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Prince of LightI LIVE TO SHINE THE LIGHT OF DESTINY
January 30 Eli vs SamuelEli was the High Priest at Shiloh ministering to the people during Samuel's time. Shiloh was where the Tent of Meeting was situated and often where the entire assembly of Israel gathered. Now Eli had two sons who were also priests, but had not the fear of God in their hearts. They went around treating God's offering with contempt (1 Sam 2:12-17) and sleeping around with the women serving at the entrance of the Tent of Meeting (1 Sam 2:22-25) and the bible said that the sins of these young men were very great in God's sight (1 Sam 2:17). As a father, Eli had to be responsible for the behavior of his two sons. As High Priest, Eli should have made ensured that the offerings of God were handled in the right way. Eli, however, did nothing to rectify the situation. As high priest, Eli would have stood out among his fellow Levites in his earlier years to have attained such position. Scriptures showed the he was discerning of God's ways when he instructed Samuel on how to hear from God (1 Sam 3:1-19). The boy Samuel ministered before the LORD under Eli. In those days the word of the LORD was rare; there were not many visions. (1 Sam 3:1) However, we need to understand that Sin (and not dealing with Sin) quenches the Holy Spirit in us, no matter how anointed anyone has been. Eli by now would have experienced tremendous dryness in his spirit. The scripture above reveals that he had lost the ability to speak God's word (Logos or Rhema) into Isreal. Note that the prophecy upon the house of Eli (1 Sam 2:27-36) was given before Samuel began ministering at the Tent of Meeting. God was giving Eli a chance (and seemingly years as Samuel grew up) to repent, yet Eli did nothing in response to this. Had Eli repented before God after he was prophecised upon, God would have relented and not bring about the Judgement as he did to Eli and his Two sons and Eli could probably still be ministering before the Lord as High Priest. If at any time I announce that a nation or kingdom is to be uprooted, torn down and destroyed, and if that nation I warned repents of its evil, then I will relent and not inflict on it the disaster I had planned. (Jeremiah 18:7-8) Samuel on the other hand was faithful, obedient and constantly seeked God through His word. The LORD was with Samuel as he grew up, and he let none of his words fall to the ground. And all Israel from Dan to Beersheba recognized that Samuel was attested as a prophet of the LORD. The LORD continued to appear at Shiloh, and there he revealed himself to Samuel through his word. (2 Sam 3:19-21)
As we stay faithful to God and His calling, keeping His ways and honouring Him first, He will exalt us above all others. There is nothing to hide, because all men will see and recognise the anointing that is upon us. Yet, on the other end of the spectrum, when we lose God's Spirit, that too cannot be hidden. For in time to come, God will withhold his blessings and anointing from us and even replace us from the establishments that he has allowed us to possess.
In summary, Eli:
- Had not been a faithful in the things that God has called him (Bad Stewardship)
- Allowed Sin to prosper in His time (Procrastination)
- Was unrepentant before the Lord (Hardened Heart)
Samuel, on the other hand was:
- Faithful in ministering God's word
- Had the fear of God above the fear of men (by speaking boldly to Eli, hiding nothing)
- Seeked God constantly through His word
Get right with God today and continue to seek the Lord in Spirit and in Truth.
Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. 24God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth." (John 4:23-24) June 12 Nothing but the BloodWhat can wash away my sins? Nothing But the Blood of Jesus What can make me whole again? Nothing But the Blood of Jesus O! Precious is the flow That makes me white as snow No other fount I know Nothing but the blood of Jesus If there's anything that I've attained in this lifetime, let it be known that they were achieved, not by my strength or wisdom, but by the leading and aiding of the Lord. May it be, that the Lord my father guide me in my steps and that His Spirit be alive vibrantly in me, such that His will be done through my life and fulfilled in my lifetime.
O! Precious is the flow, that washed away my iniquities and opened up the way for me to delight in Him and embrace His work. No other springs I know of can bring about such life in me. Nothing but the blood that was shed for me - that as I die in him, so I too am made alive with Him.
May I never forget your Grace lord. June 06 Come to the FatherDear friends, Consider the fragility of life. What we build today, may be gone tomorrow. Only true love and compassion prevails. The Victims of Sze Chuan Earthquake did not die because of Karma and many of them had great wealth. There’s something out there greater than us at work. It’s not a system or a philosophy, but a living and active God who is at work in our lives. One who hears our cries and sees our heart intentions. One who punishes evil doers (but gives them time to change) just as much as we hate them. It was He who places us where we are and puts the people we love into our lives. No one comes into your life as a coincidence. They are either there to bless you or to help you to pick up lessons about life. Some people call him Fate, some call him nature. Some look to the stars thinking he is up there. But whatever His name, whether we know him or not, he continues to give and to bless. You are who you are today, because somewhere down the line, he has causes someone to bless you with finance, food and knowledge. It’s not that you are lucky. He is always watching out for you. He does this because he loves you like a father to a runaway child, trying all his best to reconcile with you while still providing for your basic needs. You are alive and kicking today, because of the Father’s love. 2000 years ago, he gave His son, Jesus to die on the cross. This is a true and proven historical event that has impacted humanity and is still doing so now. Someone had to die so that the world will understand the true meaning of love and the need for a saviour in order that we might live a life that is truly fulfilling and of value. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. (1 John 4:9) We love because he first loved us. (1 John 4:19)
Just like some of you, I too rejected God for years. I eventually gave Him a go in church and it’s change me and my life completely. Its not the people in church (not even me) who is wonderful. It’s the Father who loves that makes a difference.
If you have any questions, I’m always here to try and answer some. But I hope that you would come seek to know Him personally for yourself.
I wish you true joy in life. April 24 The Unconscious DecisionThe one who received the seed that fell among the thorns is the man who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke it, making it unfruitful. (Matthew 13:22) No one consciously chooses to backslide. It's simply an unconscious choice to allow our desires and fears to distract and entice us, until we reach a point where we either have to lose these things before God, or lose God Himself. "Everything is permissible for me"—but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is permissible for me"—but I will not be mastered by anything. (1 Corinthians 6:12) For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Matthew 6:21) April 18 The Mastery of our SoulsI do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. (Romans 7:15)
...a man is a slave to whatever has mastered him. (2 Peter 2:19)
How do we get enslaved? What is is that masters us? The answer is us - ourselves. The Bible highlights a nature in us called the Sinful or Carnal Nature. Because of what Adam has done, all humanity were cursed and stained with this nature. Human beings cannot tear the Carnal Nature out of us. It is a part of us. That is why human beings have also regarded this as Human Nature over time and shown it total disregard. Don't you know that when you offer yourselves to someone to obey him as slaves, you are slaves to the one whom you obey... (Romans 6:16)
Most people would refute this verse by saying, "I'm not a slave because I've sought to obey no one in my lifetime except myself." That is exactly the point. We as human beings are Slaves to our Human Nature. We are slave to our fleshly desires.
Because of this carnal nature, we experience a natural tendency to Hate, Anger, Lust, become selfish and stray perversively.
We see this everyday:
Many people justify themselves that they have not done these things and so are not sinful. However, they do not understand that we all, are highly capable of such things given the right circumstances and trigger. It's simply edged into our fibre waiting to manifest in each and everyone of us. In countries where governmental law has no significant authority, we can see chao happening.
These acts or behavious springs forth from the heart condition in all of us called Sin. Sin lead us to the death of our souls and eventually even physical death.
For the wages of sin is death... (Romans 6:23) Everytime we give in to our carnal nature, it grips us more and more. Day by day it enslaves us by consuming us. The thing is, obedience to our carnal nature is enticing. The reason for this is because it springs forth from out hearts.
The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? (Jeremiah 17:9)
The cure? Living by the Spirt [of God] which comes firstly from giving our hearts to God and aligning our ourselves to his will.
So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. (Galatians 5:16-17)
The point to note is that we cannot Live by the Spirit unless we give our hearts to God. In biblical context, a Man will always be a slave. If he seeks to not obey his heart, then he will have to seek someone else's heart to obey - in this case, His Master. However, a man who enslaves himself to another man is merely enslaving himself to another Vessel of Sin. Therefore, the only way to break out of this chain is to enslave himself to a Holy, Righteous and perfect God.
But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you wholeheartedly obeyed the form of teaching to which you were entrusted. You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness. (Romans 6:17-18)
To live by the spirit means to live according to the nature of the Spirit. This is the same spirit who inspired the many authors/prophets of the bible. The bible is the inspired Word of God - therefore, to obey the bible would mean the exact implications of obeying God because God's heart and will is depicted and worded in the bible.
[to be continued...]
April 14 Moving on...I've left Judah 5. Miss those kids. Each and everyone of them are like the little brothers and sisters whom I never had. I loved them.
I remember a few years ago, I was truly seeking the Lord to impart that heart of Love to me. I felt like I didn't know how to love God's people. To tell you the truth, God used my present Girlfriend to show me this great lack that I had. She had such a wonderful heart. I remember she always used to say, "We must treat everyone with that Genuine Sincerity" and "if we minister to them out of obligation, they will know". *Smiles* I believe this to be true with all of my heart too. Humans are not stupid. They can easily tell the difference between routine and a genuine heart. God placed that in all of us so that we would recognise His own people.
By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." (John 13:35)
Back then, I fasted, prayed and cried that God would give me such a heart. I did not understand it too, but it seemed like God gave me such a hunger to seek after His love. I sought the scriptures and sought many ways to bless and show my care to people.
Naturally, there were so many mistakes made along the way. Some thought I was crazy. Members of the other gender thought I showed liking to them. It really took me so many years to strike a balance. I can't say that I'm perfect yet. There's still a tendency in me to still wanna give some poor girl walking on the street a lift home, or to bring a crying girl to the side and find out what's wrong. Some say that's normal - I've learnt that that's playing with fire and much wisdom and hardening of heart is required to handle those situations appropriately. If you've seen what came out of these gestures, you'd understand why.
Still, I can only stand in amazement of what God has done throughout my time in Judah 5. God is forever faithful to those to call out and wait upon Him. Who faithfully obeys and follows what His word says. I can't say that I've been faithful in every situation to love the people in Judah 5. But I can definitely say with great peace and confidence in my heart that I do love each and everyone of them.
I believe this was what the Jesus meant when he said, "to love your neighbour as your own...". That is, to treat them as your own family, not just someone close to you, but someone dear to you. I prefer to see them as my children or my true siblings. In this way, I see them from the father heart of God and know how God feels when even one of them stumble and fall. Or to look up and encourage them whenever one of them feels dejected. To genuinely want them to grow to have a relationship with the true father and to care for their needs first or simply just wanna bless them even when you're stuggling with finances yourself.
I grew up without siblings. Didn't even consider myself having much of a family either. But in my lack, God's granted me hunger to build my own family. Not just a physical family in the eyes of the Law, but one of eternal establishments founded by love - that in Love, all men can become familiy. Most importantly, such love can only be drawn upon from a God who first offered His own son in exchange for our freedom. Only those who can truly grasp this, knows how to truly love.
Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God.... This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins... We love because he first loved us. (1 John 4)
This day, Judah 5 stands strong with many passionate ones rising up to take up the call that God has for them. One thing I've always emphasised and I hope that they've learnt is the heart to Seek after God - my own sheep's personally favourite (and mine) "You shall seek me and find me, when you seek me with all of your heart" (Jeremiah 29:13). This verse depicts the one and only formula in getting close to God - seeking Him with a genuine heart and nothing less than the ALL of it.
"Blessed are the Pure at heart, for they shall see God" (Matthew 5:8) I thank you Lord for the Gift of Love. :) I love you Judah 5 (and Shin yee)... Dedicate this song to you guys. Remember me always....
April 11 I'm backI miss this place. :)
This is the first ever blog that I've created after becoming a Christian. I've logged so many revelations, journal an devotionals here. I love this place. It's got all my memories of growing in God and struggling with him. How the Lord brough me through seasons of life. It's amazing.
I love the colours on this blog too. It's angelic and constantly reminds me of having that pure heart in seeking God. Colours do matter.
I love the Lord. I wouldn't exchange my life in Christ for anything else in this world. I never want to jeopardise what the Lord has established in me now and what he's going to be doing in the future. Looking back, all that have costed me to get to this point was worth it. The things of the world will fade away. Beauty is fleeting and Glory is but only temporal. But to be in one with the Lord as He is one, this is the greatest Gratification one can ever achieve in his lifetime.
I pray that anyone reading this, would experience the same or even more tangible touch and love from the Lord as I have.
"...I once was Lost, but now am found; was blind but now I see." April 27 GOOD NEWS OF JESUS CHRISTAs of last Sunday, my extended family of 14 members have seen a total of 12 salvations. My auntie who had 3 kids, all Christians, refused to become a Christian for a long time. Well, she wasn't really very responsive and didn't come to church with us, nor knew how to appreciate church even if she came. However, she accepted Christ last Sunday after attending her kids' Church Service. I've always believed that she was open. But it really took her a long time to step into the church and accept Christ, though He’s been working in her life for quite a while now. Well... God's done it again. April 26 ON SECOND THOUGHTSOn second thoughts, I still feel much more comfortable blogging here. For some reason, whenever I feel like blogging my deepest thoughts, this is the place that comes to mind. Maybe its because I feel that fewer ppl read this blog of mine. I don't even think anyone reads this blog anymore. Even fewer so, I'm sure, after my last posting. In fact, sometimes I really wonder, who ever reads my posts and if anything I've posted made any sense or significance in my reader's life? *shrugs* Only God knows. :)
Been feeling very tired. And rightfully so, after all the running around and pushing myself hard. I thought to myself, I deserve a break. But no matter how many breaks I've taken, my strength still seems to elude me. Then God revealed to me - I'm tired, not because I've been running around too much, but rather because of the areas where I have not obeyed God and allowed them to crowd around my life. The things that I have not "Let God" and allowed the thoughts that cloud my mind with struggling and indecisiveness. The areas where God so desires for me to surrender to Him, yet areas where I'm too tired to let go because I feel I needed them for strength and relief. But God is saying, "Let go so that I can make you stronger".
So, I don't deserve a break. Because when I take a break from God, the Devil starts to work. But when I decide to break off from the Devil, the power of God starts to manifest in my life.
Men hates the light so that they can remain in their sinful nature while there is darkness, where no one sees or knows their deeds so that are accountable to no one. Yet when the Word of God (the bible or the Light of God) is spoken into a person, light is shone into his darkness and the dark deeds he loves indulge in are brought into light and revealed so that he's placed before God with a choice - to obey and change or to disobey and remain as we are. God is a gentleman and does not forces us to obey Him, however, because he is the sole provider of everything that man has, we will find that His blessings will only go wherever obedience is found.
Yet even as these things have been revealed, man will find it impossible to truly overcome everything that the God reveals to him by himself or with mere human effort or strategies. He needs the empowerment of the Grace of God in His life as well as the encouragement of God's unconditional and ever patient love to keep him going on and fight the battle that is within himself.
Because God sees everything that goes on in our hearts, minds and life, there is that sense of honesty we can have before Him and that deep intimacy that can be nurtured with Him - one that far exceeds any form of intimacy we can nurture with any other human being. Man were created with the need for this intimacy - God placed them in us as a map back to Him. Yet ignorant mankind seeks to find that intimacy through other human beings, desires of the flesh, man-made objects, concepts or philosophies to satisfy their emptiness and loneliness. But these things will never completely satisfy.
Only the all seeing and knowing intimacy of God is capable of meeting us at whichever level of sinfulness in our lives and in our hearts to help pull us out of what we perceive we are or can achieve by His love. The love of God clothes us a new identity of who we are and can be in life - because God knows us and believes in us. This is the love that keeps us going and persevering.
Many Great Christians are failures in life at the initial stage. In fact, many of them become simply hopeless in themselves. Yet, because they continued to love God, God lifted them up to be who they truly wanted to be. That is why the Greatest Commandment of all in the bible was to Love God with everything we've got. Because we love the God who first loved us, there is a greater potential and strength to hang on and a definite hope to overcome and be victorious.
One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, "Of all the commandments, which is the most important?"
"The most important one," answered Jesus, "is this: 'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these."
"Well said, teacher," the man replied. "You are right in saying that God is one and there is no other but him. To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices." Mark 12:28-33 April 18 MOVEDDear all,
I've moved my blog to http://www.joshuainit.com.
I know that sometimes, I blog randomly, but my heart for my blogs are to be an encouragement to Christians all over the world, to know what my Father has done in me as well as to jot down my love and devotions to my Dad and my King. I love God because of everything He's done in me to change and restore me - because He first loved me. The love that I give my Heavenly Father is definitely flawed, because I stuff up many times. But I know that He never ceases to love me for who I am and not what I have done or can do for Him. I want to grow and learn to love him more.
It's hard leaving this place, because I've stored up so many journal entries that are so memorable to me. The many moments of live changing events in my life; the growth of my Christian walk; my past... are all stored up in here. It's time to "Let Go" and move on. A season of new change and a "New Wind of the Spirit" is arising. God does not delight in our passiveness towards change. He's always doing a new thing.
Blogger seems to be the way to go. There are many things I wanna do with my blogs that I cannot do here. I'm sure some will agree with me and I know you guys will continue to support me.
Thank you all, whoever you are, for reading my blog. Even if you're the only one who's read this, you've made my heart joyful.
God Bless,
Prince-Of-Light April 12 CHRISTMAS SHOESIt was almost Christmas time, there I stood in another line
Tryin' to buy that last gift or two, not really in the Christmas mood Standing right in front of me was a little boy waiting anxiously Pacing 'round like little boys do And in his hands he held a pair of shoes His clothes were worn and old, he was dirty from head to toe And when it came his time to pay I couldn't believe what I heard him say Chorus:
Sir, I want to buy these shoes for my Mama, please It's Christmas Eve and these shoes are just her size Could you hurry, sir, Daddy says there's not much time You see she's been sick for quite a while And I know these shoes would make her smile And I want her to look beautiful if Mama meets Jesus tonight Then the cashier said, "Son, there's not enough here" He searched his pockets frantically Then he turned and he looked at me He said Mama made Christmas good at our house Though most years she just did without Tell me Sir, what am I going to do, Somehow I've got to buy her these Christmas shoes So I laid the money down, I just had to help him out I'll never forget the look on his face when he said Mama's gonna look so great Chorus:
Sir, I want to buy these shoes for my Mama, please It's Christmas Eve and these shoes are just her size Could you hurry, sir, Daddy says there's not much time You see she's been sick for quite a while And I know these shoes would make her smile And I want her to look beautiful if Mama meets Jesus tonight Bridge: Listen Here: http://profile.imeem.com/rxoqI/music/9LkiY6JE/christmas_shoes/ OF USE BY THE LORDJust last night, I revisited some of my books and came across on my Reinhard Bonnke - "Time is running out". This was a book given to me by Alvin, my good brother whom the Lord has placed in my life to make significant contributions to my Spiritual Growth. In this book, Alvin wrote about Moody, an Evangelist in the 1800s who impacted the world for Jesus. Alvin wrote about why Moody was of use by God: "Moody was fully surrendered, prayed abundantly, had no love for money, humble and lived a Spirit-Filled life". These words resonated through my heart. I always thank God for my Brother Alvin. God has placed Him and Daniel in my life to constantly encourage me. It seemed as though God had placed us together as Covenant Brothers to strengthen one another as "Iron Sharpens Iron". Although God is slowly sending us in separate directions, memories of our mutual commitment and love for God binds us together and keeps us going for God. The many times we prayed to God with one another, encouraged and shared about how God is leading us. How we used to believe firmly in the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit freely bestowed upon his children with faith and His voice speaking to us - something that many christians still acknowledge with sceptism. Somehow, even as I type this article, I realise that its also because of this firm believe that we share, even though we are apart, the Spirit within us still continues to unite us. I know, that no matter where God brings us individually, this feeling will never subside. Truly, it is this Spirit that keeps us alive. Since I became a Christian, Alvin was there. The first thing he told me when he knew I had committed my life unto the Lord was that "a Christian walk with God is truly an Adventure". And so it was. The many times, I've had to force myself out of my comfort zone and the many times I had to surrender and deny my desires all for the sake of my Lord. Through these, I have grown and am still growing. I've failed God many times. I've fallen hard before him and almost lost my faith and inheritance. But the Grace of God sustains me. The Love of God protected me and delivered me in time before I got myself completely lost in the world again. Through this incident, I've come to understand in a deeper and more personal measure, the Grace of my God the Love of my Heavenly Father - the only Father I seem to want to acknowledge having. However, God didn't rescue me in time not to get myself scarred. This incident burnt my confidence in myself about being of use by God. However, even as I type this, the Holy Spirit reminds me that its not that I am capable of use, but rather that God chooses me for his purposes and expects me to obey His will regardless of my own esteemed capabilities. Its He that IS and not that I AM. I'm still picking myself up slowly - to constantly remind myself to trust in God empowerment as I obey Him in the things that He wants me to do. Not just in doing the things that I'm expected to do, but to step out, voice out and go the extra mile. To step out and take lead in the necessary things that many Christians shun away from. To voice out and proclaim His Gospel (as prompted by the Spirit) when many Christian simply wanna be comfortable and popular to non-believers. To believe God for His empowerment and go the extra-mile when people simply can't get beyond the expectation of their own limits. Without Faith it is impossible to please God and it is also impossible to step out of our comfort zone or receive any heavenly reward if we simply do what's expected of us. Sometimes, going the extra mile makes us look like fools. It seems to others that we're simply wasting our time, energy and finances on the things are aren't necessary. However, God delights in shaming the wise by using fools. God simply wants Child-Like faith in His people. People who hear His instructions and do them without doubt, nor rationalising His voice with our human understanding. This is also a major reason why the world nor many of God's Children do not hear the voice of God - their minds are clouded with logically understanding and therefore hinder or block out the spontaneous whisper of God. This was also why Moody could hear God's voice - He was "Fully surrendered". Nothing in Him was placed above God enough to doubt God's instruction. Christians get confused because Satan has planted seeds of lies in their minds to corrupt them in their understanding about how God works. Moody was therefore of use by God because He was "Fully surrendered" - nothing in Him hindered him of obeying that voice that he heard. He simply did it, regardless of the circumstances that was before him. Even if it meant being hurled insults and mockery, he would do it. Even if it meant that his message would be rejected, he continued to believe that if God spoke, there would definitely be a great reason and purpose behind it. God never does anything for the joy of the moment and everything that he does, contributes to His Gospel and the Great Commission. This is the work of the Holy Spirit in this later times. God is always objective and focused on his plans. He never procrastinates and never acts rashfully. He never fails because He is Love (1 Cor 13:8) and his plans are always beneficial for His people (Rom 8:28). God, I pray that you may lead me and reveal to me the areas in my life that are not Fully surrendered unto you. I pray for the strength to put to death these areas in my life so that in my weakness, you are strong. I pray for Faith to trust in your promises and to act accordingly as you lead. I pray the voices within me belong only to you and that I would hear and never doubt your instructions unto me. May I ever Glorify you and enthrone you in the rightful place in my heart as you rightfully deserve. Because you and you only are God. May I also be one who says what I do. Let my sinfulness not overtake me, but that by your Spirit within me, You Reign. In Jesus Name, Amen. April 10 RESCUE - I NEED YOU JESUSYou are the source of the life
I can't be left behind No one else will do I will take hold of you Chorus:
I need You Jesus To come to my rescue Where else can I go There's no other name by Which I am saved Capture me with grace I will follow you This world has nothing for me
I will follow You This world has nothing for me I will follow You Listen Here: http://jla37.imeem.com/music/O0PsYHZT/rescue_live/ March 29 CONFIDENCE IN GOD"This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him." 1 John 5:14-15
God revealed this piece of scripture to me recently. On what basis are your prayers answered? Most people would say "Faith" and that is true.
"And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him." Hebrews 11:6
However, its where your Faith is being place upon that matters to God. We not only need to believe that God has the ability to move mountains for us, we also need to have the faith to believe that God will move that mountain for us. The passage above says that our Faith that God will move on our behalf comes from knowing that "He Hears Us".
The key to knowing whether God hears us come from knowing His will. I believe that there are two ways in which God's will is reveal to us.
Through His word:
"Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ." Romans 10:17
That confidence is received from hearing and believing the word of Christ. That is we know and understand the purposes in which Jesus died on the Cross and rose on the third day, we will understand God's will for us in this last days and be able to discern whether what we ask is according to His will or not. If it is, we know that He hears and will answer.
Through His Holy Spirit:
"But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you. All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will take from what is mine and make it known to you." John 16:13-15
God makes known His will to us through the Holy Spirit in us. However, to do that, we need to have a strong prayer life (In Spirit and in Truth) and a strong relationship with God. The Holy Spirit speaks to us through dreams, visions and revelations and remembrance of His word.
So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, "Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me." When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, "Lazarus, come out!" The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. Jesus said to them, "Take off the grave clothes and let him go." John 11:41-44
Jesus' Prayer was answered because God Heard Him. He knew the agenda of God and therefore knew that God would hear Him and answer His prayer. Many Christians are praying hard, but their prayers are not answered because they do not know the agenda of God. They do not know because they do not seek God nor do they submit to God in complete Obedience.
"As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love." John 15:9-10
As it states very clearly in the passage above, we remain in God's love only when we obey His commands. Ignorance is not an excuse for our lack of Obedience. We become ignorant when we do not seek for wisdom and understanding from God. King Saul was a very good example of such ignorance.
"You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you." John 15:14-15
When we obey and remain in God's love, God's agenda is made known to us. God reveals His plans and work to us, through every step of our obedience. He does not always reveal them immediately but gradually. In short, the revelations of God come when we obey God:
To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." John 8:31-32 March 26 HAVE WE UNDERSTOOD GRACE?Do you know what it means to be forgiven?
I know that I have been forgiven, because I am a witness to the magnitude of the sins that I am capable of and the devastating consequences that the bring. Not just that, but also the abundant kindness that I have been showered upon by my Lord who took me out of a life that was empty and pointless.
In all the wrongs that we do, judgement doesn't come immediately. Instead, it lingers until our sinful ways have attained its full measure, before chaos strikes and causes us to sink in deep sinking mud. Its only in times like these, that man starts crying out for a Saviour. Sadly, some refuse to seek help, but struggle desperately by their own strength to escape the mess that they have created, only to find themselves sinking further. The one who hangs on the Cross cries out "Father! Forgive them...". Yet the King weeps as one by one, they disappear into the sinking mud, destined to perish forever.
All who turn to the Lord finds kindness, grace and forgiveness. He picks them out of the sinking mud, washes them clean, binds up their wounds and even adopts them as Sons and Daughters, Princes and Princesses of the Heavenly King commissioned with a Heavenly Duty and backed by all authority on Heaven and Earth.
What manner of philantrophy is this - where one is bestowed Royalty upon Judgement? Where in it is the Logical Reasoning and who has boldness to accept such Grace without feeling shame? Is not this Love - for the Creator of Man to take us as His own, forgive us of our ignorant understanding and remember not our rebellious hearts? Is this not the Heart of Love - who sends out everyone within His own household to recover His lost children, persisting to the end even when He is misunderstood?
Love therefore must Reign and be enthroned King! For who else, but love can make Judgement that is fair? Who else but love seeks to empatise and comfort? Who else but love remains faithful in bringing gifts and provisions for free? Yet above all who else but love gets taken for granted?
Why must we suffer, before we see the Love of Christ? Why must a man reach a devastating point, before he knows to turn back from his own ways and acknowledge guidance from the One who looks down from Heaven? Why must someone else suffer for our mistakes , in order for us to see realise that our ignorant ways are evil? Why must we waste so much time, until we start to see that we've done nothing that's of value with the time that was given us.
Why do men procrastinate to even respond to blessing? March 16 THE POWER OF A FATHER'S LOVE
March 06 DEAR DADDY...Dear God,
I just wanna say that I love you. I really do.
You've done so much for me... you've taught me so much, change me so much and made me realise that I didn't have to stay the way that I was, living in an world of my own to escape the realities of this one. Instead, you pulled me out of my mental prison and helped me face the world as you have created it to be.
You've taught me to love when I didn't know how and showed me that the Love I knew, was eventually leading to tears and scars in the people I so claim to hold dear to. If only I could teach them, the ones who are crying out now, what you've shown me; then maybe their tears will lessen and their joy be full.
Father, I never considered myself to have had one, until you drew me close so I could see you. All my life, you were there, only how blind was I to see and feel your presence. I gazed upon your glory, even years before I knew you.
Thank you Lord for everything you've done in my life.
February 16 ABE QUOTE"With malice toward none; with charity for all; with firmness
in the right, as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish
the work we are in; to bind up the nation's wounds...." - Abraham Lincoln February 14 GOD THINKS YOU'RE WONDERFULIt may be difficult for you to believe
that God knows your name but He does.
Written on His hand, Spoken by His mouth
whispered by His lips, your name.
I have written your name on my hand. - Isaiah 49:16
You have captured the heart of God
He cannot bear to live without you
God's dream is to make you right with Him
And the path of the cross
tells us exactly how far God will go to call us back
It is not our love for God, its God's love for us
in sending His son to be the way to take away our sins - 1 John 4:10
If you want to touch God's heart
use the name He loves to hear
Call Him 'Father'
He thinks you're wonderful
- Max Lucado February 05 A TRIBUTE TO SUEThis song above reminds me of a girl whom I met when I first accepted Christ. She's such a sweet and lovely girl. Used to call me "Da Ge" - which means big brother. She never ceased to encourage me in my walk with God. Kept on encouraging me even though I always felt inadequate about myself or who I'd ever become in Christ. Yet, she was just this humble girl that simple chose to believe in me. I've always been grateful to God for her in my life.
Her heart and passion for God was amazing. I've seen her just kneeling and crying to God in His sweet presence - just enjoying that intimacy with Him and bearing her heart out to Him. She'd never tell anyone how she felt - insisted on bringing her issues to Jesus. Though many times, we'd be worried for her, she always found a way to sort things out within herself through Jesus Christ in her heart. She's just amazing.
Her prayer life was incredible. Whenever she prayed, you could sense the fire of the Holy Spirit just sweeping the place. She prayed with such conviction, faith and fire that it just compelled everyone to catch that heart as well. Because of that, the Cell Group was strong and passionate for Jesus. Many times, when I pray to God, I always tell God, I want to pray the way she did and even more - just letting go of my fears about what others may think and just throwing my heart and soul crying out for God to move.
However, there came a time when she has to leave Brisbane and go home. Back at home, things just didn't work out for her one by one. Her life became a total chaos as she saw the things in her life crumble one by one. After struggling for a long period of time, she gave up. She chose to keep and cherish what's left. She left church and God because doing so would seem to take away everything else she had left.
I know God grieves for His child. God continues to remind me about Sue as images of her praying and crying out to God continues to surface within my mind. I know God desires to speak to her and get her back as a Father loves and the child and wants to reconcile. God loves her so much and I know that deep inside of her, she still loves God. How tiring and depressing it must be for her to deny Him and His existence in her life. Everyday, that still small voice in her heart still calls out to her.
May God continue to cover over Sue and that she will one day rediscover the Grace and Love of the Father over her life.
As Christians, we all rise and fall. But God's love is everlasting and ever consistent. He is not a bias God, nor does he turn anyone away. In fact, He'll go to the ends of the earth just to search for His lost sheeps.
"What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off? And if he finds it, I tell you the truth, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off. In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should be lost." Matthew 15:12-14
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39 January 30 LETTERS FROM WAROne of my Favourite Songs. Wish I could post more songs from this singer up but apparently, there aren't any other of his songs on YouTube that are original. I prefer showing people the original MTV. January 27 FAITH FOR THE PEOPLEJesus Heals a Paralytic A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home. So many gathered that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them. Some men came, bringing to him a paralytic, carried by four of them. Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus and, after digging through it, lowered the mat the paralyzed man was lying on. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Son, your sins are forgiven." . . . . He said to the paralytic, "I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home." He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all. This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, "We have never seen anything like this!" Mark 2:8-12 God led me to this verse suddenly and asked me, would the paralytic be healed if his friends had not find ways to get him into the presence of Jesus? Indeed, if he hadn't had such persistent friends who would go high and low to bring him before Jesus and to heal him, he would still be stuck in his own miserable condition. But wait, isn't this just like our Christian walk today? If our friends had not found ways and opportunities to sneak us into church or the company of Christians, would we have been saved? There are so many people out there, crippled in their minds and hearts from knowing the truth. Binded by the lies of Satan, the world lives a meaningless life of endless pursuit for happiness, only to find themselves stuck in misery. Such men, have no means of knowing Jesus. They cannot come to know him or even comprehend him by their own thinking. "the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so." Romans 8:7 It requires Christians then to bring these ones before Christ. Sometimes, it even takes the effort of four or more people to even bring one person before Jesus. But when they truly get before the presence of God, God effectively says to them: "Son, your sins are forgiven" and they are saved. It takes great Faith in Jesus for the paralytic's friends to have gone through all those effort just to bring him before the Lord. It therefore also requires great faith on our part to keep believing for our friend's salvation. For if we do not believe in God for them, there is no way we will be able to overcome the multitude of obstacles to get them saved. Mind you, Faith must also be accompanied by deeds. If we say that we believe for their salvation and do nothing to bring them to church, then we are nothing but great liars to ourselves. It is one thing to be saved, and yet another thing to be set free. The paralytic was forgiven but still could not walk. He only did so when Jesus commanded him to take his mat and walk. It take both Faith and Obedience from us in order that God's power may be manifested. The paralytic could very well have rejected the Lord with his crippled mentality that there is no chance of him walking ever again. Yet he believed the Lord and did as he was told. In the same way, Christians do not experience the power of God being manifested in their lives until they start believing in the authority of Christ over our disabilities and circumstances and begin to do as we have been told through God's word. It takes faith and obedience to God's word to allow yourself to be slapped again on the other side. It takes faith in God's redemption to put down our deep-rooted hatred and forgive someone we've hated almost all our lives. It takes Faith in God's provision to give up the career path of our choice and start planning our paths from Christ's Perspective. However, we all know or have heard of the many testimonies of Christians living their lives to the fullest and conquering mountains in their lives through such Faith and Obedience to God. Today, let's begin to believe God for the many ones around us who are not saved. We need to start stepping out and knock persistently upon the gates to Salvation in order for these ones to know Christ. Let's also start allowing the power of God to do its work in our lives and stop hindering God with all our unbeliefs and disobedience. THE PERSUIT OF HAPPINESSWhat are we really pursuing in life? It is to be someone great and powerful? Are we driven by achievements and credentials? Who is the lord of our lives and what are we truly called to be? At times, even Christians can aim to become an achiever, and seek after the things that we can build with our own two hands rather than sow the seed of Love for the fruits of Salvation . We start out doing what we know and believe is God's calling for us. But as we strive harder to build and establish, we find that we can slowly go out of focus and forget that the whole meaning of our Christian service is build upon the basis of love. God is definitely not opposed to ambition and growth. In fact, God wants us to become a testimony of His Glory. But first, God seeks to reflect His Son in us: "You are my Son; today I have become your Father. Ask of me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession." Psalm 2:7-8 The Son knows the heart cry of the Father and seeks to Glorify the Father. Just as the Father and Son are one, the Glory of the Father belongs to the Son as well. Many of us neglect that in order for God to make us great, we must first allow God to build in us a Servant Hood heart, nurture a genuine love for His people and establish an uncompromising obedience to Christ. The person who wants to become the Greatest in the Kingdom of God, must first be the least. God is first and foremost concerned about the conditions of our heart. He knows that a man can never last the mile, when His heart and mind are set upon the wrong motive. What manner of Kingdom are we building? Why are we doing the things that we are doing now? Are we doing it for the Heartbeat of God or simply to Glorify ourselves? Let us therefore continue to seek God for His heart and allow His word to mirror and reveal our true heart conditions in our daily walk with Him. January 25 DON'T GET CAUGHTProverbs 6:5-11 (New International Version)
Free yourself, like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter, like a bird from the snare of the fowler.... How long will you lie there, you sluggard? When will you get up from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest- and poverty will come on you like a bandit and scarcity like an armed man. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy;... John 10:10 Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him,.... 1 Peter 5:8-9 There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: Ecclesiastes 3:1 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. James 4:7 God's will is always applicable every moment of our lives (there is a season for every activity under Heaven). However, just as the fowler desires to capture the bird and the hunter desires the gazelle, the enemy desires to hunt us down and trap us in our Sloth so that he may hinder what is God's will for us and eventually destroy us.
He did evil because he had not set his heart on seeking the LORD. 2 Chronicles 12:14
The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. 1 Peter 4:7
We need to awake from (our slumber) a confused and aimless mind and start seeking God daily for His will. Though we may not always sense the most accurate plan from God, we will never get too far away from His perfect will nor beyond His permissable will, if we hold His words close to our hearts and allow the Holy Spirit to speak into our lives.
It is the Holy Spirit in us that makes alive the Word of God to us. Prayer, is therefore important to help us discern the voice of God so that His word may bring revelations to us in our daily walk and circumstances.
Let us submit ourselves to the will of God then, so that we may be guided by God's agenda rather than the enemies. For the enemy seeks to destroy the blissful plans of God which brings hope to the ones who obey.
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." Jeremiah 29:11
With God's agenda in mind and with the "Joy of the Lord as our Strength" (Nehemiah 8:10), we are therefore capable of denying our carnal temptations and resist the devil. Just as the Bird that refuses to be caught by the snares of the fowler, we too can refuse to allow Satan to trap us. January 19 WHEN I SAY... "I AM A CHRISTIAN"When I say ... "I am a Christian" I'm not shouting, "I'm saved" I'm whispering, "I get lost!" "That is why I chose this way." When I say ... "I am a Christian" I'm not trying to be strong, I'm professing that I'm weak, and pray for strength to carry on. When I say ... "I am a Christian" I'm not claiming to be perfect, my flaws are way too visible but God believes I'm worth it. |
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