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
Friday, January 23, 2009
Monday, January 19, 2009
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
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
Sunday, January 11, 2009
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
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
awesome weekend
things are clearing up for me. thank you Lord
***
finally did prophetic painting yesterday (Sunday). it's been postponed so many times. been wanting to do it since last sep, but me & sulian fell sick on scheduled days and other things cropped up each time
we thought we'd be painting one painting each yesterday, but we were blessed with 12 paintings in total:)
the evening ended with an engaging talk about pagan christmas, anti Christ, timing and season, hebrewic calendar, gregorian calendar, meaning of discipling, salvation - is not just about saying the sinners prayer, but a changed life - living out the life that God calls us to live.. His way, not our way.. "I do not know you". "playing church" versus obedience to God.. hearing God's voice and obedience.. that partial obedience is also disobedience, including not going by God's timing.. King Saul got impatient and didn't wait for Samuel to arrive and went ahead with a burnt offering.. with dire consequences
***
and read this early this morning (monday)..
Obedience
TGIF Today God Is First Volume 1 by Os Hillman
Sunday, January 11 2009
Ever since I went to Pharaoh to speak in Your name, he has brought trouble upon this people, and You have not rescued Your people at all. - Exodus 5:23
Have you ever felt that the more obedient you are to following God, the more adversity there is? Moses had been instructed to go to Pharaoh and tell him to release the people of Israel. God had said He was going to deliver the people through Moses. The only problem is that God did not tell Moses at what point they actually would be released. When Moses complained to God, the Lord told Moses that He had to harden Pharaoh's heart in order to perform greater miracles. God was behind hardening Pharaoh's heart. We forget that the king's heart is in God's hand. God had a specific reason for each plague and each delay. God said to Moses,
"I have hardened his heart and the hearts of his officials so that I may perform these miraculous signs of Mine among them that you may tell your children and grandchildren how I dealt harshly with the Egyptians and how I performed My signs among them, and that you may know that I am the Lord" (Exodus 10:1b-2).
God has a reason for everything He does. These delays were designed to bring greater glory to God and were to be a lasting legacy of God's miracle-working power for generations to come.
When the people were freed, God again hardened Pharaoh's heart to go after them. This action of God to harden Pharaoh's heart was to set the stage for an even greater miracle -- the parting of the Red Sea. The people were angry with Moses for bringing them to the desert "to die." But God said to Moses, "Why are you crying out to Me? Tell the Israelites to move on" (Ex. 14:15b). There was only one place to go by this time -- the Red Sea. God parted the Red Sea, and another greater miracle took place.
Moses learned several lessons that each of us must learn. God's promises are true, but His timing is not the same as ours. God always wants greater glory than what we might be willing to give Him. God puts obstacles and adversity into our lives in order to build perseverance and faith. Why has God put the mountain in your life at this time? To demonstrate His power through your life. To show His glory.
***
finally did prophetic painting yesterday (Sunday). it's been postponed so many times. been wanting to do it since last sep, but me & sulian fell sick on scheduled days and other things cropped up each time
we thought we'd be painting one painting each yesterday, but we were blessed with 12 paintings in total:)
the evening ended with an engaging talk about pagan christmas, anti Christ, timing and season, hebrewic calendar, gregorian calendar, meaning of discipling, salvation - is not just about saying the sinners prayer, but a changed life - living out the life that God calls us to live.. His way, not our way.. "I do not know you". "playing church" versus obedience to God.. hearing God's voice and obedience.. that partial obedience is also disobedience, including not going by God's timing.. King Saul got impatient and didn't wait for Samuel to arrive and went ahead with a burnt offering.. with dire consequences
***
and read this early this morning (monday)..
Obedience
TGIF Today God Is First Volume 1 by Os Hillman
Sunday, January 11 2009
Ever since I went to Pharaoh to speak in Your name, he has brought trouble upon this people, and You have not rescued Your people at all. - Exodus 5:23
Have you ever felt that the more obedient you are to following God, the more adversity there is? Moses had been instructed to go to Pharaoh and tell him to release the people of Israel. God had said He was going to deliver the people through Moses. The only problem is that God did not tell Moses at what point they actually would be released. When Moses complained to God, the Lord told Moses that He had to harden Pharaoh's heart in order to perform greater miracles. God was behind hardening Pharaoh's heart. We forget that the king's heart is in God's hand. God had a specific reason for each plague and each delay. God said to Moses,
"I have hardened his heart and the hearts of his officials so that I may perform these miraculous signs of Mine among them that you may tell your children and grandchildren how I dealt harshly with the Egyptians and how I performed My signs among them, and that you may know that I am the Lord" (Exodus 10:1b-2).
God has a reason for everything He does. These delays were designed to bring greater glory to God and were to be a lasting legacy of God's miracle-working power for generations to come.
When the people were freed, God again hardened Pharaoh's heart to go after them. This action of God to harden Pharaoh's heart was to set the stage for an even greater miracle -- the parting of the Red Sea. The people were angry with Moses for bringing them to the desert "to die." But God said to Moses, "Why are you crying out to Me? Tell the Israelites to move on" (Ex. 14:15b). There was only one place to go by this time -- the Red Sea. God parted the Red Sea, and another greater miracle took place.
Moses learned several lessons that each of us must learn. God's promises are true, but His timing is not the same as ours. God always wants greater glory than what we might be willing to give Him. God puts obstacles and adversity into our lives in order to build perseverance and faith. Why has God put the mountain in your life at this time? To demonstrate His power through your life. To show His glory.
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
seeking directions
so many things on my mind, desperately need directions from God.. ministry.. equipping.. work.. family.. His plans for me!!
on one hand am thrilled and excited at the promptings in my heart, yet hesitant that i might be acting out of my own will and not following His timing and plans
was walking along margaret drive last evening and asking God for help, and clear signs.. and along came a sweet sister (just as i was praying.. i haven't even said amen)
we first met during pastor michael's book of james class, where i was so blessed i teared from beginning to end of class.. we met each other briefly only a few times since then, it's always nice talking with her..
in the few minutes that we met last evening, she shared how God has led her to leave her job and do the things that He wanted her to do, and that she is enjoying herself very much now, doing what He wants her to do (could really sense the peace in her, and such sweetness). God has since healed her from faintings spells from last Sep.. every word she spoke was such an encouragement to me.. that was exactly what i want to do!!
Lord i pray for total obedience. pl help me to follow Your timing for the things You have planned for me
***
adapted the following from article by Bradley Stuart and TGIF daily devotional by Os Hillman this morning..
much blessed, just what i need right now
thank You Lord for knowing me and loving me unfailingly
Confirming a Word from God
1) Write down what you've sensed you've received from the Lord.
Habakkuk 2:2 Then the Lord answered me and said: "Write down the vision and make it plain on tablets, that he may run who reads it."
2) Wait for confirmation. 2Corinthians 13:1 This is the third time I am coming to you. “By the mouth of two or three witnesses every word shall be established.”
3) Understand God's timetable and the timing of the fulfillment of the word.
Habakkuk 2:2 "For the vision is yet for an appointed time; But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry."
4) Check for any conditions involved.
my heart needs healing before God can give me what He has shown me and it takes time, for God knows how much i can take at a time, but it will happen for sure and the healing will be complete.
This ties in with today's devotional from TGIF..
God knows the stubborn human heart. He knows that if He is to accomplish His deepest work, He must take us into the desert in order to give us the privilege to be used in His Kingdom.
For Paul, it was Arabia for three years; for Moses, it was 40 years in the desert; for Joseph, it was 13 years in Egypt; for David, it was many years of fleeing from King Saul.
In the desert God changes us and removes things that hinder us. He forces us to draw deep upon His grace. The desert is only a season in our life. When He has accomplished what He wants in our lives in the desert, He will bring us out. He has given us a mission to fulfill that can only be fulfilled after we have spent adequate time in preparation in the desert. Fear not the desert, for it is here you will hear God's voice like never before. It is here you become His bride. It is here you will have the idols of your life removed. It is here you begin to experience the reality of a living God like never before. Someone once said, "God uses enlarged trials to produce enlarged saints so He can put them in enlarged places!"
Hosea 2:14 "Therefore I am now going to allure her; I will lead her into the desert and speak tenderly to her."
2 Samuel 22:20 "He brought me out into a spacious place; He rescued me because He delighted in me."
God i want to go in the desert with You, i do not know what i'm asking for, or what i'll face but i want to go through all that it takes to be tuned in to Your heart and be in total submission
5) Faithful obedience with meditation on God's word.
Psalm 1 Blessed is the man.. whose :2 "..delight is in the law of the Lord and in His law he meditates day and night."
1 Samuel 12:21 "and do not turn aside; for then you would go after empty things which cannot profit or deliver, for they are nothing."
1 Samuel 12:24 "Only fear the Lord, and serve Him in truth with all your heart; for consider what great things He has done for you."
When we don't understand how we need to really work with the word, it will often cause us to go into partial obedience and partial obedience is the same as disobedience, which can often hinder the word's fulfillment. In 1 Samuel 9:17 Saul had received a very clear word to be king, but when he partially obeyed the word of the Lord and never fully obeyed His instructions, he lost his kingship. 1 Samuel 13:13-14.
I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints? (Eph 1:18-19).
"There is a distinction between a later, special calling and our original, ordinary calling. Selfishness prefers the first, but stewardship respects both. A special calling refers those tasks and missions laid on individuals through a direct, specific, supernatural communication from God. Ordinary calling, on the other hand, is the believer's sense of life-purpose and life-task in response to God's primary call, 'follow me,' even when there is no direct, specific, supernatural communication from God about a secondary calling..In this sense no follower of Christ is without a calling, for we all have an original calling even if we do not all have a later, special calling.." yet..
*Os Guinness, The Call, Word Books, Nasvhille, TN p. 4, 48 1998 in TGIF 07 Jan 09
on one hand am thrilled and excited at the promptings in my heart, yet hesitant that i might be acting out of my own will and not following His timing and plans
was walking along margaret drive last evening and asking God for help, and clear signs.. and along came a sweet sister (just as i was praying.. i haven't even said amen)
we first met during pastor michael's book of james class, where i was so blessed i teared from beginning to end of class.. we met each other briefly only a few times since then, it's always nice talking with her..
in the few minutes that we met last evening, she shared how God has led her to leave her job and do the things that He wanted her to do, and that she is enjoying herself very much now, doing what He wants her to do (could really sense the peace in her, and such sweetness). God has since healed her from faintings spells from last Sep.. every word she spoke was such an encouragement to me.. that was exactly what i want to do!!
Lord i pray for total obedience. pl help me to follow Your timing for the things You have planned for me
***
adapted the following from article by Bradley Stuart and TGIF daily devotional by Os Hillman this morning..
much blessed, just what i need right now
thank You Lord for knowing me and loving me unfailingly
Confirming a Word from God
1) Write down what you've sensed you've received from the Lord.
Habakkuk 2:2 Then the Lord answered me and said: "Write down the vision and make it plain on tablets, that he may run who reads it."
2) Wait for confirmation. 2Corinthians 13:1 This is the third time I am coming to you. “By the mouth of two or three witnesses every word shall be established.”
3) Understand God's timetable and the timing of the fulfillment of the word.
Habakkuk 2:2 "For the vision is yet for an appointed time; But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry."
4) Check for any conditions involved.
my heart needs healing before God can give me what He has shown me and it takes time, for God knows how much i can take at a time, but it will happen for sure and the healing will be complete.
This ties in with today's devotional from TGIF..
God knows the stubborn human heart. He knows that if He is to accomplish His deepest work, He must take us into the desert in order to give us the privilege to be used in His Kingdom.
For Paul, it was Arabia for three years; for Moses, it was 40 years in the desert; for Joseph, it was 13 years in Egypt; for David, it was many years of fleeing from King Saul.
In the desert God changes us and removes things that hinder us. He forces us to draw deep upon His grace. The desert is only a season in our life. When He has accomplished what He wants in our lives in the desert, He will bring us out. He has given us a mission to fulfill that can only be fulfilled after we have spent adequate time in preparation in the desert. Fear not the desert, for it is here you will hear God's voice like never before. It is here you become His bride. It is here you will have the idols of your life removed. It is here you begin to experience the reality of a living God like never before. Someone once said, "God uses enlarged trials to produce enlarged saints so He can put them in enlarged places!"
Hosea 2:14 "Therefore I am now going to allure her; I will lead her into the desert and speak tenderly to her."
2 Samuel 22:20 "He brought me out into a spacious place; He rescued me because He delighted in me."
God i want to go in the desert with You, i do not know what i'm asking for, or what i'll face but i want to go through all that it takes to be tuned in to Your heart and be in total submission
5) Faithful obedience with meditation on God's word.
Psalm 1 Blessed is the man.. whose :2 "..delight is in the law of the Lord and in His law he meditates day and night."
1 Samuel 12:21 "and do not turn aside; for then you would go after empty things which cannot profit or deliver, for they are nothing."
1 Samuel 12:24 "Only fear the Lord, and serve Him in truth with all your heart; for consider what great things He has done for you."
When we don't understand how we need to really work with the word, it will often cause us to go into partial obedience and partial obedience is the same as disobedience, which can often hinder the word's fulfillment. In 1 Samuel 9:17 Saul had received a very clear word to be king, but when he partially obeyed the word of the Lord and never fully obeyed His instructions, he lost his kingship. 1 Samuel 13:13-14.
I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints? (Eph 1:18-19).
"There is a distinction between a later, special calling and our original, ordinary calling. Selfishness prefers the first, but stewardship respects both. A special calling refers those tasks and missions laid on individuals through a direct, specific, supernatural communication from God. Ordinary calling, on the other hand, is the believer's sense of life-purpose and life-task in response to God's primary call, 'follow me,' even when there is no direct, specific, supernatural communication from God about a secondary calling..In this sense no follower of Christ is without a calling, for we all have an original calling even if we do not all have a later, special calling.." yet..
*Os Guinness, The Call, Word Books, Nasvhille, TN p. 4, 48 1998 in TGIF 07 Jan 09
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
activated spirit
it's too much of a coincidence to be coincidental..
my thoughts and the messages i've been getting are falling into place so nicely
..my resolution for the new year
..pastor michaels's sermon last sunday
..altar call prayers
..conversations about activated spirit
..pictures and prophesies of God's word and standing firm and being rooted to His word which will be my strength in the face of tsunami waves and storms
and i just found the following article while i was looking for the verse that God spoke to me 2 years ago.. yay.. i'm almost 2 years old :) but hey..God really doesn't belittle the weak, for we are mighty when He is in us and He cares enough to send encouragement when i felt unrightly small and inadequate :) He hears our thoughts and is waiting to give us what we need, as soon as we turn our hearts to Him
i know it's not a coincidence for i've searched for the verse before but have never noticed this site, and today the search results didn't retrieve the usual sites that carries the verses even though the search terms i used are similar.. there were many links in the search results but this was the 1st site i clicked on..
the message also reinforces last sunday's sermon about connecting with God's spirit
which resonates with my new year resolution..
extract from activated ministries
Activated Magazine: 2005 Activated Issues > July 2005
“Abide In Me, And I In You” (John 15:4).
In the beautiful 15th chapter of John, Jesus says, “I am the Vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned” (John 15:5–6). If ever you, as a branch, don’t abide in the Vine, Christ—if you don’t abide in His love and His Word—then you will become unfruitful and withered, and you will be pruned from the tree as a dead branch. You won’t lose your salvation, but you will be cast aside as being no longer useful to God and His kingdom.
Without the flow of God’s Spirit there is no life. You must be firmly attached to the Vine where you’re receiving the spiritual sap and life and nourishment that you need directly from the Lord Himself. A lot of how you grow is up to you and how much nourishment you receive, so don’t cut yourself off from the Vine.
Jesus said, “Without Me you can do nothing” (John 15:5). But if you are dwelling in the Vine, as one of the branches, then you can produce beautiful leaves and beautiful fruit so that He and the Father may be glorified and have much fruit (John 15:8).
my thoughts and the messages i've been getting are falling into place so nicely
..my resolution for the new year
..pastor michaels's sermon last sunday
..altar call prayers
..conversations about activated spirit
..pictures and prophesies of God's word and standing firm and being rooted to His word which will be my strength in the face of tsunami waves and storms
and i just found the following article while i was looking for the verse that God spoke to me 2 years ago.. yay.. i'm almost 2 years old :) but hey..God really doesn't belittle the weak, for we are mighty when He is in us and He cares enough to send encouragement when i felt unrightly small and inadequate :) He hears our thoughts and is waiting to give us what we need, as soon as we turn our hearts to Him
i know it's not a coincidence for i've searched for the verse before but have never noticed this site, and today the search results didn't retrieve the usual sites that carries the verses even though the search terms i used are similar.. there were many links in the search results but this was the 1st site i clicked on..
the message also reinforces last sunday's sermon about connecting with God's spirit
which resonates with my new year resolution..
extract from activated ministries
Activated Magazine: 2005 Activated Issues > July 2005
“Abide In Me, And I In You” (John 15:4).
In the beautiful 15th chapter of John, Jesus says, “I am the Vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned” (John 15:5–6). If ever you, as a branch, don’t abide in the Vine, Christ—if you don’t abide in His love and His Word—then you will become unfruitful and withered, and you will be pruned from the tree as a dead branch. You won’t lose your salvation, but you will be cast aside as being no longer useful to God and His kingdom.
Without the flow of God’s Spirit there is no life. You must be firmly attached to the Vine where you’re receiving the spiritual sap and life and nourishment that you need directly from the Lord Himself. A lot of how you grow is up to you and how much nourishment you receive, so don’t cut yourself off from the Vine.
Jesus said, “Without Me you can do nothing” (John 15:5). But if you are dwelling in the Vine, as one of the branches, then you can produce beautiful leaves and beautiful fruit so that He and the Father may be glorified and have much fruit (John 15:8).
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