1 Peter 1:2-4
2When they observe the pure and modest way in which you conduct yourselves, together with your reverence [for your husband; you are to feel for him all that reverence includes: to respect, defer to, revere him--to honor, esteem, appreciate, prize, and, in the human sense, to adore him, that is, to admire, praise, be devoted to, deeply love, and enjoy your husband]. 3Let not yours be the [merely] external adorning with [elaborate] interweaving and knotting of the hair, the wearing of jewelry, or changes of clothes; 4But let it be the inward adorning and beauty of the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible and unfading charm of a gentle and peaceful spirit, which [is not anxious or wrought up, but] is very precious in the sight of God.
Inner beauty is found in God - a gentle and peaceful spirit.
Philippians 4:6-7
6Do 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. 7And God's peace [shall be yours, that ranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and being content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is, that peace] which transcends all understanding shall garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
The phrase "mount guard" shows us that this peace is more powerful than anything that can come against it.
No peace can come until you do what is in verse 6.
Esther 4:14
For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance shall arise for the Jews from elsewhere, but you and your father's house will perish. And who knows but that you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this and for this very occasion?
God has prepared us for a time and a place. We can't take this spiritual place till we take our place with God.
The peace of God is powerful enough to hold us in place. Like Esther, we will know the plan of God, with our words and composure divinely provided and calculated.
The peace of God draws favour. Esther risked her life to enter the throne room without being summoned, but found favour in the eyes of her husband the king. She waited on God till the right time to go in.
Ephesians 6:15
And having shod your feet in preparation [to face the enemy with the firm-footed stability, the promptness, and the readiness produced by the good news] of the Gospel of peace.
Our feet must be shod with peace. These shoes of peace can walk through all circumstances.
What you look at affects your feet.
Philippians 4:8
For the rest, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of reverence and is honorable and seemly, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely and lovable, whatever is kind and winsome and gracious, if there is any virtue and excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on and weigh and take account of these things [fix your minds on them].
So fix your eyes on Jesus as all that are in the above verse are found in Him.
Wednesday, 24 June 2009
Tuesday, 23 June 2009
sermon notes 1 - power of peace (day 1)
These notes were taken at a seminar for women leaders in August 2008.
Psalm 68:11
The Lord gives the word [of power]; the women who bear and publish [the news] are a great host.
1 Peter 3:1, 5-6
IN LIKE manner, you married women, be submissive to your own husbands [subordinate yourselves as being secondary to and dependent on them, and adapt yourselves to them], so that even if any do not obey the Word [of God], they may be won over not by discussion but by the [godly] lives of their wives,
Hebrews 11:11-12
11Because of faith also Sarah herself received physical power to conceive a child, even when she was long past the age for it, because she considered [God] Who had given her the promise to be reliable and trustworthy and true to His word. 12So from one man, though he was physically as good as dead, there have sprung descendants whose number is as the stars of heaven and as countless as the innumerable sands on the seashore.
Psalm 68:11
The Lord gives the word [of power]; the women who bear and publish [the news] are a great host.
- Women to stand in their place in God, marching in step with His plan
- We wait upon the Lord, taking orders only from Him.
- You will never find your place naturally till you take your place spiritually.
1 Peter 3:1, 5-6
IN LIKE manner, you married women, be submissive to your own husbands [subordinate yourselves as being secondary to and dependent on them, and adapt yourselves to them], so that even if any do not obey the Word [of God], they may be won over not by discussion but by the [godly] lives of their wives,
5For it was thus that the pious women of old who hoped in God were [accustomed] to beautify themselves and were submissive to their husbands [adapting themselves to them as themselves secondary and dependent upon them]. 6It was thus that Sarah obeyed Abraham [following his guidance and acknowledging his headship over her by] calling him lord (master, leader, authority). And you are now her true daughters if you do right and let nothing terrify you [not giving way to hysterical fears or letting anxieties unnerve you].
Hebrews 11:11-12
11Because of faith also Sarah herself received physical power to conceive a child, even when she was long past the age for it, because she considered [God] Who had given her the promise to be reliable and trustworthy and true to His word. 12So from one man, though he was physically as good as dead, there have sprung descendants whose number is as the stars of heaven and as countless as the innumerable sands on the seashore.
Monday, 22 June 2009
I am on your side
On Saturday morning, God revealed to me and reminded me of His faithfulness with this simple phrase whispered to my spirit: I am on your side.
All my anger and upset feelings melted in His love. All my questions and doubts dissolved because of His tender words.
This is why i love my God. He sustains me every day.
All my anger and upset feelings melted in His love. All my questions and doubts dissolved because of His tender words.
This is why i love my God. He sustains me every day.
Wednesday, 17 June 2009
things above
I often hear from God early in the morning, those moments between sleeping and waking. I've to make effort to remember and quickly note down what was being said, or else it's easy to just forget everything...
The following is what i remember hearing:
I woke up this morning and had a conversation with the Holy Spirit. He started the conversation first. I heard Him asking me to set my heart on things above and not on things below. I started to bargain with Him but knew that that was not being willing and obedient, that was not pleasing Him. So i started to change my attitude. Then He went on to show me the specific steps i could take to accomplish this in this phase of my life.
Then i saw Him (in my spirit, not in a vision) turn away as if to leave, so since we were on a roll here, i quickly asked Him about another issue i had been praying and believing for some time, and He said He was taking care of it. I told Him i was tired of waiting (since the previous evening i had been saying that in my mind and to hubby). What i heard in reply was if you wait on Me, you will never be tired. Once again, I didn't especially like the answer, as i would have preferred to know a more specific response, such as the date... But i understood. If i waited on Him, His word does promise that i will renew my strength according to Isaiah 40:31.
So i will purpose to set my heart on things above, and i will purpose to wait on Him.
The following is what i remember hearing:
I woke up this morning and had a conversation with the Holy Spirit. He started the conversation first. I heard Him asking me to set my heart on things above and not on things below. I started to bargain with Him but knew that that was not being willing and obedient, that was not pleasing Him. So i started to change my attitude. Then He went on to show me the specific steps i could take to accomplish this in this phase of my life.
Then i saw Him (in my spirit, not in a vision) turn away as if to leave, so since we were on a roll here, i quickly asked Him about another issue i had been praying and believing for some time, and He said He was taking care of it. I told Him i was tired of waiting (since the previous evening i had been saying that in my mind and to hubby). What i heard in reply was if you wait on Me, you will never be tired. Once again, I didn't especially like the answer, as i would have preferred to know a more specific response, such as the date... But i understood. If i waited on Him, His word does promise that i will renew my strength according to Isaiah 40:31.
So i will purpose to set my heart on things above, and i will purpose to wait on Him.
Sunday, 14 June 2009
we're back...
Praise God for a wonderful trip. His grace is indeed sufficient for us! I spoke in sentences that i never thought i could!
He does immeasurably more than i can ask or imagine!
:D
He does immeasurably more than i can ask or imagine!
:D
Sunday, 7 June 2009
Thursday, 28 May 2009
buzzzz!
There's a buzzzz in my spirit, alerting me to things happening in the spiritual realm.
I've been praying more in tongues in intercession, rather than just edifying myself.
Several times since last Friday, my heart had been so full of the presence of God and what He had for me to pray.
I've been praying more in tongues in intercession, rather than just edifying myself.
Several times since last Friday, my heart had been so full of the presence of God and what He had for me to pray.
Wednesday, 27 May 2009
praying out God's plan
When Nehemiah heard about the plight of his countrymen, he turned to the Lord first of all. He prayed. He had a revelation of who God is, and what His people meant to God. He demonstrated an insightful and mature understanding of God. God allowed Nehemiah a glimpse into His heart for the people. In that very prayer, he took the desire of God right into his heart as his very own. Thus the boldness in his prayer. You can see this in Nehemiah 1, from verse 4 onwards.
As he prayed, God must have allowed him to see what was to come. And in the very last verse of Chapter 1, he asked for favour before the king.
And he waited... till God's appointed time before acting. And when the right time came, he recognised in his spirit God's intervention, and prayed a quick prayer and gave an answer to the King.
He must have been led by the Spirit of God in answer to his prayer.
He was not moved by the customary practices of that time. It was not the etiquette of that time to look sad in front of the king. But he allowed his demeanour to reflect his burden.
He was not moved by his circumstances - no one else he knew had the same desire or burden.
He knew his purpose, and perhaps he realised that even his status as cupbearer had to have been within God's divine plan for the rebuilding of the gates and walls of Jerusalem.
So when the opportunity presented itself in the form of the king's question, God poured forth His favour upon Nehemiah through a positively heartening response from the king, with resources placed at Nehemiah's disposal.
Still, he was alone. He started off alone, but God sent like-minded people his way. In fact, he had not told anyone of his intention, and no one knew till the appointed time in Nehemiah 2:17.
There were many obstacles to his task ahead, but as he prayed and waited, God dealt with each obstacle, one at a time. It was clear that God had a plan, and Nehemiah need only follow it. Instead of being discouraged by the plot and strategies of the enemy, they sought the help and wisdom of the Lord, and were not thwarted in their rebuilding efforts. He put plans in place for protection against the enemy.
Nehemiah 4:9
But we prayed to our God and posted a guard day and night to meet this threat.
When the labourers who also had to stand guard to defend themselves and prevent any attack on the wall or on the people became tired and weary to the point of wanting to give up, Nehemiah stood firm in his purpose and continued to encourage them.
Some people wonder whether the dream is the thing that keeps them going. To me, the focus should be on the One Who Gives The Dream. We have a relationship with our heavenly Father, that would help us stand strong in any difficulty or challenge.
If our focus is on the dream or the task to be accomplished, our identity and purpose become enmeshed with whether we succeed or not. We then get discouraged when things seem slow or delayed. But when our focus is on the Lord, we begin to see and understand things from His perspective, that very often in the process, we are growing and learning and strengthend and established, being perfected, and in the meantime, we are still impacting and influencing others.
As he prayed, God must have allowed him to see what was to come. And in the very last verse of Chapter 1, he asked for favour before the king.
And he waited... till God's appointed time before acting. And when the right time came, he recognised in his spirit God's intervention, and prayed a quick prayer and gave an answer to the King.
He must have been led by the Spirit of God in answer to his prayer.
He was not moved by the customary practices of that time. It was not the etiquette of that time to look sad in front of the king. But he allowed his demeanour to reflect his burden.
He was not moved by his circumstances - no one else he knew had the same desire or burden.
He knew his purpose, and perhaps he realised that even his status as cupbearer had to have been within God's divine plan for the rebuilding of the gates and walls of Jerusalem.
So when the opportunity presented itself in the form of the king's question, God poured forth His favour upon Nehemiah through a positively heartening response from the king, with resources placed at Nehemiah's disposal.
Still, he was alone. He started off alone, but God sent like-minded people his way. In fact, he had not told anyone of his intention, and no one knew till the appointed time in Nehemiah 2:17.
There were many obstacles to his task ahead, but as he prayed and waited, God dealt with each obstacle, one at a time. It was clear that God had a plan, and Nehemiah need only follow it. Instead of being discouraged by the plot and strategies of the enemy, they sought the help and wisdom of the Lord, and were not thwarted in their rebuilding efforts. He put plans in place for protection against the enemy.
Nehemiah 4:9
But we prayed to our God and posted a guard day and night to meet this threat.
When the labourers who also had to stand guard to defend themselves and prevent any attack on the wall or on the people became tired and weary to the point of wanting to give up, Nehemiah stood firm in his purpose and continued to encourage them.
Some people wonder whether the dream is the thing that keeps them going. To me, the focus should be on the One Who Gives The Dream. We have a relationship with our heavenly Father, that would help us stand strong in any difficulty or challenge.
If our focus is on the dream or the task to be accomplished, our identity and purpose become enmeshed with whether we succeed or not. We then get discouraged when things seem slow or delayed. But when our focus is on the Lord, we begin to see and understand things from His perspective, that very often in the process, we are growing and learning and strengthend and established, being perfected, and in the meantime, we are still impacting and influencing others.
Tuesday, 26 May 2009
ways
These phrases have been repeating in my heart since last Friday when the Holy Spirit first released it through me:
ways to see and ways to hear
ways to know the ways to go
He will Show and we just follow
so He WIll SHOW and you will follow.
This second part was just spoken to a couple of sisters in the Lord also ministering the Word of God:
You don't plan for Him. He already has a plan for you both. Your part is to find out that plan in prayer and then walk out that plan. Don't plan God's plan. You walk out the plan He has already in place for you!
Monday, 25 May 2009
don't shoot a cannon on a sampan
Hubby and i were discussing about maturity and power/anointing some time this week.
This phrase he used struck me: You can't shoot a cannon from a sampan. I immediately laughed. The thought was ludicrous.
Sampan. Singaporeans will know immediately what it is - a small boat, usually without motor or rudder, but steered and moved by a long wooden pole in shallow waters.
That's my impression of a sampan.
The definition by wikipedia is similar, but with more details. You can check it out.
Truths are powerful. Truths contain dunamis power, but if fired from a sampan, it will not only be unable to hit the target, it will destroy the sampan.
So let's establish ourselves in the Word and become sturdy ships that can sustain steadily the cannons from which truths can be fired and hit the target.
This phrase he used struck me: You can't shoot a cannon from a sampan. I immediately laughed. The thought was ludicrous.
Sampan. Singaporeans will know immediately what it is - a small boat, usually without motor or rudder, but steered and moved by a long wooden pole in shallow waters.
That's my impression of a sampan.The definition by wikipedia is similar, but with more details. You can check it out.
Truths are powerful. Truths contain dunamis power, but if fired from a sampan, it will not only be unable to hit the target, it will destroy the sampan.
So let's establish ourselves in the Word and become sturdy ships that can sustain steadily the cannons from which truths can be fired and hit the target.
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