farewell 2008!

Looking back at 2008:

It's been a year of transitions and adjustments, but these were smoothed and made easy because of God's grace.

My husband and i stepped out of admin work at a bible school office in obedience to what God was showing us to do. This was quite a major step as besides telling us to focus on teaching, and assuring us He will provide, no other information was given.

Still, we moved forth in obedience. We knew there was going to be a transition before it took place, but we did not do anything till we heard when. I still remember God telling me during worship in church that my last day would be 6 June.

Everything fell into place, and His timing was perfect. We prayed for good people to take over, and He answered.

We continued waiting on Him for the next steps. And He brought assignments to our doorstep, and provided for our needs way beyond our imagination. He is indeed faithful to His promise.

This morning, just as i was getting up, Matthew 6:33 came to me.

I'll quote from the amplified version:

But seek (aim at and strive after) first of all His kingdom and His righteousness (His way of doing and being right), and then all these things taken together will be given you besides.

We are in the world, but not of the world. I believe that because of the promise in this verse, believers are 'recession-proof'. I'm not boasting in me. I'm boasting in God's ability to provide for me.

I'm not being selfish, thinking of me only. I'm blessed to be a blessing. Because my God is Jehovah Jireh, my needs will be more than abundantly supplied, and i have enough to give to others in need.

Praise the Lord! And this is just one testimony of His goodness to me in 2008...

:D

happening 2

i feel like i'm doing a trailer for a movie of "My life in Dec 08". Don't laugh... it could be nominated for EMMY awards. haha...

Anyway, in "happening", i was enjoying myself meeting friends and loved ones. In happening 2, it is no different!!

15 Dec - Now that the secret is out... LM's final lesson in his preparation of surprise song for his bride
16 Dec - Dinner with 2 friends, followed by exchange of gifts
17 Dec - Helped out in ministry time during XScapade final message
18 Dec - Went for dinner and megapraise at XScapade - thoroughly enjoyed praising God; helped out during ministry time
19 Dec - Prayer Meeting - time of thanksgiving by XScapade participants; also prayed for other church ministries and events
20 Dec - LM and my brother practise at my place - we decided to go with the cahone instead of guitar with LM's piano
21 Dec - Met our cell group for Christmas celebration after church service - shared thanksgiving, sang carols and exchanged gifts. Missed BS and family. Decided to summarise thanksiving from all of them in email to whole cell.
Then we went to another christmas celebration - played Wii for the first time!! very fun, but my muscles ached for days after, especially after the boxing game. I discovered muscles in my inner being i never thought i had... THEN we ate, and talked, and prayed.
22 Dec - Visited Grandma at the community hospital near our place. Met my brother for light dinner, and we talked.
23 Dec - P and LM's wedding rehearsal
24 Dec - Office lunch and gift exchange; Dinner at sister-in-law's place with hubby's family - again we sang carols (quite fun as my niece led) followed by gift exchange
25 Dec - Early dinner with parents and brother, followed by Tree of Life Workshop at Tanglin Mall. Also watched snow show. Had Mac's ice-cream, then went back.
26 Dec - Shared a bottle of sparkling wine with hubby
27 Dec - P and LM's wedding ceremony and dinner
28 Dec - L and G's farewell lunch (4 couples altogether) at Jack's Place
29 Dec - Dinner with a BS group (young ladies in their late 20s)
30 Dec - Quiet day with hubby
31 Dec - BS with 2 teens; Lunch with old friend; Fellowship with 2 ladies (early twenties); High tea at Aunt P's (meet cousin i haven't seen for 2 years); Worship and Fellowship with old friends.

And that's how i'll be ending the year...

I'm excited about 2009!!

happening

i've been having a happening time, and Dec is just about half over. :D

2 Dec – Met with my Myanmar ex-Bible School classmate who is a minister, and had lunch with her at Jack's Place

3 Dec – Brought my niece out for lunch, watched a movie, went on board Duolos and had ice-cream, followed by a double belated birthday dinner celebration with a very good friend of twenty two years

4 Dec – Lunched with colleague, alumni and her pastor, followed by bible study with my two young mentees (late teens)

5 Dec – Taught about Hearing from God at brother’s CG

6 Dec – Went for a walk at Alexander Park with husband’s family, followed by lunch

8 Dec – Went to East Coast Park for breakfast with hubby, short walk/ride with niece and family, followed by lunch at Commonwealth, and a board game at Holland Close (where sister-in-law and family stay)

9 Dec – Celebrated our wedding anniversary with a special steak meal at Jack’s Place (first time in 4 years we are celebrating our anniversary in Singapore )

10 Dec – Visited our ex-pastor and his wife with some friends. They were the ones who conducted pre-marital counseling for us and married us

11 Dec – shopping with mum, followed by a meeting with another 2 mentees (early twenties)

12 dec – met a dear dear missionary friend/ex-mentee for lunch; my fren (ex-colleague) and her family coming to My Hope Singapore at mum’s place. :D

13 Dec – 1 hour exhortation for young camp team leaders/assistant leaders at preparation retreat, followed by lunch with husband. Met the myanmar minister fren for tea (her late lunch) at Mac's before she returned to KL

14 Dec – went for sunday school with my fren's (the one who came for My Hope Singapore) 2 kids, followed by lunch with hubby. Then we had a glorious and refreshing 2 hour worship with camp worship team leaders. Visited hubby's grandma at hospital. She had fractured her pelvic bone in a fall last wed, but apparently she had gotten up to walk twice before nurses stopped her. It's a miracle. Hubby had prayed for her complete healing!!

Will update at end of month!! Dec is just so exciting!!

knowing and seeing

The following prophecy was delivered on October 16, 1994 in Kansas City:

A spirit of Knowing…a spirit of knowing. Which of course is the Holy Ghost, will come into manifestation in a greater measure. It was by the Spirit that Peter knew. Ananias and Sapphira had lied against the Holy Ghost, judgment fell upon them. A spirit of knowing will be in manifestation in the church in these last days in a greater measure than any of you have ever seen it before. A spirit of knowing. Hallelujah.

A spirit of seeing. Where the prophet in the Old Testament was called a seer because he would see and know things supernaturally. A spirit of seeing will be in manifestation in the church in these last days in a greater measure than you have seen here-to-for. You'll enter first of all into the knowing and then proceed into seeing. The days are upon us. For the last days are here and the work of God must be accomplished. The plan of God must be carried out. The truth of God must be made known. Hallelujah.

And it shall be. It shall be. It shall come to pass. That which your heart has hungered for. That for which some of you have earnestly sought. It shall come to pass. Right on the verge. Yes, we're in it, in a measure. But we're right on the verge of an outbreak of the Spirit and power of God. Of an outpouring of the Holy Ghost. Not seen by this generation. Right on the verge. And it shall surely come to pass. Say it with voice and heart. Say it with voice and heart. That is with your voice and let your heart agree with it. Say it, "It shall come to pass. It shall come to pass. It shall come to pass at last! No man can keep it from coming. No powers of hell, evil spirits of the devil can gain-say-it. It shall come to pass. Hallelujah!" Now put your hands up and thank him for it.

completely satisfied

I just read the following (excerpted from an article) that totally made sense to me:

Matthew 5:8 (NKJV)

Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God.

The pure in heart: hearts refined as gold; hearts that have been through the fire; hearts that have been prepared by God. Verse six, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness." Many of our bibles say "for they will be filled." Amplified says "for they shall be completely satisfied."

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness (purity, cleanness) they will live a life of complete satisfaction. Complete satisfaction. Completely satisfied on the inside.

It’s not about a title or a ministry... Nothing that will build the pride of man up. It’s about those who hunger and thirst for righteousness - they are the ones who will live with one hundred percent complete satisfaction in their lives. They will be satisfied. They will have a life joy in their lives. A life joy.

Do you know what a life joy is? A life joy is not a temporary moment of happiness because of a good circumstance in your life. A life joy is because your life has been completely filled with the righteousness of God. A deep satisfaction on the inside of you that man can’t take away, that circumstances can’t take away, and certainly the devil can’t take away.

A deep righteousness on the inside. A deep life joy. A deep satisfaction. How many want to live a life of satisfaction? That you just have that sense of being satisfied. You’re not striving. You’re not unhappy in your moment. You’ve got to learn to enjoy your moment while you’re on the way to where you’re going.

You can still have vision for the future and at the same time be completely satisfied on the inside of you.

You can still have unfulfilled vision in your life and yet at the same moment live completely satisfied on the inside of you.

one

This is God's heart - for His people, His body to continue in the unity we were called to.

Eph 4:1-6
1 I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called,
2 with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love,
3 endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling;
5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism;
6 one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

wholly dependent on the Lord

This is my last entry for November 2008. It's been a great month for which i am truly grateful to the Lord for.

I came across this phrase which i've been contemplating:

"It's not your prayers, It's not your ability, It's your surrender."

Prayers are important.
His grace and ability given to us to accomplish God's plans in our lives are important.
But the most crucial of all is our surrender to the Lord.

That we may yield and obey and be wholly dependent on Him. Only then can we fulfill the Great Commission, expanding and advancing His Kingdom!!

Zerubabbel - builder of lives

Recently, in a prayer time with friends, I heard the following in my heart and wrote it down:

Build what I’ve called you to build – brick by brick, layer by layer, putting the living stones together gathered from the various parts of the earth.

I call you builders of lives unto the Lord, imparting life and spirit into hearts turned towards Me – not only to increase the Kingdom, but to strengthen the Kingdom so that it can continue to advance in his Name.

There is darkness to overcome, evil to vanquish, pain to be defeated in the Name of Jesus!

I’m building you up too, and that is why I’m taking time to strengthen and establish you in My way, in My Word: to school you, even discipline you so that you will go the way as you desire in your heart – to go the way I’ve shown you.

You will come to a place where you will deal less with self, less with your circumstances, but be caught up with my concerns, my plans and my desires.

You’ve cried out, “Lord, I want to be consumed by You and Your desires – wholly consumed with your passion and purpose like fire burning in the belly”

This, too, is increasing in your life, as you purpose in your heart to follow my purposes for your life.

Deep calls unto deep, and the depths of your spirit continue to respond to my call.

Seek my kingdom, and my righteousness, and all these thing will be added unto you.

I believe the above is for all who want to see God's purpose and plan fulfilled in their lives, and desire to obey and please Him in all their ways. I hope this encourages you as you continue to seek the Lord and serve Him with all your heart.

living with a purpose on purpose

God has been speaking to me.

I heard this recently, and it has been resonating in my spirit.

We live with a purpose on purpose.

In other words, we purpose to follow His purpose for our lives, purposefully.

:D

I'm not really using words other than purpose, am I?

Well, i'm doing it on purpose.

Okay, very punny (funny?)

Seriously, that's what i'm doing.

In Christ, i can do it.

a picture paints a thousand words

Here are three photos which speak of God's creative power, infinite beauty and majestic splendour!

My uncle took them during his trip to south America.

The snow-capped Andes - the world's longest mountain range

Lake Titicaca with Andes in the background

Sunset over the Amazon Jungle

Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee:
How Great Thou Art!
How Great Thou Art!

our God is amazing!

My prayers, together with the prayers of others, regarding the situation i wrote about earlier this week, has been answered.

Later on Thursday morning (after the early morning entry), i was reminded of this verse from Psalm 50:23.

Whoever offers praise glorifies Me;
And to him who orders his conduct aright
I will show the salvation of God.” (NKJV)

I checked on the meaning of salvation in the original Hebrew later in the day:
yesha‛ or yêsha‛: liberty, deliverance, prosperity: - safety, salvation, saving.

How do we order our conduct aright? We make a choice (with our will) to live according to the Word of God. The Holy Spirit shows us how to apply His Word to our lives, and what specifically to do. God's grace enables us to what the Holy Spirit reveals. This is not difficult when we depend on His grace.

At prayer school too, as we praised God, I remember laughter rising on the inside of me. I brought this situation to the Lord, and began to praise Him according to Philippians 4: 6.

Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition (definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God. (AMP)

Thereafter, the peace from God enveloped me.

It only threatened to leave when instead of praising God that same evening as i shared with a family member, I began to complain about some of the aspects i had experienced. My conscience pricked me, and i set it aright by a simple sms to that member, and then repenting before the Lord, once again making the adjustment to the Word of God.

Praise God that He turned around the situation which involved the input of many, and could have impacted quite a few people negatively. Within 4 days, it has been resolved.

Our God is an amazing God. He often does above and beyond what we can think or imagine. His promises are Yes and Amen in Christ.

In retrospect, i had sensed the victory even as i prayed this morning. The feeling was no longer one of urgency and heaviness. And again, when i remembered just before lunch, there seemed to be a peace in my spirit. Very unlike Wednesday evening, and early Thursday morning.

I have learnt through this, amongst other things that have been happening, and what the Holy Spirit has been showing me, that:

• when we seek Him, He will be found of us;
• when we ask Him regarding plans and purposes, He will reveal to us
  
• when we obey His promptings and instructions, He will change the situation and atmosphere around us
• when we pray according to His will, He will see to it that our prayers are answered
  
• when we don't know His will, we ask and we look into the word of God which contains His will
• when we have finished praying, just stand in faith, believing He will fulfill His word.

FINALLY, PRAISE HIM that He will show His salvation and deliverance!

YOUR LOVE IS AMAZING

Your love is amazing, steady and unchanging
Your love is a mountain, firm beneath my feet
Your love is a mystery, how You gently lift me
When I am surrounded, Your love carries me

Chorus
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Your love makes me sing
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Your love makes me sing

Your love is surprising, I can feel it rising
All the joy that's growing deep inside of me
Every time I see You, all Your goodness shines through
And I can feel this God song, rising up in me

Bridge
Yes, You make me sing
Lord, You make me sing, sing, sing
How You make me sing

God ALWAYS leads us IN triumph in Christ

I've been praying on and off about a situation since Tuesday evening.

Yesterday evening, I asked God to show me His perspective: how He sees this matter. How do i praise Him in a situation that appears to lead to an inevitable and bleak end? How do i pray for a situation that has the potential of causing hurt/frustration/disillusionment to the parties concerned?

I was woken up about half an hour ago with this verse resounding in my spirit.

2 Corinthians 2:14 (AMP)
14But thanks be to God, Who in Christ always leads us in triumph [as trophies of Christ's victory] and through us spreads and makes evident the fragrance of the knowledge of God everywhere,

I had taught it in Praise Life class just 2 days ago.

It struck me then that God ALWAYS, not sometimes, but ALWAYS, leads us. That is so so assuring. We choose to follow His leading that takes place all the time.

And God is able to lead us in triumph because of what Christ has done in his life, death, resurrection and ascension. This means that even before we see the result of our faith and vision (according to what has been revealed to us by God), we already know we have the victory.

Moreover, each step of the journey to the "end" of our faith, to the place of victory, is taken in triumph.

The Message Bible puts it this way:

"in Christ, God leads us from place to place in one perpetual victory parade"

The New Living Translation reads:

"continues to lead us along in Christ’s triumphal procession"

We are already IN triumph.

I look to YOU, my Lord, the GOD of more than enough, and follow You closely every step of the way as You lead me.

God showed me

Ephesians 6:12 (NKJV)
"we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places."

and

No weapon formed against you shall prosper, And every tongue which rises against you in judgment you shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is from Me,” says the LORD. (Isaiah 54:17

Our focus is to seek and know His will, and then trust and obey Him. He will continue to order our steps and give us wisdom. His divine wisdom gives rise to good consequences.

James 3:17-18 (NKJV)
17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. 18 Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

I'm believing and thanking God for good fruit in this situation.

November

I love November.

First, it's the month when i was born, and my mum had just come home from her birthday celebration with her family when her water bag burst. I was born the next day. We always have joint celebrations, usually on her birthday. Mum comes first, you see! hehe...

Two years ago, on my birthday, i decided to be less focused on self, and talked to God about helping people on my birthday. It was part of my journey to be more others-oriented, putting others' interests first. At that time, i was a tiny wee litte bit sad about people not remembering my birthday. As one grows older, we don't really celebrate in a big way... The gregarious part of me missed having the multiple cakes with colleagues, cell group, family, and other friends. Still, it is just lovely having a double celebration with mum and family, and then a private little celebration with hubby... (grin)

Last year, i was joyful because of this re-orientation in my attitude. I met up with friends at different times in November, just enjoying their company, and speaking into their lives while they spoke into mine. They did not even know it was my birthday.

This year, the Lord also sent a few people my way who needed my help. And, on the 2nd day of November, during my time with God, I was reminded of this prayer i made 2 years ago.

I am editing a thesis for a brother in church - about 70+ pages so far has been sent. More to come...
I just helped a girl finish her literature project just last Sat/Sun.
With my parents, I visited an elderly couple (the wife fell and her hip and wrist sustained hairline fractures) to pray for them and cheered them up.

And November had just started.

I love November... as it leads to December - which is my favourite month of the year. November is a close second.

We celebrate Christ's birth in December.
I was married in December.
I have wonderfully pleasant memories of many trips (S Africa, Sydney, Melbourne, Tasmania, China, Myanmar, New Zealand - my favouritest place; honeymoon destination) made in December.
December is a time of thanksgiving and reflection for the year past.
And December is full of promise and excitement for the year to come.

How not to give thanks to God??!!

Alligator hides with soft insides

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

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

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

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

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

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

But we can...

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

This is the soft insides in the title phrase.

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

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

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

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

a lovely wedding

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

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

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

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

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

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

a single soul saved!

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

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

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

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

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

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

resurrection power!

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

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

Check out the illustrations!!

1.We already have the power!

2 Cor 4:7 (AMP)

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

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

Eph 1: 17-20 (AMP)

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

2. What can the power do?

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

It takes Great power to accomplish great things.

Deut 9:10 – Finger of God wrote commandments.

Luke 11:20 – finger of God drives demons.

Josh 4:24 – hand of God.

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

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

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

John 11:40-44

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

This brings glory to God.

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

This power enables us to influence our family.

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

3. How to activate it?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Phil 3:10 (AMP)

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

cascades

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

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

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

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

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

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

outdoor family portrait

This outdoor family portrait was taken a few months back.

It is one of my favourites.

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

Don't you just love the clouds?

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

Our Heavenly Father holds the world in His HAND.

Me included.

my cupcakes overfloweth

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

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

Aren't the colours beautiful??

Tapping into His grace (parts of an MSN conversation)

Many pp mistake mercy for grace.

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

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

We don't earn either.

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

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

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

1 Peter 4:10-11 (AMP)

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

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

BEING a child of God

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

what a blessing!

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

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

God is so good.

:D

worship - connecting with God (2)

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

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

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

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

in praise and worship of our GOD.

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

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

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

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

worship - connecting with God (1)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

speaking life!

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

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

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

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

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

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

protection and prophecy come true

written on 100908 at 5am (not in Singapore)

We were at dinner with a pastor at his house last night - home-cooked food of fried fish, fried chicken, stir-fry mixed vegetables and pork ribs soup. Nice.

Conversation was easy. He had worked in Singapore for a year, and his son is now working in Malaysia. His spoken English was clear, and we talked about life in Myanmar, Singapore and Malaysia. His wife had little spoken English, and i don't think she understood much English too.

He testified about God's protection during the cyclone:

He had strengthened the floor of his house with concrete a few weeks before the cyclone. We all agreed that was God's wisdom at work in him. If he had not done that, the house could have sustained more damage. As it was, only his kitchen roof had to be replaced. Also, his coconut tree did not fall... only the coconuts... :D

His neighbour's houses built with bamboo and wood was propped against his house up to a month as they could only afford to buy materials to build the materials after that time.

His church stood strong even though it bore the full onslaught of the winds being the first building in that area.

The community, including the unbelievers, were amazed.

It was like a miracle and testified to the goodness of the Lord!


Near the end of our visit, his wife (through his translation) testified that a year before (in August 2007), when we were at his place for the first time, i had prayed and prophesied over her regarding her comforting other women. I had forgotten about the details of this prophecy. She shared that that was exactly what she had been doing in the past year. Praise God!

God's anointing to prophesy came on me again. Her hunger for the Word and the Presence of the Lord was very intense. I felt that i had to hold her hand and pray for her:

• she will impact spiritual atmospheres in households and in the church
• continued prayers for her son with the help of the Holy Spirit so that he will know the will of God
• stepping up into a higher place

This last one was prophesied by my hubby.

We prayed for pastor as well, for God's plans and purposes to be fulfilled in his life and in his church.

It was a God-appointed visit.

8 testimonies from seminar participants

On the last day of the seminar which was on grace and holiness, there were eight participants who came up to share their testimonies. Some of them had a preaching anointing! They got really excited about the Word of God and a few started preaching... :D

3rd year bible school student:
I am really encouraged by the following scriptures: Psalm 103:3 and 1 Peter 2:24. When i read this, i received healing. I was a little sick but now i am healed.
I was encouraged by Colossians 1: 11 too. I was weak but now i am strengthened. I learn how to rejoice in the Lord.
I thank God for the privilege of sharing my testimony and also for attending this seminar.

a church planter with 6 children based outside of the city:
I used to force my church members to read the bible when they became believers but now i want to show them they wonderful promises in the Bible so that they become excited to read His Word.
I also realise that we need God's favour and grace to minister, without which we cannot fulfill God's work.
I also learnt that patience is needed to wait for His plan. I am encouraged not to give up but to continue waiting on the Lord.

another church planter
i was born again in 1979, and at first i enjoyed reading the word of God. At that time I was a school teacher. However, for about a period of 10 years, i did not know God's way. I am so glad that we can know God's way as shown in 1 Timothy 2:4. God showed me that He wanted me to serve Him.
At this seminar, i learnt that grace is not just for salvation but for all aspects of life.
And just like a husband and wife do things for each other because you love each other, we respond and do things because we love God.
Let us focus on God's Grace and respond to His Grace. I am so encouraged by what i learnt about His Grace.

yet another church planter
At this seminar, i understand about the ministry gifts and serving gifts and spiritual gifts which i never understood before. I started an orphanage in 2007, but was a little confused about God's gifts and callings. There was some difficulty in obtaining food for the children. Last year, i also got into debt because i borrowed some money. God mercifully brought me through, and now i returned the money in full. I will continue to depend on His grace which is sufficient for me.

a bible school student
we are often told to have patience, but most of us fail. I have learnt to be patient with the Grace of God and not with my own strength. Patience is the key to fulfilling God's plan and purpose of our lives. If we give up, we will miss His timing and not receive His promise

bible school instructor
I have learnt so much about His grace. This seminar help me understand that we can serve the Lord with the grace that He gives.

pastor of a small church
i am encouraged by this reminder that we can stand and live because of His grace. As a pastor i often encourage my members to read the Word and obey, but they don't do that for long. So now i will aske them to depend on God's grace.
I learnt about patience in Galatians - that our inner being needs to be strengthened with His grace so that we can continue with His work.
I was encouraged that Abraham waited 25 years for Isaac; Moses waited 40 years in the desert; Christ Himself waited till He was 30. I have only been at my church for 3 years, and i become impatient with some of my members and with how things are going. I will continue in His strength and grace from now on, and not depend on my own flesh.

oldest participant at seminar
i learnt that satan is under our feet and that he is already defeated, so i can become bold. Even in my old age, i look forward to learning His word. My youth is renewed because of the life and love contained in the Word of God.

stepping out in faith

Written at 11am on 090908 (not in Singapore)

It struck me that the people in this nation are willing to take on challenges like looking after orphans even when they cannot afford to buy a house. Instead they had lived in a tiny rented house for many months before the necessary financial resources came in for them to build the orphanage.

They did not wait to build the orphanage first, then advertise for orphans. The threshhold to step out in faith is much lower, thus their faith in God is all the greater. They trust God every step of the way - to provide food every day, to supply land and shelter - even as they choose to obey God.

It struck me that in Singapore, many of us might be a little too hesitant to step out in faith. I'm not talking about being ahead of God. I'm talking about the fact that when God has already put the plan or vision in our hearts, yet we hesitate because everything must be perfect first. Finances have to come in first. We must know what to do first, and have everything at our fingertips before stepping out in faith.

If so, where is the need for faith?

Faith is real.

Faith casts the net at the Word of Jesus, and catches so much fish that the nets were full.

Faith walks on water at the Word of Jesus, focusing only on the Master, and not the circumstance.

Faith is the substance of things hoped for - so it's substantial, solid even though what we believe for has not happened.

Faith is the evidence of things not seen - there's proof even though we can't see it yet.

Faith is simply a obedient response to His Word!

Our God is mighty to provide and fulfill the plans He put in our hearts. I want to be willing and obedient, quick to obey Him when He speaks to us.

Grace

Saving grace quickens (makes alive) our spirit.
Sanctifying grace transforms our spirit.
Standing grace strengthens our spirit.
Serving grace empowers our spirit.

We access grace by faith in God and His promises in Jesus.

We are no longer sinners saved by grace, but saints empowered by His grace!

YAY!!

focus

With just two meals a day, which consist of mainly rice with beans and perhaps some vegetables, the believers (as well as their non-believing counterparts) in the city i just visited consider a meat dish a luxury to be had just once a month.

Their focus, however, is to reach out and bless others. So as poor as they are, they reach out to orphans.

I just met a 2 year old boy in an orphanage whose parents were killed in the recent cyclone which ravaged the delta areas. The youngest in that orphanage which housed 19 children, the oldest of which was 14 years old, he looked contented and so so cute. Some of them had lost a parent, and were sent there because the family could not afford to support so many siblings. Some of them lost both parents to malaria or cholera! In this day and age, you would think that no one died of those anymore. But they have no medicines or vaccinations.

The children looked after one another - the older ones having more responsibilities - the pastor said.

I prayed for them, and they sat quietly, with their eyes closed, listening to the prayer being translated for them. I shook their hands - all 19 of them. i wished i had hugged them instead. Then i would have cried, and that would not have helped. So shaking hands was a safer choice.

I asked the Lord to reveal His plan to them, that they will experience and encounter His love in a very real way, more than making up for what they had lost. The Bible says the Lord looks out for those who are fatherless.

Another full time bible school instructor and assistant pastor stumbled into starting an orphanage just before he was married. Together with his wife, and brother and sister in law, he now takes care of 11 orphans from various states of his country. He was sent an orphan - a relative of his. He himself had hardly much, and yet he was willing to take on the challenge. He testified how the Lord provided food, and housing and land. In just over a year, he now has 11 orphans to take care of.

I am spurred, stirred by what i have observed.

What do we want to focus on?
what we don't have
or
what we can do with what we have.

And we have MUCH in CHRIST, so that we no longer focus on what we don't have without Him, or who we were before we were born again.

In fact, in reality and spiritually speaking, the me that was without Christ no longer exists, replaced by the me IN CHRIST.

As such, i will bear much fruit, and fruit that remain!!

There is much to be done: the harvest is plentiful and ready for the harvesting!

Let's focus on the

Back in Singapore!

It's good to be back and yet i so thoroughly enjoyed myself i could have stayed there longer. We were away 13 days. We taught at 2 bible schools there. Hubby preached at a church service, and we also did a day seminar at a church.

This was one of our longer trips. The next time we go, perhaps we will stay a month. More can be done, and i believe we have sufficient places to teach at. We can even go outside of the capital city to other places.

It is really in our hearts to teach bible school students, especially those who are called to plant churches, evangelise, etc, as they would bring the Word that they learnt to their churches in different places which we can't go to. They were just so hungry for the Word.

We had a few of them give testimonies on the last day of the 2nd week. They were impacted by the Word of God and 7 received the baptism of the Holy Spirit, including a faculty member.

first teaching trip of the year

I am finally going on my first teaching trip of the year.

I have been to JB to minister at a church with hubby in June, but that was only a one day affair.
We are off for 13 days this time.

I'm so excited. It's been a busy July and August so i've really only started preparing for the trip in the last 4 days in terms of teaching materials and packing. Hubby started preparing teaching materials earlier, so that was a great help.

We are expecting great things to happen!!

Tell you more when we come back. . .

touched

I was very touched by my students' concern when i was not well yesterday.

I actually fainted on the table 15 minutes before lesson ended - quietly, and i hope, elegantly, (haha!) so that no one actually noticed. Some of the boys thought i had fallen asleep. At the end of the lesson, when i was weakly telling them to log off and return headsets, I quickly informed them that i fainted, because it would not do to have it going round the school that a teacher fell asleep in class. Fainting is a lesser evil. :D

The next class i had was unusually well-behaved though some still whispered to one another. The week before, they were loudly teasing each other.

Even students i had scolded for misbehaving in class came over to ask me how i was, and some offered, in jest, i think, to call for the ambulance. One even told the Operations Manager of the school, but thank God he did not come up to ask after me. Whew! That would have been too embarrassing.

God allowed me to see this sweet side of them, and i love them all the more.

magnet

Another update...

Well, we have to strike while the iron is hot!

So while there's inspiration, we don't need a brother to prompt and prod and "scold"! hAHA!

While i was sharing about how i was being led by the Holy Spirit to speak to certain people, one of my friends came up with this illustration - that it was very much like a magnet attracted to another. It is exactly that: that there seems to be a spiritual magnet that draws you to the person you are supposed to encourage or edify. And you just have to respond.

And as you obey, the things that you are supposed to speak will just rise up in your spirit. Sometimes you go knowing what exactly to speak, but most of the time you only get an inkling of what is to be said. Once or twice, i've had the experience of not knowing anything. I just obey, and then the words will come. And they edify.

Always depend upon the Lord. Never presume or assume to know it all.

finally... an update!

I've been meaning to blog in the past month. What clinched it for me is my brother's dictatorial, almost biblical command in my orange heart to heart message box in the left column: Thou shalt blog.

The last 3 weeks have been really busy for me. Mum was away for 2 weeks and i took over her private lessons which came up to about 9-10 hours a week on 3 days - all these on top of my own lessons. Thank God for His strength and wisdom, and my husband who was very understanding. I experienced the love of the Lord through my brothers and sister in law too!

Then over 3 evenings whilst mum was away, i attended a ladies' convention. Oh... that was so refreshing and it helped open my spiritual eyes! The Word of God was powerfully preached, the main message being the Power of Peace. I have heard from the Lord concerning things I had been seeking Him about, and it is as though a cloud had lifted, and i see clearer what He put in my heart.

He showed me what to do, and i'm taking steps to obey Him. He also showed me that my eyes should be fixed on Him. Whether the changes take place immediately or not, it is not my concern. My part is to do what He tells me to do, and to dream dreams that are from Him. I had begun to stop praying about some of the things that God had put on my heart, because they had been a long time (many years already) in coming, and naturally speaking, i can't see them being fulfilled.

In other words, I am learning not to be so much bothered by what is not happening (in the natural), or even what is happening, but just do what the Lord instructs. And you know what? Already, i sense in my heart an increase in His anointing. There were words of knowledge and wisdom released for 2 young ladies i prayed for after service last Sunday. They were much edified. God is so good.

And as i prayed with one lady before the service began, i started sharing my heart about what God had shown me some years back, and what He's been teaching me recently, the Holy Spirit gave us the privilege to pray for He wanted to accomplish during the service and it was.
We were praying for hearts impassioned and on fire for the Lord, and these were exactly what the speaker spoke on.

Members were so touched by the message that many were talking to one another about the impact of the message a few days later.

Thank You Lord for igniting in me again a passion to pray. I had not given up praying all this while for the church and for many other things that God put in my heart, but for a long time had not experienced this level of excitement in praying for the church. In other things yes, but not for the church. Now it's different!

my christian heritage - encounters with the Lord

I started this series some time back. I was reminded this morning to continue this when i looked through my posts. The titles that i wrote down for some encounters with the Lord in the past years came to my attention. Hehe... have to actually write the encounters...

Akan Datang...

Like the Bereans

Last Saturday, my husband and I were invited to speak to the Family Life Ministry and Ladies Fellowship at a church in JB. He spoke on Living The Abundant Christian Life in the former, and I spoke on the Power of Your Words at the latter. They met in this bungalow (which used to be their Pastor's manse) next to their church. There was a split level, and up to 70 chairs could be placed. There were about 60 people for both sessions. Each of these plastic chairs had a label on its back - BEREAN.

There was a lady who responded to the altar call my husband gave to become a believer. You could literally see her countenance change from one of fear and dread to one filled with hope and joy as she was being prayed for. He also prayed for healing as she was suffering from cancer.

There were others who responded to our separate calls for those who needed prayer. A couple of men and quite a few ladies wanted to us to pray for their health, marriages, families. God moved powerfully in their midst as they were hungry for the word and for the presence of the Lord. When we were teaching, i could sense that they were drawing from the anointing and were hungry for the Word of God.

It was the grace of God that we spoke and ministered what they needed.

I received a call yesterday evening from one of the ladies i ministered to during the Family Life Ministry. This 71 year old lady had been having back pain for 20 years, and her feet hurt when she walked too much. The doctor told her she has osteoporosis and her bones were deteriorating quickly. When i prayed for her last Saturday, i asked her whether she felt anything, she said there was some relief. So i persisted and placed my hand on her feet. She said that her feet felt okay at that moment, but when she would walk too far and too long, there would be the usual aches and pains in her feet and back. So i prayed for her back, and i felt heat transfer. And she said she felt it too. I told her it was not heat from body contact, it was God's power flowing into her body. She believed.

It was such a joy to hear her testimony that she has had no pain and ache for the 5 days since the power of God healed her even when she came to Singapore to shop yesterday. She had been meditating on the Word of God every morning just as she had been taught. I believe her faith has increased during this time.

God is good! All glory to His Name!

Check this out!

There is a daily broadcast of the Florida Healing Revival live as well as past broadcasts on demand.
With lively, yet intimate worship, and healings and miracles taking place. The presence of God is strong.

You have to be patient though - the services are long.

Also, the leader of the revival is not your ordinary preacher. He is, well, different and unique. But i believe that God is using him mightily to reach out to churches and to the lost.

http://www.god.tv

Then click on live (if the meetings are broadcast live, as they are every evening Florida time) or God on demand and choose the date of service you would like to watch.

I've been blessed tremendously just soaking in His presence while watching the services.

changes and transitions

Since early 2005 (see previous entry), God has revealed more about my future (see entry dated 9 June).

It is true that as believers we walk by faith and not by sight. We still do receive directions from the Lord, and we listen to His instructions in our spirit. We are not led by signs and coincidences. We are led by the Spirit of God who communes with us in our spirits.

I thought i'd share my journey with the following excerpt from a prophecy spoken over us as a group of us were praying about a month ago. It was encouraging to us, and along the lines of what we have been hearing from the Lord.

Seasons. This is my plan, not yours. Where I lead, I will provide. So keep your eyes on Me and I'll reveal the steps you are to take. It will not be as you desired. It will be better. For My ways are not your ways.

I will help you in every situation you encounter, so do not be afraid for I've sent my angels ahead of you to prepare the way. Both of you are ready for this step and great blessings are coming your way.

Because this is a transition, I need you to do these steps; I need you to pray and believe for the things I've put on your heart to believe me for. Do not let go of the things that you're believing me for they are on the way and will come at the time appointed. Trust me for great grace will come for this change and transition, and you will begin to see some of the things I've planned for you in the future.

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

Be careful not to look to man, thought i will use men to bless you with , but be careful not to make them your source. Keep your eyes on me. My ways are not your ways. Before you call, I'll answer for I've seen your heart and faithfulness.

what i want to do and what God wants me to do

I found the following assignment i wrote in early 2005 (this was a few months before i graduated) as i was clearing my desk at the office.

what i want to do
i love to sing. From a teenager, i had wanted to go round the world to sing for God. I wanted to see people come forward to confess Jesus as Lord and give their lives to Him, to serve Him.
Recently I have begun to see myself teaching and preaching, making disciples in Singapore and in other countries in Asia. I've started teaching and discipling in small groups and even one-on-one. I love speaking life and hope into situations which are hopeless, and into people so needy of the truths which are found in God's word.

what God wants me to do
God wants me to be in Bible School at tis time to prepare myself for the work He has pre-ordained for me to do.
I believe He has called me to be in my local church to be a discipler of younger women.
He has shown me a couple of things to do after i graduate, so i will be obedient to do them. There are some things in my heart to do, like going to teach in other countries, but now may not be the time yet...

i want to be...

... entirely consumed by a single passion that comes from the heart of the Father.
... whole-heartedly following His plan and purpose for my life.
... single-mindedly focused on pursuing my Lord, gazing upon His beauty, enveloped by His presence - undistracted, undivided,

Reveal to me, O Lord, more and more of what you have in store for me.

a step of faith and obedience

In obedience to what God spoke to my heart in February 2008 during a time of worship, i have stepped out in faith of the administrative post at the office i was working. I heard clearly that 6 June 2008 would be my last day. That day was also the last day of the semester, and the day of the school graduation. My husband stepped out a week earlier - at end of May. His timing is perfect.

In 2004 and 2005, God had spoken to my husband and me respectively to help there, so we did. It's been 4 years for him and 3 years for me in our administrative positions. In that period, our teaching tasks increased, especially in his case.

We had sensed there would be such a transition coming up for at least a year, but we did not make a move till we heard clearly from the Lord. We would still be helping that ministry, but in a different capacity.

We spoke to the directors in March, and they gave us their blessing. We will still be teaching there, so it is certainly not leaving. Just a change in duties. It was really a very gradual transition as I believe they had also heard from the Lord. Moreover, we had spoken earlier to them regarding our hearts' desires about teaching more and travelling more.

Within a period of 3 months, the office advertised for and hired an administrator and got other help to take over our tasks.

We are excited about this transition as our hearts desire to teach more and travel more, bringing His word and truths to this nation as well as other nations, to help people see the love and hope which is to be found in the Lord. We continue to believe for open doors that His Word can enter!

a drummer's perspective of youths worshiping

This was posted on a website as one of the responses to a combined worship event for youths:

It was such a joy to see the church united in worship. This was my first time playing for so many people. After the Rev Chua’s sharing, things really began to flow. I loved the way the music rose and fell as if the instruments were worshipping. As I played the drums, I was so aware of how pleased God was with the offering of praise. And to see the youths on their knees in awe of my God, it made me want to worship even louder! I really enjoyed myself and I pray that this will be the start of something great within the Methodist church. More of such events please!