God is love

My 2011

2012-02-08T16:09:00.001+08:00

I remembered during the first quarter of my 2011, everything of me seemed to move like a tortoise. Carrying the big stomach in Jan, giving birth to Jayden in Feb, and starting to adjust to motherhood, I moved very slowly emotionally, physically and mentally. To be honest, what I could feel that time was tiredness. I was so overwhelmed by responsibilities of being a new mother as well as existing responsibilities of being a spiritual mother to people God put under my care. I literally felt left out in ministry.

When the outpouring of Holy Spirit started on 7th April at church last year, I was at home taking care of little Jayden. Hearing the great things the Lord did unto the church and many members experiencing holy laughter, seeing visions, experiencing 3rd heaven, etc, I supposed I would be fired up and felt the umphh of it. But sad to say, I felt even more left out. However, since then I made a decision that I would just go to church prayer regardless how troublesome it would be.

On the next prayer on 15th April, I spent most of the time in the nursery room, while hearing from the inside all the manifestation that happened outside the room. Again, I felt left out. I even meditated the thoughts “What's the point I come but can't truly participate?”

Ps.David decided to screen The Glory School of Patricia King to the whole church from 19th April onwards. During one of the sessions, we were all led to have time with the Lord, and let Him do what He wanted to do. I heard Him speaking.

“Jadeline, stop feeling left out as I never leave you outside My kingdom. You are already in it. But is your choice to feel ‘left out’ or feel ‘in it’. Many of my children couldn’t take what it costs to be in it, and they conclude they are left out. If you feel left out, it only means you are afraid. You are afraid of not being in it. So you start to reason that you are left out, you sort of comfort yourself fakely. Just to support your own self-pity or fear. You fear of not knowing whether you will be in it successfully. You fear whether you will be able to catch up with the rest who experience more now. You fear of the unknown. You fear of not being comfortable. So does feeling left out actually help you? No! It does help in the sense of freeing you of going deeper, but that only means you will really be left out. You rather not participate because you fear if you participate you won’t get what you want. You fear of failure. You fear of responsibilities place upon that you can’t do well.”

My FIRST TOUCH of the Lord during revival last year was not experiencing 3rd heaven, not laughing uncontrollably, not falling under His power, not shaking under His power, but is being refined by His fire the way I think, the way I reason, the way I act. I felt ironically puzzled that since I had learned a lot & had served God for so many years, why still had a lot to be refined? The Lord being my Comforter simply tells me, “You are just as human as the others. Just as you give support and counsel and prayer to many who are in transition and who feel weak & tired, you too are in transition now, and I am going to help you. Everyone will go through some season sof transition in their life.”

I thank God being my Refiner, my Provider (esp joy & strength), my Teacher, my Comforter, my Refresher.

Soon (May onwards), I felt myself ‘IN IT’ again. I no longer easily felt left out, and start to feel the power surging from inside me, not suddenly but gradually. I took Ps.Gloria’s advice of praying in the spirit while feeding and putting baby to sleep. By that time, I was still breastfeeding the baby, and Jayden needed to be fed every 1.5 hour, that was why the insufficient sleep. I had changed to be become more positive minded than negative. In my ‘IN IT’ gear, I got rid of my complaint of tiredness & I would pray in spirit silently while taking care of Jayden to get supernatural strength. And it worked! Truly, complaining is the engaging force to feeling weak & bitter, whereas giving thanks is the anchor to positive things & power. During one the mentoring with Ps.David, at the ending he prayed for all the mothers in our church, I felt such a gush of energy and encouragement & faith arised from within. Truly it is my privilege to submit under my spiritual leader’s covering. Hebrews 13:17 is what Holy Spirit taught ever since I joined WHC and it has become my practice and I am really blessed when I honor my spiritual leaders (of course also honor one another).

Since then, Holy Spirit continues to teach me again and again, renewing many of my old wineskins. Being a minister of God that is so pastoral for many years, I had missed out the powerful and supernatural part of God. In all the years I served God, I only partake of the comforting part of Him, the nurturing part of Him, and the encouraging part of Him. God told me that He doesn’t want me to only experience the mother nature of Him. But He also wants me to experience the Father part of Him. Not only that, the Kingly part of Him. The authoritative part of Him. The supernatural part of Him. The bombastic part of Him.

Overall, last year was a year where God revealed more of Himself to me, but I have got to let go many of my limited ideas about Him.

Jadeline’s idea about God is: God = love. And my definition of love = caring, comforting, nurturing, encouraging, grace.

God being God-ly enough came into my ‘love’ definition and added some new definition to it.
God is love. His Love = caring, comforting, nurturing, encouraging, transforming, healing, signs & wonders, supernatural heavenly touch, prophetic words, sozo, glory… and more that He will add on this year.

Just one requirement: NEVER FEEL LEFT OUT! As it is a form of self-pity; or fear of participation yet not knowing what will be the outcome and not knowing how people will acknowledge you; or fearing of you yourself failing yourself and your own’s expectation.

Be IN IT! & Flow WITH IT.
2012 let it be MORE.
Moving On Resisting Emulators.

Verses I pondered a lot:
Colossians 3:12-17 (NKJV),
Ephesians 4:11-16 (NLT)

Extravagant Worshiper. Extravagant Worship.

2011-12-14T15:24:00.000+08:00

We all know this sinful woman in the Bible whom we always talked about or preachers like to preach about.

Luke 7:37-38 A woman in that town who lived a sinful life learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, so she came there with an alabaster jar of perfume. As she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them. (NIV)

Though she is sinful, but her selfless display of extravagant worship changed how everyone remembers her. The way she adored Jesus was way above most of us. Despite the fact that she was sinful and not supposed to be present there, she braved her way there to meet Jesus to show her deep appreciation, admiration and adoration for Him. She could go so low and forfeit her self-image by wetting Jesus’ feet with her tears and then wiping them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them. It was believed that an alabaster jar of perfume in those time actually cost her one year’s wages. Imagine you give away your one year’s salary to the Lord. Imagine you wipe Jesus’ feet with your beautifully-styled hair. The emphasis here is not so much so of her action, but her heart of worship and total adoration towards Jesus.

In Webster’s dictionary, ‘extravagant’ can be defined as:
1. Exceeding the limits of reason
2. Lacking in moderation, balance and restraint
3. Extremely or excessively elaborate
4. Spending much than necessary
5. Profuse lavish

Why do we need to be extravagant in our worship? Why do we want to be extravagant worshiper?

It is not to impress people. It is not for looking good. It is not for looking committed. It is not even to earn His love. It is because Jesus had first loved us. When He died for us at the cross, it exceeded the limits of reason. How could a sinless man-God find any worthwhile reason to die for sinners who don’t even know Him, and some even mocked Him? There is no other reason but having extravagant love for us. John 3:16 says for God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. Couldn’t He be a bit more balance and moderate, perhaps just die for those who will follow him, and do not bother about those who won’t follow Him? But no, He died and took the punishment of sin for the all humankind. How else to describe this except that He has extreme and excessive elaborate love for us.

Jesus knew that the woman is a sinner, but He never despised her. Despite the crowd’s pressure, He didn’t compromise. In fact He commented good about her.

Let us continue to read the following story:
Luke 7:39-50 When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is—that she is a sinner.”
Jesus answered him, “Simon, I have something to tell you.”
“Tell me, teacher,” he said.
“Two people owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii,[a] and the other fifty. Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he forgave the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?”
Simon replied, “I suppose the one who had the bigger debt forgiven.”
“You have judged correctly,” Jesus said.
Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You did not give me a kiss [on the cheek], but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.”
Then Jesus said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”
The other guests began to say among themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?”
Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

Today as we worship, we are to worship Him in truth. Ask yourself these few questions:

How big are the debts Jesus canceled for me? How generous was He towards me when consider the pain my sins inflicted upon Him? How much thanks do I owe Him for cancelling the consequence of my past? Am I generous in my worship? Or am I calculative and just be extravagant in worship when it is convenient? Do I exceed reasonable limits when praise Him? Or am I merely doing what is required, fulfilling the basic commitment? Am I trying to earn my right of acceptance in the church, so I follow the congregation and worship? Do I only worship at church to look good for other people to see? Do I worship just to get more power, more anointing, more miracles, but don’t really have personal intimacy with Jesus? Do I worship only when I like that particular worship leader or that particular song? Do I worship only when worship leader is around, or my pastor is around? Am I trying to act out like a real great worshipper so that I can join worship team?

So what is worship? And what are we doing when we worship?

John 4:23-24 23 Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. 24 God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”

True worship is not defined by action or songs, nothing of the outward. True worship is when one’s spirit adores and connects with the spirit of God, when the very core of one’s being is found loving Him, lost in Him. Good worship is not about songs, band or the size of choir (though music is a wonderful expression of worship, and great music at church causes our friends to go “Wow, is this church? Gosh! I didn’t know music at church is so awesome and kicking! And I didn’t need to spend a penny, what a waste of my so many nights at disco man!!”

True worship is one’s total heart and complete soul, all that is within, adores and connects to the spirit of God. It is not how high we lifted up our hands, or how jumpy we can go, or how loud we can sing (though when we are in our intense expression of hearts to God in our singing, it does cause us to just want to reach out to God and so we lift up our hands up high, it does cause us to be so excited about the awesomeness of God that our legs can’t help but just go jumping, and our lungs can’t restraint but just use up all the air inside and sing aloud to God!).

Therefore, we can never judge who really has a heart of worship and who is not. We can never conclude by just judging from outward action who is a real extravagant worshiper. And we are not suppose to judge anyone, God says. Only God knows. Only God sees our heart. A sinner like that woman whom were judged by many as “sinner”, can be to God a true worshipper. So we as His beloved sons and daughters, redeemed by His precious life, we do our part and respond to Him by being an extravagant worshiper and bringing Him extravagant worship.

All this come back to our relationship Jesus. Even now in this generation, the definition of relationship is very vague, which mostly are judged merely by the outward expression, and it can be equated as true relationship even though hearts are not involved.

Therefore, even if you are part of the worship team, your most glorious moments of worship should be off the stage when you are alone with God – our one-to-one intimate time with God, undistracted – our total focus and attention on Him – giving our undivided heart when we pray, when we read bible and when we soak in His presence.

Heartfelt intimacy is private. Just like your precious time with your best friend is not in the public moment, but when you are alone with him or her.

Ps. David taught us about soaking – how to be in His presence, totally be filled by His spirit, completely surrender for Holy Spirit to lead us – and he taught us that soaking is not only during church prayer (House of Prayer for All Nations), but it is a daily thing. HOPFAN is when we gather as a church and come into corporate prayer and soaking for church, for nation/s, for the benefit of all, but in our daily life, we should have soaking too.

Worship is always ties with LOVE and OBEDIENCE.

You cannot say you love to worship God and that you are a true worshipper but you do not love to do His works. You cannot say you are an extravagant worshiper if you still hate or reject your fellow church members.

An extravagant worshiper that have extravagant worship with Jesus will be so overwhelmed by His heart, will be so immersed in His love, and will be so overflowing with His character that he can’t resist but to want to do something for God (not self), to love one another, to forgive all, to restore all, to see the sick healed, the see the blind walk, and to see the bound be set free. He will love his church just like Jesus loves his church and other churches. He will love his pastor just like Jesus loves His pastor that He appoints Him to be one. He will love his fellow brethren just like Jesus loves them that He saves them. He will love the lost just like Jesus. He will love all. Though our love is not comparison with Jesus’ love, but at least, we will love and not hate or despise or reject or prejudice or bias.

He will also serve God with whole heart and not complaint, just like Jesus never complains when He loves us. In fact He loves us all out till He needs to die on the cross to break the covenant of law, and bring in the covenant of grace unto humankind.

Therefore, because Jesus first loved us, let us be extravagant worshipers that bring extravagant worship to Him. Love Jesus all out. Praise Jesus at all times. Obey Him and do what pleases Him at all times. Embrace what He asks us to embrace. Embrace His power, authority, kingdom and glory which He wants them to be displayed through us. Discard whatever characters and attitude that does not please Him. Love what He loves. Love who He loves. Display Jesus in our life.

Be EW2.

Partnering with God in your finance

2011-12-02T13:20:00.002+08:00

Praise Celebration with Oliver Tham (part1) from Praise Celebration One WHC on Vimeo.

Praise Celebration with Oliver Tham (part2) from Jimmy Yong on Vimeo.

Revival Service with Oliver Tham (Part1) from Praise Celebration Two WHC on Vimeo.

Revival Service with Oliver Tham (part2) from Jimmy Yong on Vimeo.

If you want to listen to other sermons, go to my "Sermon Download" page.

Weird Christian? Or Weird God?

2011-11-20T00:36:00.002+08:00

When I want to know more about someone (for e.g. a well-known rich person), I will read his biography. But his biography does not cover everything about him. In order to really know him, I would love to meet him in face to face, talk to him, and if possible spend time with him. So if one day I become his friend, our friend-relationship will not be confined to what I read or feel about him through his biography.

• I think there will be time we laugh crazily together over a funny joke.
• I think there will be time I can visit him at his house.
• I think I will have chance to see him in his casual wear.
• I think there will be time he whispers to me at the coffee shop about something he notices.
• I think he will share with me his next venture or his business plan. He will include me in his business share.
• I think one day I will even see him cry like a baby when he shares his heart-ache story to me.
• We can eat KFC together using fingers and with finger-licking-good sound.

One day, when I have privilege to share all my wonderful experiences with this Mr. Well-Known to others, then some will say I just create a story, or fake them out. Some will feel that I am weird or they will just feel weird due to disbelieving I can be that close to that Mr. Well-Known. Some will actually believe what I share and start to think Mr. Well-Known is kind of weird, due to their expectation on this well-known famous person [proper, never joke, won’t cry].

I would say happily, “Weird isn’t it? Well, I just know I am that close with him.”

Likewise, when I want to know more about God, I will read the Bible. But the Bible does not cover everything about God. In order to really know him, I would love to meet him in face to face, talk to him, and if possible spend time with him. So if one day I become God’s friend, our friend-relationship will not be confined to what I read or feel about God through the Bible.

• I can laugh together with God. (By the way, God is not a serious-papaya-looking God all out to see who sin & punish them!)
• I can visit heaven
• I have chance to see God dance (or at least feel in my spirit) and I can dance with Him too.
• God will whisper to me (or talking to me with still small voice) whatever He notices.
• God will share with me about His next step and His kingdom plan. He will include in His kingdom business.
• I can feel the heart of God, even if he is hurt over something. I can feel Him cry. I can see Him cry.
• I will hear Him sing to me a song.
• We can play together at heavenly rivers.

When I share these wonderful experiences with my God to others, some will think I just create a story or fake it out. Some will literally feel I am weird. Some will say I come from a weird church. Some will conclude Christians experience is weirdly bizarre. Some will think God is weird, due to their expectation on God [sitting at His golden throne, holding a glorious scepter, waiting there to answer people’s prayer, spotting who sin on earth & thereby sending punishment from the throne to earth].

I would happily say, “Weird isn’t it? Well, I just know I can be that close with God. He is super. I am natural. Me and him combine, what else except supernatural?” =p

Anyway, the meaning of weird in dictionary is:
1. involving or suggesting the supernatural; unearthly or uncanny
2. fantastic; bizarre
3. archaic

So I don’t mind if people think I am from a weird church, or I am a weird Christian or I have a weird God.

That simply means I am from a supernatural fantastic church, or I am a supernatural fantastic Christian, or I have a supernatural fantastic God. Simply love it! *clapclap*

No one can say I cannot or should not or be careful to experience God in the above manner be due to there are not found written in the Bible. Saying that is equal to "Hey, you can never be eating KFC with Mr.Well-Known because as far as I know I never read about him eating KFC in his biography! I think he wouldn't like KFC as much as the abalon he always eat at 6-star restaurant. You must be kidding me."

2011 Overall E X P A N S I O N ! ! !

2011-11-04T15:04:00.002+08:00

The very first expansion of the year occurred in my physical body. Finally on 35th week of my pregnancy, my whole body expanded and I reached 77kg (first time in my life – Jadeline’s record!!!). My legs were expanded too, swollen I should say. This was a real good expansion for me, knowing that my little baby is coming out soon. This also marked a new way of expenditure as a new little human being will join in our spending. However, thank God that having been living a lifestyle of trusting God as our provider and that God is our best provider, there is no problem for us, except that we will need to expand our faith on behalf of this little one. So yup, expansion in expenditure, and expansion of faith towards God! Expansion in family =)

February: Jayden is borned on 11 February 2011. [11.02.2011].

And also first time in my life I was in confinement, just stayed at home and not washing hair for 21 days. Thanks to new technology, I found stuff like dry shampoo for my hair. So, this was expansion of my patience of sticking to the ‘rules’ of confinement, as well as expansion of motherly nature in me. I thanked God for the care of my families (both sides’ family) and to all my church members who showed their care and concern.

During the confinement time, I came to realize that coming together as church is so important. Being with one another in the spiritual family is so essential. At one point, I felt so tired, so empty, and literally almost felt depressed. Later only I found out that sharp drop of hormones estrogen and progesterone in my body after giving birth caused this postpartum depression. Thank God I was confirmed alright and need not go for counseling, yet I need to consistently meditate on Jesus’ love for me and being reminded He will see me through this time. It was a major transition of my life, a lot of adjustment need to be made, a lot of trusting God that He will also take care of my disciples as I would not be able to be with them during that time. I remember as I prayed for each one of them, the Lord showed me Psalm 36:7-9. I was greatly comforted knowing that all spiritual children will be well taken care of by God. Being a new mother, I have a lot to learn & a lot to juggle. I thank God for a supportive husband and understanding people around me. Also I thank God for having disciples who are mature in the Lord, able to walk close with God & hear from Him whenever they face challenges. Again, thank God for being with all of us throughout, surely He will never leave us (Hebrews 13:5).

I was officially free from confinement on March 11 and that night I attended the very 1st Vision Day of the year. I was so excited to go to church and to meet everyone there. The feeling was so awesome and I felt extremely great. Listening to Ps. David teaching the Word of God re-envisioned my whole purpose of who I am as child of God and a serious disciple of Jesus. I simply love the fact that Jesus first loved me, and so I love Him. He loved me to the extend of dying on the cross for me in exchange of my new life. Not only that, He gave me the highest authorization over all authorities and give me this great commission to make disciples of all the nations. The greatest business ever! The greatest privilege ever! The greatest partnership ever! And He is the only ‘Boss’ in the world that will never grow old, will never step down from His position, will never fire me no matter how weak is my performance as long as I did not resign, and will be with me forever in the course of partnership, as He has promised He will be with me till the end of the age =) (see Matthew 28: 18-20) (*peeps* He will be with you too if you want).

Since I was still on maternity leave until April 11, I really took this time to learn to be a mother and also rested at home to let my body recuperates. At home, I never stop hearing good stuff happening at church. Healings took place during New Life e2, words of knowledge that encourages people being released, and last but not least, our church officially has Chinese Praise Celebration!! Bravo to Ps. Lois who took the challenge to pioneer it and also some faithful disciples who participated in serving in various areas *clap clap*.

April THE 7th is THE DAY! During Worship & Prayers, the Lord did something in World Harvest that surprised all of us. Holy Spirit moved tremendously and we encountered the glory! Some members were experiencing laughter from God, some experiencing heaven and had a glimpse of how wonderful heaven is (beyond words can describe), visions are seen, words being released, etc. Not only that, for some members, their spirit were transported to Japan for intercession purpose, as during that time, Japan was badly hit by severe earthquake.

Since then, glory & supernatural encounter become regular in our church. Many times, members experience Him in the form of fire, wind, river &/or rain. Thank God for all this. God knows we are ready and will continue to welcome Him to do whatever He wants to do. I believe God allows WHC to experience all this is not to make us proud. In fact, we will be more humbled knowing that we actually do not deserve all this but He had done it all to make us deserve. We are not worthy for His glory, but He allows us to encounter His glory! Such love will compelled us to love Him even more. Let us continue to be faithful, loyal and wholly committed to the things of God.

Holy Spirit moves so fast that we could not deny that we got to really expand our understanding horizon and enlarge heart to learn, and to learn, and to learn… In His glory, there will be an increase in clarity in many areas. This includes even our weaknesses, our shortcoming, and our setback, of course all of our possible fear or unrenewed mind. All these will be revealed in His glory so that they can be recognized and be got rid of. Hence, let this be the time we increase our love for one another and always allow one another to notice and acknowledge owns’ weaknesses, then to learn & to improve. Never despise one another, and never despise self. Most importantly, never despise the things of God. Should there be any questions, I learn to talk to God first and ask Him to expand my understanding and wisdom to be more and more of the same level as His. No doubt there will be doubt at times, but we must continue to believe that glory (supernatural) encounter is part of Christian lifestyle, and in fact it should be a norm. As what we read from the Bible, originally there are so many examples of super-spiritual (supernatural) encounters that people in the Bible had with the spirit world. Few examples:

- Peter had a trance and saw the sky opened up and saw object like a great sheet coming down. (Acts 10:9-16)

-Ezekial saw the hand of God coming down upon on him, and the hand of God caught him by the lock of his head and lifted him up to another place. (Ezekiel 8:1-3)

-Dead people return (Matthew 27:52-53, Mark 9:2-7)

-Angelic visitations (Matthew 1:18-20, Acts 12:1-10, Acts 12:11-16)

I have a new motto: "Never fear failure, but learn to fail. If we never learn to fail, we will fail to learn."

Therefore, church members, in this season of glory encounter, we want to be positive that this is the beginning of revival. Never fail to learn new things from the Lord. Never fear new experiences. Never back-off from challenges. Be faith-oriented rather than doubt-oriented. Be participator rather than spectator. Be hopeful rather than hopeless. Be like Elijah, the moment he just saw a cloud even as small as a man’s hand, he declared with believing heart that there would be abundance of rain! Be believing rather than belittle-ing. Have hearing heart rather than complaining heart. Never be satisfied just to know God in one area. God is awesomely great! In Him is the greatest syllabus ever! If He would be a teacher, he will be the best teacher as he can cover the topics from natural to supernatural, from success to miracles, from money to heavenly gemstone, from nothing to something, from love to revival, from being caring to being daring, from earth to heaven, from servant to king, and so and so forth. So I have decided not just to choose what I like to hear (for example love & mercy & success), but I want to hear and learn all that is about God! =) my super Hero, my super Daddy in heaven! Another expansion.

Our official Harvest Season (though harvest season can be every day as the Lord had said that the harvest is white and plentiful). Wherever we go, wherever we stay & wherever we work is a good place for us to touch the lives of people around us, bring the love of Jesus there and let His kingdom be revealed through us. This season, we started to see souls saved by daily. For now it may not be a lot, but yes, more will come. It is also encouraging to see people being touched by God through healing in their body, timely words from God that encourages, prophecies that change life once and for all, revelations & intercession during HOPFAN (House of Prayer for All Nations), and even our children from children church start to experience glory encounter from God. They saw visions, they receive revelation, and they also pray for the adults. We want to continue to impart this spiritual legacy to all the children.

In the month of July, our church started to bang down the wall to combine the two lots of shop to become one bigger church. Yes, church expansion in physical sense. There were so much work that need to be done in this renovation expansion project. Seeing church members availed themselves to help cleaning the church Saturday after Saturday, and also involved in many other renovation work such as cleaning the ceiling board, wiping all the dust, taking off the old carpet, etc etc etc, brought such comfort and encouragement to me. This is a great family of God. I just love this family. Even in the midst of dust, people are still joyful doing work. Bodies were tired, but work still continued, without complaint. This is a superb teamwork right there! And we thank God for a good contractor and his team. WHCians, you are great people!!!

Quite many of us attended Asia Ablaze from 2-4 August. We were so blessed by Dr.Newberry and Dr. Rodney Howard Brown. We also know this is timely as they were teaching exactly the same thing that we were experiencing; the river of God, the fire, the revival. One spectacular thing that happened was Ps. David was singled out to be prayed for and Dr. Rodney imparted fire into him. The next day, Ps. Jason was singled out too half way during the sermon and the same thing happened as to his father (Ps.David). There must be something great for them. Meaning, something great for WHC!! =) kind of proud of this church. Though by size, there is nothing prominent, but by content, there is something magnificent that God is in the process of making.

We had a remarkable Wind & Fire Church Camp during September. Great manifestations of Holy Spirit, great worship, great time listening to Word, great heavenly encounters, great games, great time with the babies, and great time together! Great. Remarkable. Extravagant. Awesome. Tremendous.

October had just ended, and I just know as we never lose heart, more G.R.E.A.T. stuff from the Lord is awaiting us. One great news that I just found out is my payment of car loan ended last month. So, WPP 2754 Perodua Kenari is officially mine. Really happy. More babies are on the way. Church is growing in every sense. Do not merely focus on the number, though eventually numbers will increase, but know that church is growing in maturity, in quality, in ranges of age group, in experiential knowledge, in in-depth character and in foundational strength.

Time really flies, and we can’t afford to miss out things, especially things from God in this season where trickle of revival had started. Set your heart 'online' with God, let His fire burns and cleanse you inside out, to undo all impurities, making us as pure as purest gold. Put on your gear, ready to expand your wings, and glide with the wind of the Holy Spirit. Prepare your sail, expand it, and flow with the water current of Holy Spirit. Get ready bricks and cement, expand the water dam, and let the outpouring of rain of revival flows.

Nov & Dec, here we are! Come on la!! =)

If God is for us, who can be against us?

Love is the greatest. God is love. So God is the greatest. And God is with us, so we can be great too despite whatever circumstances or situation. God bless.

DIFFERENT - taken from Inspirational Stories

2011-10-28T16:14:00.001+08:00

That’s what I wanted to be when I was young. I wanted to be different from the way I was, and I did my best to enlist God’s help. At 90, I see how foolish I was.

Passing a mirror on my birthday, I had to admire myself from head to toe. “You’re so slim!” In my youth I was embarrassed by my skinny frame. Now I see that my bone structure has saved me from becoming overweight in these more sedentary days. Also, back then it was said that gentlemen preferred blondes. How I wished for something other than my plain black locks. Now, though, I’ve swung into my golden age with platinum hair. What do you know? A blonde at last—and it’s natural!

I used to complain to God about being shy. “I can’t even carry a lively conversation,” I whined in my prayers. But perhaps this reserve has kept me from babbling incessantly. Awkward and clumsy, I remember vigorously pushing doors marked Pull. I cringed when people laughed at me. Now, instead of pouting, I laugh at myself. I’m also not very good at directions, but these days, when I turn down the wrong road, I enjoy discovering new landscapes while I find my way. What’s the hurry?

I should have trusted in God way back then. I should have be my true self and knew that I am uniquely different from others back then. He knows me better than myself. My prayers today are thanksgiving for who I am at the age I am. If I’d known 90 would be so great, I wouldn’t have stayed young so long.

Be thankful, you are the only YOU in this world!

There is only one Jadeline Lee Beng Gaik in this world. So, I will treasure her, speak good of her according to how God speaks about her, love her as God loves her, and do the best as God has for her! =D

What Trust Looks Like?

2011-09-28T20:17:00.000+08:00

I read this from ODJ (Our Daily Journey). Hope it helps all who are trusting God now.

What does trust look like when we can’t explain our trouble, or see beyond it
Listening to others as they try to show faith in crisis can be confusing. Some say they are “believing God” for a job, restored health, a reconciled marriage, or the return of a prodigal. Others say reliance on Him means accepting that His ways are not necessarily our ways.
In the waiting room of prayer and helplessness, I’ve concluded that questions about what it means to trust God can be almost as troubling as the problem itself. I’ve also discovered that it is for those struggles that the wisdom of the Bible has been given to us.

Don’t be too hard on yourself. The most godly men and women of the past were deeply disturbed by the crises of their lives. King David wouldn’t eat or be comforted as he pleaded with God for the life of his dying child (2 Samuel 12:16-17). Even though David was a man after God’s own heart, the songs and groans of his life reflect recurring fear and despair (Psalm 6:1-7). Job’s experience was similar. In the dark nights of his loss, his first expressions of trust turned to bitter anguish (Job 3). Then there was childless Hannah. Her prayers for a baby were so deep and emotional that her priest accused her of being drunk (1 Samuel 1:13-15). Even the apostle Paul had “great sorrow and continual grief” for unsaved family and friends (Romans 9:2 NKJV). Together they show us that trust can cry and groan and even doubt.

Expect to be misunderstood by others. In times of profound loss and concern, even our best friends will try to make sense of what has happened to us. They may forget that people do not suffer in proportion to their wrongs. Some pay quickly for their mistakes. Others do not. Some suffer for being foolish while others are punished for being wise (Psalm 73:1-14).
Such irony complicated the ancient tragedy of Job. When his friends heard him express bitterness and despair, they wrongly assumed that he was suffering for a secret sin (Job 4:1-9). Although they came to his side to divide his pain, they ended up multiplying it (16:2).

Don’t be afraid to be honest with God. An elderly Abraham laughed at the absurdity of God’s promise to make him the father of many nations. Jacob wrestled with his Lord over the uncertainty of what lay ahead. David openly expressed his despair and helplessness in circumstances beyond his control. Job accused God of being unfair.
When heaven seemed to be ignoring them, they said so. When they thought they had an argument, they expressed it. They learned to trust God in the dark valleys of their doubts.

Take one step at a time. Sometimes it helps to break the journey down into small steps. Jesus encouraged us not to worry about tomorrow since today has enough of its own problems (Matthew 6:34). In the weakness of turbulent and unsteady emotions, we may need to settle for smaller steps, the wisdom of the moment (James 1:5), and the ever-present reassurance of the one who says, “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5 NKJV).

Don’t be self-destructive. In times of disappointment or distress, we need to avoid quick fixes that are harmful or self-destructive. None of us can afford addictions that kill the pain for the moment but complicate our problems in the long run. While there is a time for sedatives (Proverbs 31:6-7), they can be abused at great risk to ourselves and others (31:4-5; 20:1). We also need to ask God to help us avoid taking out our anxiety, anger, or despair on those around us. Lashing out can be its own kind of addiction.

Don’t underestimate God. One of the great truths of the Bible is that when we are helpless, God is not. A wise person has said, “Of this I am sure: There is a God. And it’s not me.” If God doesn’t answer our prayers in the time and manner that we’ve asked, it’s because He can see what we cannot.
Joseph learned to trust God after being sold into slavery by his older brothers. When he was reunited with them later in life, he was able to say, “As for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good” (Genesis 50:20 NKJV).

Ask but don’t demand. In desperate circumstances, we are apt to think we know what we need from God. Like a small child who cannot be consoled, we are inclined to beg Him for what we want, when we want it. In those moments God understands our weakness and fear. Yet He is also the One who uses the depth of the Grand Canyon, the power of Niagara Falls, or the wonder of the night sky to calm us in His presence (Job 38–41). Christian philosopher Francis Schaeffer observes, “When I am in the presence of God, it seems profoundly unbecoming to demand anything” (see Job 42).

Doubt yourself. Job finally got to the place of doubting himself more than he doubted God. After being reminded of the eternal power and infinite genius of the God of creation, he fell to his knees. From a heart that was both broken and relieved, Job said, “I know that You can do everything, and that no purpose of Yours can be withheld from You. You asked, ‘Who is this who hides counsel without knowledge?’ Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know. . . . I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees You” (42:2-5 NKJV).

Father in heaven, we want to trust You. But sometimes we get so confused. Please forgive us for wanting answers so that we don’t have to trust You. Thank You for being so patient with us. Please help us to have the same patience with You, as we wait to see that Your plans and timing are better than our own. —Mart De Haan

The Privilege of Children

2011-09-24T15:44:00.002+08:00

While driving back home after Discipleship Cell, the Lord continued to speak to me about the privilege of being children. We learned that we are proud of who are because we are in Christ. And in Christ, we are already set at the high places, hence we are entitled to enjoy every spiritual blessings, as well as to operate from the spiritual perspective and see the supernatural happens in our life.

I was driven back to the point whereby I shared that my father always get to taste the technology of new mobile phones (not all the latest ones but a few that he likes). After using it awhile, he will then pass the phone to his children and he will use back his old mobile phone. I remembered the face of my father who would be filled with joy seeing his children (mostly the youngest one, as he is more familiar with the latest gadget’s technology =p ) playing with the new mobile phones. Instead of feeling that his children always use up all his money, he will love to spend on them. Seeing his children happily played with the mobile phones, his face would shine with satisfaction.

What more our Father in heaven, who has no flaws and in Him is all perfection, will also want to bless us, see us happy, make us great and make us famous.Then Holy Spirit caused me to remember this promise of God in Genesis 12:1-3 I will make you into great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others. God told me that not only we are proud of who we are in Christ, He is also proud of us as His children. He wants us to feel great and to feel blessed and to feel honorable.

So it is okay to be great, it is okay to feel great. I used to be a person who will feel shy to tell people the goodness or blessings I have. So much so that sometimes when I have something that looks beautiful or luxurious, I dare not show it people. Behind the shyness, I was actually scared of how people will think of me and what they will talk about me.

"No la no la, where got beautiful…”
“Aiya, cheap cheap stuff only la…”
“Ow, is not me, is not me. Is God. People need to see God ya, not me. Is God ya, is God.”

Now instead of responding like that, I will say "Yea, it is indeed great, God answered my prayer and I have it” or "Oh you are welcomed, and it is God who works through me. So thank me and also thank God.”

After all, God created us as His image bearers (Genesis 1:27). As human beings, we are designed to reveal and reflect His greatness and glory to a world that desperately needs to see more of Him. Of course, we shouldn’t look to be honored like the hypocrites who craved to be noticed (read Matthew 6:1), but we also don’t need to apologise for greatness when it is noticed in us. Of course we don't need to feel great in order to despise others. It’s not about stroking our egos and becoming arrogant. It is all about acknowledging a shared partnership and purpose. It is about celebrating the privilege of having God use our lives to advance His kingdom.

If while you read this you are thinking, "I don't really understand what are you talking about here, cause I had never or rarely experience any good things from my earthly parents here, I can't even see the point that there is privilege for being children..."

It is alright, you can start to taste this privilege by knowing God today, & you will discover God, our heavenly Dad is great! Just open up your heart and talk to God this way (He hears). "God, in my entire life, I had never really experience privilege as a child. Now I want to know you more and experience all the goodness, privileges & blessings. Help me see my life that it is of great use and not only filled with despair; that you will bless me and make me famous and be a blessings to others. Jesus, come into my life right now and guide me throughout. Thank You for forgiving all of my wrong deeds and make me a new person again. I am ready to walk this new course of life together with you."

Psalm 34:8 Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.

Indeed, the greatest privilege! God is LOVE.

Take Time To Listen [taken from Kenneth Copeland Ministries]

2011-05-10T22:18:00.000+08:00

When you're facing a problem, the very first thing you should ask God for is wisdom. Not money. Not power. Not even healing. But wisdom.

God's wisdom is the key that will unlock every door in your life. It will turn your every failure into success. So, stop wasting your prayer power begging God for things you think you need and spend some time instead listening to what He has to say about your situation.

If you've never tried that before, practically speaking, here's what you need to do.

First: Lay out the entire problem before the Lord, not because He doesn't know what you're going through, but because laying it out helps you. It helps you see things from a more objective point of view.

I remember when I used to take my problems to my father, A. W. Copeland. Somehow, when I was explaining them to him, they began to look different to me. I'd get a new perspective, and as I talked, he'd point out areas I hadn't considered yet. Explaining your problems to God, point by point, will help you accomplish the same thing.

Second: Listen for the Spirit of God to advise you. Pay particular attention to what He says through the written Word. Most likely, the care of your problem has choked the Word of God right out of your heart (Mark 4:18-19). If so, you need to get the Bible and begin to put that Word back in again. Then the Holy Spirit will begin to speak to you through it.

As you're listening, be sure to remain teachable. Be ready to accept rebuke if necessary. Be very honest with God. Look for ways in which you've been wrong and confess them to Him. It's all right. Those sins won't come as any surprise to Him. He already knows about them. Confession just gives you the opportunity to get rid of them.

Third: Act on the wisdom God gives you. Let go of your own methods and put His methods into operation. Be obedient. If you don't, that wonderful wisdom won't do you any good at all.

As you pray today, set aside your own ideas and start seeking the wisdom of God. It's the only thing that can permanently solve the problems you've been facing. It's truly the most precious gift God has to give.

SEEK WISDOM..

Scripture Study: Proverbs 8:10-36

When there is no more good, love, hope, peace & joy in you, Jesus still IS =)

2011-01-08T12:19:00.000+08:00

You are good, You are good
When there's nothing good in me
You are love, You are love
On display for all to see
You are light, You are light
When the darkness closes in
You are hope, You are hope
You have covered all my sin

You are peace, You are peace
When my fear is crippling
You are true, You are true
Even in my wandering
You are joy, You are joy
You're the reason that I sing
You are life, You are life,
In You death has lost its sting

Oh, I’m running to Your arms,
I’m running to Your arms
The riches of Your love
Will always be enough
Nothing compares to Your embrace
Light of the world forever reign

You are more, You are more
Than my words will ever say
You are Lord, You are Lord
All creation will proclaim
You are here, You are here
In Your presence I'm made whole
You are God, You are God
Of all else I'm letting go

My heart will sing
no other name
Jesus, Jesus

You read and tell me the title that suits this post =)

2010-12-13T16:32:00.000+08:00

I had just finished buying some stuff for house, and the sweet Malay lady at the cashier asked, "Tak berat ke, tak nak troli ke? Pregnant oo?". Knowing that I could carry as it was not as heavy as she thought (maybe will if carry for too long), I told her that I do not need.

Walking around Alpha Angle, I noticed my legs started to swell due to water retention. I searched for a bench and just sat on it, practically doing nothing except to allow my legs to rest for a moment. Sitting and resting, soon I started to just look around, 'studying' various types of people. Not with critical mentality of course, but started to realise everyone is so different. One couple walked pass me arguing about some issues intensely. Some just walk straight and look straight, heading towards their destination. Some were walking together and chitchatted along the way, without bothering what was happening around them. Some did notice that I was looking at them, and started to feel awkward a little. (ops, sorry! Not intentionally. I should have just peep!). Some actually stared at me first before my eyesight falled on them. Perhaps they were thinking "Is she fat at the tummy or is she pregnant?". I just giggled inside. With all these, out of my heart flows out a thought that everyone is special in his or her own ways yet, we have one thing is common - we are all God's children .

When God created human beings, He said "Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness". (Genesis 1:26a).

Wow, we are indeed made in God's likeness. Isn't that awesome and beautiful? However, as we continue to read throughout Genesis, we know that sins came into human's life, since then, flaws, imperfection, weakness, setbacks and shortcoming started to have the role in human's life.

It is normal to discover flaws and imperfection of one another as we go through our daily life; start from our family of course, then friends, workplace and church and even strangers. But still one truth that will never change is that we are all made in His likeness. And we are lovely and beautiful in our own ways. If you are reading this and you are a guy who don't quite able to match "beautiful" into masculine, well, yeap, you are gentleman and handsome in your own ways. Cheers! ;D

And above all the imperfection, flaws, weakness and sins that are still tailing in our life, it does not change to fact that Jesus had died and forgiven all & now we have right standing with Him, together. I just couldn't take off my mind to think that everyone is special, unique and important to God's eyes (just bear with me if I keep repeating this statement =p). In fact, all of us are the apple of God's eyes. Yes, you there, you are! =)

Psalm 17:8 Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings

So though we are so different, having different strength and different weakness, one thing that counts is we are all made in His likeness, we are all from Him. Let us come together as in Proverbs 27:17 As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. Let my strength blend with your weakness and WE becomes more powerful. And let my weakness brushes on your strength and WE become more transformed greatly.

For those who know my weakness, do you want to offer to join your strength with mine, and see me gaining strength and WE TOGETHER become powerful? ;p

Back to the bench, I realised the elderly that sat with me 10 minutes ago was about to leave the bench with 4 plastic bags of stuff! They look real heavy, yet she is strong and she can walk healthily. I am much more younger, should be much stronger. I decided to leave the bench as well, and out of a sudden, I noticed my stuff is so light, compared with just now.

Could it be the old lady's strength had rubbed on me? Smile.... I am convinced, everyone is special in his and her own ways, AND, we need one another forever.

Carebear is one of the cartoons that I liked to watch last time when I was young. Feel free to search the different characters and weaknesses of all carebears, yet each is special in its own ways, and all need one another. I love the pink with rainbow. Which one do you like? God bless ;)

One in Heart and Mind

2010-12-09T14:03:00.000+08:00

[taken from Seed of The Kingdom]

"All the believers were one in heart and mind." Acts 4:32, NIV

I saw a movie about a group of children from Rwanda who travelled across seven African countries to attend the World Cup, where one of them had been invited to play as part of the Africa United football team at the opening ceremony. It’s an amazing story of vision, determination and friendship which deals with some big life-issues along the way.

What struck me most was the way the characters had a total conviction they would reach their goal, no matter what obstacles were set in their way. They worked together under the inspiration of their young leader to get where they were aiming for regardless of personal discomfort, lack of resources and real danger.

It made me think about our life as Christians. We are called to be one Body with our Christian brothers and sisters. We have an overall mission as the Church, but each local organization or group of Christians has their goals and objectives which the Lord has set before them. However, these goals will not be achieved if there’s a lack of unity and insufficient commitment to the vision.

We have the model of the first Christians who had a unity of heart and mind (Acts 4: 32). They expressed this practically in the way they shared their possessions and encouraged each other in total commitment to the purpose. Despite many oppositions, dangers, lack of resources and much personal suffering the Church grew and began fulfilling its mission of evangelism and discipleship.

We have Jesus as our overall team leader, but also God has raised up leaders whom we need to be working with in commitment and respect. In the current economic climate resources are limited but as the song reminds us ‘God will make a way’ for us to accomplish His purposes. Being together in heart and mind will enable us to get where Jesus wants us as we encourage each other onwards, despite the difficulties and obstacles the enemy puts before us.

Prayer: Thank You, Lord, for the people we share Your ministry with. Thank You for those You had first placed in our path to lead us and those who encourage us on. Thank You for the spiritual family You have placed us in, where forever we will go through thick and thin in oneness of heart and mind. Help us to be encouragers and to live in unity of one heart, mind and vision. Amen.

Dedication & Rededication...

2010-12-03T16:40:00.009+08:00

Tan's Family & Lee's Family ;-D

Lee's family and Cheah's family :)

31st October was a special day where we had babies' dedication at church for baby Claire, baby Matthias and baby Esther. Dedicating babies to the Lord simply means surrendering his or her life to a better hand, as no matter how parents truly devote their life to care for their children, parents will still have limitation. But our God is almighty and has no limitation. And then on 5th November, Cathy gave birth to baby Jessie. Now we can always be entertained by the voices of babies during our Praise Celebration on Sunday :) Mine will be on the way, either end of Jan or beginning of Feb...

Talking about dedication, have you ever dedicated your life to someone or something? The meaning of dedication in dictionary is:
1. to set apart and consecrate to a deity or to a sacred purpose
2. to devote wholly and earnestly, as to some person or purpose
3. to offer formally (a book, piece of music, etc.) to a person, cause, or the like in testimony of affection or respect, as on a prefatory page.
4. to set aside for or assign to a specific function, task, or purpose

I have dedicated my life to many things, purposes and people before. It changed according to the stages of my life. Had dedicated my life to friendship before when I was at the age of 10-18. Had dedicated my life to own success and dreams before at the age of 19-22, where I determined to get the best result and planning to be child's specialist in the future. During those time, there were so many challenges in study, peer influence & relationship problems (with friends, boyfriend, other relationship). Finally, I found the best dedication ever in my life, that is dedication to my Lord Jesus Christ. And I know this dedication will never change forever.

Why dedicate to Jesus Christ? Because He is the only One I found that denied all His glory and fame for my sake. I remembered the moment when I heard about His passion for humankind, that He left the glory in heaven and came to this earth to save us, forgive us and redeem us, I was overwhelmed. I also found out that His loving kindness to me is everlasting and non-changing, and He is willing to take away my shame and turn it into fame. And He changed all the mess of my life to become best of my life. I am truly grateful.

Words can't truly express how I felt that time, I could only remember I knelt down in my room, alone (while my roommate was at college) and I truly dedicated my life to the Lord, and said "Lord, without You, I will not be who I am today. I am truly thankful and grateful. Here is my life, I dedicate to You, for Your passion and Your heart to flow through me. I know I am not perfect but You never despise me, but You desire to perfect me. Let not my heart forget about You or being ungrateful when I become better or my life is more successful in the future." I remembered I shed tears of gratitude as I sang the song "I don't want to go" to the Lord. Because I know if it was not due to the hand of God who had 1st found me and saved me and transformed me to be better person, I wouldn't be able to go so far.

Christians, have you dedicated your life to Jesus, your Master that is full of hope and love? Or how many of us, after being found by His grace, mercy & love and was tremendously transformed into a better & successful person, instead of dedicating your life to serve Him and devote your life for His passion and His heart, you are 'using' God's grace for your own dream, interest & success ONLY? Do your pursuit of your dream relate to His passion and His heart? Or are you indirectly asking God to pursue your dream without involving His passion and His heart, just all for own's fame and own's glory? It is good to always ponder the real state of our innermost heart & motive. (I always did that to myself, as I know human has the tendency to be self-seeking and having selfish ambition)

*psst...I'm not saying then we become robot-human without dreams or interest. The core point is whether God is still number 1 in our life. Does His Words matter to our heart? Do we really love God and love one another as what His Words say? Are we still living for His glory? Do we still have desire to let Jesus be known to those who yet to know Him? Do people see Jesus' in us? All that I can sum up about my Lord is He is love and He is forgiving. Do we have loving and forgiving heart?

It is time to redirect our heart back to God's heart. Re-Dedication. Be grateful to all that the Lord has done in your life. Do not forget Him by just going and doing your own way. Before entering into new year, let us have this in mind : Thanksgiving & Rededication to our Lord, our Saviour. Devote our life for His heart, passion & vision.

His heart is the biggest - loving & forgiving the whole mankind. His passion & vision is the greatest - to save & restore mankind, worldwide.

Scripture of dedication:
Psalm 77:11-12 I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago. I will consider all your works and meditate on all your mighty deeds.”

Psalm 86:11 Teach me your way, LORD, that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.

Scriptures of having God's heart (uhm..love this so much, coz is how God moulded my lil' heart :D so do medidate with open heart, WORD BY WORD, you will be set free and be enlightened)

Ephesians 4:2-3 Living as becomes you] with complete lowliness of mind (humility) and meekness (unselfishness, gentleness, mildness), with patience, bearing with one another and making allowances because you love one another. Be eager and strive earnestly to guard and keep the harmony and oneness of [and produced by] the Spirit in the binding power of peace.

Ephesians 4:31-32 Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.

James 5:9 Do not grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, or else you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!

1 Thess 4:9 Now about your love for one another we do not need to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love each other.

1 Peter 4:8-11 (GOD’S WORD Translation) Above all, love each other warmly, because love covers many sins. Welcome each other as guests without complaining. Each of you as a good manager must use the gift that God has given you to serve others. Whoever speaks must speak God’s words. Whoever serves must serve with the strength God supplies so that in every way God receives glory through Jesus Christ. Glory and power belong to Jesus Christ forever and ever! Amen. If it’s hard for the person who has God’s approval to be saved, what will happen to the godless sinner?

2 Timothy 2:22-26 Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.

How to handle gossip

2010-10-17T23:06:00.002+08:00

We may not be living in a country where there are wars using boms and guns, but we do face alot of 'wars' via verbal weapons or telecommunication. It is not uncommon to read about someone's reputation being ruined or questioned from blogs, facebook and any other social networking websites. It is a norm to read about short remarks here n there talking bad about somebody. Not to say people backbiting you when they can be nice in front of you!

Although we are not open to the danger of boms, we are very open to the danger of boms from the mouth of people - I mean bad comment from people. Their comments can either be true or false or partially both.

Hence, living in this kind of society, you tend to protect yourself from being gossiped or remarked badly. As normal healthy human, you want to have a good reputation. You don't want to be commented badly. You may even fear being disliked by people. And most of the time, you will try your very best to protect your reputation. You will either try to please everybody around you to the extend of compromising, so that you won't offend anyone or hurt anyone. Or you will gang up a group of peers that will also join you in spreading gossip about those who gossip. However, living this way will eventually heap up a lot of worries and burden and heaviness in your heart. It will not do any good to your heart, my friend... What goes around comes around, and what you sow, you will reap.

For me, I have learnt from the Bible the best way & the wisest principle I could ever apply in my life.

First and foremost, I've learnt to guard my mouth as well as the words I speak daily (Proverbs 16:23 A wise man's heart guides his mouth, and his lips promote instruction). Also, I have learnt in my life not to gossip about people or to be critical to people no matter how people treat you because the bible taught about 'without wood a fire goes out; without gossip a quarrel dies down' in Proverbs 26:20 & 'A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy man keeps a secret' in Proverbs 11:13.

James 3:6 talks about 'the tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.' Through the wisdom from the word of God, I learn to use my tongues (the word I will speak or type) for good and not for evil, if not, it will destroy my whole person. What a waste.

Other wisdom that I've learnt are:

Proverbs 17:20 A man of perverse heart does not prosper; he whose tongue is deceitful falls into trouble.

Proverbs 14:30 A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.

Proverbs 17:22 A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.

So, besides learning to guard my words, I have prayed that the Lord fills my heart with love and understanding towards people that gossip or talk bad about me. Once my heart is changed, I am no longer affected by what people gossip or talk about me, as long as I stand right before God. You actually win the case! You will experience a heart that is prosperous, at peace and cheerful. Not only that, God also allows me to understand that these group of people might have experienced some injustice in their life or faced some hurt in their emotion as well as insecurity about life. This leads me to pray for them lovingly.

You may ask "What about if somebody does you wrong or purposely talk bad about you to ruin your position or reputation? Don't tell me you just remain silent and do nothing to hit back? Isn't that stupid?"

Firstly, I would like you to know that if you are not what they say you are, then be assured that your heavenly Father is all-knowing and He will be your Advocate and Vindicator. Psalm 135:1 For the LORD will vindicate his people and have compassion on his servants. Job 16:19 Even now my witness is in heaven; my advocate is on high.

Secondly, pray and ask Holy Spirit for wisdom, whether you should either keep quiet and let the Lord settles for you or you should find the person and talk to him/her wisely. Please do not ever create gossip to attack the person back. Then the cycle of quarrel that lead to war will begin. This will eventually destroy yourself. You will not be happy and will not have peace in life.

Thirdly, continue to have a good heart towards the person and always pray for him, remember everyone has a good nature part of them in their heart. If your heart is good, eventually it will gain back the favor and friendship. If your heart is good, you will stay calm and cool, and that is the greatest blessings to yourself 1st then to others. Just be patient and see the good outcome!! Proverbs 22:11 He who loves a pure heart and whose speech is gracious will have the king for his friend.

All the 3 steps above in fact are not stupid, it is the best wisdom you can ever have in life!

I have experienced many times in my life that love begets love. Love will even change your enemies to become your friends. It is wonderful to have a life full with friends and no enemies ;)

Luke 6:45 The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.

So friends, let us learn the best way that is not to fight back with bad words or evil words or gossip, but let us choose God's way, that is to continue to guard the words we speak, and maintain a good heart and continue to love those who backbite you. With the good heart and love from God, you pray for the person. I know this may not be easy for some, but the great outcome is worth it the practice and patience.

God bless! :)
p/s: However, above all that I've blogged above, if your reputation has been marred because of a silly or careless mistake that you have done, then you should bear the full responsibility. All you need to do now is to acknowledge you were wrong, come to Jesus and pour out your honest cry to Him, ask Him for forgiveness, ask Him to change your situation now to the better. And only Jesus can free you from your guilt! Build a close relationship with Him and allow His word to guide and change you. Time will tell when people will notice that you are a changed person now and Jesus will make everything new again! Do have patience to give people time to notice your good changes. All the best in your life, is my prayer for you all.

Whispering and talking to little one daily

2010-09-18T23:27:00.000+08:00

Time flies so fast, and without realising I'm at my 18 weeks now of pregnancy. I read this online...

"Your baby is growing rapidly. His bones are continuing to harden and the pads of his fingers and toes are formed. He even has his own set of fingerprints developing as well. Your baby is approximately 5.5 inches and weighs about 200 grams (7.5 ounces).

Your baby can kick, swallow, and sleep. He also is developing his stomach, intestine and colon and the intestines are collecting meconium (the initial stool a baby will pass after birth). If the baby is a boy, the prostate will begin to develop this week as well. The skin is still a bit pink and transparent and his ears still stick out from his head. The four-chambered heart begins to build up muscle cells and is pumping between 25 and 30 quarts of blood per day."

Pregnancy can be a joyous moment, yet it is also tiring. Sometimes without you knowing the main reason, suddenly your body becomes tired that you don't feel like moving nor doing anything. That is the time I really ask God for strength and motivation to move on. I really thank God that I didn't experience any vomiting, though there were just few times of nausea feeling. And now, I need to go to washroom to answer the call of nature as frequent as every half an hour!! Imagine that...

Seeing my stomach getting bigger and bigger, everyday I will talk to the baby, "Hey you there? Doing what? Nice swim in there? Eating well? Playing? Listening to mummy's singing?". I will ask my husband to listen whether there is any noise in there. It is amazing to know this little one is growing day by day, even as small as 15cm long, he already has his own fingerprints and DNA. I can imagine daily how cute his little fingers and face are everyday.... I will never miss whispering to the little him and praying for him daily...

One night around beginning of August, I couldn't sleep and was tossing at my bed and talking to God while hoping to doze off soon. But I ended up exchanging thoughts with God. I received the thoughts that just as much as I long to see the little one in me, long to talk to him, long to whisper to him, God, our heavenly Father also longs to do the same to us. We are all His little ones, His beloved children. We are made in His likeness. Just as I am hoping he will grow well and develop well in me, our Papa in heaven also want us to grow well and develop well in Him.

Out of a sudden, I felt a gush of the feeling of miss in me, is not me missing somebody, the Lord is putting His feeling in me, that He misses us so much daily. I sat up on my bed with that feeling, and tears start to roll down my cheek. I knew that time the Spirit of God is telling me that He misses His children. He longs to see all of His children grow well in Him, develop in spiritual stature in His words. He longs to communicate with His children daily, even to just hear our whisper. He longs to see His children grow from faith to faith and strength to strength and build up a good godly character that will last forever. He always talks to us but with no respond from our side. Ironically, when we face problem and pray to God, we want God to answer our prayer as soon as possible. He also told me He longs for all people to know Him and to return to Him.

"How long have us not been talking to You and listening to You? How long have us not been reading His love letter for us - the bible?", I asked God... I somewhat know the answer.

I sat there and continue to pray for many church members especially my cell members, also praying for my family that they will serve the Lord as well. I ended up making a new commitment to God to talk and pray to Him daily, and also not missing out listening to Him, and also read the Bible daily. Sometimes I thought I have known Him a lot that I don't need to spend time with Him daily, but I come to know I miss out a lot about Him. There are so many aspects I yet to experience from Him. That night, I refreshed my love to Him, my Saviour.. the One that saves me even before I knew Him. The greatest love and the greatest sacrifice is my Lord Jesus....

That is what I shared during Discipleship Cell to the beloved disciples that the Lord put under my care.

Pursue 1) ONE THING. ONE FOCUS >> JESUS >> HIS HEART >> GREAT COMMISSION
2) Also, HAVE THE LIFE OF JESUS

I pray that I myself and all the disciples, my husband, my family and my upcoming little one will be ones that fear the Lord, honor Him above all, and be great man and woman, and serve the Lord all out as we can, till we meet Him face to face.

The Starfish

2010-08-18T23:17:00.000+08:00

[taken from Inspirational Stories]

Once upon a time there was a wise man who used to go to the ocean to do his writing. He had a habit of walking on the beach before he began his work. One day he was walking along the shore. As he looked down the beach, he saw a human figure moving like a dancer. He smiled to himself to think of someone who would dance to the day. So he began to walk faster to catch up. As he got closer, he saw that it was a young man and the young man wasn't dancing, but instead he was reaching down to the shore, picking up something and very gently throwing it into the ocean.

As he got closer he called out, "Good morning! What are you doing?"

The young man paused, looked up and replied, "Throwing starfish in the ocean."

"I guess I should have asked, why are you throwing starfish in the ocean?"

"The sun is up, and the tide is going out. And if I don't throw them in they'll die."

"But, helo, young man, don't you realize that there are miles and miles of beach, and starfish all along it. You can't possibly make a difference!"

The young man listened politely. Then bent down, picked another starfish and threw it into the sea, past the breaking waves and said, "It made a difference for THAT ONE."

Each of us can make a difference to this world. Everybody is useful and it is just the matter of whether u want to make a difference.

Before the morning by Josh Wilson

2010-08-07T10:15:00.004+08:00

2 Corinthians 4:7-12 (New International Version)
But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that his life may be revealed in our mortal body. So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (Amplified Bible)
Therefore we do not become discouraged (utterly spiritless, exhausted, and wearied out through fear). Though our outer man is [progressively] decaying and wasting away, yet our inner self is being [progressively] renewed day after day. For our light, momentary affliction (this slight distress of the passing hour) is ever more and more abundantly preparing and producing and achieving for us an everlasting weight of glory [beyond all measure, excessively surpassing all comparisons and all calculations, a vast and transcendent glory and blessedness never to cease!], Since we consider and look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen; for the things that are visible are temporal (brief and fleeting), but the things that are invisible are deathless and everlasting.

Do you wonder why you have to
Feel the things that hurt you?
If there's a God who loves you
Where is He now?

Or maybe there are things you can't see
And all those things are happening
To bring a better ending
Someday, somehow you'll see, you'll see

Would you dare, would you dare to believe
That you still have a reason to sing?
'Cause the pain that you've been feeling
It can't compare to the joy that's coming

So hold on, you gotta wait for the light
Press on and just fight the good fight
'Cause the pain that you've been feeling
It's just the dark before the morning

My friend, you know how this all ends
And you know where you're going
You just don't know how you'll get there
So say a prayer

And hold on
'Cause there's good for those who love God
But life is not a snapshot
It might take a little time, but you'll see the bigger picture

Would you dare, would you dare to believe
That you still have a reason to sing?
'Cause the pain that you've been feeling
It can't compare to the joy that's coming

So hold on, you gotta wait for the light
Press on and just fight the good fight
'Cause the pain that you've been feeling
It's just the dark before the morning

Yeah, yeah, before the morning
Yeah, yeah

Once you feel the weight of glory
All your pain will fade to memory
Once you feel the weight of glory
All your pain will fade to memory, memory, memory, yeah

Would you dare, would you dare to believe
That you still got a reason to sing?
'Cause the pain that you've been feeling
It can't compare to the joy that's coming

Would you dare, would you dare to believe
That you still got a reason to sing?
'Cause the pain that you've been feeling
It can't compare to the joy that's coming

Come on, you gotta wait for the light
Press on and just fight the good fight
'Cause the pain that you've been feeling
It's just the hurt before the healing

Oh, the pain that you've been feeling
It's just the dark before the morning
Yeah, yeah, before the morning
Yeah, yeah, before the morning

My Life Is In Your Hands

2010-08-06T15:21:00.000+08:00

When we don't know which way life is taking us, it is important to remember that God is in control.

By Kathy Troccoli

Life can be so good
Life can be so hard
Never knowing what each day
Will bring to where you are
Sometimes I forget
And sometimes I can't see
That whatever comes my way
You'll be with me

My life is in your hands
My heart is in your keeping
I'm never without hope
Not when my future is with you

My life is in your hands
And though I may not see clearly
I will lift my voice and sing
Cause your love does amazing things
Lord, I know, my life is in your hands

Nothing is for sure
Nothing is for keeps
All I know is that your love
Will live eternally
So I will find my way,
And I will find my peace
Knowing that you'll meet my every need

My life is in your hands
My heart is in your keeping
I'm never without hope
Not when my future is with you

My life is in your hands
And though I may not see clearly
I will lift my voice and sing
Cause your love does amazing things
Lord, I know, my life is in your hands

When I'm at my weakest love
You carry me
Then I become my strongest love
In your hands

My life is in your hands
And though I may not see clearly
I will lift my voice and sing
Cause your love does amazing things
Lord, I know, my life is in your hands
I trust you Lord
My life is in your hands.

From NOW till ETERNITY....

2010-08-02T23:40:00.003+08:00

Everyday, we are driven by something. Most people live their daily life in order to have a better future, be it for the future of themselves, or the future of the family. Students pace through daily life in view of having better career few years down the road. As people mature in age, they live their daily life to save up for their retirement & for their children. What about you? Do you have a daily motivating force to propel you towards the better? Or are you having some de-motivating forces that propel you backward?

1. Do not dwell in the past

In order to propel forward for the better, first and foremost, you must no longer dwell in the past. Whatever the past was, it's gone. There is nothing you can do to change anything that has gone before and so you must turn your attention to the now and future. You might be tempted to dwell in the past because it was awful or because it was wonderful. Either way, you have to leave it behind if you want to be successful.

"Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland. (Isaiah 43:18-19 NIV).

You may not be able to forget all the happenings in the past. It can be bad memories or good memories. But you can choose not to dwell there anymore.

Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead. (Philippians 3:13 NIV).

Try to see the past as a room separate from the one you live in now. You can go in there but you DO NOT live there. You live for what lies ahead. Don't waste any drops of precious time by spending too much time in 'that old room'. Don't miss what is happening now because you were busy looking back, or later you'll be busy looking back at this time and wondering why you wasted it.

If your past involved some events or some people that brought you suffering or misery, then you need to do two main things: 1) Forgive & 2) Let it go

"Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. (Luke 6:37 NIV).Be gentle and forbearing with one another and, if one has a difference (a complaint) against another, readily pardoning each other; even as the Lord has [freely] forgiven you, so must you also forgive. (Colossians 3:13 Amp)

Blaming always makes you a victim and makes you powerless. Forgiving your offender/s and forgiving yourself is your choice and it always set you free. Once you’re able to forgive, you will be able to learn something out of it to further shape yourself to be stronger and better. Then you can also be grateful.

For every past situation, you can either give “good” meaning or “bad” meaning to it. If you decide to choose “good”, then it changes your whole focus to the positive and this opens your mind to new opportunities. You’ll start to use your experiences as stepping stones to achieving what God has planned in your life. Otherwise those past experiences will forever hinder you and you will continue to have resistance to certain things in your life (in order to protect yourself) and this prevents you from moving forward.

Letting it go means you no longer hold on to or focus on the action that got you so upset in the beginning. It is about moving on and completely becoming detached from the event. It’s the only way to be truly free and to become the complete and whole beautiful soul you were meant to be.

Forgiveness and letting go won’t happen overnight. It can take a while to develop the willingness to let those painful emotions go and to allow other positive feelings to take their place. You just need to take that first step to allow real healing to take place. Keep forgiving and keep letting go.

YOU ARE THE ONLY ONE who has the power to let the past go and to move on with your life. It is incredibly empowering when you get to the stage where the past does not control your future anymore. Your past is no longer your future! You are relieved of your burden, freeing yourself from self-destructive behaviour.

You may find at this point that you are able to help others who are going through the exact same thing you did. You have gotten your life back. You are liberated from the past and you are free to move ahead and to enjoy many things that the Lord has in store for you. You CAN move out of the past into the new! It is one of the greatest lessons we can learn during our lifetime.

2. Know you are a new creation!

“But Pastor, I STILL cannot forget the past. There are still in my memories.”
Let us see what the Word of God says [Please be assured that you can trust the Word of God to have the final say!]

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. (2 Corinthians 5:17 NKJV).

Do you feel like a new creation today? Sometimes we don’t. The circumstances of life sometimes can cloud our view so that we won’t recognize the awesomeness of being a new creation. Yet, God’s Word is true! You do not need to wait until you lose your past memories to come out of it. You just need to know what God’s Word says about you NOW. It says that old things have passed away, and now everything is NEW. You are a new creation in Christ.

For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but a new creation. (Galatians 6:15 NKJV).

“In Christ Jesus” means we have been placed into the body of Christ. “New” in Greek is kaine means new in nature, new in species (is not being reformed or improved over time). We are now being made anew in Christ. Christians, we must and need to know that in Christ Jesus, it is no longer about what we can or can’t do by our own strength, but it is about us being a new creation in Christ, where we become a brand-new people on the inside.

NOW all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:18 NKJV).

The life we live NOW as believers of God is of God, from God, with God. In Romans 6, it is said that we have been buried with Jesus Christ through baptism into death, so that just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too, are raised from the old and now we can walk in newness of life. Because in Christ Jesus, EVERYTHING IS MADE NEW!

Say this to yourself, "I am a new creation in Christ!"
Say a few times until you know you are!!

Therefore, everything of the past and whatever handicaps/hindrances/weight have lost its power. It no longer has any authority or control in your life UNLESS…you give it authority to control, meaning, you keep thinking about it.

So, do not be like a prisoner who had been set free, but then walk back into the prison again! Do not be like an animal that had been released from a trap, then go back to the trap again! It will sound very funny if we are set free by Christ but we run back to our past again. Know that now you are a new creation. Think about the new you whom have been set free to live for Christ.

3. Be driven by eternity!

Life on earth is only temporary. We are just passing by, and one day we will be with God in heaven for eternity. That is our true home. Therefore we should not be attached with earthly riches and material gains only. Nor should we spend most of the time agonizing over matters that make us sad. We must shift our focus to the eternal and how we should live our life glorifying God now.

But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. (1 Timothy 6:6-7 NIV).

Live our life with satisfaction because Jesus had already given us His best, which is His own life in exchange for our new life. All material earthly things can only satisfy us for a limited time, and we can take nothing when we leave earth.

Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal. (2 Corinthians 4:16-18 NKJV).

The troubles and problems we face should not stop our faith. Instead of focusing on the affliction, we concentrate on experiencing the inner strength from Holy Spirit. Our ultimate hope is to realize life is not just there is [dealing with problems, coping with stress, handling relationship turmoil, etc] – there is eternal life after that! This helps us to live above the pain that we face on earth.

But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The skies will disappear with a loud noise. Everything in them will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be exposed. In that way everything will be destroyed. So what kind of people should you be? You should live holy lives and serve God, as you wait for and look forward to the coming of the day of God. When that day comes, the skies will be destroyed with fire, and everything in them will melt with heat. But God made a promise to us, and we are waiting for a new heaven and a new earth where goodness lives. (2 Peter 3:10-14 NCV).

From the above verses, we know that the earth will soon disappeared. Knowing that Christ will come again to bring us back to our eternal home, we should live our life with good character & godliness by developing Christ-like character through His Words. We must know that time is short and we have important work to do – to tell the world about Jesus –the way, the truth & the life! Because the whole world need to know the love of Jesus and the new life He can give!

Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. (2 Corinthians 5:9-10 NKJV) (see also Revelation 22:12).

While eternal life is a free gift given on the basis of God’s grace, all believers will still stand before God’s judgement. This is not the punishment kind of judgement, but rather the judgement of rewarding us according to how we have lived – our good character (based on becoming more and more like Christ THROUGH Holy Spirit's empowering); our good work.

For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. (Ephesians 2:10 NLT).

Being anew IN Christ, we can now do good things with our act of service. We are saved not just to keep the benefit to ourselves, but we also want many more people to be benefited by Him. We are to love & serve Christ, to love one another according to His Words and to preach the gospel of grace to everyone.

In conclusion...

New creations of Christ no longer dwell in the past!
Becoming more and more like Christ, put God as our first priority, and serve Him as He desires should be our lifestyle on earth – while awaiting our eternal glory, our eternal Home!

But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. (Phillipians 3:13b-14 NIV).

SMILE.. because you are wonderful :)

2010-07-30T14:01:00.003+08:00

Hi there, this is for you to ponder upon and speak to yourself,

also, I speak on behalf of the baby in my womb!!

Psalm 139:13-18

You made my whole being; you formed me in my mother's body.

I praise you because you made me in an amazing and wonderful way.

What you have done is wonderful. I know this very well.

You saw my bones being formed as I took shape in my mother's body.

When I was put together there, you saw my body as it was formed.

All the days planned for me were written in your book before I was one day old.

God, your thoughts are precious to me. They are so many!

If I could count them, they would be more than all the grains of sand.

When I wake up, I am still with you.

Teach with your life...1 Timothy 4 [The Message]

2010-07-28T15:24:00.001+08:00

1-5 The Spirit makes it clear that as time goes on, some are going to give up on the faith and chase after demonic illusions put forth by professional liars. These liars have lied so well and for so long that they've lost their capacity for truth. They will tell you not to get married. They'll tell you not to eat this or that food—perfectly good food God created to be eaten heartily and with thanksgiving by believers who know better! Everything God created is good, and to be received with thanks. Nothing is to be sneered at and thrown out. God's Word and our prayers make every item in creation holy.

6-10 You've been raised on the Message of the faith and have followed sound teaching. Now pass on this counsel to the followers of Jesus there, and you'll be a good servant of Jesus. Stay clear of silly stories that get dressed up as religion. Exercise daily in God—no spiritual flabbiness, please! Workouts in the gymnasium are useful, but a disciplined life in God is far more so, making you fit both today and forever. You can count on this. Take it to heart. This is why we've thrown ourselves into this venture so totally. We're banking on the living God, Savior of all men and women, especially believers.

11-14 Get the word out. Teach all these things. And don't let anyone put you down because you're young. Teach believers with your life: by word, by demeanor, by love, by faith, by integrity. Stay at your post reading Scripture, giving counsel, teaching. And that special gift of ministry you were given when the leaders of the church laid hands on you and prayed—keep that dusted off and in use.

15-16 Cultivate these things. Immerse yourself in them. The people will all see you mature right before their eyes! Keep a firm grasp on both your character and your teaching. Don't be diverted. Just keep at it. Both you and those who hear you will experience salvation.

Great change, great decision

2010-07-21T16:42:00.005+08:00

I think now I'm at my 8 weeks of pregnancy. Time really flies... and I know my baby is approximately 14-20 mm long by now. I was surprised from the first day I found out that I am pregnant (14 June 2010) until now, I rarely drink coffee. It is like an automatic change in me, from a coffee drinker to milk drinker, though I am still adjusting to like the taste of milk. Perhaps many will think that it would be a hard time for me to get rid of coffee, knowing that I LOVE coffee so much. Even I myself thought that it would be a struggle for me to fight against the desire to drink coffee. But there is no struggle for me at all. I can go with no coffee at all, or a few sips or half a cup now. UNBELIEVABLE! Well...I believe it is due to the love I have for the baby in process. Now I truly understand the phrase "The power of love..... "

This makes me think of Jesus' love for mankind, from His glorious state at heaven, He chose to come to this earth as a man, born in a manger, grew up like all of us did, from a child to a great teacher, healer, leader and also Saviour of the world. It is God's love towards us that caused Him to make this great decision in order to save us back to Him. My decision of cutting down coffee and start to drink milk for the sake of my baby is none to be compared with God's GREAT DECISION: Jesus was sent as a humble man and lived in a world full of sins and imperfection and journeyed His life to the cross, suffered a torturous death, so that by His death, we are all saved and reconciled to Him now. He shed His blood to forgive all sinners, He died to give us new life. This is the decision made due to His love towards us. Not that we need to do anything, He did it ALL and ONCE AND FOR ALL, to bring us back to Him.

Colossians 1:12-14 And joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of his light. For He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of his Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

So I am just having my little own thoughts here, everytime I drink milk instead of coffee, I would be thinking that now I am in the kingdom of His glorious light instead of being in the kingdom of darkness. How amazing it is! Jesus had done it all for me. And He did it for you too :) I shall continue enjoying my milk...

Having rest and satisfaction

2010-07-15T15:21:00.005+08:00

Where can I find rest? What can truly satisfy me whole life? Gosh…

We are in frantic search to fulfil our deepest needs. Although each person has different areas of desire/preferences, all of us have certain needs in common. Those common needs are your “deepest needs”. We’re not talking about physical needs (food, oxygen or sleep). We’re talking about needs that transcend the physical, going deep into one’s heart and soul. Whether you realize or not, these needs have been motivating you throughout your life. They are deep needs, not wants.

The 4 basic needs that all human beings are instinctively motivated to satisfy life are:
1. Acceptance: knowing you are loved and needed by others
2. Identity: knowing you are individually significant and special
3. Security: knowing you are well protected and provided for
4. Purpose: knowing you have a reason for living. In the case of Christians, this means knowing that God has a special plan for your life.

Let us look at the list of the most common resources people seek for the fulfilment of their deepest needs, although these are not in the same order for everyone:
1. Yourself
2. Spouses
3. Friends or artists
4. Children
5. Parents or siblings
6. Employers/Workers
7. Church/Pastors
8. Money/material possesions
9. God
10.A combination of two or more of the above

Now, try to think carefully and answer honestly:
In your everyday life, whom or what do you seek first and most to fulfil your needs for acceptance, identity, security and purpose?

Although you may realize the correct answer is “I seek God first and more than anyone/anything else to meet my deepest needs.” The fact is most of us still choose to seek inner satisfaction through a “quicker and surer method” – not God.

Some got married and expect their spouse to meet their needs.
Some children grow up being trained to look to their parents for everything. Or parents that are growing older expect their grown-up children to meet their needs.
Teenagers pairing up or trying to find best friends who can love them.
Others move from job to job, place to place, church to church, seeking best fulfilment.
Some choose to trust themselves after being hurt by many incidences.

We need to understand this: NO human being can meet your deepest needs. Sad to hear, but this is the truth. And only God can…

When you put too much hope in a person or a thing, you always will head towards disappointment. Because that someone or something you depend upon is unpredictable, and the resources to meet your needs are always limited. Think think think...when was the last time you are disappointed by people or yourself?

God's Message: "Cursed is the strong one who depends on mere humans, who thinks he can make it on muscle alone and sets God aside as dead weight.” (Jeremiah 17:5 The Message). (see also Prov 28:26 and Prov 11:28)

When God created human, He formed man out of the dust of the ground, and breathed His spirit, then man became a living being. We are from God, so there is this God-shaped-place inside us. Therefore, no human being or anything else can truly satisfy us but God.

THE ONLY WAY IS...
To only way to stop the cycle of searching from one source to another source to meet our deepest need is to find the most secure, strong and true Person. He is Jesus, our Lord, the Saviour of mankind. He is the firm foundation for our lives.

He will be the firm foundation for their entire lives. He will give them all of the wisdom, knowledge and saving power they will ever need. Respect for the Lord is the key to that treasure. (Isaiah 33:6 NIRV).

For they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ. (1 Corinthians 10:4 NIV).

When you come to Jesus for a drink of water or a piece of bread (see John 6:35 and John 7:37-38), He truly will satisfy you just as the Bible says. He is indeed the Rock that we should stand upon.

"But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him. He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit." (Jeremiah 17:7-8 NIV).

Your entire life will change as a result of trusting Jesus and knowing that only He can satisfy. If you allow Jesus to be the foundation of your life, you will become more stable. Only when you transfer your expectation and trust to Jesus, will you not be disappointed because He is faithful and His love endures forever.

So what should you do now? Daily, remind yourself that human (either other people or yourself) is unpredictable. You can disappoint yourself. Other people can disappoint you. But that doenst mean you should blame yourself or others. But do not let that stop you from moving on, because what lies ahead of you can be a beautiful garden full of flowers, despite the thorny dark jungle that you are in now.

Remember, Jesus came to die for all of us. AND to give us a meaningful life. We should not stop our adventure with Him though life has yet to reach the real rest and satisfaction.

Look unto Jesus, He can give you rest and satisfy your soul and inner being. God bless.

Can we be joyful in this modern stressful life?

2010-04-26T23:52:00.002+08:00

Modern life can be stressful. It is difficult to juggle with work and relationship in the office, especially if you are having problems with some people. Meeting deadlines, dealing with customers, making sales and delivering products – this can be too much to handle! Then you have your family to take care of! And if you have arguments with spouse or children, this can really stress you out. Same goes to the students – relationship problems, meeting dateline of projects, assignments, exam stress, etc. Almost everyone (young and old) faces different forms of daily challenges and stress. Some are dealing with serious illness, some are fighting against addiction & sins...

Stress takes away our peace. Without peace, we will gradually lose our joy. There is this popular sayings “No joy, no strength”. Many times, people become tired and sick not because of heavy activity and sports, but due to lost of joy.

A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. (Proverbs 17:22 NIV)

1. Joy in our own definition
However, as human beings with survival instincts, we will somehow try to find joy with our own ways. We will watch movies/comedies/series/anime to shrug off stress. We will find something to laugh about, go shopping, invest money for a new hobby or new gadget. ‘Facebook-ing’. Searching compliments or replies from your social networking website/s. Chit-chatting. Finding someone you like/love. Playing games. Listening to/playing music. Karaoke-ing. Cooking. Eating good food. Gardening. Reading. Sports. Traveling. Doing house chores. Buying property. Fashioning. Achievement & good result. Sleeping. Simply doing nothing (due to over-stressed). Sex/Porn. Clubbing. Pub-ing. Happy hour. What else that you do to release stress?

Often, we spend time & money to do many things to laugh, to feel happy, and have a sense of satisfaction only to discover that it is not long-lasting. It is merely temporary happiness. Happiness relies solely on the external. Things like pleasure, personal experience and circumstances. It can be fleeting and very much dependant on what is going on in your life from one moment to the next.

2. True source of joy
Joy is a deeper emotion than happiness. Some say they felt it falling in love for the first time or giving birth to babies. These are joyous occasions for sure, but nothing compares to the joy that God gives us through Jesus Christ.

But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:10-11 NIV)

Our Saviour, Jesus Christ came to reveal joy to us. Jesus is characterized by joy. The Psalmist prophesied that Jesus would be anointed with the oil of joy.

Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever; a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom. You love righteousness and hate wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy (Psalm 45:6-7 NIV)

Being the Anointed One, He has all the power to set lives free from bondages, guilt, addiction & hurt in order to give joy and peace to all who face trouble and challenges in this world.

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33 NIV).

Having peace in God when you are troubled and stressed by many things is the greatest joy you can ever have. Smiling and rejoicing in the Lord while grieving, being able to hug someone who has hurt you, having more energy to counsel the weak, and teach the young while growing older instead of complaining about getting older, and having indescribable peace when your world is falling apart, having hope that everything is in control in the midst of trouble, a song in your heart through a fiery trial, or the strength to get up the very next day when your heart is breaking, now that is the joy of the Lord. My friend, this is what you and I are searching for in this modern stressful lifestyle.

If you have lost your strength, or even find it hard to stay motivated about life, then you need to find joy. Nehemiah 8 says,
“…Do not sorrow, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.” (Nehemiah 8:10b NIV)
In the book of Isaiah (chapter 35), it talks about the joy of the redeemed.

and the redeemed of the LORD will return. They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away (Isaiah 35:10 NIV)

Who is the redeemed? Believers of Jesus Christ!

We are surrounded by a great cloud of people whose lives tell us what faith means. So let us run the race that is before us and never give up. We should remove from our lives anything that would get in the way and the sin that so easily holds us back. Let us look only to Jesus, the One who began our faith and who makes it perfect. He suffered death on the cross. But he accepted the shame as if it were nothing because of the joy that God put before him. And now he is sitting at the right side of God's throne. Think about Jesus' example. He held on while wicked people were doing evil things to him. So do not get tired and stop trying. (Hebrews 12:1-3 NIV)

When Jesus endured the pain & shame on the cross, He was thinking of the joy that is about to come – joy of seeing us saved and being reconciled back to Him. THAT IS GREAT LOVE! He suffered everything for our salvation! This is our salvation (we are saved and no longer spiritually separated from the true God)

Indeed, we have been bought back by Jesus into His eternal glory. Through Jesus’ death on the cross and His resurrection, those who believe in Him have the right to access His power, His grace and His JOY.

So, whatever pain/shame/stress that are pressing you down, however heavy your sin or unforgiveness is, no matter how far you’ve gone wrong, no matter how bad or hopeless you feel about yourself, ALWAYS think about Jesus. DON’T keep thinking of all the stress/guilt/sin. Always seek God for help. And remember the joy of your salvation – the originator of joy! Jesus said this…

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." (Matthew 11:28-29)

Now, our joy is no longer dependant on our good luck of escaping hardship or the amount of laughter we have in a day. No doubt, pain and challenges still come (unless we are not form planet earth :D). We still have the ability to cry. But the difference is, now, they are unable to drive away the joy of the redeemed! Joy becomes our inheritance!

As we keep on focusing on all the Jesus had done for us, keep remaining in His love and keep obeying all He teaches us to do (you can find His teaching from the Bible), you will soon find out the remarkable joy and peace that you have been longing for.

Truly no one else can give us such joy and peace like Jesus can. If you would like to discover it, you can boldly pray this prayer:
“Lord, I have come to point of not knowing what to do with myself. Nobody else knows how burdensome I am feeling for …………..(hurt/pain/sin/struggle/difficulties) that I am bearing inside me. Lord, I am tired of all these. I need Your help. Please see me through and that I will finally have joy & peace in my heart. Let me discover the truth of joy and righteousness and freedom from your Words in the bible. I surrender my life into your hands right now. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.

If you have yet to be the believer of Jesus, and you want to be the redeemed one of the Lord, you can pray this prayer right now:
Lord Jesus, I am tired of pursuing so many things but finally to find out I am still in the cycle of searching for true peace, true joy and true sense of satisfaction to my life. I admit I’ve tried many things and I have spent a lot of my energy, time & money to satisfy myself, but I still feel lonely and empty and stress when I am alone. Lord Jesus, I ask for Your help right now to get me out this kind of lifestyle. Take away all my burden and help me to be able to handle my life with Your strength and Your joy. Help me to know You more, the one who loves me deeply even before I know you. Thank You Lord Jesus.

"JOY IS NOT THE ABSENCE OF SUFFERING, BUT THE PRESENCE OF GOD".

Father to the fatherless...

2010-04-19T17:06:00.007+08:00

I have been searching high and low for this album, but is too old the stock. Therefore, have to search from youtube this amazing song. Everytime I listen to this song, it causes me to remember the love of God upon me. His unfailing love really has touched my heart. I present this song to all the fatherless or those whom you think you do not receive enough love from your own father. Hope you will be blessed by this song and know that you are loved by our Heavenly Father. His love is perfect and unending. And He loves you even before you get to find Him. May you be embraced by His love...

But you, O God, do see trouble and grief; you consider it to take it in hand. The victim commits himself to you; you are the helper of the fatherless... Psalm 10:14
There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear... 1 John 4:18

Father by Hillsong
Amazing love has won my heart
I'm in awe of all You've done
You gave us Jesus and with Him
You freely give us everything
Amazing love sets me free
From all that would weigh down on me
You are my strength, my help, my friend
And my hope - life without end

Father, my Father I'm so secure in You
Your perfect love drives away all my fear
Father I love You, for You have loved me first
And I am grateful for amazing love

In God's eye (taken from Ellel Ministries Daily Devotional)

2010-04-01T19:22:00.002+08:00

Hi to all, I yet to have time to really sit down and blog something. Hence, I would like to share something that I read with you all.

But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart. 1 Samuel 16:7, NIV

Every morning, before I go out of my room, it’s my habit to look at myself in the mirror as I’m sure others do as well. If I don’t look at myself I won’t have enough confidence. My physical appearance is what I can see, but the inside I can’t see also determines a lot about how I will feel during the day. Maybe this morning you looked at yourself in the mirror. How did you see yourself?

The pressures of the world are so focussed on how one looks physically and many people are focussed on physical looks more than what’s on the inside. Many people are crushed spiritually and emotionally on the inside.

Our eyes can have a distorted view because they only see the physical. But we also have spiritual eyes with which we can look at ourselves. These eyes look at us the way God sees us.

God tells Samuel to go into the house of Jesse and anoint a king to lead in place of Saul. I can almost visualize the elder Sons of Jesse standing in a queue waiting for the oil of Kingship. They were in Saul’s army, and they must have been very strong men. Yet when the Lord looked at them there was none who was to be king among them. He firmly instructs Samuel not to look at their appearance but the heart. David who was younger became the Lord’s anointed.

This Scripture gives me insight on the way God looks at us, He sees sons and daughters bought by the blood of His Son Jesus Christ. He sees Princes and princesses who can administer His authority over powers of darkness. He sees you as a conqueror.

God’s word is the mirror that shows us how God looks at us. It’s His love letter to all His children. In His word, He encourages, instructs, rebukes, corrects, promises and fulfils His will in our lives so that we can be transformed and conformed to His image (see Romans 8).

Everyday make it your purpose to look at yourself as God looks at you and not as you see yourself or as the world sees you. God loves you.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, Thank You for Your love and care to me. Thank You for making me, me. Please open my eyes to see myself as You see me. Show me the truths of Your word and transform me to be more like You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

2010 - Be on the Cutting Edge

2010-01-05T16:41:00.001+08:00

Hi fellow church members, it had been a hectic moments back in December 2009 for everyone. Seeing the whole church preparing for Christmas Celebration 2009 was indeed an awesome sight. We give thanks for a great time together and a number of people that had accepted Christ on that day, as well as healing that had taken place. You, being there together, had made 20th December a memorable day! Claps claps! of course, glory be to God!

Time flies, and now we are living in 2010! Whether we like it or not, 2009 will never return. Just like what Ps.Gloria had shared during Thanksgiving and Rededication, we should leave all the baggages behind, so that we can run and persevere to complete the run. Leave all the hurts behind. Forgive! Throw away all complaints. Give thanks! Surrender every burden and worries to God. Be still and know that He is God! So that this year, we can truly embrace the love of God, hence, to love one another as well. LOVE! The greatest of all...

This is a great church though we may not see it right now. The Lord has been equipping and training more and more disciples year by year, as He really has a huge task and vision for us to carry. A huge vision needs a whole load of manpower to carry it out. To ensure the establishment and sustainance of the vision, I can see the Lord has been building & training all of us here and there, preparing us to be people that are committed and hearts that are available for Him all the time, one that will not back off when challenges come our way. Many times, when we determine to do something great, we also see opposition comes. The devil tries to hit first, only to define that he is very super duper afraid to face the great things that we are about to do.

Some of you had faced challenges in the year 2009 that caused you to give up some dreams that you had dreamt with God before, some might have gradually decided to leave the commmitment you have for the Lord. However, I have good news for you, that the Lord still has hope on you. He will never forget your heart that longed to dream with Him, your beautiful passion of commitment for Him. And you know what, He will still pick up the broken pieces of dreams and commitments and patch them up to be a beautiful masterpiece once again!

Great things are from the Lord and for us to experience. No matter what happened in the year of 2009, the facts remains: That you and I are born by His purpose and for His purpose. And God loves us dearly no matter what. Be on the cutting edge - is what you and I should be!!

[The meaning of “be on the cutting edge” = In the forefront, in a position of greatest advantage or importance]

So brothers and sisters, let us determine to live 2010 solely for Jesus. Our Savior Jesus had ONE life to live on earth, and He lived it to fullest, teaching, ministering, healing and preaching to everyone. Not only that, He lived to die for us on the cross and resurrected, to give us a new abundant life, and also give us the Spirit, so that we can be empowered to continue what He has started on this earth.

We also have one life to live. Therefore, it is good that we live our life for Jesus too! Live our life with God’s purposes. We can all learn to step out of our comfort zone. Indeed, all of us has strengths that can be blessings to others. Dare to be better than who are you now, and dare to be do something bigger than you are. After all, God has made us to be great actually!

And to live for God does not mean we are losing things. It is actually a gain. To be Jesus' disciples, we will learn and gain all the criteria, leadership, influence, character and attitude, that are highly sought in the society be it at workplace or education. The best wisdom and excellence will be upon us as well when we lay down our life for Jesus' disciples.

Therefore, learn to manage your time & finance around God's things, you will surely be blessed!

Psalm 127:1-2 Unless the LORD builds a house, the work of the builders is wasted. Unless the LORD protects a city, guarding it with sentries will do no good. It is useless for you to work so hard from early morning until late at night, anxiously working for food to eat; for God gives rest to his loved ones.

Psalm 128:1-2 BLESSED (HAPPY, fortunate, to be envied) is everyone who fears, reveres, and worships the Lord, who walks in His ways and lives according to His commandments. For you shall eat [the fruit] of the labor of your hands; happy (blessed, fortunate, enviable) shall you be, and it shall be well with you.

Matthew 6:33-34 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

Stay blessed and be on the cutting edge together! =)

Fall In Love

2009-11-13T10:59:00.003+08:00

On Sunday, Ps.Gloria mentioned that the Lord woke her up and spoke to her many things and one of it is that He is going to cause people to fall in love with Him once again and again. When I heard that, I just got so excited as I also have the desire to fall in love with God once again...and again...and again...
I remember how the Lord picked me up last time when I was down and helpless, and He was just calling me to come back to the first love, that is from Him. He first love us, so we love Him. This is the song that was my prayer that time - to bring me back to the First Love - Jesus Christ!

If this songs relate to the cry of your heart, just come back to Jesus, our First Love. He is always there, with arms wide-open, longing to embrace us with His love.

Reputation vs Character...

2009-10-31T15:32:00.001+08:00

Suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us...Romans 5:3-5, NIV

I have recently been reading through the book of Proverbs. I realised how, over the years, I have taken many of the proverbs as promises. However, the proverbs are not promises. They are words of wisdom. Many of them are truths about human behaviour and clearly show the principle of sowing and reaping. In essence the proverbs are instructions as to how we should live, given in the form of commands.

Many of the proverbs speak of the importance of character that is esteemed far above reputation. On our daily news we hear of prominent people who, through corrupt behaviour or slanderous statements about them, have lost their reputation. In the eyes of others they have fallen from grace and not lived up to their reputation.

We all have a reputation – it’s what other people think of us – what we appear to be to them. Some people work hard to defend their reputation and often create a false image of what they really are.

God’s not concerned with our reputation. He’s deeply concerned about our character. Character is what God knows us to be. Character doesn’t just happen. It develops out of daily choices as to how we live our lives - godly choices, that become a way of life, whether good or bad.

God sometimes chooses suffering to develop our character. The hard times prove what we really are on the inside. They develop perseverance as our eyes are on Jesus and not the circumstances engulfing us. Character can’t be divorced from endurance. It grows from a daily walk with God.

When we recognise that we’re accountable to God it shapes the decisions we make – character- forming decisions, relying on His faithfulness and the conscious daily knowledge that He’s always with us. Whether we feel it or we don’t feel it, His presence never leaves us.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, please help me to trust You today and every day. Whatever others may think of me, You know me as I am. Help me to make daily choices that honour You so that pleasing and honouring You becomes my way of life. Thank You for Your promise that You will never leave me nor forsake me. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Taken from Seeds of the Kingdom

Don't give up, as God still knows better than we do..

2009-10-02T15:46:00.000+08:00

I thought I did what's right
I thought I had the answers
I thought I chose the surest road
But that road brought me here
So I put up a fight
And told you how to help me
Now just when I have given up
The truth is coming clear

Chorus 1:
You know better than I
You know the way
I've let go the need to know why
For You know better than I

If this has been a test
I cannot see the reason
But maybe knowing
I don't know is part of getting through
I tried to do what's best
But faith has made it easy
To see the best thing i can do
Is to put my trust in You.

Chorus 2
For, You know better than I
You know the way
I've let go the need to know why
For You know better than I

Coda:
I saw one cloud and thought it was a sky
I saw a bird and thought that I could follow
But it was You who taught that bird to fly
If i let You reach me
Will You teach me.
(Repeat Chorus )

For, You know better than I
You know the way
I've let go the need to know why
I'll take what answers you supply
You know better than I

The True Eternal Faithful Unchanging Love

2009-10-01T12:22:00.004+08:00

Now Hollywood wants to make you think they know what love is.
But I'm a tell you what true love is.
Love is not what you see in the movies.
Its not the ecstasy, its not what you see in that scene
you know what I mean? I'm telling you right now, true love is sacrifice.
Love is thinking about others before you think about yourself
Love is selfless not selfish. Love is God and God is love.
Love is when you lay down your life for another
Whether for your brother, your mother, your father or your sister
Its even laying down your life for your enemies,
That's unthinkable, but think about that
Love is true
Think.

Chorus
I'll put you in front of me
So everybody can see
My love, this is my love
I know that I'll be alright
As long as you are my guide
My love, this is my love

Love is patient, love is kind.
It does not envy, it does not boast
It is not proud. Love is not rude, it is not self-seeking
It is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs
You see love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, it always perseveres
Love never fails. Love is everlasting
Its eternal, it goes on and on, it goes beyond time
Love is the only thing that will last when you die
But ask the question why? Do you have love?

Chorus
I'll put you in front of me
So everybody can see
My love, this is my love
I know that I'll be alright
As long as you are my guide
My love, this is my love

There is no greater love than this than he who lays down his life for his friends
Now are you willing to lay down your life for your friends?
You're probably willing to lay down your life for your mother
your father, or your best friends
But are you willing to lay down your life for even those that hate you?
I'm going to tell you who did that
The definition of love is Jesus Christ. He is love
The nails in his hands, the thorns in his brow
Hanging on a cross for your sin my sins
That is love he died for you and me while we still hated him
That is love
God is true love, and if you don't know this love
Now is the time to know, perfect love

Chorus
I'll put you in front of me
So everybody can see
My love, this is my love
I know that I'll be alright
As long as you are my guide
My love, this is my love
(repeat)

On the water or sink?

2009-09-30T15:05:00.005+08:00

This is a short real interesting story in the Bible...

And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out for fear.
But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.”
And Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.”
So He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. But when he saw that the wind was boisterous,he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!”
And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”

Can you imagine that? A human walked on water before!! This is none other than Peter. He was amazed and overwhelmed by Jesus walking on water, that his attention, thoughts, heart and desire was drawned towards walking on water as well. So much so, at one word from Jesus, "Come", Peter actually walked on water.

But when his attention shifted to the wind that was boisterous, what happened? He became afraid, and that was the time he sank!

What a difference it can give between looking at Jesus and looking at the wind (the problems and challenges we face). The former enabled him to walk on water, the latter cause him to sink.

It is the same with us. How many times in our life that we sink together with our problems and not knowing how to come out of it or how to solve it? I need not define problems. As long as it is something that cause heaviness and uneasiness in us, somehow slows us down, or drag us..worry us.. it is problem.

However, sinking together with the problems is not God's way. It is most of the time our decision to sink with it.

But it is not the end, my friend. Peter cried to the Lord to save him and the Lord stretched forth His hand and caught him. Imagine if Peter didnt cry out to Jesus for help. Dear friends, we can always seek God for help and solution. His promise is always there for us.

Hebrews 10:23
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.

Some people will ask me, "How do I know whether it is the promise from God?" Well, it is very simple, know Jesus, know His words and you will find out;)

Therefore, let us do not lose heart when we face problems, learn to look at Jesus, pray, search the promises from His Word. Then, it is important that we do not doubt the promises of God. Jesus told Peter, "O you little faith, why do you doubt?" Do you have doubt concerning certain goodness and promises of God? Place your trust in Him and sooner you will realise He has got hold of you and you are no longer sinking.

In the midst of sinking, we have a choice to not to sink.

So, see you ON THE WATER, my friend! =)

Thought: There was a ship at sea in time of storm. The passengers were in great distress. After a while one of them, against orders, went up on deck and made his way to the pilot. The seaman was at his post of duty at the wheel and when he saw the man was greatly frightened he gave him a reassuring smile. Then the passenger turned and went back to the other passengers and said, “I have seen the pilot and he smiled, ’All is well.’” When our small boat of life is storm-tossed and our hearts are fearful, we may push through the storm to our Pilot who is standing at the wheel, and when we see His face we shall know that all is well...Robert Louis Stevenson

Feed yourself

2009-09-18T15:37:00.003+08:00

If we were to take all the advice on nutrition that’s offered us by the media, we would be changing our diet all the time! There’s so much information about what’s good for our health and what foods we should avoid. Some of the advice is sensible, but much of it has the effect of giving worry and making people become preoccupied with diet. There are also lots of information in the Facebook's quizs and advertisements, Yahoo, MSN, various search engines, blogs, n etc as how to improve our life, however none give you everlasting assurance and life within.

However, all these aren’t the main source of life and health for us. Jesus reminds us in Matthew 4:4 that ‘man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’

God’s word is living and active (Hebrews 4:12), and as we feed on it God’s able to impart life to our spirits through His Spirit. He’s able to speak to us through the Bible, with words of love, encouragement, guidance, and correction.

Listen closely to my words. Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart; for they are life to those who find them and health to a man’s whole body. Proverbs 4:20-22, NIV

These verses from Proverbs tell us that the benefit of God’s word isn’t only spiritual. It also brings health to a man’s whole body. As we receive His word into our spirits, life and health flow through into our whole being.When the people of Israel were wandering in the desert, God instructed them to collect manna for their food (Exodus 16). They were to go out early in the morning each day to gather what they needed. That is an important principle for us. We need to be feeding daily on God’s word, which will nourish and sustain us physically as well as spiritually.

How healthy is your diet?

Prayer: Lord, please forgive me for the times I’ve been preoccupied with physical food and media food and I’ve neglected to feed on the spiritual food that will nourish me completely. Please speak to me as I read Your word, and bring Your life and health to every part of me through it. Amen.

Always Abounding

2009-09-08T02:33:00.002+08:00

Do you get tired? Discouraged? Burned out? Feel like giving up? Of course! All Christians do sometimes. Here's the verse which helps when you feel overworked and underappreciated:

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. -- 1 Corinthians 15:58 (KJV)**

My beloved brethren. The Apostle Paul addresses us as family-- brothers and sisters. Christians are part of a family that cares deeply for one another. The church is the visible expression of that caring love. And though we sometimes feel alone, we belong to the family of God. And though we sometimes are hurt by people in the church, we still belong to the family of God. Remember, we are all imperfect when Christ chose to save us.

Be ye steadfast, that is, don't always be moving around. When I worked at GCC last time, I remembered taking care of children that seemingly has an ever-increasing energy. They talked non-stop, they played with the food, they tickled other children, they snatched other children’s food or toys, they kept running to where all the instruments are and played around with the small guitars, drums… Oh, these made me really OUT-OF-CONTROL.

"Be steadfast" means "be stable," "be firm." The Greek word alludes to sitting in a chair rather than pacing around--"fixed." IN-CONTROL

Unmoveable, means "not to be moved from its place." Perhaps people have called you "stubborn." Now you can be stubbornly opposed to God's will. That's bad. But you can be stubbornly, doggedly devoted to God, so that circumstances and people don't distract you from Him. That's good. Call it persistent, call it faithful.

Always abounding in the work of the Lord. The word translated "abounding" means "exceeding a fixed number or measure," "over-and- above." Some people do what is expected. After they had done what is expected…”gao tim!” Others, out of love, go far beyond that. Even to sacrifice their time, energy, emotion, money and rest. Their lives pour out and overflow. You may ask, "Doing what?"

The work of the Lord, is the answer. "Work?" "Hmm..well well well…who don’t work?" you say. "I work five or six days a week. When I get home I just want to rest!" That's understandable.

Do you have any loafers at work? You know, loafers are people who only do the minimum, and only that if the boss is around or it is approaching year-end bonus. And who takes up the slack? You and the other hardworking workers.

God's work is the same. Just a few of the ways we do His works, build His kingdom here on earth, populate your community with His gospel, bearing good testimonies to your folks and friends, to teach our children about Jesus at home and at children church. We serve as an usher or worship team or etc on Sundays. We encourage those believers who are down. We make a meal for a family when one of the parents is sick. We hear problems of brothers and sisters in Christ, and then try our best to support them in prayer of word of encouragement. A church is a caring body. But when loafers don't pull their part of the load, it falls on others to do.

My sister, my brother, this is a word for you: be "always abounding in the work of the Lord." Always. Over-and-above.

Knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.Some people hate washing dishes because more dirty dishes magically appear over night. Sweeping and vacuuming are the same way. Things never stay clean. Someone is always tracking dirt on your carpet. Is there no end? You get discouraged when there is no end. It's only when you consider the option that you just take out your vacuum cleaner and clean it once again.

Your wife may not keep track of how often you change the spark plugs. Your husband has no idea of how often you have to dust. At times, your good action and deeds are unnoticeable by people, and your little weakness & imperfection is greatly noticeable by people. Sad? Yes. But hey, we are still one family in Christ. And you know what, God keeps track of our faithfulness in His work. He sees us serving Him when no one else sees. And seeing us hanging in there brings joy to his heart. Our Christian service is not done in vain for three reasons:

1. Christ's kingdom is built on your service, stone upon stone, act of kindness upon teaching the youths on Saturday, serving refreshments upon spending time with a grief-stricken believers, preparing teaching for your fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, visiting those who need Jesus, praying for your members or leaders without them complementing you, noticing someone that need encouragement and you go and encourage them, etc…
2. Seeing your faithful service brings joy to God's heart.
3. God will reward you for your faithfulness, even when no one else sees. His ledger book/diary gets fresh notations every time you serve Him. In a word, your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

Yes, I get discouraged and so do you. But God keeps bringing us back to this verse to buck us up and help us to see the importance of faithful service. Don't give up. Your labor in Christ is not in vain.

Paper Crown

2009-09-03T13:27:00.004+08:00

Daily Devotional from Seeds of the Kingdom

Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches; but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD who exercises loving-kindness, justice and righteousness on earth; for I delight in these things,' declares the LORD. Jeremiah 9: 23-24, NIV

You may not be shocked to discover that the local Salad & Sushi Bar wouldn't be my kids favourite place to eat! No, they prefer the more 'royal' option... Burger King! First, there's the complimentary toy which always causes the greatest enthusiasm. Secondly, there's the staple 'kid friendly' menu of chicken nuggets, fries and soda. Lastly, to seal it all off, there's the free cardboard gold crown you can wear as you eat your meal!

My kids love nothing more than wearing their crowns. They take turns issuing decrees and commands, and generally revelling in their newly self-appointed position of splendour as they boss each other around.

On returning home and emptying the car of the empty bags and, now discarded, paper crowns, I was reminded of how similar these fake crowns are to the ones we can wear on our own heads as Christians.

How easy it is for us to boast in our own cleverness and works. We can so easily wear crowns (appointed by ourselves) that reflect our service to the Lord, or our faith, or even our humility! Revelling in our own self-appointed splendour, we build ourselves paper thrones on which to sit. Before long we begin to pass cheap judgment and criticism on the lives of the people around us.

I would encourage you today to look at your own heart and ask God to show you any paper crowns you may be wearing. Lay them down at His cross and ask Him to destroy the cheap thrones where you've sat and passed judgment on others.

As we lay down the crowns bought with our own achievements and good deeds, and turn our eyes instead to the One who deserves all glory and praise - only then can we wear the true crown of splendour that He designed. This crown boasts only of who He is!

Prayer: Lord Jesus, I'm sorry for the pride and arrogance there has been in my heart. Lord, I'm sorry for the cheap judgements I have made about other people, when only you see the true heart of all men. Help me to take my eyes off myself and instead keep them on You. To You be all the glory and all the praise in my life. In Jesus' Name Amen.

Not of This World

2009-09-02T12:11:00.002+08:00

From Kenneth Copeland Ministries - daily devotion
Years ago the devil started a rumor. He told a few Christians that as long as they lived in the world, they had to suffer as the world did. He told them they had to share the diseases and the defeat, the poverty and the failure of those around them.

It was a crafty lie--and it worked. Believers accepted it and began to spread it among themselves. You may have even heard it yourself. If so, I want to help you put that rumor to rest today. I want to help you get the facts straight once and for all.

You see, despite what you may have heard, health, prosperity and victorious living aren't concepts some comfort-hungry believer selfishly dreamed up. They are God's ideas.

You may say, "That sounds good, but we've got to be realistic. We live in a world that's full of problems. And as long as we live in this world, it seems to me we're going to have our share."

Yes, that's true. Even Jesus said, "In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration." But notice, He didn't stop there! He went on to say, "But be of good cheer-- take courage, be confident, certain, undaunted--for I have overcome the world.-- I have deprived it of power to harm, have conquered it [for you]" (John 16:33, The Amplified Bible).

Most believers don't have any trouble believing the first part of that verse. They know all too well how many tribulations, trials, distresses, and frustrations surround them. But they're less certain about the last part. They haven't yet experienced for themselves exactly what Jesus meant when He said He had deprived those things of power to harm them.

Why not?

Because they're still living as though they're part of the world.

But, listen. Jesus said you and I are to be "sanctified," or separated from the evils of this world. How? Through the Word of God! (John 17:17).

The Word of God will separate you from the world. His Word will set His dream for victory into motion in your life. If you'll receive it and believe it, speak it and act on it, that Word will set you apart from those around you. It will take you from trouble to triumph again and again.
________________________________________
Scripture Study: John 17:1-17

Great Secret Place

2009-09-02T01:48:00.000+08:00

31st August 2009, Kuala Lumpur: It was a great 'A Day In The Secret Place' at TVS, Subang. Pastor's teaching was so eye-enlightening and the Words of God really refreshes my soul and spirit. They give me a lot of understanding and wisdom to carry on with my life.

Pastor David reminded us that we are born for such a time as this.. (what Ps.Dennis had taught us during church camp). Yeah, guys...let us not forget that all of us are born for a purpose and destiny. Sometimes in the midst of walking the journey of our life, we may fall, we may be hindered, but don't worry, God wil uphold us with His strong arm.

BUT, you know what, as God will always uphold us, it takes us to choose to look at His strong arms rather than our wounded knees. I know at times the pain can just usurp all of our attention, but it will end with no gain, but more pain. Friends, we can certainly decide on something that can gain us rather than pain us even more, can't we? Being the survival-conscious human, we ---> certainly can choose the better one. Choose gain not pain. Having God is the greatest gain ever!

Isaiah 41:10 God says, "Fear not, for I am with you: Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. Yes, I will help you. I wil uphold you with My righteous right hand."

Ps.David also reminded us about Queen Esther. Are you interested to know her story? Grab your bible and turn to the book of Esther =D

We had a victorious prayer drive as well. Bible says when two or three pray together, there will certainly be the breakthrough. Therefore, breakthrough is coming guys! :)

In the future, when you are tired and lonesome, and feel like you want nothing else but a peace of mind and a soothing feeling, just come to 'A Day In The Secret Place'.

God is the greatest gain!

See you~ God bless ya!

2009-08-10T16:43:00.000+08:00

When Bible talks about love will grow cold in this end times, what does that really mean? Thinking about my childhood, there were so many relational activities going on, playing "masak-masak", doctor-and-patient, "jumping aeroplane", ropes, chase-and-catch, throwing stones, etc. All these require communication and laughter together. Relationship was so real back then. There was no problems to express who you really are and how you really feel on the inside. When you were angry, you showed it at your face. When you were happy, you laughed together with the rest.

Life has indeed changed tremendously, you like it or not, everyone is in the world of technology. Gadgets and computers..you are an alien if you live without them! Walking passed Starbucks or any dining places with wi-fi, you will see groups of friends hanging together, sitting together with smiling faces, however, each smiling at their own laptop. Some were chatting via msn though they were actually sitting opposite each other on the same table. Nowadays, I realise it is so difficult to understand the true feeling of people. People with smiling faces may not be that happy. People that look smart may be broken in their heart. People that look rich may be owing a lot of credit cards loan. Sometimes I wish I could be like God, looking into the very intent of the heart, bypassing all the masks that people are wearing. But I know I can't.

Love has grown cold. No matter how much people chatted via msn or facebook, that cannot be compared with spending time with the real person, face to face. However nowadays, many young people spend most of their time playing games, surfing net, facebook-ing, msn-ing, twitter-ing, etc... They didn't know deep in their heart is the desire to be understood by someone. Desire to be cared and loved someone. We will be satisfied just for a moment by reading people's comment in the facebook, receiving some flowers n hugs in the facebook, but that cannot be compared with real relational touch and real communication.

God designed us to be relational. Worship is relational. God and human is a relationship. The world has been taking away the meaning of real relationship gradually. The world is shaped in such a way to cause human to grow cold in love, hence don't comprehend the meaning of love & relationship. I hope if you are reading this, and you know you are longing for a real relational touch, you can come to God. He is the source of relationship. No one else can truly understand you more than God. No matter how many people write on your facebook's wall, no matter how long your list of friends are in your msn, no matter how many people visit your blog and drop you a message, you will still NEVER BE SATISFIED. Trust me, I know it! Whether you know God or not, you need God. Go and find a nearby church and attend every Sunday, with that longing in your heart..you will sure find that something that can truly satisfy you. No amount of travelling can satisfy you. No food can satisfy us. Only the Creator, who creates us with the capacity of love & relationship. He Himself is love and relationship.

Another thing, if you are drowned in the net with pornography (which is so accesible via internet nowadays), and you feel so bad about it that you feel you are a "double-person", and you want to stop it as it is damaging your life, I highly recommend you to visit this website www.porn-free.org. Click and read everything that you can and you will be helped. Remember, don't be ashamed now cause no one knows you are having this problem. No one knows you are reading this. You need help? Just do it. Let your will be strong to deal with it. God loves you..so much so much...

My prayer is: Everyone can find their purposeful meaning of life, which initially that is what God wants us to be. May all the hindrances be pushed away and in Christ, we will all find hope again. All the best :)

2009-07-28T20:20:00.000+08:00

Verse 1
There is a love that I know
Strength for the weak and the broken-heart
My Shepherd and King, I find you within me
For You Are Here

Verse 2
You carried the cross for the world
Gathered the lost and the fatherless
My Shepherd and King, I find you within me
For You Are Here, my Lord forever You Are Here

Chorus
In this place, You Are Here
By Your mercy, I draw near
In my heart, take Your place
You Are Here

Verse 3
Your word is the light of the Earth
Your glory resounds in the universe
My Shepherd and King, I find You within me
For You Are Here, my Lord forever, You Are Here

Bridge
The same power that conquered the grave lives in me, lives in me!
Your love that rescued the Earth lives in me, lives in me!
The same power that conquered the grave lives in me, lives in me!
Your love that rescued the Earth lives in me, lives in me!
You Are Here
You Are Here

A Healthy Dose of Love - fr Kenneth Copeland

2009-07-10T14:35:00.001+08:00

"Love...is not touchy or fretful or resentful; it takes no account of the evil done to it--pays no attention to a suffered wrong."
(1 Corinthians 13:4-5)

Walking in love is good for your health. Did you know that?

It's true! Medical science has proven it. Researchers have discovered that hostility produces stress that causes ulcers, tension headaches, and a host of other ills.

Now when you think of hostility, you may think of the type of anger you feel when something serious happens. But according to the experts, that kind of thing isn't what causes the worst problems. It's the little things: when the dry cleaners ruin your favorite outfit, for example. Or when the cafeteria lady puts gravy on your mashed potatoes after you've specifically told her not to. Sound familiar?

Just think how much stress you could avoid by being quick to forgive, by living your life according to 1 Corinthians 13 and not counting up the evils done to you. Imagine physical and emotional benefits of living like that!

If you've allowed yourself to be habitually bound by hostility, that may sound like an impossible dream, but it's not! Because as a born-again believer, you have the love of God inside of you.

If you'll yield to that love, it will set you free. Remember when Jesus called Lazarus forth from the grave? He was alive but still bound in the grave clothes. Jesus commanded the bindings to be loosed so that Lazarus could be free to walk.

Jesus wants that same kind of freedom for you. So get into agreement with Him. Say to those deadly habits that have you bound, "In the Name of Jesus, loose me and let me go! I'm putting hostility, unforgiveness and selfishness behind me. I'm going on with God. I'm going to live the life of love!"

Remember: It doesn't take a medical miracle to turn your life around. All it takes is a decision to yield to the force of love. Do it today!

Show me the Path

2009-07-10T13:26:00.000+08:00

This is the devotional from Seeds of the Kindgom...
Show me the path that I should walk O Lord. Point out the right road for me to travel. Lead me by your truth and teach me for you are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in you.
Psalm 25:4-5, NLT

There's a TV show in the U.S. that Andy and I really enjoy watching. During the show a group of contestants compete in various games to win prizes and privileges for their particular team.

One of the games they play involves a team member being blindfolded and having to navigate an obstacle course to a final destination. The blindfolded person has to rely on just one team member (a navigator), who is given a bird's eye view of the obstacle course, shouting out instructions. To watch the blind-folded team member struggle to hear their navigator's voice whilst dodging the obstacles is great fun - especially when there are three or four teams all competing at once.

The outcome of the game depends very much on the character of the person who's blindfolded. Sometimes you get blindfolded contestants who're just so desperate to win they don't even try to listen to their navigator. They just steam on ahead, tackling whatever comes their way, and usually end up causing themselves all kinds of harm. Other contestants may spend so much time standing still and trying to listen to the navigator and ensure that they're hearing right, that they never actually move. I think the wisest contestants (who often end up winning!) are the ones who tentatively step forward using their feet and hands to judge what's ahead while straining to hear the instructions of their navigator.

When I look back on my Christian life, there have been times when I've been like these contestants. It's as if I've been blindfolded and can't see the path that's ahead for me. It's a vulnerable and scary time, even though I know I'm on the path that God set for me. How amazing though that my Navigator, the Lord Jesus, sees the whole picture, and His directions are perfect. He guides me along the whole path that lies ahead of me and walks right by my side holding my hand. David said - ‘Yet I still belong to you; you are holding my right hand. You will keep on guiding me with your counsel, leading me to a glorious destiny' (Psalm 73:23-24, NLT).'

When we surrender to the Lord's direction we can be like those wise contestants. We start to walk forward, yes perhaps tentatively and with caution, but secure in the knowledge He will keep us safe!

Prayer: Lord Jesus, I want so much to walk the paths that You have set for my life. Lord, please will You give me courage to walk Your ways. Give me ears to hear Your voice. Give me hope , knowing Your plans are always for my good. And lastly, give me an unshakable peace in the knowledge that You walk right by my side, holding my hand. Amen.

2009-07-03T13:27:00.000+08:00

I really love this song, it reminds me of the love of Father in heaven. He really loves us all UNCONDITIONALLY... Forgives unceasingly... Pick us up unfailingly...

All for love the Father gave
For only love could make a way
All for love the heavens cried
For love was crucified

Oh how many times have I broken Your heart
But still You forgive
If only I ask
And how many times have You heard me pray
Draw near to me

Everything I need is You
My beginning, my forever
Everything I need is You

Let me sing all for love
I will join the angels song
Ever holy is the Lord
King of Glory
King of all

All for a love a Saviour prayed
Abba Father have Your way
Though they know not what they do
Let the Cross draw man to You

Chosen As Mine

2009-06-04T13:46:00.000+08:00

Hi, I yet to time to write anything here, but I would like to share this short video clip to you. We would never understand why Jesus did that for us, suffered the beating n being crucified on the cross. We just know that He did that for us. The moment the died and then he rose again was the moment we ALL are brought back to Him. Jesus is wanting to see all of us accept Him as our Saviour and our Lord and our friend. A song for you - Chosen As Mine - a message from God to you...

Here I am so close to you
Know my voice, I'll never leave you
For I have loved you since before the sands of time were made
I love you still and always will.
You're chosen as Mine
My Father wants to bless you now,
Receive from Him all that you'll ever need.
Come spend eternity with Me. My heart's full of love for you.
I love you still and always will.
You're chosen as Mine.

Cries in the desert, My child, I hear them.
Tears in the valley, My lovely, I count them.
You're so precious; you were on My mind as I died.

I love you still, always will.
Chosen as Mine.

Are you 'comfortable' when you are uncomfortable?

2009-05-08T14:13:00.000+08:00

Yesterday during Sectional Gathering, Abby shared with us about an article she read. A lady witnessed a scenario - A mother hen together with its chicks. Then, there is a shadow of an eagle, indicating that the eagle is about to zoom down to catch its chick. She didn't see the mother hen go all out to rescue its chick, instead it starts to make continuous "clucking" sound, while spreading wide its wings. Then within a few seconds, the lady notices that all the chicks like sort of aware of the signal and begin to run towards their mother and then hide underneath its wings.

Same goes with the verse in the Bible, Psalm 91:4 He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler.

When trouble and difficulties strikes us, when insecurities and uncertainties of life begin to surround our thoughts and emotion, what we need to do is RUN towards God and hide under His wings and cling on to His truth. It is amazing how many people say they want to have breakthrough or healing but are resistant to move towards God..resistant to change. They still remain there, as if they are 'comfortable' even when they actually feel uncomfortable.

Think back of those times when you were on your bed, sick and no energy to move, and you prayed, "Lord, heal me Lord", and amazingly you were still there struggling with the pain, unmoved. I found out it is easier for us to stay there eventhough it is not comfortable. The reason is that it might cause us pain or to put in more strength to move, even if a little move could produce an increased faith, hence the remarkable healing result.

Most of the time, we prefer to be in the uncomfortable state rather than moving to the comfortable state, which requires us to come out of comfort zone (move away from the old, and strive forward for the new - change). A change that includes the change in our mind, feeling and emotion.

So, next time when you are in uncomfortable state like sick, lack of money, tired, etc, do not just keep remain there by 'comfortably' saying "I am so sick, I really will fall sick" or "Oh no, I have no money, I am going to bankrupt soon" or "So so tired, why got so many things to do..haih"..or "I am lonely, why nobody cares?"

MOVE TOWARDS to the new things that God promise you, by trusting and saying "Yuhoo, I am going to see how my body won't feel sick though the symptoms is arising. I am going to see Healer in me. Yeah!"

"Wow, this is the superb time to see how my God supplies me. Money is decreasing, amount in account is approaching zero, erm...that doesn't affect me at all. Hoo! Hoo! My God is my Provider man! I shall see it happen soon."

"Tired? Yeah yeah, body is tired, feel like I can sleep for 12 hours. But things need to be done, and I want to have joy in it, yeah yeah Jesus, I can do all things through you who strengthens me. Yeah yeah, come on Jesus!"

"I am not lonely. God is with me all the time. Hmm...people actually cares for me and I shouldn't think otherwise. Why not I start to care for people like Jesus did, instead of complaining here? Okie Lord, I am going to follow Your way, let's do it!"

Try and see the marvelous change!

Remember Psalm 91:4 His feathers and His wings are already there for us to take refuge. His truth is all the while our shield. His promises is unchangeable, and are for us to cling on. His joy, love and peace is in us. And it just takes YOU to MOVE there. To ACT! Get out of your uncomfortable state and be ready for any change that will take you to the comfortable! Hurray..

Cups of coffee... =)

2009-05-06T14:46:00.000+08:00

Are you coffee-fan? Erm..I love coffee, both the aroma and the taste of it. Here, I would like to share a story of coffee I read lately.

A group of alumni, highly established in their careers, got together to visit their old university professor. Conversation soon turned into complaints about stress in work and life.

Offering his guests coffee, the professor went to the kitchen and returned with a large pot of coffee and an assortment of cups - porcelain, plastic, glass, crystal, some plain looking, some expensive, some exquisite - telling them to help themselves to the coffee.

When all the students had a cup of coffee in hand, the professor said: "If you noticed, all the nice looking expensive cups were taken up, leaving behind the plain and cheap ones. While it is normal for you to want only the best for yourselves, that is the source of your problems and stress. Be assured that the cup itself adds no quality to the coffee. In most cases it is just more expensive and in some cases even hides what we drink.

What all of you really wanted was coffee, not the cup, but you consciously went for the best cups... And then you began eyeing each other's cups.

Now consider this: Life is the coffee. Jobs, money and position in society are the cups. They are just tools to hold and contain Life, and the type of cup we have does not define, nor change the quality of life we live.

Sometimes, by concentrating only on the cup, we fail to enjoy the coffee God has provided us.

"God brews the coffee, not the cups..........Enjoy your COFFEE!"

Application: So enjoy your life based on what God says, not by what situation around you says. If you enjoy your life based on situation, then you will be yo-yo-ing all the days of your life, as situation around us always change (up-down-sad-happy-negative-positive).

So guys, find out your life based on the Word (Bible). Smile...

Out of the box

2009-04-25T21:25:00.001+08:00

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well..

Psalm 139:14, NIV

As I was tidying away my son's toys I found myself becoming frustrated that they just didn't fit nicely into his toy-box. Various shapes, sizes, colours, textures and materials mingled together to form the basis of his educational, yet irrationally and unevenly shaped collection of toys. Even the books didn't seem to be normal book-shapes! As such, they just wouldn't fit neatly together in a convenient and sensible box. As I tried to wedge in a particularly non-conformist toy, I found myself thinking of how we can be like these toys.

We are all amazingly and uniquely created in the most imaginative way. We all have so many facets to ourselves. There are our personalities, likes, and dislikes, talents, even our physical bodies. Yet we're conditioned by life to fit into stereo-typical boxes. It could be the box for the good Christian or the box for the perfect wife, husband or parent. It could be that we should all look a certain way, wearing similar clothes and fitting them perfectly. Or it could be enforced upon you by your job, your community or your family.

It could even be a box you create for yourself in order to feel secure. Such pressures lead us to becoming frustrated as we strive to conform and gain man's acceptance. Yet it's impossible to conform because you just don't fit the box. Ultimately you'll fail in gaining man's full acceptance. Many of us go through life working so hard to fit into the appropriate boxes that we lose sight of who we truly are.

For us to gain God's acceptance we simply have to be ourselves; the true self that God foreknew (Jeremiah 1:5) and created from His heart of love and unlimited imagination. God's acceptance is unconditional and is everlasting. Man's acceptance is fickle, fallible and conditional.

As it is, Kyle's toy-box is simply buried beneath a jumbled collection of bright colours and exciting opportunities for fun and learning. Maybe that's how it should be for us. Rather than trying to conform to a box-like standard we should just enjoy being an exciting and colourful jumble of all that God made us to be!

Prayer: Father God. Thank You for making me, me. I'm sorry I've tried to squeeze myself into boxes that constrain my true self and I ask You to help me find more of the real me and enjoy my life as You wanted me to. Amen.

Taken from Seed of the Kingdom (Today's Free Devotional from Ellel Ministries International)

Waiting for bridegroom

2009-03-25T00:11:00.000+08:00

The day I am waiting for soon is around the corner. Indeed, preparing for wedding is a test of patience and love. Throughout the preparation, I appreciate Ps. Jason even more. Thanks to him who puts in lots of effort and uses up a lot of his brain cells to plan and organize. I am not so good in terms of organizing but I am good to be a support. This is the time that I realize he really accepts me as who I am, though I am not perfect (he sure knows it by now... =D). That makes me remember how God loves and accepts us for who we are, God's love - Jesus died for us on the cross despite the fact that some may not want to accept and appreciate Him. "Jesus, teach me to love and accept people like you do, wonderful Jesus... "

Thanks to my lovely parents and family and also my parents-in-law-to-be who continuously support us in many areas. Love them much. Not forgetting my lovely members, whom I know you all really concern about me..."How is your preparation?" is the question I often hear from my caring church members. I remembered the day when my car window was being smashed and I couldn't join the gathering, and these lovely members run the whole gathering with wisdom and joy. What a comfort that I received! =) thanks to all of you for support.. We stand stronger when we are united.

And most importantly, I thank God for everything. I really see His hand for my marriage. He is preparing everyone to a higher phase of maturity. Indeed, the Lord is rising up a generation to march for this land! There are still much more to accomplished in this end time...

As I wait for my bridegroom on 28th March, the Lord reminded me of the teaching about the 10 virgins who prepared to meet the bridegroom (Matthew 25:1-13). 5 of them are foolish and 5 are wise.

1"At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2Five of them were foolish and five were wise.

3The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. 4The wise, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. 5The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.

6"At midnight the cry rang out: 'Here's the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!'

7"Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. 8The foolish ones said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.'

9" 'No,' they replied, 'there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.'

10"But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut.

11"Later the others also came. 'Sir! Sir!' they said. 'Open the door for us!'
12"But he replied, 'I tell you the truth, I don't know you.'
13"Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.

There must be a reason why Jesus taught this parable. There is meaning behind. He simply wants to teach us to be ready at all times before Jesus comes back again. He knows human will grow lazy for him, and grow dull in chasing after the kingdom of God. I surely want to be the wise virgin, having my lamp filled with oil, so that my lamp will always burn and shine the light. When I read this parable, I just told the Lord that I will ensure that throughout my whole life, through thick and thin, through bad times or good times, I will never forget about him or lazy to pursue him (having lamp without oil), instead, I will want to grow to know Jesus more and more, putting in oil in my lamp daily, and shine out for the bridegroom (Jesus) that is to come soon.

Prayer: Jesus, may you help to ensure the fire within me is burning for You and will never die down. Take me away from the temptations around me that will cause me to neglect You. I want be the lamp that has sufficient ever ready oil all the time - lamp that is burning, bringing forth light all the time. And Lord, so that I will shine and bring light to people around me.

Snail-pace life??

2009-01-29T10:17:00.000+08:00

Chinese New Year... Is a time of visiting relatives and getting red packets, we called "ang pao"...eating a lot of cookies and "kuih"...

Also, festive season always make me in holiday mood, and I somehow move slower in many things, like a snail. Many members are not around, and Wangsa Maju is kind of quiet and "peaceful".

Yesterday, I went to my aunt's house at Kepong to have CNY gathering with all my relatives. It has been long time I didn't have CNY gathering with them as I was always at Sibu, Sarawak during CNY. Seeing all the aunts and uncles are getting older, and all my cousins having children that are growing taller and taller, I started to think about L-I-F-E. Living with Insight Filled with Eternity....

We, human, go through the same cycle of life! Baby > Toddler > Child > Teenager > Adult > Parent > Grandparent > Leave the world...

And our lives are bound with pressure and challenge, whether we like it or not, we have to face them. Expectation of people, demands from the world, responsibility to not to hurt people....the list can go on...and on...

And suddenly, I am DETERMINED to not to be snail. As long as I live on earth, I want to do something meaningful and purposeful for the people around me. Although I will make mistake, I ask God to continuously give me a teachable heart to learn and to improve.

"Let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.. Galatians 6:9"

Therefore, we must not lose heart in this L-I-F-E... Spend time to build our inside rather than our outside, then helping people to build their inside too!

Some quotes of truth by Zig Ziglar

"Life is too short to spend your precious time trying to convince a person who wants to live in gloom and doom otherwise. Give lifting that person your best shot, but don't hang around long enough for his or her bad attitude to pull you down. Instead, surround yourself with optimistic people."

"Far too many people have no idea of what they can do because all they have been told is what they can’t do. They don’t know what they want because they don’t know what’s available to them."

"It's not what you've got, it's what you use that makes a difference."

"Where you start is not as important as where you finish."

Find & enjoy your true life, that meant by God, not the expectation of the world. =) GBU

> knowing God and experiencing Him
> spreading good news and love of God

> encourage and care for one another

> learning from God and following His ways

> experiencing God and see it become others' experience

2009-01-19T00:42:00.000+08:00

Nowadays, when we hear about abortion, premarital sex, husband and wife quarelling, children rebels against parents, gangster fight and etc etc that fall into the same category, it seems like they ain't hurting us as much as last time when we heard it.

Perhaps they happen too often until we have no feeling towards them anymore. Or is it we become more and more into the pattern of the world?

Do you notice that all the above negative events that I mentioned are to do with RELATIONSHIP...?

Who is the main source of relationship? God is. He created us to relate with Him and then created man and woman for them to relate with each other lovingly.

Who is the destroyer of relationship? Satan is. He steals from God the wonderful meaning of relationship, he changea the program and lock it with his password LUSTGREEDPRIDE, and teaches us to use the PASSWORD to serve his program.

Today in the society, we see young people enter into boy girl relationship as young as Primary 3. When I heard about that, I feel so outdated! Coz during my time, any of my friends that started 'paktor' during Form 5 was already a hoo-haa thing. Now, if young kids starting relationship at the age of 9 is a normal thing, what about a young couple that have sex at the age of 15? 16?

Some will say, "Pastor, chew-know, is like this one.. now is very normal already..."

Yes, we are living in a very imperfect world. And we are living with our sinful nature. We see all the unhappy marriage, unhappy couple, unhappy friends..... and we also experience it by ourselves. But we are not going to stop there.

I would say that everyone can start to change our password to LOVEFAITHHOPE to reprogram our mind, renew our mind. LOVE the Lord, have FAITH in Him, and find HOPE again in the new life God has given us. Forgive and forget the pass, and start to dig into the Word to learn what God says about relationship.

God loves human and human ought to love God.
Husband loves and be faithful to wife and vice versa.
Children loves parents and vice versa.
Human loves human and vice versa.

Faith, hope and love, the greatest is LOVE, which God has gave it all for us.

Reading the whole book of Ephesians is an eye-opening. You may try, and share with me in "Comments" what you get after medidating the book of Ephesians.

Jesus is Lord in relationship!

Fishing...

2009-01-13T10:36:00.001+08:00

Do you like fishing? I always wish I will have chance to fish, yet I wonder whether I will have the patience to do it. On 7th January, when we were at Malacca for staff holiday, we stopped by a Portugis Settlement nearby the seaside to dine. It is a beautiful side. Looking at some of the boats, I remembered the story of Jesus in the Bible where He called four fishermen to be His disciples. "Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men." [see Matthew 4:19]

These fishermen caught nothing before that, but at the words of Jesus, they let down their nets, and they had a miraculous great catch. It was a great number of fishes that the boat was about to sink! [see Luke 5:1-10]

I was reminded that all of us are fishermen too (for lady is called fisherwomen :D). I am glad that though I am not sure when can I go fishing, but I very sure that everyday I can follow Jesus to be fisherwoman, to be fishers of men. To experience the love of Jesus and the new life He gave me, and then be able to 'catch' many more others to experience the same love and new life. At the seaside, I released a prayer to God, "Lord, make all of us fishers of men."

When I reached my home at Wangsa Maju around evening time on the 8th January, I saw my members were preparing for visitation later in the night. I rejoice within me with my thoughts ringing... "Emm, Lord, your wonderful children are becoming fishers of men later, spreading your love and your gospel. Great!"

Conclusion: To be fishers of men is the greatest and is worthwhile even if I don't have chance to go fishing for the entire of my life =)

Christmas is around the corner

2008-11-14T13:00:00.000+08:00

I remembered when I was in school, one bunch of us would buy lots of Christmas card for one another, without really understood the real meaning of Christmas. Besides that, everywhere would be filled with Christmas atmosphere - Christmas songs in the shopping mall, Christmas tree, snowman, Santa Claus, etc.

Generally, this is the season where people will spend money to buy presents for one another. Also, groups of family and friends will plan where to celebrate and where to feast.

However, the greatest meaning of Christmas is to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. Then, what is so significant about that? If I were to write the whole story from the Bible, I would not have enough space in this blog.

Therefore, I would like to make a summary of it in a simpler form. The birth of Jesus Christ is so significant as it then leads to the crucifixion of Jesus and then the resurrection of Jesus Christ which marks the beginning of reconciliation of mankind to God. He is the light to our darkness.

Some people's respond may be'what-so-big-deal-about-that?'. Well, it is okay, as I felt that as well last time when I didn't know Jesus Christ personally. To sum it all, God is love. All that God did, is doing, and will do is because God loves us.

We are born to be God's children, to know God and to have intimate relationship with God. However, human's sin due to disobedience and stubbornness had separated us from God.

There is only one plan, that is to send Jesus Christ to die of behalf of us to bring to death the sin that is in us. We are who sinful are not able to do that. Only Jesus who is sinless can do that. Well, still many people will not be able to truly appreciate the deed that Jesus Christ had done for us. This is due to the limited human understanding and knowledge.

Now as I think back, I am thankful that God's wisdom and thought are higher than ours. God does not need to wait until we understand only then He sends Jesus to die for us to reconcile us back to God. If He did wait until we understand, I think I will forever miss the chance to have personal relationship with Jesus.

John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He send His
only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to die for us, that whoever that believes in
Him will not perish but have everlasting life.
Romans 5:8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

During the birth of Jesus, angel appeared and said this "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace to men on whom His favor rests."

It is due to love that the Saviour Jesus came to save us (to bring us back to the relationship with Him). It is peace that God wants to give us.

Jesus is born to die - to accomplish a mission - to save us back to Him, so that in Him, we found true love and true peace.

Is there a sensation in your heart that you want to experience this?

I had gone through that feeling and I finally accepted Jesus Christ as my Saviour. Not only that, this wonderful relationship has grown to the stage that I know Jesus is my personal best friend too. I will never regret of having Jesus in my life.

Jesus is with me and will never leave me. Often, the world is full of uncertainties, but by holding Jesus' hands, I am convinced He is leading me to certainties.

I love His promise to everyone...
Jesus said, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

You can enjoy the same thing too =) Come and join us to celebrate Christmas together!

Venue: Kuala Lumpur International Hotel (KLIH)

Date: 24th December 2008

Time: 8:30p.m.

If you have time, you may read this...

2008-11-05T14:44:00.001+08:00

I am always amazed at the creation of God - humans. Not only we have different look and different skin colour, we also have different character and personality.

Once, as I read the Bible about Romans 12:4-5 "For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another" I started to have a lot of thoughts in me, inspired by the Holy Spirit.

Often if not always, as we mingle around with people, we normally easily spot out areas or attitude in people's life that we don't like. Different ways of speaking and gestures, different ways of value and reasoning, different in personalities - are some elements that help us to conclude whether can we 'click' with so and so.

So Holy Spirit, being very courteous, dropped some thoughts into my mind. The thoughts are as below:

"Do you think that you, being tremendously loved by God, can love EVERYONE else? Literally EVERYONE?..." "How good is your own heart?"

- look around people around you, friends, housemates & church members

- so how many of them that similar to you and you like to relate with them?

- and how many of them that often irritate you or annoy you?

- AND NOW, think on behalf of the many people around you...

- how many of them like the way you talk, the way you reason, the way you smile & laugh and etc?

- how many of them don't like you, or you will irritate or annoy them in some ways?

Holy Spirit caused me to ponder for quite some time. And I learn something here.

We will forever never be perfect for one another even for the person that love you most. Just that the degree of imperfection varies from different persons and different situation and different days. So why do we need to waste so much emotional strength just to be carried away by the feeling of 'uneasy with so and so'? Why do we need to waste our brain cells by thinking the little action or attitude by another person that annoy us? All this mounts up to nothing but weariness in the soul and heart. What is the benefit? No benefit at all. Little did we know, the moment we are so annoyed by another person is also the same moment some other people are irritated by us.

Here, I learn the great lesson that to win is to love and forgive. Since, we are all so imperfect and so different, let us learn to love one another, as Christ loves us. We must treasure one another as though everyone is part of our body. Imagine this - one ulcer at your tongue actually hurts you a lot!

My strength may be some others' weakness. My weakness may be some other people's strength. So, i have a great beautiful picture, that as we blend together in love and unity, our strength will swallow up our weakness - this is beautiful.

Brothers & sisters in Christ, let us together have a big heart's capacity to love one another. But before that, learn more from God as God is love. When we love despite our strength & weakness, Satan will have no place to stand. His weapon is fear and hatred. So in the presence of love, Satan is confused and is drowning. Let us win together!

As we have God who loves us, we surely can love others =)

Bible verses:

Romans 13:10 Love does no harm to neighbour...

1 Corinthians 13:4-8 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.

and many other more verses...

You may go to http://www.biblegateway.com/ to find verses about "love". You can also read about how we should treat one another from your Christian Living (Discipleship Program) under the chapter Fellowship Cell. God bless you :)

Some thoughts to share :)

2008-10-21T00:20:00.000+08:00

Hi, most of us just reached home from Kuala Lumpur International Hotel not long ago. And I have some words to share here before i sleep.

It is really great to see all the participants are here to learn from Pastor David. Most of them are Pastors and Senior Pastors. Some of them have few churches under their care. Sitting together with them in the session, I felt such an openness in their heart just to learn from our beloved senior pastor, Rev. David Wong. And that make me think, truly, we are very privileged to be in World Harvest Church. We learn and receive teachings without need to pay a single cent. We are equipped and trained free of charge.

As for the participants, they need to raise fund for their air tickets, go through all the procedure to apply visa, and other requirement, put in effort to travel here and there to get their documents done - just to fly to Malaysia and to join the Apostolic Program! And there are 18 of alumni during this Intake.

Alumni....hmm... What makes them come back again and again? And not that it is SO EASY to come here. Not that is FREE to come here. So why they determine to come? I have only one answer. Truly all the materials that is going to be taught is going to breathe something new into their life and ministry. I would like to say, the teaching and impartation they are going to receive is like GOLD to them!

Dear members of World Harvest Church, let us count our blessings together. Of all the free teaching and free impartation that you have received from Pastors of the church and your leaders, do treasure them. For there are actually treasures that drop down from heaven.

Not only teaching and impartation, we also receive support from one another by prayers and care.

Therefore, treasure, recall and revise all the teachings that you have received during your cell groups, Praise Celebration, Discipleship Program, Pastoral Program and Vision Seminar. I used to tell myself "Jade, listen to every word that is being taught, not just 'masuk telinga kiri, keluar telinga kanan'." Because long ago, I found out that I got so familiar with Pastors and leaders, the way they talk, the way they preach, and I thought "Nah..nothing new... Great Commission? Oh, I have heard that pretty often. Great Commandment? Oh, i can memorize the verse already". And without knowing, subtlely, i took their teaching lightly. Most of us, if we are not careful, will fall into this kind of attitude.

So, believers of Christ, the Word of God is life and is the real nutrition to us. All the preaching and teaching and seminars are based on the Word of God. If we hear and keep it in our hearts AND THEN practice it, we will know, it is powerful.

Open your heart to learn everytime when the Words are being taught in church, as it is precious spiritual food from heaven, and not just merely normal seminar or lectures. Give thoughts to them, and I know you will be blessed.

God bless you ;)

Inspirational Story - The Emperor's Seed

2008-10-16T17:23:00.000+08:00

Once there was an emperor in the Far East who was growing old and knew it was coming time to choose his successor. Instead of choosing one of his assistants or one of his own children, he decided to do something different.

He called all the young people in the kingdom together one day. He said, "It has come time for me to step down and to choose the next emperor. I have decided to choose one of you." The kids were shocked! But the emperor continued. "I am going to give each one of you a seed today. One seed. It is a very special seed. I want you to go home, plant the seed, water it and come back here one year from today with what you have grown from this one seed. I will then judge the plants that you bring to me, and the one I choose will be the next emperor of the kingdom!"
There was one boy named Ling who was there that day and he, like the others, received a seed. He went home and excitedly told his mother the whole story. She helped him get a pot and some planting soil, and he planted the seed and watered it carefully. Every day he would water it and watch to see if it had grown.

After about three weeks, some of the other youths began to talk about their seeds and the plants that were beginning to grow. Ling kept going home and checking his seed, but nothing ever grew. Three weeks, four weeks, five weeks went by. Still nothing.

By now others were talking about their plants but Ling didn't have a plant, and he felt like a failure. Six months went by, still nothing in Ling's pot. He just knew he had killed his seed. Everyone else had trees and tall plants, but he had nothing. Ling didn't say anything to his friends, however. He just kept waiting for his seed to grow.

A year finally went by and all the youths of the kingdom brought their plants to the emperor for inspection. Ling told his mother that he wasn't going to take an empty pot. But she encouraged him to go, and to take his pot, and to be honest about what happened. Ling felt sick to his stomach, but he knew his mother was right. He took his empty pot to the palace.

When Ling arrived, he was amazed at the variety of plants grown by all the other youths. They were beautiful, in all shapes and sizes. Ling put his empty pot on the floor and many of the other kinds laughed at him. A few felt sorry for him and just said, "Hey nice try."

When the emperor arrived, he surveyed the room and greeted the young people. Ling just tried to hide in the back. "My, what great plants, trees and flowers you have grown," said the emperor. "Today, one of you will be appointed the next emperor!"

All of a sudden, the emperor spotted Ling at the back of the room with his empty pot. He ordered his guards to bring him to the front. Ling was terrified. "The emperor knows I'm a failure! Maybe he will have me killed!"

When Ling got to the front, the Emperor asked his name. "My name is Ling," he replied. All the kids were laughing and making fun of him. The emperor asked everyone to quiet down. He looked at Ling, and then announced to the crowd, "Behold your new emperor! His name is Ling!" Ling couldn't believe it. Ling couldn't even grow his seed. How could he be the new emperor?

Then the emperor said, "One year ago today, I gave everyone here a seed. I told you to take the seed, plant it, water it, and bring it back to me today. But I gave you all boiled seeds which would not grow. All of you, except Ling, have brought me trees and plants and flowers. When you found that the seed would not grown, you substituted another seed for the one I gave you. Ling was the only one with the courage and honesty to bring me a pot with my seed in it. Therefore, he is the one who will be the new emperor!"

If you plant honesty, you will reap trust.
If you plant goodness, you will reap friends.
If you plant humility, you will reap greatness.
If you plant perseverance, you will reap victory.
If you plant consideration, you will reap harmony.
If you plant hard work, you will reap success.
If you plant forgiveness, you will reap reconciliation.
If you plant openness, you will reap intimacy.
If you plant FAITH, you will reap MIRACLES.

BUT...
If you plant dishonesty, you will reap distrust.
If you plant selfishness, you will reap loneliness.
If you plant pride, you will reap destruction.
If you plant envy, you will reap trouble.
If you plant laziness, you will reap stagnation.
If you plant bitterness, you will reap isolation.
If you plant greed, you will reap loss.
If you plant gossip, you will reap enemies.
If you plant worries, you will reap wrinkles.
If you plant sin, you will reap guilt.

So, let us be wise to CHOOSE what to plant now, so that we will determine what we will reap tomorrow.

The seeds you now scatter will make life worse or better, for your life of the ones who will come after you. Yes, someday, you will enjoy the fruits, or you will pay for the choices you plant today.

For Christians, plant the seed of the Word of God + seed of prayer of according to the Word of God.

Don't tell the Lord how big the problem is, instead tell the problem how great the Lord is!

Birds: "How we wish we could fly out......"

2008-10-15T16:29:00.001+08:00

There once was a man named Thomas, a pastor in a small town. One Easter Sunday morning, he came to the church carrying a rusty, bent, old bird cage, and set it by the pulpit. Eyebrows were raised and as if in response, Pastor Thomas began to speak....

I was walking through town yesterday when I saw a young boy coming towards me swinging this bird cage. On the bottom fo the cage were three little birds, shivering with cold and fright."

I stopped the boy and asked, "What you got there, son?"
"Just some birds," came the reply.
"What are you gonna do with them?" I asked.
"Take them home and have fun with them," he answered.
"I'm gonna tease them and pull out their feathers to make them fight. I'm gonna have a real good time."
"But you'll get tired of those birds sooner or later. What will you do?"
"Oh, I got some cats," said the little boy... "They like birds. I'll take them to them."

The pastor was silent for a moment.

"How much do you want for those birds, son?"
"Huh??!!! Why? You don't want them, do you? They are just plain 3 old birds. They don't talk, and they don't sing."
"How much?" the pastor asked again.
The boy sized up the pastor as if he were crazy and said, "RM 100?"

The pastor reached in his pocket and took out a 100 ringgit. He placed it in the boy's hand. In a flash, the boy was gone.

The pastor picked up the cage and gently carried it to the end of the alley where there was a tree and a grassy spot. Setting the cage down, he opened the door and by softly tapping the bars, persuading the birds out, setting them free.

Well, that explained the empty bird cage on the pulpit, and then the pastor began to tell this story.

...............................................................................................
One day, satan and Jesus were having a conversation. Satan had just come from the Garden of Eden, and he was gloating and boasting.

"Yes, sir, I just caught the world full of people down there. Set me a trap, used bait I knew they couldn't resist. Got them all! Haha!"

"What are you going to do with them?" Jesus asked.
Satan replied, "Oh, I'm gonna have fun! I'm gonna teach them how to fall in love, how to marry and then divorce each other, how to hate and abuse each other, how to drink and smoke and curse. I'm gonna teach them how to invent guns and kill each other. I'm gonna teach them how to be real sad and give them hard situations to go through! I'm really gonna have fun!"

"And what will you do when you get done with them?" Jesus asked.
"Oh, I'll kill them, or even better, teach them to end their life themselves," satan glared proudly.
"How much do you want for them?" Jesus asked. "Oh, you don't want those people. They ain't no good. Why, you'll take them and they'll just hate you. They will not want you. They will spit on you, curse you and kill you. You don't want those people!!"

"How much?" He asked again.
Satan looked at Jesus and sneered, "All your blood, tears and your life."
Jesus said, "DONE!"
Then He paid the price.

...........................................................................
The Bible says...

For God so loves the world that He gave His only begotten son, Jesus Christ to die for us, so that those who believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. So that we are no longer spiritually separated (do not know Him and cannot experience Him).

Jesus Christ arrives right on time to make this happen. He didn't, and doesn't, wait for us to get ready. He presented himself for this sacrificial death on the cross when we were far too weak and rebellious to do anything to get ourselves ready.

And even if we hadn't been so weak, we wouldn't have known what to do anyway. And most of the time, we humans, are weak and ignorant enough to the point that in our hearts, we think we do not need God, and we think we can handle our life real well. We would rather squeeze out all our energy and wisdom to work things out. Or we would try to place responsibilty and blame on someone else.

We can understand someone dying for a person worth dying for, and we can understand how someone good and noble could inspire us to selfless sacrifice. But God put his love on the line for us by offering his Son in sacrificial death while we were of no use whatever to him.

While we still do not know Him, while we still are stubborn with our own ways, He chose to die for us to reconcile us back to Him. Wonderful Jesus....That is great love!!

Father's Love Letter

2008-09-12T12:38:00.000+08:00

Father's Love Letter is a compilation of Bible verses from both the Old & New Testaments that are presented in the form of a love letter from God to the world.

MY CHILD . . .

You may not know me, but I know everything about you. Psalm 139:1
I know when you sit down and when you rise up. Psalm 139:2
I am familiar with all your ways. Psalm 139:3
Even the very hairs on your head are numbered. Matthew 10:29-31
For you were made in my image. Genesis 1:27
In me you live and move and have your being. Acts 17:28
For you are my offspring. Acts 17:28
I knew you even before you were conceived. Jeremiah 1:4-5
I chose you when I planned creation. Ephesians 1:11-12
You were not a mistake, for all your days are written in my book. Psalm 139:15-16
I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live. Acts 17:26
You are fearfully and wonderfully made. Psalm 139:14
I knit you together in your mother's womb. Psalm 139:13
And brought you forth on the day you were born. Psalm 71:6
I have been misrepresented by those who don't know me. John 8:41-44
I am not distant and angry, but am the complete expression of love. 1 John 4:16
And it is my desire to lavish my love on you. 1 John 3:1
Simply because you are my child and I am your Father. 1 John 3:1
I offer you more than your earthly father ever could. Matthew 7:11
For I am the perfect father. Matthew 5:48
Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand. James 1:17
For I am your provider and I meet all your needs. Matthew 6:31-33
My plan for your future has always been filled with hope. Jeremiah 29:11
Because I love you with an everlasting love. Jeremiah 31:3
My thoughts toward you are countless as the sand on the seashore. Psalms 139:17-18
And I rejoice over you with singing. Zephaniah 3:17
I will never stop doing good to you. Jeremiah 32:40
For you are my treasured possession. Exodus 19:5
I desire to establish you with all my heart and all my soul. Jeremiah 32:41
And I want to show you great and marvelous things. Jeremiah 33:3
If you seek me with all your heart, you will find me. Deuteronomy 4:29
Delight in me and I will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4
For it is I who gave you those desires. Philippians 2:13
I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine. Ephesians 3:20
For I am your greatest encourager. 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17
I am also the Father who comforts you in all your troubles. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you. Psalm 34:18
As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to my heart. Isaiah 40:11
One day I will wipe away every tear from your eyes. Revelation 21:3-4
And I'll take away all the pain you have suffered on this earth. Revelation 21:3-4
I am your Father, and I love you even as I love my son, Jesus. John 17:23
For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed. John 17:26
He is the exact representation of my being. Hebrews 1:3
He came to demonstrate that I am for you, not against you. Romans 8:31
And to tell you that I am not counting your sins. 2 Corinthians 5:18-19
Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled. 2 Corinthians 5:18-19
His death was the ultimate expression of my love for you. 1 John 4:10
I gave up everything I loved that I might gain your love. Romans 8:31-32
If you receive the gift of my son Jesus, you receive me. 1 John 2:23
And nothing will ever separate you from my love again. Romans 8:38-39
Come home and I'll throw the biggest party heaven has ever seen. Luke 15:7
I have always been Father, and will always be Father. Ephesians 3:14-15
My question is…Will you be my child? John 1:12-13
I am waiting for you. Luke 15:11-32
Love, Your Dad. ALMIGHTY GOD

My life before I have Jesus..

2008-09-09T15:16:00.000+08:00

I used to think success is everything in life. Acceptance and recognition from people was so important for me. Asides from having a beautiful family and friends around me, I lacked nothing. Yet there was a longing to search for something, and I ended up searching for success ever since I was in kindergarten. Years passed by and after having all the success in my primary school as well as secondary, the longing for searching grew even stronger.

I wonder why... I wonder where could i find satisfaction that would stop my searching. Once in Form 3, I stepped into a church after being long-persuaded by my dear sister. I went, partly willingly and partly unwillingly. That was the first time I entered into place where feeling and emotion couldn't be expressed. Everything is usual; building, cement, stage and people. Nothing unusual. However, there seemed to be something in the air that made you feel peaceful and joyful. (soon I know, that is the presence of God) :)

The pastor started to share that there is a great inventor who created the heavens and the earth. That same great inventor also created me. So only he knows how to really operate me and make me feel useful and satisfied according to how the created me.

The pastor said this, "Anyone of you that always like searching and searching for something, you are actually searching for God, who can truly satisfy your life. In Him, you are complete because He created you. You can't program your own life according to your own program. You need the real true programmer, that is none others but God, your creator. He gives you life, and everything. Without Him, you are empty, and no matter how many things you have in the world; friends, money, car, success, etc, etc, etc... you will still feel lacking and still want to search something." Empty.....that was the word to descibe my feeling for the years of my life.

He continued, "You just need one thing, and you will stop searching. You need God, and you must accept Jesus into your life. Friends, stop searching and searching for something that can truly satisfy you. You can't find anything on this earth that can satisfy you forever. Only Jesus can."

I was filled with thoughts "I need Jesus. I want Jesus." However I was filled with another thoughts too "How my family will think of me? How my friends will think of me?"

The pastor after that shared, "If Jesus is in your life, it will be a new friendship you have. It is a wonderful relationship that you are going to have with Jesus. Accept Jesus into your life is even easier than making friends. Friends-we need time to trust them. Jesus, who is sinless and perfect, you can trust Him in everything. He is God and He is great God."

Then I started to think accepting Jesus is like making new friend, somemore this will be the best friend ever because he knows me and loves me very much. I need not worry how my family and friends will think of me. It will be great!

That night, I stood up, as a sign to accept Jesus into my life. There was a pouring of joy and peace in my heart that could not be expressed. I just love Jesus and the moment I opened my heart to accept Him, I just knew he had been waiting for me for years to be my friend and to love me.

Until now, I never regret of the decision I made. I have been changed by Jesus after that gradually, day by day and my life is different now. I know the plan and purpose He has for me.

Friends, stop searching, if you searching for something to satisfy you. Music, gadgets, Iphone, handphone, friends, boyfriend/girlfriend, disco, travelling, hobby and etc can't give you longlasting satisfaction. Only Jesus can.