five lessons from prince caspian

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

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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

Faith

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

prayer school - ask of me

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.