tgif

Working Versus Striving
By Os Hillman, May 24, 2009
Powered By Marketplace Leaders

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
Powered By Marketplace Leaders

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.

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
Powered By Marketplace Leaders

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?

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

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.

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

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).

all i want for 2009 is..

to hear Your voice..

so much have happened this year.. as i think about what has happened the past 2 years, things that happened during childhood also came to mind.. that God has actually been in my life since young, without me really knowing, that i've had His favor since that special moment in kindergarten..

and as i think about 2009, the things that i would like to do.. (so many.. haha) i realize that the only thing that matters most is for me to hear Your voice..

just as i'm thinking about hearing Your voice being all i need.. i came upon this website that helps in hearing God's voice (was actually just browsing random christian graphics from the net.. or so i thought.. :P)
>> godtalkstoyou.com (image source)
thank you Lord for always being there for me and telling me so clearly !! :)

The Lord is my shepherd

Like a Shepherd
TGIF Today God Is First Volume 2 by Os Hillman
Friday, December 26 2008

He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart (Isa 40:11a).
Sometimes we can see Christ modeled in the most unusual ways.

Gerry, our neighbor, is a shepherd to the neighborhood dogs. Once Buddy, the roving black lab of the neighborhood discovered that Gerry was a wellspring of treats by simply pushing open his broken front door, he began bringing other dogs on his visits. They made themselves welcome in his front foyer.

One of them was an older cocker spaniel named Joe Cocker. But unlike Buddy, Joe didn't leave after thirty minutes. He ended up staying for two days! Finally Gerry called the name listed on his dog tag and found out that his owner lived up the road. As Gerry started to walk him home Joe stopped as soon as he reached the hill because he was too weak to climb it. So Gerry picked him up and carried him home. It was not a short walk and Joe was not a small dog.

Day after day this routine continued and I was amazed at how much Gerry grew to love that dog. He'd let him stay at his house for days at a time and Joe was content to just hang out with him and loved to sleep on top of his dirty laundry. Then one day Gerry got a call from Joe's owner to let him know that Joe had died. When Angie called Gerry to see how he was, he choked back the tears as he talked about him.

Jesus is often referred to as the good shepherd in the scriptures and his followers are referred to as His sheep He carries close to His heart. There are times in our lives when Jesus knows that we cannot make it up our own hill in life. It may be because we are facing financial ruin, debilitating health or insurmountable grief. But no matter what the reason, we can trust that Jesus is there to carry us.

Allow Him to pick you up so you can find rest in His arms and comfort in hearing His heartbeat as he carries you close to his heart.

dreams

found a Christian Dream Symbols Dictionary

and also some thoughts about dream interpretation from Hannah's Cupboard
"The one who knows the exact interpretation of every single one of your dreams is God.. Pray before you go to bed that God will speak to you in the nighttime and when you awake that you will understand how he did.

When you have a puzzling dream, submit it to God and ask him to make known the meaning. Then let your mind relax about it and wait. It may come quickly or over a few days or weeks."

"..pray before you go to sleep each night that God will put a hedge of protection around your dreams.. "I will both lie down in peace and sleep; for You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety." (Psalm 4:8) or "For so He give His beloved sleep." (Psalm 127:5)"

"The emotions you feel in your dreams are extremely important in interpreting them. It may be even more important than the dream sequence itself.."

faithfulness

received this word twice from God - once during soaking at transformational worship arts when i asked God what he liked abt me, and once during prophetic circle at cell group.. a brother said God is pleased with my faithfulness to Him. didn’t know what “faithfulness” meant exactly then, but was just happy that God liked something abt me, and that faithfulness is something approved by God.

well last tuesday, i learnt what faithfulness is! from attending bible study with pastor michael on the epistle of James 4&5 titled Faith and the world

faithfulness that God is pleased with would be faithfulness to Him and not to the world. For those who are married to Christ cannot be a friend to the world, that would make one a enemy of Christ..

and the world in this sense doesn’t refer to physical things like money, niteclubs, cinemas or ktv, but it is the invisible spirit of the world, where satan seeks to destroy faith, hope and love. it is a system and invisible environment which is opposed to God. we must use God’s word and truth to guard against the spirit of the world. 1John 4 do not believe every spirit. we must test the spirit by asking whether they confess that Jesus has come in the flesh to deliver us form sin and give us eternal life. James 4:1-2 murder is not physical, but refers to resorting to anything to get what you want, stemming from selfish desires. it could be hurting others through oppression, and killing them spiritually. Galatians 5:19-21 teaches abt fruits of the flesh - fornication, adultery, jealousy, outbursts of anger, sorcery, and fruits of the Holy Spirit, when we abide in God and He in us.

we were dead but have come alive because of Jesus. our old selves have been crucified with Jesus and we have risen up with Jesus and brought into the light from the darkness, and we should shine for Him and set ourselves apart from the world, we must be different, and not be afraid to be different, no matter what people may think, die to ourselves and do whatever God wants us to do. this is not something that i find easy to do, nor do well at, (i struggle quite often in trying to do things that God wants me to do, out of fear of what people might think or feel) but i just keep trying, and God is so encouraging, that He sees my little efforts as pleasing to Him.. :~>

being faithful to Christ, means everything else doesn’t matter, only God matters, and what God wants matters, not what we want. For God is good, and knows best and whatever He gives us would be the best for us, for He has our best interest at heart, so do not complain on our hearts when we see “lack” in things that we have or do not have, for we have no lack! we have all we need in God, all we need is God, and we have the best when we receive whatever God gives us

that means i shouldn’t think about wanting anything because God knows my needs better than me, i should be just happy that i have what suits me best right now, that is focus in loving God!! thank you Lord :)

faithfulness is to present ourselves as an instrument for righteousness. be dead to sin and be alive in Christ. give ourselves to God. who we present ourselves as slave to - to sin which leads to death or obedience which leads to righteousness? die daily and present ourselves to God daily. do not conform to the world, do not let the world squeeze ourselves into its mold, its system and its thoughts but be transformed by our mind when we abide in God and Him in us. the world here refers to ungodly thought patterns, which is emnity to God. it doesn’t refer to the things we do (watching movies, singing ktv), but the spirit abt it.

i think when God says “abide in My love” - it is more than being loved by God, soaking in His love,enjoying His love, but knowing the things God love, knowing His heart and acting on it, and doing His will!

God yearns for us to be faithful to Him and His heart breaks when we sin. Humble ourselves and let God rule. it shouldn’t matter that people hate you, it only matters what God thinks.

knowing now what faithfulness means, i’m just wowed that God that He is pleased with my efforts in learning and trying to be faithful.. WOW GOD thank You for this faithfulness from You to be faithful to You and only You!!

Lord, please help me t be an obedient child, who will be sensitive to your softest sigh and quick to follow Your way and do Your will. Amen

Holy Spirit Baptism

Have you received the Holy Spirit?
When the apostle Paul met the twelve believers in Ephesus (Acts 19:2) he asked them a question - "Have you received the Holy Spirit?" They answered "No, they hadn't even heard about receiving the Holy Spirit". Paul prayed together with them and "the Holy Spirit came upon them and they spoke with tongues and prophesied". The same thing happened to the 120 people waiting on God's promise of His Holy Spirit in Jerusalem on the day we now call Pentecost. They also spoke with tongues and prophesied (Acts 1 & 2 ).

What is the baptism in the Holy Spirit for?
Jesus said that we would "receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you" in Acts 1:8. Power to live holy lives, power to witness, power to pray, to understand scripture, to minister, and to lay our lives down (Acts 9:17-20; John 16:14; Luke 24:24; Rom . 8:26). The Holy Spirit is to be received by all believers so that they can receive, with the power, certain "gifts" from God. Gifts of healing, power wisdom, power faith, power knowledge, power miracle and power to speak the truth of God. In other words , the Holy Spirit is to be received to receive power to be the active "body of Christ" ministering in the earth today. The Apostle Paul said for us to "earnestly desire spiritual gifts" (1 Cor. 12:31, 14:1)

How can I receive the Holy Spirit?
With other Spirit filled Christians or privately, raise your hands up to God in thankfulness and praise. You might close your eyes or leave them open. The important thing is to "ask" - believing God's promise is for you - and then to "receive" of your own free will the blessing of God, called the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. Start to praise God with your voice, tongue and lips. He will not force you to speak in tongues but you may if you wish. As the "Truth" of God's promised blessing fills you, let it set you free. Step out in faith. Try to say something in a language that only God could understand speaking mysteries to God (1 Cor. 14:2). Maybe you will only be bold enough to speak a few syllables but as you boldly repeat them God will bless you with more . Like a child, your new language of prayer to God will grow. Don't be afraid. This language is not for the benefit of other people it is between you and your Lord and Savior. You will probably not even understand what you are saying, but be assured that God says that as you use this prayer language you will be built up and become stronger in faith (Jude 20). Your private worship of God will be blessed. You do not pray in tongues with your mind but with your spirit (1 Cor. 14:14-15) you are praying with y our spirit to God who is a spirit (John 4:24).

Even if you do not have the faith to speak in tongues at this time, its important that you desire to (1 Cor. 14:1,5). One day you may just find yourself doing so. Nevertheless because you invited the Holy Spirit to come into the "house" of your life He ha s (Rev. 3:20). You will therefore find a new intimacy with Him as you worship and study God's ways. A new "fire" will burn in your life. A new fervency for God will be experienced and a new level of faith will be your. From time to time you may find the a rdor of your fellowship at a lower level. No need for alarm - just repent of your distraction and ask the Holy Spirit to fill you anew. There will always be only one "Baptism of the Holy Spirit" but there can be many fillings of the Holy Spirit of God (Ep h. 3:14) God wants you to either be hot or cold - never ever be satisfied with a lukewarm Christian life (Rev 3:14-22). As you walk in the Spirit you will not fulfill the lusts of the flesh (Gal. 5:16-25).

Extracted from Holy Spirit Baptism