Share in Life

Year 2012 is winding up. Reckon most of us are reflecting on the past 364 days, 364 days of life breathed walking on this earth. Many are busy planning for the year ahead, resolutions, plans, strategies, bucket lists, etc.

For me, it has been a tough year, but undeniably the most happening year in my 23 years of journey thus far. I couldn’t pen down every single event, but surely there are ups and downs filling up my days. Certainly, it has been another good year walking with God. I am not ashamed being persistent in telling the world about this God that I believe in, because I believe everything in life revolves around Him, and is about Him. From the beginning of the world to the end of the world, He paints it and He has the full view of what is and will be to come. I have also tasted the wondrous love, goodness and faithfulness of God, especially how He has provided sustained me through my final year degree juggling with compulsory internship, a full ministry on campus to lead and take charge, lifegroup, church ministry, social life, family, etc… wow! It’s very surreal, but again, testimony is the most powerful tool of communication because what one goes through and experiences, can never be denied or overturned by another individual, that’s why, testimonies are crucial in court. :P

My life aside, how have yours been? Has life been tough, bittersweet, too wonderful? You see, we all have just one life to live on and the way we tailor our life is just very different to one another. We have our very own dreams, goals, determinations, plans and even motto that we live with. What is my cup of tea is most likely not yours. Despite all the differences, there is a God we all can get connected and related to. A God who have examined us and know all about us, who knows us when we sit down and when we get up, who knows our thoughts before we think them, who knows where we go and where we lie down, who knows thoroughly everything we do. A God that we can’t run away or hide from. Everywhere we go, He is there. But at the same time, a God who would guide us, holding us with His right hand through thick and thin, every season of life. 

In this last week of 2012, I had the opportunity to share about God with two friends that I have met recently (you might be reading this). I am actually quite amazed at the softness of their hearts and the eager desire wanting to know more and hear more about God, His business, Gospel and what Bible is all about. Very nice and genuine people. I tried to link the Scripture to our down to earth daily life, principles, rules of thumb, etc and I believe they got a fair share how the Scripture is immaculately related to our day to day life. Yet again and again I am bringing them back to the most crucial fact that regardless of all, God is our portion and He is enough. If you want to see God in every picture, in every facet of our life, you can actually see it as clear as you want if you have been intentional. Just as someone commented over the mass killing at Newtown, Connecticut, “Have we taken God out of the school?” A good question to us, “Have we taken God out of our life?” With a month left in Brisbane, I told these two friends in their eyes, “Even as I leave, my prayer is that both of you will sometime somehow receive this great Saviour into your life. If it doesn’t happen when I am still in Brisbane, I will surely rejoice when I get to hear about the good news, somewhere.” 

Today at church this young married man took to the stage and shared his testimony about how his grandpa has left a legacy in his life. His grandpa’s death has shaken him to ponder about life - what he is chasing after in his life. I am reminded again that we live to inspire others, not just in living a good life but to inspire others to pursue and love God. I really love what Pastor Stephen Altrogge posted on his Facebook earlier today – “The person who will be the greatest in the kingdom of heaven will probably be someone we’ve never heard of.” How true is that. A new year ahead, how are we determined to live it? For self-glory or sowing into the eternity? Just yesterday the world mourned the death of this 23 years old Indian female medical student who was a victim of a horrendous gang-raped incident. This incident not just stirred great anger from the public demanding the government to DO SOMETHING to protect the women in the society and look after their welfare, but also perhaps for many, where is justice? I have no answer. But one thing I am certain, God is watching and He will judge the rapists and killers in due time, for all will be held accountable on the judgment day. This incident is just a tiny tip of the iceberg of how sickening the world has become. 

As we gear up to welcome a new year ahead, be braced for both pleasant and unpleasant moments. Life will never be a bed of roses blossoming every day. Ecclesiastes said there is a season for everything. Things and people might change and fail. But we can find everlasting hope and love in Christ alone, who is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. If you know Jesus and believe in Him, He is with you and He will go before you. There you should know who goes before you and who is behind you. Ain’t that utmost comfort and heartening to dawn upon? I love this sharing from a dear brother. Many know the word “Immanuel” means “God is with us”. But when we ponder about it, it is just mind-blowing and incomprehensible that out of all the creations in this world, God CHOSE to live in us. Amazing? So praise and thank God for that! 

Allow me to say that “A fair share in life are mountain high and valley low moments, but a FULL share in life is to have God with us through those moments.” Lets welcome 2013 with renewed visions and perspectives, seeing things with the kingdom mind and eyes. Stop dwelling in the past, and move forward. As Paul famously wrote in Philippians 3:12-16, “Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: 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.” And when you are going through unfavourable moments, keep the Word of God close to your heart and find strength in it, that God’s promise preserves our life. 

To end, allow me to share with you my favourite quote of the year which I have written two months ago – “I may be physically barred from approaching God, even when my enemy is at its best, but as long as my soul has the teeny-weeny will to pray, I know heaven is within reach, and my God will vindicate me.” Live for Him, He will vindicate us! Look to Him, He will uphold us. 

Happy New Year to all.

Perfect God vs Imperfect Beings

I came across and heard people saying "Stop telling me about Christianity and your God." There are numerous reasons given, particularly one which hurt them the most - "I had a bad encounter with a Christian friend...” “I got cheated by a Christian friend...” “A Christian friend betrayed me...” “How can my Christian friend treat me like that..." 

Or sometimes you get to hear reasons such as “Look at that Christian, you see his attitude? Is that the character a Christian should have?” “See that filthy rich so called Christian businessman? Detestable approaches in his tactics…”

If you are one of them, even though I do not know who and what you encountered, on behalf of those who hurt, offended, cheated, betrayed or disappointed you, I sincerely say sorry on behalf of them.

Yet I praise God that your encounter and experience has proven once again that we are all a Great Sinner in dire need of a Great Saviour. And proven again that Christians are not perfect beings, we do fall and stumble. We make mistakes. We screw up. Though you can reject man, but you can’t reject the Christian God. You can’t deny the love and hope He brought to this world simply because of what you have encountered. You can’t deny God just because of your unfavorable experience. That is, being blatant.

Despite all the shortcomings of Christians, you should see that God is reaching out to save His people. And in all the shortcomings of Christians, you should learn to see that no one is righteous, none is good (Romans 3:9-20), except God. You should learn that all have fallen short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). You should learn to see that we all need Grace, that we are not Born into grace but being Brought into Grace, and this Grace comes from God (Romans 5:1-2). You should learn that God’s grace is all that we need, His grace is sufficient for us, and His power is made perfect in our weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9). Last but not least, you should probably learn a big lesson about forgiveness. Forgiveness first that being exemplified and demonstrated on the Cross along side with love. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you (Ephesians 4:32). Just as those Christians that you don’t have a good encounter with, I believe somewhere in life you would have offended and hurt someone. And all that you pleaded for is to be forgiven. Likewise, learn to forgive those who trespassed you. Those who are forgiven much, love much (Luke 7:47).

Christianity is about a perfect God reaching out to the imperfect beings; and the imperfect beings seeking a perfect God. Give others a chance (forgive), and give yourself a bigger chance to know Him (be forgiven).


Photo Credit: Tim Ngu

Thanksgiving Is The Highest Form of Thought

The scorching hot summer messes up my sleeping pattern nowadays. I nap a lot during day time and have trouble to sleep at night, turning me into a nocturnal creature watching the world rotates. Yet this gives me a reason to tire myself through night jogs so that my body can be quickened to demand a rest. All the jogs often lead me to reflections and thoughts, and I love it. 

So yeah just some thoughts I garnered as I was jogging tonight, and my favourite theme is always life and people.

Counting our blessings.

Henry W. Beecher once said, "The unthankful heart discovers no mercies; but let the thankful heart sweep through the day and, as the magnet finds the iron, so it will find, in every hour, some heavenly blessings!"

Looking at my life right now, I can only be overwhelmed whenever I count God's blessings upon my life, and these include blessings from family, friends and everyone else. Cultivating a heart of gratitude and thankfulness supremely to God draws my heart out to God and keep me engaged with Him. This is because I believe God is the source of everything, creations that are not directly created by Him can only be indirectly created by Him, and thus still, from Him. For example, He gives the creativity and innovation to mankind to explore and create. So ultimately, He is still the source. With that, if all things are from God, including ourselves, this life, then with all reasons, we should be thankful and give thanks to our Creator. Whenever I thank God for something, I am praising His greatness, goodness, faithfulness, gift of salvation ... all contributing to Him being self-glorified.

Lets learn from David in Psalms to give thanks to God for everything. Every furrow in the Book of Psalms is sown with the seeds of thanksgiving. There are so many times the Scripture highlights the urge, importance, need and just simply being thankful to God for everything.

Colossians 3:17
And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Philippians 1:3
Paul said, "I thank my God every time I remember you."

Ephesians 5:19-21
Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.

2 Corinthians 4:14-16
...because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you in his presence. All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God. Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.

1 Corinthians 15:57
But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Psalm 147:7
Sing to the LORD with thanksgiving; make music to our God on the harp.

Psalm 106:1
Praise the LORD. Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.

Psalm 69:30
I will praise God's name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving.

Philippians 4:6
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

We don't need too big a reason to thank God for. Sin has taught us to be unkind, ungrateful, jealous and greedy. We will never reach full satisfaction on earth for everything in this world is mere passing shadows, they are created to be temporary and to serve us but not to be indulged in. I often wonder how people can actually find everlasting happiness from the world, and sometimes wasting the whole life trying so hard to grab all the lies of Satan. If everything in this world is just temporary and will pass away one day, is it worth for us to lose our life to gain them?

Lets cultivate the posture of thanksgiving in our hearts every single day. We have too many reasons to be thankful for.

If you think your life is in a pit and you don't have much, that too many wants go unanswered, that compared to others you are too little too low, remember those who are battling for a mouthful of food to survive; remember those who are born disabled; remember those never get to know the father's love or mother's love; and if you have an opportunity to study and to gain knowledge, remember those who are not as fortunate as you; remember those who live in constant fear especially those in unstable countries where guerillas and rebels are threatening their lives and in war zones ... be thankful.

Every morning when you wake up, if you still have breath and alive, that you still have a proper brush, toothpaste, facial cream, supply of clean water.. all that for your morning ablution, clean clothes to put on, that you still have croissant left in the fridge or bread with spreads sitting on the table, that you still have a job to work on, that your bank account is still positive, be thankful. Many don't have, some never tasted bread with Nutella spread, while all we think of is Big Breakfast, Eggs Benedict with Salmon, Pancakes ...

Every night before you sleep, if you still have the opportunity to gulp down a cup of warm full cream milk, that you still have a nice bed to sleep on, that your tummy is still full .. be thankful. Many don't have such opportunity. A still usable mattress that we throw away to some, might be a 7 stars hotel they can ever ask for.

In this festive season, lets remember the love Jesus lavished on us, and those who have received the gift of Salvation ought to be even more thankful than the rest. And if we are thankful, we will be compelled to spread this love.

Too much we have, too little we give thanks for. God doesn't need us to be thankful, but He wants us to be thankful, so that He can earn all the glory and be lifted highest among all creations. 

"How divinely full of glory and pleasure shall that hour be when all the millions of mankind that have been redeemed by the blood of the Lamb of God shall meet together and stand around Him, with every tongue and every heart full of joy and praise! How astonishing will be the glory and the joy of that day when all the saints shall join together in one common song of gratitude and love, and of everlasting thankfulness to this Redeemer! With that unknown delight, and inexpressible satisfaction, shall all that are saved from the ruins of sin and hell address the Lamb that was slain, and rejoice in His presence!" ~ Isaac Watts

Hope in the Cross, Faith in the Unseen

I had a quick catch up with a friend today about updates in life. I can somehow feel the bursting desperation in waiting for a clear path and direction in life. It's true that the reality is that we are still human beings, we want instant answers, instant provisions, instant directions etc. In the midst of it we lose our patience easily because we are desperate, we are yelling out. We want to be informed, we want to know beforehand, we want a clear view, we want something smooth and straight forward; we dislike uncertainty, we dislike waiting, we dislike to feel unsecured. Gamut of emotions, facets of life. It is easy to know the Scripture, tough to live out what the Scripture teaches us especially when circumstances are not favourable, situations are not in our control, and when we are desperate for something.

While driving home from work, the phrase "hope to the hopeless" rang in my head coincidentally the audio was playing the song "Faith in the Unseen". It struck me how we can actually tell others there is hope in Jesus Christ and share with them about finding hope in God when we ourselves do not even know what we are hoping for at times, or sometimes, appear and seem to be hopeless, demoralised, dejected.

Ever ask yourself what are you hoping for? What does hope really mean to you? Where is your hope? What is hope?

I was reminded of this passage in 2 Corinthians 4:7-18, a passage that I think is immaculately written and beaming with hope for the future glory.

"But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body. So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.

It is written: “I believed; therefore I have spoken.”Since we have that same spirit of faith,we also believe and therefore speak, because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you to himself. All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."

Astounding! My finite mind couldn't fathom and understand how on earth Paul can actually write this considering all that he had gone through - "I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with roads, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea. I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my own countrymen, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger from false brothers. I have laboured and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked....." 2 Corinthians 11

Speechless. Paul is not a superhero with some God-given supernatural ability. He is just a mere human with flesh and mortal body, once a great sinner, great prosecutor of the Churches of God. And wait, how on earth he can spell 2 Corinthians 4:7-18 even after he went through all those .... You are joking!

The power of Hope. "... And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us." ~ Romans 5:3-5

"... But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently." ~ Romans 8:24-25

Therefore, in the midst of all uncertainty and turbulence, do not lose hope. Hope is what keeps you on track. Something great is awaiting those who are hopeful. God knows what we need even before we asked from Him, but we have to trust His timing and trust that He knows what is best for us.

If you ask me how certain is my future, I can't give you an answer. Ask my Driver. But I can tell you how certain my God is, how faithful He is and has been to me. Ask me about my life direction? Ha! I don't mind going anywhere, as long as I am walking with God, yet no place on earth is my home. I am heaven-bound yo! I can't lose hope, because I gotta bring this hope to those who are yet to know.

Hope in the Cross, have Faith in the Unseen. Read the Word, store it in our heart, and speak the Word over our life. Hope on.

Forgiveness

Someone once said, "To err is human, to forgive, divine."

Tonight my sister shared a fair bit of her journey in Ireland prior to her permanent return to Malaysia when she graduated several years ago. She mentioned about taking time to seek forgiveness from everyone that she once hurt or offended, be it small or big. 

Reminded of several occasions in the Bible where Jesus insisted on the greatness and urgency to forgive. The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant is perhaps one of the best examples we should keep in heart dearly.

Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?”

Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times. (77???)

He continues, “Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand bags of gold was brought to him. Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt.

“At this the servant fell on his knees before him. ‘Be patient with me,’ he begged, ‘and I will pay back everything.’ The servant’s master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go.

“But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred silver coins. He grabbed him and began to choke him. ‘Pay back what you owe me!’ he demanded.

“His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay it back.’

“But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. When the other servants saw what had happened, they were outraged and went and told their master everything that had happened.

“Then the master called the servant in. ‘You wicked servant,’ he said, ‘I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?’ In anger his master handed him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed.

Take note of verse 35!

“This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart.”

In Colossians 3:13 it says, "Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you."

In Matthew 6:14, "For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you." (ESV)

Often we are just like the servant that owed Jesus way way too much, too vast too insurmountable that there is no way we can ever pay back our debt. A life crucified and sacrificed for us. We in the very first position are not worthy to receive the forgiveness from Him, the Forgiver. There is no greater example, no greater demonstration of forgiveness and love other than the one vividly shown on the Cross.

We are forgiven of our sins, yet when we choose not to forgive others, we sin.

If we think about how great a sinner we are, yet freely we receive the grace and forgiveness through the blood of Jesus Christ that cleanses us, as white as snow, how can we NOT forgive our fellow friends or believers who wronged us, either intentional or unintentionally? When Christ forgives us, there is no condition attached. When we choose not to forgive, there is a sign of bitterness and pride. Danger!

Remove the log from our own eyes. Dare one to boast that he is righteous and have never wronged others. The truth is that we are all imperfect beings, that in our imperfection there will always be occasions that we hurt or wrong others, be it small, huge, unintentionally or being negligent.

Reflecting on my days here on earth, way too many occasions I hurt or wronged someone, the worst is when I couldn't even remember what I have said or done. And surely I gotta forgive all those whom in their weakness did the same to me.

The next time when we struggle to forgive, remember what Jesus once did to us. Forgiveness that has been ready before we even asked for it. Remember the Parable in Matthew 18. Forgive as the Lord forgave us. Sometimes, we don't need a reason to forgive, if we have love. The perfect love doesn't seek a reason to forgive us the unlovable.

Christmas is here! Time to bless and to forgive! Time to say, "Arghh is alright! Don't keep it in your heart!" Time to say, "I forgive you!" Time to say, "I am sorry ..."! Forgiveness makes this world a better place to live in. Forgiveness lightens both the forgiver and receiver's heart. Forgiveness is the antidote to a bitter heart. Forgiveness is Christ's supreme mercy. Forgiveness allows us to find our way up. Forgiveness bridges our relationship with our Father. To forgive is to humble oneself.

“Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.” ~ Colossians 3:12-14

God Loves Us Not Because We Are Lovable

Not that we are lovable, but because Jesus is infinitely lovable and God has made us one with Jesus. 

Consider our weaknesses and flaws, tainted with sins that shame Christ's glory, we are no where close to be lovable. Yet God loves us. That's the truth. Unfathomable.

No matter how good, successful, outstanding, unique, or all the opposites we are, God's love for us is the same. Nothing that we do can make Him love us more, or less. Bible says God doesn't show favoritism ~ Romans 2:11.

If we are saved today, do not undermine those yet-to-be-saved. God loves them equally, for He does not want anyone to perish but everyone to repent. He died for the World ~ John 3:16, not just the American, or the Asian, or ... but the whole world.

You are bought at a price. You are priceless. Your identity and status are not determined by what the world says, but God. Regardless of what the world tells you, God says, "I love you, my Child."

Below is a Letter from God to You, taken from Seek God Ministries.

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To My precious child:

Because I knew even before I created the earth that you would accept My love for you, and that you would seek to know Me thus…

In the beginning I created the heavens and the earth. Then at the right time and in the right place I created you. I created your inner most being, I created every part of you, I knit you together in your mother's womb. You were carefully and wonderfully made; my works are wonderful, and you My precious child are my work. My eyes saw your unformed body. All the days planned for you were written in my book before one of them came to be. How precious are my thoughts for you, How great is the number of them! If you were to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand.

Listen to me, My precious child; I created you and have cared for you since before you were born. I will be your God throughout your lifetime, until your hair is white with age. I made you, and I will care for you. I will carry you along and save you. I will carry you in my arms, holding you close to my heart. For I know the plans that I have for you plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

My precious child there are some times of suffering in your life. But the temporary suffering of this life does not compare to the glory that shall be revealed in you. Know this that I am with you and I will help you. Your help comes from me, I am the God who created the heavens and the earth, and the one who created you. I will never leave you, I will never reject you. When your parents fail you I will pick you up, hold you close, and adopt you. Nothing can ever separate you from my love for you. When you are in trouble and distress my love is with you. When you are persecuted my love is with you. When you are hungry and cold and naked my love is with you, I am always with you. When you are in danger and threatened with death my love is with you, I will be with you forever.

My precious child know that nothing can separate you from my love, no matter how high you go, no matter how deep you sink, nothing in life and not even death can separate you from Me, and My love for you. No demon or any other power in hell can separate you from my love. My love for you is revealed through Christ Jesus your Lord. In all things and every situation you will have victory, you will conquer, because the victory of Christ Jesus is your victory.

But now, My precious child, I the LORD, who created you and formed you, says: Do not be afraid, for I have purchased you. I have called you by name; you are mine. When you go through deep waters and great trouble, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, they will not over flow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned. I command you to be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid; do not be dismayed, for I, the LORD your God will be with you everywhere you go.

My precious child, know that everything will work together for your good, because you love me. You have been called according to my purpose. For I knew you before you were born and I predestined you to be conformed to the likeness of my Son, Jesus Christ. This is your destiny, and this is your purpose, that you become one with my Son Jesus, and thus one with me. I created you in my image so that you and I can express love to each other. The most intimate relationship you can have is with me because you and I are becoming one. You and your brothers and sisters that believe in me are becoming one with Jesus, and thus one with me. You in me, and me in you, together, unified by my love for you. You were designed for this purpose, nothing else will ever satisfy your deepest needs, your deepest desires, only I can. Because you seek to know me I satisfy your heart with love, joy, and peace that only I can give you.

My precious child if you should forget me, and enter into sin, and not turn back to Me on your own then I will punish you. Because your sin will separate you from feeling My presence, and My influence, and I want you to return to your first love, the One who loves you. I the Lord discipline those I love, and I punish everyone who I accept as my child. Just as a good Father disciplines His children to turn them away from a dangerous path, so I shall discipline you for your good, that you may share in My holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

My precious child, When you confess your sins, I am faithful and just and will forgive you of your sins and cleanse you from all unrighteousness. In repentance and resting in Me is your salvation, in quietness and trusting Me is your strength. I will create in you a clean heart and renew a right spirit within you. I will not send you away from My presence, and I will not take My Holy Spirit from you. I will restore again the joy of your salvation, and make you willing to obey Me. Then you will teach My ways to sinners, and they will return to Me also. Humble yourself, therefore, under My mighty hand, that I may lift you up at the right time.

My precious child do not forget all my benefits, I forgive all your sins and heal all your diseases, I rescue your life from the pit of destruction and crown you with love and compassion. I satisfy your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagles. I The LORD work righteousness and justice for all the oppressed; I The LORD am compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. I will not always accuse, nor will I harbor my anger forever; I do not treat you as your sins deserve or repay you according to your iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is My love for you because you fear Me; as far as the east is from the west, so far have I removed your transgressions from you.

My precious child, call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know. Always pray to Me about your every concern, pray from your mouth and pray from your heart, I hear every thought that you think. Everything that you care about, I care about also because it concerns you. Cast all your cares and anxiety on Me because I love you. Trust in Me, the LORD YOUR GOD, with all your heart, do not depend on your own understanding; In everything acknowledge Me, And I will direct your paths. Do not worry about anything, but in everything big or small, by prayer, with thanksgiving, present your requests to Me, the Most High God. And I will give you My peace in your heart, peace that is beyond all human understanding, and it will guard your heart and your mind in Christ Jesus. Always be joyful. Keep on praying always. No matter what happens, always be thankful, for this is My will for you because you belong to Me.

My precious child, Study My Book of law and truth, the Holy Bible, do not let My words depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. My words are Spirit and they are Life. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you will, and it will be given you. For the word of God is living and powerful. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. The most important thing you will ever own is your Bible because it gives you knowledge of Me, The Most High God. It makes the poor rich, it gives hope to the hopeless, faith to the fearful, food to the hungry, water to the thirsty, love to the despised, comfort to the lonely, freedom to the prisoner, health to the sick, light in the darkness, and life to the dying.

My precious child I have set up circumstances and situations in your life to cause you to seek Me and find Me. I desire that you know Me. I am The Lord your God, full of compassion, and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness. Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, Let not the mighty man glory in his might, Nor let the rich man glory in his riches; But My precious child glory in this, That you understand and know Me, That I am the LORD, exercising compassion, lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight and take pleasure.

All things are created for My pleasure and My pleasure is to show forth loving compassion. I have compassion on the poor and needy, and I am a Father to the fatherless, I help them, and I defend them. Far below Me are the heavens and the earth, I stoop to look down, and I lift the poor from the dirt and the needy from the garbage dump and I set them among princes. My precious child I want you to do these things also, have compassion on the poor and needy and help them, this is what it means to know Me. For I am Love, and when you live in love, you live in Me, and I live in you. Loving compassion is good, and this is what I require from you, to do what is right, to love compassion, and to walk humbly with your God.

As a father has compassion on his children, so I your LORD have compassion on you because you fear Me; for I know how you were formed, I remember that you are dust. Forever and ever My love is with you because you fear Me, and My righteousness with your children's children; with those who keep My covenant and remember to obey My laws. My law is to love. You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments all of My laws are based. When you walk in love you are obeying all My laws. When you walk in Love you are walking in My Holy Spirit for I AM LOVE!

My precious child come and live in My shelter, in the protection of the Most High God, you will find rest in the presence of the Almighty. You will say, "This I declare of the LORD: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I am trusting him." My precious child I will rescue you from every trap and protect you from the fatal plague. I will shield you with My wings. I will shelter you with My feathers. My faithful promises are your armor and protection. Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night, nor fear the dangers of the day, nor dread the plague that stalks in darkness, nor the disaster that strikes at midday. Though a thousand fall at your side, though ten thousand are dying around you, these evils will not touch you. But you will see it with your eyes; you will see how the wicked are punished.

Because you My precious child make the LORD your refuge, because you make the Most High your shelter, no evil will conquer you; no plague will come near your dwelling. For I order My angels to protect you wherever you go. They will hold you with their hands to keep you from striking your foot on a stone. You will trample down lions and poisonous snakes; you will crush fierce lions and serpents under your feet!

My precious child, My servant, and My friend, whom I have chosen, I have chosen you and have not rejected you. So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will hold you up with my righteous right hand. All who come against you will surely be ashamed and disgraced; those who oppose you will be as nothing and perish. Though you search for your enemies, you will not find them. Those who wage war against you will be as nothing at all. For I am the LORD, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, do not fear; I will help you. Do not be afraid, for I myself will help you declares the LORD, your Redeemer. You will rejoice in the LORD and glory in the Holy One of Israel.

My precious child, when you asked Me to forgive your sins and come into your heart I sent My Holy Spirit into you to comfort you, to give you power, and as proof to you that I have adopted you as My child. The Holy Spirit shall lead you into all truth because He shall testify of Jesus, and He will give you power to testify of Jesus. I will speak to you through My Holy Spirit that is in you, He will tell you what is right and wrong, what is love and hate. My Holy Spirit is a gentle whisper inside your heart telling you the path to walk in. If you walk in My Spirit you will walk in love, you will not sin. And you will see great and mighty things happen before you, they will not be accomplished by strength, nor by outside force, but by My Spirit says the LORD ALMIGHTY. Through My Holy Spirit I shall give you supernatural gifts that you may be blessed, and that you shall bless others through demonstrating My love for them. My Holy Spirit will be with you through out your whole life, and after I will receive you into My glory.

I your LORD say to you I will rescue you because you love me. I will protect you because you trust in my name. When you call on me, I will answer; I will be with you in trouble. I will rescue you and honor you. I will satisfy you with a long life and give you my salvation. Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me. It is your destiny. ♥

(Credit to the Owner) 

We Move Forward

The reality of life is that we move forward. We grow up, we become more knowledgeable, more mature. Every tomorrow is a little growth to where we are today as we see, hear, experience, encounter and learn more and more each day. We are created to grow forward or upward and not backward or downward. Likewise, a believer's walk with God is the same. If we are serious about pursuing God, our relationship with God today should be stronger than yesterday. Our understanding and knowledge about God today should increase further as compared to yesterday. Our love for God today should be greater than yesterday. Our faith in God today should be bigger and more audacious than yesterday. If not, we have a problem. Something is not very right. Do not then, dwell in the past, even in the good jolly times. Therefore, our greatest encounter with God should be what is ahead, our greatest testimony should be what is to come, as there is so much more that is yet to come. I hope that 30 years down the track, I will not say that the best year I had with God is 2012, but expecting it to be the year ahead then.