Passion with Purpose

Leave! in the Name of Jesus!

2012-02-16T08:27:00.007+08:00

I had this recurring dream - at least 3 times over the past few nights.

There was a small lizard crawling over my living room sofa. It was just a baby lizard and very dark in colour.

My instincts took over, and i started chasing it away. When i could not get at it to kill it, hubby came to help me too. We did not rest until our sofa set was clear of any crawling lizard.

I didn't not pay much attention to the dream until it occurred a third time.

Just yesterday morning, as we were walking to the swimming pool, the Holy Spirit illumined the meaning of the dream.

I have to do the same thing to the evil one oppressing me with this pain. I have already been healed because Jesus took the wound on His back. I have been given the authority to deal with the symptoms that affect me. The powers of darkness have been spoiled by Jesus. satan no longer has any real power. he is like a lion without any teeth or claws, a pussy cat who tries to roar.

I have to take authority and ensure that these symptoms LEAVE my body.
They have NO POWER over my body.
NO POWER to inflict any harm or any pain.

So LEAVE!! in JESUS' Name!
I'm free from any sickness or disease, pain or affliction.
Jesus has set me free and whom the Son sets free is FREE indeed!

Hallelujah!

re-union

2012-01-25T10:05:00.002+08:00

I enjoy the Chinese New Year, though some may find it boring or meaningless.

I like being with people, especially family. It's great meeting at least once a year, where you get to catch up with everyone what they are doing. And i get to know them better, and how to pray for them better too!

I met 14 uncles and aunts, 19 cousins (including their spouses) over the first two days of CNY, some of whom i only get to see once a year. We heard good news that a cousin in Brunei would be getting married in June.

I also met up with my niece and nephew, and then 7 more distant nieces and 8 more distant nephews (my cousins' or hubby's cousins' children) , the oldest of whom is 29, and the youngest, barely 2. All of them on just two days. I played board games with two young nieces.

We have more aunts, uncles, cousins, nephews and nieces we have not met in Singapore, in Australia, Brunei, China, England and UK, and one nephew on the way back from Amsterdam.

I received a precious email from one of my cousins, and chatted with another cousin on FB.

I laughed, listened, (teared discreetly at one point) and allowed the love of GOD to just flow through.

rest in His flow

2012-01-20T09:20:00.002+08:00

I woke up in the middle of the night, and was aware of the presence of the Lord in my bedroom.

Lying in bed, i began to thank Him for what i recognised as His healing flow from His very throne. I was hesitant at first, because i was not sure whether the healing was manifest in my body. (i had been confessing my belief that i am the healed of the Lord, and by Jesus' wound, i had already been healed.)

Then, i realised that i was trusting my physical senses more than my spiritual.

The truth is i have already been healed according to the Word of the Lord. The physical fact is i am still troubled by symptoms, though less intense at that time, so that i was not sure whether they were still present as i was just woken up.

I then gave my entire focus to just praising the Lord. I even got up, danced for a while, then lay down again. I felt my doubts drain away.

It was a joyful time. :D

God and impossibilities

2012-01-20T09:07:00.000+08:00

"Impossibilities don’t scare God – He works with impossibilities!"

~ Patsy Cameneti ~

angels encircling

2012-01-19T09:11:00.003+08:00

I was worshipping the Lord last night - at times kneeling, at times prostrating, at times just sitting.

At one time, i had a sense in my spirit that there were angels encircling above me. The strange things about this was that though i had heard of reports of angels - huge, warrior-like, and had seen in my spirit one that had his head above the ceiling, these angels i saw were not huge.

Were they far away, and therefore, i saw them as small? After all, there is no distance in the spirit.
Or were they near and actually that small?

These were of course, afterthoughts.

At that time, i just had a strong sense of the presence of the Lord, and i just soaked in His presence.

Christianity

2012-01-17T10:03:00.002+08:00

"Christianity is just receiving in faith what Jesus has done for us by God's grace!"

golden liquid

2012-01-15T07:49:00.003+08:00

Hubby and i were praying for an extended time last night. I received the word that i shared in the previous post during the extended prayer.

I took a short break and returned to prayer. Hubby never stopped.

I then saw in my spirit two sources of what i believe was a golden liquid (thought i did not see the colour; it was just a sense that it was golden) being poured into one. It was not transparent, not water, but a denser liquid.

I knew it my spirit it was time to receive, so i just cupped my hands and received.

I received it as His Shalom Shalom.

shalom shalom

2012-01-14T21:46:00.000+08:00

Isaiah 26:3 "The man whose heart is unmoved you will keep in peace, because his hope is in you." (BBE)
"You will keep [him] in perfect shalom, [whose] mind [is] stayed [on you]; because he trusts in you." (HNV)

Perfect peace is shalom shalom in Hebrew.

The Strong's concordance defines Shalom as completeness, soundness, welfare, peace:

completeness (in number)
safety, soundness (in body)
welfare, health, prosperity
peace, quiet, tranquillity, contentment
peace, friendship of human relationships, and/or with God especially in covenant relationship
peace (from war)
peace (as adjective)

focus for 2012: that i may know Him

2012-01-13T15:43:00.000+08:00

My very first entry for 2012 is my focus for the year - Hosea 6:3 - which is about knowing Him.

This entry is related.

I was meditating on Hosea 6:3 this morning - what it means to know Him and what it takes to press in to know Him, when the Holy Spirit reminded me of Philippians 3:10.

"That I may know him,
and the power of his resurrection,
and the fellowship of his sufferings,
being made conformable unto his death;"
(KJV)

I was alerted to the fact that Paul resolved to know Christ, His resurrection power AND His sufferings. I so often leave out that. I'm not talking about the suffering that Jesus suffered on our behalf, though through our identification with Him, that is, our death, burial and resurrection through Him and in Him, we share in that. More pertinently, Jesus underwent suffering as our example too. In the same way, we suffer persecution for righteousness' sake, and as a result of walking in the straight and narrow way that is His calling. Note that "the power of His resurrection" is mentioned before the "fellowship of His suffering", emphasizing not only the primary importance of the first, but also the presence of the second.

My attention then turned to 2 Peter 1:2-7
² Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, ³ as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, ⁴ by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
⁵ But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, ⁶ to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, ⁷ to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love.

Knowing Him is knowing His power and His promises, which in turn enables us to deal with all of life's issues.
In knowing Him, we increasingly experience His grace and peace, which fortifies us with essential qualities and traits for life's journey with all its nuances and complexities.

provision for 2012

2012-01-02T09:50:00.001+08:00

I received the following verse in an sms yesterday and i love it, especially in the version sent.

Psalm 65:11 (NLT)

"You crown the year with a bountiful harvest;

even the hard pathways overflow with abundance."

focus for 2012

2012-01-01T09:20:00.001+08:00

Hosea 6:3

(King James 2000 Bible (©2003))

"Let us know,
let us press on to know the LORD:
his going forth is prepared as the morning;
and he shall come unto us as the rain,
as the latter and former rain unto the earth."

five lessons from prince caspian

2011-12-30T19:09:00.003+08:00

I watched Prince Caspian again on Christmas Day. Hubby was sure we had seen it already, and we probably had, but i could not remember the story... as usual... And i've read the book a few times too!

Anyway, it was quite enjoyable for me. Hubby decided to do something else instead.

The Lord spoke to me through the movie four precious lessons.

1. Peter asked Lucy: Why wouldn't i have seen him (Aslan)? Lucy's reply was: Maybe you weren't looking.
Later Susan asked Lucy: Why do you think I didn't see Aslan? Lucy: Maybe you didn't really want to.
- King James 2000 Bible (©2003)
And you shall seek me, and find me, when you shall search for me with all your heart.
We often don't see God's hand in our lives, or hear His voice because we are not looking or expecting, or because we shut Him out of our lives, not wanting to hear anymore in our pain or lethargy. Start expecting, start seeking, and you will surely see and hear and experience His presence every moment of your life.

2. Susan: I finally just got used to the idea of being in England.
This is a strong reminder of the fact that we are in the world and not of the world, and that there is a higher purpose and calling for our lives.

3. Edmund: Exactly who are you doing this for, Peter?
We need to be aware of our own motives which must remain pure and not selfish. When motives are unclear, our hearts are cluttered and we cannot hear clearly from Him. We depend more on ourselves and our abilities than His grace and power.

4. In the first battle, they were sorely defeated because they did not wait for Aslan's instructions. They learnt their lesson, and sent Lucy (accompanied by Susan) to look for Aslan. They realised they need His help. We need to wait upon the Lord, hearing from Him before we make a move.

5. Lucy had a relationship with Aslan different from the rest. She was the only one who ran to Aslan, hugged him, played with him. The others knelt before Aslan in worship. Our new covenant allows for us to come right to His throne of grace. I am grateful to God for the reconciliation and redemption plan, that i can worship Him as well as relate to Him like a child to her father.

I'm going into 2012 expecting His presence to be with me always, and being aware of my need for His grace and strength.
I'm going into 2012 knowing my calling and destiny and that i'm a citizen of heaven.
I'm going into 2012 having made adjustments to my motives - not for selfish gain or vain glory, but in obedience to His call.
I'm going into 2012 resolving to be led by my heavenly Father.
I'm going into 2012 desiring a deeper and closer relationship with my Father.

2011 christmas message

2011-12-26T09:31:00.000+08:00

I listened to an encouraging message of hope on Christmas Day.

Isaiah 9:6
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

It was a reminder of God's love for each and everyone of us.

The following are my own reflections on Isaiah 9:6, inspired by Ps P Morrison's message.

As Wonderful Counselor, His wisdom is available to all who come to Him. We often depend on ourselves but if we appropriate His Wisdom, we see through His eyes, beyond our own human perspective.

As Mighty God, God can accomplish the impossible, the difficult, the unimaginable. As Mighty God, He chooses to set things right, removing obstacles in the process.

The one which most touched me was everlasting Father. This aspect of His nature speaks of a relationship. If there is father, there must be children. He is MY Abba Father. He not only provides for me, heals me, takes care of my needs, but He loves me. He knows me fully, AND loves me completely. He wants to spend time with me. I'm amazed by this Heavenly Father whom Jesus came to reveal.

Finally, the Prince of Peace not only brought reconciliation between God and man, but wholeness in every aspect of the life of the believer.

Thank you, Lord for this beautiful scripture which gives me courage and hope and i reflect on 2011, and surge on to 2012!

dream (ship)

2011-11-11T16:33:00.003+08:00

Last night, i dreamt that i was on a ship which was out of control, headed towards shore, and threatening to destroy everything in its path. There was a growing momentum, increasing fear, spiralling to a climax.

Just as it was about to hit something (i don't know what - but it seemed like a building), and barely an inch away from impact, everything came to a standstill. There was such peace and calm.

This is certainly divine intervention. Timely help. In the nick of time.

I'm still reeling from the amazing grace of God.

I think it's more than just a dream.

this is for mum (on a day after her birthday, which happens to be mine)

2011-11-09T08:41:00.000+08:00

Thanks for being such a wonderful and understanding mum. I enjoy talking to you as you provide different perspectives of situations and people.

I love sharing family birthday celebrations with you - makes our special days even more special. I love shopping for clothes together, and going for facials with you.

You taught me to serve the Lord from a tender age - i was holding up cards for scripture memory and songs when you taught sunday school. You encouraged me to keep learning and learning - piano, singing, typing, counseling skills, etc., even craft work and floral arrangements (but i was never very good with my hands and with careful work such as knitting).

I see how you encourage others so patiently, and are so loving to people from all walks of life, without expecting anything in return.

I cannot count the things i have learnt from you, more from how you do things and treat people, than what is actually spoken and taught.

I love you, mum. Thank you for giving me life, and also showing me how to live my life.

dream four (040911)

2011-09-05T06:49:00.003+08:00

I went to bed at about 11pm. Hubby was sleepy around the same time too! That in itself is a miracle. We usually go to bed at different times. We started praying for our preparation for the trip and for the students we will be teaching.
I fell asleep after a while, and in that brief time, just before i woke up at 12.30am, i had a dream about teaching in a lecture theatre, where rows and rows of people were listening. I was stirring up the congregation to go forth to the harvest fields, to march in obedience to the Command and Clarion Call of our Lord. Up and down the rows i went, singing and encouraging them. Some joined me.
When i woke up, hubby had left the room for a while and was in the living room. I went to him and shared with him my dream. I could still remember the song i sang, and sang out a couple of lines to him. It was not a very long song to begin with.
I wonder whether it was what we prayed about in tongues...

aneityum (aka new hebrides)

2011-09-03T16:10:00.002+08:00

Dr John Geddie (1815-1872) went to Aneityum in 1848 and worked there for 24 years.

Written in his memory are these words:

When he landed, in 1848, there were no Christians.
When he left, in 1872, there were no heathens.

quotes (from LT and other sources)

2011-08-24T11:06:00.001+08:00

Choosing to praise is the most unselfish decision and action to take in any and all circumstances.

Praise and worship gives Almighty God the legal opening to work in my life and situation.

Check only yourself,
not others - not even your spouse.

Overcome and reign over our minds and emotions by the spirit.

The power of His word=His word is powerful
vs
The word of His power=His power is expressed through His word.

quote on praise (KWH)

2011-08-23T14:02:00.001+08:00

The power of God is activated through praise because praise is the language of faith.

Faith

2011-08-22T16:39:00.000+08:00

"We have made faith a condition of mind, when it is a divinely imparted grace of the heart."

prayer school - ask of me

2011-08-20T16:49:00.000+08:00

Psalms 2:7-8 – I will declare the decree: The Lord has said to me, You are My Son, Today I have begotten You. Ask of me and I will give You the nations for Your inheritance, And the ends of the earth for Your possession.

We are sons of God. Part of the inheritance given to us through Jesus is the nations.

John 17:20 – I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word

Jesus prayed for the disciples and the impact they were going to have upon the world through the preaching of the word, and the empowering by the Holy Spirit.

Romans 8:14-15 - For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, We are joint heirs…

Acts 1:8 - But you shall receive power (ability, efficiency, and might) when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you shall be My witnesses in Jerusalem and all Judea and Samaria and to the ends (the very bounds) of the earth.

We are empowered by the Holy Spirit to make disciples throughout the earth.

Ephesians 6:19 - And [pray] also for me, that [freedom of] utterance may be given me, that I may open my mouth to proclaim boldly the mystery of the good news (the Gospel),

Paul was very aware of his calling and his dependence upon the power of God to fulfill his calling.

Romans 10:14-17 - But how are people to call upon Him Whom they have not believed [in Whom they have no faith, on Whom they have no reliance]? And how are they to believe in Him [adhere to, trust in, and rely upon Him] of Whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without a preacher? And how can men [be expected to] preach unless they are sent? As it is written, How beautiful are the feet of those who bring glad tidings! [How welcome is the coming of those who preach the good news of His good things!] But they have not all heeded the Gospel; for Isaiah says, Lord, who has believed (had faith in) what he has heard from us? So faith comes by hearing [what is told], and what is heard comes by the preaching [of the message that came from the lips] of Christ (the Messiah Himself).

Matthew 9:37-38 - Then He said to His disciples, The harvest is indeed plentiful, but the laborers are few. So pray to the Lord of the harvest to force out and thrust laborers into His harvest.

Ekballo – forcefully eject; Not apostello – send forth

But God does not force us. It is with His persuasive love that He moves His people into the harvest field.

prayer school 21072011

2011-07-22T10:58:00.001+08:00

Taught on using the Word of God in prayer.

"The only way we can get acquainted with God is through the Word" - Kenneth E Hagin
Shared two prayer tips from George Mueller (using the bible to pray - finds a promise, pleads that promise, receives what he asks; and how through meditation on scripture, he was more able to experience a meaningful prayer time)
Not considering feelings or situations (Romans 4:19) but Jesus (Hebrews 12:3)
Isaiah 55:9-11 - Speaking forth God's word which will not return to Him void...
Students prayed for 15 minutes using Philippians 1:9-11 and also prayers taught (from Eph) by other instructors

prayer tips from george mueller

2011-07-19T15:59:00.003+08:00

Two "Prayer Tips" from George Müller:
(from http://www.prayerfoundation.org/prayer_tips_george_mueller.htm)

1. Open Bible Before Him, and His Finger Upon That Promise, He would Plead That Promise, and So He Received What He Asked

One of the mightiest men of prayer of the last generation was George Mueller of Bristol, England, who in the last sixty years of his life (he lived to be ninety-two or ninety-three) obtained the English equivalent of $7,200,000.00 by prayer. But George Mueller never prayed for a thing just because he wanted it, or even just because he felt it was greatly needed for God's work. When it was laid upon George Mueller's heart to pray for anything, he would search the Scriptures to find if there was some promise that covered the case. Sometimes he would search the scriptures for days before he presented his petition to God. And then when he found the promise, with his open Bible before him, and his finger upon that promise, he would plead that promise, and so he received what he asked. He always prayed with an open Bible before him.

-R. A. Torrey on George Müller; "The Power of Prayer," 1924 (P. 81)

2. Müller's Discovery Was That After Meditating On Scripture He Was More Able to Experience a Meaningful Prayertime

"Reading without meditation is unfruitful; meditation without reading is hurtful; to meditate and to read without prayer upon both is without blessing."

-William Bridge, Puritan Writer

Christian meditation (thinking deeply on Scripture) is "the missing link between Bible intake and prayer." If there was a "secret" to George Müller's prayer life, it was his discovery of the connection between meditation and prayer. Müller's discovery was that after meditating on Scripture he was more able to experience a meaningful prayertime.

-Donald S. Whitney, "Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life" (partial quote and partial paraphrase).

the secret of george mueller's power in prayer

2011-07-17T16:09:00.000+08:00

God then began to show me that the word of God alone is our standard of judgment in spiritual things...

a modern paraphrase of john wesley's journal entries

2011-06-29T16:09:00.004+08:00

Heard this in a recent message. Just had to post it.

The paraphrased journal entries below display John Wesley's perseverance and determination in the face of persecution and rejection:

Sunday a.m., May 5 -Preached in St. Ann's; was asked not to come back any more.
Sunday p.m., May 5- Preached at St. John's; deacons said, 'Get out and stay out.'
Sunday a.m., May 12 -Preached at St. Jude's; can't go back there either.
Sunday p.m., May 12-Preached at St. George's; kicked out again.
Sunday a.m., May 19- Preached at St. Somebody Else's; deacons called a special meeting and said I couldn't return.
Sunday p.m., May 19-Preached on the street; kicked off the street.
Sunday a.m., May 26- Preached out in a meadow; chased out of meadow when a bull was turned loose during the service.
Sunday a.m., June 2-Preached out at the edge of town; police moved me.
Sunday p.m., June 2-Afternoon service, preached in pasture; 10,000 people came.

Praise the Lord!

"We are fools for Christ's sake..."(1 Cor 4:10)

"But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain." (1 Cor 15:57-58)

church camp in jb in june

2011-06-28T10:27:00.001+08:00

We taught and ministered at a church camp in JB last week. The topic was Joy in the Presence of God.

Throughout the camp, we were amazed by God's presence. It was a joy to teach and minister to hungry hearts - as they opened their mouths wide, God filled them (Psalms 81:10).

One person prayed to receive Jesus, and five people were baptised in the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in new tongues. A lady was instantly filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke with new tongues just by waiting on the Lord as part of corporate worship (she testified later that this was her heart's desire - to be filled and speak in tongues).

The Lord imparted His joy to the campers - spontaneous joy and laughter were evident as they experienced that the joy of the Lord is their strength (Nehemiah 8:10).

The Lord also ministered healing at the camp - many were healed of aches and pains in their necks, backs, shoulders, feet, etc., and of flu and stomach upset.

The Gifts of the Spirit were in operation during ministry time as words were released to encourage, exhort and edify the campers. People were refreshed and set free from oppression/ depression as they experienced God's love, joy and power during this camp.

Praise God that He is faithful and confirmed His Word with signs following (Mark 16:20). All glory be to Him!

dreams three (19 june 2011)

2011-06-21T11:29:00.002+08:00

I dreamt that i was travelling to a place, and was in a conference in that vehicle (probably a ship, but not shown in the dream). As i entered the conference room, i just saw sheaves of wheat on the seats, ready for the harvest. They were very light golden colour, almost white, and moving slightly. I was amazed by the sheaves, but as i looked closer at a few of them, i realised that they were like crackers with the tops like wheat.

I left the room to a smaller adjoining room, where hubby was seated and there was a red umbrella beside him - used and wet. A lady was talking to him, and as i approached, she decided to give that umbrella to him, saying that they had two similar ones. The umbrella had 4 words printed ( i remember three of the words 福禄寿. The fourth is probably 喜 or 康). She was also thanking Oon for the ministering to her and her husband.

I showed Oon the three crackers with the wheat tops from the conference room, and these transformed into something shaped like umbrellas with wheat coming from the tops of the umbrellas. We chose two to bring back.

When i returned to the first conference room, many of the seats had the wheat (umbrellas or crackers?) removed by different people in the room. I put one back.

dreams two (15 June 2011)

2011-06-20T11:28:00.001+08:00

i dreamt that my dad and my youngest brother were at my place, fixing and tidying some stuff.

Then mum came to visit, and i was surprised to see her ( i'm not sure why i was not surprised to see my dad as they are both in England at the moment). She said they came back on 13/6 instead of 23/6, so we talked and i needed to change so we shut the bedroom door.

Suddenly, my aunt appeared at the bathroom door and called me. It was such a surprise. She had come to visit me with another aunt and they brought a cake.

I woke up.

dreams one (15 June 2011)

2011-06-19T11:26:00.000+08:00

I dreamt that i was teaching the word of God to a group of people in a room.

Then i started singing about Jesus, the melody is somewhat familiar, the words are just Jesus (over and over). As i sang, i began to show some of them how to sing in the spirit/flow in the spirit. (Later i critiqued myself and was aware that i had spent a little too much time on showing them how to sing).

The Holy Spirit then led me to pray for people specifically for healing of bodies.

Quote from John Wesley

2011-06-10T11:54:00.001+08:00

The Rev. John Wesley, M.A., preacher, author, teacher and reformer, whose name is treasured in the hearts of believers ever since the Great Revival, would be a competent judge as to whether the miraculous gifts should be in the church today.

This is what he says:

"It does not appear that these extraordinary gifts of the Holy Ghost were common in the church for more than two or three centuries. We seldom hear of them after that fatal period when the Emperor Constantine called himself a Christian, and from a vain imagination of promoting the Christian cause, thereby heaped riches and power and honour upon the Christians in general, but in particular upon Christian clergy.

From this time, they almost totally ceased; very few instances of the kind being found. The cause of this was not, as has been vulgarly supposed, because there is no more occasion for them because all the world were become Christian. This is a miserable mistake, not a twentieth part of it was then nominally Christian.

The real cause was: the love of many, almost all Christians, so-called, was waxed cold. The Christians had no more of the Spirit of Christ than the other heathen; the Son of Man when He came to examine His Church could hardly find faith. This was the real cause why the extraordinary gifts of the Holy Ghost were no longer to be found in the Christian Church; because the Christians were turned heathen again, and had only a dead form left ...

The grand reason why the miraculous gifts were so soon withdrawn was not that faith and holiness were well nigh lost, but that dry, formal, orthodox men began even then to ridicule whatever gifts they had not themselves, and to decry them all as either madness or impostures."

teaching in HCMC (June 2011)

2011-06-07T14:39:00.002+08:00

We taught Divine Healing to a class of 50 students. Most of them are already active in the Ministry, having served for up to more than 20 years as pastors, ministry workers and church planters. They hailed from diverse church backgrounds - Baptists, Evangelicals, Pentecoastals, Charismatics, AOGs, etc. Indeed, God has blessed the school with tremendous favour among the various churches.

It was a privilege to teach students from so many denominations. Despite their different theological backgrounds, there was a spirit of unity among them. All of them were teachable and hungry for the Word. God confirmed His Word with signs following (Mark 16:20) - healings took place in the first day - many were healed of their pains, sicknesses and diseases. Praise The Lord!

One of the students testified on behalf of the rest that they had been refreshed and transformed by the teaching from the Word of God, and all of them would want to bring what they have learnt back to the churches they pastor or lead. All glory to the Lord!

It was a great blessing for me personally to go back to this place almost 17 years after i had first been there. God truly answers prayer!!

Teaching Trip (April 2011)

2011-05-14T07:11:00.002+08:00

We had a blessed time teaching and ministering to the students at the bible school, teaching them on the Foundations of Faith, Prayer as well as A Life of Praise and Worship.

The students were hungry for the Word - we could see their desire in developing a more intimate relationship with our heavenly Father, and trusting the Lord with their future. There was a strong anointing as we ministered and worshiped the Lord together and gifts of the Spirit (word of knowledge, word of wisdom, tongues and interpretation of tongues) were released during this time. One young man who received the Baptism of the Holy Spirit was shaking and crying out: 'Fire, Fire' as he felt the power of God come upon him.

We also had an opportunity to minister to a home church one day, and took time to exhort and answer their questions based on the Word of God.

We give God all the glory for the privilege of ministering and for the transformation in these lives.

Myanmar language

2011-05-13T14:09:00.000+08:00

one - di
two - ni
three - tho
four - li
five - nga
six - cheow
seven - ?
eight - shin
nine - goh
ten - sen

forty - lizeh

Christians are like bad photos?

2011-05-12T14:15:00.000+08:00

Many Christians are like poorly taken photos - overexposed and underdeveloped.

from YCCA Xxon Youths Vision

2011-05-11T14:26:00.001+08:00

By the power of the Holy Spirit, we envision the environment in the youth ministry to be:

Persistent in Prayer
We aim to be persistent in prayer, seeking the face of God.
(Acts 4:24)

Prophetic in Posture
We recognize that everything that happens has a spiritual cause and God has called us to spiritual warfare daily.
(Acts 4:20-24; 2 Corinthians 10:3-5)

Perpetual in Pentecost
We need God's continual empowerment and fresh anointing through His Spirit every day for life and witness.
(Acts 4:31, Romans 8:15)

Passionate in Purpose
The ministry united changes the world. We aim to be of one heart, one soul and one mind.
(Acts 4:32)

one sunday last month (part three)

2011-04-12T16:17:00.000+08:00

Hubby preached on healing the following sunday at another service in the month of March. It was a simple but practical message.

About 30 people came up to be prayed for out of a congregation of 300. Together with the ministry team, we prayed for healing for those who stepped up in faith.

Hubby said he prayed for one who was in final stage of cancer. This man was shaking all over because of the power of God. I remember seeing his countenance before the service and it had brightened up by the end of the service.

one sunday last month (part two)

2011-04-11T10:16:00.000+08:00

Hubby preached at a church service one sunday last month at HS on Elijah and the widow and the jar of oil which never ran out till the very last vessel was filled.

A miracle took place in the widow's house, and it all started with the question Elijah asked of her: "what do you have in the house?" Her reply was "nothing at all except a small jar of olive oil". Her focus was on nothing. God's focus was on what she had - the small jar of olive oil.

The crucial question is what do you have in the house, what do you have with you that you can use in obedience to God's instruction in order to have a miracle.

Her obedience to God's instruction to gather empty jars from her neighbours allowed her to have enough to pay all her debts and for her and her sons to live on for a long time. As long as there were jars, the oil from the small jar kept flowing.

Her willingness to act on God's instruction ensured God's miraculous provision, creating the atmosphere for the supernatural to take place.

At the end of the message, we ministered to those who needed financial breakthrough and healing.

God is good!

cockroach

2011-04-07T16:06:00.001+08:00

Last night, following the dream from the night before, i again woke up in the middle of the night and found that hubby had gone out to the living room to watch a football match. I decided to join him, but he said that the match was ending, and he was coming back to bed.

So i went back to the bedroom, but decided to pray and read for a while, so i turned on the lights. I plopped myself onto the bed, and turned to fluff my pillow. In my sleepy state, i realised that there was a huge black insect on my pillow. Stifling a scream, which was still loud enough for hubby to shush me from outside the room, as it was in the middle of the night, i jumped out of bed. I told him it was a cockroach.

Hubby very kindly checked the bed, and even under the mattress, using his shoulder to prop up the mattress as he looked underneath to ensure that the cockroach was not around.

Assured, i went back to bed.

The Holy Spirit spoke to me about not allowing the evil one to come into my territory. The devil has no right to affect my spirit, soul and body as i belong to God. My body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, and the work of the evil one cannot dwell in the same place.

Hallelujah!

trampled and crushed

2011-04-06T15:55:00.000+08:00

I dreamt last night that i trampled and crushed the devil with my feet. I believe it was his head i was trampling and crushing.

I woke up, exhilarated!

I told hubby, and he quoted Genesis 3:15.

And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers;
he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.”

Praise the Lord that Jesus has spoiled principalities and powers! And because I am crucified with Christ, and it is no longer i who live but Christ lives in me, I have victory over principalities and powers!

As i said, EXHILARATED!

another healing testimony

2011-04-03T16:31:00.003+08:00

A student (R) shared in her assignment that she was healed of pain in the jaw while in class. She had been having the pain for two days, and she almost did not go for class as the pain increased just before class. The Holy Spirit prompted her and encouraged her to o to class and she would be healed.

During opening prayer to the evening class on the Holy Spirit on 9 March, i was prompted to command for all sickness and pain to be gone.

R shared that as the prayer ended and she said Amen, but the pain was still there. She said that she did not care as she believed that she was healed already. By the time the class ended, she realised that the pain was gone.

As she went home, she kept praising the Lord, revelling n His love for her.

All glory to His Name!!

quotes on prayer

2011-03-30T17:01:00.002+08:00

“To be a Christian without prayer
is no more possible than
to be alive without breathing.”
Martin Luther

"Work as if everything depended upon your work,
and pray as if everything depended upon your prayer."
William Booth

"Prayer will make a man cease from sin,
or sin will entice a man to cease from prayer."
John Bunyan

"The true man of God is heartsick,
grieved at the worldliness of the Church...
grieved at the toleration of sin in the Church,
grieved at the prayerlessness in the Church.
He is disturbed that the corporate prayer of the Church
no longer pulls down the strongholds of the devil."
Leonard Ravenhill

"The Church gives more time,
thought,
and money
to recreation and sport
than to prayer."
Samuel Chadwick

"Are you living for the things you are praying for?"
Austin Phelps

“If we are full of pride and conceit
and ambition and self-seeking
and pleasure and the world,
there is no room for the Spirit of God,
and I believe many a man is praying to God to fill him
when he is full already with something else.”
D.L. Moody

“God sends no one away empty
except those who are full of themselves.”
D.L. Moody

“The best prayers often have more groans than words.”
John Bunyon

“In prayer it is better to have a heart without words,
than words without a heart.”
John Bunyan

“Prayer is a shield to the soul,
a sacrifice to God,
and a scourge to Satan.”
John Bunyan

“The Word of God represents
all the possibilities of God
as at the disposal of true prayer."
A. T. Pierson

“The reason why many fail in battle is because they wait until the hour of battle.
The reason why others succeed is because they have gained their victory
on their knees long before the battle came...
Anticipate your battles;
fight them on your knees before temptation comes,
and you will always have victory.”
R. A. Torrey

“We Christians too often substitute prayer for playing the game.
Prayer is good;
but when used as a substitute for obedience,
it is nothing but a blatant hypocrisy,
a despicable Pharisaism...
To your knees, man!
and to your Bible!
Decide at once!
Don't hedge!
Time flies!
Cease your insults to God,
quit consulting flesh and blood.
Stop your lame,
lying,
and cowardly excuses.
Enlist! "
C. T. Studd

“If your heart takes more pleasure in reading novels,
or watching TV,
or going to the movies,
or talking to friends,
rather than just sitting alone with God and embracing Him,
sharing His cares and His burdens,
weeping and rejoicing with Him,
then how are you going to handle forever and ever in His presence...?
You'd be bored to tears in heaven,
if you're not ecstatic about God now!”
Keith Green

“I have seen many men work without praying,
though I have never seen any good come out of it;
but I have never seen a man pray without working.”
James Hudson Taylor

“I never preach a sermon until I have soaked it in prayer.”
Billy Sunday

"Men are God's method.
The church is looking for better methods;
God is looking for better men.
What the church needs today is not more machinery or better,
not new organizations or more and novel methods,
but men who the Holy Spirit can use -
men of prayer,
men mighty in prayer.
The Holy Spirit does not come on machinery but on men.
He does not anoint plans,
but men -
men of prayer."
Edward McKendree (E. M.) Bounds

what i said in class last saturday

2011-03-29T04:58:00.000+08:00

Don't just follow His steps ...

follow His timings too.

quote from Catherine Booth

2011-03-28T16:57:00.000+08:00

"I am tired of hearing the words 'I can't'.
Jeremiah said,
'I am a child';
but the Lord didn't pat him on the back and say,
Jeremiah,
that is very good,
I like that in you;
your humility is beautiful.'
Oh no!
God didn't want any such mock humility.
He reproved and rebuked it.
I do not like the humility that is too humble to do as it is bid.
When my children are too humble to do as they are bid,
I pretty soon find a way to make them.
I say,
'Go and do it!'
The Lord wants us to 'go and do it'."

quote from J. Stuart Holden

2011-03-27T16:56:00.000+08:00

"There are great marvels in the world to-day.
There is the marvel of the disobedient Church,
which hugs to itself Christian privileges
and neglects Christian obligations."

quote from Albert Einstein

2011-03-26T16:54:00.001+08:00

"As a child I received instruction both in the Bible and in the Talmud.
I am a Jew,
but I am enthralled by the luminous figure of the Nazarene...
No one can read the Gospels
without feeling the actual presence of Jesus.
His personality pulsates in every word.
No myth is filled with such life."

quote from William Booth

2011-03-25T16:52:00.000+08:00

“The chief danger of the 20th Century will be
religion without the Holy Ghost,
Christianity without Christ,
forgiveness without repentance,
salvation without regeneration,
politics without God,
and Heaven without Hell.”

quote from D.L. Moody

2011-03-24T16:45:00.000+08:00

“I prayed for faith and thought that some day faith would come down and strike me like lightning. But faith did not seem to come. One day I read in the tenth chapter of Romans, 'Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.' I had up to this time closed my Bible and prayed for faith. I now opened my Bible and began to study, and faith has been growing ever since.”

quotes from C.H. Spurgeon

2011-03-23T16:48:00.001+08:00

“We are saved by faith without works,

but not by a faith that is without works,
for the real faith that saves the soul
works by love and purifies the character.”

“Self-surrender is one of the essential qualifications for a preacher who is to be a winner of souls.”

“We know nothing,
till we are taught of the Holy Ghost,
who speaks to the heart
rather than to the ear.”

another gem from smith wigglesworth

2011-03-22T11:40:00.000+08:00

God wants you so full of the Spirit that your whole life is praise.

in spirit and in truth

2011-03-21T07:43:00.000+08:00

I've been drawn to spending more and more time in His presence these few weeks.

It could be due to the fact that I've been teaching quite a lot since the beginning of this year, so i needed more time to prepare myself.

It could be due to my spending much time in meditating on healing scriptures.

I've replaced some of my recreation time with reading. I still need to work on this area.

I'm also praying more with various groups - my parents, our pastor and his wife (who married us) and another couple, women faculty members, a group of friends, and of course at prayer school or school/faculty prayer meetings, and with hubby. These different groups have various focuses (foci) when we pray together, but it's always a joy to just pour our hearts to the Lord, as well as pray out what the Holy Spirit shows us to pray.

And i've seen radical changes in the way i teach and minister since the beginning of this year.

I'm sensing more strongly the prompting of the Spirit to share certain stories or anecdotes or scriptures, and people testify how that sharing helps them in their walk with God.
I'm sensing the flow of the Holy Spirit, and what He wants to do in our lives, and just allow Him to flow and minister through words of encouragement, words of wisdom, tongues and interpretations, song and prayer, yielding our hearts in surrender to His leading.
I'm sensing God's desire to heal hearts and bodies - either through a brief, sharp pain in different parts of my body, or just a word of knowledge, followed by the gift of healing flowing through me or just present in the atmosphere we are in. I've seen instant healings taking place in my classes.
I'm sensing a strong call to obedience and surrender, a deep yearning to rejoice in thanksgiving, and a deeper understanding and awareness on our part of the power and might God has already given us so that we walk in victory in EVERY area of our lives.

There's MORE. God shows me THERE IS MORE.

There is a greater need to depend on Him, to spend time with Him in His presence and His Word, in order to allow His power and might to constantly flow through me, and to hear more clearly and accurately His instructions.

I am aware i am the righteousness of God, but i have also become more aware that i need to live out that righteousness.

In James 5:16b (AMP), we are taught that

The earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available [dynamic in its working].

Here the word righteous in original Greek is dikaios (pronounced dik'-ah-yos) - Strong's #1342

1) righteous, observing divine laws

1a) in a wide sense, upright, righteous, virtuous, keeping the commands of God

Divine power has been made available to us. As we seek the Lord earnestly in prayer, this tremendous power is dynamic in its working, setting the captives, the oppressed, the sick FREE!

quote from smith wigglesworth

2011-03-20T11:16:00.000+08:00

“ A preacher must not tell his audience what he thinks
but what he knows,
and let them do the thinking,”

quote from Watchman Nee

2011-03-19T16:59:00.001+08:00

"By the time the average Christian gets his temperature up to normal,
everybody thinks he has a FEVER!"

one sunday last month (part one)

2011-03-18T17:21:00.003+08:00

I preached at a church last month. There were about 300 members in the congregation.

I was so touched by the the following feedback from a pastoral staff there:

"Wanted to tell you that many members feed-backed that your message was so simple, clear and so easy to respond to! The people are hungry as it’s been a very long time since we had an extended time of ministry. They were very ministered to and the prayer and ministry people are really looking forward to meet you both again.

There was one lady who also shared to the church during testimony time last Sunday about how you shared about the importance about giving thanks and she in faith gave thanks to God that Sunday for the salvation of her brother (he had been struggling with many issues with no breakthrough) whom she had prayed for for a really long time, and that very Sunday itself, he came to Christ in the church in Malaysia. Our God is so amazing!"

Indeed, our God is amazing! It's His love and His power which reached out to the people!

divine power

2011-03-17T10:27:00.004+08:00

As i was meditating on some healing scriptures this morning, i was especially ministered to by the following passage from

II Corinthians 10:4-5
The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

Our weapons have divine power to demolish strongholds. God has given us weapons containing His power to destroy and annihilate anything in our path that are from the the evil one, anything in our lives that are not in line with the Word of God, and all that attempt to oppress our spirits, souls or bodies.

This divine power has no equal, and is second to none.

We live in the knowledge that no weapons formed against us shall prosper.

We walk, knowing that we cannot be shaken or moved by any wiles of the evil one.

We act with the understanding that we have the authority to use this power in our lives.

We need to be aware

of our position in Christ - seated in the heavenly places in Him on the right hand of the Father;
that we are joint heirs with Him, having as our inheritance every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places;
that God is our heavenly Father, resulting in our privilege or right to call Him ABBA Father, to come to His throne of grace boldly to find help in time of need;
that the Holy Spirit both indwells us, so that our spirits are quickened to respond to God; and empowers us, so that we are able to do all that He has called us to do.

This is what we have, what we wield with our prayers and confessions of faith.

Quote from R.A. Torrey

2011-03-14T09:59:00.001+08:00

"Ninety-nine Christians in every hundred are merely playing at Bible study;

and therefore ninety-nine Christians in every hundred are mere weaklings,

when they might be giants."

Don't play...be a giant!!

20/20 vision part 4 - discipled: moving forward in the things of God (SW)

2011-03-12T09:18:00.002+08:00

It can be the best year of your life if it is your best year spiritually. No matter the circumstances. We follow God.

Being discipled is a process - we go from glory to glory.

We look at Noah who moves forward.

Genesis 8:6

The ark came to rest on Mt Ararat on the 17th day of the 7th month.

God changes the 7th month to the 1st month when He delivered the children of Israel from Egypt. So on the 14th day on the new first month, they celebrate the Passover.

Jesus was crucified on the 14th day of the first month. Three days later on the 17th, He rose from the grave.

When we trust in God, there is REST for our lives.

That very day, the ark came to REST after 377 days!

Noah was ready to move forward.

Ravens - as it was not time yet, the ravens kept going back and forth. We cannot depend on ravens in our lives.

Dove - Symbolic of the Holy Spirit, the dove landed on the space that Noah created. We need to create space for God to move in our lives. We need to have faith.

We need to surrender to God.
It is His grace that enables us,
but it is obedience that moves us forward.

20/20 vision Part 3 - Set Free (RM)

2011-03-11T10:40:00.002+08:00

John 8:31-36
Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” They answered Him, “We are Abraham’s descendants, and have never been in bondage to anyone. How can You say, ‘You will be made free’?” Jesus answered them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.

1. It is possible for a believer to be in bondage.
Bondage is any impulsive or compulsive behaviour that restricts you from living in and enjoying the freedom Jesus died to give you. We have to get to the root. Then we get forgiveness and freedom. We need to yield to the Holy Spirit.

Romans 6:15-16
What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? Certainly not! Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness?

2. It is difficult to admit you are in bondage
Jeremiah 7:8-13
“Behold, you trust in lying words that cannot profit. Will you steal, murder, commit adultery, swear falsely, burn incense to Baal, and walk after other gods whom you do not know, and then come and stand before Me in this house which is called by My name, and say, ‘We are delivered to do all these abominations’? Has this house, which is called by My name, become a den of thieves in your eyes? Behold, I, even I, have seen it,” says the LORD. “But go now to My place which was in Shiloh, where I set My name at the first, and see what I did to it because of the wickedness of My people Israel. And now, because you have done all these works,” says the LORD, “and I spoke to you, rising up early and speaking, but you did not hear, and I called you, but you did not answer,
The Jews could not see that they are in bondage.

Romans 8:33
Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies.

We have to know the truth, not just meet the truth. We have to meet Jesus to get saved. We KNOW HIM to be set free.

3. It is easy to be set free from bondage. It does not depend on us
1 John 3:8
He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.

Mark 9:17-22
Then one of the crowd answered and said, “Teacher, I brought You my son, who has a mute spirit. And wherever it seizes him, it throws him down; he foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth, and becomes rigid. So I spoke to Your disciples, that they should cast it out, but they could not.” He answered him and said, “O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I bear with you? Bring him to Me.” Then they brought him to Him. And when he saw Him, immediately the spirit convulsed him, and he fell on the ground and wallowed, foaming at the mouth. So He asked his father, “How long has this been happening to him?” And he said, “From childhood. And often he has thrown him both into the fire and into the water to destroy him. But if You can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.”

It is not if God can, it is IF WE BELIEVE.

Mark 5:1-6
Then they came to the other side of the sea, to the country of the Gadarenes. And when He had come out of the boat, immediately there met Him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit, who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no one could bind him, not even with chains, because he had often been bound with shackles and chains. And the chains had been pulled apart by him, and the shackles broken in pieces; neither could anyone tame him. And always, night and day, he was in the mountains and in the tombs, crying out and cutting himself with stones. When he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and worshiped Him.

The devil could not stop him from coming to Jesus. In setting free/deliverance, the purpose is not to expose the person but the devil!

20/20 vision Part 2 - Healed (RM)

2011-03-10T10:11:00.002+08:00

Luke 4:16-19

1. Physical Healing
Exodus 15:26 - God reveals Himself as Jehovah Rapha.
Exodus 23:25 - He takes sickness away.
Deuteronomy 7:15 - take all sickness, not afflict us.
Psalm 103:1-3 - healed ALL SICKNESS!
Isaiah 53:4-5 - bore our sickness and diseases
Matthew 8:16-17 - sickness borne by Jesus

Matthew 4:23
And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease among the people.
Jesus healed because He cared for them.

Excesses which affect our beliefs -
1. God chooses who to heal or
2. God has already healed everyone, so if you don't get healed you didn't have enough faith.

There should not be any blame as you teach the word.
We live in a fallen natural world. So we still get sick and we still commit sinful acts. The bible combines forgiveness and healing
1 Peter 2:24
Jesus broke the power of SIN and SICKNESS.

2. Emotional Healing
Oppressed is bruised. Jesus came to set free those hurt - past wounds, hearts broken through various reasons. He came to heal the broken. Coping is not the solution. We need to come to Him, not control situations or people or live in rejection or please people. Most marriage problems can be solved if people get healed and delivered. When someone tries to point out, there is immediate defense when a person is in bondage. We can't just tell them "just get over it". We need to set the spiritual bones in place so they can heal.

20/20 vision Part 1 - Saved (RM)

2011-03-09T09:19:00.002+08:00

1 Corinthians 1:18
For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

Note that it is the present continuous tense for our souls.

1 Corinthians 3:15b
but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.

Note that is is the future tense, as it is referring to our body.

Ephesians 2:8-9
⁸ For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, ⁹ not of works, lest anyone should boast.

The past tense is used as this refers to our spirit.

Jesus paid the full price for our spirit, soul and body. Sozo - the greek word for salvation is a process of perfection.

1. Salvation is a gift to receive, not a goal to achieve. Romans 11:6
And if by grace, then it is no longer of works; otherwise grace is no longer grace. But if it is of works, it is no longer grace; otherwise work is no longer work.

2. Salvation is eternal life.
1 John 2:25
And this is the promise that He has promised us—eternal life.
1 John 5:18
These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God.

This eternal life starts when i die to self.

3. Salvation is forgiveness.
Act 13:38
Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through this Man is preached to you the forgiveness of sins;
Jeremiah 31:34
No more shall every man teach his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, ‘Know the LORD,’ for they all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them, says the LORD. For I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more.”
Psalm 103:12
As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us.

4. Salvation is justification
Romans 3:24
being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ
Galatians 2:16
knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified.

5. Salvation is righteousness - right standing with God.
Romans 4:3
For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness

6. Salvation is redemption
1 Corinthians 6:19-20
Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.
Redeemed is to purchase back. So when we are saved, we are no longer our own.

7. Salvation is total commitment.
Luke 6:46
“But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say?
Matthew 7:21-23
²¹ “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. ²² Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ ²³ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’

Never knew. Never committed. We have to make a decision to submit our will to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. If He is not Lord of all, He is not Lord at all.

the healing anointing

2011-03-08T06:21:00.001+08:00

In class yesterday, i was again prompted to preach briefly the Name of Jesus and the authority we have as a believer, even to the extent of admonishing the students to be bold and courageous and take their healing which God had already given them.

The Holy Spirit led me to minister healing to those having hurts, pains or discomfort.

5 people were instantly healed of pain.

1. S's knee injury instantly healed
2. N felt so much better - no more discomfort in chest and stomach
3. C's back pain disappeared. He felt the warmth of God's healing anointing working on him.
4. J instantly cured of headache.
5. Another student had pain in her knee completely disappear.

Praise the Lord!

Set FREE!

2011-03-07T04:50:00.003+08:00

We are no longer under the curse of the law. Jesus has set us free. The works He did on earth before his death, burial and resurrection are delineated in the Luke 4:18-19.

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

In Galatians 3:13-14, Paul tells us very clearly Jesus' work on the cross.

Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”), that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

This blessing of Abraham is that we now enter the family of God, the body of Christ - the church. We receive the Holy Spirit Who dwells in our mortal bodies, and strengthens us in our inner man.

We receive all the blessings as outlined in Deuteronomy, and none of the curses, as we seek to please Him in this new life we have in Him!

new door?

2011-03-06T08:41:00.004+08:00

I dreamt last night that when i came home from an appointment, i found that hubby had a new door created for our apartment and this was next to our existing one. It was still in the process of being fixed on its hinges. I like surprises and this was surely one as he had never mentioned it to me before. Nevertheless, it was certainly strange as he usually bounces ideas off before he puts them into action. And being a practical man, why would he want to have TWO doors??

Still, i was not upset at all. There was an excitement within me.

As i entered the house i found, i also discovered that he had started painting part of one wall a nice fresh light - almost baby blue. Something like this. Very pretty. That was also unlike him as he prefers white or cream.

Still, i remember liking it...

I woke up for a while and that was the end of the dream.

I slept some more and when i woke up to this new morning, i began laughing. The Holy Spirit showed me that God was opening a new door for us. That was a clear interpretation given.

If anyone reading this gets an interpretation for the painting or the colour baby blue, let me know...

:D

PS. I've read, among other things, that blue represents open heaven.

PS. I'm told that blue represents open heaven...

The Holy Spirit Moves

2011-03-05T23:59:00.001+08:00

During a time of worship in the midst of the course i am teaching on the Holy Spirit this month, the Holy Spirit moved in power, ministering to the students in Word and in Power.

1) W testified that the numbness in his right thigh which was there for more than a month was gone in an earlier class on Wednesday (2 Mar).

2) J testified that as we were worshiping, she felt a numbness, a tingling sensation on the back of her head. She believed that God had ministered to her, and received something in her encounter with the Lord.

3) P shared that she was totally lost in the Spirit. Felt intense heat on the right thigh. She heard the word 'Cleansing'. She sensed that God was telling her that she should set aside time to spend with Him since she wanted to have intimacy with the Lord. She felt the need to prioritize her life to focus on hearing His voice. It was an awesome time for her as she received.

4) C was so burdened last night from friends counsel & cried as she did not know what to do. During worship, she heard, 'I had created you as unique person. Don't change the uniqueness in you'.

5) L felt true rest and refreshing as we worshiped. The Lord also spoke about her personal life.

6) R was convicted when the instructor spoke on anger. Recently, her son called her a angry mum. She wanted to change. She read books on how to deal with the emotions, but realized that only the Holy Spirit can help. Today the HS assured her that He will give her His peace, and that her son will never call her as angry mum.

7) F shared how God used her to share Jesus with an old lady in her class: Jesus appeared 2 times to an old lady, once when she fell at her home with no food or drink for 2 days, and just accompanied her till her son came with the police to bring her to the hospital. F showed her how to ask Jesus into her life.

8) K's sister was not well and mum is alone taking care of her in India. In the last few days he wanted to worship, but found it difficult to focus. The worship session in class helped him. He was led to kneel down and cast his cares upon Jesus. And all the words spoken by the worship leader were the confirmations on what the Lord was putting in his heart. He believed that that very moment my sister would have been healed.

9) JM - received Holy Spirit 22 years ago and was asking God what is there for her in this module of the introduction to the Holy spirit. The Lord told her that she will get introduced to the Holy Spirit to a level which I had never been before. The anointing was very strong and she could not contain it. Lord spoke to her to spend time with Him alone and He has lot of things to reveal to her.

10) JJ - was worrying about the future & directions and God spoke to me not to worry about the future.

11) Jh - pain in the shoulders and right buttock and thigh slowly disappeared in the class after the worship session. She had asked and received by faith her healing during the worship sesson.

12) M - just before the class, he found out from his wife in India that his son had a very high temperature and was throwing up. When he was hearing the word and worshiping, he knew in the spirit that his son is healed. During the break, he called his wife and she told him that his son's temperature had come down and he is able to eat and not throw up anymore.

Amen!!! Hallelujah!!!

All glory to God.

(thanks to JM who kindly agreed to record these testimonies!)

Most of the above testimonies took place during a time of worship in the second
hour.

In the fifth and final hour on Saturday, i was prompted to minister to those who had a call to the nations. I kept seeing the word 'nations' almost hovering above the people. As i obeyed, and after a few minutes of trying to check who had a call, I finally asked those who had a call to stand up, and invited the rest of the class to pray with me for the people. The power of God moved, and many received an empowering and a strengthening.

I'm just so amazed at how the Holy Spirit is moving in the classes. There seems to be an intensifying of focus and power as many respond to His love!

Selah

2011-02-20T09:45:00.002+08:00

Habukkuk 2:20

Psalm 131:1

Silence in worship contains elements of revelation and response.

Revelations 8:1

Absolute silence is the greatest act of worship.

1 kings 19

God met Elijah in the stillness and quietness.

John Wesley's Worship Encounter

2011-02-19T09:56:00.000+08:00

John Wesley's journal entry (1 Jan 1739):

Mr Hall, Hinching, Whitefield, Hutching, and my brother Charles were present at our love feast in Fetter Lane with about 60 of our brethren. About three in the morning as we were continuing instant in prayer, the power of God came mightily upon us, insomuch that many cried out for exulting joy & many fell to the ground. As soon as we were recovered a little from the awe & amazement at the presence of His majesty, we broke out with one voice, "We praise Thee O Lord, we acknowledge Thee to be Lord."

These awed and amazed worshipers went on to change the spiritual climate of a nation.

Jonathan Edwards' Encounter with God

2011-02-18T10:01:00.000+08:00

"Once as I rode out into the woods for my health, in 1737, having alighted from my horse in a retired place, as my manner commonly had been to walk for divine contemplation and prayer, I had a view that for me was extraordinary, of the glory of the Son of God. As near as I can judge, this continued about an hour; and kept me the greater part of the time in a flood of tears and weeping aloud. I felt an ardency of soul to be what I know not otherwise how to express, emptied and annihilated; to love Him with a pure and holy love; to serve and follow Him; to be perfectly sanctified and made pure with a divine and heavenly purity.

2010-12-25T09:01:00.002+08:00

"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

2010-12-23T08:54:00.003+08:00

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)

2010-11-28T04:34:00.002+08:00

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)

2010-11-24T14:13:00.001+08:00

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)

2010-11-19T14:13:00.000+08:00

-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)

2010-11-15T17:20:00.000+08:00

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)

2010-11-14T17:17:00.000+08:00

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)

2010-11-13T17:11:00.000+08:00

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)

2010-11-12T17:05:00.001+08:00

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)

2010-11-12T09:20:00.002+08:00

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)

2010-11-11T17:02:00.000+08:00

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)

2010-11-10T08:05:00.000+08:00

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)

2010-11-06T06:41:00.004+08:00

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)

2010-11-05T06:40:00.001+08:00

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)

2010-11-04T06:38:00.001+08:00

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.

<><><><><> <><><><><> <><><><><> <><><><><> <><><><><> <><><><><> <><><>

Prayer Time.

* Supplication, for churches in Singapore.

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

2010-11-03T06:55:00.003+08:00

Hubby taught the following during prayer school:

God initiates
Man receives
Holy Spirit leads us to pray the most effective prayer
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)

2010-11-01T08:03:00.004+08:00

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

2010-10-27T09:05:00.000+08:00

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)

2010-10-25T05:17:00.003+08:00

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

2010-10-23T14:30:00.000+08:00

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)

2010-10-21T16:53:00.000+08:00

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)

2010-10-20T16:37:00.001+08:00

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)

2010-10-19T16:35:00.000+08:00

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)

2010-10-18T16:31:00.001+08:00

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)

2010-10-17T14:04:00.001+08:00

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)

2010-10-16T11:40:00.001+08:00

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)

2010-10-15T11:39:00.001+08:00

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)

2010-10-14T11:29:00.001+08:00

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)

2010-10-13T11:11:00.002+08:00

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)

2010-10-12T11:09:00.001+08:00

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)

2010-10-11T11:08:00.001+08:00

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

hp note 5 (RM - Let's eat)

2010-10-10T11:02:00.002+08:00

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)

2010-10-09T10:58:00.001+08:00

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)

2010-10-08T10:56:00.001+08:00

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