On the night of 30 November 2007, I was having an intimate time of worship with God when something very special happened. It was one of those harder nights, where I had questions and my spirit felt saddened.
For years I had wondered why I was who I was in terms of my personality, why I was so different, why I had such deep and difficult thoughts that sometimes it seemed hard for others to connect with me. Generally, on a superficial level I get along fine with others. I believe I also connect well one-on-one. However over the years I've come to realize I have a tendency to drift off in the background in groups of 3 people and more. It's like I just shut up.. the conversation flows all around me but I never really get too involved. Gradually people seem to forget I'm there altogether. I still haven't figured out why but I reckon that's part of my personality. I tend to just sit back and observe and most of the activity seems to go on in my own mind instead of out of my mouth. I do participate but only at intermittent junctures in the conversation. There were also other parts of my personality that I disliked.
And so I was talking to Daddy and asking Him why He made me this way. I know there's no mistake. He has made me exactly the way I need to be for whatever He's called me to do in this life. Nevertheless, it gets discouraging sometimes.. especially since I've not yet arrived at the centre of my destiny and so it's still unclear as to how my personality fits the role.
Anyway, I began singing 'No one else like You' and came to the chorus:
"there is no one else like You,
there is no one besides You,
there is no one else like You,
my God, my King, no one else"
Then the most amazing thing happened. I felt God singing it right back to me.
"there is no one else like you,
there is no one besides you,
there is no one else like you,
my child, no one else"
All the while I've been trying to tell God there's no one else like Him to me.. never did I imagine that it was His song over me too.
I am so precious and beautiful to my King. He made me with His own hands and breathed His life into me. There is only one of me in the entire universe and to Him there is truly no one else like me!
Beyond physical individuality like our fingerprints and DNA, He gave each of us an even deeper uniqueness. God knows us not only by our earthly appearance; He knows our souls and spirits. Every single one of us is His intricate masterpiece and there is only one of each in the entire universe.
Daddy I pray we'll have fresh revelations of how deep, wide, high, great and strong is Your love for us every day! And that we would know just how very precious we are to You...
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Friday, November 30, 2007
Take this cup from me
Yesterday night I prayed for Daddy to take me home in my sleep.
I think it's similar to how Jesus prayed in Gethsemane, "Abba, Father, all things are possible for You. Take this cup away from Me; nevertheless, not what I will, but what You will."
It's a privilege to be alive at this time and I thank God for every new day He wakes me up and gives me breath.
But what can compare to going home?
For as long as we live, there will be challenges, disappointment, hurt, struggles... If I had an option, I would go straight to my Daddy's side and have every tear wiped away forever. Of course, that's the easy way out. Paul himself mentioned it, but that it was better for him to remain for the benefit of others. In the same way, I know my work here is not done.
one day, one glorious day, I'll sing Your praises in the presence of angels
until that glorious day, I offer my life to You
Obviously, God didn't take me home.
Not yet. It's not time yet.
But what a glorious hope I have in Him... Jesus has prepared a place for me.
When my work here is done I will finally be where I really belong.
I think it's similar to how Jesus prayed in Gethsemane, "Abba, Father, all things are possible for You. Take this cup away from Me; nevertheless, not what I will, but what You will."
It's a privilege to be alive at this time and I thank God for every new day He wakes me up and gives me breath.
But what can compare to going home?
For as long as we live, there will be challenges, disappointment, hurt, struggles... If I had an option, I would go straight to my Daddy's side and have every tear wiped away forever. Of course, that's the easy way out. Paul himself mentioned it, but that it was better for him to remain for the benefit of others. In the same way, I know my work here is not done.
one day, one glorious day, I'll sing Your praises in the presence of angels
until that glorious day, I offer my life to You
Obviously, God didn't take me home.
Not yet. It's not time yet.
But what a glorious hope I have in Him... Jesus has prepared a place for me.
When my work here is done I will finally be where I really belong.
Monday, November 12, 2007
What are you hoping for?
Wayne Alcorn spoke at Riverview yesterday for 'Big Weekend' about faith and hope and it absolutely blew me away. Here I'll attempt to retell parts of his message.
Hebrews 11:1 says this: "now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." Since faith is being sure of what we hope for, the natural question to ask would be, what are we hoping for?
What are you hoping for today?
Are you hoping for your financial situation to improve?
Make it more specific! Do you need to pay off a house? Do you need $2000 for a mission trip? (hehehe. you know who you are)
Are you hoping for better relationships?
Commit each relationship specifically to God!
He wants to know every detail.
It's similar to having a vision and mission. We need to know exactly what we want to see achieved before we can plan how to achieve them. Put into context, we need to know exactly what we're hoping for in order to have faith for those things.
In the Bible, we often see people with needs crying out to Jesus with specific requests. A blind man would ask to see, a deaf man to hear, a mute man to speak. When Jesus asked them what they wanted Him to do for them, they didn't say 'let Your will be done'. No! They told Jesus exactly what they needed. So it should be with us in this day and age. General prayers can sound very good, but really we need to say it as it is.
Last night I listed down everything that I was hoping to see in my life and committed them to Daddy. I think it's beautiful how He often speaks of things that aren't as if they were. That's what I'll do with my list. See with eyes of faith, not doubt. Speak them out and see them come to pass!
Hebrews 11:1 says this: "now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." Since faith is being sure of what we hope for, the natural question to ask would be, what are we hoping for?
What are you hoping for today?
Are you hoping for your financial situation to improve?
Make it more specific! Do you need to pay off a house? Do you need $2000 for a mission trip? (hehehe. you know who you are)
Are you hoping for better relationships?
Commit each relationship specifically to God!
He wants to know every detail.
It's similar to having a vision and mission. We need to know exactly what we want to see achieved before we can plan how to achieve them. Put into context, we need to know exactly what we're hoping for in order to have faith for those things.
In the Bible, we often see people with needs crying out to Jesus with specific requests. A blind man would ask to see, a deaf man to hear, a mute man to speak. When Jesus asked them what they wanted Him to do for them, they didn't say 'let Your will be done'. No! They told Jesus exactly what they needed. So it should be with us in this day and age. General prayers can sound very good, but really we need to say it as it is.
Last night I listed down everything that I was hoping to see in my life and committed them to Daddy. I think it's beautiful how He often speaks of things that aren't as if they were. That's what I'll do with my list. See with eyes of faith, not doubt. Speak them out and see them come to pass!
Monday, November 5, 2007
Just for today God, let me linger in the past
Today I took a walk down memory lane, in order to forget.
It hurt. But I knew I had to confront it sooner or later.
I traced the path we often walked, I felt the grass and lingered at the pond that used to mean something.
The laughter, the warmth, the words... they were clear as day in my mind.
I will cherish the pure joy and love from a year ago on this day.
Today was quite hard. I felt like my tears would choke me. It was cold and dark, but I had to take the walk. There are things I might never understand, questions that might never be answered. Why did he bail? All the words said that night did not sound the least bit logical. It was a bunch of excuses. Why let something so beautiful go down the drain? I'm still confused.
I was talking to a friend and I was asking why people bail out on me. He said there's a God-given streak in me that most guys cannot handle. That I'm not typical. Well then God the next guy better be tough enough to handle me! I don't need another wimp or coward. He needs to be a man of God who is mature and strong enough to stand by me through everything.
A relationship goes through many ups and downs and requires heaps of effort to maintain. It's true what they say... if he leaves at the slightest problem at the beginning, how can you entrust yourself to him in marriage? Nothing personal against the men, but I truly think this generation needs more men who are mature enough to handle a relationship well and treat the ladies like ladies. (an extra sorry to the guys in my church, but I think this problem is particularly rampant there!) (will the real men please stand up?)
I saw some of his friends the other day and I was going to wave and say hi but one of them deliberately turned his back to me. I don't understand. They can be so childish. To be honest that really hurt me.. I don't think I deserved the hostility.
Alright... enough whinging.
That's it, God.
You've heard me. You know everything. You take it all.
I know I shouldn't have, but I lingered in the past today.
I needed that time to clear my head, to confront this, to heal once and for all.
It ends today.
I'm moving on.
It hurt. But I knew I had to confront it sooner or later.
I traced the path we often walked, I felt the grass and lingered at the pond that used to mean something.
The laughter, the warmth, the words... they were clear as day in my mind.
I will cherish the pure joy and love from a year ago on this day.
Today was quite hard. I felt like my tears would choke me. It was cold and dark, but I had to take the walk. There are things I might never understand, questions that might never be answered. Why did he bail? All the words said that night did not sound the least bit logical. It was a bunch of excuses. Why let something so beautiful go down the drain? I'm still confused.
I was talking to a friend and I was asking why people bail out on me. He said there's a God-given streak in me that most guys cannot handle. That I'm not typical. Well then God the next guy better be tough enough to handle me! I don't need another wimp or coward. He needs to be a man of God who is mature and strong enough to stand by me through everything.
A relationship goes through many ups and downs and requires heaps of effort to maintain. It's true what they say... if he leaves at the slightest problem at the beginning, how can you entrust yourself to him in marriage? Nothing personal against the men, but I truly think this generation needs more men who are mature enough to handle a relationship well and treat the ladies like ladies. (an extra sorry to the guys in my church, but I think this problem is particularly rampant there!) (will the real men please stand up?)
I saw some of his friends the other day and I was going to wave and say hi but one of them deliberately turned his back to me. I don't understand. They can be so childish. To be honest that really hurt me.. I don't think I deserved the hostility.
Alright... enough whinging.
That's it, God.
You've heard me. You know everything. You take it all.
I know I shouldn't have, but I lingered in the past today.
I needed that time to clear my head, to confront this, to heal once and for all.
It ends today.
I'm moving on.
Saturday, November 3, 2007
Do you not sense it?
Do you feel it? Do you?
Behold, God is doing something new.
You do not want to miss out.
Something supernatural is happening in the atmosphere here and I'm telling you, you really want to watch Australia in the years to come. God has been consecrating and preparing His people for a long time now, and supernatural breakthroughs are about to manifest themselves. He is giving us new wineskins in preparation for the new wine that will be poured out. Hallelujah!
Do you really not sense it???
Then it's time to get on your knees and pray and ask Him to show you these great and unsearchable things! You really don't want to miss out! I quote Ps. Bernard Blessing, there's no more time to joke around, it's time to get serious with God. We need to stop beating around the bush when we come before God in prayer, say it as it is! If you want healing, say you want to be healed. If you need money, say so.
Do you sense the urgency? Calling God's people: It's time to rise up! It's time to see beyond our personal issues and join hands with our local church to pursue the great commission placed upon our lives. (Yes I am very much saying all these to myself too) Join us, brothers and sisters, and PRAY. Please, body of Christ, pray for Australia! This is so crucial... we're talking about the whole world here. Ask Him and He will show you why!
Oh! I am so excited! Just wait and see. Every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus is Lord... It's not too long now...
Behold, God is doing something new.
You do not want to miss out.
Something supernatural is happening in the atmosphere here and I'm telling you, you really want to watch Australia in the years to come. God has been consecrating and preparing His people for a long time now, and supernatural breakthroughs are about to manifest themselves. He is giving us new wineskins in preparation for the new wine that will be poured out. Hallelujah!
Do you really not sense it???
Then it's time to get on your knees and pray and ask Him to show you these great and unsearchable things! You really don't want to miss out! I quote Ps. Bernard Blessing, there's no more time to joke around, it's time to get serious with God. We need to stop beating around the bush when we come before God in prayer, say it as it is! If you want healing, say you want to be healed. If you need money, say so.
Do you sense the urgency? Calling God's people: It's time to rise up! It's time to see beyond our personal issues and join hands with our local church to pursue the great commission placed upon our lives. (Yes I am very much saying all these to myself too) Join us, brothers and sisters, and PRAY. Please, body of Christ, pray for Australia! This is so crucial... we're talking about the whole world here. Ask Him and He will show you why!
Oh! I am so excited! Just wait and see. Every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus is Lord... It's not too long now...
Sunday, October 21, 2007
I consider them rubbish...
All of us have people and things in our lives we consider essential- loved ones, prized possessions, etc. Many times, (and possibly more to come since I'm so decidedly human) I've been guilty of thinking that I couldn't live without any of them, or at minimum wouldn't be fulfilled without them. I'm certain most of us have had those thoughts. 'I won't be happy until I get that house/car', 'I can't live without that person in my life', 'I won't be satisfied until I reach a certain position/salary at work'...
The more we fall in love with Christ, the less important these things become in our lives. I love what Paul says - I have to plagiarize because these are the exact words resounding in my soul -
But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ! What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith. I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead! (exclamation marks my own)
I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ!
I consider them rubbish!
I would rather know Christ and lose everything than gain the whole world and not know Christ.
He matters the most to me - not my earthly possessions, not the people in my life. I love those things and people and God loves to bless me with them because He is so extremely extravagantly good (and most certainly He has called us to relationships and to fellowship), but they are nothing compared to gaining Christ.
With or without the things I love, I will seek after Christ passionately and advance His kingdom.
With or without the people I love, I will seek after Christ passionately and advance His kingdom.
All these things will be added to me (Matt 6:33) but first I will seek His kingdom and His righteousness.
Sometimes that can really hurt a lot.. but when we truly 'get it' we will be willing to pay the price no matter how much it costs us.
I love the lyrics of this Youth Alive song:
I lay down my life at Your feet
The cross is what I need
Whatever it takes, whatever the cost
I'll live for You
I'll live for You
and this song by Graham Kendrick:
The more we fall in love with Christ, the less important these things become in our lives. I love what Paul says - I have to plagiarize because these are the exact words resounding in my soul -
But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ! What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith. I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead! (exclamation marks my own)
I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ!
I consider them rubbish!
I would rather know Christ and lose everything than gain the whole world and not know Christ.
He matters the most to me - not my earthly possessions, not the people in my life. I love those things and people and God loves to bless me with them because He is so extremely extravagantly good (and most certainly He has called us to relationships and to fellowship), but they are nothing compared to gaining Christ.
With or without the things I love, I will seek after Christ passionately and advance His kingdom.
With or without the people I love, I will seek after Christ passionately and advance His kingdom.
All these things will be added to me (Matt 6:33) but first I will seek His kingdom and His righteousness.
Sometimes that can really hurt a lot.. but when we truly 'get it' we will be willing to pay the price no matter how much it costs us.
I love the lyrics of this Youth Alive song:
I lay down my life at Your feet
The cross is what I need
Whatever it takes, whatever the cost
I'll live for You
I'll live for You
and this song by Graham Kendrick:
All I once held dear, built my life upon
All this world reveres, and wars to own
All I once thought gain I have counted loss
Spent and worthless now, compared to this
Knowing You, Jesus
Knowing You, there is no greater thing
You're my all, You're the best
You're my joy, my righteousness
And I love You Lord
Now my heart's desire is to know You more
To be found in You and known as Yours
To possess by faith what I could not earn
All-surpassing gift of righteousness
Oh, to know the power of Your risen life
And to know You in Your sufferings
To become like You in Your death, my Lord
So with You to live and never die
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Questions and Answers
Before the memorial service, I was tormented by a lot of heartache and grief.
Even now I can't explain why I feel this way when I didn't know his brother personally. Perhaps I did know him spiritually, through months of praying for him. Even though I wasn't physically there, I was alongside them throughout this journey, rejoicing together in victories won and standing firm in prayer together.
Or perhaps it's a deep, deep love.. agape love.. that I have towards this brother of mine.. so much so that I can literally feel the pain he feels. I can't explain it, I really can't. The depth of love I have towards him and his family amazes me. It is of God and not of the world.
For the first time in my life, I actually understood what it meant to love someone with agape love. It says in 1 Corinthians 13:5 that (love) is not self-seeking. I desperately wanted to be at the airport when he & his family arrived back in Perth just to give him a hug, and I'm sure there are some of us who might have felt the same way.. but we recognized that it was not about us, it was about him, about his best interests.
So I decided not to go and that it was probably best for him to have a smaller reception. I didn't think he needed the overwhelming attention at this stage. In verses 7-8, it says '(love) always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails'. I'm sure all of us who loved him held on to hope and always believed in his brother's healing. He never gave up and neither did we.
When I found out about his brother's passing, a deep sense of grief came over me. I couldn't sleep the next few nights and I found it hard to concentrate. There were many questions in my mind, and I found myself asking God a resounding 'why?'
I remembered this particular afternoon I was praying for his brother.. I had such a strong conviction from the Holy Spirit that the battle was already won, that his brother was already healed because of what Jesus did on the cross, that the symptoms were only a temporal lie and it would go away very soon. I was greatly confused at the news of his passing, not only because of that but due to the fact that his brother was still so young, he had a wife and I thought he probably still had things to do on this earth.
Before I left and as I was driving to the memorial service, I was telling God that I needed to have some answers to put an end to the torment. I knew that I could not lean on my own understanding and I knew that in situations like these, all our human reasons and logic fail. I just needed some reassurance from God.
When his brother's wife gave the eulogy, the cloud over my eyes began to clear and I felt an overwhelming peace in my heart. She confessed that she had the same kind of questions I had. She also felt that he was young and probably didn't finish his work on the earth. However, she went on to share some entries from his journal and she said that reading through his journal made her realize that his job here was indeed done! The purposes of God put in him have been fulfilled, and he had fought the good fight, finished the race and kept the faith. Through his life and testimony, his earthly parents came to know Christ and his wife grew to be a godly woman. His life was part of a much bigger picture that God was painting...
Finally at one point, the question that tormented me the most was answered. She said she wanted to encourage those of us who have been praying for her husband's healing, that our prayers were not in vain. He was completely healed of cancer before he went to be with the Lord. When I heard that, I broke down. Peace overwhelmed me.
Even though he has now departed, the power of the life he led continues to impact. It has impacted me deeply for the better, it has given me an even greater revelation of God's great love and faithfulness, a clearer understanding of the 'bigger picture' of God's kingdom and purposes. I'm sure I'm not the only one.
There are still some less significant questions in my mind, but I know I have to let them go. Our human capacity to understand and reason is too limited. It's natural for us to question but to continue dwelling in that place will only lead to destruction. The only position for us to take is to trust God, to know without doubt that He is good and He is for us.
I thank God that although I'm not even part of that family, He regarded me highly and He answered my cries specifically through the eulogies. I thank God that He gave me answers to my most pressing questions. I thank God that what the devil meant for evil, He turns around for so much good.
My heart goes out to the family and especially to his wife... I know it will be very painful at times, but God is their strength. I thank God that He has caused them to hope in Him such that they have remained so strong, and I believe that they will continue to walk in His purposes until that glorious day when they are done here and they will see their beloved again...
Even now I can't explain why I feel this way when I didn't know his brother personally. Perhaps I did know him spiritually, through months of praying for him. Even though I wasn't physically there, I was alongside them throughout this journey, rejoicing together in victories won and standing firm in prayer together.
Or perhaps it's a deep, deep love.. agape love.. that I have towards this brother of mine.. so much so that I can literally feel the pain he feels. I can't explain it, I really can't. The depth of love I have towards him and his family amazes me. It is of God and not of the world.
For the first time in my life, I actually understood what it meant to love someone with agape love. It says in 1 Corinthians 13:5 that (love) is not self-seeking. I desperately wanted to be at the airport when he & his family arrived back in Perth just to give him a hug, and I'm sure there are some of us who might have felt the same way.. but we recognized that it was not about us, it was about him, about his best interests.
So I decided not to go and that it was probably best for him to have a smaller reception. I didn't think he needed the overwhelming attention at this stage. In verses 7-8, it says '(love) always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails'. I'm sure all of us who loved him held on to hope and always believed in his brother's healing. He never gave up and neither did we.
When I found out about his brother's passing, a deep sense of grief came over me. I couldn't sleep the next few nights and I found it hard to concentrate. There were many questions in my mind, and I found myself asking God a resounding 'why?'
I remembered this particular afternoon I was praying for his brother.. I had such a strong conviction from the Holy Spirit that the battle was already won, that his brother was already healed because of what Jesus did on the cross, that the symptoms were only a temporal lie and it would go away very soon. I was greatly confused at the news of his passing, not only because of that but due to the fact that his brother was still so young, he had a wife and I thought he probably still had things to do on this earth.
Before I left and as I was driving to the memorial service, I was telling God that I needed to have some answers to put an end to the torment. I knew that I could not lean on my own understanding and I knew that in situations like these, all our human reasons and logic fail. I just needed some reassurance from God.
When his brother's wife gave the eulogy, the cloud over my eyes began to clear and I felt an overwhelming peace in my heart. She confessed that she had the same kind of questions I had. She also felt that he was young and probably didn't finish his work on the earth. However, she went on to share some entries from his journal and she said that reading through his journal made her realize that his job here was indeed done! The purposes of God put in him have been fulfilled, and he had fought the good fight, finished the race and kept the faith. Through his life and testimony, his earthly parents came to know Christ and his wife grew to be a godly woman. His life was part of a much bigger picture that God was painting...
Finally at one point, the question that tormented me the most was answered. She said she wanted to encourage those of us who have been praying for her husband's healing, that our prayers were not in vain. He was completely healed of cancer before he went to be with the Lord. When I heard that, I broke down. Peace overwhelmed me.
Even though he has now departed, the power of the life he led continues to impact. It has impacted me deeply for the better, it has given me an even greater revelation of God's great love and faithfulness, a clearer understanding of the 'bigger picture' of God's kingdom and purposes. I'm sure I'm not the only one.
There are still some less significant questions in my mind, but I know I have to let them go. Our human capacity to understand and reason is too limited. It's natural for us to question but to continue dwelling in that place will only lead to destruction. The only position for us to take is to trust God, to know without doubt that He is good and He is for us.
I thank God that although I'm not even part of that family, He regarded me highly and He answered my cries specifically through the eulogies. I thank God that He gave me answers to my most pressing questions. I thank God that what the devil meant for evil, He turns around for so much good.
My heart goes out to the family and especially to his wife... I know it will be very painful at times, but God is their strength. I thank God that He has caused them to hope in Him such that they have remained so strong, and I believe that they will continue to walk in His purposes until that glorious day when they are done here and they will see their beloved again...
Monday, October 15, 2007
Rest in You
Your faithfulness endures always
Where mountains fall and reason fails
And You calm the raging seas
And You calm the storms in me, again
All I know is I find rest in You
All I know is I find rest in You
Where mountains fall and reason fails
And You calm the raging seas
And You calm the storms in me, again
All I know is I find rest in You
All I know is I find rest in You
Sunday, October 14, 2007
Why
This is very painful. If it's so painful for me, I can't even begin to imagine how painful it must be for them. I have many questions. I can't sleep. My heart aches.
Yet through it all, You are still God, You are still in control, You have all the answers.
I will not lean on my own understanding... I pray the same for them. I pray for Your peace that transcends all understanding to consume them. There are many questions that go unanswered, but Your praise will always be on our lips.
I praise You God that Your precious son is now in heaven with You.
Every tear is wiped away, all suffering has ceased forever, he rests in everlasting arms.
Yet through it all, You are still God, You are still in control, You have all the answers.
I will not lean on my own understanding... I pray the same for them. I pray for Your peace that transcends all understanding to consume them. There are many questions that go unanswered, but Your praise will always be on our lips.
I praise You God that Your precious son is now in heaven with You.
Every tear is wiped away, all suffering has ceased forever, he rests in everlasting arms.
Friday, October 12, 2007
I press on toward the goal
Today I turn 23.
Looking back at the 23 years God has given me so far, I feel saddened that I took so much time to understand and grab hold of my calling. Countless times, He has told me to rise up, step up, to embark on the journey of greatness He has laid out ahead of me. I always had an excuse. Fear, many forms of it. It grieves me to think about where I could be now, what I could have done for Him, if I had responded earlier. However, this is no time for regrets. Reflection is good and it's natural to feel sad about what could have been, but God calls us to looks forward.
He is not limited by time or by our age. 23 seems old to me, especially considering the fact that many leaders in youth ministries start at tender ages of 18, 19, 20.. Comparison will get us nowhere though. He has a perfect plan for every single one of us. No matter how long we take, no matter how many times we fall, He can still put us back on the right track. In fact, all the times we fell and all the painful lessons we had to learn only serve to get us ready for the great things He calls us to! God takes us one step at a time. We may not realize it but He's been preparing us for many many years...
So I'm 23 and I feel like I'm light years away from fulfilling God's call on my life, but I will not be discouraged. The next 23 years of my life will be phenomenal! In fact, I believe that I will see greater things in the next 5 years, 10 years, than I've seen in my entire life so far. Once we respond to God in faith, He can restore to us all the years that we seem to have lost. We need to see things in the supernatural and discard all the discouraging forecasts our eyes give in the natural!
'Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus...'
(Philippians 3:13-14, NIV)
Looking back at the 23 years God has given me so far, I feel saddened that I took so much time to understand and grab hold of my calling. Countless times, He has told me to rise up, step up, to embark on the journey of greatness He has laid out ahead of me. I always had an excuse. Fear, many forms of it. It grieves me to think about where I could be now, what I could have done for Him, if I had responded earlier. However, this is no time for regrets. Reflection is good and it's natural to feel sad about what could have been, but God calls us to looks forward.
He is not limited by time or by our age. 23 seems old to me, especially considering the fact that many leaders in youth ministries start at tender ages of 18, 19, 20.. Comparison will get us nowhere though. He has a perfect plan for every single one of us. No matter how long we take, no matter how many times we fall, He can still put us back on the right track. In fact, all the times we fell and all the painful lessons we had to learn only serve to get us ready for the great things He calls us to! God takes us one step at a time. We may not realize it but He's been preparing us for many many years...
So I'm 23 and I feel like I'm light years away from fulfilling God's call on my life, but I will not be discouraged. The next 23 years of my life will be phenomenal! In fact, I believe that I will see greater things in the next 5 years, 10 years, than I've seen in my entire life so far. Once we respond to God in faith, He can restore to us all the years that we seem to have lost. We need to see things in the supernatural and discard all the discouraging forecasts our eyes give in the natural!
'Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus...'
(Philippians 3:13-14, NIV)
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
In the Secret Place
We all face valleys in life. The going gets really tough sometimes. There have been numerous moments where I've thought, 'now would be a good time for You to come back, Jesus...'
We see the world deal with moments like these in various ways.. with motivational self-help stuff that tell people to believe in themselves and their 'inner strength', by hardening their hearts and burying themselves in work, by convincing themselves the issue does not exist, by seeing a shrink.. etc.
On the surface these may seem like positive actions, and there's really nothing essentially wrong with them. The problem is they are not permanent solutions. Apart from bringing our broken hearts and lives to Jesus and allowing Him to heal and restore, there is no permanent solution. Other methods distract and appear to aid our healing for a short while but in the long run we end up carrying baggage which resurface continually.
Habakkuk 3:17-18 says,
The whole of last month has proved to be a very trying time in my life. It has been extremely painful, confusing and frustrating all at once. The only reason I still laugh and have joy within me is because the Lord is my strength, my personal bravery, and my invincible army. He makes me walk and make spiritual progress upon my high places of pain and confusion! As I come before Him and lay it all down before Him daily, He makes whole all my brokenness and heals all my hurt. It is in the secret place, just me and my God... that I am restored.
I get a devotional from Joseph Prince in my inbox everyday (you have to sign up if you haven't already) and it blesses me tremendously. Even though it's sent to the masses, it almost always ministers to me in the exact area I needed ministering for that day. Today was no exception. Pastor Prince quoted Isaiah 61:7 and wrote, 'God says in His Word that you will receive double for your troubles. If the devil has given you one trouble, then for that one trouble, you can expect to receive a double-portion blessing! And if that trouble has caused you to experience shame, God’s promise to you is this: Instead of your shame you shall have double honour.'
Recently, things have happened which caused me to be disappointed and hurt. I strongly disagree with the way certain things were dealt with and I feel like some have been very unfair to me. I was unable to defend myself and explain my side of the story. It seemed to me that I was portrayed as the bad person and I felt like I was discredited in front of many people. To that, God says that He Himself is my vindication, and instead of my shame I will have double honour.
We see the world deal with moments like these in various ways.. with motivational self-help stuff that tell people to believe in themselves and their 'inner strength', by hardening their hearts and burying themselves in work, by convincing themselves the issue does not exist, by seeing a shrink.. etc.
On the surface these may seem like positive actions, and there's really nothing essentially wrong with them. The problem is they are not permanent solutions. Apart from bringing our broken hearts and lives to Jesus and allowing Him to heal and restore, there is no permanent solution. Other methods distract and appear to aid our healing for a short while but in the long run we end up carrying baggage which resurface continually.
Habakkuk 3:17-18 says,
"Though the fig tree does not blossom
and there is no fruit on the vines,
though the product of the olive fails
and the fields yield no food,
though the flock is cut off from the fold
and there are no cattle in the stalls,
Yet I will rejoice in the Lord;
I will exult in the [victorious] God of my salvation!"
(Amplified)
"The Lord God is my Strength,
my personal bravery, and my invincible army;
He makes my feet like hinds' feet
and will make me to walk [not to stand still in terror, but to walk]
and make [spiritual] progress upon my high places
[of trouble, suffering, or responsibility]!"
my personal bravery, and my invincible army;
He makes my feet like hinds' feet
and will make me to walk [not to stand still in terror, but to walk]
and make [spiritual] progress upon my high places
[of trouble, suffering, or responsibility]!"
The whole of last month has proved to be a very trying time in my life. It has been extremely painful, confusing and frustrating all at once. The only reason I still laugh and have joy within me is because the Lord is my strength, my personal bravery, and my invincible army. He makes me walk and make spiritual progress upon my high places of pain and confusion! As I come before Him and lay it all down before Him daily, He makes whole all my brokenness and heals all my hurt. It is in the secret place, just me and my God... that I am restored.
I get a devotional from Joseph Prince in my inbox everyday (you have to sign up if you haven't already) and it blesses me tremendously. Even though it's sent to the masses, it almost always ministers to me in the exact area I needed ministering for that day. Today was no exception. Pastor Prince quoted Isaiah 61:7 and wrote, 'God says in His Word that you will receive double for your troubles. If the devil has given you one trouble, then for that one trouble, you can expect to receive a double-portion blessing! And if that trouble has caused you to experience shame, God’s promise to you is this: Instead of your shame you shall have double honour.'
Recently, things have happened which caused me to be disappointed and hurt. I strongly disagree with the way certain things were dealt with and I feel like some have been very unfair to me. I was unable to defend myself and explain my side of the story. It seemed to me that I was portrayed as the bad person and I felt like I was discredited in front of many people. To that, God says that He Himself is my vindication, and instead of my shame I will have double honour.
"Because the Sovereign Lord helps me,
I will not be disgraced.
Therefore, I have set my face like a stone,
determined to do his will.
And I know that I will not be put to shame.
He who gives me justice is near.
Who will dare to bring charges against me now?
Where are my accusers?
Let them appear!
See, the Sovereign Lord is on my side!
Who will declare me guilty?"
(Isaiah 50:7-9, NLT)
I will not be disgraced.
Therefore, I have set my face like a stone,
determined to do his will.
And I know that I will not be put to shame.
He who gives me justice is near.
Who will dare to bring charges against me now?
Where are my accusers?
Let them appear!
See, the Sovereign Lord is on my side!
Who will declare me guilty?"
(Isaiah 50:7-9, NLT)
On a separate note, Ps. David said something on last Sunday's service which stopped me in my tracks for a moment. He said that forgiveness does not mean approval. How true. I do not approve of how things were dealt with, the choices that were made.. I know that I would have done everything so differently.
I don't approve... but I forgive.
I don't approve... but I forgive.
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
It's About Relationships
In God's kingdom, it's all about relationships. He created us to have an intimate relationship with Him, He planned for man and woman to be united in marriage and for His children to be united as a body of Christ enjoying fellowship with each other. I understood the first two but up till recently found it hard to understand the importance of the last one.
We are all created with different personalities and it's difficult (if not impossible) to get along with everyone. Some people will naturally attract us, while others might have the opposite effect. For a period of time, I was really struggling with this. It seemed like I was surrounded by people I didn't 'click' with in church and it was quite torturous having to hang around them. All I did was basically 'put up' with them and escape as fast as I could when the event ended.
Over the past few weeks, God has been transforming my mind and giving me new perspectives in this area. Building relationships are fundamental to building the church. We need to be a close-knitted, united and loving community in order to reach out to the lost because that in itself is a testimony. If there is disunity and discord within the church, how can we expect the people we bring to want to stay on? It starts from the inside. The people make up the heartbeat of the church, and this will overflow into the streets, communities, cities, nations... I want the overflow of my church's heart to be love.
As my mindset changed, the way I behaved changed too. I want to pour out myself - my time, love, energy - into people because every single one of them is so precious to God and have such vital roles to play. At resort, I found myself especially drawn to the younger girls. I just feel so much love for them! I want to help nurture them and walk with them through life because I've been there and I know how painful and confusing it can get... I see so much potential in them!
Granted, I still don't particularly enjoy being around some people. But that's no longer the point. If that's what it takes to advance God's kingdom, I'm in! I will put self interest aside and live for Christ.
I lay down my life for You
Throw down my crowns before You
Give up my all for Your name...
We are all created with different personalities and it's difficult (if not impossible) to get along with everyone. Some people will naturally attract us, while others might have the opposite effect. For a period of time, I was really struggling with this. It seemed like I was surrounded by people I didn't 'click' with in church and it was quite torturous having to hang around them. All I did was basically 'put up' with them and escape as fast as I could when the event ended.
Over the past few weeks, God has been transforming my mind and giving me new perspectives in this area. Building relationships are fundamental to building the church. We need to be a close-knitted, united and loving community in order to reach out to the lost because that in itself is a testimony. If there is disunity and discord within the church, how can we expect the people we bring to want to stay on? It starts from the inside. The people make up the heartbeat of the church, and this will overflow into the streets, communities, cities, nations... I want the overflow of my church's heart to be love.
As my mindset changed, the way I behaved changed too. I want to pour out myself - my time, love, energy - into people because every single one of them is so precious to God and have such vital roles to play. At resort, I found myself especially drawn to the younger girls. I just feel so much love for them! I want to help nurture them and walk with them through life because I've been there and I know how painful and confusing it can get... I see so much potential in them!
Granted, I still don't particularly enjoy being around some people. But that's no longer the point. If that's what it takes to advance God's kingdom, I'm in! I will put self interest aside and live for Christ.
I lay down my life for You
Throw down my crowns before You
Give up my all for Your name...
Monday, October 8, 2007
Why Settle?
For some of us, it's been ingrained into our system from early childhood that we don't deserve any better. This mentality tucks itself into our subconsciousness and causes us to settle for less than what God intended for us. I am so guilty of this. It's amazing how thick we can be! The Holy Spirit had to remind me time and again to simply open my mouth and ask for healing, finances, favour, etc.
I was suffering from a gum infection throughout last week and it never even occurred to me to ask for healing. Somehow I simply accepted it as normal and that it would go away eventually. The Holy Spirit reminded me yesterday to ask, so I sort of casually mumbled in my mind that my gum infection was already healed when Jesus bore all my diseases on the cross. When I woke up this morning my gum was no longer swollen or in pain! Praise God. I absolutely believe that He hears and answers even when we 'casually mumble' a prayer.
Some Christians only ask God for help when they've tried everything they know. They see God as this busy intimidating figure and it's hard for them to accept that He should be interested in the trivialities of their lives. Ever heard of the phrase 'God only helps those who help themselves?' THAT IS RUBBISH! I say God can't help those who help themselves! Let me elaborate. There is nothing wrong with doing our best and 'helping ourselves', if you like. The problem comes when we get so caught up in helping ourselves that we don't allow God to take control over our situations and fight our battles for us.
That is unhealthy! The world says be in control, but God says surrender! The world wants us to work hard to get financial security and status in life, but God wants us to simply rest in Him. We can work ourselves to death but ultimately, neither we nor our employers are our providers. God is our source, God is our provider and He doesn't stop at giving us the bare minimum but He wants to pour out overflowing blessings on every area of our lives.
So why should we worry? Why should we settle in the mentality that we only get as much as we labour and toil for? As God's children we need to stop limiting ourselves and start believing for more. If we think we're being greedy by asking for more from God, we have believed in the devil's lie. We do not have because we do not ask. Our Father wants us to open our mouths and start asking!
I was suffering from a gum infection throughout last week and it never even occurred to me to ask for healing. Somehow I simply accepted it as normal and that it would go away eventually. The Holy Spirit reminded me yesterday to ask, so I sort of casually mumbled in my mind that my gum infection was already healed when Jesus bore all my diseases on the cross. When I woke up this morning my gum was no longer swollen or in pain! Praise God. I absolutely believe that He hears and answers even when we 'casually mumble' a prayer.
Some Christians only ask God for help when they've tried everything they know. They see God as this busy intimidating figure and it's hard for them to accept that He should be interested in the trivialities of their lives. Ever heard of the phrase 'God only helps those who help themselves?' THAT IS RUBBISH! I say God can't help those who help themselves! Let me elaborate. There is nothing wrong with doing our best and 'helping ourselves', if you like. The problem comes when we get so caught up in helping ourselves that we don't allow God to take control over our situations and fight our battles for us.
That is unhealthy! The world says be in control, but God says surrender! The world wants us to work hard to get financial security and status in life, but God wants us to simply rest in Him. We can work ourselves to death but ultimately, neither we nor our employers are our providers. God is our source, God is our provider and He doesn't stop at giving us the bare minimum but He wants to pour out overflowing blessings on every area of our lives.
So why should we worry? Why should we settle in the mentality that we only get as much as we labour and toil for? As God's children we need to stop limiting ourselves and start believing for more. If we think we're being greedy by asking for more from God, we have believed in the devil's lie. We do not have because we do not ask. Our Father wants us to open our mouths and start asking!
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
Resort Reflections
I really didn't want to go to resort (or remain at PCLC) due to personal reasons but I just knew I had to. I kept trying to convince myself that God would be ok with me hopping over to Riverview, but the more I tried the more convinced I was that He wanted me to stay put. It was extremely annoying at first (God, why?) but I know that I have a purpose to fulfill in PCLC. In fact, there's really no such thing as 'personal' reasons; since when was it about me? God's kingdom comes first! I've learnt that when He puts you somewhere, your purpose remains unchanged and should not be affected by the formation or termination of relationships. (or anything else for that matter)
So I found myself in Mandurah for Force, this year's young adults' resort, and experienced for myself the fact that God rewards those who seek after Him. I went expecting heaps out of it, and I got heaps more than I expected! Isn't He just amazing? He always does immeasurably more than we can ask or imagine. I couldn't sit still at any of the sessions because I was so excited about what God was saying and what He was setting in motion in our lives. I wanted to jump up and shout 'yea! awesome! amen!' at almost every sentence Pastor Josh Kelsey and Pastor David said. It really seemed like all the sessions were tailor-made for me!
I liked the fact that Josh Kelsey kicked off resort with a powerful message about paying the price to reach the lost. Salvation had a purpose and it was to glorify God. And that's how I want to live everyday - glorify God in every situation. I want to lay down my life so that every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus is Lord, because He is so beautiful and so worthy of praise!!! I want to passionately pursue my own wholeness so that others will want to know why I'm different and I can point them to my Saviour.
God affirmed the things He said to me before and revealed new ones. Ps. David said during one of the sessions that we should be aware of the desires in our hearts; we need to discern that many of these desires are put there by the Holy Spirit. I've always had a desire to go into business and I never really thought it might be something put in there by God. I was asking God during this session for a bigger picture of what He wants me to do (besides the more obvious ones I already knew like leading worship) and I got an image of myself in a business suit. I was the speaker at a huge women's conference. That blew me away and my tears just flowed non-stop. The Holy Spirit always touches you where it's most sensitive.
Later on in the session someone prayed for me and spoke into my life that I will be a light to the world, saving many for Christ. That held significant meaning for me because my name means 'light' and I always knew that it was not a coincidence. I was predestined to happen, everything about me is exactly what God wanted it to be and my name was selected by God even before I came into this world.
The second part of the vision I got was slightly confusing. Someone was in it and he was beside me in a business suit. Given recent circumstances, that image was not welcome. At this point I think only God understands what it means. Oh well. On to more crucial stuff... ...
I'm really excited about what's going to happen in PCLC. I absolutely believe that there will be phenomenal growth in Revolution over the next six months, that many leaders are going to rise up, that walls of disunity and hostility within the church will be torn down so that people can come in freely. Wow! I thank God that I can be part of the great things He is and will be doing. What a privilege!
So I found myself in Mandurah for Force, this year's young adults' resort, and experienced for myself the fact that God rewards those who seek after Him. I went expecting heaps out of it, and I got heaps more than I expected! Isn't He just amazing? He always does immeasurably more than we can ask or imagine. I couldn't sit still at any of the sessions because I was so excited about what God was saying and what He was setting in motion in our lives. I wanted to jump up and shout 'yea! awesome! amen!' at almost every sentence Pastor Josh Kelsey and Pastor David said. It really seemed like all the sessions were tailor-made for me!
I liked the fact that Josh Kelsey kicked off resort with a powerful message about paying the price to reach the lost. Salvation had a purpose and it was to glorify God. And that's how I want to live everyday - glorify God in every situation. I want to lay down my life so that every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus is Lord, because He is so beautiful and so worthy of praise!!! I want to passionately pursue my own wholeness so that others will want to know why I'm different and I can point them to my Saviour.
God affirmed the things He said to me before and revealed new ones. Ps. David said during one of the sessions that we should be aware of the desires in our hearts; we need to discern that many of these desires are put there by the Holy Spirit. I've always had a desire to go into business and I never really thought it might be something put in there by God. I was asking God during this session for a bigger picture of what He wants me to do (besides the more obvious ones I already knew like leading worship) and I got an image of myself in a business suit. I was the speaker at a huge women's conference. That blew me away and my tears just flowed non-stop. The Holy Spirit always touches you where it's most sensitive.
Later on in the session someone prayed for me and spoke into my life that I will be a light to the world, saving many for Christ. That held significant meaning for me because my name means 'light' and I always knew that it was not a coincidence. I was predestined to happen, everything about me is exactly what God wanted it to be and my name was selected by God even before I came into this world.
The second part of the vision I got was slightly confusing. Someone was in it and he was beside me in a business suit. Given recent circumstances, that image was not welcome. At this point I think only God understands what it means. Oh well. On to more crucial stuff... ...
I'm really excited about what's going to happen in PCLC. I absolutely believe that there will be phenomenal growth in Revolution over the next six months, that many leaders are going to rise up, that walls of disunity and hostility within the church will be torn down so that people can come in freely. Wow! I thank God that I can be part of the great things He is and will be doing. What a privilege!
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
It's been revelation after revelation after revelation
Sometimes I feel like I've learnt enough to last a lifetime. Over the years I've come to realize that in God's kingdom, there's no such thing. The process of learning, growing and occasionally falling never ends as He constantly prepares us for greater things. I praise God that He sees our lives from beginning to end, He knows His plans for us and He knows what we can achieve through Him even though we frequently cannot (or refuse to) see it. I praise Him also that He is forever faithful and patient with us, picking us up over and over again, even though we can take ages to learn a lesson. Further, I praise God that He allows us to fall sometimes because He will never sacrifice our highest good for a lesser one, and that He will always save us from the greatest pain by allowing us to go through the lesser one! We have temporal mindsets and we want instant gratification but He has eternity in mind. It is what's eternal that matters most.
Recently I've learnt many important lessons. They cost me heavily and caused a great deal of pain, but often that's necessary for us to learn the lessons well. I've done enough struggling and complaining to know that in the end, God's always right. Always. In the natural, it's hard to see past current situations but ultimately we'll always look back and be grateful He allowed us to go through them.
I never quite understood the serious consequences of bringing baggage into a relationship until recently, when I finally got it through the hard way. If both parties bring their share of unresolved issues from the past into the relationship, it will only end up in pain. Throughout last week I reflected a great deal and discovered that I actually have a number of issues from my past I thought I had dealt with. In reality, I never dealt directly with the root causes. So I asked God to show me what the root causes were and it turned out to be fear, which led to insecurity. Subsequently, that even led to manipulative behaviour. I never saw myself as capable of being manipulative and it really grieved me to realize I probably was! I never had any intention of causing hurt but now I see that out of my own fear and insecurity I did just that.
Most Christians would have heard the familiar story of Abraham sacrificing Isaac his beloved son on the altar. Recently it became more than just another story in the Bible for me; it became very personal. I had to lay what had become my most precious thing on the altar. There's a sense of overwhelming peace and indescribable joy when we relinquish all control over to God, knowing that every good thing we have comes from Him anyway and that He always seeks to do us our highest good. It's in that position of complete surrender and complete trust in Him that He is able to work most effectively in our lives. As that old saying goes, 'let go and let God...'
I've learnt that my testimony matters. As Darlene Zschech put it so aptly, "What you bring to the table is fuelled by your testimony, and let me tell you, your testimony matters. My life is a testimony of the grace of God. He is my everything. The enemy told me I was nothing.. 'loser, loser, loser'.. and God picked me up and said no.. 'winner, winner, winner, child of God, awesome woman of God'.. Can I tell you something? Your testimony will bring a passion to your gift. You will play like you have never played before... let me tell you, you will have a powerful conviction because of what God has done in you. Your testimony matters. It really, really matters'.
I couldn't agree more. If not for the tough times, I wouldn't have experienced so deeply the love, faithfulness, deliverance, healing, comfort... of my Father. If not for the tough times, I wouldn't know Him as intimately and know with all confidence that He remains the same loving God through my success and failures. If not for the tough times, I wouldn't know what it means to praise and worship Him through every circumstance, and mean every single word even through the pain and confusion. If not for the tough times, I wouldn't have gone through countless nights on my knees, to emerge with a burning conviction and unquenchable fire for the things of God. If not for the tough times, I wouldn't be able to reach out, to advance the
I thank God for being so gracious to me, so much so that He allowed the tough times in order that they may fuel my testimony and bring passion to my gift!
I have so much to learn. For now, I want to learn these lessons quickly and remember them so that God can bring me to even higher grounds. I want to learn them thoroughly so I don't ever have to waste time relearning them! My eyes are focused on God and what He has called me to. I know that His perfect love drives out all my fear and as I bask in Jesus' presence daily, I am made whole and secure in Him. Romantic relationships are very low on my priorities now, but I know that I will enter my next relationship completely whole and free from baggage and it will be used for His glory and to advance His kingdom!
I call You Abba
This song was written to express the intimacy we can experience with God, who is Lord and King but who above that longs for us to know Him as our Abba Father.
In the secret place
In the coldest night
In my darkest hour
You are Abba
In the coldest night
In my darkest hour
You are Abba
When my head's hung low
and when my tears flow
When I'm on my knees
You are Abba
and when my tears flow
When I'm on my knees
You are Abba
Chorus:
Alpha and Omega
You are Lord and Saviour
Beautiful, Wonderful, Healer, Redeemer
I call You
God of the universe
Ruler and Conqueror
Magnificent, Glorious, Holy and Righteous
Alpha and Omega
You are Lord and Saviour
Beautiful, Wonderful, Healer, Redeemer
I call You
God of the universe
Ruler and Conqueror
Magnificent, Glorious, Holy and Righteous
But most of all, most of all
I call You Abba
Abba, Abba
Abba Father
I call You Abba
Abba, Abba
Abba Father
Monday, September 24, 2007
Hear My Cry
I wrote this song last week in the midst of much emotional pain. It comes from the very core of my heart.
I will not lean
on my own understanding
I will lean on You
Through all the pain
You cover me with Your love
I will stand on Your promises
Chorus:
Hear my cry
I will shout Your praises forever!
With an unquenchable fire
I will live out my destiny
Through every circumstance
I will worship You relentlessly!
Oh Father how great You are!
Hear my cry, Oh Father how great You are
on my own understanding
I will lean on You
Through all the pain
You cover me with Your love
I will stand on Your promises
Chorus:
Hear my cry
I will shout Your praises forever!
With an unquenchable fire
I will live out my destiny
Through every circumstance
I will worship You relentlessly!
Oh Father how great You are!
Hear my cry, Oh Father how great You are
Isaiah 61
Many Christians have what they would call life verses. I always had favourite verses but never quite came across anything I would call a life verse, something which would really tug at my heart. While worshipping during a service at Riverview last night, God spoke Isaiah 61:1-3 to me and instantly I knew that was it! I am a worshipper, but more than that I know I am destined to be a lead worshipper, to bring healing through my singing. That supernatural moment last night confirmed all that God has put into my heart.
1 The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,
because the Lord has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners,
My favourite part is "a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair." Yes, I will lead people to praise and shout the name of the Lord!
On a separate note, I was telling a friend about this and he jokingly commented that I stole Jesus' life verse. (refer Luke 4:16-19)
Funny that, I didn't even recall Jesus saying that even though I've read Luke a few times...
1 The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,
because the Lord has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners,
2 to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,
3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of gladness
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the Lord
for the display of his splendor.
My favourite part is "a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair." Yes, I will lead people to praise and shout the name of the Lord!
On a separate note, I was telling a friend about this and he jokingly commented that I stole Jesus' life verse. (refer Luke 4:16-19)
Funny that, I didn't even recall Jesus saying that even though I've read Luke a few times...
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