Those precious moments of stillness.
The timely delivery of His word.
Things I will not take for granted.
Much needed in times like this.
When I lose sight of You,
I must come back. I must.
Showing posts with label Revelation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Revelation. Show all posts
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
It doesn't take much
As I journeyed to the west this morning, I wasn't expecting to think of David (the King).
But He just began revealing so much about this dude whom God strengthened him from young, especially in his faith.
Taken from 1 Samuel 17.
1. Know who you are. Identity. V8,26,36,45-47.
This perhaps was the game changer in the standoff between the Israelites and the Philistines. Sure I think anyone who is familiar with this passage knows that David the young boy did not take Goliath down on his own accord. Given the little odds of winning, David was not the least daunted. Call him ignorant or arrogant, I see him full of faith. Full of faith in a God who is more than able to deliver him.
Goliath saw the Israelites as servants of Saul.
King Saul and Israelites probably saw themselves against the odds in the face of Goliath.
David's brothers saw him as useless to the battle.
King Saul refuted David's request to take on Goliath in his judgement call based on battle experience.
What about David? He simply saw himself as a servant of God. He knew God is One who will deliver him. He wasn't full of pride, but full of faith. An authenticity that reveals itself in the light of a trial.
I suppose this is one of the lessons for me to learn as the camp draws nearer. With a number of tasks and roles unsettled, there are times that I do wonder if I had gone wrong somewhere or perhaps I'm not hearing Him clear enough. I suppose the challenges that come along the way are surely within the Lord's control and there is much more to learn out of them rather simply to resolve them. Admittedly, I wish things would have been gone smoothly. Yet I pray that if this is something God wants me to endure through, then His Will be done.
2. Keep track of what the Lord has done regardless if others are aware. V34-37.
This was probably the substance that gave David the confidence to stand up against Goliath's challenge, to stand before his own King Saul requesting for a go against Goliath.
David had not built a fantastic portfolio till he signed up himself for a job with "maximum life risk". His father and family saw his value as far as a shepherd and a bread runner. King Saul deemed David's odds of defeating Goliath as a sure nil. Goliath saw David as little more than a boy.
David needed no outstanding resume. He shed off all the battle gear that was placed on him for the caution of what if's. He knew well how the Lord had delivered him previously and will again deliver him this time. He was honed in the very tools and weapons he had from the beginning. He needed no insurance in the ways of Man. All he had in him was the Faith in an Almighty God. Though Goliath was armed to the teeth and even donning on a bronze helmet, David took him down with the sling of a stone right in the forehead. Bear in mind that Goliath had a shield bearer in front of him in addition to the helmet he wore.
David was either the biggest bragger in the world or he was sure of what the Lord can do for Him. Be it a lion or a bear, these episodes in his life served to prepare him for a greater calling. The Lord will finally be exalted in this young boy's fullness of faith and confidence in Him.
Sure I can whine over the seemingly meaningless tasks and chores each day, but could I be missing out what the Lord is doing and preparing me for? Without a doubt, He is able to use any and every event in my life to mould me for the unique purpose He has for me.
I have begun to see a glimpse of how He has been doing this and I pray that in time to come, may I be humble and submissive enough to allow Him to work deeper in me.
3. Known by God is far more important than being known by Man. V55.
David the young boy was the youngest of a father of 8 sons. His 3 older brothers served alongside King Saul in the Israelite army and all that was mentioned of David was his going back and forth to tend to his father's sheep.
During the times of peace, hardly anyone who have known or heard of David. He would either be on the move or far out in the pastures tending to the family livestock. Yet for sure, the Lord knew his heart and knew the plan He had for him. David was probably unaware of why the Lord had to put him through encounters with the bear or the lion, and a good chance that no one else knew about it. Yet the Lord had it all planned out perfectly.
David had a heart of humility. All the men of Israel were with King Saul at the battle front yet none of them spoke up about David's bravery against the beasts. I would attribute this to the fact that David had not spoken of these to anyone, not even his father or his brothers. Though unspoken, David remembered well these experiences and clearly, the Lord's hand was on him and delivered him.
The Shepherd's heart. As I pen(type) this down, the Lord just revealed this to me. David was tending to his father's sheep. I'm sure when the bear or lion comes along, David could have avoided a confrontation and allowed the beasts to have their way. But hey! No way David was going to let this happen. He could have gotten away with losing the sheep to the beasts but he had a heart for them. He did not fight the beasts because they turned on him. In fact, he went after the beasts to rescue the sheep.
What good would David be if he was the best slingshot shooter in the world? He could have chosen not to stand up to Goliath if the Lord had not shaped his heart. Seemingly, the battle between the Israelites and Philistines was no business of David's. Yet armed with a faith that is full in the Lord and a heart of a shepherd, David took it upon himself to fight for the Lord. Nope he wasn't coming against Goliath in the name of Israel or King Saul. Simply the Name of the Lord Almighty, the Living God.
Of late, things seemed to be piling up on my plate and it does not help to deal with people-issues at the same time. Having said that, I am reminded that we have our own portion from the Lord, our portion of work, our calling. The Lord knows every bit of work that I do whether I realize that I am doing it for Him or if anyone is even aware of.
The priority for me is to first incline my ears upon His heart, to outstretch my arms to receive His embracing love, to lift up my hands in surrendering my will to do His. And out of these, I believe, is how one's ministry will overflow to minister to people.
Thanks young David. Thanks for being a reminder from the Lord.
But He just began revealing so much about this dude whom God strengthened him from young, especially in his faith.
Taken from 1 Samuel 17.
1. Know who you are. Identity. V8,26,36,45-47.
This perhaps was the game changer in the standoff between the Israelites and the Philistines. Sure I think anyone who is familiar with this passage knows that David the young boy did not take Goliath down on his own accord. Given the little odds of winning, David was not the least daunted. Call him ignorant or arrogant, I see him full of faith. Full of faith in a God who is more than able to deliver him.
Goliath saw the Israelites as servants of Saul.
King Saul and Israelites probably saw themselves against the odds in the face of Goliath.
David's brothers saw him as useless to the battle.
King Saul refuted David's request to take on Goliath in his judgement call based on battle experience.
What about David? He simply saw himself as a servant of God. He knew God is One who will deliver him. He wasn't full of pride, but full of faith. An authenticity that reveals itself in the light of a trial.
I suppose this is one of the lessons for me to learn as the camp draws nearer. With a number of tasks and roles unsettled, there are times that I do wonder if I had gone wrong somewhere or perhaps I'm not hearing Him clear enough. I suppose the challenges that come along the way are surely within the Lord's control and there is much more to learn out of them rather simply to resolve them. Admittedly, I wish things would have been gone smoothly. Yet I pray that if this is something God wants me to endure through, then His Will be done.
2. Keep track of what the Lord has done regardless if others are aware. V34-37.
This was probably the substance that gave David the confidence to stand up against Goliath's challenge, to stand before his own King Saul requesting for a go against Goliath.
David had not built a fantastic portfolio till he signed up himself for a job with "maximum life risk". His father and family saw his value as far as a shepherd and a bread runner. King Saul deemed David's odds of defeating Goliath as a sure nil. Goliath saw David as little more than a boy.
David needed no outstanding resume. He shed off all the battle gear that was placed on him for the caution of what if's. He knew well how the Lord had delivered him previously and will again deliver him this time. He was honed in the very tools and weapons he had from the beginning. He needed no insurance in the ways of Man. All he had in him was the Faith in an Almighty God. Though Goliath was armed to the teeth and even donning on a bronze helmet, David took him down with the sling of a stone right in the forehead. Bear in mind that Goliath had a shield bearer in front of him in addition to the helmet he wore.
David was either the biggest bragger in the world or he was sure of what the Lord can do for Him. Be it a lion or a bear, these episodes in his life served to prepare him for a greater calling. The Lord will finally be exalted in this young boy's fullness of faith and confidence in Him.
Sure I can whine over the seemingly meaningless tasks and chores each day, but could I be missing out what the Lord is doing and preparing me for? Without a doubt, He is able to use any and every event in my life to mould me for the unique purpose He has for me.
I have begun to see a glimpse of how He has been doing this and I pray that in time to come, may I be humble and submissive enough to allow Him to work deeper in me.
3. Known by God is far more important than being known by Man. V55.
David the young boy was the youngest of a father of 8 sons. His 3 older brothers served alongside King Saul in the Israelite army and all that was mentioned of David was his going back and forth to tend to his father's sheep.
During the times of peace, hardly anyone who have known or heard of David. He would either be on the move or far out in the pastures tending to the family livestock. Yet for sure, the Lord knew his heart and knew the plan He had for him. David was probably unaware of why the Lord had to put him through encounters with the bear or the lion, and a good chance that no one else knew about it. Yet the Lord had it all planned out perfectly.
David had a heart of humility. All the men of Israel were with King Saul at the battle front yet none of them spoke up about David's bravery against the beasts. I would attribute this to the fact that David had not spoken of these to anyone, not even his father or his brothers. Though unspoken, David remembered well these experiences and clearly, the Lord's hand was on him and delivered him.
The Shepherd's heart. As I pen(type) this down, the Lord just revealed this to me. David was tending to his father's sheep. I'm sure when the bear or lion comes along, David could have avoided a confrontation and allowed the beasts to have their way. But hey! No way David was going to let this happen. He could have gotten away with losing the sheep to the beasts but he had a heart for them. He did not fight the beasts because they turned on him. In fact, he went after the beasts to rescue the sheep.
What good would David be if he was the best slingshot shooter in the world? He could have chosen not to stand up to Goliath if the Lord had not shaped his heart. Seemingly, the battle between the Israelites and Philistines was no business of David's. Yet armed with a faith that is full in the Lord and a heart of a shepherd, David took it upon himself to fight for the Lord. Nope he wasn't coming against Goliath in the name of Israel or King Saul. Simply the Name of the Lord Almighty, the Living God.
Of late, things seemed to be piling up on my plate and it does not help to deal with people-issues at the same time. Having said that, I am reminded that we have our own portion from the Lord, our portion of work, our calling. The Lord knows every bit of work that I do whether I realize that I am doing it for Him or if anyone is even aware of.
The priority for me is to first incline my ears upon His heart, to outstretch my arms to receive His embracing love, to lift up my hands in surrendering my will to do His. And out of these, I believe, is how one's ministry will overflow to minister to people.
Thanks young David. Thanks for being a reminder from the Lord.
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Digging the Ditches
Today attended the Global Leadership Summit 2011 at Riverlife Church. Though I got up late and 'missed the boat' , thank God I made it on time for the conference.
The GLS is an annual leadership conference usually lasting 2 days, this GLS happens to be my first time in attendance. For more info, you may visit http://www.glssingapore.org/
I honestly did not attend GLS with any expectations to begin with. All I could do was utter a sincere prayer before making my way down, telling God that since I'm already going for the conference, He might as well make use of it to speak to me. Well and He sure did, not just to me but I believe the rest of us who attended.
There were various sessions, interwoven with recesses and meal times. The timely breaks were just long enough for fellowships between the many groups attending the conference. As true blue WRPF people, we sure did make full use of the breaks through our 15 minutes of quick (and I really mean quick) sharing of the first half of the day's sessions. We barely had 30 seconds (There was a countdown timer projected on the main screen!) and we managed to wrap up and close in prayer just 3 seconds before the worship leaders came on stage.
One session after another, the speakers (through broadcasting of the video recordings) never failed to inspire (me) in faith-building and trusting God for greater things. The first 4 sessions today seemed almost like a walk up a flight of stairs, each session building up on the previous one. I thought today in particular I was intrigued by the 4th speaker in session 3, Patrick Lencioni. Visit his profile at http://www.tablegroup.com/pat/
I thought this was it. The most engaging speaker for Day 1 of GLS. But no, I was wrong. When session 4 came on after tea-break, I was glued to the video on Steven Furtick. This was a 31 year old (yes 31!) pastor who hails from America and having grown a church from 4 members to the 8000+ congegation it is in Elevation Church (click to visit them).
Pastor Steven is not to be viewed as some "young punk" who happened to hear God speak and followed whatever God said. Hear it for yourself, his life and journey with the Lord and how the church he started grew (exploded may be a better description here). This dude is now my fav! And I thought Ethel was just going ga-ga over him before he spoke, but I was wrong!!! And now I can't wait to hear him speak at Hillsong Conference 2012! Sydney here I come!
So I share stop sharing about GLS here but just like to post 3 photos that describes what I think YAY! Ministry is going through:
Then after GLS, I went to a wake with several church members. This wake was in memorial of a lady, at a young age of 25, not much older than myself.The father, Mr James Chan commonly known as National Director of YWAM greeted us and thanked us for coming jsust after we paid our respects.
I did not personally know the family, even Mr. Chan. But one thing for sure, I wanted to make this trip because Joanne's life story inspired me in a way when she was alive. I could identify with her since we were quite close of age though I have never met her in my life. Reading all the prayer updates of Joanne's condition going up and down over the past days have caught my attention and thinking to consider my own life.
And I owe it to Joanne that I concluded that I shall not live my whole life pursuing personal desires of earthly things but to cherish the things of eternal value such as souls and salvation. It also got me realizing that if I want something (major in life), prayerfully do it and stop hesitating because life (and time) isn't going to wait around!
And summing up today, is really a bombardment of emotions (quote Aunt Agnes). And I thank God for giving me this experience. Because in any and every circumstance, give thanks to God knowing that He allows all things to happen for good. Greater good.
The GLS is an annual leadership conference usually lasting 2 days, this GLS happens to be my first time in attendance. For more info, you may visit http://www.glssingapore.org/
I honestly did not attend GLS with any expectations to begin with. All I could do was utter a sincere prayer before making my way down, telling God that since I'm already going for the conference, He might as well make use of it to speak to me. Well and He sure did, not just to me but I believe the rest of us who attended.
There were various sessions, interwoven with recesses and meal times. The timely breaks were just long enough for fellowships between the many groups attending the conference. As true blue WRPF people, we sure did make full use of the breaks through our 15 minutes of quick (and I really mean quick) sharing of the first half of the day's sessions. We barely had 30 seconds (There was a countdown timer projected on the main screen!) and we managed to wrap up and close in prayer just 3 seconds before the worship leaders came on stage.
One session after another, the speakers (through broadcasting of the video recordings) never failed to inspire (me) in faith-building and trusting God for greater things. The first 4 sessions today seemed almost like a walk up a flight of stairs, each session building up on the previous one. I thought today in particular I was intrigued by the 4th speaker in session 3, Patrick Lencioni. Visit his profile at http://www.tablegroup.com/pat/
I thought this was it. The most engaging speaker for Day 1 of GLS. But no, I was wrong. When session 4 came on after tea-break, I was glued to the video on Steven Furtick. This was a 31 year old (yes 31!) pastor who hails from America and having grown a church from 4 members to the 8000+ congegation it is in Elevation Church (click to visit them).
Pastor Steven is not to be viewed as some "young punk" who happened to hear God speak and followed whatever God said. Hear it for yourself, his life and journey with the Lord and how the church he started grew (exploded may be a better description here). This dude is now my fav! And I thought Ethel was just going ga-ga over him before he spoke, but I was wrong!!! And now I can't wait to hear him speak at Hillsong Conference 2012! Sydney here I come!
So I share stop sharing about GLS here but just like to post 3 photos that describes what I think YAY! Ministry is going through:
Then after GLS, I went to a wake with several church members. This wake was in memorial of a lady, at a young age of 25, not much older than myself.The father, Mr James Chan commonly known as National Director of YWAM greeted us and thanked us for coming jsust after we paid our respects.
I did not personally know the family, even Mr. Chan. But one thing for sure, I wanted to make this trip because Joanne's life story inspired me in a way when she was alive. I could identify with her since we were quite close of age though I have never met her in my life. Reading all the prayer updates of Joanne's condition going up and down over the past days have caught my attention and thinking to consider my own life.
And I owe it to Joanne that I concluded that I shall not live my whole life pursuing personal desires of earthly things but to cherish the things of eternal value such as souls and salvation. It also got me realizing that if I want something (major in life), prayerfully do it and stop hesitating because life (and time) isn't going to wait around!
And summing up today, is really a bombardment of emotions (quote Aunt Agnes). And I thank God for giving me this experience. Because in any and every circumstance, give thanks to God knowing that He allows all things to happen for good. Greater good.
 |
| YAY! Leaders |
 |
| More YAY! Leaders |
 |
| And more YAY! Leaders |
 |
| Still some more YAY! Leaders |
 |
| "I want to hear from you now" |
 |
| With every ship, comes the captain (and his wife) |
 |
| GLS 2011 |
 |
| Are you ready to step up? |
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Crossroads
How I feel after 48 hours of this weekend.
God has placed 2 unique and independent events in my life.
Is this His sign?
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Jesus Accepted You; Now You Accept Others
So reach out and welcome one another to God's glory. Jesus did it; now you do it! Romans 15:7 (MSG)
God wants you to accept others in the same way that Jesus accepted you.
In faith, we accepted God’s acceptance of us – through Christ – when we were unacceptable, and so we love God by freely offering the same gift – His acceptance – to others.
To love God and to be to others what He is to us …
We must be willing to be for others -- God’s life is a life for others. He always is and does what is best for others. He has a non-selective love for all others. To love God is to have -- in faith -- a non-selective readiness to be for others … all others … any specific other God sends your way.
We must see others as God sees them -- True love, God’s love, is not blind. It sees what those living for themselves do not see. We set aside our judgments in order to “see what eyes have not seen and ears cannot hear” (I Cor. 2:9) so we can help those in need.
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
A New Found Love
I was lost, but now am found.
Grace was given, as I looked toward Heaven.
Lord Jesus Christ, God's Greatest Sacrifice.
As I looked to the Cross, tears fill my eyes.
The Lord challenged me as I prayed on Sunday:
God gave His One and only Son for us,
why is it that we give our love to the world instead?
Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called,
with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love,
being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling;
one Lord, one faith, one baptism,
one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all.
But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ's gift.
Eph. 4:1-7
Grace was given, as I looked toward Heaven.
Lord Jesus Christ, God's Greatest Sacrifice.
As I looked to the Cross, tears fill my eyes.
The Lord challenged me as I prayed on Sunday:
God gave His One and only Son for us,
why is it that we give our love to the world instead?
Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called,
with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love,
being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling;
one Lord, one faith, one baptism,
one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all.
But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ's gift.
Eph. 4:1-7
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