Today the cg and I celebrated Yong De's birthday. His family really loves him a lot! To think that his cousin and sister were able to spearhead the project all by themselves, resulting in the creation of an awesome giant birthday card. Its really all thanks to God that the plan went smoothly.
Today Pastor shared about something that many Christians misunderstand. Many Christians (myself included) sometimes think that we pray for victory. That we pray to achieve God's best for us. Did you know that this is incorrect? We pray BECAUSE God has ALREADY placed us in the victory!
Will update about the sermon probably tomorrow, it is close to my bed time. God bless!
Abba, You love me.
10:49 PM
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Today, the 'unthinkable' happened. It started raining along the way!In the past I would grumble and complain and ask "God, why???"But now I just prayed for the rain to stop and continued my walk.Guess what? The rain didn't stop.But I was really blessed! The drizzle was light, and the sky which was once dark suddenly cleared, so I enjoyed the pleasant experience of walking in a light drizzle with the sun shining on me. When the rain did get heavier, I had already reached the MRT tracks so I could walk under the tracks and be safe from the rain. Once I had to leave the shelter of the tracks, the rain died down!It was an awesome experience, kind of like walking in air-conditioning. Random post, sure, but God is good. I'd like to remember these little things He put into my day to make it special :)
Abba, You love me.
4:26 PM
Sunday service was awesome! Let us continue to stay in rest, it is truly important. For today's sermon, Pastor Prince preached once again on - you guessed it - rest and peace. Let's dive into the Word:But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. (John 14:26-27)Do you know what is the word that Jesus used for peace? It was the Hebrew word shalom. Shalom is defined in Strong's Concordance as completeness, welfare, health, prosperity and peace. Peace is just one of the many portions promised to us in that one word shalom! Interestingly, the root word of shalom is sheelem, which means "paid for"! The shalom peace is yours, and it has been totally paid for in the body of Jesus!Speaking of shalom, the first time God was revealed as Jehova-Shalom in the Bible (The Lord our Peace) was in the story of Gideon. Read all about it starting from Judges 6:11. God's peace is given to us in spite of our doubts and fears!It is imperative that we let not our hearts be troubled. Although God wants to be our peace, we cannot let ourselves sink into depression and stress. When we guard our inside, God guards everything else! He cannot work mightily in us whenever we try to strive and earn blessings with our own effort. When we rest, God works! Remember that rest is not inactivity but Spirit-led activity. Your friends will be amazed as they see you tackle the challenges of life with a smile on your face!Did you know that depression can only descend onto you if you allow the devil to influence you by planting bad thoughts in your mind? Don't dwell on the fear you have for that deadline or test affect you. Counter that fear with God's Word, which declares that His peace is given unto you! A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones. (Proverbs 14:30, NIV)In the phrase "gives life to the body", the original Hebrew word used in that verse is marpe. It means "healing"! Marpe comes from rapha, which means "heal". And rapha comes from raphah, which means "relax; let go"!Did you know that just spending time in God's Word rejuvenates your body? Isaiah 55:12 should be how every child of God should feel after spending time in the Word:“For you shall go out with joy, and be led out with peace; the mountains and the hills shall break forth into singing before you, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands." The "trees of the field" refer to the people of the world. God's work in your body and in your life will be so evident that even people of the world can see it!If God's Word were to be delievered to us all at once, we cannot stand it. We just can't cope with that much wisdom at once! But God wants His Word to come to us like rain. "For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, and do not return there, but water the earth, andmake it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower and bread to the eater, So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void, butit shall accomplish what I please, andit shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it." (Isaiah 55:10-11)Isn't it precious of God to deliver His Word like this? If all the water in the clouds were to be relaeased at once, a catastrophe would occur. Buildings would be smashed and lives lost! But the rain comes in precious drops that don't even harm a fragile flower, but gives it life instead. And as we receive God's Word, we are also restored!Wow! Pastor has shared with us another way to rest: spend time in God's word! For it is health to all our flesh and fills us with the peace only God can give. Hope this message has blessed you!
Abba, You love me.
8:54 PM
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Abba, You love me.
3:52 PM
Saturday and Sunday service was awesome!Both Pastor Ben and Pastor Prince preached about the year 2010: the year of R & R (Rest and Reign!)! Or as Pastor Prince put it, the year of restful increase.Rest is so important, and many people don't get enough of it. They think they have to work or else nothing gets done. They feel condemned when they rest because they are not doing anything. But did you know God gives His children rest?Lets read Matthew 11:28-30“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.”Maybe The Message Bible will be clearer for some people:"Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly."Beloved, stop thinking that if you don't labour, nothing will happen. Our greatest blessing is salvation, and God made it simple for anyone to receive! Our bodies aren't designed for all work and no rest. Lets check Leviticus. God decreed each seventh year as a Sabbath year: a year where no farmer may sow or reap. He did this to give the farmers a break!You may ask, "What will we eat in the seventh year if we do not plant or harvest our crops?" I will send you such a blessing in the sixth year that the land will yield enough for three years. While you plant during the eighth year, you will eat from the old crop and will continue to eat from it until the harvest of the ninth year comes in. (Leviticus 25:20-22)When man rests, God works. Solomon received his wisdom in his rest. However, when man uses his own efforts to do his work, God can't help him; he isn't trusting in God but rather himself. Now don't misunderstand me. Rest doesn't mean inactivity. It means Spirit-led activity! When you follow the peace within to guide your steps, rather than toiling from your own strength, you acheive more! Rest and reign. I'm going to run with this message. Will you join me?
Abba, You love me.
5:54 PM
And for you to click these! *UPDATE* Thanks for the help!
And this button!
