2008

I can't believe it's just 6 hours more to 2008.

It's been a good year...many things that we have desired, and what God has promised us have come to pass.

I'm still waiting for other things to be fulfilled in our lives and ministry.

Still, God is Good ALL the time! I'll always believe that. That's why i'm looking forward to 2008!

ministry unto the Lord

I discovered a few posts which i started on, but never quite had the time to complete. By started, i mean i had the idea of the post, and probably wrote only a couple of lines... This is one of them:

I was recently (this was at least six months ago now) looking up articles on prayer and worship in preparation for teaching at prayer meeting. I came across free Christian e-books - precious gems by men of faith like Watchman Nee, Smith Wigglesworth, etc.

Watchman Nee's article on ministry to the Lord was really a timely reminder on what it means to serve the Lord. He differentiates between serving the "temple" or "people" and thus just the needs, with the view of impressing men, and serving the Lord, just focused on Him, bring joy and delight to Him. He emphasized that the Lord wants us to draw near to Him and spend time in His presence. Then we'll hear from Him to know where and when and what service is to be accomplished.

Acts 13:2 "As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Ghost said: Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them"

We don't want just to do good thing, but to fulfill His divine purpose.

He also urges us not to depend on our our strength, wisdom and efforts to do the work of the ministry, but to work out of His strength and wisdom which can be obtained in His presence. It's like working out of a rest in Him. Serving people or the ministry then has its basis in and is governed by serving the Lord

In Watchman Nee's own words: Let us seek the grace of God that He may reveal to us what it really means to minister to Him!

PS. Let me know if you want to read the article in its entirety. I'll give you the website.

3 projects

You might have noticed ( i just realised myself - i mean it just came to my consciousness...haha sounds like i was unconscious before) that i have had three projects going on in my blog in the last couple of months.

1. Present: my current experiences
2. Past: the call on my life/family and how this unfolded in the last 2 decades
   
3. my grandfather's life and encounters
   

The latter two began from the posts on "My Christian Heritage" but there came a division into the 2 projects indicated above.

More to come in the New Year!

obeying the promptings of the Holy Spirit

I'm glad that we obeyed the prompting of the Holy Spirit.

In our recent teaching trip, at the seminar, I had it in my spirit to ask those who wanted to be filled with the Holy Spirit to come forward. About 10 people were filled with the Holy Spirit, and the team prayed for them.

Then I was prompted to give an altar call for those who wanted to confess Jesus as Lord. I hesitated as it was a seminar for pastors, church workers and bible school students. My mind was reasoning that there could not be unbelievers around. I looked around after i gave the call, and quickly wanted to go on to the next thing. But hubby pointed out to me there were 2 near the front. They were taken aside by the local missions pastor.

It was such a beautiful sight (i could see them through the glass doors) to behold him sharing the gospel and then praying with this couple just next to the statue of Buddha outside the hotel function room. To me, it was a indication of light triumphing over darkness. Also, it showed me that the Holy Spirit knew better - thus the salvation altar call in a believers' meeting!

This couple was brought by their mother to the seminar as they had returned home after many months of being away to protest against their mother becoming a Christian and then a full-time minister. The mother was dancing for joy and praising God for the times she had prayed with tears.

The next day, hubby had it in his heart to have all of us go into a time of worship. As we began to worship, he heard from the Holy Spirit that the interpreter who was also a worship leader was to come up and sing a song. When he asked her, she was at first uncertain. She said later that she had a song but she was stumped at that moment regarding the title. Her co-worker went to the keyboard after she hummed the song to him. When she started singing, the presence of the Lord intensified.

The song was aligned to the vision hubby was receiving the very next moment - On Eagle's Wings. Hubby encouraged those present at the seminar that God wanted them to arise on eagles' wings even as they waited on Him, and that they would surely begin to soar. He told them that eagles did not flap their wings, but waited for the current (ie Holy Spirit) and then glided (ie flowed with the Holy Spirit). Thus they would soar high above all their circumstances. And be able to see clearly as from God's perspective because of the advantage of height. In this way, they will know what to do, and how to do (Isa 48:17, John 16:13).

At the end of the seminar, a lady pastor testified about how she was blessed by the prophetic word, and that her broken wing had been restored, and she could soar. For too long she had gotten by with just one wing: she was worried before the seminar about how to find a venue to rent for her church, as she had been asked by the landlord to leave as she could not pay the higher rent he wanted. After she received the word, she was no longer anxious. She knew in her heart that the Lord would definitely help her.

Hallelujah! The Holy Spirit knows so we just allow Him room to move.

break me for the nations

Father, my prayer is to be more and more focused on You, and the things of God, the things of His Kingdom.

I want to put aside, set aside things that hinder that i might be a more effective minister for you.

It's not that i want to be away from the world. No, i'm in the world, just not of it. I want to be practical and effective, connected to Your church and also the nations, so i can impact them for Jesus!

That Your heart become my heart for all the world...

blessed christmas 2007

Hey everyone! It's Christmas!

O Come Let Us Adore Him, Christ the Lord!

"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given:
and the government shall be upon his shoulder:
and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor,
The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace." (Isaiah 9:6 KJV)

His Shalom be with you and yours.

Wishing all of you who drop by a Blessed Christmas and a GLORIOUS new year ahead too: A year of good things, an increasing intimacy with the LORD, favour with people around you, and more encounters with His power and glory!

dealing with the flesh

I just came back from a teaching trip with hubby. I praise God that we broke through to a higher level of ministry. We worked well in the team of 6 which included the locals. God showed us who was supposed to lead the service, thus humbly submitting to one another in love.

It's interesting that when i wanted to move higher in the spiritual realm, i have had to deal with some "flesh" issues. i noticed that some of these thoughts come to me only when i am in that country. But no more. It was somewhat easier this time than the last. I just had to put my flesh under, and to choose to think good and lovely thoughts according to Phil 4:7. He has given me victory.

When i actually made the choice to focus on things above, it became easy. His grace was sufficient for me. It was really not my effort. My part was to have self-control and have my will choose to do His word, to obey Him. And i could choose because i (flesh) have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer i who live (flesh) but Christ who lives in me (in my spirit), and the life which i now live, i live by faith in the Son of God. So it's by faith in His grace, His provision of victory for me. (paraphrase of Gal 2:20)

Actually, even the desire is from Him. So i was able to deal with the thoughts and be able to focus on things above. Praise God!

He has given me victory. I don't have to be overwhelmed by my fleshly desires; i can choose to be led by the spirit!

remembering kong kong: demonstrating God's power (papa's account)

When Kong Kong was pastoring in the Chin Hock Methodist church in Kampong China, Sitiawan in North-west Malaysia, he and a band of elderly ladies (these were usually the pray-ers in the church who got together often to pray) were often called upon to deliver those who were demon-possessed.

The demon in the person would instill fear in the people around, but these ladies, together with Kong Kong, were fearless as they knew the power of Jesus' name. Often, the person possessed would be controlled by the devil to such an extent that he would hurt himself and his loved ones. The devil's intention was to steal, kill and destroy, but Jesus came so that we might have life abundantly, and that we might be free from the bondage of the evil one.

In one instance, the young man who was possessed had broken a bowl and cut his body with a sharp broken piece from the bowl and then he challenged anyone who dared to stop him. He seemed to have supernatural great strength. He went on to bite the broken bowl and chewed it into even smaller bits. His mouth would be filled with blood and yet he did not seem to feel pain at all. His parents were at their wits' end, helpless and greatly distressed to see the son cutting himself in such a manner. Somebody who knew that the church could help them solve the problem informed Kong Kong, and invited him to the house to help.

When Kong Kong and the prayer band were approaching, the demon-possessed person knew it before anyone else and began to call out loudly, “Why have you come? I’m not afraid of you, whoever you are!”

Kong Kong and the ladies entered the house fearlessly. They began to sing praises over and over again with boldness and yet there was such peace about them. And then they began pray out loud, as in a chorus. And at the end of concerted prayer, Kong Kong looked straight at the possessed person and declared: “In the name of Jesus, I command you to leave NOW!”

“I can’t take it anymore... I will leave now,” a voice came from within the demon-possessed person. Immediately the dogs outside began to bark. The person had been delivered! The demon had left. Praise the Lord! The man was sitting there, rendered powerless and looking rather weak and in a daze. He groaned in pain and asked why his body and mouth were bloody.

This family accepted Jesus Christ as their Saviour and Lord and faithfully worshipped the Lord in the Church. Others around them who knew about this also came to the Lord.

This was not the only family that experienced the mighty power of the Lord in overcoming the evil one. Many families like them gave their lives to God when a family member who was demon-possessed had been delivered.

Praise the Lord!

my christian heritage - part 7: His call

A few months later, the call of God on my life was getting stronger.

When i didn't do too well in my exams to be guaranteed a place in the university, i thought it was His plan for me to go into a full-time ministry. My parents disagreed with me, and i was glad about that as they certainly were wiser. They wanted me to finish university first. They felt that that would be a greater honour to the Lord, and that no one would say that i'd chosen to serve the Lord because i could not do anything else.

I submitted to their decision. I remember this setback broke their hearts. Mum wanted to knit me a light yellow sweater to keep me warm in the university library, but she stopped knitting entirely then. She just put all her knitting equipment aside, never to pick them up again. In my heart, i told myself i would never disappoint them like that again.

I had not put in enough effort in my studies, erroneously thinking that i had been diligent enough. Studying had always been easy for me as i grasped concepts quickly and had a good short term memory. But for the kind of exams this was, i had to do more than just understand or vaguely remember, i had to memorise the points well enough to explain them at length.

I grew up through that experience, spiritually, emotionally and in character. I realised that I was in no position to serve the Lord. At that time though i could have gone into christian radio or into theological college. But i believe God had a different plan. There were things i had to learn, and character traits i had to develop.

The time i spent in self-study that year was tough. i learnt discipline, dependence on the Lord, and diligent work. i had always been quite diligent, but i had always known to give just enough in order to do well enough. i got bored easily with repetitive work, and studying for the "A" levels was VERY repetitive. I knew the work, but not enough to write a good essay on it. So i learnt to put to memory important points. I learnt what worked for me where study was concerned: how i preferred studying in short spurts/bursts, and needed variety in the topics studied. This was to help my students later when i went into teaching.

I also made a good friend and we encouraged each other in the Lord, and woke each other. She studied later into the night than i did, so got up later... But other than that, we used to discuss the subject we had in common - Economics and GP. And we would just account to each other what we had studied the day before, and what we intended to do that day! The happiest day in each week was Sunday, where i could go to church to worship and fellowship with friends. YAY!

It was to be 16 years later that i would receive the calling to enter bible school, and then to teach and work at the bible school. During those years, i would sometimes look at others with envy who answered His call, and told the Lord. often in frustration, that i was called earlier than them, but they were entering the mission field or ministry before me.

After i completed university with a bachelor's degree with honours, i went into teaching. It was a clear instruction from the Lord, although i would have preferred to serve Him in a full-time capacity. :D

I also had clear instruction when i finished training which school i was to serve at. It was just a knowing. I completed my training with a post-graduate diploma in teaching (with merit).

The allowance i received when i was under training was a couple of hundred more than those who graduated without honours. The same additional amount was given when i was given a full salary. God was returning me what i had lost in the setback. God is so good.

Every two years, i would be asking the Lord whether it was time to leave. But after the first two years, i went into the GEP in the same school i was teaching. After 4 years in the programme, i was approached to become an officer at MOE. i would rather have gone into full-time, but there was no direction from the Lord where that was concerned. Also at that time, my desire to have a baby was intensifying. Instead, there was peace about entering the MOE HQ GE Branch, so i did. I knew my time would not be long there. Three years would be the maximum.

The Lord did release me after three years. I had opportunities to run programmes for students talented in writing, counsel students with problems in studies and at home, and train teachers and impact policy plans, thus honing my administrative and interpersonal skills.

I left the teaching service in March 2003, and went into bible school in August that year.

Thus began a new phase of my life...

my christian heritage - part 6: as for me and my house

When i came home from the camp, i began to tell my parents about what had happened. They were very concerned as this is the first time they had heard about the Baptism of the Holy Spirit as well.

After explaining, we just knelt down in my bedroom and began to pray, asking the Lord for wisdom and revelation in this matter.

The presence of the Lord just came in the room, and i began to prophesy:
"As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. My whole house will serve the Lord".

I believe we began to cry because this was our hearts' desire, the words coming from deep within my spirit.

We got up from our knees, blessed by His presence, honoured by His words, having a new sense of destiny in our hearts.

In our minds, we wondered how it was all going to be... but God was already setting in motion His plans and purposes for our family.

remembering kong kong: divine provision (papa's account)

Kong Kong did other things for the church like conduct Bible study, visit the sick, diagnosed the sick - he was well-versed in Traditional Chinese Medicine, and often wrote out prescription for his church members who were very poor (around mid-1900s) and could ill afford to obtain medical help and medication, bought the chinese herbs for them, decocted the medicine (with Ah Ma's help) and brought the medicine to the patient's house personally in order to ensure that it was taken. No matter how tired he was he would go over to the house of the sick to visit and pray with them.

When he was called to rebuild the dilapidated Foochow Church in the early 1947, he wondered at first where to get the funds. Wealthy people were few and also not forthcoming. He committed the matter to God in prayer. God gave him a dream. He saw Jehovah Jireh in the form of a ray of light beaming down from heaven on a church building. When he got up he immediately drew what he dreamt with as much details as he could remember. Then he got in touch with an artist, Wong Cheng Ming, who was a new convert. For several days Mr Wong sat down with grandpa who related to him the vision of the church. The colorful picture of the church was eventually painted and many copies printed. Kong Kong was full of creative ideas. Anyone who donated $500 and above towards the church building fund was presented with a framed picture of the church. Other donors were given handbill-size picture of the church.

Kong Kong was also very innovative. He wanted every member of the church to be involved in contributing toward the church building fund. One day he saw a huge pile of empty condensed milk cans left discarded at the back of the coffee-shop. He thought if he could get these cans, wash them clean and then seal the two small holes at one end, and make a slot at the other end, he could have good donation cans. The coffee-shop owner was only too happy to part with the empty cans.

Soon hundreds of these cans were neatly arranged on a table at the church sanctuary. More than 300 cans were taken home by worshippers at the end of the worship. Each member was expected to faithfully drop in coins and return at the end of 3 months. It is a well known fact that ‘little drops of water make a mighty ocean.’ This was yet another good yet creative way of getting funds for building the church.

This went on for 3 years and Kong Kong had to work hard. He worked hand in hand with a dedicated team to open the returned cans, count them, record the amount. At the end of each year he would laboriously yet steadfastly compile a statement of account in a booklet and distributed to all donors.

There was once while it was raining heavily, Grandpa was driving in the Newton area. It was quite dark and visibility was poor. When Kong Kong stopped at the traffic light somebody from the car behind came out. He opened Kong Kong's car-door, threw in a bag, slammed the door and ran back to his car. Kong Kong could not make out who he was and what was in the bag.

When he reached home, he was surprised to discover that the bag was full of money. He immediately informed the Local Church Executive Committee chairman and the treasurer who came. He led them in a thanksgiving prayer before they counted the money. The amount was by no means small. This was yet another provision by Jehovah Jireh. All the money was channeled to the Church building.

In the early years there were several occasions when Kong Kong had no money to buy food for the family, which had altogether 9 members including 7 children. Kong Kong would spend the whole morning praying in his room. On looking back, it is a great testimony fo God's miraculous provision and faithfulness. God had never forsaken us or left us to suffer hunger. On at least 3 occasions, he would receive an ang-pow from the letter-box. He had no idea who dropped the ang-pow into the letter-box. There was only the words "GOD KNOWS" written on it, written in Chinese. God indeed faithfully provided for the needs of the family as Kong Kong faithfully served Him.

my christian heritage - part 5: baptism in the Holy Spirit)

About six months before i turned 18, there was a spike in my desire to know the Lord. I was at a prayer meeting, and there was such a yearning for the things of God, i banged my fist (noiselessly) on the back of the pew in front of me. No one heard me, thank God. But i was not at all contented with where i was; i wanted more of life in God. There was no answer for the next few months, and i was caught up with my A levels exams.

Then came Sunday School Camp. That was tremendous. I made a good friend there, and i learnt for the first time in my life the importance of the Holy Spirit and His role in my life. When the speaker taught us the acts of the Holy Spirit, and said that the same power is made available to us, i became angry because in all my years in church so far, no one had shown me that. And it had always been in the bible. I had read through the bible but had hardly noticed what the speaker was highlighting to us.

Anyway, he gave an altar call for those who wanted to receive the power of the Holy Spirit to step up and into a separate room, where he will teach us a little more before praying for us.
About 10 of us followed him and his team into a classroom - our camp was held in a school, and the teaching had been in a hall.

We sat on chairs in a u-shape. I was the second one from the left. As the speaker taught us, the girl on my left began to lean back as if she was weakening. The Holy Spirit was already upon her. When he finished teaching, he asked us to stand to receive, and we all were moved in a straight line before him. The girl who had earlier slumped in her chair was the first to fall under the power.

When one of the team members prayed for me, i could feel power and warmth coursing through me. A bubbling rose from within my spirit, and out of my mouth. I remember clearly that my first words in tongues were: bubububububu. I swayed for some time before i fell under God's power. When i was on the ground, i began to laugh. I discovered much later in my life that it was crucial that the supernatural joy of the Lord entered my life. I was to undergo a life-changing experience, and God's grace and mercy prepared me for this. I was to suffer the consequences of my choices and attitudes, but God was to turn it around for good.

my christian heritage - part 4: infant baptism and confirmation

I was baptised as an infant ( i think i was about 5 weeks old) by my grandfather who was pastoring at Bukit Panjang Methodist at that time.

In true Methodist tradition, i did not partake of Holy Communion all through my childhood and teenhood till i was confirmed at 18 years of age. This was part of my upbringing and i didn't question it, though i did see that there were others who just came to church and they started participating in the Holy Communion, whilst i had to wait patiently.

i mostly enjoyed going to church, and i hardly missed any sundays. There was something about church that appealed to me, even though i spent most of my childhood attending Hokkien service.

I remember being assured of my salvation accepting Christ at 12. That was when i stopped praying the salvation prayer to confess Jesus as my Lord and Saviour. I don't really remember when i was born again. I probably prayed the prayer earlier on in my childhood while attending Sunday School.

Sunday School was fun! I loved the songs about Jesus, and i especially loved one song about how we could talk to God anywhere

Did you ever talk to God above?
Tell Him that you need a friend to love.
Pray in Jesus' name believing that God answers prayer.
Have you told Him all your cares and woes?
Every tiny little fear He knows.
You can know He'll always answer prayer!

You can whisper in a crowd to Him.
You can cry when you're alone to Him.
You don't have to pray out loud to Him.
He knows your thoughts.
On a lofty montain peak, He's there.
In a meadow by a stream, He's there.
Anywhere on earth you go, He's been there from the start.
Find the answer in His Word; It's true.
You'll be strong because He walks with you.
By His faithfulness He'll change you too.
My God answers prayer.

I can still picture the little classroom we met for Junior Sunday School. This old, dim classroom was in a single-storey, 2 classroom building, and i met my life-long girlfriends there. 4 of us still meet occasionally for a meal to chat. One of my sunday school teachers is still in church serving in the Mandarin congregation.

When i was in secondary one, i joined the Senior Sunday School with this group of friends, and made more friends. It was here i learnt that God is real, real in my soul, and He was interested in me as a person, and He had a plan for my life.

There are some things I may not know
There are some places I can't go
But I am sure Of this one thing
That God is real
For I can feel Him deep in my soul

My God is real real in my soul
Yes God is Real
For he has washed And made me whole
His love for me Is just like pure gold
Yes God is real
For I can feel Him in my soul

Another lesson i learnt was the priorities in my life. Master, Mission, Mate - in that order.

I began to hunger for more of God at 16. I believe i started writing journals then, as i had no boyfriend to talk to. That was old-fashioned blogging. Only those who got their hands on my journal could read what i wrote. My journals were usually addressed to God. One of the things i began to see myself doing was to sing all over the world. God was already putting things in my heart, setting in motion His plans and purposes for me.

The year i was to turn 18, this desire for God grew stronger.

excellence through passion

I've always believed that Passion for God Himself and for the things of God must and should be directed towards a purpose. That purpose is His will. Praise God that His power is available to us through our Lord's death on the cross, burial and resurrection in order to accomplish His will and to accomplish it well!

So while we wait upon Him and spend time in His word and in His presence, whether in prayer or meditation or praise and worship, we are increasing in that passion and in His power, as well as discovering more and more of His plans and purposes for our lives. Then we step out and just be who we are in Christ, and out of that abundance and divine flow, do what He has called us to do.

I just learnt this phrase yesterday: Excellence through passion. Passion for Him - being focused on Him and His will - can result in excellence.

make room for the supernatural

Make time for him, give Him honour and praise, take time to listen to Him, make room for Him in your life - these are ways to make room for the supernatural.

my spiritual christian heritage

What about my spiritual heritage? The Lord has been revealing to me scriptures on this aspect...

My inheritance, as shown in the Word of God, is the nations.

Psalms 2:8 (KJV)
Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.

remembering my paternal grandparents

My paternal grandfather often told me that trusting in God was really simple, just like sitting on a chair. I was to learn later that in the greek, trust meant to "lean on". He encouraged me with this analogy when i was having my exams, which was a couple of years before he went home. I remember he called me and talked to me a couple of times during that crucial exam period. He was so happy i did well in that exam, and was able to enter university. It was sad that he died just a couple of days before registration day.

When he knew that i considering becoming a teacher, he told me anecdotes of how he taught for a short period of time when he was younger, and how he managed a really difficult and stubborn student. He found out accidentally that the student was afraid of snakes, which were common in the village where he was from. The student had screamed when he came across some rope in the dark, thinking that was a snake, My grandfather used this knowledge to his advantage. From then on, this student obeyed his instructions. He used to laugh at this amusing memory even as he told it. I really appreciated it as it was his way of connecting to me.

When he knew that i was considering serving the Lord in a full-time capacity, he advised me not to become a pastor, but perhaps a pastor's wife as it would be easier for a woman to serve in a supportive role. Probably this was his wisdom. I didn't set out to find a full-time minister to marry, but i did pray about being able to serve together with the man i married. Praise God that i'm currently working together with my husband in a bible school.

I was one of the only grandchild who could speak both mandarin and hock chew (our dialect) with him. But i don't think i was his favourite... he pretty much loved every one the same, i believe.

He went home to the Lord when i was 19. He was 77 when he died of cancer. He heard angels singing before he died. My family was at his home. He just breathed slower and slower till he stopped breathing. Peacefully, he slipped into eternity.

I loved him very much.

My grandmother followed six months later. I was in school when she went to her eternal home. She was a very loving wife and mother - a model pastor's wife who supported her husband in every way. She taught herself to read using the bible, and kept careful records of household expenses.

She was a good cook. We loved her soups, her sweet and sour pomfret, and stir-fried beef with ginger. She made great poh piah vegetables. She was very particular with soups - must be served piping hot. I would always wait for mine to cool. And she would have every garnish available: fried onions - done just right; chives and "heong swee" (a kind of chinese parsley). These made the soup even more tasty... yummy!! Her fried bee hoon was so delicious. She used the thinnest vermicelli and the texture would be just right.

I loved her sense of humour. We used to laugh together in the kitchen. She used to say: a woman's work is never done; she works from the time the cock crows till the time the ghost calls. No, she was not supersititous; she was a woman of faith. It was just a phrase that came to her, and made both of us laugh. She also used to say that i was pretty, like my aunt. And then i would respond: no, i'm pretty like my grandma. And we would laugh...again.

I remember that she told me that God's ways were the best - we don't have to fear or worry, but just submit to His ways.

It's been almost 20 years, but I still miss them. I'll see them in heaven one day, and we'll exchange stories and jokes again!!

my christian heritage - part 3: growing up

I remember as i was growing up, my mum would be teaching sunday school, and i would be helping her set out the "props" and other materials. We also had a Saturday club at our home for a few years - i don't think i was 10 yet - and i would be helping her with turning the pages of the big book, and holding up the song cards for the children there.

I loved church, and never missed it. My parents would make us sit in the pews with them, as Sunday school was always before or after church, never during. So we had the privilege of worshiping as a family. And when we fidget, we would be given sweets. I attended Hokkien service for quite a few years, and learnt certain Christian phrases of prayer, song and even bible verses. Little did i know at that time, I would later in my life marry into a Hokkien family! :D

Papa and Mummy started our family worship and prayer time when i was about 10. We would sing hymns like What A Friend We Have In Jesus, Saviour Like A Shepherd Lead Us (Papa compiled a little booklet of perhaps 10-12 songs). This would evolve into contemporary choruses later n we had over 200-300 songs to choose from...

So we would praise God, and then we would read from the word or from a devotional, and then we would pray. This was difficult as papa was quite a pray-er, like his father before him. His prayer was at least half an hour, so after a while we would endeavour to volunteer for prayer. This strategy only worked at certain times, because if papa had a burden to pray, he had to discharge that burden. Sometimes, he would pray round the world, whether for his siblings and relatives settled in various parts of the globe, or just for believers in general. A few years later, this would exacerbate as mummy developed into quite a pray-er too. Family devotions would be more than an hour long... the record of the longest family devotion ever being one hour and 45 minutes.

my christian heritage - part 2: maternal

My maternal grandfather served in the church for a period of time. He was blessed with long life, just like my great-grandmother. He was always lean and trim, and was in his mid nineties when he went Home. My great-grandmother was 101 when she went Home. When Ah Kong reached his mid- to late-eighties, he often desired to go to heaven, as his wife, most of his siblings and friends were already there. He would often plead with the Lord to take him Home, though my mum and her siblings would often persuade him to stay a while longer since he was still healthy.

He would often be reading the Chinese large-print bible with his magnifying glass, and sometimes when you walked past his room, you could hear him praying.

He was very alert, and even up to his nineties, he would amuse us with his witty remarks, and stories.

My maternal grandmother went to her eternal Home when i was barely 6. I think my mum was in her late 20s at that time. I remember her from photographs, and vaguely from my childhood days. She was a wise woman who taught her children well.

According to my mum, grandma knew that she was going Home, as she announced to her family a few days before it happened. She was ill for a while and hospitalised. But they all thought she was referring to being discharged. Mum also said there was such peace and serenity.

My mum and her siblings grew up knowing the Lord, and were greatly influenced by a lady whom they called "bible woman", who taught them in sunday school. She taught them to love the Lord and the word of God.

One of Mum's nieces is a pastoral staff.

Mum's youngest sister and brother-in law were short-term missionaries for a few years, and are preparing to serve Him again in a few years' time.

Both my eldest aunt and my mum attended bible school, so did my dad (but i haven't come to that yet). They are all actively serving in church in the areas of prayer, teaching of the Word, and in the healing/deliverance ministries, evangelism, short term missions, choir, counselling and leading cell groups.

my christian heritage - part 1: paternal

I've been asking the Lord about my Christian heritage. My dad was the one who started my quest in a discussion we had some weeks ago.

My natural Christian heritage - as a 5th generation Christian on my dad's side, and a 4th generation Christian on my mum's side - is a rich one. I just discovered from papa's cousin, Uncle M, who's been doing a little research and has been visiting their "hometown" that the missionaries went there around 1870s. The churches there are usually more than 100 years old. I remember he said that there are more than 100 churches in the island. Our beginnings were humble - Uncle M said our ancestors were fishermen, who then became fishers of men. I think that's just wonderful...

My paternal grandfather was a pastor. In a way, my grandparents were also missionaries as they sailed from China when my grandmother was pregnant with her eldest son. My youngest grandaunt told me this: she remembered sailing with them and she was much younger than her eldest brother. She was probably only 4 or 5 years old then.

So was my granduncle, who was also the bishop of the Methodist Church of Singapore for 8 years, and he retired as Bishop Emeritus. My uncle (papa's brother) is a retired pastor in Australia. Another uncle (papa's cousin) is currently a pastor based in Singapore. Papa told me recently that he has at least 2 cousins who are pastors based in East Asia. Papa and Mummy were themselves short-term missionaries for about 3-4 years of their lives early this decade.

Uncle M said that he counted 12 full-time ministers in the our family. That's 12 more than i can account for. With 3 more in our family - me, hubby and brother (soon to be), there should be 15 altogether...

Kong Kong had an apostolic calling upon his life besides being a pastor. He built churches in Singapore, Malaya (as Malaysia was known then) as well as East Asia. Papa remembers five altogether: two in Sitiawan in Malaysai (Kampong China and Pekan Gurney), two in Singapore (Foochow Methodist church and Geylang Chinese Methodist church) and one in East Asia.

He was a visionary, an excellent administrator, a man of faith and prayer. His records of the many fund-raising efforts were meticulously maintained. He had a systematic way of recording prayer requests and thanksgivings. Given his contacts over so many churches in various countries, it was his way of ensuring that he prayed over their needs over time. He wrote requests on index cards and kept them in trays. Answered prayer was recorded at the back of the card and dated accordingly.

When i stayed over at his house during my school holidays, i could hear his voice mouthing prayers to the Lord too. You could hear his baritone voice booming in the church as he sang with the congregation. Having to raise a family of seven children, he always just had enough because God provided for the family even as he sought to extend and advance the Kingdom of God. His prayer life was disciplined and he had an intimate relationship with the Lord, who gave him a strong burden to build the church of Christ (through the building of physical churches, as well as edifying the body of Christ).

Mummy told me that Kong Kong had established prayer groups in many of the churches he pastored. These were mainly women as the men were mostly working. Powerful women of prayer who had results when they prayed. Some of them accompanied the pastoral team in their home visits and were instrumental in deliverance and salvation.

His testimonies of God's divine provision included money placed in his post box, an envelope filled with money thrown into the passenger seat when a motor-cyclist sped past his car (windows were wound down in those days as few cars had air-conditioning), members presenting gifts to the family.

Whatever finances they had, Ah Ma kept good records too, and they seemed to be able to stretch and provide for the family's needs, as well as meals for whoever was in the house as pastors, members and leaders were always dropping by for prayer and counselling or simply for fellowship.

Footnote: i received some input from papa's cousin, Uncle M, at a recent 10th wedding anniversary dinner that another uncle and aunty celebrated on 20 Dec 2007.

Lord I'm hungry for a mighty move of God

The final song that the praise leader chose for prayer meeting just last Friday was tremendous. In fact, the whole set she prepared helped all of us to just move into the presence of God. I thanked her through sms the next day, and she said that these songs were in her heart the whole week. Praise God for the Holy Spirit!!

Once she started on the final song, it was almost like a lightning bolt had hit my very being - I was charged with a burning passion (yet again) - acutely aware of the presence of God and His heart for the church to grow. There was a cry from my spirit, in communion with the Holy Spirit, to see transformed lives within the church so that the Kingdom of God may be advanced.

Lord I'm hungry for a mighty move of God
Lord I'm thirsty; Pour out Your Holy Ghost
Lord I want to see the Hand of God
Move mightily inside of me
I'm hungry for a move of God

I've also been meditating on these 2 scriptures, and i just thought i'd share them with you:

Luke 4:18-19

18“The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me,
Because He has anointed Me
To preach the gospel to the poor;
He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,
To proclaim liberty to the captives
And recovery of sight to the blind,
To set at liberty those who are oppressed;
19 To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD.”

Acts 10:38
"How God anointed and consecrated Jesus of Nazareth with the [Holy] Spirit and with strength and ability and power; how He went about doing good and, in particular, curing all who were harassed and oppressed by [the power of] the devil, for God was with Him."

His power is already in me, working in me and through me to touch, influence and impact lives, breaking bondages spiritually, physically, emotionally!

akan datang

I've been on facebook, and i've been teaching, and i've been celebrating my mum's and my birthday, so that explains somewhat my absence...

i've been meditating on my Christian heritage and also the power of God (again).

More on these coming up soon.

process

There are several things the Lord had been showing me to do in the past weeks... I've made up my mind to obey, but it's still a process of developing, following, getting into the habits, putting unwholesome thoughts and words aside, etc. But it is easy-er when I yield even as He speaks to me... I believe He is preparing me for things ahead.

There's so much i want to do, so much God has put in my heart to fulfill, in terms of my purpose in life, His plan for me. In other words, my destiny.

But i need to continue to be consecrated unto Him!

just obey

Two days ago, during prayer school, again, the power of God ministered to me "powerfully" (hehe, for want of a better word) - well, in a very strong manner, then...

The instructor was talking about waves of anointing that came upon the students in a bible school he was teaching at in another country. They received healing, refreshing as the Lord's power just fell upon them. He stopped teaching and just allowed the Lord to minister to the students.

Whilst the instructor was still sharing, and then later ministering to the alumni at the prayer school, God's passion began to burn within me, firing me up. He showed me his very heart for the lost, the nations. Tears just ran down my face. I felt heavy with the anointing. Even as i'm writing this, the same anointing is upon me.

During this time, i received an impression (it came from within my spirit - not really visual; just a knowing) of me laying my hand on another lady. As i continued praying, the name of another lady came to me, and i knew i was supposed to pray for her.

Just after prayer school, i went to the first lady (by this time, i had also discovered on looking around that the second lady had left) and just laid my hand upon her. She thought i was saying hi, so she looked at me with a big smile. I think i told her something like: "just receive, the Lord told me to do this". With my hand upon her shoulder blade, and with her hand on my knee, we sat next to each other in silence - maybe sometimes speaking in tongues a little, and softly. The presence of the Lord was manifest again in and around us. Heavy. Sweet. I think it was just 5-7 minutes. We could have lingered longer, but it was enough. We went to lunch, with others, and we could still sense His presence. We said as much, towards the end of the lunch, when we stopped to reflect.

I met the second lady in school the next day, just after the first hour of lessons. Again, it took probably just 5 minutes to pray for her. 2 verses of scripture came for her. The presence of the Lord came and we drew refreshing and what we needed of the Lord - which is everything, but for that moment, it was just fresh manna for the day. She thanked me. I told her i was just being obedient to the Lord, what He showed me to do. She smsed me later to say that one of the 2 verses was something the Lord was showing her at present. I was reminded of a third verse which i smsed her back with.

Later that day (the day of the prayer school), i was chatting with someone over the msn regarding church, and the anointing again hit me when we were speaking about ministry stuff which she needed help with. When i agreed to do something in obedience to the Lord, and in submission to her leadership in that area, i told her i felt the anointing. initially, she thought i was joking, but just a while later, she said she felt it too. Wow! Amazing! His presence transcends internet connections.

But of course!! :D

shaken and stirred up

I've been shaken by the power of the Holy Spirit, and i'm stirred up for the things of God. The physical body can hardly contain the presence and the power of the Lord and yet, the Holy Spirit chooses to dwell in us. There is within me a renewed burning passion to accomplish the things of God. It's hard to describe in words what has taken place in my spirit during this week.

There's been an impartation during the meetings i attended earlier in the week, and it seems to me as though there is a step up in the spiritual realm.

Yesterday's prayer meeting was a powerful demonstration of God's power and love. God's presence was so strong, and the gifts of the spirit were in operation: Tongues and interpretation, and words of knowledge and wisdom were released. There was a burning in my heart, and i'm sure more than one of us felt the same thing. One fell under the power. Another was baptised in the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues.

All glory to Him!

soaking

I've been soaking in Him, taking in all I can of His presence, experiencing His power, and drawing from His Life (ZOE) and nature.

I am enjoying the messages i heard for the last two days. Today is the final day! The speakers are down-to-earth, straightforward, tell-it-like-it-is people. They have nothing to prove, nothing to hide, and sincere with no hidden agenda. What-you-see/hear-is-what-you-get.

It's been so REFRESHING(!!) for my spirit, and, i believe, my soul too.

More today, Lord!

it is time

This trifle of a song came to me during service today as we were praying - i'm not too proud of the tune as it sounds like an old pop song (hehe - nothing against pop songs unless they contain suggestive lyrics...), and it's very raw. Yet there was an urgency about what i was singing, helped by the unique rhythm of the drums and music the band was playing.

i believe the words were inspired (mostly anyway) by the Holy Spirit, and they spoke to me...an answer to our earlier prayers just that morning (but birthed out of my concerns over the past few months) regarding the church leadership and ministries. My husband and I were praying for the church using the Epistle to the Ephesians (which contained Paul's concerns and desire for the church(es) in Ephesus:

1:16-23 -> knowing and understanding our calling, how God sees us, and what God has given us through Jesus;

3:14-20 -> being established and strengthened in and by the love of Christ, and knowing that His plans and purposes far exceed our expectations

4:7-16 -> how the church is given gifts and callings so the members can be equipped to help one another, and to preach the good news

The lyrics are as follows:

It is time to move up higher
It is time to seek His Face
It is time to reflect His Glory
It is time to follow His Ways

It is time to rise up in Him
It is time to praise His Name
It is time to read and know His Word
It is time to proclaim His fame

It is time. Is the church ready to move?? Does the church even want to move?

It is His desire to have the church complete and mature in Him, and to do the work of the ministry which is the ministry of reconciliation of man to GOD.

It is my desire to see the church move.

the heating plant of the church

I managed to find the following excerpt about the power of prayer. When i read it again yesterday, my spirit leaped, burning with intense passion, and tears threatened to spill out of my eyes... really... i'm not being dramatic... thinking: "Yes, this is how it should be!"

I remembered reading it in April or May this year, and i was reminded by the Holy Spirit to share it in a class i was going to teach yesterday (this was just a few hours before the class). But i could not find it on the internet as i could not remember who it was, and kept on looking for the wrong person. The two other persons i searched were ALSO prayerful and powerful men of God!

Finally, just an hour before class, i asked my husband whether he remembered who it was that had 700 men praying in the basement before and during his meetings. It took him just 3 seconds before he replied (he's the one with the better memory): "Spurgeon".

I googled that and here it is...

"A group of seminary students decided to visit Metropolitan Tabernacle in London, to hear the "Prince of Preachers," Charles Spurgeon, and hopefully discover the secret of his spiritual power. An elderly man greeted them as they walked in and asked, "Would you like to see the church's heating plant?"

"Stacks of coal and dirty pipes in a dark basement were among the last things that the students wanted to see, but out of respect they followed him down into a large open room where they saw over 700 people in earnest prayer for the meetings of the day.

"This," said the wise old man (aka Spurgeon), "is what heats this church." Judging from the thousands who sought and found Christ at the church, God blessed where He was invited."

saturate me with your anointing

Healing School today was also awesome!! God's presence just saturated the entire place, and His compassion flowed in, through and out of us. The speaker focused on the anointing, and the anointing of the Lord "showed up".

There's this song that's been ringing in my heart today... it was my favourite song for some time two years ago when i first learnt it. The keyboardist played it today at the end of Healing School - so apt. My husband said that the song came to him when the speaker began to preach about the anointing:

Saturate me with your anointing
Saturate me in your presence
I've gotta have more of your anointing
In my life
Saturate me O Lord today!

I want more, Lord, not for myself, but to bring glory to You. Your anointing DESTROYS the yoke (bondage, oppression, pain, sickness, sin, disease, fear, hate, etc.). Destroy means crush, obliterate, completely remove with not trace of ever having existed!

Saturate me with your anointing, Lord.

a brief glimpse

Prayer school was awesome this whole week!

It's been growing in intensity the last few weeks, focused on spending time in building a relationship with our heavenly Father, seeking His face and His ways. We had also been learning about the Holy Spirit and how He helps us in our prayers, not only showing us how and what, but strengthening and sustaining us in answer to our prayer. Romans 8:28

This last week we focused on His plans and purposes for our lives, and His passion and compassion for those who are lost. We spent time in prayer for the nations and peoples who still do not know Him, as well as for family and friends who have yet to come to Him or who have turned away from Him.

On Tuesday, after we had spent about 10 minutes interceding for those who were lost, there was just this period of 5-10 minutes after prayer that we just soaked in the presence of the Lord, quiet and sweet. The very air was thick with His glory. Refreshing...

The Lord spoke to both my husband and me, giving a brief glimpse into our next step.

reaching the remote places

We are grateful to God for favour and good fellowship with the believers in our recent trip. We heard testimonies of God’s goodness, guidance and provision for the local believers/ministry workers as they went into villages and other remote places in the different states to teach and preach and heal, just like what Jesus did when he was on earth.

One of the leaders we met shared that his team had to travel 3 days to reach a particular village in another state, including 12 hours on a bus, a boat and walking. After spending a few days there, they went on to another village, mainly by walking.

Another shared that she, together with a very young child and 2 other adults, took more than a day (24 hours) to reach her destination by train and walking. It was her and her child's first experience on the train which had only one "car" for passengers - the rest were for goods. So, the various and many passengers had to squeeze (like the Japanese on the express train, except that this car was not air-conditioned, and this was not an express train!!) in the not too large compartment, and stand for hours. Delays were common, so the journey was longer than was actually necessary. Her toddler was slightly traumatized by the proximity to strangers, and was extremely uncomfortable in the heat and motion of the train.

At each of these places, they taught the Word of God. The believers in these remote places were so hungry for the Word of God that they clamoured for more teaching and insisted on continuing in the teaching and learning of the word into the night and even into the wee hours of the morning. Though they hardly slept, the Lord strengthened the leaders for the work and ministry of the Word to these believers. They came away, even more convicted of the call of the Lord: they will be returning to the same villages and others like them to continue to establish the believers in the Word.

Let's pray that the Kingdom of God will advance into the "uttermost parts of the earth" without any hindrances and with ample provision and resources!

being part of the great commission

We had the privilege of teaching on a lifestyle of praise at a bible school (which emphasizes church planting) in late August to 80 students, pastors and church workers. The participants were hungry for the Word, and there was an increase in their understanding of who God is, and who they are in God, as they learnt about how to live a life of praise, and how to worship the Lord in spirit and in truth.

The director of the bible school later shared that the students have been praising God and that there is joy in their lives in the days following the seminar. This was very much what was needed for the students as they had previous been complaining to their leaders and pastors and to one another whenever they faced obstacles and difficulties in their lives. Now they know that the joy of the Lord is indeed their strength.

We also taught for one day at a Discipleship Training Center. There were 40 youths and young adults there. Many of them received revelation from the word of God and caught the spirit of faith as we taught almost 6 hours on the foundations of faith and how to trust God based on His promises.

We are thankful for good interpreters, who themselves were refreshed and encouraged. They shared that they learnt precious lessons even as they interpreted. It was a joy to work together with the Holy Spirit. We ourselves were refreshed by the Lord as we prepared our lessons!

My husband preached at a church on Sunday on “God is El Shaddai". He shared how God cares for us that He provides for our needs, and His provision is overflowing in abundance, just like the widow who was instructed by Elisha to borrow all the containers she could from her neightbours, and pour what little oil she had into those containers. The miracle was that the oil did not run out till every container she had was filled to the brim. She sold the oil, returned all the money owed, and she and her sons lived on the rest. God came through for her because she dared to trust in Him. She obeyed God and showed her faith when she did what the prophet Elisha told her to do, and God blessed her with a mighty miracle for her faith.

The congregation was encouraged and uplifted by God’s goodness. When he gave the altar call at the end of his sermon, 2 visitors to the church accepted Jesus Christ, and about 15 members rededicated their lives to the Lord.

Indeed we are privileged to be part of this great commission.

he was such a sweet uncle

I was requested by my dad and aunt to represent the family to share some memories of my uncle, so I prepared the following "eulogy" in memory of my uncle, and presented it last wednesday evening at the wake service.

He was such a sweet uncle with a warm personality.

When we met him during special family occasions and celebrations, he was always smiling, always encouraging, always praising the Lord, with a ready hug, and full of anecdotes from his childhood, his experiences at work and with people, and testimonies about God’s goodness and power. He was fond of reading, and at one time in his life, spent much time at the library researching subjects and topics he was interested in.

When we visited him in the hospital in the last few years of his life, he was still always smiling, sharing the gospel, and testifying to the goodness of God in his life. Even in the hospital ward, he was bringing people to the Lord. I heard that he even shared his testimony with the doctors and nurses. He loved singing and praising, praying and sharing.

Today, Uncle J is no longer here with us. The bible says that to be absent in the body is to be present with the Lord (2 Cor 5:8).

So I think of Uncle J in heaven where he is enjoying the glorious presence of God and having a joyous and wonderful reunion with all those who have gone on before us. He is surely singing and dancing in joy. He is free from physical suffering, pain, tears. He is part of the cloud of witnesses who encourage us to run our race here on earth with perseverance. This fills me with joy and peace that passes all understanding to know that he is with our Lord, and we will meet again.

One of his favourite songs (i discovered he had many favourite songs) was “Blessed Assurance”. I remember fondly that when we sang songs of praise to encourage him, especially this one in the last few months of his life as his strength was gradually decreasing, he sometimes lifted up his hands and even his voice, to sing phrases of the chorus with us.

I’d like to sing it now to praise Our Lord who has made it possible for us to meet him again one day. And even as we miss him dearly, we sorrow with hope…

Blessed assurance Jesus is mine
O what a foretaste of glory divine
Heir of salvation purchased of God
Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood

This is my story This is my song
Praising my Saviour all the day long (repeat)

Perfect Submission perfect delight
Visions of rapture burst on my sight
Angels descending bring from above
Echoes of mercy whispers of love

This is his story This is his song
Praising his Saviour all the day long (repeat)

life after death

There is life after death.

My 3rd uncle just went to heaven this morning. He's in a far better place, where there's no more suffering, no more tears. Instead there is joy and peace forevermore in His presence. Praise God for eternal life through Jesus!

I believe he can meet the Lord face to face, knowing that he's done much for Him, having lived a full, obedient life unto Him, and having influenced lives for Him.

Still, there's gonna be grieving over the loss that all of us, especially his immediate family and siblings, will face. But as Paul says in 1 Thessalonians 4:13, we (do not) sorrow as others who have no hope. We have hope that we will meet him again when we too cross over to eternity.

In the meantime, for those who remain, there is divine comfort and peace that the Holy Spirit gives - peace that passes all understanding.

off to teach His Word

I'm now at changi airport terminal 2 awaiting our flight. Just thought i'd put write a little about what He has put in my heart the last few days. We'll be back next saturday.

A minister told us just yesterday that we will be ministering and teaching at a higher level than before. He encouraged us to be bold and step out in faith, and step up in His grace. I receive that in Jesus' Name. All the more, i want to depend on Him, knowing that strength, wisdom, ability to teach all come from Him. Apart from Him, i can do nothing, but in Him, I can do all things; in Him, i can bear much fruit.

We look forward to the next few days with expectation and anticipation of His goodness and blessing, of His impartation through the Holy Spirit, moving in the power that comes only from Him. We want to see more of Him in our lives, and through our lives, in the lives of others who will go forth and preach the Good News in their own nation!!

When we obey His call, He provides the means to fullfill the calling. He will continue to open doors, surround us with favour like a shield. His protection and mercy cover us. His ministering spirits go forth to prepare the way for us.

It is always an adventure as we journey with the Lord, co-labouring with Him in the planting and watering of the seed of the word of God. A journey filled with joy, peace and security because when we are in Him and following Him, we are in the safest place we can ever be, no matter where we are!!

I love the Lord, and i want to obey Him! He is just SO SO .... GOOD! :)

helping

It's always been a pet peeve of mine - when parents tell their children to eat up their food, because children in other parts of the world are starving or malnourished. This does not help the hungry children at all, and privileged children are de-sensitised to the needs of those not as fortunate as themselves through this constant well-meaning but totally misplaced reminder.

Instead, children should be encouraged to help others in practical and real ways - contributing parts of their savings, giving their toys (and not always old ones), even thinking of creative ways to raise funds. When they are older, they then would continue to help, having learnt from young to have consideration for others' needs.

It's a privilege to help others, and the bible commands us to be "open-handed" to the poor, so rather than just pay lip service, we should act on it.

I'm not boasting about or romanticising what i've done... i mean it's just a small part to play when you think of the great need "out there", as well as the great contribution by generous philanthropists who build schools, clinics, roads, orphanages, etc.

The reason i'm writing this is because i've just received a letter informing me the child i've been supporting through a certain organisation for the last 7 years (at least) is finally self-supporting, and the place the child lives in - the whole developmental area - is now self-reliant. Praise God!!

The next phase for me, this organisation tells me, is to support another child from another developmental area in another country. I'm so excited about this. The amazing thing is that i've been to the very place the child is from eight years ago. The child would have been only a toddler then... and the place is huge - 63 villages... so i don't think we've met.

But I've met the people there. They are generous even in their need. Not too proud to admit they need help. Diligent. Warm. Vibrant and full of life! I remember the mayor and the governor - so gracious. I remember that when i brought my school kids to help paint a school building (single storey), and build a clinic in that place, they were so excited to see a particular caged wild boar they visited it every day. And the people there were amused that we'd never seen a wild boar, or the chickens and little chicks that run around in their backyards up close before...

My school kids were impacted by their visit. i heard that some of them planned another trip a couple of years later with the same organisation but to a different place. I'd like to think i made a little bit of an impact in their lives through introducing them to a world different from our own. And they enjoyed that world - the people, the place, the simplicity. They discovered love and humanity there. It warmed my heart to know they wanted to contribute.

God is good...what good memories!

PS. i'm not an expert in helping the less fortunate, and what i write is not the final word on how to help them. I'm doing my part - a very small part, and i was just reminiscing...

furnished intensively

Part of my bible reading "jumped out" at me today -

"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete (perfect), thoroughly equipped (furnished intensively so that there is no room left for improvement) for every good work." (2 Timothy 3:16-17 - NKJV + my own notes)

So we need not be concerned or anxious that we cannot do what God has called us to do, or that we cannot make it or are not good enough. Instead we turn to the Word of God which has the power to equip and enable, because His Word contains His life and essence.

See entry dated 19 June which explains how we are His living epistles because when we were born again, we become a new creation which can contain His nature and we have the ability to walk in Him. The old has passed away, the new has come. (my paraphrase of 2 Corinthians 5:17)

ONE WORD from God can change our lives!

So the conclusion is:

"Be diligent to present your self approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." (2 Timothy 2:15)

I'm going to acquaint myself more and more with the Word of God, which reveals His nature and is like my study guide for life. When i read His Word, i not only discover who God is, but also who I am in relationship to God and what He has done for me, and of course, what i am supposed to do in my life (enabled and empowered by the very life and essence of God contained in His WORD)!!

1st week of 40 days of purpose (from the purpose-driven life)

What on earth am i here for? - is the question of the 1st week of this 40 day of purpose journey that my church is taking together. More than 900 members and new friends from 4 to 90 years of age are taking part.

As we read the book this first week, we learn that God created us purposefully for a purpose and we are supposed to discover this purpose. Well, it's not going to take only 40 days... this is just the beginning. It's gonna be an exciting and adventurous life-long journey of discovery as we learn about the "five purposes" (these are the general purposes the author raises in the book) that should guide our lives.

What am I driven by? The book suggests that many are driven by anger, fears, need for approval, resentment, guilt, even materialism. But these are fleeting and temporal.

I heard this quotation in a sermon a couple of years back, and wrote it on the title page of my bible.

"There is but one motive that will sustain you in testing and trial - the love of Christ". ~ Hudson Taylor

The love of Christ compels me to do what i do in my life. I took a step out of the work of teaching i knew and loved (most of my job anyway) for 9 years, and went to bible school in obedience to the call i had on my life. "To love Him is to obey His Word" (my paraphrase of John 14:23).

God prepares ahead of time good work for us to do (Eph 2:10 - please see amplified version on the right of the blog page) and when He prepares, He prepares well. No details are left out. And everything is at the right place at the right time. (and we all know how difficult that is when we are dealing with people of all kinds! :D Well, nothing is too difficult for Him. In fact, nothing is impossible for Him! Haha... i'm laughing cos it's so true.) God not only prepares the work, He prepares us to do the work. Because of Jesus' death and resurrection, we are empowered and enabled, having been made a new creation in Him, to do what has been prepared for us.

He has revealed to me some of the plans He has for my life, and they thrill and fulfill me.

"No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has ever conceived the things He has prepared for those who love Him but God has revealed Him to us through His Spirit for the Spirit searches all things, yes the deep things of God." (1 Cor 2:9-10)

I'm pressing in for more of His purpose and plan for my life to be revealed to me as i live this purpose-driven life in Him.

a hurdle overcome

I passed my driving test on 11 July 2007 - on my first try.

This is a milestone in my life, because it shows me the power of God's word at work in my life.

For years, i've been afraid of driving. One recurring dream in my late teens and early 20s was that i would drive into the brick wall (this was the wall in the garage we had in our home of those years) . Another horrifying thought i usually avoided imagining through to its end was that I would destroy a life. So with these deterrents, i never wanted to learn to drive.

Finally, prompted by the Holy Spirit, with the desire to be a greater support to my parents, with the loving encouragement from my mum, armed with the knowledge of the word of God that "I can do all things through Him who gives me strength" and "God did not give us a spirit of timidity but of power, love and a sound mind", and also some moral support from the younger of my 2 younger brothers who signed up with me at the driving school, i started my lessons late last year.

My initial intention was to learn manual, instead of going straight for auto. The hurdle was too high, and my faith as well as my natural skills (which did not bend towards that direction - i took ages to learn to ride a bike) could not handle the footwork and gear changing. So upon the advice of one instructor, i switched to auto, and then i started to enjoy being on the road.

Instead of giving in to my fear every time i thought about driving, i started to declare that God had already given me boldness, and praised God for being with me and helping me. I began to see myself driving safely. The dream which had been so powerful before, faded from my consciousness. So i looked forward to lessons...most of the time. :D

As my test date neared and i was not mastering lane changing, the Holy Spirit showed me that i was talking about my failure to master it as though it were an impossible task. That somehow negated what i was praying and declaring regarding driving well. So when i went for the last few driving lessons before the test, instead of telling the instructor how bad i was at lane changing so they could give me help, i merely mentioned i needed practice. That helped somewhat my mindset and perspective. And i began to improve my lane changing by leaps and bounds.

2 days before my driving test, the fears came back again, threatening to overwhelm me. Again, i went to the word of God - mainly the 2 verses i mentioned earlier - and meditated on them. I was tossing between passing and failing, so i began to ask the Lord whether i would pass. The Holy Spirit replied: according to my faith. So i began to ask myself: what is my faith? what can i believe God for?

At first, i could barely see myself passing, but as i focused on His goodness in my life, and as i continued to meditate on His love and faithfulness found in His Word, my faith increased. I saw, with eyes of faith, myself passing and driving.

This phrase came up in my spirit the night before my test:
I will live and not die and praise the Lord in the land of the living;
I will pass and not fail, and praise the Lord in the land of the "driving".
I smiled to myself, amused at how live was equated with pass, and die with fail. But this helped me lots.

I enjoy driving now. And i'm believing for an increased understanding of road conditions so i'll be a skilfull and safe driver at all times.

Thank you Lord for favour and grace!

such joy

We had a good time teaching at the seminar in a recent trip in early July on Believers' Authority and the Grace of God. 40 pastors and leaders from various churches attended the 3 day seminar. Praise God the interpreter was excellent and experienced, and could flow along with us. God's presence and love were strong in the sessions, and many were refreshed, encouraged and enlightened by the Word taught.

There were a couple of sessions where we were led by the Holy Spirit to just sit in God's presence and worship. Some were quiet, others cried, and others spoke in tongues for 20 minutes at a stretch. The glory of God just filled the place. We believe many received what they needed from the ministry of the Holy Spirit.

We also ministered at a prayer meeting in a local church. 10 people were filled with the Holy Spirit with evidence of speaking in tongues. We also prayed with them for the building of a new church on the land they had recently purchased, laying hands on the pastor and the leaders - that God strengthen them and give them wisdom for the work ahead.

We are grateful that our local church supported us in prayer throughout the trip. We could sense the enabling of the Holy Spirit for us teachers as well as the pastors and leaders attending the Seminar.

So many things to praise God for:
Praise God for His blessings of health and protection, joy and strength during the trip.
Praise God also for the funds that came in for the trip. When He calls, He provides the means too! God is so so good!
Praise God for the opportunity to bring His Word to strengthen fellow believers! There's such joy in obeying Him as we go forth with the good news!

give me asia!

In his messages, Reinhard Bonnke often tells of his prayer before meals when he was a boy: GIVE ME AFRICA!

This prayer arose in my heart this evening as i was carrying groceries home: Lord, give me Asia!

It sounds arrogant, but no... just a sincere prayer from a humble heart turned towards God, attuned to His love for the nations, His desire that all come to know Jesus and have fellowship with their creator and heavenly father...

For the various nations in Asia, let your WORD be proclaimed to all the people groups! Let Your truth sound forth! Let the gospel be freely preached!

the thermostat

I was alone praying in one of the rooms in church when i realised that i had switched off the air-conditioner by mistake a few minutes before when it got too cold with only me in the room. I had meant to raise the temperature.

When the air-conditioner isn't running, there's no maintaining the temperature in the room, and the air in the room becomes stuffy instead. So because of my "thoughtless" action... i ended up feeling warm...

As i got up to turn on the air-conditioner, and also raise the temperature to a more comfortable level, this spiritual truth was dropped in my heart:

We cannot depend on our past prayers and stale manna (manna here referring to the word of God becoming alive in our lives) to keep us going in our relationship with God, and growing in the things of God.

Jude 20 (AMP)
But you, beloved, build yourselves up [founded] on your most holy faith [make progress, rise like an edifice higher and higher], praying in the Holy Spirit;

We have to "keep the temperature up" in our walk with God, and one important way to do it is to pray in the Holy Spirit often. It's like charging ourselves up, encouraging ourselves to keep on going in the midst of difficult circumstances, or
even just in our daily lives.

Rev 3:15-16 (NJKV)
15 “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. 16 So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.

It takes consistency to maintain status quo; it takes intensity to make progress and rise higher and higher as stated in the amplified version of Jude 20.

We don't want just to maintain what we have by being consistent though that's a good basic step. We want to grow, and impact lives around us, and that takes more out of us. But you know what, i've found it easy because God gives us grace - His unmerited, undeserved favour and blessing; His strength and ability - and really, He is my source and my strength. I just have to remain in Him.

Be intense in order to affect the world around us for Him -
Intensely seeking Him
Intensely reading His Word
Intensely worshiping Him

Being lukewarm or having a nonchalant attitude regarding the things of God does not take us anywhere or help us do anything - in fact the Lord HATES it!

Turn the heat up a couple of notches and watch what happens in your life and in the lives of those around you.

waves and sand

We were at beach resort at Bintan Island with my husband's family a couple of weeks ago. It was a great FUN time for 10 of us including 2 children under one roof. We ate, played, bbq-ed, cooked, swam, watched tv together for 3 days 2 nights. We celebrated our nephew's 2nd birthday, and mum in law's belated birthday too! We bonded...we've been doing this for a few years now.

On the 2nd evening, my husband and i took our almost 7-year old niece for a ride in the buggy to the beach to play in the sunset. It was beautiful. Not many people were at the beach as it was almost dinner time. At first, my niece didn't want to go onto the sand or into the water, so i stayed with her just above the sand on the grass. But really, the sand and sea were simply irresistable.

After a while, we found ourselves with our feet in the soft sand, and soon we were letting the waves come up to where we were, and wash away the sand from around our feet. Each time the waves came, we sank a little into the sand. This was a childhood "game" which i still enjoy. ;D

We told her about the holes in the sand made by the crabs - countless little ones with the occasional large ones. We philosophised about the shaped of clouds. We ran away from the waves.

Then, my husband found a little toy rake, abandoned by its owner. My ever-energetic niece began to make shapes and letters in the sand, which were promptly flattened by the waves - wiped clean like on a magna-doodle board. I would have been frustrated by the waves destroying my calligraphic efforts, but my niece took them in her stride, making more shapes to be erased, almost as if she were competing with the sand how much she could draw before the waves relentlessly "attacked" her creative endeavours.

As i watched her, i was reminded of how our sins have been "erased" by the Love of God. The scriptures describe the love of God as relentless, tough, uncompromising and unconditional - never-failing no matter what we have done, or what we are doing. "nothing can separate us from His Love"! His love is amazing!

As we rode in the buggy the long way (we intentionally took the long route) back to the villa, my husband started asking our niece about church and worship - what she enjoyed about sunday school, what her favourite praise song was. She declared that every songs was her favourite. I don't know how it happened, but 3 of us started singing "Light of the world...Here i am to worship" even as the day turned to dusk, and light was diminishing before our very eyes. What an apt time of worship to end a beautiful day created by the Lord just for us...

earthen vessels of PRECIOUS TREASURE (continued from the previous entry: The Cracked Cup

2 Corinthians 4:7 (AMP)
However, we possess this precious treasure [the divine Light of the Gospel] in [frail, human] vessels of earth, that the grandeur and exceeding greatness of the power may be shown to be from God and not from ourselves.

This precious treasures in us is the very person and power of God. He made us a new creation so that are able to contain His Holy presence. He purchased this transformation with the life and blood of His only Son, so that
in Him, we are chosen
in Him, we have redemption;
in Him, we are enriched with every good thing;
in Him, we are MORE than conquerors;
in Him, we ARE the righteousness of God;
in Him, we can bear MUCH fruit;
in Him, God supplies ALL our need;
in Him, we are established and built up;
in Him, we can do ALL things...

The list goes on... just look up the epistles and gospels and underline all verses containing the words - In Him and Through Him, and you will get a clearer picture of how PRECIOUS the TREASURE which has been placed in us so that
we can live in victory, and not in defeat;
we can have health, and not sickness;
we can be blessed (to be a blessing), and not be cursed;
we can have an abundant life, and not live in lack;
we can be the head, and not the tail;
we can have eternal life, and not be condemned;
we can have an intimate relationship with our heavenly Father, and not be separated from our creator and saviour.

1 John 4:4 (AMP)
Little children, you are of God [you belong to Him] and have [already] defeated and overcome them [the agents of the antichrist], because He Who lives in you is greater (mightier) than he who is in the world.

The most amazing thing is that He chose to live in us. When God created Adam and Eve, He enjoyed fellowshipping with them in the garden every day . He chatted and laughed and had fun with them. But He didn't live in them. He lives in us now. Our bodies become His Tabernacle. When we grasp this whole mind-boggling, gut-wrenching, beyond-beautiful design of our Heavenly FATHER, and begin to comprehend the explosive significance of God's redemption plan, we will live differently - yes, triumphantly and boldly - as carriers of His PRECIOUS TREASURE!