Christ is livin'

Once imprisoned; now set free

2012-03-05T20:12:00.000+08:00

Committing a crime brings consequences. Either you will be imprisoned in jail or you will have to pay a penalty.

What if you committed a crime and this random guy paid off your bail and serves your sentence?

“I think that guy must be nuts!”

“I don't even know him. Why will he serve jail term for my sake?”

I reckoned some of your reactions to be like this. Yes even I will think it’s crazy for that random guy to serve my sentence when I didn't even know him.

Do you know that you are imprisoned by your deeds, and Jesus came to pay your debt? I believe some of you reading this now are not even aware that you have been placed in this prison.

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 6:23 (NLT)

Sin brings consequence. The bible states that the wages of sin is death. We pay the price for what we have done with a death penalty. But because God love His creation so much, He sent His son, Jesus, to pay the debt and serve our sentence, all upon that cross.

There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.
John 15:13 (NLT)

Yes I believe some of you don't even know that Jesus died for your sins. You may still be thinking why a man whom you don’t even know would serve your sentence. This is because He has so much love for you, more than enough to drive Him to the cross. This is the only greatest expression of love, and this is found in Jesus.

For you know that God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors. And the ransom he paid was not mere gold or silver. It was the precious blood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God.
1 Peter 1:18-19 (NLT)

Some of us are feeling shameful and unworthy for what we have done. We thought that Jesus couldn't pay off our debts at one go. But my friend, He came as the Lamb of God who took away the sin of the world!

Jesus served your sentence, hence you no longer need to condemn yourself, because by doing so, you’re locking yourself in that prison, telling the jail guard, “I want to serve the jail term myself.” The jail guard will tell you, “But this man served your sentence. How can I bring Him back to life again and let you serve your sentence? Go in peace, your debt has been fully paid!”

Know the depths of His love and grace for you, and be driven to lead a life blameless, holy and worthy for Him today.

The devil tells you, “Go to jail! The jail of condemnation!” Jesus shows you the mark of His hands and say, “I paid your sentence. Now you have been set free. Go and sin no more!”

Armor of God - Helmet of salvation

2012-02-27T15:58:00.000+08:00

11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Ephesians 6:11-17 (NIV)

The helmet is our assurance of salvation. It guards our minds from any attacks of any forms of the enemy. But when we lose focus of who we are in Christ, we are taking out the helmet of salvation because we are not assured of our salvation.

Unknowingly, some of us have been holding the helmet of salvation in our hands without wearing it. When we feel condemnation because of a sin we have committed - which doesn't come from God at all, we begin to feel unworthy. We feel that it's not right for us to step into God's presence because we have done something wrong.

But people are counted as righteous, not because of their work, but because of their faith in God who forgives sinners.
Romans 4:5 (NLT)

However, we are not righteous because of the works that we do; we are righteous through our faith in Jesus Christ. God wants us to come before his throne of grace, confessing our sins, for He is just and willing to forgive us.

The helmet of salvation is not there for you to hold it in your hands; it is meant for you to wear it. Wear this helmet and be assured of your salvation through the finished work of Christ today!

Jesus, let me never lose focus of who I am in You. Thankful for Your finished work on the cross. Let me draw closer even more than before.

Child of His Kingdom

2012-02-21T20:35:00.000+08:00

“His father said to him, ‘Look, dear son, you have always stayed by me, and everything I have is yours. We had to celebrate this happy day. For your brother was dead and has come back to life! He was lost, but now he is found!’”
Luke 15:31-32 (NLT)

The son who stayed by his side was angry as the lost son came back and the father gave him the best robe to wear and killed a fattened calf upon his return. The father didn't even kill a goat of for him to celebrate with his friend. The older brother thought he was showing favouritism towards the younger son.

Little did the older brother realise that whatever the father had was his, until the father mentioned it to him.

Today, God wants to tell his princes and princesses of His Kingdom, “Sons and daughters of the Most High, whatever I have in my kingdom are yours.”

When you envy someone for receiving more blessings than you and you feel angry with God because you have been waiting so long for him to bless you, question yourself, “Did you firstly ask before you wait, or have you simply been waiting for something to happen without asking God?”

Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and he will give you everything you need.
Luke 12:31 (NLT)

Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you.
1 John 2:15 (NLT)

If you have been asking, good for you. Now ask yourself if you have been asking things that He has. I cannot give you your phone charger if I don't have it myself. Similarly, Jesus does not belong to this world, so if you are asking Him for worldly blessings, how can he give it to you when He doesn't even belong to the world?

Jesus says that He will give us everything we need when we seek His kingdom first. He knows best what we need, so don't be angry when you didn't ask receive what you have asked for.

“Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you.
Matthew 7:7 (NLT)

We may be tired of having to constantly ask for things from our parents when we know they will never give it to us. However, let this never be your attitude towards God. Don't stop asking and give up; keep on asking, seeking and knocking, for
He sees the desperation and your faith.

Take heart! For you are children of His Kingdom!

For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.
Ephesians 1:4-6 (NIV)

Holy Spirit Come

2012-02-18T14:04:00.001+08:00

The Holy Spirit cried out in my heart 3 times, “You're pushing me away from your life.” I didn't get what He meant at first, but I found myself crying as He told me what He meant.

“The spirit of condemnation is in your life. Because you let him in, you're birthing other spirits like anger bitterness, etc. Not letting him out is as good as pushing me away. Jesus did not condemn you; it's the lie of the enemy.”

I can't believe that I have been pushing my best friend away from my life. Instead of making my best friend happy, I have been making him sad because of what I've done.

“Jesus paid everything at the cross, so since you already placed your faith in Him, you're counted righteous. Rebuke those spirits so that I can fully step into your life.”

I don't know about you who are reading this now. It may be the spirit of rejection, fear, depression, hatred, bitterness and lust - whatever that is not of God, if you permit them to stay in you, you are bringing destruction to your life - sometimes even the people around you could be negatively affected.

“No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other.”
Matthew 6:24 (NLT)

We can only have one master, and whatever we allow to have dominion over our lives, that is our master. And for me, that's condemnation. Somehow I felt really ashamed that I've allowed it to come into my life, but one thing I know, “God wants to encounter me once again and bring restoration into my life. He wants to set me free.”

Holy Spirit, I want your full control over my life. Come and make me whole again. Use my weakness as a testimony for Your power. I really need you.

In my weakness, I'll boast

2012-02-15T15:25:00.002+08:00

Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.
2 Corinthians 12:9 (NLT)

Three different times Paul begged with the Lord to take away that thorn that was placed in his flesh, and each time this was His simple reply, “Boast in Your weakness.”

Sometimes when we are placed in similar situations, for instance, trials, we may feel that those situations are like thorns poked into our flesh. We thought that those situations are only bringing more suffering and harm, and we beg God to take those situations away from our lives.

But sometimes, God just wants us to boast in our weakness and rely on Him. Instead of desiring to get out of that situation, He wants us to boast in our weakness so that his power may rest on us.

Sometimes the shame that we thought is present stops us from boasting in our weakness. We are afraid at how God looks at us, that He may laugh at us or look at us differently after we boast in our weakness. However, He long beforehand knew what our weaknesses were. If you are not boasting in your weakness, formality is a wall blocking you from growing into an intimate relationship with God.

Take for example, if you have a close friend, and he is the only friend you can trust, won’t you confide and tell him the situations in your life so that he can maybe work out a solution for you or encourage you a little? What more when Jesus is a friend who sticks closer than a brother (Proverbs 18:24)! You don’t need to be afraid that he’ll go around boasting to his angels about your weakness. Break the wall of formality and boast gladly about your weakness so that His power will rest upon you.

If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.
1 Corinthians 12:26 (NIV)

Also, when God tells you to confide in your leaders regarding this matter, your first reaction may be, “So embarrassing! I rather not say it out.” Since you and your leader also belong to the body of Christ, God has placed them as strength to the body. Boast and trust that the person you’re confiding in will not take it for bad intentions, for the body of Christ are supposed to encourage and build each other up (1 Thessalonians 5:11).

That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
2 Corinthians 12:10 (NLT)

Only when I am weak, then I am strong. Not boasting in my weakness is as good as saying, “I have no weakness,” which is actually not true. It is only when I boast and admit that I am weak, then Christ’s power can rest on me.

I rather suffer more for Christ, so that I can rely on Him and let his power rest on me. May I only boast in the Lord…

Who can stand against?

2012-02-11T23:34:00.000+08:00

As the Amorites retreated down the road from Beth-horon, the LORD destroyed them with a terrible hailstorm from heaven that continued until they reached Azekah. The hail killed more of the enemy than the Israelites killed with the sword.

On the day the LORD gave the Israelites victory over the Amorites, Joshua prayed to the LORD in front of all the people of Israel. He said,
“Let the sun stand still over Gibeon,
and the moon over the valley of Aijalon.”

So the sun stood still and the moon stayed in place until the nation of Israel had defeated its enemies.
Joshua 10:11-13 (NLT)

The Lord was fighting for Joshua's army. The hailstorm killed more of the enemy than Joshua's army killed by the sword.

But one factor stopped them from continuing to fight that battle: the sun was setting. It means that they have to stop fighting and the Amorites will have ample rest to fight the battle the next day.

But Joshua knew this:

If God is for us, who can ever be against us?
Romans 8:31 (NLT)

Since God was fighting for them by sending a hailstorm to kill those Amorites, why can't God stop the sun? If God is for them in the battle, who can stand against them, let alone the sun?

Whatever situations that we may be facing today, let us begin to look in the perspective of Joshua, “Since my God is for me, who could ever be against me?”

We can do anything

We can do all things

Our God is with us

Who can stand against?

EdgeWorship EP - Let Faith Arise

Brokenness

2012-02-06T21:12:00.003+08:00

On the day the LORD gave the Israelites victory over the Amorites, Joshua prayed to the LORD in front of all the people of Israel. He said,
“Let the sun stand still over Gibeon,
and the moon over the valley of Aijalon.”
Joshua 10:12 (NLT)

Last Saturday (which was like 2 days ago...) my youth Pastor Jeremy Seaward delivered an awesome word titled Sun stand still. The word taught me to have the Sun stand still faith like Joshua. Stated in Joshua 10:12, when Joshua spoke an audacious prayer in front of the people of Israel, for the Sun to stand still over Gibeon, the sun really stood still and the Lord gave victory to the Israelite army.

Halfway through while the Pastor was still speaking, my thoughts were wrestling against each other. While one side told me to believe and trust in God, the other told me to focus on my current situation and tell myself, “It's impossible.”

As I prayed for God's power to be over my situation, I totally broke down. I wept and I cried out to God, “Father, help me overcome my unbelief!” I didn't know how many times I said that. Through my prayer, all I knew was that I couldn't stop crying out the name of Jesus. He challenged me to have that Sun stand still faith, that no matter how much I was facing and going through, I need to recognise who God is.

As I uncontrollably wept, I heard these words ringing non-stop in my ears, “Treasures in jars of clay.” I didn't know what it meant initially, but I just decided to check out the bible, and this verse stood out:

We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves.
2 Corinthians 4:7 (NLT)

God spoke to me that I'm like a light being placed in a clay jar, but unless that clay jar is totally broken, that light cannot be emitted. To let that light give out its full potential, my jar need to be broken till it’s beyond repair.

I hear that reassuring voice of God telling me, “Joy, it’s okay to cry. You held your emotions for so long. It's time to let it all out. Lean on my strong arms and cry out.”

Just want to encourage all of you reading this now not to be afraid of being broken. Only when you're fully broken, you can learn to rely fully in His power.

I rely on You Father. You're all that I need. Though I'm nothing, use my life for Your glory. Glorify Your Son through my life... Thank You Jesus for You hear the cry of the broken. I lean on You today.

One language to explain the Holy Spirit best is the language of the heart and tears.
Pastor Philip Mantofa

You're worth it all

2012-02-02T19:13:00.000+08:00

A dinner was prepared in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, and Lazarus was among those who ate with him. Then Mary took a twelve-ounce jar of expensive perfume made from essence of nard, and she anointed Jesus’ feet with it, wiping his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance.

But Judas Iscariot, the disciple who would soon betray him, said, “That perfume was worth a year’s wages. It should have been sold and the money given to the poor.” Not that he cared for the poor—he was a thief, and since he was in charge of the disciples’ money, he often stole some for himself.

Jesus replied, “Leave her alone. She did this in preparation for my burial. You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.”
John 12:2-8 (NLT)

I gave Jesus a few minutes of my time. I hastily finished my devotions and prayed to God just because I need to continue on with my studies. If I feel that giving Jesus a few minutes of my time is enough so long as I did spend time with Him, I don't think I'm giving Jesus my all.

The world tells us: Study is everything. It determines your future. If you don't study, you have no future. The world tells you that you should spend your time studying. The father of all lies tells you that it's a waste giving your time to Jesus. He hates you taking your time aside- even 1 second of your time for Jesus.

Are you having the Judas's thinking that your time should be given to engage in other things than to give them to Jesus? Are you selling your time to things that will not last?

My prayer for everyone reading this today is that we will not consider or compromise other things above Jesus. My prayer is that we won't be feeling guilty just because we have spent too much time with Jesus that we begin to feel regretful. I don't want to count the amount of offerings I am giving to Jesus; I don't want my left hand to know what my right hand is doing (Matthew 6:3). All I desire, is for myself to have the mindset of Mary: to pour out everything I have to Jesus.

Mary knew that Jesus was worth that amount of perfume; Jesus was more worth than a year's wages. In fact, Jesus is worth even more than that- He paid a debt He didn't owe!

I don't want to care about the amount that I am giving to Jesus. Even though Jesus deserved more than that, all I know is that I will give everything to Jesus, because He is worth it all. Give Jesus everything today. Surrender and open your hearts to the King.

No matter what the cost, O Lord, everything is worth pouring out. You are worth it all Jesus. Take all of me.

Know Jesus!

2012-01-24T18:47:00.000+08:00

Here are just 10 thoughts you can question yourself to find out if you really know Jesus:

1) If I found out about Jesus through my friends or through people who have evangelized to me, most probably I don't know Jesus yet (Romans 10:10)
2) If I believe Jesus won't accept me just because of the screwed past I had, or just because I've backslidden, most probably I don't know Jesus well (1 John 2:1)
3) If I think Jesus chooses perfectionist and qualified to come into His service, most likely I need to check out who Jesus really is (1 Corinthians 1:26-31)
4) If I believe miracles are of the past - I don’t believe that Jesus can work a miracle in my life, most probably I need to know the Power of God (1 John 14:12)
5) If I don't know the voice of Jesus - if I cannot distinguish between the voice of the enemy and the voice of God, most probably I don't know Jesus well yet (John 10:27)
6) If I doubt God's intentions and plans for my life, and I believe my plan is the better plan, most probably I don't really know Jesus (Jeremiah 29:11)
7) If I tend to worry about things - even the slightest things, most probably I'm not placing my full trust in Jesus yet (Matthew 6:34)
8) If I think Jesus purposefully wants to make me suffer in situations just because I've sinned against Him, most probably I don't know Jesus well (2 Corinthians 4:17)
9) If I think Jesus condemns me when I sinned against Him, most probably I don't know the character of Jesus that well (John 3:17)
10) If I'm giving Jesus all the praise at good times and blaming Him in all bad situations, most probably I don't know Jesus well enough (1 Thessalonians 5:18)

When I really know Jesus, these situations shouldn't be a part of a play in my life. When I really know Jesus, I recognise who Jesus is, and I don't misunderstand Him at all. Hard times shouldn't distort the Jesus I knew. When I really know Jesus, there should be a relationship between me and Him, and the relationship shouldn't just be on the surface; I will have a desire to get deeper and closer into His presence, until I can distinctively recognise His voice. Even the people around will call you blessed because the Lord's favour is upon your life!

You see, I can go to Google and search, “Who is Jesus?” I can find out 1000, or even infinite facts about Jesus. I can sit in church every Sunday and have the word of God preached to me. I can take up some bible courses or become a bible scholar myself. I can memorise the entire bible and quote from scripture to scripture. But, in the end, I only know about Jesus; I don’t know Jesus at all - know the difference!

For we also have had the gospel preached to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because those who heard did not combine it with faith.
Hebrews 4:2 (NIV)

Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.
John 1:12-13 (NIV)

I cannot know a friend well unless I step into a relationship with him or her. Same here, I need to step into a relationship with Jesus to know Him, and this requires faith on my part.

Others, like seed sown on good soil, hear the word, accept it, and produce a crop—some thirty, some sixty, some a hundred times what was sown.
Mark 4:20 (NIV)

Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you.
James 4:7-8 (NIV)

For those who already have a relationship with Jesus, good for you! But if all those 10 situations are a playing a part in your life, maybe you need to go closer to God through the word, for the word is God and He is the word (John 1:1). If you really know Jesus, you will really know the heartbeat of Christ, and neither the devil nor anyone can take away the truth you know about Jesus.

Is the Jesus you know the Jesus you should know? Do you just know about Jesus, or do you really know Jesus? It's time to know Jesus for yourself, if you haven't.

Super thankful!

2012-01-19T20:45:00.001+08:00

Cute right? Haha! :D

Super thankful for street e today! Went with Valerie, Jessica, Alistair, Randy and Joel Lin to Serangoon NEX!

Before we went to street e Jesus gave me a word:

Multitudes, multitudes
in the valley of decision!
For the day of the LORD is near
in the valley of decision.
Joel 3:14

The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners,
Isaiah 61:1

God told me to pray over the place that we're doing street e, that it will be a place where there are multitudes in the valley of decision, and that he has given me an anointing to bring the Gospel to His people. So I prayed over the place and the group of us that are going there.

Then Val, Jess and me decided to go to MacDonalds at Serangoon Ave 3... Tho we were supposed to start at 6.30, by the time we walked there, it was already 7 - the time we had to meet those boys. In my heart I was asking God: "How do I do now with so little time?"

He just told me, "Go!"

Ok so the three of us spoke to 3 girls sitting at MacDonalds, and we got the chance to share the Gospel and I got the chance to share my testimony and the miracles that I encountered in my life. Thank God all three of them received Jesus into their hearts! Glory to Jesus!

So while I was taking the bus back home, I really felt happy that I can see salvation happening today. At the same time God spoke to me:

"I kept you alive for this very purpose, that you will proclaim my power to the people around you."

Super thankful that I am alive today and can be a part of this creative plan. As much as I want to have a dream that these 3 girls will become passionate worshipers of Christ, somehow there's something burning in my heart, that God wants to use me as a revivalist to shake nations and proclaim His power anywhere I go.

Thankful to Jesus.. Dad thanks, for you never fail... :)

Abundance coming your way!

2012-01-16T21:37:00.000+08:00

Maybe you are in a situation where you have been trying to make ends meet. You are having financial situations or debts and feel like you have been living in days of famine, where you are trying to scrimp and save just to get your daily meals. Today, God wants to tell us, that even in days of famine, we can still prosper and reap in abundance!

Isaac planted crops in that land and the same year reaped a hundredfold, because the LORD blessed him. The man became rich, and his wealth continued to grow until he became very wealthy. He had so many flocks and herds and servants that the Philistines envied him
Genesis 26:12-14 (NIV)

How can Isaac plant and reap crops in the days of famine? People around him must be thinking: “Well this fellow must be nuts. Why not just go to Egypt and collect some food rations so that his family will survive?” Even Isaac initially thought of going down to Egypt to get food (Genesis 26:1). But God stopped him and told him clearly, “Stay in this land for a while, and I will be with you and bless you (Genesis 26:3).” You see, obedience in the Lord leads to a bountiful blessings coming your way (Proverbs 3:6). People out there may be suffering and going out to buy food for survival, but you will be there reaping crops; even counting to a hundredfold (Genesis 26:12)!

When we are firm in the Lord and when we shift our focus onto Jesus, we’ll prosper and never fear. Even in days of famine and drought, we will never fail to bear fruit. When we fix our eyes on Jesus, no matter what may come our way, we will be able to supernaturally walk and prosper. Even Peter initially fixed his eyes on Jesus, and he could walk while the storm was raging (Matthew 14:29). But when he took his eyes off Jesus, immediately he fell (Matthew 14:30). You may be like Peter today, shouting for Jesus, “Lord, save me in this situation!” But the Lord wants you to concentrate on Him alone; to trust and not doubt (Matthew 14:31).

“Cursed is the one who trusts in man,
who draws strength from mere flesh
and whose heart turns away from the LORD.
That person will be like a bush in the wastelands;
they will not see prosperity when it comes.
They will dwell in the parched places of the desert,
in a salt land where no one lives.”
Jeremiah 17:5-6 (NIV)

When you trust in yourself and are having the mindset that, “I can do things with my own strength,” and you reject the Lord’s blessings, you are like a bush in the wastelands, not seeing prosperity when it comes, “I hate what I am facing now. All the problems are like a heavy load upon me.” This is because you are concentrating too much on the current situation you are facing that you are missing out the Lord’s blessings upon your life. Drawing strength from your mere flesh is akin to dwelling in the dry places of the desert, where your strength is used up and you try to seek help but no one is around. Only Jesus can satisfy your need.

“But blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD,
whose confidence is in him.
They will be like a tree planted by the water
that sends out its roots by the stream.
It does not fear when heat comes;
its leaves are always green.
It has no worries in a year of drought
and never fails to bear fruit.”
Jeremiah 17:5-8 (NIV)

Put your confidence in the Lord today. The Lord is saying that anyone who puts his confidence in him will never fear when heat comes; it leaves are always green. It will have no worries in a year of drought for he will always bear fruit. Notice that drought and fruit, or heat and green leaves doesn’t make sense or any link at all. How can be produced fruits be produced in a drought or the leaves remaining green when heat comes? Most probably the drought will let all the fruits be dried up or the leaves will turn brown and wither. But take heart today, for our God is a supernatural God and he wants to usher us to a supernatural and abundant season, where we will prosper and be crowned with abundance.

Let the poor say I am rich and let the weak say I am strong. Blessed are you who trust in the Lord for you will see abundance coming your way!

You feed them from the abundance of your own house,
letting them drink from your river of delights.
Psalm 36:8 (NLT)

The LORD watches over you—
the LORD is your shade at your right hand;
the sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon by night.
Psalm 121:5 (NIV)

#Fuel30

2012-01-13T09:34:00.000+08:00

Great to be starting out on the fuel 30 bible reading program with TheEDGE, reading the whole New Testament in just 30 days! Haha initially I thought it was nuts that I must read the whole New Testament in 30 days- it just blows my mind okay? Haha but thanks be to Jesus that I can always finish reading the fuel 30 plus the 1 year whole bible plan that is still ongoing. Thank God for His strength and favor, and also the fire that He inserted into my heart that makes me want to quickly finish school and continue reading on. Sometimes, without realising, I read over the plan heehee! :p

To me, getting a revelation from God's word everyday is like striking lottery! I get a great satisfaction everyday when I found a revelation, and I am always thankful that Jesus never fails to speak to me. Haha I can imagine the times when I read and I am in Jesus's arms, and He goes so close to me and speak to my ears. It's important to speak to God, it's also as important to hear God!

So i just thought I could share something that God spoke to me yesterday:

For the whole bible plan yesterday, these particular verses caught my entire attention. I even went to bed thinking: "Woah this is crazy mann!" How can Peter's shadow heal the sick and set the demonic oppressed free?

Outrageous, outrageous, outrageous. While I stood in awe of the shadow, Jesus spoke to me

Child, your shadow can be as outrageous as Peter's.

That's it. I decided to read to on, and I discovered so many things that Peter actually did for the church of God, and the time he spent in God's presence. Peter, you are a freak - a Jesus freak!

Then, as I read on in Acts 9, by the power of God, Tabitha was raised to life. Peter, you're a crazy dude!

God continued to tell me that spending time in His presence is important- not only being present, but dwelling (living) in the shelter of the Almighty will let the walls break down and I'll realise that I can be as close to Jesus! I can be doing even greater works than what the apostles are doing:

Conclusion: Be a Jesus freak and you will be a carrier of His presence. Even your shadow will become freaky- the sickness and the demons will freak out!

With Jesus, it ain't over!

2012-01-10T20:54:00.000+08:00

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”
John 10:10 (NIV)

I recalled the first day of Primary 1. I was so excited to go to school to meet my new friends. I bet that if you knew me during my primary school days, I would tell you: “I love going to school because of friends and the ice cream!”

Until I reached Primary 5 and I had a change of school. I wouldn't deny that the absence of ice-cream was part of the reason why I didn't like school as much as before. When I reached Primary 6, where the Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE) was around the corner, stress overcame me, and I didn't like school because of exams.

As the years went on, proceeding to Secondary school life, I didn't like the numerous amounts of subjects I needed to take. The long hours of school dampened my spirit all the more: “Why must I wake up early? Why are there so many subjects to take? So stressed up...”

End of Secondary school life (Hooray! Well, I'll take back that cheer for now). Coming to Poly life, I wasn't well adjusted into the school system where they don't spoon-feed students anymore. Everyday, a presentation and reflection journal was needed to be handed in by the end of the lesson. “Sian (singlish word for boring). I hate school!”

I was saying sian everyday until God had to knock at the doors of my heart: “Child, where had your initial joy of going to school gone to?”

Well, that was a real knock in the head. If you are reading this right now, and have been always saying that your life is sian (boring) or you have been saying this for the past 5 minutes, maybe this is for you.

Jesus is telling us that He is here to give us life to the full. So stop wagging your tongue and telling yourself that you have no life. The devil stole your joy of living, but with Jesus, it ain't over! “Whatever. You don't know my situation. I have so many problems at hand. Let me just die.” My friends, look back to Jesus, and ask for a restoration of His joy into your life.

Maybe you are dealing with your past hurts that have been compiling up like a mountain, and you don't know how to get out of it. Friend, you are not alone. One thing you must be aware of is that the devil had destroying the image of the people you think they have inflicted hurt upon, stolen away your joy or your happy relationship with your parents, and he is killing that peace in your heart. If your life is being affected in a negative way because of this, it is not of God but of the thief. The thief doesn't have the final say; the restorer has the final say!

If you are dealing with a health issue, or your loved one has been dealing with it over a period of time, I want to assure you that this is from the thief as he had stolen away your health, and you can have your health restored just by calling on the name of Jesus. The positive result of you having the illness in your body doesn't have the final say, because with Jesus, it ain't over!

Do you identify yourself with anything that has been stolen, killed or destroyed? It can be your broken or dashed dreams, joy, peace and even your health. Begin to call upon Jesus and believe that He has given you a life to have it to the full. Remember, with Jesus, it ain't over!

For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.
Luke 19:10 (NIV)

As a shepherd looks after his scattered flock when he is with them, so will I look after my sheep. I will rescue them from all the places where they were scattered on a day of clouds and darkness.
Ezekiel 34:12 (NIV)

A beautiful exchange

2012-01-05T15:10:00.004+08:00

“Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.” Then an angel from heaven appeared and strengthened him. He prayed more fervently, and he was in such agony of spirit that his sweat fell to the ground like great drops of blood.
Luke 22:42-44 (NLT)

Put yourself in Jesus's shoes. You are going to be betrayed by your disciple and are going to be sent to be crucified. I believe you, even I, will be praying like Jesus, for the cup of suffering to be taken away from me. Yet it was for God's will for all to be saved through Jesus. Thankfully, Jesus endured the cross, and now, because of the victory on the cross, we can have this beautiful exchange:

1) Punishment to eternal life

Yet it was our weaknesses he carried; it was our sorrows that weighed him down. And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God, a punishment for his own sins!
Isaiah 53:4 (NLT)

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 6:23 (NLT)

Whatever that Jesus bore - shame, humiliation, torture, death (John 19), we were all supposed to bear these things, given that we are sinful. But Jesus took what we deserved - our punishment, in exchange for us to have eternal life.

2) The old self to a new creation

This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!
2 Corinthians 5:17 (NLT)

We know that our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives. We are no longer slaves to sin.
Romans 6:6 (NLT)

When we accept Jesus as our personal Lord and Saviour, our old self was crucified at the cross, and through Christ's death, we exchange our old self to a new creation. We are no longer slaves to sin; we are children of the Most High God!

For we know that when this earthly tent we live in is taken down (that is, when we die and leave this earthly body), we will have a house in heaven, an eternal body made for us by God himself and not by human hands. We grow weary in our present bodies, and we long to put on our heavenly bodies like new clothing. For we will put on heavenly bodies; we will not be spirits without bodies. While we live in these earthly bodies, we groan and sigh, but it’s not that we want to die and get rid of these bodies that clothe us. Rather, we want to put on our new bodies so that these dying bodies will be swallowed up by life.
2 Corinthians 5:1-4 (NLT)

God also promises us that when we leave our physical body, we will have heavenly new bodies specially handcrafted by God!

3) Sickness to wholeness

But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed.
Isaiah 53:5 (NLT)

Jesus was beaten so that we could exchange our sickness for healing. If you are currently sick, no matter how minor the illness may be, begin to declare that you will be made whole because of the whippings Jesus endured on the cross. Let the weak say I am strong!

4) Defeat to continuous victory

For every child of God defeats this evil world, and we achieve this victory through our faith.
1 John 5:4 (NLT)

Together they will go to war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will defeat them because he is Lord of all lords and King of all kings. And his called and chosen and faithful ones will be with him.
Revelation 17:14 (NLT)

You may have failed before, and you deemed yourself as a failure for life. How can you determine your past like a prophecy book? Your past is a history book, and it is a crossover to let success reign in your life when you are determined to say: “I will not walk back to this again!”

You may currently be suffering from addictions now, and no matter how much you tried to kick that off, it refuses to leave your life. Friend, begin to declare the victory of Jesus upon your life! If Jesus can conqueror and triumph over death on the cross, what makes you think you are going to stay a failure forever? Exchange your past defeat to a constant victory through Jesus!

What a beautiful exchange! Thank Jesus for what He has done, and start claiming the promises He has for your life. You are loved by Jesus today and forever!

Lastly, just wanna share a song that I just heard today after I blogged. I didn't know this song existed haha! :D

A beautiful exchange

Lyrics:

You were near
Though I was distant
Disillusioned I was lost and insecure

Still mercy fought
For my attention
You were waiting at the door
Then I let You in

Trading Your life
For my offenses
For my redemption
You carried all the blame

Breaking the curse
Of our condition
Perfection took our place

When only love
Could make a way
You gave Your life
In a beautiful exchange

My burden erase, my life forgiven
There is nothing that could take this love away

My only desire, and sole ambition
Is to love You just the same

When only love
Could make a way
You gave Your life
In a beautiful exchange

When only love
Could break these chains
You gave Your life
In a beautiful exchange

Holy are You God
Holy is Your name
With everything I've got
My heart will sing how I love You

Draw me closer

2012-01-02T01:12:00.000+08:00

Daddy Jesus, bring me and draw me even closer to You today. I want to feel Your presence 24/7. I'm not satisfied because sometimes I am feeling that You are not near. Of course, this is the wrong of my part, for I know that You never left me or forsaken me at all. Who am I that I should ask for such things? I know, God, that I am nothing, but because of Your love, and because of the death Jesus paid on the cross, I became the child of the Most High.

Father, teach me to humble myself before Your throne. I know that there is a difference between being prideful because of what I've done, versus being prideful because of what You have done through me. Father, you said You oppose the proud and give grace to the humble. Let me learn to recognise that You are the source of every glorious work that I am currently doing now. I learn and promise to give You the glory today.

Bring me and draw me closer to You, God. Knock down every walls and ceilings that have been stopping Your presence from coming through. Lord I want a greater fire, so evident in my life that people will recognise You through me, and that I am a person that You have blessed.

Bless my family, my leaders You have placed above me, and those Poly friends around me. May my family come to realisation that I am on the road to walk on Your path. I surrender, die to self and take my daily supply of grace today. Use me Lord for Your glory.
In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
Psalm 91:1
Lord I want You closer. Let me not depend on emotions, but on the faith of Yours... I need You more than yesterday...

Bring it on 2012!

2011-12-31T14:34:00.001+08:00

Thankful for what God has done in 2011. God spoke to me so much in this year, so much so that sometimes I asked him: "Hey Dad, why you speak so much?" Haha of course, I'm just joking with Him. Grateful for the times that He assured and spoke to me, and I believe one of the greatest topics that he spoke to me of, which I will bring it in the years ahead, was about relying on His strength and grace. "Lay on my strength and grace, for you are a mighty warrior."

Thankful for the friends I made in Polytechnic and in church. I thank God for leaders that He placed in my life, my discipler Karina and my friends who have been such a great encouragement in my walk with God. I don't know how many people I have strengthened or encouraged in this year, but I believe that God has been using me for you people, and I'm honoured and glad to be of help! :D

Ready and set to go for 2012. Believing for a greater fire and passion to rise up in me for the year 2012. I'm not ever satisfied with the fire that I'm having for Jesus now, knowing that there is more room for me to grow. I thank Jesus for bringing me closer this year, and I believe for greater things to come in this year ahead (Of course, I'll be faithful with the small things first :p)

So bidding goodbye to 2011, and saying hi to 2012... Daddy Jesus, we're going to enjoy this journey together! :D

A mighty warrior

2011-12-28T20:27:00.000+08:00

“Pardon me, my lord,” Gideon replied, “but how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family.”
Judges 6:15

Gideon was threshing wheat in a winepress while the angel appeared to him, telling him that the Lord was going to use him to save Israel. Gideon, judging his own worth, questioned: “How can God use me to save Israel when I am the smallest in the clan and the least member in the family?”

When we are out in the wild, in the battlefield, where we cannot see the victory, we tend to look at the tunnel; at the valley of the shadow of death, concentrating on the darkness, and we question God: “Why I am not seeing the victory? When is the victory ever coming?” Even Gideon was focusing on the power and the oppressiveness of the Midanites. Having given over to the Midanites for 7 years, Gideon must be having the thought: “I have to thresh wheat in the winepress forever.”

Sometimes, we find ourselves like Gideon, judging our strength and self-worth. When we do things in our own strength, we see our limitations: “But I am the least in the family. How can God even use me?” or “I only have this amount of strength. I don't think I'll be able to finish this battle.”

Like Gideon, we sometimes give up and misunderstand God when we don't see His hands moving in the situation: “But the Lord has abandoned us and given us into the hands of Midan (Judges 6:13).” We concluded that God wanted to bring sufferings upon us, and he had abandoned us.

Looking at our strength, our self-worth, and having the misconception of the anger that God had, we give up the fight. Friend, today I assure you, that God is never angry with you for the wrong things you have done in the past. Sometimes such sufferings will come upon us so that we will realise that God is Lord over all. Like the Israelites who did not care about grieving God, being complacent and constantly doing evil, they had to go through such trials so that their eyes may be fixed back to the fact that God is the one who saved them, and He is Lord over their lives.

Cease fixing your eyes on the limited strength you have. God gave us this promise, that He'll never leave us and forsake us. Just like what God told Gideon: “I will be with you, and you will strike down all the Midanites, leaving no one alive (Judges 6:16),” God is also giving us strength to strike down our enemy, the devil, just by calling out the name of Jesus.

Gideon had so much fear that he began threshing wheat in the winepress, but God assured him that he will be fine. The same goes for us. When we identify that fear and doubt, claim the promises of Jesus: “I have not given you the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7),” the more we shouldn't fear, but begin to strike down all doubts. Jesus has given us the power and authority to strike down the devil because of His death on the cross.

Also, stop focusing on the darkness in the tunnel. David said: “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me (Psalm 23:4).” David knew that the victory is in God's hands. Same for us, we should stop looking at the darkness. Though the darkness blind our eyes from seeing the light at the end of the tunnel, it doesn't mean the light is not there.

God called Gideon a mighty warrior though he looked upon himself as a weakling, being the smallest in his family. Friend, start to fix your eyes on Jesus and the victory that is still there at the end of the battle. Fix your eyes on Jesus's strength, for God is calling you a mighty warrior!

It's Christmas!

2011-12-22T20:47:00.000+08:00

Christmas is round the corner! As the world defines Christmas as the Christmas tree, Santa Claus and Rudolf, let's take this festive season to share with others the true meaning of Christmas today when we celebrate Jesus!

The video above is a letter written from various bible verses. To simply summarise, God wants to tell us that He loves us. God loves you friend! :D

Lastly, I just thought that I could put a conversation that I made with the Lord. Though it was meant to be private, but well, good things are meant to be shared! Hope some of you will be encouraged and strengthened by this:

Me: “Hi Daddy it's me again!”

God: “Hi child. You are Daddy's Joy.”

Me: “Dad, I always thank You for the love that You have for me. It's just so great and overwhelming! I love and want and am always looking forward to being in Your presence. I just want more of You Dad.”

God: “I love You too much, too much till You have been always on my mind. Nothing can stop my love from flowing through your life, not even death.”

Me: “Dad, I just want to get even closer to You. I cannot wait for the day that I get to meet You in heaven and we get to embrace each other.. Wow that's so cool! I'm excited!”

God: “Well, I have a great plan for you and for my people. Continue to stay strong in faith even when you are walking through rough waters, for I'm always there embracing You with my love.”

Me: “Dad, forgive me for the times I've made You cry because of what I have done. Though sometimes the Holy Spirit told me not to do it, I did not listen. I blame myself for not listening to You...”

God: “Child, I'm not angry with You. Remember, I have not sent my Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him. As long as You had repented, I am ready to forgive.”

Me: “But I kept going back to the same sin over and over again. One minute I am crying and asking for forgiveness, the next minute I go back to the same thing.”

God: “Beloved, just remember that I'm willing to forgive. Continue to lay in the river of grace, and understand the true meaning of repentance.”

Me: “Daddy, I want a repentant and a clean heart. I know that I can never do this on my own.”

God: “When you fall down I'll pick you up. Don't focus on the failures of your life, but on the victory that is to come. In my eyes, you are not a failure but a winner! You are not a loser but a conqueror!”

Me: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me! Daddy, thanks for believing in me...”

God: “You're my beloved daughter. I'll always love you, child. You're Daddy's biggest Joy!”

Me: “Haha thank You Daddy! I'm proud of having a loving Daddy like You!”

God: “Haha love ya!”

Me: “Love ya too! Daddy you so cute sia...”

God: :p

(I don't know why, but I always thought of Daddy Jesus as a cute Dad. Always thanking Him for being so personal!)

Resting in Jesus - Part 2

2011-12-16T23:11:00.002+08:00

Jesus promised: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you (Matthew 7:7). When we pray and ask God for things in our life to come to pass, we should rest in Him. However, sometimes doubts run wild in our minds and we questioned the existence and intentions and of God: “God, are you real? Then why aren't you answering my prayers?”

Sometimes, it is not that God doesn't accede to our request. It was the doubts that stop the prayer from being answered. When we keep doubting and doubting, constantly thinking of possible outcomes, we become blinded to the initial outcome that we desired for. Instead of hoping for the answer to our prayer, we are too focused on the outcome that was not even purposed for. The answer to our prayers resulted from the strong focused unintended outcome.

We should believe that God's word is forever settled in heaven (Psalm 119:89). Doubting is like undoing the promises that Jesus initially spoke about, because when He spoke: “I have good plans for your life” (Jeremiah 29:11) and doubts begin to rise in your heart, it is as good as Jesus not mentioning His promises at all.

Doubts arose due to us being too dependent on our flesh. Paul, the apostle, stated that anyone who is in Christ is a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17). Though we are still in the flesh form, we are new in Christ. This is why we must die to flesh every day (Romans 6:6), because we know that staying in the flesh means staying conformed to the worldly body.

My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
Psalm 73:26 (NIV)

Doubting won't lead you to the answers of your prayers. Fully trust and believe that Jesus will supply today!

Resting in Jesus

2011-12-11T20:45:00.000+08:00

When God says come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28), this rest is referring to the rest from worries. Many of times, we realise that we are always worrying. For instance, our test results, or situations which also seem to have no possible solutions. Therefore, when God grants us rest, we are resting from the tiredness we have felt from trying our best to solve the problem and the heavy burdens we have been carrying for so long, coming from the worries we had in the past.

We also rest, having the peace in our hearts that Jesus is the answers to our prayers. We rest in His arms, being aware that we don't have to worry about the unsolved problems and knowing the truth for ourselves that Jesus is good, and those who seek the Lord shall not lack any good thing (Psalm 34:10).

However, resting in Jesus doesn't mean not doing anything. You can't possibly pray that God will do your homework and then rest completely in faith, totally believing that the work will magically appear out of nowhere. Faith without deeds is as good as dead (James 2:26).

Similarly, you do not literally rest and don't pray, taking for granted that God knew your prayer beforehand or there is no point in you praying since Jesus knew your heart desire. Pray, believe, and rest in His promise, finished work, and grace.

So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.
Hebrews 4:16 (NLT)

Worrying won't change anything. Begin to rest in Jesus and declare that there is victory in Christ today!

Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?
Matthew 6:27 (NIV)

It's those little things - Part 3

2011-12-05T21:14:00.000+08:00

Do you sometimes feel bad when you are not being recognised for the effort you contributed? Have you always desired to be in the limelight where people know you for the works that you have been doing?

Sometimes your heart's desire may be: “But no one is seeing my effort. I'm at the back where no one is looking at me.” You pull a long face. You get envious when you see other people getting recognition for the things they have done.

However, you need to realise that God recognises your effort. He looks above from heaven and will surely reward you for your obedience and faithfulness. No matter how big or small is the role that you are doing; God is looking at the heart. You may be serving in a ministry where you are being seen by people, but when you don't do it for God's favour and glory, the whole meaning of serving and glorification is lost. You are just serving for the sake of your own fame.

“So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”
Matthew 6:2-4 (NIV)

How can you believe if you accept praise from one another, yet make no effort to obtain the praise that comes from the only God?
John 5:44 (NIV)

Do you do things so that man will praise you? Do you serve because you want to feel good about yourself when you found the favour of men alone? At the beginning, small responsibilities will be given to us because these are just the foundations of our attitude towards serving. When we learn to always glorify God in the small little things that we do, we will do the same when bigger responsibilities are handed over to us.

So take pride in those little things that you do. You be faithful with the small things, and you will see what God does as He opens up larger doors.

It's those little things - Part 2

2011-11-23T19:19:00.000+08:00

When we have done well in our studies, we compliment ourselves for putting in tremendous effort and time just to get the good grade. When we overcame temptation we feel good about ourselves that we have won the battle and the devil is being defeated.

If we can just take some time to think through, we would find out that the root of our success, good results and the ability that we can resist temptations all comes from the One who grants us these: God.

Even before we knew ourselves, God already knew us, and the reason why we could excel, it's not only because of the effort that we put in; it was also because God created us with the ability to learn and persevere. The reason why we could overcome temptation is because we held on to the shield of faith: the faith we have in Jesus.

But, sometimes, it slipped off our minds that we have forgotten to give Him the glory He deserves. We take it that we were born to be smart and studious. It did not cross our minds that God was working behind the scenes. God was under-glorified.

When you take time to glorify God in those little things such as our studies, work and even simple things like washing dishes, Jesus becomes the centre of your life, and you will be able to value God more than what you are doing today.

What are the simple, little things that you find it hard or troublesome to do? Start to do it for the glory of God today!

If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ.
1 Peter 4:11 (NIV)

Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
1 Corinthians 10:31 (NKJV)

It's those little things

2011-11-17T19:28:00.001+08:00

We tend to give God praise when we are going through a crisis or a problem that He has come through for us. We praise Him when He heals us from sickness and diseases. But when He keeps us from danger, harm and sicknesses, letting us go through the day smoothly, we take it as a natural, lucky or normal day.

Why will we only give Him praise only when He answers the big prayers that are visible to our eyes? Why will we not praise Him when we went through a bad or sulky day, or when He bless and keeps us from harm? If you realised, God is underpraised.

Instead of recognising the great power and the gifts on His hands, why not start giving God praise for those little things? It is only when we begin to praise God simply for who He is, then we will start to recognise God for who He is.

So, what are the little things in your life that you have taken for granted? Start to praise God for them today!

He alone is your God, the only one who is worthy of your praise, the one who has done these mighty miracles that you have seen with your own eyes.
Deuteronomy 10:21 (NLT)

Now, our God, we give you thanks,
and praise your glorious name.
1 Chronicles 29:13 (NIV)

Love - Part 2

2011-11-14T18:30:00.000+08:00

Whatever gifts that we have, if we do not do it in love, it all comes to nothing.

Take verse 3 as reference. If I can give my possessions to the poor so that I can claim credit for myself, or so that I can get famous, am I doing it out of love?

If God grants me the gift of wisdom, but I am doing it so that people can say I am wise and make me feel extremely good about myself, am I doing it because I love and want to encourage the person, or doing it just for my own fame?

This is why verse 8-9 goes on to say: when there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part. When we are not exercising our gifts in love, it all comes to nothing.

Love is patient (verse 1). When you are teaching a slow-learner, do you get impatient because the person never understands what you are trying to tell them?

Love is not self-seeking (verse 5), meaning love is all about putting others first. Love is never selfish towards others; even to yourself. When we serve in a ministry, do we serve because we love God and His people, or do we do it because we are serving plainly for the sake of serving, to gain recognition, or to let people feel that we are useful?

It is only through perfect love that these gifts are made completed. This is why we need the complete, perfect love of God so that the execution of our gifts will be made complete. Start exercising your gifts with love today!

The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.
1 Timothy 1:5 (NIV)

Love

2011-11-07T12:54:00.002+08:00

We can boast about our love for Christ. Many of us can say: “I love Jesus!” But how many of us are aware, that our love isn’t really perfect?

When we are facing a huge crisis, and we do not know what the future holds ahead of us, instead of being patient (verse 4), we begin to constantly question God: “Why like this?” or “Why like that?”

Instead of putting our trust and hope (verse 7) that God has a good plan for us (Jeremiah 29:11), we begin to doubt the intentions of God: “God why do I need to face such sufferings?” Don't we know that, when God loves us, He will always protect (verse 7) us?

When we start doubting the intentions and goodness of God, we are not rejoicing with the truth (verse 6). For if we are doing so, then why are we doubting that God works for the good of those who love him (Romans 8:28)?

Can we say that our love is perfect? Can we say that we have perfect love towards God or toward others?

This is why we cannot really boast that we love God, but it was God who loves us first (I John 4:19). Some of us may have thought this way: “I thought I was the one who made the decision to accept Jesus as my personal Lord and Savior.” Well, right before you made a decision to accept Jesus, He had accepted you way before you did, even before you knew about it. This was proven all through the shedding of His precious blood on the cross.

It is only through the love of God, that our imperfection became perfection because of the perfect love of the Father (verse 10). So we can only boast about this: “I love God because He first loves me.” It’ll be only through God’s grace and love that our love can be made perfect…