quotable quote 6

The closer we stay with the Word of God,
the more correct we will be in whatever we do.

no testimony without a test (from an online devotional)

"I tell you the truth, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony." - John 3:11

When is the last time God did something in your work life that can only be explained as God? Was it yesterday? Was it just last week? A month ago? A year ago? The answer to this question may mean several things. If it has been some time since you saw God's activity in such a way that you know it was His hand, you may not be trusting to a level that requires faith. You may not be risking enough for God to show Himself. The converts in the early Church changed the world they lived in because of what they saw and heard. It was the power of the gospel that changed lives, not what they learned from mere teaching. This power drew people to Christ. Things happened that could not be explained as anything other than the activity of God. Is that the kind of faith you are experiencing in your life? Many of us live a wholesome, moral life, but those we associate with do not see this activity as anything that cannot also be achieved by themselves. That is why many are not drawn to our lives. God's power is not evident. The Lord has been challenging me to trust Him at levels I have never trusted before. This level of trust has placed me in a vulnerable position. However, the blessing of this relationship is that I see the activity of God as never before, and those close to me see it as well. It builds their faith and draws others to investigate.

Sometimes the activity of God comes in unusual ways. God often sets up scenes that appear to be negative on the front end, but God has orchestrated these events for His glory.

-Without Pharaoh's pursuit of Israel at the Red Sea, there is no miraculous deliverance.

-Without Lazarus's death, there is no rising to life.

-Without Goliath, there is no underdog story.

-Without Peter stepping out of the boat, there is no miracle on the water.

-Without Judas' betrayal, there is no resurrection. type

God wants to show Himself in ways you and I cannot imagine. Let God demonstrate His power in your workplace today. Then, you will see "all men drawn unto Me."

Joel 3:10a (from an online devotional)

"Beat your plowshares into swords and your pruning hooks into spears." - Joel 3:10a

In this third chapter of Joel, we hear the prophet describe a time yet to come. It will be a time of great harvest on the earth, and this verse describes the catalyst. A plowshare is an agricultural instrument used to till the soil. At this point in history, it was a tool that spoke of one's vocation. However, the prophet was speaking of a time yet to come. The prophet described the plowshare as an instrument that will be turned into a sword. The sword is often used in the Bible to describe God's Word. The only way a plowshare can be turned into a sword is for it to go through extreme heat, and then the blacksmith must beat that plowshare into shape. Heat and punishment of the metal turns that plowshare into an instrument of battle. God must do this in each of our lives in order for us to be useable as a worthy sword. We are all in a battle - a spiritual battle. Paul describes our battle as one against the principalities of the unseen world. I believe God is going to raise up many in the workplace to use their plowshare as a weapon of righteousness in these last days. That weapon won't be used for destruction, but as a weapon of love. That weapon of love will yield a great harvest in our lifetime. But this is only part of the story.

God is also going to turn our pruning hooks into spears. A pruning hook is used in two ways. First, it is used to prune a tree for greater growth and productivity. It is also used to cut the fruit from taller trees in which one cannot reach the fruit. This fruit from our vocation is going to be cast forth like a spear, but even more as seed planted to bring the harvest of which Joel speaks. Fruit from our work life is often the financial rewards generated. God wants to use our finances and everything else for His purposes. We must use our vocations and the fruit that comes from them as seed to bring the great harvest that God is planning.

How are you using your plowshare and your pruning hook for God's glory today? Ask God to show you how He wants to use your skills, resources, and relationships to prepare for the great harvest He has planned.

trip report (part 3 of 3 - the people of God)

We enjoyed precious conversations with the students during breaks and meals, and understood their backgrounds, culture and desires in a deeper way.

We spent time with some alumni who are now taking on leadership and teaching roles in the school, marvelling at the way they have matured spiritually and in terms of leadership qualities, in just 10 months.

We also had an opportunity to fellowship with a veteran of the faith, having served 20 years in the ministry. He spoke of sacrifice, tough times and God's grace and goodness, provision and protection, and shared his vision of seeing communities in the villages transformed by the Word of God and by the power of the Holy Spirit.

We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves on this trip, in spite of the unexpected cold (as low as 5 degrees celsius) which penetrated through the layers of clothes and even into our bones. The passion, purpose and persevering spirit of the people we met warmed us up from the inside, and we rejoiced, amazed at the hand of the Lord upon His people all over the world.

trip report (part 2 - the power of God)

We taught on the power of faith as well as life of praise and worship to a total of 60 young students (aged 17 to 24, average age being 18) in 3 different classes over the 10days.

Praise God for His grace - the language flow (we taught in our second language) is better this second time. The hours were long - we were out at least 12 hours a day, with 6 spent in teaching. We were up early to pray and prepare, sleeping about 6 hours or less every night. God sustained us - He is the strength of our lives - and we experienced His protection and divine health.

We thank God for our church and friends who prayed for us. Signs and wonders followed confirming the teaching of the Word as promised in Mark 16. We also thank God for wisdom and understanding as we taught and as the students learnt.


First Class:

1. In the first class that we taught, about 12 were filled with Holy Spirit and spoke in tongues. One sang spiritual songs, another experienced the power of God as she continued to pray through the break till dinner 1.5 hours later.
2. When i prayed for a girl who was experiencing cramps and in tears during the lunch break, she returned to the class soon after it started, which was less than half an hour later. The cramps had obviously disappeared, evidenced by her changed, cheerful countenance.
3. I had a word of knowledge regarding a student's situation when i was praying for her one evening in the hotel room in my prayer time. I had the opportunity to confirm it with her leader, and then to talk (even cry) with her about it. She is still in my prayers and i believe God is effecting a healing in her both physically and emotionally.
4. Students shared that they understood better the Word of God, and experienced the joy and peace of God as they prayed and worshipped. We also helped clarify some of the questions and doubts some of them had.
   

Second Class:

1. 6 students were hungry for more of the Holy Spirit, and wanted prayer.
2. There was a marked change in the way they praised and worshipped, as well as the way they used the Word of God in their prayer.
   

Third Class:

1. 6 were filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke in tongues.
2. 1 shared that many of his doubts and questions were answered during our teaching.
3. Students experienced the love and power of God as they worshipped. A few saw visions, receivedreleased words of encouragement, had songs. All prayed in tongues, and some sang in tongues, as shown in Colossians 3:16.
4. The teaching leader (a recent graduate) of the class saw a dramatic change in the way they prayed (hour of prayer before dinner) even from the very first day we taught.
5. Hubby had a word of knowledge about the plan God had for a particular student, and also saw a vision of these students as kites flying on the Wind of the Holy Spirit, not controlled by any man, but following where the Holy Spirit leads.
   

Praise God for His precious Word and Spirit.

trip report (part 1 - God's saving grace)

Graduates and students conducted a gospel rally in a village early this year where more than 100 became believers, and many dedicated their lives to serve the Lord.

One of the graduates taught the villagers from this farming community regarding praise and worship (which we taught last June), and saw their praise life and relationship with their heavenly father deepen and became more intimate.

This same graduate also preached at most of the rallies conducted in the evening. He shared with us that his aunt, who attended all 5 rallies held in the community (there were others held in the neighbouring village), was so moved by the work of G in his life, as well as the impact of the rally upon so many lives, that she gave a love offering of 1000 (in their currency) to the ministry - a big sum for a villager. His cousin too, who had been awarded a scholarship to university, gave an offering of 200y. These amounts, together with others, were more than sufficient for the needs of the rallies as well as the students' transport, food etc.

God is so-o-o so-o-o good, providing for their every need as they carry out His plan, and confirming the preaching of the Word with signs following.

PRAISE THE LORD!

looking...

looks up
looks at
looks to
looks for
looks out
and
looks beyond

quotable quote 5 (sacred ground)

Faith without works cannot be called faith.

"Faith without works is dead"
and a dead faith is worse than no faith at all.
Faith must work;
it must produce;
it must be visible.
Verbal faith is not enough;
mental faith is insufficient.
Faith must be there,
but it must be more.
It must inspire action.
True faith must manifest itself in works of faith.

Faith endures trials.
Trials come and go,
but a strong faith will face them head-on and develop endurance.
Faith understands temptations.
It will not allow us to consent to our lust and slide into sin.
Faith obeys the Word.
It will not merely hear and not do.
Faith produces doers.
Faith harbors no prejudice.
Faith displays itself in works.

Faith is more than mere words;
it is more than knowledge;
it is demonstrated by obedience;
and it overtly responds to the promises of God.
Faith controls the tongue.
This small but immensely powerful part of the body must be held in check.
Faith can do it.
Faith acts wisely.
It gives us the ability to choose wisdom that is heavenly
and to shun wisdom that is earthly.

Faith produces separation from the world
and submission to God.
It provides us with the ability to resist the Devil
and humbly draw near to God.
Finally, faith waits patiently for the coming of the Lord.
Through trouble and trial it stifles complaining.

Song is named Crash into Me by Sacred Ground