith in God and it edifies him. I could also sense a heightened spiritual atmosphere in cell. I now also have a better understanding of how it feels to have to go through an operation and become convicted to avail myself to provide support to people who need to go through operations or women with fibroids in the future. I was able to use the photographs of my extracted fibroid and testify to others about the Great God I serve.

I just can’t help but thank God for His strength, providence, joy, peace and everything! He is awesome and I m assured that surely His goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever (Psalm 23:6).

MY APPRECIATION

People I am extremely grateful for their prayers & support:

My daddy, mummy, sister, hubby (James Lim), mother-in-law, sister-in-law (Joyce Lin).

My spiritual family (Onelife 3: Lydia also my Prayer Accountability Partner, Michelle, Daniel, Huifen, Cynthia, Xu Chao, Joshua, June, Kent & Elly, Joyce & James Seah, Chui Wai & Ivan).

Area Overseers Chek Shih & Pei Kwee.

Onelife leaders (Sarah & Bill Leung, Wendy, Glen & Veronica, Ee Yang & Charmaine, Lydea, Maurice)

Riverlifers:  Elder Andrew Goh & wife, Celina, Angie & Kexin from Hospitality F & B Team, Alginna, Sarah Jenny, Amanda, Lucy Leng, Angela, Leng Leng.

Colleagues: Regina Lee, Xin Yi, Jerry, Ming Keat, Tok Cheng, Dawn, Zainon.

Friends: Yi Xuan, Syn Syn, Jia Hui, Grace Leong, Teri, James’ colleagues from Salvation Army HR department.

---

[1] A tumor growth in females. While most fibroids are asymptomatic, they can grow and cause heavy and painful menstruation, painful sexual intercourse, and urinary frequency and urgency. Some fibroids may interfere with pregnancy.

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?

Buying from the Right Source

“Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy?Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and you will delight in the richest of fare. Give ear and come to me; listen, that you may live. I will make an everlasting covenant with you, my faithful love promised to David. -Isaiah 55:1-3 (NIV).

It's interesting when I read this this morning and realized the word "buy".  Went to search dictionary.com and to buy would also mean to acquire by way of exchange. Webster states to buy is "to obtain in exchange for something often at a sacrifice"

"What are we exchanging our lives, effort, time, resources for?" I feel God reminding us to buy from him, and that He gives not as the world gives (conditional and with money) but He gives so we can acquire life (see v1). He is a faithful God of covenant. "...I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." -John 10:10b (NIV). And yes, the buying do involve sacrifice, or shall I say--setting priorities. David said that he will not sacrifice a burnt offering that costs him nothing. - 1 Chronicles 21:24 (NIV).

What are you "buying"? Are you seeking and acquiring security, joy and peace from things, obsession/addictions, people, jobs or other things other than God? We need to buy from the right source.

The Prayer that Speaks Volume

What Prayer is Not

I remember struggling with prayer in the past when God brought me back to Him years ago. I always remember freezing whenever I was asked to pray because I am not sure about being able to spew out nice sounding "holy" words that could last me beyond just a few seconds. But then God reminded me about prayer in Matthew 6 where He highlighted some things that He does NOT look for in a prayer:

• Pray to be seen by others so that one will be seen as righteous (v5)
• Praying long meaningless prayers so others can hear them and be seen as righteous (v7)

It was a matter of the heart when it comes to prayer. And the bible warns "do not be like them". From then on, it corrected my perspective of prayer. Just as we sing to an audience of One when we have praise and worship, so do we pray to the audience of One, when we pray. 

As I did my quiet time this morning, I am reminded about prayer again. 

The Necessary Prayer that Speaks Volume

Matt 6 teaches us about prayer. Twice in Matt 6, the word of God reminds us that God knows what we need (v8, 32). But even though so, the bible goes on to teach us about prayer; a prayer that, when spoken from the right heart, speaks volume. Jesus says "This, then, is how you should pray":

• "Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name" (v9) speaks and reminds us of respect and honor for a great and Almighty God in our lives. 
• "Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven" (v10) speaks of submission and surrender of our lives to God, that His will be done. 
• "Give us today our daily bread" (v11) speaks of supplication to the Lord because He knows what we need and provides. 
• "And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors" (v12) speaks not only of asking God for forgiveness for the times we grieved Him but also the commitment to forgive others as the Lord forgives us. 
• "And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one" (v13) speaks of the need to be guided by the Lord in our lives. 

The Litmus Test

• Where are you in your prayer life today? 
• Do you come to the Almighty God with your prayers? 
• Do you trust God enough to come back to Him to commit it and lift it up to Him to handle; a God "who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine" (Eph 3:20a) 
• Do you come with the right heart? 

"if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land".(2 Chronicles 7:14)

"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well" (Matt 6:33). 

Hope it blesses you and have a blessed day!

Worship

Hi everyone, in my recent QT, God has been showing me much about devotion and worship. As I pondered on it and after our cell discussion last week, found this video quite nicely helped me to understand about it. So simple but yet, sometimes I can miss it:

Be blessed! :D

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)

The Choice & Its Fruits

Hi everyone,

Felt ministered by today's devotion on Our Daily Bread on Hosea 14, Come Back.

Besides talking about repentence and returning to the Lord, it does present to us ultimate a choice between life with and life without God. As Dr Bekker brings to our attention, it is ultimately our choice.

Hosea concludes his book with Chap 14 and speaks to me of the fruits of coming back to God:

Hosea 14 (NKJV)
 ¹ O Israel, return to the LORD your God,
      For you have stumbled because of your iniquity;
       ² Take words with you,
      And return to the LORD.
      Say to Him,

      “ Take away all iniquity;
      Receive us graciously,
      For we will offer the sacrifices of our lips.
       ³ Assyria shall not save us,
      We will not ride on horses,
      Nor will we say anymore to the work of our hands, ‘You are our gods.’
      For in You the fatherless finds mercy.”
       ⁴ “ I will heal their backsliding,
      I will love them freely,
      For My anger has turned away from him.
       ⁵ I will be like the dew to Israel;
      He shall grow like the lily,
      And lengthen his roots like Lebanon.
       ⁶ His branches shall spread;
      His beauty shall be like an olive tree,
      And his fragrance like Lebanon.
       ⁷ Those who dwell under his shadow shall return;
      They shall be revived like grain,
      And grow like a vine.
      Their scent shall be like the wine of Lebanon.
       ⁸ “ Ephraim shall say, ‘What have I to do anymore with idols?’
      I have heard and observed him.
      I am like a green cypress tree;
      Your fruit is found in Me.”
       ⁹ Who is wise?
      Let him understand these things.
      Who is prudent?
      Let him know them.
      For the ways of the LORD are right;
      The righteous walk in them,
      But transgressors stumble in them.

God's Promise to Us:

• We will find mercy (v3)
• God will turn His anger away from us and love us freely (4)
• God will be to us as refreshing as dew (v5)
• We will grow well and be established well in Him (v5)
• We will grow to be beautiful and fragrant to others (v6)
• We will bring many to return to the Lord and they too will be restored and be fragrant to others (v7)
• We will bear fruit in God just as we are reminded to abide in the vine (v8)
• We, who are righteous, will walk in the way of the Lord while the unrighteous will stumble (v9)

God has given us the choice to choose. What's yours?

With blessings.

James

The Heart of Worship

Hi everyone, was at chapel today and was ministered by the sharing on the heart of worship.
Consider both Saul and David:

In 1 Sam 15, we read that God gave instructions to Saul, as punishment to the Amalekites for what they did to Israel, to attack them and totally destroy everything, even "cattle and sheep, camel and donkeys". But Saul acted in disobedience and tried to justify himself:

• "I have carried out the LORD's instructions." (v13)
• "The soldiers brought them from the Amalekites; they spared the best of the sheep and cattle to sacrifice to the LORD your God, but we totally destroyed the rest." (v15)
• "But I did obey the LORD," Saul said. "I went on the mission the LORD assigned me. I completely destroyed the Amalekites and brought back Agag their king. The soldiers took sheep and cattle from the plunder, the best of what was devoted to God, in order to sacrifice them to the LORD your God at Gilgal."
  

But further down the chapter, Saul's heart was revealed that he had the fear of man more than the fear of God; he chose to honour man and himself over God. Even after being confronted by Samuel and being given a chance to repent, his heart remained hard and distant from God as he again chose to want to be honoured by man rather than honoured by God:

1 Sam 15:30 (NIV)

Saul replied, "I have sinned. But please honor me before the elders of my people and before Israel; come back with me, so that I may worship the LORD your God." (Emphasis mine)

And so God rejected Saul as King and his worship. Even though he began well, he did not end well.

Fast forward to King David, the man who is after God's own heart (1 Sam 13:14). And even though David sinned when he committed adultery and murder, his response to his sin was different from Saul. After being rebuked by the Prophet Nathan, he wrote Psalm 51 and continue to walk righteously with the Lord. When he came to Araunah to buy his land to build an altar to God, Araunah offered him the land and everything else for free but look at David's response... "No, I insist on paying you for it. I will not sacrifice to the LORD my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing."

Though both Kings were called by God to be the leader of His people and started well, only one finished well. Both, on the outward, offered sacrifices to the Lord but yet God accepted and blessed one but yet rejected the other. Kind of reminded me of Cain and Abel.

1 Samuel 16:7b (NIV)

The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.

We can try all we want to look holy, act holy but God is the one who knows us from the inside out and who sees our heart. 

1 Sam 15: 22

But Samuel replied: "Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the LORD? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams.

The person sharing at chapel shared a parable of a boy who stole 4 apples from the kitchen and went to the chaplain to confess and pray. The boy prayed "Dear Lord, I come before you to ask for your forgiveness for stealing 8 apples." Puzzled, the chaplain asked the boy why he prayed that he stole 8 apples when he stole 4. The boy answered "Oh, I am praying for tomorrow too." What is our heart's condition for God? Are we like the boy who continues to take God's grace for granted and sin, grieving God and in a way, mocking the work on the cross?

An unchanged life, a divided heart, a hardened heart, an empty worship are not what God desires.

It is said that Martin Luther only had two days on his calendar: this day and that day, that is, the great Day of Judgment." How we want to present ourselves to God on that day will determine how we are this day.


Indeed, life is like running a torch relay where the crucial thing is not about speed (which a lot of people may want us to believe) but about keeping the torch ablaze and finishing well before the Lord. Along the way, there may be "winds of adversity", "gusts of conflicts", discouragements, alternative finishing lines but keep our eyes on Jesus and make effort to finish well.

Hebrews 12:1-3 (NIV)

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

I pray this will bless you. Amen.

How do you Respond?

Was doing my QT yesterday and it struck me how Jesus interacted with the high priest, chief priests, elders and teachers of the law when he was arrested.

Jesus was arrested and brought before the Sanhedrin, who looked for evidence against Him so they can put Him to death. But they could find none.

"Many testified falsely against him, but their statements did not agree... Jesus remained silent and gave no answer. Again the high priest asked him, 'Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?' 'I am,' said Jesus." (Mark 14:33-65)

Faced with lies of the enemy, Jesus did not respond but rather He knows who He is and responded in truth.

Similarly, how are you responding to lies the Enemy places in your life?

The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want...

All the Way my Savior Leads Me

All the way my Savior leads me

Who have I to ask beside

How could I doubt His tender mercy

Who through life has been my guide

All the way my Savior leads me

Cheers each winding path I tread

Gives me grace for every trial

Feeds me with the living Bread

You lead me and keep me from falling

You carry me close to Your heart

And surely Your goodness and mercy will follow me

All the way my Savior leads me

O, the fullness of His love

O, the sureness of His promise

In the triumph of His blood

And when my spirit clothed immortal

Wings its flight to realms of day

This my song through endless ages

Jesus led me all the way

Jesus led me all the way

All the way my Savior leads me

All the way my Savior leads me

"I Can No Longer Trust in You Lord" ~ Me

This very song, ministered to my heart last Sunday as we worshipped in church. I had been praying to the Lord for something which has been close to my heart but I was coming to a stage where I can no longer trust the Lord. I remember that as the worship leader led us in worship and sang the very words "I will trust in you", asking us to put our hands on our hearts, I just could not do it and I could not mouth these very words...Have you ever felt this way and felt that no matter what happens, you just seem to lose faith and in what God is doing in your life?

"Remember how I have walked with you?" ~ The Lord

It was until this song that came up that the Lord was prompting me gently that He has been there with me all the time and He has guided me through to where I am. And true enough, there had been such changes and miracles in my life, so much so I know it is not from man but from God. From how He has brought me back, to how He had placed people around me, helped me overcome my severe inferior complex, brought me a partner, helped and led me in ministry, healed and restored me from a hurt I had years ago, all these within a short span of 5 years, it just had to be God. And how could I doubt Him? And frankly, as the lyrics expresses it well "who have I to ask beside?". This is one such time when the praise and worship session was already enough to minister to me, even before sermon. And of course, by the time the sermon came and it was a hammer to the nail's head as I am reminded again that the Lord is my Shepherd and He cares for us and knows what is best for us; more than we know what is good for us.

The Life of Fanny Crosby

And the Lord continued to speak into my heart throughout the week, even as I prepared for cell. I later come to know that the hymn, from which this song has been adapted from, was written by a God fearing lady Fanny Crosby. She had, in her lifetime, written over 8000 Christian hymns, despite her handicap that she had to struggle with during her life. Fanny had lost her sight from the age of six week after a botched medical procedure by an inept doctor, which left her blind from henceforth. Imagine losing your sight and not  knowing what this world is like. But yet, God used her and she wrote many wonderful hymns including "All the Way my Savior Leads Me" and "Blessed Assurance". 

This beloved hymn came to Fanny as a result of a prayer. Struggling financially, she desperately needed some money. As her usual custom, Fanny began to pray. A few minutes later, a gentleman offered her five dollars, the exact amount she needed. Later recalling the incident, she said, “I have no way of accounting for this except to believe that God put it into the heart of this good man to bring the money.”  The poem she wrote afterward became “All The Way My Savior Leads Me.” 

She later said, “ If per­fect earth­ly sight were of­fered me to­mor­row I would not ac­­cept it. I might not have sung hymns to the praise of God if I had been dis­tract­ed by the beau­ti­ful and in­ter­est­ing things about me.”

Speaking about trusting in the Lord. Fanny's example humbled me.

The Sudden Promotion of Glory of The Salvation Army's Territorial Commander

It's interesting how as Elder Freddy was preaching on Psalm 23, a psalm that one would usually see at funerals (and some would also associate with funerals), my whole week has come to be dominated by the sudden departure of one of our beloved leaders in The Salvation Army. And even as we go through a heart-wrenching week, coping emotionally with the sudden promotion to glory of our late Territorial Commander, God continued to minister to me and prepared me for cell.

It had been a difficult week as many of us struggled to come to terms with the sudden death because the weekend before, we had a carnival and our commander was amidst us, having fun with us and taking photos. His wife has also remarked how he had such great fun, going around to just be around our staff as we raised funds to bless our counterpart's work in Myanmar. And on Sunday evening, he had a simple dinner fellowship with all the heads of departments and officers, just hours before his departure. 

Thanking God for His Grace

Then on Monday morning, we were told that he had gone home to be with the Lord. As we slowed down from all the funeral arrangements on Friday, I remember sitting down with my colleague and we both remarked how we really thank God for his life; how it had been a blessing to many. We thank God for how He had taken him home without prolonged pain and agony. We thank God for His grace in allowing us to have our last "farewell", so as to speak, with the commander on Saturday and also for the heads and officers to have their's on Sunday.

Trusting in God

But what was more heart-wrenching was even seeing our commander's wife, having to deal with the whole incident. They had been a loving couple who have served the Lord for over 40 years now and have just travelled to Singapore barely 3 years ago to serve their last leg before his retirement in June this year. I could imagine the shock and grief of losing someone you love in such a manner. But what really amazed me was her strength and calmness through it all, even in the midst of this when the icelandic volcano eruptions have grounded flights, making it impossible for her family to come and be with her and also for her and the body to be flown back to UK. 

Reflecting on it, I would have broken down long ago. But what was amazing was how this humble lady had calmly addressed us at the funeral, thanking God for a good companion, confidante and father who shared 45 years of life together. And something she had said became deeply entrenched in my heart... "I don''t understand why but I know and trust that it's God's will and therefore I know that this is God's timing for him to be called home". And it was not her strength which has spoken to me but the peace I sensed, genuine peace, which demonstrated to me how she has really trusted the Lord even through this circumstance. And thank God because halfway through the wake service, we received news that Singapore Airlines has managed to secure places for our late commander, his wife and an accompanying officer for them to travel back to UK to be with their family. 

Light Amidst Darkness

So while it was an emotion-filled week, it was also a positive week where God shined through... I like what Lydia shared during cell yesterday of her revelation from Psalm 23:4...

Psalm 23:4

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 

... that with every shadow, there is light. And so even amidst all the negativity, something positive came out for me too as I saw God at work.

"I shall not be in want"

But God did not stop there and continue to speak to me, both to me as a child and I also believe to all in the cell. Throughout the week, God continued to speak to me on this theme of Psalm 23:1 "The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want." Through my quiet time throughout the week, God brought me to various passages everyday and spoke about being contented in Him and keeping kingdom perspective. Many a times, we get so caught up with our perspective of things of the world, we lose sight of things of God. 

In quiet time yesterday, I read from Mark 8:33 when Jesus rebuked Peter after he rebuke Jesus for speaking about what is to happen to himself; rejected, killed and that He will rise again after 3 days. And Jesus spoke these words "You do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men". God later sent a colleague to come to me with a verse from Matthew 6:19-21:

Matthew 6:19-21

19. "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

It is true that after so much have happened this week, I have come to realise that anything can happen anytime. We can plan all we want, just as my commander and his wife has planned to retire and return to UK in June to be with their family. But ultimately, we do not know what's going to happen next. And this fact that we may go home to be with the Lord anytime became even more real as I was working to "close the emotional chapter" on the demise of my late commander, only to come to hear of another case of the son of a another, barely 30 years old, found suddenly dead in his room.

As the Psalmist wrote, "the Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not be in want". Do you truly believe in this verse and that the Lord knows what you need? Do you trust the Lord? As I reflect upon my episode on Sunday when I told God I can no longer trust in Him, I come to realise that the loss of faith and trust came not as a result that God is unfaithful etc. Someone at the funeral had mentioned that God is too wise and righteous to be wrong, too faithful to be unfaithful. But it lies with our contentment in the Lord and many a times how we have desired what the Lord has not intended for and yet feel annoyed, frustrated and angry with the Lord. The Lord ask us to keep our kingdom perspective of eternity and to trust in Him that He is the Almighty God. There are many things that we may not understand but He is always there in control and He has His plans for you.

Jeremiah 29:11-13

11. For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

Psalm 91: 1-2, 4, 14-15

1. He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

2. I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust."

4. He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.

14.  "Because he loves me," says the LORD, "I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.

15. He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him.

Isaiah 55:8-9

8. "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD.
9. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. 

The Lord Holds You and Your Life

Even as I read from Ruth today, I am reminded about Naomi and the Lord's hand upon her and her life. She had lost both her husband and sons and was bitter, not knowing that the Lord has His plans for her. 

Ruth 1:20-21

"Don't call me Naomi (meaning pleasant)," she told them. "Call me Mara (meaning bitter), because the Almighty has made my life very bitter. 21. I went away full, but the LORD has brought me back empty. Why call me Naomi? The LORD has afflicted me; the Almighty has brought misfortune upon me". 

But little does she knows that Ruth would be a blessing to her, as they seek to survive, and will also be the blessed line where the Messiah Jesus would ultimately come from. 

Ruth 2:17-18

So Ruth gleaned in the field until evening. Then she threshed the barley she had gathered, and it amounted to about an ephah. She carried it back to town, and her mother-in-law saw how much she had gathered. Ruth also brought out and gave her what she had left over after she had eaten enough.

Yet Another Lesson in Trusting in the Lord

In fact, just another interesting point to note: I had initially been in a frenzy because God has spoken to me so clearly and so much throughout the week, I was approaching cell not knowing how to proceed, lest it becomes a very heavy session with all the scriptures and thoughts. I was in a frenzy because I had not known how to organise and bring across what God has spoken to me. For a moment, I had not trusted God, until a colleague came to me with Isaiah 50:4:

Isaiah 50:4

The Sovereign LORD has given me an instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary. He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being taught.

And as I reflect on last night and how God has given me to word and the prompting to speak the words, I thank Him and look back wondering why I had not trusted Him that He will be guiding the session. I thank God for that and for everyone of you who served and shared in love and edification. Thank you again.

In closing, I just want to encourage you with something from my devotion this week:

Psalm 91: 1-2, 4

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust."... He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.

Ruth 2:12b

...May you be richly rewarded by the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge.

Revisiting the Meaning of Good Friday

With Good Friday round the corner, let me put this question to you: How many Good Fridays have you been through and even as we go through our how many-th time, do we still remember the significance of this day?

Even as a child, Good Friday to me, is public holiday and I remember being all happy because we would all pack off the the hall to watch a video on Jesus, which means it is a time out from class... But not until my coming back to Christ have I come to realize the real meaning of Good Friday. 

As I revisited some of the articles in this blog, I am brought to the article "I am the Cross" and am reminded once again of the significance of the day. Even though I have read this story before, it does not fail to almost bring tears as I read through what Jesus went through and what kept him to the cross. And yet, these are just words. How much more pain did Jesus has to go through in the actual crucifixion? And for what reason?

As I go through thinking about Good Friday, I am brought to 1 Peter, where I read about the work of Christ on the cross:

1 Peter 2:22-25 (NIV)
"He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth." When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

1 Peter 1:18-21 (NIV)
For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.

Even before Christ came, prophets told of the work of the one who would be sent by God for our sake. One of them is Isaiah as he wrote in Isaiah 53.

Isaiah 53:3- 7(NIV)

 ³ He was despised and rejected by men,

       a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering.

       Like one from whom men hide their faces

       he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

 ⁴ Surely he took up our infirmities

       and carried our sorrows,

       yet we considered him stricken by God,

       smitten by him, and afflicted.

 ⁵ But he was pierced for our transgressions,

       he was crushed for our iniquities;

       the punishment that brought us peace was upon him,

       and by his wounds we are healed.

 ⁶ We all, like sheep, have gone astray,

       each of us has turned to his own way;

       and the LORD has laid on him

       the iniquity of us all.

 ⁷ He was oppressed and afflicted,

       yet he did not open his mouth;

       he was led like a lamb to the slaughter,

       and as a sheep before her shearers is silent,

       so he did not open his mouth.