Alligator hides with soft insides

When i first heard this phrase in the title above in a message 2 weeks ago, i was struck by first the rhymes... haha the literature teacher inside me appreciated the poetry...

This was quickly followed by a realisation of the truth in the phrase.

Whether we are working in the marketplace or serving in the church, we come into contact with people with different experiences, backgrounds, opinions, perspectives, beliefs, convictions... the list goes on...

It is not surprising that we get irritable, upset, disappointed, angry, frustrated, sometimes disillusioned, with people we work with, often with our leaders as well.

But we cannot allow this to stop us from impacting and influencing the lives of others as we have been commanded to do in the Great Commission.

Paul exhorts us in 1 Cor 13 that we need to live and walk in love, and then goes on to define what that love is. I have often looked at the list in disbelief and think: who in the world can do that? That's just too much!!

But we can...

When we were born again, our spirits became alive unto God, affecting our entire being. We can have a relationship with God. Our spiritual DNA was totally transformed! The Holy Spirit injected into our spirit the ability to love the way God loves, which brings us back to 1 Cor 13. So we can love people the way Paul described; we are able to demonstrate the love of God in our lives.

This is the soft insides in the title phrase.

God's love is tough. Romans 8:38-39 shows us that nothing can separate us from the love of God. That's how tenacious God's love is. The love of God does not give up when things are difficult, when we encounter challenges, when we face problems, when people disagree with us, disappoint us, hurt us, anger us.

When we grow in the Lord, we are established in Him and in His Word. Our love is being perfected as we continue to act in love. That's how we become tough. That's how we overcome. That's how we bounce back.

Alligator hides. Strong exterior, but still sensitive to the Holy Spirit, still compassionate to others in need, still kind and loving even when people are difficult.

His love compels me, strengthens me, sensitizes me...

a lovely wedding

A special friend whom i saw grow from a teenager to a young lady got married last Saturday. I teared when i saw her walking down the aisle with her father...

It was a lovely wedding. I especially enjoyed the video they put together, which showed the two different perspectives of the bride and groom in how they met, their first impressions of each other, and how God prepared them to be together.

At the wedding dinner, we learnt a precious lesson that was spoken by the pastor specifically for the groom: You can never be wrong when you give up your rights.

Today the newly weds are having their celebration in Chiang Mai. I wonder how they are doing. I'm sure everything would go well, and they will be ecstatic among friends and family, and I'm sure, much less nervous.

I have only one regret: i did not get to take a picture with just the bridal couple...

Perhaps another time... though the couple will no longer be in their elegant and formal gown and suit...

a single soul saved!

At the women's meeting 2 days ago, there was a lady there who was not a believer came to the meeting. This Indonesian believer was sharing a table at the coffeeshop, and spoke to her about God, and brought her to the meeting.

She had to be prompted to come up to be prayed for as everything was so new to her. She wanted to find a permanent job as she had been on contract assignments for many years. When i knew she was not a believer, i asked her whether she wanted to become a believer and be part of God's family, assuring her that we would still pray for her job if she did not want to confess Jesus as Lord.

But she did. So we prayed, and the Kingdom of God had a new member!!! Praise the Lord!

I also prayed for her to be baptised in the Holy Spirit.

At first she was nervous and slightly tense. After we told her to relax, and after 10 minutes, she began to shake under the power of the Lord. His love just overwhelmed her.

It was another few hours before i could sleep. Too excited!! :D

resurrection power!

These are notes that i've put down as i meditated on resurrection power, in preparation for a women's meeting i spoke at.

Of course, the spoken message turned out slightly different from what i prepared, but the main points are all there.

Check out the illustrations!!

1.We already have the power!

2 Cor 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.

I've been meditating on resurrection power! We have to first be aware that we have this power. When I first learnt this, it used to blow my mind, no pun intended. Every so often, I would think, wow I have this power at work in me. It is the same power that raised Jesus from the dead.

Eph 1: 17-20 (AMP)

17[For I always pray to] the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, that He may grant you a spirit of wisdom and revelation [of insight into mysteries and secrets] in the [deep and intimate] knowledge of Him, 18By having the eyes of your heart flooded with light, so that you can know and understand the hope to which He has called you, and how rich is His glorious inheritance in the saints (His set-apart ones), 19And [so that you can know and understand] what is the immeasurable and unlimited and surpassing greatness of His power in and for us who believe, as demonstrated in the working of His mighty strength,

2. What can the power do?

Resurrection, speaking life into situations, bringing hope in difficulties. Setting people free. Jesus came to teach, preach and heal.

It takes Great power to accomplish great things.

Deut 9:10 – Finger of God wrote commandments.

Luke 11:20 – finger of God drives demons.

Josh 4:24 – hand of God.

Deut 26:8 - The arm of God brought people out of Egypt.

Psa 98:1, Isa 52:10 – arm of God saves

Matthew 9:35 And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the good news (the Gospel) of the kingdom and curing all kinds of disease and every weakness and infirmity.

John 11:40-44

This resurrection power that Jesus demonstrated here in the raising of Lazarus has been made available to us because of the finished work of the cross.

This brings glory to God.

This power helps us to fulfill His plan for our lives.

This power enables us to influence our family.

This power results in freedom to be who God wants us to be.

3. How to activate it?

Jesus gave us the authority to use the power when we were born again. We already have this power in us. We don’t need more power, but a deeper understanding of who you are, what God has done for us and given us. The more we know about God, the more we understand this power. Many levels to knowing Him. Many aspects of His character.

Acorn seed. The oak tree is in the seed – the DNA is there. But it takes time and the right conditions to grow and develop to full potential. So you have to ensure right conditions. For us the right conditions would be spending time with God, prayer, reading the WORD. It is not a 10-step programme. It is a relationship with God.

Knowing and believing, hearing from God. Once you hear from God, like Jesus did, GO!

Then we have to know how to activate it: Through believing. Toward us who believe.

It is easy to believe when you know the Word and the God

Jesus knew God. He was in constant communion with God. He understood God's heart, having heard from Him regarding this situation. His prayer.

Solar power - went to chiang mai with a friend to set up solar power panels. they stay in the sun, soak up the solar energy and then give off light once it is turned on. Once it is charged, it can be used. In the same way, we commune with the heavenly father, and this power is activated.

Cell phone – full charge, one bar charge, three bar charge. How much you want is up to you?

Phil 3:10 (AMP)

[For my determined purpose is] that I may know Him [that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His Person more strongly and more clearly], and that I may in that same way come to know the power outflowing from His resurrection [which it exerts over believers], and that I may so share His sufferings as to be continually transformed [in spirit into His likeness even] to His death, [in the hope]

cascades

I've always been fascinated by waterfalls since i was young.

The grandeur and majesty of the fall;
the roar of the waters as they cascade,
the cool of the splash of the rebound.
Absolutely refreshing...

Perhaps it is also because my name means refreshing brook or cascade.
:D
Well, ok, that's poor logic, i know

Anyway,
I've seen them in
West Malaysia,
East Malaysua,
Tasmania,
Australia,
New Zealand,
and most recently,
the one in Myanmar
(see photo above).

One day, I'm gonna go to Niagara Falls...

John 7:38
He who believes in Me [who cleaves to and trusts in and relies on Me]
as the Scripture has said,
From his innermost being shall flow [continuously]
springs and rivers of living water.

outdoor family portrait

This outdoor family portrait was taken a few months back.

It is one of my favourites.

We were asked to look up at the sky, and ended up admiring the creation of the LORD,
for REAL!

Don't you just love the clouds?

THIS IS MY FATHER'S WORLD
I rest me in the thought...

Our Heavenly Father holds the world in His HAND.

Me included.

my cupcakes overfloweth

This was one of my teacher's day gift this year from the organization i work with.

I have two teaching projects with them -
one at a secondary school and one at an international school.

Aren't the colours beautiful??

Tapping into His grace (parts of an MSN conversation)

Many pp mistake mercy for grace.

Mercy is needed when we fall. God does not give us what we deserve - punishment, death, bad consequences so mercy is when we don't get what we deserve. Jesus gave His life so that God's mercy reaches us.

Grace is when we get what we don't deserve - blessings, health, love, etc.

We don't earn either.

2 Cor 12:9-10 (AMP)
9But He said to me, My grace (My favor and loving-kindness and mercy) is enough for you [sufficient against any danger and enables you to bear the trouble manfully]; for My strength and power are made perfect (fulfilled and completed) and show themselves most effective in [your] weakness. Therefore, I will all the more gladly glory in my weaknesses and infirmities, that the strength and power of Christ (the Messiah) may rest (yes, may pitch a tent over and dwell) upon me!
10So for the sake of Christ, I am well pleased and take pleasure in infirmities, insults, hardships, persecutions, perplexities and distresses; for when I am weak [in human strength], then am I [truly] strong (able, powerful in divine strength).

When we want to stand strong and have victorious in our lives, we are able to. It is made easy for us to do it cos of God's grace through the Lord Jesus. We tap on his grace to live out the truths and be more than conquerors.

Serving grace is the ability of God given to us in our lives to minister to others

1 Peter 4:10-11 (AMP)

10As each of you has received a gift (a particular spiritual talent, a gracious divine endowment), employ it for one another as [befits] good trustees of God's many-sided grace [faithful stewards of the extremely diverse powers and gifts granted to Christians by unmerited favor].
11Whoever speaks, [let him do it as one who utters] oracles of God; whoever renders service, [let him do it] as with the strength which God furnishes abundantly, so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ (the Messiah). To Him be the glory and dominion forever and ever (through endless ages). Amen (so be it).

The secret is having a vital relationship with Him, communing with Him. Then you serve out of that LIFE in Him. That's how we tap into His grace.

BEING a child of God

Being a believer is not just about doing the right things, saying the right words or being in the right crowd. It is about being in a RIGHT relationship with God, not of our own doing, but because of Christ's finished work on the cross.

Galatians 4:5-7
5But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, 5to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons. 6Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, "Abba, Father." 7So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir.

It is about being God's child, enjoying intimacy with the Heavenly Father.

THIS is who we really are. We are more than just the roles we play in life - spouse, child to our natural parents, parent, colleague, employee, friend.

Being the SON or DAUGHTER of God is the very core of who we are. Our ability to develop to our fullest potential and our impact on the lives of others are rooted in who we are in relation to our Heavenly Father. When we know that we have a right relationship with God, we become assured and confident, not only in our relationship with Him, but in our relationship with others. What we enjoy as a result of this relationship is boundless, unlimited.

We have often heard it said: Don't just look for the gifts, focus on the GIVER. How do we focus on the Giver? We focus on His Desire - He seeks communion with us. We spend time with Him. We hear from Him. All the other things stem from this very communion with Him.

In the education arena, we often teach our students about being and becoming, and not just doing. These are based on biblical principles.

If you ABIDE in Him, and His Word ABIDES in you...

If you are in Him, if you be IN HIM, His Word will naturally dwell in you supernaturally, then you will become a bearer of fruit, much fruit and fruit that remains.

I am so thankful God made me HIS CHILD. I can call Him ABBA.

what a blessing!

I was so blessed when a teaching project that i did over 10 weeks in the last few months brought me almost $150 more than was initially agreed.

It was a pleasant surprise when i came back from my trip two weeks ago and received a call regarding this good news.

God is so good.

:D

worship - connecting with God (2)

Many times, we are exhorted to be silent before our God. This indeed is a good discipline and the verse often quoted to us is:

Psalm 46:10
Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!

But there are also many other verses from the Book of Psalms that encourage us to

SHOUT,
lift up our voices,
lift our hands,
lift our heads,
clap our hands,
play instruments,
dance,
testify to the congregation,
bow before Him,
kneel,
prostrate,
make a joyful noise,
sing

in praise and worship of our GOD.

Sometimes people assume that believers who are extravagant in their expression of worship often do not mean what they sing, and thus warn us to be careful what we sing or say. I think we should encourage people to be more expressive. We often say to our spouses or parents or siblings or friends - I love you - or give them a hug. We usually mean these things but there are times when we face conflicts in our relationship or when we have a bad day at the office or when we are not well, that we don't feel the love. This does not mean we no longer love, but we are preoccupied with other concerns. So we take time and effort to resolve the conflict, put aside our work problems, have a good rest with some medication, and make time for the people we love. Same with our God.

Therefore, believers should be encouraged to express our love and surrender to God even more often, and begin to live out what we express without any fear because God's perfect love drives out all fear and we live, assured of His bountiful, unlimited, unconditional goodness toward us.

We want to put aside a single-dimensional understanding of worship which just discusses forms of worship and deal with the crux of worship, which is our RELATIONSHIP with God. God seeks those who are spirit to worship Him. He longs for us. He gave His Son that we might come to Him without sin and in righteousness that comes from Him.

Moreover, the worship of God in our lives wherever we are and whenever it is, should impact our very lives, attitudes, perspectives of people and things and even who God is.

worship - connecting with God (1)

Believers want to worship God, to come face to face with Him, encountering and connecting with Him.

It is not entertainment that these believers passionate for the Presence of God seek; but to experience His very Presence and to hear from Him.

We need to deal with the central focus of worship, and this is not about forms. Forms, rituals, patterns can help us, but many times they become hindrances because we are so familiar with these habitual methods that we just act them out, in other words, go through the motions.

The Lord Jesus said very clearly that it is no longer the location or the form which defines true worship. In the New Covenant, born again believers are able to worship our God in SPIRIT and in TRUTH because our spirits have been made alive unto Him and His Word is written in our hearts of flesh.

John 4:23-24
23 "But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. 24 God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”

The important thing here is to have God's grace and anointing and presence so strong in the worship service or any time and anywhere that we worship him that individuals are edified and are spurred on to good works. This is especially true when we gather together as His people to worship Him.

Hebrews 10:24-25
24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

speaking life!

In June this year, I was asking God about having people whose lives i can speak as most of my mentoring relationships or ladies that i used to have bible study with are moving on in life - having babies, being married to spouses who attend or pastor another church.

Within a couple of months of this request, my church pastor approached me to mentor/disciple/ conduct bible study with 2 girls in their late teens. I was really excited at how God brought this about. He placed the desire within me, and then fulfilled it. How amazing is that!!

We were supposed to start in October and meet once a fortnight.

I had a good time meeting with 2 young girls last Thursday - a little awkward initially as first time meetings can be. Soon we got to talking like old friends, with just a few pauses here and there. We talked about expectations of our mentoring relationship, their walk with God, answered questions they had and also what they wanted to do after their "A" levels.

Our next meeting will be next Friday. We will spend a portion of the meeting doing a bible study on life purposes. I am looking forward to it!

I like them. I pray they learn more and more about You, and as they know You, they will make good decisions led by Your Spirit; that they will experience Your love more and more and be secure in their identity in Christ.