You have redeemed my life
Called me by name, now I see light
When I pass through the waters You are with me
When I walk through the fire I'll not be burned
For You are the Lord, my God
And You Love me with an everlasting love
So I worship You, So I worship You
All my life I will worship You
So I worship You, So I worship You
All my life I will worship You...
Saturday, March 1, 2008
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
This is the Year
There's something incredibly exciting, incredibly different about 2008.
It's almost March and nothing particularly extraordinary has happened yet, but I know that I know that this year is a year of new beginnings, of the outpouring of God's overflowing favour, of changes, miracles...
There's so much more.
There's so much more.
God has been telling me He has so much more in store for me.
2007 is done... all its joy and tears, all the lessons, challenges, battles. It wasn't a cruisy year, to say the least.
But that's done. And now I have 2008.
I will not remain the same.
I will increase in every area of my life, and I can boldly ask and believe for that simply because I am God's beloved and He is such a good God. Not by might, not by power but by the spirit of the Lord.
I will see God's immeasurable, far and beyond favour over every area of my life!
It's time for increase, for promotion.
Woooot!
And as Joel Osteen likes to say, 2008 will be my best year so far!
It's almost March and nothing particularly extraordinary has happened yet, but I know that I know that this year is a year of new beginnings, of the outpouring of God's overflowing favour, of changes, miracles...
There's so much more.
There's so much more.
God has been telling me He has so much more in store for me.
2007 is done... all its joy and tears, all the lessons, challenges, battles. It wasn't a cruisy year, to say the least.
But that's done. And now I have 2008.
I will not remain the same.
I will increase in every area of my life, and I can boldly ask and believe for that simply because I am God's beloved and He is such a good God. Not by might, not by power but by the spirit of the Lord.
I will see God's immeasurable, far and beyond favour over every area of my life!
It's time for increase, for promotion.
Woooot!
And as Joel Osteen likes to say, 2008 will be my best year so far!
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
His song over me
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...
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...
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...
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