30 September 2013

He divided the sea and led them through; he made the water stand up like a wall. He guided them with the cloud by day and with light from the fire all night. He split the rocks in the wilderness and gave them water as abundant as the seas; he brought streams out of a rocky crag and made water flow down like rivers. -Psalm 78:13-16

If the God that made a way for the Israelites while they were on their way to the Promised Land could bend the elements of the desert, how much more can He turn your trials around for your good as He brings you to His calling on your Promised Land, a land flowing with abundance!

29 September 2013

Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. -Psalm 23:6

How long will we dwell in the house of the Lord? One day? Two days? No! Forever! How wonderful! How glorious! To be in the house of my Father, Friend, Creator, Redeemer! Praise the Lord!

28 September 2013

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. -Psalm 23:5

Looking at the work that I need to accomplish, I let the Lord rule my studies over me, that I feed at His table as I complete the work He has assigned for me to complete. I receive His priestly anointing; the empowerment that enables me to accomplish my task and overcome temptation; the grace of God.

27 September 2013

Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. -Psalm 23:4

When my world darkens, my surroundings fade into the distant past etched in the depths of my mind, when I trudge through unfamiliar territory and meet new people, though my heart may fail, but the truth, yes the truth, is that my Jesus will never fail.

Yea, I walk through the valley of shadow of death, I fear no evil for Jesus is with me.

26 September 2013

...He refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. -Psalm 23:3

I don't know 'bout you, but when I feel tired, I re-commit my life into the hands of my shepherd, and He refreshes my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for His name's sake. And for my own good. Jesus is the good shepherd.

25 September 2013

He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters... -Psalm 23:2

Don't you think in Singapore, we're always so busy with work and rarely get a break? Let me share what your shepherd, Jesus will do for you: He will make you lie down (that's rest!) in green pastures (that's nourishment, strength, by feeding on His Word!) and He will lead you beside quiet waters (that's peace!)

In the midst of a busy Singaporean life, break out of the norm to be stressed and rest in Jesus saying, 'I'm at rest; too blessed to be stressed, 'cos Jesus is my shepherd!'

24 September 2013

The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. -Psalm 23:1

When the Lord is our shepherd, we lack NOTHING! Jesus is the good shepherd, who laid down His life for us. He took our death so that we can have His life! He took our sin that we may be righteous! He took our sickness that we may be in health!

23 September 2013

Then he (Jesus) said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.” -Luke 12:15

Prosperity on its own isn't evil: the love for it (greed) is. Prosperity isn't about possessions; it's about the supplier of these possessions, whose name is Jesus. Life is about JESUS and when JESUS is center, all things will be added on. They don't complete you, they supplement you, but even if they fade, JESUS WILL REMAIN! Trust in JESUS, NOT providence!

22 September 2013

But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God... -1 Corinthians 1:30

My friend, Jesus has become for you wisdom from God. If you are a businessman, with Christ in you, you have wisdom that is greater than the wisdom of all the world’s business gurus put together. And if you are a student, Christ in you will manifest wisdom that is greater than all the wisdom of the brilliant minds in the academic world

Beloved, believe that because Jesus, God’s wisdom, is in you, there is no reason you cannot prosper today, and astound the world in the same way Solomon did!

-Joseph Prince

21 September 2013

Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits: who forgives all your iniquities, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from destruction, who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, who satisfies your mouth with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. -Psalm 103:1-5

In response to the goodness of God, there's a song I'd like to sing to the Lord this morning. Sing along if you know the lyrics! :)

Bless the Lord, O my soul

O my soul

Worship His holy name

Sing like never before, O my soul

I'll worship Your holy name

God is Moving

Today, as I walked home with my classmate, we discussed about some useful changes we can make to the cell structure. After we said our goodbyes and left for home, the Lord suddenly reminded me of how near we are to His coming. We are the generation in which Christ returns for His second coming. Though it may not happen so soon, I foresee God's redemptive work in many, many places.

My brothers and sisters, God is moving.

He is.

I firmly believe this: lives will be restored, the sick will be healed and more people are coming to know Christ at a faster rate. This isn't some strange occurrence; this is the work of God! God is moving.

It dawned upon me how close we are to see the prophecies in the book of Revelations come to pass. My request is this: DON'T BELIEVE THE LIE THAT THE FIRE OF CAMP HAS DIED, THAT THE FIRE IS QUENCHED.

People, God IS coming soon. Keep the faith that God IS moving and sending to revival all across the world. I'm seeing miracles happen in my school, and I hope that you are too. If you aren't, keep hoping. Not the worldly 50-50 hope of maybe can/maybe cannot; Bible hope DOES NOT DISAPPOINT. In other words, instead of saying, "Maybe God will bring revival, maybe not..." start saying "God IS bringing revival and WILL bring revival".

Guys, the flame in me just re-lit. I believe what I heard was from the Lord, that the sudden burst of reignited passion was from God, especially in the exam period. Not many people will believe that God will move during this season, and the fleshly me has its skepticism about it. But the passion that I could feel burning in my heart convicts me that God IS SENDING REVIVAL TO ANGLICAN HIGH SCHOOL (AHS).

God is moving, I'm telling you, in many ways that we cannot experience, and the FCG (Freedom Care Group) got a LOT to do with it! FCG members, we gotta meet up more often to pray and worship in the presence of the Lord to see what He wants us to focus on in this season of revival. God is doing something great, magnificent, glorious in AHS and He wants us to be involved in some way. Let's meet together more often and pray together and worship together, seeking God together as one cell. Whether you've been coming for the past few sessions or not, DOESN'T MATTER =) Just come and worship and pray. We're gonna' interceded for the school with Jesus at the center of it all.

I don't know about you, but I want to be part of God's amazing revival in AHS. People, things may seem bleak, hopeless and dismal. These are not from God; these are from the devil. God wants us to proclaim His goodness and praise His name, that HE IS MOVING! REVIVAL HAS COME!

We speak to our nation, Singapore, and the lost souls that have not found the Savior. We speak FREEDOM into the chained lives, that God will break these chains of darkness, of ignorance, and is about to bring freedom to people stuck in bondage, whether it be physical, emotional, spiritual. There's such a deep groaning for the lost world out there. GOD IS MOVING! HEAR THE SOUND OF REVIVAL!

I don't care what people (non-believers and believers) say about "Oh, it's hopeless in my school/family..." STOP BELIEVING THE DEVIL'S LIES. God is ALMIGHTY. He will answer your prayer of revival exceedingly, abundantly above all that you can ever ask or think!

I DON'T CARE WHETHER YOU'RE A GOOD CHRISTIAN OR NOT. THIS IS ABOUT HOW GOD WANTS TO USE YOU FOR HIS PURPOSE! GOD HAS MERCY ON YOUR UNRIGHTEOUSNESSES AND YOUR SINS AND LAWLESS DEEDS HE REMEMBERS NO MORE! Repent and trust in Jesus to lead you into abundant life fulfilling His purpose for your life.

I don't write this for myself. You probably got directed here because I know that you are a fellow believer. If so, I don't write this to rehash old conflicts; I'm just proclaiming the truth of God's goodness! I may not be your close friend, and in fact we may have had quarrels, but this is not about us. It's about God using His people to do His will.

Ask God for this passion, this groaning that His kingdom come, His will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

20 September 2013

Sing aloud to God our strength; make a joyful shout to the God of Jacob. -Psalm 81:1

I'm telling you. God is a good God. God is healer, God is Saviour and just as importantly, God is sovereign. He will not let us be tempted beyond what we can handle. In all His goodness, His wisdom, let's worship Him with gladness!

19 September 2013

Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, Whom He has redeemed from the hand of the enemy, and gathered out of the lands, from the east and from the west, from the north and from the south. -Psalm 107:1-3

Do you know that God, though awesome, holy and just, is also merciful to redeem us from death? He is merciful enough to redeem us from the evils of the world. All that He asks of us is to trust Him that He will pull us through our difficulty and struggle.

Today, if you have been redeemed by the Lord, say so! Confess your redemption not in your talents, not in man, but in God!

Christ-Reliance vs. Self-Reliance

Ever since I realized about God's grace around two years ago, the Lord spoke to me about many areas in my life. The first time I heard His voice so clearly was in March last year, when I flared up in front of my friend as he was teasing me and got me flared up. He said, "I give you grace, I don't demand from you; why are you demanding from others?" And ever since then I was more chill about people around me.

On 14 May 2013, I heard the voice as I was reading through the book of Jeremiah, chapter 42 to 43. The Israelites tried to earn their own sustenance and provision in another land away from the favor of the Lord and, since God wasn't with them, would naturally be terribly defeated. Then the Lord spoke, "I hate (In a strong sense; the degree of 'abhor') it when my people rely on their own efforts." My interpretation of this is that they are proud, boastful and think they are capable to sustain themselves, failing to humble themselves under the arms of Almighty God, the God who heals, the God who provides, the covenant keeper. Instead, they worked our their own salvation without God and they suffered.

I was on Twitter, and I saw all the statuses of my friends. Don't get me wrong: I completely respect my friends for having their own view and perspective on things. I admit that they have, in some areas, accomplished more than I have. They are wonderful people. However, when I checked their profiles out of curiosity, I noticed a general trend (doesn't apply to the exceptions): either people put out comments of self-pity or comments saying, " You can do it!" "Believe in yourself" "Make miracles everyday!"

On the surface, people will feel encouraged by these. Yet, looking at what the Lord told me, I noticed some thing in these quotes: where does one find the ability to do so? It's so easy to say, "Persevere! Don't give up!" Hey, we humans can say, but which right-minded being actually can carry it out without flailing?

This is where the world is lacking. I see the comments of these people and sympathize with them, for they are of the world. The world has no God. The world is only caring about itself, I, me and myself, and does not put Jesus in His rightful place at His throne. The world hates Jesus; and hence their comments of self-ability. However, when I see professing believers expressing similar thoughts, I feel extremely dis-satiated. Who is Jesus to them? Do they still rely on self effort? If so, then where is Jesus in the center of their lives?

I believe this: only Jesus as center can our lives be made completely whole. There ain't no other but the Son. The world may try all it may but still fall short. Man is fallen and cannot help themselves; that's why we need a Saviour! A redeemer! By not letting Jesus reign in our vocations, we are restricting His power in our lives. We don't see a loving God who wants to and will help us in our times of need. Hey, THAT'S WHAT THE ISRAELITES DID IN JEREMIAH 42! We should rest in Jesus in EVERYTHING that we do. Let our speech impart grace not because we are sweet talkers but because we let Christ take over our lives. This then produces true abundant life. Jesus says that He has come that we might have life, and life MORE ABUNDANTLY (John 10:10). WITHOUT JESUS, WE CANNOT EVER EXPERIENCE ABUNDANT LIFE!

People tell me in utter rebuttal, "Well, God helps those who help themselves." My response is this, "Is that scriptural?" That is not Bible! That is Benjamin Franklin! Look, I'm not talking about job. The Bible says "He who does not work, let him not eat." (2 Thessalonians 3:10) It's clear. But here's the issue, in our pursuit to pursue happiness as the world pursues, we forget that only God can give us a fulfilling life, regardless of vocation. Only Jesus can make us complete. Yet, we try to fill this bottomless chasm of happiness, of self-determination, of self-will, that we forget that we are HELPLESS. We keep on trying and trying, hoping that fate may bring a better tomorrow, trusting that our works will better our lives, when the truth is that we are helpless. That's right: man is helpless! THAT'S WHY WE NEED A SAVIOR!

I keep seeing comments talking about self-wit, competition, self-gain. Hey, the world can think this for all they want, BUT NOT THE BELIEVER! YOU, MY FELLOW BELIEVER ARE A CHILD OF GOD! WHY ARE YOU EVEN CONCERNED ABOUT WHAT THE WORLD'S WAYS OF PURSUING HAPPINESS!? THE WORLD IS FALLEN.

Yet, we think that the world's method of self-reliance and self-effort can get us to happiness. No.

You see, Jesus is our everything. Only Jesus can satisfy. God isn't impressed with how people are able to do things on their own. God isn't impressed with the Math Genius; God CREATED MATH. God isn't impressed at the most graceful dancer: HE CREATED ART. God's only happy when His children tell Him, "Daddy God, I cannot do this. I rest in You, for You know much, much more than I do," and show complete reliance on the Creator, the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last.

My fellow Christians, stop acting strong. Stop putting up a false front which will never satisfy you. Start placing Jesus as Lord. I've experienced dramatic turns for the better when Jesus became not just my friend but also my Lord. Commit every part of your life to the Lord. When I committed my friendships to Jesus, I said, "Jesus, my friendships are a wreck. I don't know how to improve them. I commit this into Your hands, knowing that You know better than me about my friendships." Since then, Jesus brought me to a place of finally realizing that friends will never, never, ever satisfy me more than my Lord Jesus can. And after realizing that and resting in that, God gave me two wonderful brothers who are on fire for Him. They just came over and started to want to hang out with me more and more. I love them but more so with God: it's as though He turned it around for my good!

Jonathan and Daniel, the wonderful brothers God gave me to support me in my walk with Him.

Look, only Jesus as Lord can satisfy. Stop trying to live life on your own: start resting in His grace! Stop trying to study hard; rely on God and He will give you both the desire AND the strength to study. Stop trying to maintain friendships on your own; God wants to bless you with life-edifying friendships that bless you and glorifies His name. Jesus knows the best of your life; stop resisting His love and start trusting in Him that HE WILL MAKE A WAY.

Jesus at the center of it all!

--

Joel Kindiak (Joel Chang)
Highly Favoured

18 September 2013

I lift up my eyes to the mountains— where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. -Psalm 121:1-2

David cried this prayer while he was in distress - and confessed that God is sovereign and will help him! If there is anything to confess, it is that we are powerless on our own and powerful in Christ ALONE.

Even in the midst of distress, we can confess God Almighty's ability to lead us in our trials. Trust in the Lord!

17 September 2013

The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, to turn one away from the snares of death. -Proverbs 14:27

In this world, there are so many temptations and traps that could get us to lots of trouble. My prayer is that we continue to fear the Lord and revere His holiness, that the Lord in His infinite wisdom may direct our paths in all our ways (Proverbs 3:6).

16 September 2013

The tongue that brings healing is a tree of life, but a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit. -Proverbs 15:4

How often do we see such crushing of the spirit because of this deceitful world we live in! While this verse is a piece of advice for us, I believe it's really representing Jesus.

Jesus is the tree of life that brings healing to our weary souls, our frantic lifestyles and come in the midst of it saying, "I'll rest you." I don't know 'bout you, but I want receive healing from Jesus, the tree of life!

15 September 2013

A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. -Proverbs 15:1

My encouragement for you this morning is this: guard your tongue; it turns away unnecessary wrath! :)

14 September 2013

Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. 

The Hebrew word for 'sorrows' is the word 'mak'of', which describes anguish and a DEEP level of sorrow-ness.

My beloved brothers and sisters in Christ, I believe that some of us are greatly broken in many areas, like friendships, family, grades, stress and so on, but this passage of Scripture tells us that BY JESUS' STRIPES, WE ARE HEALED OF ALL OUR SORROWS, HURTS AND STRUGGLES.

START DECLARING, "I AM HEALED BY THE SUFFERINGS OF CHRIST. HE TOOK MY STRIPES THAT I RECEIVE IS COMPLETENESS! HE RECEIVED MY SIN; NOW I RECEIVE HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS!"

13 September 2013

For the iniquity (sin) of his (man's) covetousness I was angry and struck him; I hid and was angry, And he went on backsliding in the way of his heart. I have seen his ways, and will heal him; I will also lead him, and restore comforts to him and to his mourners. -Isaiah 57:17-18

I believe God's grace will flow in our weaknesses. Where we lack, God will super abound. If we are trapped in vulgarities, God will use our tongues to speak words of grace. If we are horrible at speaking a certain language, God will use that weakness in us to share the word.

12 September 2013

Your (God's) word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. -Psalm 119:105

Let us not regard man's remarks as our areas of correction but let the Word of God correct us. Let God's Word and not man's word be the lamp for our feet and the light on our paths. Then can we see true correction and breakthrough take place.

11 September 2013

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. -Proverbs 3:5-6

When people, even fellow Christians, try to spite me for no reason, of course, I would naturally get agitated. I'm not THAT godly to not be affected at all. ;-) However, when this happens, I trust that God will make a way for me. I just need to keep trusting in Him IN THE midst of persecution. My faith builds and Jesus gets all the glory!

10 September 2013

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. -Matthew 6:33

Persecution is all around us believers. People make fun of us for having such strong faith in our exams and in our God. People just wanna spite us for no reason.

However, in all things, when we seek God and remember His righteousness, He supplies us, irregardless of what people say.

9 September 2013

Fear not, for I (the Lord) am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’ -Isaiah 41:10

Even when you have messed up, God still sees you, the believer in Christ, righteous, and will uphold you with His righteous right hand. Right hand speaks of strength. He will strengthen you righteously! :-)

8 September 2013

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. -Philippians 4:6-7

Take hope that God wants you to have abundant life. This means good exam results, financial provision and a mind of peace. He prospers you so that the world can see that He is God and He is the God who provides. He is the king of our lives an He will take care of us well!

7 September 2013

Cast all your anxiety on him (Jesus) because he cares for you. -1 Peter 5:7

Jesus wants us to confess our hurts, struggles and pains to Him. We gotta say, 'Lord, I'm broken in this area. I cast it to You and stop trying to overcome it on my own. I'll obey Your words and Your wisdom to solve this issue'

'And most importantly, I rest in You, my Lord. You know more than me. You know how to handle my situation better than I can. I rely on You. I rest in You.'

6 September 2013

You (God) will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You. -Isaiah 26:3

The word of God tells us that when we fix our eyes on Jesus, He will keep us in perfect peace.

Keep trusting in Jesus for your breakthrough! In your Prelims and O's/A's, trust Jesus that He will answer your prayer exceedingly, abundantly above all that you can ask or think! By trusting Jesus, we receive His peace.

5 September 2013

“Come to me (Jesus), all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” -Matthew 11:28-30

Indeed, the Christian walk is not easy. There are many believers who have died for the faith, like James, who was killed with the sword (Acts 12:2). However, many people forget to emphasize that we can overcome these troubles by the power of Christ. HIS burden for us is easy. HIS yoke is light.

Rest in Jesus for your security and your work. Work, but work not in your stress but work in Jesus' rest.

4 September 2013

I am (Jesus) the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. -John 15:5

Have you wonder why Jesus typifies Himself as the vine and His blood as the cup of wine (1 Corinthians 11:25)? The vine produces grapes, and grapes when crushed, beaten and completely battered produce wine.

Jesus is the vine crushed, bruised and pierced so that His blood (wine) flowed down His being. His blood is THE atonement for our sins. That's why Jesus, when He instituted the Lord's Supper, called His blood the wine: He wants us to remember how He died on our behalf.

3 September 2013

Jesus said to him (Thomas), “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. -John 14:6

Jesus is not JUST one way, one truth or one life. Jesus is THE WAY, THE TRUTH and THE LIFE.

Only in Jesus do we know our true purpose in life (Way), instead of letting other older people tell us their way for us. Only in Jesus do we know what is truly beneficial to us (Truth), instead of squandering in the world's deluges. Only in Jesus do we have abundant life (LIFE), a life of victory, free from sin and defeat and full of Christ's victory!

2 September 2013

So he answered and said, “ ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind,’ and ‘your neighbor as yourself.’ ” -Luke 10:27

These two commandments are the sum total of God's law (God's measurement for man's righteousness). Here's my question: can we as humans love God with all our hearts, with all our souls, with all our strengths, and with all our minds, God's first commandment?

God knows we can't fulfill it. So what He did is, in essence, saying, "I know you cannot love Me with all that you've got. Watch Me; I'm going to love you with all My heart, with all My soul, with all My mind and all My strength," and gave His life for us at the cross! By knowing this then we can love back, because Christ loves us and Christ loves God through us.