Push While You Pray

 

Having just finished Sun Stand Still by Steven Furtick, has been an incredible journey for myself. The essence of his book was really to encourage Christians to take hold of God's promises and vision in their life, regardless of where they are or what they have been doing, and dare to believe while acting upon His faithfulness.

And I'll probably want to remember this quote he shared from Jim Cymbala, 

I despaired at the thought that my life might slip by without seeing God show himself mightily on our behalf.

Reaching a point in my life that I probably have to make a "major" decision such as a starting job. Up till now, I always thought I had a grip, or a little understanding, of what it meant by Faith. And this book which I bought from my Down Under trip, surely didn't come at a time of coincidence. I believe God must have allowed this book to minister to me as I ponder some of the most difficult decisions.

Now that it is less than 2 months from me entering a new chapter of my life, I find myself being caught in the middle. On one hand, I really can't wait to enter the next phase yet at the same, I hold onto doubts and questions.

One thing for sure. Sun Stand Still has helped to with a motto.
Seize the Vision. Activate the Faith. Make the Move.

It has also given me a fresh perspective of Hope and Faith. How closely assimilated these two traits are, yet so vastly different in their nature. One can choose to stand firm on HOPE yet another finds himself choosing to move by FAITH. The very fact that characters from the Bible have lived out by that principle is likely a lesson God would want His people to comprehend. To know that beyond the Promise and Progress,  there is a Process which His people undergoes.

As for myself, I do look forward to that Process.
The first job.
The next relationship.
The Calling in Life.

For sure and for real it may be tough, it may require endurance. But I have a Hope. A Hope given by the Most High. A Promise to those who seek after Him with all their hearts, to live out His Purpose, will find themselves living by it.

I may have little to offer, but God is more concerned about how much I am willing to offer out of the little.

Pray. Pray for a participation in His miracles and not just a speculation. Pray for fresh revelations constantly and as with any intimate relationship, in deeper love. Pray for a renewal of mind and strength as I face each new day's challenges. Pray for not just a changed life, but a channel for life-changing as well. Pray not for my desires alone, but through seeking His portion for me that I find my satisfaction.

Growing Up (and still growing)

Seek the Lord while He may be found;
Call on Him while He is near.
Let the wicked forsake his way
and the evil man his thoughts.
Let him turn to the Lord,
and he will have mercy on him,
and to our God, for he will freely pardon.
For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways, " declares the Lord.

As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than Your thoughts.

Heavenly Father, I need Your divine intervention; Your wisdom.
Lord, I pray You strengthen me in a time as such.
Father I ask that You show Yourself strong.

OPEN MY EYES, THAT I MAY SEE AND PERCEIVE.
OPEN MY EARS, THAT I MAY HEAR AND UNDERSTAND.

How Much More

Hearing Sunday's message on God's Goodness and His provision, I really didn't see this one coming! =S

I had been hyped up for this coming week's mission trip to Myanmar and halfway through, I hit a roadblock. The amount I expected to raise for the trip was only suffice for the air tickets. I had to raise another sum of it for the lodging and food. Usually for my trips I would take it for granted and ask from my parents.

Well this time round, I wanted to go in faith, by faith. I want to go knowing God is the One providing for me. And He did. The way God worked in the situation, really threw me off and sweeping me off my feet! I cannot imagine in my little brain how God could have turned this around just like that but HE DID.

Just weeks ago, I couldn't come up with enough to pay up for the trip and I had to ask Pastor for deferment. I don't know how and I don't know when but I will do all I can to raise the outstanding amount for the trip. And I thank God for Pastor's understanding to let me pay back later.

Now after tonight, I stand to testify God's provision when we ask of Him. How God always provided for His people especially those who give everything for Him, I may never understand fully but now I have tasted and seen of His Goodness.

I will go forth and be the blessing I was blessed to be. With every cent and bit of the love you all have given, I will put them to use for His glory. And the kids of Myanmar will receive the Good News, knowing that I made it there because of you love and generosity in Him who is able to so much more, exceedingly and abundantly.

On a personal note: My heart is filled with gratitude and warmth of all of your love and giving. Each one of your name written down on the card. Many things tend to be forgotten but I will never forget this. And I pray that as you have given, that you receive much in return and be blessed as you grow more and more in Jesus.   Love you all!

This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. ~ 1 John 3:16

Cake baked with love =)

Hand Burger

The wonderful people

Zac - Always ready

Reminder that my friends are very sweet!

I get it I get it..any takers?

The prop makers

The cake bakers

Eventually I did enjoy the night! ~ Sam and Pavit

Smile always! ~ Zac

Always joyful ~ Jean

I'm 24, not 16 ~ Rachel

Good times ~ Zeph

Keep Growing tall in Him ~ Brian

My awesome sister for life and forever ~ Ethel

Loving siblings ~ Amanda and Ryan

Never fails to make me laugh each and every time ~ James

Stay 'hot' for Jesus! ~ Eudora

You are always a dear friend to all especially me ~ Sarah

Sure glad to know you so much more since 2005 ~ Donnie

The card of love

My version of the "card of life" with the names written on it

All your love, now I hold onto in memory for life

The stand ~ Made with great love and effort

Thought this is quite apt for a sweet friendship

Thank you for the magical night

My symbol of offering to Him for all these blessings in my life

Face(less)book

As I begin my 40-day fast journey with the many other like-minded Christians in Singapore, this year is especially a meaningful one for me personally as I fast and pray for the YAY (Young Adults and Youth) Ministry and myself.

Several key emphasis would be:
- My career/calling in life since I'm a step away from graduation
- My relationship life since I've been *abstaining* from it as I really want to enter into one that God calls me
- My devotion to Jesus since all along I think I'm still not 100% surrendered
- The YAY Ministry to see the "DOWNPOUR" that God has hinted to us

Fasting from:
-Facebook for the next 40days hence I probably will expect a lot of blasting from people as to why I'm not responding
- 7am-7pm food fast at least once a week

I must be wary that fasting isn't about me trying to keep to it because I have to but that I fast because I want to devote myself to praying and interceding and be sensitive to God's voice. Someone wise told me that I'm very poor in relationship handling and a long time ago, another told me that I should learn to be more diplomatic in handling people.

I thank God for people willing to point out my hindsights to me (they are called blindspots for a reason). At the same time, I attribute my present self as a result of growing up in a home that showed no expressions of love but only anger and dissatisfaction. I can only pray that I will not carry this into my own future family and be mindful of the mistakes that I've gone through previously. I know only God can give me the grace to see me through.

This year is interestingly a time for me to grow in specific areas of my life and I'm praying/watching for it. Lord, please don't pass me by. I want to grow in You and love You more. Help me.

Exalted

Him and His Name alone be exalted.

For our God is Holy and Almighty.

He is enduring and forever faithful.

He is able and never slow to rescue.

The God we know, we put our trust in Him.

We want to see revival, we know its only possible by His power.

So come Lord, come and pour Your Spirit on us all.

Let this be my daily prayer

Our Father in Heaven,

hallowed be Your name,

your kingdom come,

your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us today our daily bread,

forgive us our debts,

as we also have forgiven our debtors.

And lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from the evil one.

Amen.

Pray

What have I become?

That passion...fire...hunger...

God sent my dear friend to remind me...

I hope this tides over real soon...