childlike faith

there's so much to learn from children, i thank God for all the children He has put in my life, across my path at different points in time. when i look at them, their actions, they remind me of how God sees us

my nephew said today "i love you so much i want to follow You wherever you go.." (he was referring to us playing in the living room or going to another room to play..)
it reminds me of how we should follow Jesus
i love Jesus, and i want to follow Him wherever He leads

at a recent camp, a pre-school boy brought a smile to my heart each time he came to me and say with a smile that is lighted up from his heart :"hallo jie jie (sister) jessica. good morning jie jie jessica. bye bye jie jie jessica." he would sit beside me during lessons, flag together during worship, show me paper planes that he's made, and pictures that he's drawn. it brings such delight and joy to see his face lit up when i catch him unawares and spring him a surprise hello!

it reminds me of how we love God and love to come to Him all the time, and it pleases Him much when we seek Him all the time, and He'd endear His heart to us, when He sees how much we love being with Him, that we should be like little children calling out to Him: "Papa Papa look at me" and show Him everything that we do all the time, at any and every moment of our life. He loves every detail and loves spending tme with us, He has something to teach us at every moment if we would just focus our attention on Him and spend time to listen to Him.

Papa God please help me to be your rema kid always!

many people look to people for love and approval, and experience disappointment, hurt, pain, people are not perfect, and has limited time, energy, capacity to love, but God's love is limitless and perfect in every way, He is the only One that we need look to and learn from.

i pray that each and every child whom You love so dearly, Lord Jesus, will know and experience Your everlasting and perfect love deeply, that it becomes tangible and they will encounter You personally and hunger for you and follow You with all their heart, so that they will never thirst or be hungry and seek other substitutes for Your true and amazing deep love

Papa God thank You for Your peace that surpasses understanding, that i need not fret or worry even when things seem absurd and difficult, almost impossible to achieve, for coming to the rescue all the time, and letting me know that You hear my thoughts and You are the One who is in control, and that You love everyone and has the best in store for all of us

pl help me to love You more and more and seek You and hear You better and obey You promptly

love You Lord

God is with us all the time

God knows our heart
and sends help
even before we verbalize it

He is listening
and watching over us all the time

this morning during worship
i saw a vision of beautiful dancing purple hues
i wondered if my eyes was playing tricks on me
when i thought that thought, it changed to light color
i knew it wasn't me

God reminded me of our identity in Him
that we are His precious children
that He loves us, and delights in dancing over us
His beauty surrounds us
we are His

the same message was given to me at the end of the day
by a friend who called me in obedience to Holy Spirit's prompting and touched my heart deeply
when she told me i'm precious and is His princess
same as the message that i received this morning..

it is ok to feel pain, sadness, or hurt sometimes
but just throw it all to Him

and catch His outpouring of abounding love & grace
for His love is gentle
He teaches and leads without condemnation, without judgement
in Him there is always peace

***

it's so distinctive
two meals that were prepared and served today
it tastes awful when the ingredients are stale and the food is forced down the throat
it takes immense love and grace to appreciate this meal with thanks from the heart
yet the meal prepared with love warms the heart, even if you arrive late and get to savour the colder portions

God pl teach me and fill me to the brim with Your amazing grace and unending love
i want to see through Your lenses and love like You do
help me to pray and learn to appreciate all kinds of food and chef, and be joyful and give thanks for everything that is on my plate

i know everything that You put on my plate is good, the best and i will be able to finish it all with joy and love and peace in You

love You Lord

israel

heard "Israel" when i asked God where i should go a few months back..
i've just gotten back from Israel but i think i forgot to bring my heart back with me

אשרי הוא בא שם לורד
Baruch ha ba be shem Adonai means
Blessed (is) he (who) come in (the) Name (of the) Lord

prophesies

so glad i got to attend service tdy!
thank You Papa
ran out for altar call, and was much blessed
the speaker took time to pray and prophesy over everyone who responded, i think..
what he prophesied over me was all i've been pondering abt the whole week.. the speaker doesn't know me at all! he mentioned that the last time he spoke here was 17 years ago!
God uses anointed strangers to tell me things that are on my heart so that i know for sure it's Him
God is always with us and watching over us, whatever we are feeling inside of us
thank You Papa
love You lots

3 firsts

many good things have come to me in threes

recently had new experiences and adventures through doing things that i've not done before
here's three of my firsts

my first solo travel
travelled to a country i've never been to, and found my way to an unfamiliar destination (on my own, with God's guidance n protection)
it was an exhilarating n liberating experience
spent time with children at an orphanage, who quickly became friends and feels like family
can't wait to go again
mom had asked who i was going with n i didn't know how to tell her without her worrying
miraculously, she didn't make a fuss or try to stop me
i knew God is in this
so many wonderful things happened along the journey..
shared testimony and Christ with people i met, prayed for healing and blessings for strangers
handed out 6 bibles to 7 individuals who wanted to know more about God's word

my first sharing with my parents
had a vision of me sitting down with my parents and preaching a sermonette.. using verses from esther, genesis n ephesians
it didn't come out exactly as in the vision, but today, i got to speak to my parents about what i felt was very important for the family and for generations to come. they both sat n listened quietly. i pray God will touch their hearts n let what has been sown take root n flourish and bear fruit..

my first day at work
leaving my comfort zone to pursue what i sense is God's plan for me for now..
beginning a new chapter in my walk with Him and knowing He's the One who will bless me n guide me n provide all i need
He had sent a little girl to give me a farewell hug on my last day at work and on the day before i began work, He sent crew on the airplane to bless me with special gifts.. never been treated so well on a plane before, i was well taken care of and had a really good rest, and got to catch up on sleep (didn't sleep well for 2 consecutive nights..)

thank You Father
i'm beginning to see what Yo mean by "out of the box"
i feel most happy, no exhilarated.. when i'm not in a box
help me to be out of the box n to do everything that blesses Your name and pleasees You.

love You Lord

spontaneous worship 7 feb 09

God gave me this song during worship on 7 feb 09..

it took me a long time attempting to paint Jesus, saw His kind eyes, smiling face through the clouds in a vision one night during soaking, my little niece says the painting resembles me instead of Jesus.. tried:P

here's the thoughts that came to me that day before i began worship.. thank You Lord.. for always being near n watching over us, even when we don't feel it

***

when u see darkness and can’t help feeling sad
know that God knows the pain in our heart
and is keeping His light on for us
look for His light in that darkness
don’t venture too far out into darkness
draw close to Him
His light gives warmth, forgiveness and love

when we feel like we have nothing.. rejoice! becoz we have Him
- His heart goes out to those who mourn
when we feel like we own nothing in the world.. rejoice! becoz we have all that we ever will need in Him
- His heart goes out to the poor who are hungry and helpless
when we feel like we are nothing.. rejoice! becoz we are most precious in His eyes and are so loved by Him
- His heart goes out to the hurt and rejected
when we feel like God is far from us.. rejoice! becoz He is all around no matter what we feel inside
- His heart out goes out to us, His creation, His beloved, His sheep, His children, His precious, His little ones, His sweetheart and darlings

call out to Him and praise Him who is Holy, Righteous, Faithful and True, no matter what we are going through.. know that He loves us no matter what - unconditionally, unfailingly, His love is perfect and everlasting

draw strength & wisdom from His love to face difficulties and overcome all sadness and fear

pray pray pray.. in all ways and never stopping

sing dance praise.. with all we have, from our hearts.. in every circumstance

i love You Lord.. i need You Lord.. i want You Lord.. i really do.. terribly much..

Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

***

then came the song..
it has since grown and become..

hallelujah hallelujah
hallelujah to my Lord

o Lord my God, my Saviour my All
You're all i ever wanted
all i ever need
i just wanna be with you wherever i might be

o Lord my God, my Father
You're the One who loves me
and You give me all i need
You would never leave me however i might be

o Lord my God my Teacher my All
You're the One who feeds me
and You have the best for me
i just wanna follow You and love as it should be

o Lord my God my Saviour my All
my All my All
wanna love You Lord with my all

my All my All
o Lord You're my All
my All

***

thank You Lord

tgif

Hearing God
TGIF Today God Is First Volume 2 by Os Hillman
Tuesday, June 30 2009

"My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me"(John 10:27).
I have discovered a pattern in the way God speaks to me when I'm faced with major decisions. I will spend a great deal of time seeking direction from Him and asking Him to speak to me regarding a decision. I spend time in prayer and Bible study. Many times I have suddenly had a rush over me with an overwhelming feeling of His presence. The feeling is usually so intense I will begin to cry, sometimes uncontrollably. (Thank God this doesn't happen too often, because it is rather embarrassing in a public setting.)
I recall one time when I was praying about whether I should make a commitment to work for a ministry that would involve at least a one-year commitment. It seemed like the right thing, but I was still awaiting confirmation. One morning during my quiet time, the situation I just described came over me. Angie walked into the room to find me crying. (She always laughs when this happens and says there's nothing like seeing a grown man cry.) I told her God was telling me to enter into a working relationship with this ministry. It was a great release in my spirit and confirmation of what I was to do. Two years later, I was able to look back and see that God had led that decision which resulted in much fruit.
One night as the famous Bible teacher F. B. Meyer stood on the deck of a ship approaching land, he wondered how the crew knew when and how to safely steer to the dock. It was a stormy night, and visibility was low. Meyer, standing on the bridge and peering through the window, asked "Captain, how do you know when to turn this ship into that narrow harbor?"
"That's an art," replied the captain. "Do you see those three red lights on the shore? When they're all in a straight line I go right in!"
Later Meyer said: "When we want to know God's will, there are three things which always occur: the inward impulse, the Word of God, and the trend of circumstances. Never act until these three things agree."

Seekers of God
By Os Hillman, June 30, 2009
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God looks down from heaven on the sons of men to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God. - Psalm 53:2

Are you a man or woman who is a seeker of God? The Lord delights in seeing those children of His who truly understand the meaning of life and why there is only one thing worth seeking God Himself.

I can always tell when I have not been seeking God. The cares of this life, the urgent over the important, and the petty irritations-these are the symptoms of a life that has not been in the presence of God. Do we understand, really understand? That is the question God raises to each of us today. If we understand, then why do we spend day after day toiling and fretting over what doesn't matter? Can we set proper boundaries in our lives that don't allow our time with Him to be continually stolen away? It is a challenge in a world that screams "activity, activity!"

Do you have a consistent time of seeking Him in your life? Are you committed to developing that intimacy with your Lord that He so desires? If not, ask Him today to help you. This is the longing of His heart. Ask Him to make it the longing of your heart. Then you will demonstrate to Him that you understand, and you will be a seeker of God.

brokenness

met a lady at the park today, God gave me a picture for her, i had paper and coloring materials with me, so i drew it for her and as i was telling her the nice things God had shown me abt her with the picture, she broke down and thanked God, she poured out her heart, and i realized that she was going through what i had been through before.. i shared my testimony of how and God had delivered me from that deep dark valley of tears and given me such joy.. He is our deliverer and healer and protector and provider. i had also wondered if i could smile again when i was so broken, but nothing is impossible for God. He gave me amazing joy so much sooner than i thought possible. we prayed and hugged and prayed some more, she shared that she's never been to the park before and she rarely ventured out beyond her neighborhood, she was at another end of the park but somehow her feet brought her to the spot we met, she knew it was God..

she didn't know that we were there on a treasure hunt with God, we had actually prayed and asked God to send us His treasures so that we may bless them with the nice things He wanted to tell them, and she was one of the precious treasures that God had led us to today! while i was chatting and praying with her, i invited my friend over to bless her with a song, without even knowing God had just downloaded a new song to my friend especially for her, and the lyrics was just perfect for her! my friend wasn't even within earshot, that is how amazing God is.. He loves each of us in such a perfect way, and always loves us so much more than we can imagine..

thank you Lord, in all our brokenness, we give You glory, honor, praise, and thanks

***
a visiting pastor who didn't know me at all, prophesied during anointing some time ago, that God had allowed my heart to be broken for a reason, and that He wants to be my relationship. God is so awesome, people who know Him closely and hears His voice so clearly, are so amazing and such a blessing, i wanna be like them too Lord, to hear your softest sigh, and be totally obedient to You

been getting this picture of a shell totally broken, and God's great big gentle hand taking the pearl from the broken shell and beholding it in His hands. God is holding me in His hands.. another lady minister who didn't know me had also saw the same picture of God holding me like a pearl in His hand and she doesn't know this picture God gave me.. wow God

***

and came across this extract from TGIF

Pleasing to the Lord
By Os Hillman, June 28, 2009
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"Prepare it with oil on a griddle; bring it well-mixed and present the grain offering broken in pieces as an aroma pleasing to the Lord. - Leviticus 6:21

There is a requirement to be blessed at a deeper spiritual level by God. Christ requires it of each of His servants. He required it of Paul when He struck him down on the Damascus Road. He required it of Joseph when he was left in the pit and then sold into slavery. He required it of Jacob when he left his homeland penniless and needy. He required it of most every major leader that He used significantly - brokenness.

Brokenness cannot be achieved on your own. It is something God does Himself. We cannot determine that we are going to be broken, but we can refuse to become broken. When God begins this deeper work in our lives, we can kick and scream and refuse the process. We can manipulate and strive to stay on top, but this only delays His work."

***
God pl do whatever needs to be done with me further, so that i will be a blessing, and fulfill all that You have called me to, You know best what is best for me, pl help me to hear You clearly and love and follow You with my all, come what may

banana cupcakes

did baking with my nieces tdy
it was so much fun, just watching them get all excited every step of the way
they peered at the cupcakes through the oven door during baking and got worried when they saw the mixture expanding and spilling out over the cups.. both went "oh no.. oh no.. wat should we do.."

i was frantically praying in my heart for God to help, this was our first time baking.. i knew the cups were too flimsy to support the mixture, but it was too late to do anything about it, and we could only pray..

we pried their little faces off the oven door, and left the cupcakes to bake

when the ringer sounded, we opened the oven door and saw that the cupcakes were nicely browned, smelled good, and looked quite alright, some had expanded and spilled out of the cups, and weren't perfectly round but everyone got really excited after tasting the first.. it was yummy!!

thank You Lord that our first bake out went well! they could have turned out too hard or dry or not so yummy, but You didn't allow that to happen.. they were soft and yummy, not perfectly round like those in the shops, but each one was uniquely shaped and some looked like hearts!

my niece went about promoting the cakes, and all were "sold out" in no time :)

o.. and here's the recipe.. thanks to janice or sharing and giving great advice and ensuring i got all the measurements correct, without me having a measuring cup!

125 g butter (unsalted)
half cup caster sugar
2 eggs
1tspn vanilla essence
1 and half cup mashed bananas* (about 4 medium ones)
1 tspn bicarbonate soda
half cup milk
2 cups self raising flour

*use very ripe bananas, it makes the recipe tastier.. the sugar can then be reduced slightly as ripe bananas are sweeter

1) beat butter & sugar till light & creamy
2) continue beating and add eggs, essence, and mashed bananas
3) dissolve soda in milk
4) fold sifted flour, alternately with milk, into the mixture
5) stir to combine thoroughly
6) spoon mixture into cups (2/3 full to allow for rising)
7) bake for 10 min at 180C

the cupcakes remind me of how each of us is perfect in God's eyes, no matter what we look like, or what others think we should be like. God made us the way we are and He loves us very much just as we are, as long as we abide in Him, and rely on Him in all that we do, we'll turn out great for the good of everyone around us

my last day at work

so glad i got to say goodbye to the cleaner aunties who have showered me with such love, auntie goh said God bless me several times when i told her it was my last day at work.. and that she was very happy for me.. and that her idol is mother theresa.. and that money doesn't matter.. so jie put down her work and gave a me a big hug when she heard i was leaving.. so happy to learn that she has started to attend church near her home, everyone one of them is on God's heart..

God bless so jie with good health, heal her surgical wound completely, take away her pain, and give her good eyesight, God bless everyone with love joy peace and salvation, and touch everyone deeply with Your love, and draw everyone into Your heart

thank You Lord

***

a little girl who looked abt 4 years old caught my eye when i was at the counter yesterday, she was alone, and she looked at me like she knew me, and started smiling and waving, i waved back happily, trying to recall where i've met her.. i figured i probably resembled someone she knows

then her mom came with a younger sis and she joined them as they walked toward the lift, but after a while she turned back and walked toward the counter where i was seated, i thought she was going to ask me for directions or for book recommendations.. but she came round to the side of the counter where the swing door was, and waited ofr me to go near to her.. i bent over and smiled and asked her if there was something i could do for her, and she said in a soft sweet voice..

"can i hug you..?"

and she gave me a really good hug! i could feel the love, and i haven't met this little girl before! i asked for her name.. she has a beautiful name, and it fits her perfectly.. jewel.. she is such a jewel! i was reminded of the prophetic jewel painting i'd just given to sulian earlier over lunch.. i couldn't help loving her and telling her nice thoughts God thought towards her.. i asked her how she knew me, and she said she recognize me from the photo.. i figured it must be the princess standee..

we enjoyed the moment so much, we almost forgot abt her mom and sis, i remembered they were headed for the lift.. they were waiting for her and beckoning for her to join them, it's quite unusual.. there was a connection between us even though we've not met before, thank You Lord for sending this jewel along on my last day at work, it made the day special

God bless jewel and her family i pray their hearts and eyes will be transfixed to You even when there are distractions
jewel is such a mighty channel of blessing of God's love! thank You Lord

wow thank You Lord for this lovely moment especially on my last day at work, for bringing me great encouragement and wonderful affirmation of Your plans for me

love You Lord

***

got to share my testimony of how God has called me to Him at a wedding dinner with dance frens.., and how He has placed His love for children in my heart, how i run to church with joy and anticipation and yet can't help weeping during worship when i'm deeply touched by His love.. one of them commented i look very happy indeed and wondered aloud why God hasn't spoken to him or why he hasn't heard from God.. Lord pl speak to him clearly and let him know that it is You who are speaking to Him and it is You who had arranged that moment of testimony sharing.. God bless bj and morn and keep them safe and joyful in their travel and wedding preparations

thank You Lord

***

couldn't stop weeping today during altar call, when pastor prayed in tongues.. it's amazing how we connect spirit to spirit with God.. our mind dun have to fully comprehend it, yet we can be touched so deeply

3

noticed that God's been giving me pictures and words in 3's
received 3 pictures of a windmill from 3 different persons and 3 pictures of a house and He also gave me John 15 three times before i followed Him with my all
and each time the picture and message's the same.. and the set of 3 pictures/words are all given to me within a short time frame (a week)

recently received 3 pictures of God pouring and me holding a jar and receiving His outpouring, all within a week.. from 3 people, i received the first one one night during prayer, another during prophesy by a sister, and the third was painted by a speaker at a conference, who included john 15 (my calling verse!) in her prophetic painting.

He also sent along 3 "treasures" during a treasure hunt last sunday on 14 jun

our cell group was blessed with 3 durians for our picnic yesterday (haha we find this fruit really yummy but it was featured on fear factor as a challenge)

and there's 3 baptism services this weekend

wow.. so many good things come in 3's :)

Father Son Holy spirit is 3 in 1!

some of what i gather from the recent set of pictures

the goodness He pours out onto us is for the people around us, so that everyone will taste of His goodness, and we are not to keep His goodness to ourselves, for His goodness is endless and He is eager to pour so much more than we can ever imagine.
His goodness should flow out of us like a river, and it will be refreshed all the time, for He has infinite supply
He replenishes faster than we can leak them out, and we should pour out as soon as we receive them so that the goodness doesn't clog up and become stagnant

***
attended transformation conference recently and was greatly blessed
deeply touched by the spirit of prophecy.. with testimonies of encounters with Jesus by speaker

random thoughts:
everyone is loved infinitely by God, God sees each of us as His most precious, no matter how we see ourselves, no one person is less valued than another, every life is important to Him, each is given different things to do and each is valued very very very much by Him, no matter what we do, we don’t even have to do anything, and He just loves us.

there are those who are overwhelmed with His love, and can’t help but want to serve Him with their all and He knows our heart, He will fulfill the desires of our heart. all we have to do is desire, and He will give us and equip us to do all that we wanna do for Him out of His infinite love for us all, no matter lost or found

but most of all we are called to love Him, and be loved by Him, and share His endless love for everyone, with everyone endlessly

God rulez

Performing Miracles With Your Staff
By Os Hillman, June 3, 2009
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But take this staff in your hand so you can perform miraculous signs with it. - Exodus 4:17

What is the staff God has put into your hand? Is it being a builder? Is it being an office worker? Is it being a doctor? Moses' staff represented his vocation as a shepherd. God had something in mind for his vocation - to perform miracles. And awesome miracles He did! God turned the Nile river into blood with the touch of the staff. He turned the staff into a snake. He parted the Red Sea with it. These are just a few of the miracles God did with that staff.

When we yield our talents and abilities to the Lord, God can perform miracles through them. First, Moses had to yield what He had in his hand to God. Only after this took place could God use that staff. As long as Moses held onto it, God could not and would not perform miracles through it.

Until we come to this place with our heavenly Father, we will fail to see miracles performed in our work. He delights in showing His power through us. When we become an open vessel, we can expect to see things happen.

Have you given your staff to the Lord? Offer it to Him and see what He might want to do through it. Your life will never be the same.

John 10:27

Hearing the Father Speak
By Os Hillman, May 26, 2009
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My sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and they follow Me. - John 10:27

An Englishman tells a true story of his encounter with a Muslim man while walking in the country. The Englishman wanted to share the gospel with this man but knew little of Muslim beliefs. The two men talked as they walked and agreed they would each share their beliefs with one another. The Muslim went first and dominated the time of sharing. The Englishman asked the Holy Spirit how to share his faith with the Muslim man. "Do you consider your god your father who speaks?" asked the Englishman.

"Certainly not," replied the Muslim man.

"That is one of the big differences between your god and my God. I consider my God as my Father who speaks to me personally."

"You cannot prove that," stated the Muslim man.

The Englishman again prayed to himself, "Lord, how do I prove this to this man?" A few moments later the two men began walking toward two young ladies on the other side of the road coming toward them. As they approached, the Englishman spoke to the ladies and made small conversation. He then said to one woman, "I believe you are a nurse, is that correct?"

The woman was startled that a man whom she had never met had just informed her of her occupation. "How would you know that? I have never met you before," she questioned.

He replied, "I asked my Father and He told me." The Muslim had his proof.

Many of us do not hear God's voice because we do not believe He speaks or desires to speak to us. In order to hear, we must listen. In order to listen, we must believe that He speaks. Ask the Lord today for a listening ear so that others might know that you have a heavenly Father who speaks.

***

lunch conversation with a colleague yesterday was all about God! how He has blessed me at work, and how He speaks to us through words and pictures that touches our hearts so deeply, where no one else could, and brings tears to our eyes, how he could use people who don't know us to let us know it is Him who knows us, and loves us

how He descends upon our worship and how gold glitter sparkles on our hands and arms after worship, i had doubts myself at first and made sure i washed my hands clean before worship, but they'd still appear.. it's embedded in the skin, and doesn't come off. it disappears after a while, haven't noticed when they disappear, just noticed that it appears after worship.. but i've also seen some that comes off and can be collected

it started with a thought in my mind.. which i thought aloud and asked my colleague.. does your church do prophesying?

the answer was negative.. thank God my colleague asked abt it and what we do.. and i couldn't stop talking.. that we should desire most of all the gift of prophecy, the distinction between gifts and fruits of the spirit, and how Jesus has given us the Holy Spirit to do greater works. that God strengthens His body and builds unity through one spirit and one mind, when He speaks to us, it brings amazing comfort, encouragement and strength. it releases affection and builds honor between the person who receives and the person who releases the prophecy

then it rained heavily and we were stuck and had an extended time of sharing and testimonies.. what we do, what i've seen, what i've heard, what i've learnt, what i've experienced, abt prophesying (hearing the Father's voice), walking in the supernatural by the power of the Holy Spirit..

we are called to love everyone, including our persecutors, and God loves everynoe, wants everyone to know Him and receive His love for them, we do not really know about persecution, for we haven't experienced any real persecution yet ourselves, there are those who's life are in danger for sharing the gospel, and many who have died sharing the gospel. Jesus came to die for us, and demonstrated to us true obedience to God.

thank You Lord for Your thoughts for us, and for creating opportunities to share, for Your heart for us, for Your hunger for us, to draw closer and closer to You all the time

love You Lord

my life is in You Lord..

The Goal of the Christian Life
By Os Hillman, May 25, 2009
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I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. - John 12:24

The goal of the Christian life is death, not success. A popular teaching says that if we follow God, we will prosper materially. God may, in fact, bless His people materially, but few can make this claim among third-world countries. Wealth must never be the goal of a person's life, only a by-product.

A missionary to a Middle-Eastern country has shared a motto among their ministry team: "God does not require success, but radical, immediate obedience." Jesus' obedience gained Him the cross. It did not gain Him popularity among the heathen, the religious or financial success, or a life of pleasure. His obedience resulted in His death on the cross. This is the same goal Christ has for each of us--death of our old nature so that He might live through us. That may not sell well among outcome-based Christian workplace believers, but it will result in an eternal reward that far exceeds any earthly reward. "Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with Me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done" (Rev. 22:12).

The Christian life is a paradox--the first will be last, death in return for life, and we are encouraged to offer praise to God to overcome a spirit of heaviness. It requires faith in a God who operates from a different set of values that are sometimes difficult to measure from human standards. Let death work in you a life that only God can raise up.

tgif

Working Versus Striving
By Os Hillman, May 24, 2009
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So he said to me, "This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: 'Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,' says the Lord Almighty." - Zechariah 4:6

Your greatest obstacle in fulfilling God's purposes in your life is the skills you have acquired to perform well in your work life. One of the great paradoxes in Scripture relates to our need to depend on the Lord; yet at the same time, we're instructed to use the talents and abilities God gives us to accomplish the work He gives us to do. It has been one of the most difficult principles to live out. How do we know that what we achieve is by the power of the Holy Spirit in our life versus our own abilities, and is there a difference? When we reach a level of excellence and performance in our fields, it actually becomes an obstacle to seeing God's power manifest in our work. What we naturally do well becomes the object of our trust. When this happens, God retreats. You see, God allows us to develop skills, but these must be continually yielded to God's Spirit. There will be times when God will use these skills to accomplish His purposes. There will be other times that God will not use any of our skills just to ensure that we know it is by His power that we can do anything.

It is the oxymoron of all oxymorons for Christian workplace believers. Learning not to act until God shows you to act is a sign of maturity in God. "Do not lean on the natural skill which you have been given. Let God manifest Himself in what you are doing," said a mentor who has learned this balance of skill and walking with God. "You must almost restrain from doing those things you know you are prone to do and actually go against them."

I was learning this lesson recently when I was asked to participate in a large event that would give great exposure and much needed financial increase to my ministry. It made all the sense in the world to participate. Then I prayed with a friend and asked the Lord His mind on it. The Lord showed us this was not His plan for me. I declined the invitation.

Ask God to teach you what it means to walk according to the power of the Holy Spirit in your business life. Develop a listening ear to the small voice inside that wants to direct your efforts by His Spirit.

***
..and obey :)

obey obey obey..
there's nothing better than to trust and obey..

thoughts from worship & soaking tdy

i do not know what lies ahead but i love You & i will follow You
i want to run with You and thank You all the days of my life
i shall not be afraid because You love me and You watch over me and You take care of me and You have the best for me

send me use me

pictures: rays of colorful light shining into the room for the children, a rainbow, an eagle with outspread wings
& isa 40:31
31But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

Lord help me to actively seek You.. desperately, passionately.. hunger and thirst for You like never before

in Jesus mighty name i pray
amen

Jesus loves little children

i wasn't so close to my nieces and nephew and little children before, but after following Jesus, i see them differently, and love them like never before, i can't help loving little children now.. i know this love is not from me, it's a gift from God

my nephew just came back from a holiday trip and last night we got to play together again after a longer-than-it-seems one week.. missed him terribly, gotten used to playing with him everyday.. couldn't stop asking him abt everything, and all he wanted to do the whole night was to play with me.. "why did i come back later than him.. can i go with him to his home to see him do his homework, do i want to see his new bullet train.." yes yes and yes!!! wow Jesus must miss us so much more when we get tied up with everyday things and don't spend time with Him or focus our attention on Him.. for His love for us is greater than we can ever imagine and our human love for each other is just a tiny fraction of His amazing and endless love for us.

i miss my nieces dearly too, especially the elder, it's been too long.. thank you Jesus for keeping them close in Your heart, and protecting them and blessing them with Your presence..

help us and all your children, to love You more and more each day and teach us to bless everyone as You will.

i love You Lord

***

extract from http://www.allaboutgod.com about how Jesus loves little children and want us to come to Him like little children, with 100% dependence and faith

Jesus loves the little children,
All the children of the world.
Red and yellow, black and white,
All are precious in His sight.
Jesus loves the little children of the world.

Chicago-born C. Herbert Woolston (1856-1927), the songwriter, is said to have been inspired by Matthew 1:14 where Jesus says, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to such as these.” In this verse, the disciples were afraid the children would bother Jesus, but Jesus wants children to come to him.

“Faith is natural to a child, for complete physical dependence is accompanied by absolute emotional confidence,” wrote Christian educator Lois LeBar in her classic book, Children in the Bible.

While children come to Jesus readily, there is more hesitancy for adults to respond. Grown-ups seem to lose the innocent faith and trusting nature that children possess. Yet in Matthew 18:4-6, Jesus invites us to come to Him “like little children” and says “whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”

carpe diem

i've been much blessed in my life with family, friends, comfort and pleasures..
but nothing compares to what i have received in Him.. the amazing peace, joy, love
He is all i ever need and all i could ever want..
knowing God and receiving Jesus as my Lord and Savior is the best thing that could ever happen to me.. and i pray that everyone will come to taste of His goodness, know Him personally and receive Jesus as their Lord and Savior too

all that i have belongs to Him, my life, my relationships, my possessions
i own nothing but have everything because He lives in me
i am weak but He gives me strength
He is always there to pick me up and guide me when i stumble and fall
He makes the impossible possible

i want to be soft plyable clay in Your hands, that goes where You call me to, and does what You will
Lord help me

***

The Plans of Tomorrow
By Os Hillman, May 13, 2009
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You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. - James 4:14b

A group of workplace believers meet at my office every week for fellowship, study, and prayer. One man attended our group for several years. Jim was well liked and in good health. One Thursday he showed up as usual. The next morning I received a call, "Jim is dead! He died in his easy chair last night!" Jim had no prior problems and there was no indication he was about to go be with the Lord. Naturally, it came as a shock to us all.

Whenever things like this happen close to home, it brings us face to face with our mortality. A friend of mine said he was challenged by someone to do an experiment. He challenged him to live his life for one year as if it were the last year he would live. He responded to the challenge and did as proposed. It changed his life forever. He began to focus on different priorities and people when he viewed life in these terms.

James gives us a perspective on viewing tomorrow.

Now listen, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money." Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that" (James 4:13-15).

Life is fragile. Consider where you are investing your time and energies. Someone once said they had never heard anyone on his deathbed say that he wished he had made more money in his lifetime or he wished he had made a certain deal. Usually it is something like, "I wish I had spent more time with my kids." Ask the Lord to give you His priorities for your life.

***

David Fulfilled His Purpose
TGIF Today God Is First Volume 2 by Os Hillman
Wednesday, May 13 2009

"For David...served the purpose of God in his own generation" (Acts 13:36 NASB)
Imagine for a moment that you have just died and you are about to come before the Judgment Seat of Christ. Jesus is speaking to his angel about you. He then says these words: "Janice served the purpose of my Heavenly Father for her generation."

Will God be able to say you served your purpose in your generation? Imagine being able to say that. God was able to say this about the life of David, even though David made some incredibly bad choices in his life that led to long term consequences. However, because David repented each time he erred, his purpose was accomplished on earth as God had designed it.

One of the prayers I often pray for people whenever I'm asked to pray for them is this; "Lord, may you fulfill every purpose for which you made them. May there be no inheritance left on the table that he/she is entitled to."

That is really the definition of success. Success is fulfilling the complete purpose for which God made you. It has nothing to do with wealth, accomplishments, stature in life, or standard of living. It has to do with living a life of obedience to the Father. And when we live a life of obedience to the Father, we will fulfill the purposes that God had in mind when he made you and me.

In 1924, Eric Liddle, a Scottish Olympic runner who's life was chronicled in a movie entitled the Chariots of Fire, was challenged by his missionary sister to forego running in the Olympics in lieu of going to China with her as a missionary. He responded by saying, "When I run I feel His (God's) pleasure. I was made to run and I was made to be a missionary too." Eric understood his complete purpose for his generation. As a result, he brought glory to the Father through his running and his missionary service.

Today, ask God to fulfill His purposes for your life in your generation.

guitar class

wow, it's been 10 weeks since guitar class started.. yesterday was the final lesson for b2guitar class at coos

what i like best about the class is the emphasis on prayers and praise, and connecting to God and being led by the Holy Spirit!

it is probably difficult for skilled players with many many years of experience to understand the struggles and difficulties that beginning players face, for it is already effortless for them to play basic chords, but our teachers have taken the trouble to give much thought and evaluated each lesson over the weeks and conduct subsequent lessons based on our progress, covering each module as planned, and yet providing individual guidance and tips based on our wide range of entry levels and playing abilities.. they have been extremely kind to structure the lesson in such a way that is best for us, and their patience is simply amazing, they would even slow down the lesson to go through chord changes pair by pair with us to show us how we can practise when we are on our own!

i have been much much blessed.. i've always admired how people can play the guitar and sing just like that, it's so incredibly beautiful.. i can only gape in wonder and go wow wow wowing non-stop in my heart.. i had found it very difficult and painful to even strike a nice sounding note at first, and remember thinking how nice it'd be if i could play the guitar and sing at the same time, even if it's just one song.. it had seemed far-fetched to me and quite impossible.. it just looked too complicated to me, the fingering with the different chords (how could i possibly remember all those chord shapes and placement of fingers on which fret and which string..?) and strumming with the other hand.. how do i do one thing with one hand (chord fingering) and do another thing with the other..(strumming)?

well, i don't play quite well yet, i don't strum skillfully or effortlessly for now, and i still struggle a lot with bar chords and Fs and Bs and am not very confident about playing, publicly, in particular, but our teachers have been really understanding and encouraging.. and it really can be done..!! each of us were able to play a song at the end of the course! i'm deeply thankful that i managed to play (and sing!!) a full song to testify of God's goodness and grace

i used to have a phobia of singing in the presence of other people..
would never sing, no matter how my friends try to coax..
but God has helped me overcome my singing phobia!
and helped me to play and sing at the same time!
and even given me new songs!! when i didn't know how to compose songs nor recognize chords..
His goodness and grace is simply overwhelming

it was very painful at first, the skin on the fingers becomes sore and peels. i used to dislike the calluses on my fingers.. they look ugly, but now i love them.. they keep the pain away :)

i believe everyone can play.. i thought i couldn't but i did it, and i know everyone else can too!

what inspires me most is our teachers' heart of worship, and always harping on the heart of worship, that it is all about Him

love

came across this article on love by Ronit Baras
here's an extract

"I remember looking at my newborn daughter with my heart full of feelings I'd never had and loving her with every cell of my body. She did nothing. She was tiny and her eyes were closed most of the time. She just had to be there for me to have that feeling. I remember Gal holding her the first time and saying, "I don't know you, but I already love you so much". It's funny how babies don't need to do anything to be loved. They just need to be.

I wonder when this rule fades or when we, parents, forget it. I remember in those moments I imagined my mum and dad looking at me like that and I knew, with 100% certainty, that love is born with the birth of your child and that I was loved, very much loved."

***
that is like how God loves us.. without us having to do anything.. that He loves us just as we are.. very very much.. much much more than we can ever imagine or feel

He knows every little detail about us, and still loves us torrentially, just as we are..

God loves us, is always with us & we are called to love & bless everyone including our persecuters

When God Seems Far Away
By Os Hillman, May 5, 2009
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Why, O Lord, do You stand far off? Why do You hide Yourself in times of trouble? - Psalm 10:1

One of the great mysteries of God is His ways. Some of His ways almost appear to bring us into the most difficult places, as if He were indifferent to our circumstances. It would appear that He is turning His head from our sorrows. These events in our lives have a particular objective to perform for us. That objective is to bring us to the end of ourselves that we might discover the treasure of darkness. "Yet when I hoped for good, evil came; when I looked for light, then came darkness" (Job 30:26).

When we are taken into these dark periods, we begin to see light that we never knew existed. Our sensitivities become heightened and our ability to see through spiritual eyes is illuminated. Unless we are taken into these times, our souls never develop any depth of character. We do not gain wisdom, only knowledge. Knowledge is gained through understanding; wisdom is gained through the experience of darkness.

After we go through these periods, we discover that God was, in fact, with us throughout the entire time. It does not feel or appear that He is there when we are in the midst of the dark periods. However, He is there walking with us. He has told us countless times that He will never leave us. However, when we are in those dark periods, it does not feel like He is there because He does not rescue us from the circumstances. He does this for our benefit in order that we might become more like Jesus. Jesus learned obedience from the things He suffered (see Heb. 5:8). What does that say about how you and I will learn obedience? Embrace the dark times and gain the wisdom that God intends for you from these times.

Graduate Level Christianity
TGIF Today God Is First Volume 2 by Os Hillman
Tuesday, May 05 2009

"Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you" (Matt. 5:44).
There was a man who had become a friend and mentor to me, but a conflict arose between us that we were unable to resolve. I never imagined that this man would go from being one of my best friends to an enemy. I asked God to show me how I should treat this man, and the words of Jesus came to mind, "Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you."
"Lord," I said, "surely you don't mean I'm to love this man! Not after the way he's hurt me and refused to reconcile!"
As I argued with God, I remembered that Jesus, before He was betrayed, got down on his knees and washed the feet of Judas Iscariot, His enemy. The moment that scene came to my mind, I knew what God was calling me to do. I had to wash the feet of my Judas.
This man who had been my friend and mentor had also been a client of my advertising agency. He was a Christian author and speaker, and I decided to bless this man by continuing to promote his ministry and his books.
Did he ever come back to me and reconcile? Yes, seven years later. But even if he had never reconciled with me, I knew that I did what God called me to do. I washed the feet of my Judas. I passed the test.
God doesn't promise that if we forgive there will be a happy ending. He doesn't promise that the man who refuses to pay a bill will suddenly write a check. He doesn't promise that the one who rejects reconciliation will instantly soften his heart. Jesus forgave his executioners, but that didn't keep them from nailing Him to the cross.
The Graduate Level Test is not about getting the results we want. It's about proving that we trust God enough to forgive our Judases. It's a graduate-level course in Christian obedience. But I believe that every leader whom God uses in a significant way must pass the Judas Test.
God wants to know if we are willing to be imitators of Jesus. How can we say we are followers of Christ if we won't wash the feet of our Judases?

God is so good

There's so much happening around us, around the the world, and yet God has each of us in His heart amidst the chaos and unrest..

He doesn't stop reaching out to the lost and He hears and answers our prayers no matter what we see happening around us..

and His amazing love and salvation is intended for everyone.. including those who are yet in His flock..

11"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12The hired hand is not the shepherd who owns the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. 13The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.
14"I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me 15just as the Father knows me and I know the Fatherand I lay down my life for the sheep. 16I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. 17The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life only to take it up again. 18No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father."

lovely surprise

surprise visit from my darlings nieces tdy.. hardly get to see my eldest niece since she started p1 and miss her terribly..
her daddy brought her here this morning, wanted to bring her for a swim and we were looking for the huge dolphin float when she said:"xiaogu can u pray and ask God where it is?" i was, asking actually.. and she smiled and said.."you forgot to say..(in tongues)" yay God!

later.. i showed her the recent video on paintings of love and she said.."they wrote wrongly xiaogu.. they should write i'm connected to Jesus.." yay God that is true love!! for we can only receive and give love with You in us, only when we are connected to You.. thank You Lord

during lunch i gave thanks n she reminded me to pray in tongues.. she asked:"xiaogu do u know y i didn't burn my tongue..?" y? "because i prayed to God to make the food not hot"
yay God!

pl help us and all your children be connected to You always.. You in us and us in You all the time
thank You Lord!!

happenings at the library

lovely paintings by visitors at the queenstown library! wonderful time sharing thoughts on love and painting.. thank You Lord!

Dear God

i want to see You, everyday
i want to go where You go
and wherever You want me to be

i want to be happy and proclaim Your goodness and amazing love
all the more, when it is difficult to do so

Lord give me strength to rejoice in the darkest moments
when i am blinded and broken
so that i can shine for You
no matter what

Father help me to be obedient to only Your voice
give me faith and boldness
to stand up for You
to walk in the way i should go
no matter what

Teacher give me wisdom to speak at the right time with words from Your heart that will bring healing and reconciliation to hearts that need You

i surrender my body, soul and spirit to You
i'm Yours Lord Jesus now and forever Amen

***

Habakkuk 2:2 KJV
And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.

Habakkuk 2:3 NIV
For the revelation awaits an appointed time;
it speaks of the end
and will not prove false.
Though it linger, wait for it;
it will certainly come and will not delay.

homeschooling

one particular morning after urbankidz, was sitting and chatting with rachel and charlotte ~ my attention is easily drawn to these 2 girls each time i see them.. rema kids:)~ and rachel began sharing with me excitedly about what she's learnt at homeschool about the human body systems when i asked her how was her week - the respiratory system, the cardiovascular system, the skeletal system.. and bubbling over with excitement over what they were going to learn the next day and how each day begins with devotion and worship.. wow i'm so inspired and totally convinced to do homeschooling with my kids too..

to soak together in God's presence everyday, learn God's word together, live out God's will for us, and to guide them in the way that they should go.. God's way

i dun have kids of my own yet, i'm not married, dun even have a boyfren yet..
but couldn't help wanting to find out..
more about homeschooling..

thought it'd be good to keep these links here, so i can refer to them when i need to :P

history and origin
Transformation of classical education by Trivium pursuit
origin
history

christian homeschooling
Trivium pursuit
help for homeschoolers
homeschool christaian
uk homeschool
christian homeschoolers
sonlight
classical homeschooling
homeschool info
angel fire
jubilee academy
homeschooling

resources for moms
help for homeschool moms
paradise for homeschool moms by babara frankin

homeschool planners
planner templates by homeschool mom
homeschool curriculum
classical homeschooling curriculum

quotes
squidoo homeschool quotes

if there's only one thing that i can do in my life

thank you Lord

my niece asked me to bring her to the playground one afternoon after school..
but i had to leave for work (nite shift) and it was a very hot afternoon

i told her it was too hot to play outside
she walked away and then i saw her come to stop and as she stood still with her hands clasped, she was whispering softly
i went near to eavesdrop.. :P
and heard her praying for weather that's not hot..

thank you Lord!!

abide in Him

***
Extract from TGIF

Peace-A Weapon Against Satan
By Os Hillman, March 24, 2009
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Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me. - Psalm 23:4a KJV

In the battles of the workplace, your peace is actually a weapon. The workplace creates many opportunities to rob us of our peace. Cash flow concerns, deadlines, relationships - all create stress on us. Your confidence in the God of peace declares that you are not falling for the lies of the devil. You see the first step toward having spiritual authority over the adversary is having peace in spite of our circumstances. When Jesus confronted the devil, he did not confront satan with His emotions or in fear. Knowing that the devil was a liar, He simply refused to be influenced by any voice other than God's. His peace overwhelmed satan; His authority then shattered the lie, which sent demons fleeing.

There is a place of walking with God where you simply fear no evil. David faced a lion, a bear, and a giant. In this Psalm he stood in the "shadow of death" itself, yet he "feared no evil." David's trust was in the Lord. He said, "...for Thou art with me." Because God is with you, every adversity you face will unfold in victory as you maintain your faith in God! David continued, "You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies" (Ps. 23:5a). The battle you are in will soon become a meal for you, an experience that will nourish and build you up spiritually. Only God's peace will quell your fleshly reactions in battle. The source of God's peace is God Himself. If fear has been knocking at your door, begin to face that fear with God's peace. It is God's secret weapon to destroy fear

God's promises

feb has past in a blink and i hadn't blogged as much as i'd like to..
there's so much to thank God for..

ssl started in feb 09
missed the 1st session for niece's bday. hadn't spent time with her since she started p1, miss her terribly
managed to attend the 2nd session of ssl & was much blessed. a sister i juz met told me God hears my prayers for the salvation of many!!

and 3 days later.. a little boy at the hawker near church, with whom God has endeared my heart to.. and been spending time with & singing worship songs together whenever we meet, received Christ into his heart, accepting Christ as his Savior!!

God is amazing, barely 2 weeks later, his mom accepted Christ as her Savior & Lord too!! I followed her home one night on the bus.. it wasn't planned, it just happened! i somehow just hanged around alone till late at the hawker that night, and walked her to the bus stop, somehow got onto the bus together with her, not really noticing where the bus was going, coz i was really excited at how open and sensitive her heart was towards God as we chatted!! it got to the point when i was just bursting to ask.. i did at some point.. and she said yes!! we finished praying just before she alighted, i couldn't stop smiling all the way home.. (such joy!! all of heaven must be singing and dancing over this little new baby) and i got home without a glitch even though it was the first time i've been there.. and not sure of the way around there (..just certain God will see me homely safely)

there are many more to come!! God hears our prayers and answers us when we ask, seek n knock!! knock knock knock, keep knocking..

saw a rainbow as i came out of the library one evening (the evening when i was going for my first harvest & sow cell meeting), a really huge one, across the sky stretching as far as my eyes could see..

God's promises are true & good. remember His promises. God will bring it to pass no matter what

Jeremiah 29:11 (New International Version)
11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.


and nothing, absolutely nothing (..hey that's another song :)) copmpares to the beauty of the Lord


Jesus Your love
Has come one step closer
I will trust
That You will never let me go
Jesus Your love
Has won me over
All my trust
Has found no other
I will declare the beauty of the Lord
Nothing compares to the beauty of the Lord
Jesus Your love takes my breath away
I'm living everyday for the beauty of the Lord
Jesus Your love takes my breath away

Pray unceasingly..

Prayerfully Arranged Marriage
TGIF Today God Is First Volume 2 by Os Hillman
Wednesday, February 18 2009

"The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much" (James
5:16).
James Rutz, author of MegaShift, tells a wonderful story of God's supernatural hand in answering prayer.

"I have a good friend named Barclay Tait who sells vacation real estate in Niceville, Florida. Back in 1977, he was a 36-year-old Florida basketball coach. That summer, he decided to hitch-hike to a Christian conference in Front Royal, Virginia. Arriving four days early, he went to a nearby forest and pitched his tent by a stream. On the last day, a tall, thin hiker with a notebook under his arm suddenly appeared, startling him as he read his Bible. Barclay explained that he came out there to fast and meditate.

Dave, the hiker, replied, "Well, I'm an intercessor. What would you
like me to pray for?"

Feeling somewhat overwhelmed, Barclay said, "Uh, frankly, I'd like prayer for a wife." The man wrote the request in his notebook and walked on.

By 1988, Barclay, now married to Sherry, has been divinely guided to move to Asheville, North Carolina. A chance encounter in the Holiday Inn parking lot led to an invitation to join a gathering of a Christian group outside of town.

Arriving just before the 7:00 P.M. meeting, the host walks in from the kitchen and stops dead in his tracks. "I know you!" he exclaims, pointing his finger. "You're Barclay Tait!" Barclay draws a blank.

"Just a minute. I have something I want to show you," the host announces. He scampers upstairs, leaving the puzzled Taits standing in the middle of the suddenly hushed room. In a moment the host reappeared with a well-worn ledger book. "See here? This is where I wrote your prayer request in column one when I met you in Front Royal in 1977: 'Barclay Tait: God's choice for a wife.'" Barclay looked down at the journal entry. It was the most detailed, methodical prayer journal he'd ever seen.

"I prayed for you for seven years," proclaims Dave. "Then in the middle of the night on December 30, 1984, God woke me up out of a sound sleep and said, 'Write in your journal, "Prayer answered." So I did.

See? Here in column two, "Prayer answered.'"

Barclay and Sherry look at each other with their mouths open. They sat down,
and their eyes fill with tears. Quietly, Barclay tells Dave, "That was the
day we were married."

Source: Today God Is First daily devotional


Source: NavPress
Some verses on prayers

God’s ears are attentive to the cries of His children
Ps. 34:15
15 The eyes of Jehovah are toward the righteous,
And his ears are open unto their cry.

Even before we call, He has prepared a specific answer
Is. 65:24
24 Before they call I will answer;
while they are still speaking I will hear.

He not only hears me, but He responds to me
Jer. 33:3
3 Call to me and I will answer you
and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.

so awed..

wow..

God is so good. no matter wat. He is awesome as always.

He is in control, and has the best for us, no matter wat is happening, no matter wat we see or feel.

***
been feeling low for quite a while, somehow felt far from Him, couldn't sense Him like before, not because He's gone away, He is always near, it's my heart that's gone in hiding.. retreated back to its old shell, and doesn't quite know how to come out again.. fear & confusion crept in & i retreated to nowhere..

i ought to be wailing:"where am i.." coz God is always faithful and omnipresent, but i juz dunno how to meet Him..

extract from my journal written on 7 Feb ..click to view
after these thoughts were penned, i took out my guitar to twang, and it turned into spontaneous worship, and God blessed me with a new song!!
..click to listen

***
testimony from last nite's school of supernatural living at coos, church of our Saviour - 13 Feb

had a wonderful time worshipping, and enjoying God's presence, had imageries of Him cradling me as His baby, hand-holding me as His child, walking through pastures, looking at pretty flowers, dancing round & round holding hands, stopping by the water to see the fish, playing together in the water, Him pushing me on the swing, flying the kite together.. and me just lying on His lap and Him stroking my hair!

pastor derek was especially humorous last nite, and i especially loved all the verses and messages shared.

as the session was abt to end, the kind sister sitting beside me said she found it nice to beside me because.. can't remember what she said exactly (probably still dazed from the imageries & not wanting to come back to earth haha), but she said it was nice to sit with me..

later i found that it was me who was really blessed to be sitting beside her!
it started with me praying for her coz pastor asked us to pray for those who raised their hands, i barely finished praying when she also spontaneously prayed for me.. to receive the gift of knowledge, she also told me that God hears my prayers for salvation for many many people!! my heart was silently screaming in praise & awe.. maybe some did came out as audible sounds.. i'm not sure, but i'm sure my face must have been quite a funny sight, see.. i can't control my expressions very well..

for indeed i have been praying for salvation for people i know, and i was also praying the same last nite, i felt peace as i prayed.. and knew that God has it covered..

i was so bowled over when this dear sister, whom i just met, told me what has been on my heart! that He hears my prayer (even though i already know God hears us from the bible, it's juz different when someone else comes and tell u audibly..!!)
i couldn't stop smiling all the way home, remember still having that blissful smile on my face when i fell asleep..

yippee God!! thank You thank You thank You thank You thank You can't thank You enuf!!

sulian was just telling me last tues that when i don't hear God well enuf, He'll send someone along to tell me audibly..

and 3 days later.. He sends this sister to tell me He hears my prayers!! aaaahhhh..[silent screams in my heart again]

texted sulian in excitement & she says:"Praise the Lord! God is always faithful, n honors u, n loves whom u love!"

wow..

***
God made it easy for me to do things that i had been wanting to do but haven't been able to do for my family last nite & this morn! Father, i choose to put my heart in You for safekeeping forever and ever and ever.. i can't get by if it's anywhere else. i can go anywhere physically, but my heart has to be in Yours.. help me..

***
just read this article "Peace, Be Still! Do Not Let the Enemy Move You From the Rock of Your Peace" by Kathi Pelton
with the same message about God's steadfastness, and walking assuredly in His victory no matter what happens

read the full article here >>
www.elijahlist.com

"My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in Me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as You are in Me and I am in You. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that You have sent Me. I have given them the glory that you gave Me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and You in Me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that You sent Me and have loved them even as You have loved Me..." John 17:20-23

"These things I have spoken to you, that in me you might have peace. In the world you shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
." John 16:33 AKJV

dwelling

been receiving prophetic paintings of a "house"

the first one was received during teachers advance last dec, drawn by a little girl; the 2nd was drawn by a little boy who partnered me during sunday school when we asked God for pictures for each other in pairs; and the 3rd was drawn by a sister i'd recently met at a prophetic painting session abt 2 weeks ago

i had been looking for a house before, but had stopped looking altogether as the prices weren't good then.. hmmmm and it doesn't really matter where i stay right now, because God provides me with all i need

"One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple. For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle and set me high upon a rock."
Psalm 27:4-5



"In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am."
John 14:2-3

"By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beatuiful treasures."
Proverbs 24:3-4

i was re-reading John 15 and this verse on the same page caught my eye..
John 14:23
"If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him."

then i came upon this interesting interpretation of John 15..
"Live in me. Make your home in me just as I do in you."
"I've loved you the way my Father has loved me. Make yourselves at home in my love. If you keep my commands, you'll remain intimately at home in my love. That's what I've done—kept my Father's commands and made myself at home in his love."


the first i received
***

went to the beach recently with my niece and got her to soak as i sang worship songs
she lay still as she soaked and later described what she saw excitedly.. eagles.. sun.. house.. clouds.. trees.. people.. angels.. Jesus!!
when she got up, she sang "Glory" with actions.. she remembers the actions! :)
she drew them on paper when we got home..



she started with the house and then the girl in the house..
i asked:"who's that in the house..?"
she said:"xiaogu" :)
i fell alseep beside her as i watched her paint :P and when i woke.. rather, she happily woke me up when she was done and showed me her beautiful painting..

God is so good :)

***

my mom was sick during the chinese new year, one night i woke up to find her coughing and vomiting and she was so weak she couldn't talk or stand properly.. tin was also awakened by her coughing and stood by.. i asked my mom if she wanted to see the doctor, and she shook her head.. then i asked her if i could pray for her and she didn't say anything.. i took it as a yes..

the next morning when i woke, she was already up and about, being her normal self again.. i asked her how she felt and she said she was ok!

i shared this with tin and tin said.. "praise God!!"

Hallelujah!!

precious moments

tin, our home help, asked me to pray for her today, on her own initiative! this is a first!! (my family doesn't approve of me sharing the gospel with her, but God rulez!)

usually it's me who'd ask to pray for her..

she shared that when i prayed for her a few days back, she received healing for her rashes and today she showed me a small wound on her hand and asked for prayer!

i pray that she will know Jesus more and more and follow Him with all her heart

***

overheard my 4 yr old nephew telling my 4yr niece (who was angry for no apparent reason, and refused to talk to anyone) : "jie jie, even though you don't play with me but i still luuuurrve yoouuuu..."

no response from my niece at that but all the adults around were amazed and beaming ear to ear

that was when i first sang "telephone to Jesus" for my niece animatedly.., she listened quietly and the day after, each time she saw me walking by, she went: "telephone to Jesus.. telephone to Jesus.." haha..

Lyrics for the song:
telephone to Jesus X 3
everyday..
hello?
i want to talk to Jesus X 3
everyday..
hello?
Jamaiseh (greetings in nepali, where i first heard this song)

when we went east timor, we learnt to sing it in tetum
telefon ba Jesus X 3
loronglo..
hello?
hau kolia ho Jesus X 3
loronglo..
hello?
bondiak(gd morn)/bontarde(gd afternoon)/bonoite(gd nite)

***

i didn't know that my nephew already knew how to sing "Glory.." until my car radio stopped playing one night..

i'd been singing it in front of him only a couple of times, and he'd just been watching & listening intently..

that night, he was sitting in the frontseat with me and he was busy with the touch screen while i was driving, i didn't see what he pressed, but when i stopped, i couldn't get the radio to play.. i thought it was spoilt.. i couldn't get it to play despite countless tries..

i finally gave up and ask him to sing a song for me because the radio was spoilt
and he sheepishly went... "Glory.. Glory... Glory to the lamb.." i instantly melted..

i felt so sorry i got upset with him that the radio kinda hanged..

i asked him to pray for the radio to work..
we both layed hands on the radio :)
then i tried again, it still didn't work..

i got out for a little errand while my mom stayed with him in the car..

when i came back, i saw them walking around somewhere near the car..

but when i tried again after we got back into the car.. the radio worked!!! me & my nephew beamed at each other.. and i couldn't stop saying Hallelujah!!

***

love spending time with my nieces and nephew, been playing alot with them especially during their school holidays, after i came back from east timor :)

remember singing "into my heart" with them several times, coz i really wanted Jesus to come in & stay in their hearts :)

one day, i asked my nephew to sing "into my heart" together with me.. again..
before he finished the first line, he stopped and said:"but xiaogu.. (translates to "little aunt" in chinese) Jesus is already in my heart...!" haha..

so then we sang "out of my heart.. out of my heart.. shine out of my heart, Lord Jesus.."

***

"xiaogu, can you pray for me?" my niece said one night during bedtime at a chalet and i was sleeping next to her.. i went "huh?" twice, i think, before i realized that my niece was really asking me to pray for her.. her parents doesn't approve, and she's told me before that she can't pray aloud at home.. coz her parents don't like it..

i pray that God keeps her safe, strengthens her faith and fills her heart with His unceasing love everyday and night, every moment of her life

***

thank You Lord for such precious moments in my life

fasting and learning to break fast

felt prompted to fast last thur morning, for 3 days, wasn't sure why at that point in time, or for who or what to pray but i just started the fast anyways.. maybe God wanted me to fast to hear His voice better.. :)

well, later that morning i received a call from a sister who was concerned about the blood test results she'd recently received..

i wondered if this was what i was to be fasting for..

on fri nite, another sister invited me to pray and worship overnite at her studio, she had been feeling stretched by her work.. was this what i was to be fasting for too..?
for breakthrough for this sister's ministry..?

it's a miracle for me to be able to fast.. i've had gastric problems, it was so bad i'd have pain if i skip even just one meal.. my mom wouldn't let me skip meals, it's amazing that i managed to not eat while i was at home those 3 days..

well, i didn't get gastric when i fasted one meal for 40 days, and now, for 3 full days.. God is amazing.. it's not that i don't like to eat.. i'm a foodie, but in those 3 days, i didn't feel like i needed to eat physical food.. i was more hungry for spiritual understanding..

pastor squeezed time to meet me after service impromptu and shared with me about bible study, and as she prayed for me, she saw white round bread.. it reminds me of Rosa's yummy cheese bread but i think it's supposed to be manna from God.. that God will give me bread to eat to feed my spiritual hunger :)

later that night i read the passage about Jesus' ministry not being recognized in his hometown.. this is the 2nd time i've been led to this passage..

it's supernatural that i hadn't eaten for 3 days nor slept for 2 days, and i don't feel hungry or tired.. late sat nite, i felt prompted to break fast, but i wrongly thought i could go to sleep and break fast the next morning (had arranged for breakfast with the sister whom i felt prompted to pray for)

this was a practical lesson in obedience and hearing God's voice.. for the next morning i woke up feeling strangely weak and tired and wobbly, i couldn't walk straight.. i knew i should have eaten last night when i felt prompted to.

this fasting experience feels like throwing out the old to receive the new..
so that God can teach me how to "eat", all over again.. from scratch, what to eat, show me things / words that are good for me to consume, at the right time..

God knows best

* * *

i haven't been dancing for ages, not "fasting" from it consciously, but just didn't.. it feels kind of like fasting from the old so that i can receive the new.. i don't want to dance because of my own desires, i want to learn to dance in a new way.. with God..

old dance videos >>

i stumbled upon this dance video on youtube from 2004.. rehearsal with scholars.. i'm in red pants and black top, had long hair then

kinda miss dancing..
need to get started on running..

minutes later.. here's another one!! miss Rob and everyone else.. thanks to steph for making and sharing this video.. sweet memories

i was led to these verses this morning.. and it's about wat was shared last evening!

Matthew 24:23-31
Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There he is!’ do not believe it. For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. See, I have told you beforehand. So, if they say to you, ‘Look, he is in the wilderness,’ do not go out. If they say, ‘Look, he is in the inner rooms,’ do not believe it. For as the lightning comes from the east and shines as far as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. Wherever the corpse is, there the vultures will gather.
“Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
—Matthew 24:23-31

Matthew 24:36-44
“But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only. For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. Then two men will be in the field; one will be taken and one left. Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one left. Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.
—Matthew 24:36-44

Matthew 25:1-13
“Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. As the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and slept. But at midnight there was a cry, ‘Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the wise answered, saying, ‘Since there will not be enough for us and for you, go rather to the dealers and buy for yourselves.’ And while they were going to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut. Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’ But he answered, ‘Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.’ Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.
—Matthew 25:1-13

Matthew 25:31-46
“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’
“Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ Then they also will answer, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?’ Then he will answer them, saying, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’ And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”
—Matthew 25:31-46

Mark 13:32-37
“But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard, keep awake. For you do not know when the time will come. It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his servants in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to stay awake. Therefore stay awake—for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning— lest he come suddenly and find you asleep. And what I say to you I say to all: Stay awake.”
—Mark 13:32-37

Acts 1:10-11
And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”
—Acts 1:10-11

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage one another with these words.
—1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

2 Thessalonians 2:1-8
Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him, we ask you, brothers, not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed, either by a spirit or a spoken word, or a letter seeming to be from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God. Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things? And you know what is restraining him now so that he may be revealed in his time. For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work. Only he who now restrains it will do so until he is out of the way. And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will kill with the breath of his mouth and bring to nothing by the appearance of his coming.
—2 Thessalonians 2:1-8

1 John 3:2
Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is.
—1 John 3:2

Source: www.scripturemenu.com