"Joy to the world! The Lord is Come!"

As we look to Him this Christmas Day, let's enjoy not only fellowship, fun & food of family & friends, but also

The contentment of His provision.
The companionship of His presence.
The confidence of His promise.
The comfort of His protection.

"O come let us adore Him, Christ the Lord!

Emmanuel, God with us!

Inspired by Isaiah 40

Powerful & just,
yet tender in His mercy.
He is Almighty Creator, Gentle Shepherd.
Omnipotent Lord,Loving Leader, Lifter of the lowly.

Mighty Ruler, Sympathising Provider, Strengthener of the Weak,
Straightener of Paths, Smoothener of Rough Places, Source of Good News.

He reassures,
releases,
renews,
restores,
rewards.

Eternal, Infinite, Infallible,
there is
NONE
besides

HIM.

hp note 23 (RM - law of grace)

Matthew 5:17-19 - the law has the following purposes:

1. Law as Master.
It shows us we are imperfect. Salvation from God is the transfer from being under the law to under grace. A good example will be from a transfer from a class with a punitive teacher focused only on discipline to a nurturing teacher focused on developing.

2. Law as Moral Standard of God.
James 1:22
Romans 7:7
The law reflects the parameter of God's desire for His people but does not reflect the extent of His Love.

3. Law as Map
Psalm 119:105 - The Word of God shows us the direction to take in life.
God never intended for us to choose between right and wrong. He forbade Adam and Eve to eat from the Tree of knowledge of good and evil.
The law shows us what is good and evil.
The main question or focus should be on what is life and death, and through Jesus, full of grace, we now have the ability to choose LIFE!

4. Law as Measure
The law measures our progress. The Word of God shows us where we are. We should not use it to judge or measure others. The word of God is not a machete we use to cut others down.
We are punished with consequences, but grace is not condemnation. Instead His grace gives us His grade for the test of life.

what Jesus is all about (excerpted from JL Grady)

What Jesus Is All About?, is a classic book written more than 50 years ago by Henrietta Mears, a Bible teacher who helped mentor both Billy Graham and Bill Bright in the 1940s.

Mears explains in her book how each of the four gospels—Matthew, Mark, Luke and John—give us a unique, four-dimensional portrait of the Savior.

According to Mears:

• Matthew was written to Jews to tell of a Promised Savior who is also a King—and it uses the word “kingdom” 55 times.

• Mark was written to Gentiles to tell of a Powerful Savior—and it reports more miracles than any other gospel.

• Luke was written by a Gentile to tell of a Perfect Savior—and it has the most references to Jesus’ humanity.

• John was written by “the disciple whom Jesus loved” to tell of a Personal Savior—and it has the most references to Jesus’ divine nature.

The Holy Spirit who inspired the Bible knew we needed more than a one-, two- or three-dimensional look at Jesus. The Spirit gave us a four-dimensional view so that we could gaze at Him from all sides and become captivated by His magnificence—His supreme kingship, His compassionate mercy, His supernatural power, His perfect justice, His amazing humility and His love for sinners like you and me.

prayer school series 2010 - part 14 (the word as our map and manual in prayer)

-Knowing our position in Christ (spiritually we sit at the right hand of Christ in heavenly places) changes our prayer life.

-Knowing that God has already placed His power in us (as we know His power more and more, we will talk, walk and pray differently)

- 2 Corinthians 4:7-12

-The bible is our prayer manual that gives instructions on how to do/approach things. It is also a map that gives direction for our lives and pointing us in the right directions; what steps to take.

-Psalm 119:105

-Isaiah 50:11

-Jeremiah 10:23

-We are not to direct our own paths but to allow God’s word to do so.

-Ephesians 2:6

-Proverbs 18:21

-We renew our minds by reading the word and as we are being guided by the Holy Spirit

-John 6:63

-Matthew 12:34b-37

-Colossians 4:16

-We trust in the word, we trust in God. We don’t look for steps but instead we seek God.

-It is about relationships with our heavenly Father, beyond rules and regulations; it is dynamic rather than static.

-John 14:15

-1 John 5:1-5

-Because of God’s love, we respond to His love and obey Him.

-John 14:10-14

Students went into a time of worship

-Amazing Love

-Here I am to Worship

hp note 22 (RM - blessed life)

Generosity and stewardship are two legs of a blessed life

1. Extreme Stewardship
Matthew 25:14 - all given by God
Only our sin is ours.
We are born with talent.
Skill is what we do with is.
Stewardship is developing our talent.

2. Extravagant generosity
Matthew 26:4
Frugal to be generous.

3. Extraordinary sacrifice.

hp note 21 (AG - influence)

Influence - shape life
Disciple - from a senior to a junior.
His last command is my first concern - the great commission.

Mentor - greek origin.
- coaching
- change process
- who is the change agent - Holy Spirit!
- the key is what God wants to do in this person

hp note 20 (RM - happy child, happy house)

Proverbs 23:13-14
Submission needs to be learnt so that we can submit to God.

Proverbs 22:15
Rod drives foolishness

Proverbs 13:24
Ephesians 6:4
The responsibility of discipline lies first with the father.
A disobedient child can RULE the house and influence its atmosphere.

1. Be clear in instructions, results and reasons - Bad things happen to people who disobey.

2. Be firm. Get attention. Volume does not mean authority. The goal is not to spank or punish but obedience.

3. Be consistent. Keep guidelines, word and method.

4. Be convicting, not condemning. Say it specifically, repeatedly, differently.

5. Be chastening - correcting, not chastising - punishing. Give correction, not embarrassment. Don't shame. Shame does not produce righteousness. Give covering.

6. Be compassionate - hold, hug and heal them.

7. Release forgiveness. Lead them to ask God for forgiveness. Reaffirm love.

hp note 19 (RM - happy husband, happy home)

Ephesians 5:21-24, 33
Key to spouse's life- submission: take mission of our life and put it under the Lord.
Take the mission of my life and put it under the mission of my spouse.

Man's needs:
1. Companionship.
Genesis 2:18 - playmate. Have fun.

2. Sex
We hear things through our own needs.
All sex outside of the marriage relationship leads to death
James 1:14-15
Men get in touch with emotions through sex.
Women get in touch with sex through emotions
Proverbs 7:21-23
Mark 6:1-5

3. Honour - it's not what you say, but how you say it.
Nothing justifies dishonouring your husband.
You honour your husband, he'll rise as a great man - like a cork in a bucket.
Men like to appear tough but they are not.
Men are sensitive emotionally; women are sensitive physically.
When we dishonour him, it's like he was punched in the stomach.
Men, like God, will live in houses of praise.
Honour him where you want him to be, not where he is.

UPDATED!! My Tribute: birthday reflections - my secondary school years (Year 13-16)

This is a continuation from last year's birthday reflections. You can read last year's post on the following address:
http://adivinepurpose.blogspot.com/2009/11/my-tribute-birthday-reflections.html

Year 13
PSLE was just over, and i remember insisting on going to an all girls' secondary school nearer my place. I also did not want to take Chinese as first language although my results were good enough for me to go. Secondary school was very different from primary school. I took a whole year to adjust to having to study 9 subjects instead of 4. This was something that i began to note later in life, and asked for help from the Holy Spirit to adapt and adjust more quickly to changes in circumstances and situations. And because of the nature of the questions - structured and essay questions, my strong short term memory and quick recognition and understanding skills were no longer that useful. What was required was longer term memory and application and elaboration skills. I was also struggling at art, which had us sketch the human body, and objects in perspective and lighting. The only way i passed that subject was because the teacher gave us the exam questions and i practised over and over under the patient guidance of my mum some scene at the beach.

I joined the school choir and enjoyed it. I much preferred singing to playing the pianica (it was a small keyboard where you had to blow air into in order to produce organ-like sounds - i don't see it around anymore) in the ensemble i joined in primary school. Singing was to become a preference throughout my life - i enjoyed singing more than playing instruments but of course i was often glad that i could play the piano as it provided the accompaniment as i sang and worshiped.

I also joined the church choir, and enjoyed it even more as we sang songs to God and about God.

I started preparing for my grade 8 practical and theory examinations. The pieces had to be memorised and again this posed much difficulty for me. I got away with as little practice as i could. I became slightly more interested in my examination pieces only when my piano teacher complimented me on having some feeling and expression as i played. Talk about the power of praise and encouragement.

I also joined senior sunday school and became closer to my sunday school girlfriends who have now become lifelong friends. We still meet up at least once a year.

I attended sunday school camp for the first time in my life. We stayed overnight. Because of my sleeping habits, i remember trying to stay up was really tough.

I'm not sure whether this was the first year i went carolling, or was it the following year? I always did enjoy carolling, especially the singing part, and the adrenaline spurts for this special christmas eve certainly kept me awake, unlike other nights.

Year 14
Baby D was born in January 2010. He was brought out five minutes after he was born - bloody and wailing. Flat-faced and huge, his red complexion was what got me worried. When the nurse placed him in my arms, i remembered thinking: "oh no! will he be this red all his life!!??" And when he opened his mouth to cry, there was green and brown stuff inside. Ugh! That was my first introduction to my younger brother. The nurse then brought him away to clean him.

A month after he was born, my parents and two brothers were involved in an accident, but God miraculously protected their lives. Satan's assignment against our family was thwarted, and our family continues to serve the Lord passionately even till today. I love my family very much and am so thankful to God for His protection.

This is recorded in another blog entry: http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=2454081468847069015&postID=2617733628467536608

Kong Kong said that baby brother would serve God as he was snatched from the jaws of death at such an early age.
When baby brother turned 22, a woman minister of God marvelled that satan had put such a terrible assignment on him, but a greater Power than his had thwarted that assignment and protected brother's life. She then went on to prophesy that he had a calling to minister to those in society who are different and radical. My parents continue to serve God in their retired or as my dad likes to call it, REFIRED years. They are actively involved in the church choir, prayer ministry and serve as ALPHA facilitators. They also travel to different nations to minister to children. My other brother who is 4 years younger, also serves in the church leadership.

Mum needed help to look after my baby brother as her arm was in a cast. We found a Christian neighbour in the same block (whom we have never met before) who turned out to be an excellent care-giver. I also helped to change and feed him when he came home in the evenings. I learnt that i was not supposed to place my chin on the top of a newborn baby's head no matter how comfortable it is as the skull has not hardened yet. I also dropped him once, but thank God it was not from a high position, and being the tough baby he was, he did not cry for long. There was also once he peed right when i was changing his diapers, aiming directly at my face and neck before i could cover him.

This was an easier year where studies were concerned. I began to understand how to answer questions, and enjoyed my lessons more. Our class took part in the drama competition and went into the finals. I think we came in third with our dramatisation of Jane Eyre being dragged into the dreaded Red Room. I was the cruel aunt! I think it was because of my voice, not so much my looks. haha!

I did okay in my grade 8 exams. And my parents said i could stop piano lessons for the time being. I was elated. I only decided to take it up again in JC1, but because of the demands of the diploma programme in pianoforte as well as JC, i decided to withdraw from having lessons after just two months.

I was the treasurer for the school choir. I enjoyed collecting money. :D

Towards the end of the year, I was also interviewed by the Principal and Prefect Mistress for the position of prefect. I cleared the interview, but only after being told by the Principal to study hard for my final examinations. I did, and fared better than in Secondary One, and went to a good class for Secondary Three.

Year 15
i enjoyed literature even more, and science even less. E Maths was okay, but i was stumped by A Math. I started writing journals, and became more passionate about the things of God. God's Word became alive to me. My Sunday School experience was rich, and it helped that the superintendent was intensely excited about the reality of God's existence and love. It became clear to me that God is interested in our everyday lives.

It also surprised me that my parents, especially my papa, would know when i drifted a little from the Lord, or did not spend time with Him. Papa would tell me 'Focus on God and all other things would fall into place'. His wisdom is with me till today.

I was a prefect as well, and enjoyed my weekly duties, either doing rounds during recess or being in charge of the PA System.

I was also selected to emcee a school event. They liked my pronunciation and enunciation, and tonal quality. haha... i remember being elated at being selected. :D

I also became more aware of what other girls talked about - clothes, music, shoes, bags, magazines, boy bands, and boys from a neighbouring school. I found myself not being able to join in all the time as i was not interested in most of these things, though boys, by far, were the most intriguing. Music which appealed to teens at that time was a whole different world from my own exposure to oldies, musicals and classical music.

There was some misunderstanding in school when some choir members complained about my 'bossiness'. The teacher in charge defended me, but i began to see how my good intentions could be thwarted by my over enthusiastic persuasion and tendency to want people to do things a certain way. I certainly tampered down my passion and persuasive ways as it was more important for me that people thought well of me and i interacted well with them, than it was for things to get done. The part about people thinking well about me changed in later years, when i realised that it was more important that i obeyed God. But at 15 years old, i was still more attuned to other people's opinions than God's.

Year 16
Our class took part in a few inter-class competitions. We all gave these events our very best, knowing that it was our final year in the school. The teachers also gave each Secondary Four class an opportunity to put up an assembly programme. We did a song and a couple of dances. I was involved in one dance - the Charleston. The teachers were surprised at some of us as we were conservative till our dance. That's the only dance i know till today. Er... actually, i don't think i know how to dance it anymore.

By this time, i had gone to the National Day Parade at least twice. We had to go for rehearsals, dress rehearsals, and then the actual day itself where we were at the stadium as early as 2.30pm to rehearse one last time, rain or shine. Compared to how the boys had to do national service, our patriotism to our country was less exacting. I had to go once more in JC, and then as a teacher, brought my choir students for 2 more National Day Parades (as well as the rehearsals in those 2 years). From secondary one till i resigned from teaching in 2002, i have attended at least 5 NDPs (each of which had at least 2 full rehearsals which meant 8 hours at the stadium or padang, which meant i attended 15 NDPs!!). I only watch parts of the NDP on TV now.

My two classmates and i who stayed around sims drive/sims avenue area often took the same bus with this boy from a neighbouring school who looked like Kenny Bee. There was once after we alighted at the same stop, we decided to follow him home. I think it freaked him out because at one block, he suddenly turned around the corner and disappeared. We never did it again, though we continued to 'admire' him from afar.

O levels was quite tough. Later i would find out that A levels was tougher still. I did well enough to go to a JC of my choice. My love for literature had increased but because of poor time management, i did not do too well in it. I remember having only 15 minutes left for the last question which i hurriedly wrote two paragraphs and scribbled the rest of the points within just one page. It was a miracle i still managed a b3. I was to use this painful lesson as a teaching point in my lessons when i became a teacher 8 years later - TIME MANAGEMENT IS IMPORTANT!

I became more involved in the worship ministry in church. I started out as an organist in the evening service at 14 years old, but the newly formed band needed a keyboardist. My training was done by a seasoned guitarist who would sing out the chords so that i could get them right as we practised. He also taught me about rhythm. He never got angry with me, though he sometimes sighed in between songs. Sadly that guitarist died in an accident during his honeymoon in NZ about three years later. I remember him fondly as a kind and patient man who gave his all when he served.

hp note 18 (supernatural vs superficial)

If you are not living a supernatural life,

you are living a superficial life.

Ephesians 3:20

Ephesians 1:19

hp note 17 (RM - happy wife, happy life)

Ephesians 5:25-29
Jesus lay life down to meet needs of man.

1. Communciation - word for word; thought for thought.
Feelings assembled by woman.
Marriage mirrors God.
Once a man connects with a woman, deepen in connection with God.

2. Leadership is not domination but initiation, especially in spiritual matters - lead in prayer, discipline of children, romance. Romance is meeting a need before it is spoken. Budget decides.

3. security. Wife can't hear you if you talk in insecure terms whether financially or emotionally.

prayer school series 2010 - part 13 (revelation of God's plans and purposes)

I taught the following on 15 July 2010:

Scripture reference: Psalms 139, Ephesians 3:1-5

Psalm 139:13-16 ... 13 For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother's womb. 14 I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well. 15 My frame was not hidden from You, When I was made in secret... 16 Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, The days fashioned for me, When as yet there were none of them.

God's plans for us were written even before we were formed (v16). He knows those plans and He knows us thoroughly (v13-15).

Ephesians 3:1-5 1 For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for you Gentiles-- 2 if indeed you have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which was given to me for you, 3 how that by revelation He made known to me the mystery (as I have briefly written already, 4 by which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ), 5 which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets:

As we spend time with God, praying in the Spirit and reading of His Word, He will reveal His mysteries to my spirit and mind. (v4-5)

Therefore, since God's plans for us have already been written (Psa 139:16) and He will make them known to us through the Spirit (Eph 3:5) , we can 'pray out' God's future plans right now .

A possible way to 'pray out' God's plans

Sometimes words in our known language flow out while we pray in tongues. Set our heart on seeking the Lord, and speak out those disjointed syllabus, or sounds. He will reveal more and those words or sounds may start to become clearer in our mind.

Purpose for God's plans

A colleague prophesied, "Expect great things from the Lord. He wants His plans and purposes to be fruitful in our lives. And He is accomplishing this as we abide in Him. Fruitful lives are for others - that is the purpose of our lives in Him."

prayer school series 2010 - part 12 (reviving dead situations)

I taught the following on 22 July 2010.

Scripture reference: Eze 37:1-14, John 11:38-44, Luke 8:49-60, Luke 7:11-17

God's Word can turn seemingly desperate situations around.

God's Word can bring life.

Ezekiel 37:1-14 ... 1 The hand of the LORD came upon me and brought me out in the Spirit of the LORD, and set me down in the midst of the valley; and it was full of bones. 2 ... and indeed they were very dry. 3 And He said to me, "Son of man, can these bones live?" So I answered, "O Lord GOD, You know."

(v2) "Very dry" bones imply that there was absolutely no life in that situation for a long time. But Ezekiel was ready to believe and wanted to hear God's view of the situation (v3). Despite the fact that the bones could not hear him, naturally speaking, Ezekiel prophesied life over dry bones because God told him to.

It is the very nature or essence of God to speak life. We should proclaim, by faith, what we hear God saying, and not what we perceive with our senses.

John 11:38-44 ... 39 Jesus said, "Take away the stone." Martha, the sister of him who was dead, said to Him, "Lord, by this time there is a stench, for he has been dead four days." ... 41 Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead man was lying. And Jesus lifted up His eyes and said, "Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. ... 43 Now when He had said these things, He cried with a loud voice, "Lazarus, come forth!" 44 And he who had died came out bound hand and foot with graveclothes, and his face was wrapped with a cloth.

This passage can be applied to 'dead situations'. The hopelessness in Lazarus' situation was obvious; there was a "stench" and he had been dead for four days (v38). Jesus remained unmoved by what He saw in the natural, but looked to God (v41). He prophesied life (v43) and resurrected the dead (v44).

Luke 8:49-60 49 While He was still speaking, someone came from the ruler of the synagogue's house, saying to him, "Your daughter is dead. Do not trouble the Teacher." 50 But when Jesus heard it, He answered him, saying, "Do not be afraid; only believe, and she will be made well." ... 52 Now all wept and mourned for her; but He said, "Do not weep; she is not dead, but sleeping." 53 And they ridiculed Him, knowing that she was dead. 54 But He put them all outside, took her by the hand and called, saying, "Little girl, arise." 55 Then her spirit returned, and she arose immediately.

Jesus spoke out based on what He saw in His Spirit (v50, 52) despite what others saw in the natural (v49), and he was not moved by the ridicule of others (v53). Again, He prophesied life (v54) and resurrected the dead. We can do the same when we see with spiritual eyes, prophesy life, and "only believe" (v50).

(Additional reading: Luke 7:11-17 Jesus Raises the Son of the Widow of Nain)

Listen to what God says about any situation, and do or say what He says. Many times He will tell us what He wants us to proclaim about a matter. Our obedience to speak in accordance with His Word plays a part in bringing life into the situation.

(Prayer time)

prayer school series 2010 - part 11 (watchmen do not keep silent)

Hubby taught the following at prayer school on 19 July 2010

* Especially when it comes to praying, we have to ask God, what to pray for.

* Memorised Scriptures are for the purpose that, they can eventually be dropped from my mind to my heart. (Not for just staying as mind knowledge)

Isa 62:6 I have set watchmen on your walls, O Jerusalem, who shall never hold their peace day or night.

You who make mention of the LORD, do not keep silent,

* We all believers are watchmen. All churches, are connected. Criticising churches, is speaking against God Himself.

* There may be times when God may give us prayer assignments. Do not keep silent. We may not be aware of a situation, but this is the time we declare our rights.

* Watchmen are on high towers; bell & drum will sound – whatever they see, they announce out. Be liberal , & pray It out.

Eze 3:17 Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me.

* We, become His watchmen. God says, “Hear, a Word, from : My Mouth” – the WORD of direction is originating from God, not from ourselves.

Take Heed to what the HolySpirit wants to say

Mar 13:33 Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.

* Be ready , to hear from the HolySpirit; If I want to be used as a vessel in daily life, I CAN hear very clearly.

Joh 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not

speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

* Whilst praying in the spirit, don't switch off my mind – be alert to what the HolySpirit wants to say to me.

* As I pray in the spirit , my spirit-man will become sensitive to the HolySpirit.

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Prayer Time.

* Supplication, for churches in Singapore.

prayer school series 2010 - part 10 (God-initiated prayer)

Hubby taught the following during prayer school:

1. God initiates
2. Man receives
3. Holy Spirit leads us to pray the most effective prayer
4. God answers

• Isaiah 55:8-11 “ For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” says the LORD. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.“ For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, and do not return there, but water the earth, and make it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower and bread to the eater, So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.”

• It starts from God, when we pray we know our prayers will be answered.

• 1 John 5:14-15 “Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.”

• “according to His will”
• the important thing is knowing God’s will
• "show us things to come'
  

• John 16:13 “However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.”

prayer school series 2010 - part 9 (watch and pray 2)

When we commit ourselves to God, we are committing to a good God who watches over us.
When He calls us He gives us gifts that enable us

Our prayers must come from God; from His word.

Why are things not coming to pass or happening? When we speak forth the word of God, something happens immediately in the spirit realm. Hold fast to your confession of faith and do not let go. It will manifest in the natural realm.

If you do not know what to pray, don’t speak it yet. Watch and pray till it is revealed.

Scriptures quoted to pray and proclaim over our lives and over others:

Phil 9:1-11

Colossians 1:9-13

Ephesians 1:16-23

James 3:13-17

Matt 8:17

1 Peter 2:24

Isaiah 53:3-5

Isaiah 21:6

Paul exalted us to pray continually, we can do that when we take our positions and be watchmen at our posts, day and night, watching what the Lord say to us with faith and confident expectation. And then when we receive, we begin to proclaim and speak forth the word; it will send the ministering angels to go forth and pave the way ahead.

Ephesians 2:6, 10– We sit at the right hand of God in the heavenly places (spiritually), therefore we can see as He sees and know as He knows, not all that He sees and knows but what we need He will reveal to us when we ask of Him.

Isaiah 62:6-7

He is preparing us on top of preparing the circumstances, divine appointments, people, establishing of foundations and so on.

We are to wait upon the Lord in patience.

Isaiah 61:1-7

hungry for the WORD

We were away for a 15 day trip, and there were three phases in our trip. We taught at a bible school for 6 days, preached and led worship at a church, then at another destination for 3 days, before returning to teach new but
hungry believers for two days.

Indeed, the Word of God brings transformation!

Teaching in Bible school
The bible school students were passionate and hungry. We taught on Blood Covenant, Prayer and Holy Spirit. At the end of the sessions, students received the baptism of the Holy Spirit, praising God in tongues.

On Sunday, hubby preached and i led worship. The presence of the Lord was in our midst, and many young believers present were struck at how the Holy Spirit can lead us in every day situations, and even in the workplace. His testimony of how he follows the leading of the Holy Spirit in his job as an investment professional (especially during the 1997 Asian crisis) intrigued them (John 16:13). Due to strong interest, a teaching session was then planned for the following week. (More on this in the last section)

Ministry Trip to Another Location (13-17 October 2010)
See previous blog entry


Teaching in Small Group
After our return to the city, the Holy Spirit showed us what to focus on and how to present the topics in the small group. One lady testified that she felt refreshed and alert as she listened to the Word of God, different from when
she reads the bible on her own or attends a bible study session.

We taught on topics such as Following the Holy Spirit, Prayer and Faith. At the end of the 2 days, we laid hands and prayed for the participants to receive the Baptism of Holy Spirit (BHS). All were filled and spoke in various tongues, magnifying God.

Below is an extract of an email sent by one of the participants:

这个星期，我们小组还沉浸在无比的兴奋当中呢，大家最感兴趣的还是回味星
期二下午的奇妙的体验。我们大家都没有期盼会得到圣灵的洗，原以为那是特
殊的，离我们遥远的，没想到我们实实在在的经历了。

感谢主！让我们小组在同一时刻见证了主的信实，也给了我们大家一个确证：
我们的神是活的神，是可依靠的神，并且他与我们同在！

(Translation: We are still immersed in the unspeakable joy and excitement of the powerful encounter on Tuesday. We are so blessed to experience BHS and praying in tongues. We never knew this was possible....as we had thought that it was reserved only for some “special” group of people and we are far from it.
Thank God all of us encountered His faithfulness in this area. It also showed that our God is real and dependable.)

ALL GLORY BE TO HIM!

team ministry trip (13-17 October 2010)

In our preparatory prayer for the trip on the morning of our train ride to our ministry destination, God showed us that we will be agents of change and that it will be easy for us to minister and teach as the ministering angels had gone forward to prepare the way, removing all obstacles in order to make our path smooth. In our prayer, we saw the light of the Word of God shining on those who came forward to be prayed for, as well as those who were seated.

We were met by three persons, the oldest of whom was an influential leader, well-known in many regions. Soft-spoken, unassuming and humble, he offered to carry our bags. We protested, but he insisted and pulled one off our backs. This same man took notes as we taught, impacted by the power and life of God's Word. He came alive when he prayed, with the power of God coursing through his booming voice and very being as he petitioned and communed with God. The second person in the group was our chauffeur for the next few days. Her quick observations and perceptive questions about the Word of God impressed us. The youngest of the three spoke readily, yet cautiously, answering our questions about the local and national situations. Knowledgeable and quick-witted, he had an immense hunger for the things of God.

The Lord had impressed upon us to teach on Faith & Healing. This was earlier raised by the pastor who had introduced us to the group in HF. The night before the seminar began, there was a dream in which one of us was teaching on healing, and then the group of leaders/ pastors/students we taught also began to teach on healing.

When we entered the meeting place in a remote area, we heard the voices of about 150 believers worship the Lord. The presence of the Lord was strong, and we were touched by their fervour. Each time they praised and worshiped the Lord, their expression of love and passion for the Lord impacted us.

The Holy Spirit enabled and anointed us to complete all that had to be taught within the time we had with them. Most of them sat on mats, with the older ones on low stools or chairs. The place was dimly lit, yet the light of the Word of God brightened the countenances of all those who heard. We could see their faces literally beaming with joy as they heard truths from the Word of God, setting them free. On the first day, more than half came up to be prayed for healing. One lady testified that her eyes were healed, and she was able to read better. All glory & praise be to God!

We also met the pastor of the region. Her pastoral heart and strong leadership were obvious as she spoke to the people and to us. We heard her exhort them to put aside their handphones, ensure that babies and toddlers did not disturb the meeting, so that all could listen to the Word of God without any disturbance or distraction. She sat as the rest did, on a low stool, and listened attentively to the Word taught.

On the second day, there were even more people who came to attend the seminar, including those who were sick with cancer and other diseases. We also prayed for the students of the bible school. The Holy Spirit moved mightily during this time of ministry.

We spent the third day with the pastors and main leaders of the various house churches, as well as the teachers of the bible school. Many experienced the joy, laughter and refreshing of the Holy Spirit as we prayed and prophesied over them. It was a privilege to cooperate with the Holy Spirit as they looked towards the Lord in confident expectation.

We believe that this time of prayer and proclamation for their lives and ministry marked a significant milestone in their spiritual journey with the Lord, preparing them for greater challenges and tasks ahead. We sense that they are at the threshold of a great explosion in the growth of their church. God has prepared this divine appointment and connection for His Kingdom to be advanced and His purposes to be accomplished.

We give Him ALL the glory!!

19 individual healing cases in the gospel at one glance

The Gospels recorded 19 times where Jesus ministered healing to an individual or to several people individually.

INCIDENTS OF HEALING * MATTHEW MARK LUKE JOHN
1.Peter’s mother-in-law 8:14-15 1:29-31 4:38-39
2.The leper 8:2-4 1:40-42 5:12-13
3.The paralyzed man 9:2-8 2:2-12 5:18-26
4.The man with a withered hand 12:9-13 3:1-5 6:6-10
5.The Centurion’s servant 8:5-13 7:2-10
6.The widow’s son raised up 7:12-16
7.The dumb demoniac 12:22 11:14
8.The woman with the issue of blood 9:20-22 5:25-34 8:43-48
9.Jairus’ daughter 9:18-19,23-26, 5:22-24,35-43 8:41-42,49-56
10.The blind men 9:27-31
11.The Syro-Phoenician woman’s daughter 15:22-28 7:25-30
12.A deaf and dumb man 7:32-37
13.A blind man at Bethsaida 8:22-26
14.The demoniac son 17:14-21 9:14-29 9:37-42
15.The ten lepers 17:11-19
16.The blind man healed 9:1-41
17.The man with dropsy 14:1-6
18.Blind Bartemaeus 20:29-34 10:46-52 18:35-43
19.Malchus’ ear 22:50-51

* from the Thompson Chain-Reference Bible

hp note 16 (AP - Summons)

All believers 'kena summon'.
Great commission given in the light of resurrection.
Must have resurrection perspective.
Worship is the church goal - John Piper

Resurrection power and purpose for life.
Our focus is to make disciples when we go, teach and baptise

hp note 15 (SL - healing)

Hebrews 1:8-9
Luke 5: 15-18
Jesus taught then healed.
Healing power of God is present

Mark 2:2-12
Power to heal follows the Word.

Romans 10:17
Matthew 6:33
Healing belongs to us.

Philippians 3:3-9
Godliness is not righteousness. We don't come in our good work.

2 Corinthians 5:17,21
No pressure to perform

Romans 5:17
Sickness is the fruit of sin. If i'm sick, sickness reigns and oppresses me.
But we've received the gift of righteousness. So we reign.

1 Peter 2:24
We don't ask God to heal
We come to receive healing that is already given!!

Matthew 8:16-17
Isaiah 53:4-5
Healing is already done.

Mark 16:15-20
They will recover.

Mark 5:25-33
Laying on of hands transfers the anointing.
Healing received immediately.
Can be felt but feeling is not important.
Faith receives the power

Acts 10:38
Acts 1:8

hp note 14 (spending time at Jesus' feet)

Matthew 9:38
Luke 10:2, 38-42.
Send - thrust.
Spend time at Jesus' feet.
Not distracted.
Mark 9:14

hp note 13 (RM - beyond dimensions)

What is worship?
We are born to worship. The question is what or who we worship.

Worship is love
Deuteronomy 11:1, 13, 22 - we need to love God first of all. God gives love
Deuteronomy 30:6 - Love grows. Love leaks.
Ephesians 6 - the devil will try to get to us - idols in our lives.

Worship is love expressed.
Genesis 4:25-26 - first reference to people calling name of the Lord.
Seth - holy seed from which Jesus could come.
We are created to love and be loved.
Women communicate by listening and speaking.
Men communicate by watching and doing.

Worship is encounter with God.
Matthew 2:1-2, 11-12
- They were warned in worship.
- Worship includes an offering.
- God sees the heart behind the gift.
- Takes faith.
- Brought best gifts.
- Magi were pagans magicians, astrologers, scientists, astronomers.

Do you give God your best when you worship Him?
Gold - divinity
Frankincense -
Myrrh - humanity

Worship is about attitude, not act.
Bring gift to altar.
Be reconciled to brother.
Giving tears down greed, selfishness.
Not giving to get.
God blesses heart behind giving.
Money either has God's spirit or mammon - when we give God our tithe, he redeems the rest of our money

2 keys: Live below your means and give generously.

Worship brings a reward.
Before worship, they had to ask others.
After worship, they heard from God directly.
Divinely warned - God protected them.
Giving sacrificially allows God to bless and increase us.

hp note 12 (more on healing)

Jesus healed all.
No struggle to receive from Jesus as we are already the healed.
God is ready any time we are.
What we receive depends more on us than Him.

hp note 11 (Sin of Comparison)

Sin of comparison
John 21:18-23

CURSE
1. Inferiority, insecurity or pride and superiority
2. Anger at God
3. Resent self or others
4. Opens door to satan

James 3:15 - rebellion and deception

CAUSE
1. lack of acceptance
1 Corinthians 12:24-25

2. Lack of identity
2 Corinthians 10:12

James 3:17 - envy at things; jealous of people

3. Covetousness is ingratitude at highest level with fist at God.
Colossians 3:5 - idolatry
Romans 1:21-25

CURE
1. Glorify and magnify God, not any other.
2. Be thankful - gratitude is grace attitude. We respond to His grace
3. Renew mind - God multiplies what we have, not what we don't have

hp note 10 (God's Word and God's Voice)

In order to bloom, the seed of God must be sown, which is the Word of God about a situation. We remain in Him!

Listen to God's voice.
Listen for God's voice.

hp note 9 (Carol Cooper - Moving in the supernatural)

Supernatural is initiated by utterance.
Declare boldly.
Prophecy is a tool in prayer.
If something keeps coming to you, just pray. Not talk.
Ephesians 6:10-18
Acts 4:23-25
Isaiah 48:6; Isaiah42:9 - word proceeds from his hand.
Acts 12:4 - prayer made without ceasing.
James 5:16
Isaiah 1:18-19; 43:25 - Don't forget to plead your case.

hp note 8 (RM - Born again)

John 3:1-8
1. You must be born again - should be translated from above, believe in your heart.

2. Birth is radical change - Hosea 9:11

3. Are you born again? There must be change.

True salvation is when i am changed by Jesus.
2 Corinthians 13:5
Titus 1:16
Matthew 7:13-23
Hosea 9:11 - Birth=salvation, womb=process towards salvation, conception=seed sown
Ezekiel 36:25-27 - responsibility of change is God's. We respond to Him.

1. God cleans us
2. Gives new heart
3. Gives Holy Spirit

hp note 7 (Keith Kurber - healing)

Proverbs 8:13 - hate evil
Hebrews 5:12-14 - discern evil and good
Acts 10:38 - healing is good.
Resist till our faith becomes sight.
Psalms - i hate him for he is evil - devil
Proverbs 22:28
Proverbs 23:10
Psalm 103:1-3

hp note 6 (William Lee - Forward in faith)

1. Christlikeness - Philippians 2:3-5
2. Compassion - 1 Peter 8:3
3. Contribution - Acts 20:35

hp note 5 (RM - Let's eat)

John 4:5-6, 31, 34.
God's word, will and work are spiritual food which refresh and energise.
Read word, do His will and work.
1. Jesus shared His story, who He is. Don't get off track. Talk to people about them. Focus on the good part.

2. He moved in the miraculous. Word of Knowledge. He had intimate relationship with the Father and sensitive relationship with the Spirit.
John 5:19
Philippians 2:6-7

3. she shared her story. John 4:26,29
Immediate response.
v.35- the harvest is right now. Compel them to come.
The power to go out comes from the power when staying in.

hp note 4 (RM - Let's be friends)

Luke 15:1
Mark 2:15
Matthew 9:10; 11:19
Jesus is the best friend a sinner could have
John 8:1-11
1 John 3:17 - not condemning Sinner's sin.
Don't know line so they crossed it.
Sin hurt sinners so Jesus hates sin.
Hebrews 4:15; 7:26 - separate from sin.
No curiosity
No compromise
Just comapssion.

hp note 3 (RM - Joy of Giving)

Acts 20:35

1. Tithe
Leviticus 27:30
Deuteronomy 14:22-24 - joy in knowing that He is our provider

2. Offering
Philippians 4:13-19
Acts 16
2 Corinthians 9:7 - hilarious

3. Over and above
1 Chronicles 29:3,16

hp note 2 (RM - Coming in)

1. Worship - coming in - brings God's presence in our lives.
Going out with His presence
Jeremiah 17:19-21

2. Worship brings fear of God

3. Worship brings God's wisdom in our lives. Ezekiel 29:11 - how we come into His presence determines our outreach.

hp note 1 (RM - Be for giving and forgiving)

Luke 6:37-38
Matthew 23:23
Giving is for living

1. Judge not: no critical thought or word.
Romans 14:4, 10
James 5:9

2. Condemn not: don't wish bad on the person

3. Forgive: release
Matthew6:14, 34-36. Tormented.

4. Give
Matthew 10:8

Healing in Acts

Here are some of instances of divine healing found in the book of Acts.

1. The lame man healed (Acts 3:1-8)
2. Peter's shadow healed the sick (Acts 5:15)
3. Multitudes healed; everyone of them (Acts 5:16)
4. Philip at Samaria healed the sick. (Acts 8:5,6)
5. Paul healed (Acts 9:10-18)
6. Aeneas healed (Acts 9:33,34)
7. Dorcas healed (Acts 9:40,41)
8. The impotent man healed (Acts 14:9,10)
9. Paul healed on the Island of Melita (Acts 28:3-5)
10. Publius’ father on the island of Meleta (Acts 28:8,9)

healing testimonies from our sept teaching trip

1. During the third day of the Seminar, i received a word of knowledge from the Holy Spirit that He wanted to minister to those who had pain in their backs. When the word was released, about 15 people came up for healing. All received instant healing as we laid hands and prayed over them. All Glory to God!

2. The wife of one of the pastors had pain in her stomach area because of a recurring gastric ulcer, and she had difficulty sitting as she attended the seminar. By the 3^rd day, there was no more pain. She was also healed of tension in the neck. She testified to the fact that God saved her life in 2003, when she was diagnosed of a stomach tumour which was life-threatening. As the church prayed for her, she was released from the hospital as the doctor said that it was then only a stomach ulcer. She was given medication to treat the ulcer. From time to time over the last few years, this troubled her. She believes she is now completely healed.

3. One young man was suffering from fever and pain. As he sat and listened to the Word, he found that he was recovering and by the third day, he was well.

4. One lady we taught healing when we were teaching in her bible school on a previous trip in March 2008 testified of God’s saving grace and healing power in her family.

a. The first instance of healing was when her daughter was just over a year old. The girl could not eat, drink, urinate or pass motion. Her fingers and toes were starting to swell. When the lady first heard the teaching on healing, she began to meditate on the healing verses. She shared with her husband regarding the verses and the healing power of God. When they prayed, the girl slept well that night. By the next morning, she had gone to the toilet, and later regained her appetite.

b. She was convicted by the Word of God that she had to be more loving towards her husband who was not a believer. Before she came to bible school, while still attending church, she often quarreled with her husband in their 20 years of marriage. Her husband noticed the remarkable change in her, and this was later instrumental in his decision to come to Jesus.

c. A few months later, her daughter was hospitalized and in critical condition. She was warded in the intensive care unit. Her husband who loved this youngest daughter very much, invited his brother who was a Buddhist monk to pray. His brother prayed for 7 days in the ward itself, but to no avail. There was no change in her condition. Before he left, he told his brother to allow his wife to pray. “Perhaps her God can help,” the brother persuaded. So she took out her notebook with the healing scripture references and her bible, and read them to her husband. After that, she prayed, and immediately, the daughter began to recover. She was discharged very soon after.

d. Having seen the healing power and love of God, he decided to become a Christian.

5. A young girl was healed of shoulder pain when we laid hands and prayed for her.

6. A minister from ‘Miao’ tribe asked for prayer for his left waist and hip. The pain lessened tremendously and he was able to sit and concentrate better during the teaching in the afternoon. His countenance also changed.

re-vived!

I taught on Ezekiel 37:1-14 in prayer school 2.5 years ago. It was regarding speaking life in seemingly hopeless situations.

i taught on the same passage in prayer school as well as at a ladies seminar in July, but with new insights from the Holy Spirit, who helped me to link this passage to three instances in Jesus' ministry (there probably were more 'unrecorded' instances of resurrection miracles, but these are the specific cases recorded in the Gospels).

Let me share briefly:

Key Scripture References:

Ezekiel 37:1-14, John 11:38-44, Luke 8:49-60, Luke 7:11-17

God's Word can turn seemingly desperate situations around and bring them back to life.

Ezekiel 37:1-14 ... 1 The hand of the LORD came upon me and brought me out in the Spirit of the LORD, and set me down in the midst of the valley; and it was full of bones. 2 ... and indeed they were very dry. 3 And He said to me, "Son of man, can these bones live?" So I answered, "O Lord GOD, You know."

"Very dry" bones (v2) imply that there was absolutely no life in that situation for a long time. But Ezekiel was ready to believe God's view of the situation (v3). Despite the fact that the bones could not hear him, naturally speaking, Ezekiel prophesied life over dry bones because God told him to. In the spiritual realm, the bones can hear.

It is the essence, the very nature of God to speak life. We proclaim, by faith, what we hear God say, and not what we perceive with our senses. We can speak life too!

John 11:38-44 ... 39 Jesus said, "Take away the stone." Martha, the sister of him who was dead, said to Him, "Lord, by this time there is a stench, for he has been dead four days." ... 41 Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead man was lying. And Jesus lifted up His eyes and said, "Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. ... 43 Now when He had said these things, He cried with a loud voice, "Lazarus, come forth!" 44 And he who had died came out bound hand and foot with graveclothes, and his face was wrapped with a cloth.

This passage can be applied to 'dead situations'. The hopelessness in Lazarus' situation was obvious, again, naturally speaking: he had been dead for four days and there was a "stench" (v38). Jesus remained unmoved by what He saw in the natural, but looked to God (v41). He did what saw God do; He spoke what He saw God speak - this was all seen in His spirit. He prophesied life (v43) and resurrected the dead (v44).

Luke 8:49-60 49 While He was still speaking, someone came from the ruler of the synagogue's house, saying to him, "Your daughter is dead. Do not trouble the Teacher." 50 But when Jesus heard it, He answered him, saying, "Do not be afraid; only believe, and she will be made well." ... 52 Now all wept and mourned for her; but He said, "Do not weep; she is not dead, but sleeping." 53 And they ridiculed Him, knowing that she was dead. 54 But He put them all outside, took her by the hand and called, saying, "Little girl, arise." 55 Then her spirit returned, and she arose immediately.

Jesus spoke forth based on what He saw in His Spirit (v50, 52), despite what others saw in the natural (v49). Moreover, he was not moved by the ridicule of others (v53). Again, He prophesied life (v54) and resurrected the dead. We can do the same when we see with spiritual eyes, prophesy life, and "only believe" (v50).

(Additional reading: Luke 7:11-17 Jesus Raises the Son of the Widow of Nain)

Listen to what God says about any situation, and do or say what He says. Many times He will tell us what He wants us to proclaim about a matter. Our obedience to speak in accordance with His Word plays a part in bringing life into the situation.

Quote 18 - Hudson Taylor

I have found that there are three stages in every great work of God:

first, it is impossible,

then it is difficult,

then it is done.

quote 17 - EM Bounds on prayer

Herein has been the secret of the people of prayer in the past history of the church:

their hearts were after God,
their desires were on Him,
and their prayers were addressed to Him.
They communed with Him,
sought nothing of the world,
sought great things of God,
wrestled with Him,
conquered all opposing forces,
and opened up the channel of faith deep and wide between themselves and heaven.
And all this was done by the use of prayer.
Holy meditations, spiritual desires, heavenly longings -
these swayed their intellects,
enriched their emotions,
and filled and enlarged their hearts.

And all this was so because they were, first of all, people of prayer.

Understanding our purpose helps us rejoice when others succeed (from an online devotional)

"A man can receive only what is given him from heaven" (John 3:27).

John the Baptist was in the business of bringing sinners to the place of repentance by baptizing them and teaching them about the coming Messiah. Over time, he had developed quite a customer base of disciples. Yet when the promised Messiah showed up-the fulfillment of John's business plan—true to form, his coworkers (or disciples) went to John to complain that the one he had testified about was stealing all of his customers. "Rabbi," they said, "that man who was with you on the other side of the Jordan . . . well, he is baptizing, and everyone is going to him" (John 3:26). John's response showed clearly he understood his purpose and role in life in the above verse.

John understood that we receive by understanding our purpose and what God desires us to receive in light of our purpose. We need not worry about what others receive, only if we are receiving what God wants us to receive. Many of us try to receive things God never intended us to receive or be someone God never intended us to be.

A story is told about F. B. Meyer, the great Bible teacher and pastor who lived a century ago. He was pastoring a church when he began to notice that attendance was dropping. This continued until he finally asked some members of his congregation one Sunday morning why they thought this was happening. A member suggested, "It is because of the new church down the road. The young preacher has everyone talking and many are going to hear him speak." The young preacher's name was Charles Spurgeon.

Meyer, rather than seeking to discourage this development, exhorted his entire congregation to join him and go participate in seeing this "move of God," as he described it to them. "If this be happening, then God must be at work." Meyer, like John the Baptist, understood the principle of receiving from God and was not threatened by the new competition in town. Instead, he joined it.

Do you model a Kingdom mindset? Do you rejoice when others succeed? Are you receiving only what God desires you to receive?

prophecy before teaching trip in September 2008

Just as you've been talking how God enables, you will pray, play, prophesy, sing and minister in the same way by the Spirit of God.
During this trip, you will step over into how God wants you to minister.
stay out of your minds.

Seasons
This is my plan, not yours.
So where i lead, i'll provide
So keep your eyes on me. and I'll reveal the steps you are to take.
It will not be as you have desired. It will be better.
For my ways are not your ways and this is a promise.
But this is a transition as well and in this transition, I will help you in every situation you encounter, so do not be afraid for i've sent my angels ahead of you to prepare the way and you're both ready for this step and great blessings are coming your way because this is a transition.

I need you to do these things:

• I need you to pray and believe me for the things i've put in your heart to believe for.
• Do not let go of these that you're believing me for, for they are on the way and will come at the time appointed.

Trust me for great good will come in time and transition, and you'll begin to see some of the things that i've planned for you in the future.

So rejoice and be glad for these are the steps that i've been and am leading you in, and i'll continue to lead you as you look to me.

Be careful not to look to man, though i will send men to bless you but be careful not to make them your source. Your parents are well meaning that they will try to help, but you will know if they are led by me.

Keep your eyes on me. My ways are not your ways. Before you call, i'll answer for i've seen your heart and faithfulness.

Quote 16 - the great commission

Dwight L. Moody stated concerning the Great Commission:

It can be done;
It ought to be done;
It must be done!

Quote 15

Whatever is destructive is not of God.

Quote 14 - tithing

Tithing is the principle that would break the love of money.

Quote 13 - Revelation precedes manifestation

Revelation
(understanding what God did)
precedes manifestation
(receiving what God did).

Quote 12- servanthood

Servanthood means no applause or gratitude.

Quotes 11 - Prayer

Prayer is life connection.

Prayer does not give us anything, but allows what is already in us become real and active.

One should be more interested in hearing from God than speaking to Him.
Our inner witness is developed through our relationship with Him so that we become more sensitive.

Don't just seek His plan or His will, but His face.

Prayer is not begging God to do something which He is unwilling to do. It is not overcoming reluctance in God.
Prayer is enforcing the victory that Christ won over satan.
It is implementing on earth, heaven's decision concerning the affairs of men.
Calvary legally destroyed satan and cancelled all his claims.
So fix your faith on the God who ANSWERS prayer.
If you have any limitations in your mind concerning the unlimited power that God will manifest in response to your prayers, get rid of them.
(Morris Cerullo)

Quote 10 - above and under

We are seated in the heavenly places ABOVE
all principalities and powers.

Understanding our position in Christ helps us understand our DOMINION.

We stay UNDER
the Lordship of Jesus,
the mighty hand of God
and the blood of Christ.

Quotes 9 - word and truth

The bible says it,
I believe it,
and that settles it.

Truth has many levels - The Word of God is the ultimate truth.
Ultimate truth has ultimate life;
Ultimate life has ultimate power.

We need to move from the point of BLESSING
to the realm of POWER.

Quote 8 - missions and worship

Missions exist because worship doesn't.
(John Piper)

Quote 7 - Smith Wigglesworth

I'm not moved by what i see;
I'm not moved by what i feel;
I'm moved by what i believe,
and I believe the Word of God!

Quote 6 - what God says

I have what God says i have;
I can do what God says i can do;
I am what God says i am.

Quote 5 - thanksgiving and praise

Thanksgiving is the language of faith.

Praise brings the presence of God,
And His presence brings His power
And His power brings salvation, deliverance and healing.

Quote 4 - spirit, soul and body

Feelings are the voice of the body;
Reason is the voice of the mind;
the conscience is the voice of the human spirit.

Quote 3 - St. Francis of Assissi

"Preach always, and if necessary, use words".

Quotes (2) from Hudson Taylor

"God's plans will never lack God's supply".


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


"A little thing is a little thing,
but faithfulness in a little thing is a great thing."

Quote 1C - destiny

Vision without action = daydreaming
Action without vision - nightmare
Action and vision = destiny from God

Quotes 1B - Faith and Hope

Faith comes when the will of God is known;
Hope comes when the ability of God is known.

Hope is the anchor of my faith - a confident expectation of a good future.

The confession of our faith builds a roadway on which our cargo of faith can travel on.
Our confession rules us.
Our faith can only rise up to the level of my confession.
In fact, our faith level is determined by what we speak.

Smith Wigglesworth:
There comes a time in your life when you need faith;
And when you don't have it, it's too late!

GK Chesterton:
Faith is not only to believe that God exists,
But to obey what God has said because we trust that He is God and will keep His Promise.

Our faith allows God to move on our behalf.

Quote 1A - obedience

Obedience creates the atmosphere in which miracles take place.

quotes akan datang

The quotes over the next 15 days are copied from the front and back flyleaves of my bible - collected over the last 7 years.

prayer school series 2010 - part 8 (Words - vehicles of faith)

Peace, love, health...etc., are powerful spiritual forces which overwhelm the powers of darkness, hatred, sickness and other such evil.

Peace, love, health, goodness are not just auspicious words which sound good to our ears, but the very nature and character of God.

When we bring the GOOD NEWS, this does not just contain sweet words that makes you feel good and gives you goosebumps all over. The GOOD NEWS brings salvation and with it, eternal life - coming against the forces of death and sin. This love that God shows to us is a tough love, so tough He sent His only Son to die on the cross for us, vanquishing the principalities and spoiling their powers. Jesus suffered for us so that we can have a relationship with the Heavenly Father, enjoying His blessings and presence from the time we are born again till eternity. In other words, FOREVER!

Based on the finished work of Christ, the inheritance we jointly share as co-heirs with Him is in DIRECT opposition to the kingdom of darkness.

This victory Jesus paid for with His very life and blood means that any time these two kingdoms or forces encounter or confront each other, His kingdom triumphs. The church overcomes. Believers are more than conquerors.

The very peace of God displaces hatred and division.
The love of God dispels jealousy and envy and strife.
The compassion of God opposes sickness and disease.

1 John 4:4 shows us that He who is in us is GREATER than he who is in the world.

How do we enforce this victory?

Through our Words. Jesus said the words i speak they are LIFE and SPIRIT (John 6:63). When we put His words in our mouth, they carry power.

Words are like vehicles of faith. They transport the power of God from our mouths to the situations we face. Lives are impacted and transformed according to His word that we speak.

You cannot believe and keep quiet.
Nothing will change.

You cannot believe and do nothing.
Nothing will happen.

prayer school series 2010 - Part 7 (watch and pray)

I taught the following at prayer school on Wednesday:

Prayer is not dull at all, because during prayer we commune with a powerful God who is living and real.

Fervent prayer engages His power.

James 5:15b (AMP)
The earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available (dynamic in its working).

"Continued" prayer – we are always in communion with God.

"Fervent" – tremendous power available, towards something:To transform lives; dispel sickness, darkness.

Power flows from our prayers, dynamic in its working.

We are not afraid of place where darkness reigns. All the more, God's power is working in darkness!

We pray, not responding to fear. Instead, we come against fear. Hope is spoken into situations. (Hallelujah!)

Jesus showed us in Mark 13:33
Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is.

1 Peter 4:7
But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers.

Watching helps prayer be effective; Prayer helps watching to be of effect.

Living a spirit-led, spirit-filled life means to be conscious of Him, and concerned about the things of God.

We need to hear from the Holy Spirit, who has the ability to show us things to come. (John 16:13)

Habukkuk 2:1-3

V1
rampart - high place
watch to see what He will say to me... it's in our spirit we hear, not in the natural.
what i will answer when i am corrected - we will hear correction, adjustments and we yield, we obey.

V3
And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.

First,I’ve to speak forth that vision.

The appointed time is a time which has already been set.
Then, while waiting for a vision’s fulfilment, it seems like it’s tarrying. But no, it will come – at the Appointed time.

Ezekiel 3:17

Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me.

Watching helps prayer to be effective ; Prayer helps watching to be of effect.

Praying in the Spirit makes me conscious of the Holy Spirit, esteeming the things above.

I become aware – there is a “New Creation spiritual realm” that I step into.

Praying in tongues, I can step up, onto a platform of higher power – as many men of God experienced, after extended periods of praying.

We watch, not what we see in the natural, but what is in the spiritual realm. We are attuned to our spirits, not to circumstances.

This is how we remain unshaken, and ruffled.

As we pray, we are watching and listening, and we speak over situations things which God shows us in our spirits and also from the Word.

Pray for nations and people groups, issuing the power of God to those places and peoples.
Psalm 2:8
Philippians 1:19.

closure

I was speaking to a friend yesterday morning about my experiences in the past year. It was supposed to help her in a decision she was seeking God about as she was going on a personal retreat in Korea (so nice - Kimchi land... but she's not really crazy about Kimchi as i am. :D)

Anyway, i prayed about that 'talk' - that through it, she would know and understand God's wisdom as i shared with her, and that she would hear from the Holy Spirit, rather than what i had gone through. Ultimately, she needs divine wisdom, not man's opinion.

We had a good talk. God made it beautiful for her... and for me.

Within that hour, depending on the Holy Spirit, i reached a closure.

Through our conversation, i realised that i had done the best i could in following Him and had no regrets. Sure, i could have done things better. I know that, but i don't beat myself up about it. I move on with the wisdom i have gleaned, following Him better and closer.

Father i thank you for Your love for me and Your grace and mercy that know no limits. Thank You that You were with me in the past year. I trust You to lead and guide me in the years ahead. Thank You too, for Your assurance during the 'talk' i had with my friend, that You saw my desire to do Your will and to please You in all that I do.

I LOVE YOU, ABBA FATHER.

prayer school series 2010 - part 6 (the place of battle became the place of blessing)

I taught the following at a recent prayer school - just around mid-July.

It was not the first time i taught from this passage, but as I prepared God showed me a couple of new (to me, at least) insights and applications in our lives.

2 Chronicles 20:1-41
It happened after this that the people of Moab with the people of Ammon, and others ... came to battle against Jehoshaphat. ... 3 And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the LORD, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. 4 So Judah gathered together to ask help from the LORD; and from all the cities of Judah they came to seek the LORD

Jeremiah 33:3

Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.

(v1-3) Jehoshaphat's first response was fear. But he quickly turned and sought the Lord, leading the whole nation into a time of fasting and prayer. The Lord always responds when we turn to Him.

2 Chronicles 20:5-12

5 Then Jehoshaphat stood in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem... 6 and said: "O LORD God of our fathers, are You not God in heaven, and do You not rule over all the kingdoms of the nations, and in Your hand is there not power and might, so that no one is able to withstand You? ... 9 'If disaster comes upon us--sword, judgment, pestilence, or famine--we will stand before this temple and in Your presence (for Your name is in this temple), and cry out to You in our affliction, and You will hear and save.' ... 12 O our God, will You not judge them? For we have no power against this great multitude that is coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon You."

(v5-11) Jehoshaphat and the Israelites focused fully on God and not the enemy (problem). Confidence grew as they reminded themselves and God who He was, what He could do, and His promises to them.

(v12) They trusted in the Name of the Lord and that He would show them what to do at the right time as they kept their eyes on Him. And God spoke...

2 Chronicles 20:17

You will not need to fight in this battle. Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the LORD, who is with you, O Judah and Jerusalem!' Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them, for the LORD is with you."

As in Ephesians 6:10-13, the Lord told them to stand still for He would be with them. It was His battle. The Lord takes on your battle as His own when you cast your cares on Him. We have the same enemy.

2 Chronicles 20:18-19

18 And Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground, and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem bowed before the LORD, worshiping the LORD. 19 Then the Levites of the children of the Kohathites and of the children of the Korahites stood up to praise the LORD God of Israel with voices loud and high...

When the Lord spoke through His prophet, the people listened and responded with worship (v18) and praise (v19), and did exactly as the Lord instructed them to (v20). They chose to praise the Lord that very moment they heard the promise of the Lord.

2 Chronicles 20:22, 25-26

22 Now when they began to sing and to praise, the LORD set ambushes against the people of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah; and they were defeated... 25 When Jehoshaphat and his people came to take away their spoil, they found among them an abundance of valuables on the dead bodies,[d] and precious jewelry... they were three days gathering the spoil because there was so much 26 And on the fourth day they assembled in the Valley of Berachah, for there they blessed the LORD; therefore the name of that place was called The Valley of Berachah[e] until this day.

On the day of the battle, they did not waver in their trust in the Lord. They stood still and did not fight. Instead they chose to send the singers to praise the Lord.

As they praised the Lord, He caused confusion within enemy camps and gave them the victory (v22). But they had, in fact, anticipated the victory when they first prayed, and starting praising even before the victory was seen

(v18-19). This demonstrated their faith in the Word of the Lord.

(v26) The place of battle became the place of blessing - Valley of Berachah (literally, Blessing).

And it all started with seeking the Lord and praising Him.