2015: The Year of Overcoming Power

The same power, the same power that crushed the enemy

The same power, the same power, the same power lives in me!

–Risen, Covenant Worship & Israel Houghton

As I was minding my own business, listening to ‘Risen’, the Lord placed upon by heart the theme for 2015, With every accurate Rhema word, there must be scriptural backing (Logos word) as well as confirmations, both which have been evident throughout the past month. The word ‘power’ has been spawning all over the place, from sermons to sharing and even to songs. But what power are we talking about here?

I present you the theme of the year: 

And the theme verse:

Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. [1 John 4:4 KJV]

And not to forget the theme song:

Risen by Covenant Worship & Israel Houghton

A good place to start is the definition of power. In the Greek, ‘power’ is ‘dunamis’, where we get our English word ‘dynamite’. It refers to strength, power and ability, and it’s used in many areas of the New Testament. However, what about overcoming?

2015: The Year of Overcoming Power

This overcoming power is the Holy Spirit (1 John 4:4 GNT, MSG), whom Jesus describes as a person who convicts unbelievers of sin and believers of righteousness (John 16:9–10). This same power raised Jesus from the dead (Ephesians 1:20) is also known as ‘resurrection power’, implying that death, an enemy of God (1 Corinthians 15:26), has been crushed. It is the fully realised power of the sample that Jesus imparted in Matthew 9, the power that overcomes demons, disease and death, the effects of sin.

As such, the power in us is the exploding strength, power and ability to overcome the effects of sin, namely condemnation (ref Romans 8:1), fear (the antithesis to love, ref 1 John 4:18) and stress (ref Genesis 3:19), that lead to the more apparent issues that surface:

This power will provide things that pertain to life and godliness to overcome the above. The growth of this power, how it multiplies, is brought forth through the increased knowledge of Jesus Christ (2 Peter 1:2–4). While ignorance of Jesus will limit the power, knowledge causes it to multiply. And the knowledge is that we have been completely cleansed from all our former sins (2 Peter 1:9).

Contextually, the Holy Spirit was given on the Day of Pentecost, when Jesus poured out the Holy Spirit, on which the disciples spoke in tongues (Acts 2:4) and when Peter preached to a multitude, 3,000 being saved (Acts 2:14–41). But prophetically for Singapore, 2015 is Singapore’s Jubilee Year, 50 years of independence, paralleling the Pentecost that occurred 50 days after the Passover, thus implying an explosive nature of the Holy Spirit to fall upon the nation, the power that will overcome the above-mentioned struggles that we face.

This overcoming power is released from God and into us. It is supernatural, not one of self effort, and is received, not earned, in the unity of the body of Christ. As John Piper puts it, “You will not experience the overcoming power of the gospel in your life without the local church.” When the Church in Singapore is united, putting aside trivial matters and focused on Jesus, then a mighty outpouring of the Spirit forms the overcoming power that enables the above to come to pass. Why? So that you may have the power to live and share the abundant life which Jesus promised to all who trust and obey Him. Through overcoming power, we can substantively testify of the Gospel to our unsaved loved ones.

So get ready for 2015: the Year of Overcoming Power. 

It's Not Over

It’s Not Over, It’s Not Finished
It’s Not Ending, It’s Only The Beginning 
When God Is In It, All Things Are New
All Things Are New

—Israel and New Breed, 2012

Joel Kindiak's Malaysia Tour

For all you stalkers out there who read my blog (haha) I'll post the links to snippets of my Malaysia Tour vacation here:

Day 1 – http://youtu.be/wdvRMulVW08

Day 2 – http://youtu.be/1-_zf2v7iz8
Day 3 – http://youtu.be/vyTFeTfoOlo 
Day 4 – http://youtu.be/Z8PwaSspRdw
Day 5 – http://youtu.be/Ad9djdgMgVU
Day 6 – http://youtu.be/rl1GchSbNuI
Day 7 – http://youtu.be/pdX84lvbPaA

God’s Justice, My Justification

Joel Kindiak Expositions (6)

Date: 6 October 2014

Topic: God’s Justice, My Justification

Q Is punishment of sins due more to God’s mercy or God’s justice?

A Many of us undoubtedly believe that God is love. (1 John 4:8) In fact, two expositions ago, I wrote on how Christianity is first about God’s love for us (1 John 4:10), then our love for God in response. (1 John 4:19) We also believe that God is merciful. (Exodus 34:6) And, for the purposes of this exposition, we believe that God is just, just as David described Him as a righteous judge. (Psalm 7:11) However, in specificity, forgiveness of sins is on the basis of God’s justice rather than God’s mercy.

Proponents for God’s mercy argue that mercy is, by definition, being exempted from the curses that we deserve, and God, through the cross, has exempted us from death (John 3:16) unto everlasting life, saved by grace, not by works but unto good works (Ephesians 2:8–10), being spared of God’s wrath. (1 Thessalonians 5:9) By this definition, yes, God did indeed save us by His mercy on us and we are spared of God’s justice. God being rich in mercy has not imputed sin on us (Romans 4:8) and thus saved us not only from hell but also made us alive together with Christ (Ephesians 2:4), when His justice would destroy us in accordance to His holiness. It is inevitably by God’s mercy that we died with Christ and resurrected with Him (Romans 6:5), being born again in accordance with the Spirit (John 3:6) and these would not come to pass if God judged us based on our works according to His holiness.

However true these truths of God’s mercy may be, they reflect the nature of God’s sacrificial act for us and not the function, which is in accordance with God’s justice. God being holy is far from incognisant of sin (Habakkuk 1:13) and cannot tolerate one speck of sin, as opposed to God’s mercy which withholds judgement in light of sin (2 Peter 3:9), and thus seemingly contradicts the acts of unmerited favour and restrained punishment that follow His mercy. In order to make us free from the imputation and yet maintain a holy stance in punishing our sin, God needs to punish our sin in another person, just like how the verdict of a judge on a prisoner needs to be accomplished, and the punishment that brought us peace was upon Jesus Christ. (Isaiah 53:4) At the cross, Jesus, who knew no sin, became sin punished on behalf of us. (2 Corinthians 5:21) Thus, the process of Jesus receiving God’s wrath exacted upon our sin was more accurately brought about by God’s justice, a punishment of sin rather than the refraining of it that God’s mercy entails.

Furthermore, while God’s mercy introduces the connotation of God’s emotions, where God is merciful when He feels good and is wrathful when He feels bad, the nature of God’s justice lies in an action independent of God’s emotions, thus providing the believer a full assurance of His ever–righteous standing before Him. Some believers are unsure of their salvation as they perceive their sinful acts to pull them out of righteousness, since it was by God’s mercy, seemingly wavering, that pulled them in and by sinful acts, they fall out of God’s mercy and disqualify themselves from salvation.  Whereas by God’s justice, the believer can have full assurance in salvation, as it is not provided by wavering emotions that human comprehends but by the irreversible action of Jesus at the cross. It is by the action of God’s judgement of our sin on Jesus that imputes Jesus’ righteousness onto us (2 Corinthians 5:21), confirmed by the resurrection of Jesus on account of us being justified. (Romans 4:25) In order for Jesus to be raised from the dead, the believer needs to be made righteous, and logically, since Jesus did indeed rise, the believer has been, according to Scripture, judicially made righteous before God Almighty, thus having complete confirmation to salvation and allowing him or her to stand in faith, the confidence of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1), in Him.

Also, by the justice of God, salvation of the believer upholds the holiness of God. God’s justice demands punishment of sin whilst God’s mercy demands exemption from such punishment, by death, according to the Bible. (Romans 3:23) If God were to mercifully sweep our sins under the carpet and forgive us without anyone requiring death, it would violate His holy demands. However, if salvation depended on God judging our sins, it would require a perfect Man who also is God. No one fits the bill except Jesus Christ, the Son of God born of the virgin Mary (Matthew 1:18–25) in the likeness of sinful flesh. (Romans 8:3) And Jesus taking upon the punishment of sins and the corresponding punishment of the separation from God and death upholds God’s divine holiness that demands judgement of sin.  As such, through the cross, the sins of humanity were not spared; they were judicially punished but in the body of another, satisfying the demands of God’s justice. In that sense, God’s mercy gave Jesus, the sacrifice and substitute, to God’s justice, thus settling the debt that mankind incurred by robbing God of His joy of fellowship in the Garden of Eden, and God’s mercy is validated by God’s justice in the forgiveness of sins and imputation of righteousness.

Ultimately, while all believers can agree that where God’s mercy and God’s justice coincides at the cross, bringing about justification, the location where punishment of sins occur is by the grace of God while the act which punishment of sins is dealt with is by the justice of God. Through God’s justice and concrete actions, not His emotions toward us which we perceive to waver, we can stand fully assured that we are the righteousness of God in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:21) and that we may boldly enter the the throne of grace to receive mercy in the time of our need (Hebrews 4:16), securing our faith even in the fiercest of storms, where it’s not about us but about Jesus and how God punished our sins in Jesus righteously to make us righteous mercifully.

Let Endless Praise Resound!

You are God, and we lift You up
Weʼll keep singing, weʼll keep praising
We wonʼt stop, giving all we got
Cause You're worthy, of all glory

Oh, there is no other
You are forever, Lord over all
Thereʼs nobody like You, no one beside You

To You
Let endless praise resound
Every night and day, and with no delay
Let endless praise resound

Boundless love
Light before the sun
Your glory eternal
Never stops
Giving all You got
Creation keeps singing

We lift You up up up
Weʼre giving You our love love love
For everything Youʼve done done done
We give You all the praise

Planetshakers, 2014

A Dream

And no, I'm not talking about my foresight of the future. Just a brief account of my dream last night.

I found myself in what seemed like the Axis Theatre, the meeting site of my new home church, Hope Church Singapore, and me in my regular attire, red or black jacket and my knee-length shorts. Though the place was packed, I saw Natalie, Pamela and Tamara at distinct locations of the Axis Theatre just declaring what I believe to be a blessing over the congregation, which I was certain was mostly Megalife.

Why are they praying?
Why is it Megalife congregating and not Ablaze?

Then came what I remember to be an altar call, a call for provision of boldness and faith to those who lack, and being one whose spirit is willing but flesh is weak, I went up to receive prayer, later surrounded by three prayer warriors, one of whom was Hilary.

Hilary, what are you doing here and not in some European region?

Of course, I saw the other Megalifers, like Samuel, Faith, Marc, Alvin and so on, but I'll still wonder the significance of these distinct scenes that I remember after more than 12 hours unlike other dreams which I forget instantaneously.

Just a brief recount.

–Joel (8/12/14)

Reminiscence

2014: the Year of Greater Glory

January: meeting new friends. That's always fun, talking about the Bible and essentially enjoying fellowship at its finest. Awesome jump-start to JC Math as well.

February: School starts and motivation resumes. Encouragements exchanged, hearts lifted, minds set on success unto the glory of God. The year indeed will go great.

March: The month where my emotional level picks up. Kingdom Invasion gave me one heck of a ball of confusion, and my mind started wandering from the spirit realm to the heart's realm.

April: The confusion and convolution continues. My GP kicked off with a dismal U, and a 1.9 percentile (based on the final year report card). None of my cellmates celebrated my birthday. I felt like ruins. And heard the song Glorious Ruins for the first time.

May: I then consider my life like a cosine curve, starting positive but then starting to dip past the zero point and hit the negative. Holding on, but struggling a whole lot more than before, in my emotions, confusion maxima.

June: I blogged about this one. When I said May was the worst, I meant June, actually. June literally was the pits, the abyss of that cosine curve. Still clinging on, but so so convoluted in my thoughts and my feelings.

July: Repentance came. I turned to the Lord once more. It's time to live none of self but all of Christ. And finally, I climb out of that cosine curve.

August: The final 5 weeks in Riverlife, and my realisation of the church's love for me grew. The love of God in His people. Awesome farewell, awesome people.

September: On the church hunt and trying to get Dad to settle down, but to no avail. Schoolwork getting friendly to me, or if it were daunting, the Lord freely gave HIs strength to overcome. Finally at the zero point again when I was previously at negative.

October: Promos over and PW/Chinese season. Definitely pressurising, but empowering. Wave after wave of grace came, and fresh hope that the friends that I hold dear deep down will experience a fresh wave of salvation. The hope of repentance that some how, I don't know how or when, but because we are God's highly favoured, they will come to repentance once more.

November: OP, stunning Promos results, A*STAR internship, H3 Acceptance. Not without ups and downs, but hey, what fun is a roller coaster without them both? Emotionally stable, favoured by God and by men. This is the fruition of the road of recovery that started in July where I made the declaration: "None of self, all of Christ"

December: An awesome end to yet another awesome year. All because of the favour of God. The Year of Greater Glory.

Your Grace

Complained and swore "shit" at my groupmate for sending work late and hence causing me lose my available free time in the morning for QT. At that moment the Lord reminded me of His grace.

"Father, I receive Your grace."

Already 20 minutes late, I was concerned about taking the bus, and waiting another 10 minutes, I was really concerned about taking the bus...but God assured me that He is faithful and He will take me through.

"Father, I receive Your grace."

On the bus, my friend texted me and briefly shares of a semi-traumatic experience she had, hence requesting that I take over her for Scripture Reading. Having a passion to preach and yet a concerned heart, I felt distressed yet excited that God gave me yet another opportunity to preach, to declare Jesus. That said, the traffic conjestion at Stevens Road was quite slow, and I was concerned about making it to school on time.

"Father, I receive Your grace."

At school, my adrenaline rose. I started to notice the demands placed upon me, to give a message not too long but not to generic, to not keep the Saints in the haze, literally. The demands. And the Lord reminded me in the midst of the demand to focus on His supply, His grace. Then later on as I prepared myself to share, my friend was already on the stage signalling that she's okay. Which means I need not share today.

"Father, I receive Your grace."

Oral presentation, we were given a temporal reprieve and were allowed to rehearse the slides. Clash of styles gave me temporal volcano eruptions, but nonetheless remained calm. Thank God for His grace. The day ended early; thank God for His grace! On the bus, though, my mind started to go astray. I saw a whole entourage of high school girls and started to have dirty, lustful thoughts. What should I do in this moment? Feel guilty for being "unsaved" by my sin?

"Father, I receive Your grace."

"Lord, this is horrible lust! Help me!" And by grace, the Lord closed my eyes to keep them focused not on the temptation, which the Bible mentions to flee, but on the name of Jesus. There is no other name, but the name of Jesus. Back home, as I replenish the Daily Verses database, I have trouble not reusing what I have shared before, I need help.

"Father, I receive Your grace."

And the day ends peacefully.

"Father, I receive Your grace."

Proud yet Disappointed

Every time Darlene Zschech sings,

Holy, Holy, God Almighty,

the part of the song "I Adore", tears of pride and disappointment well up in my heart.

In June 2013, during Kingdom Call, the youngest of the campers were tasked to pray for the oldest, and as they prayed this song was playing. And as they prayed, the presence of God intensified in the room. And as they prayed, I felt as though they glowed. The more I reminisce about them, the more they glow.

I was proud of them. I knew they would do amazing things.

Now as I prepare for my next visit, I do not know what to expect. I have found out that many, if not all have lost the flame, and even the frontrunners of faith were starting to lose steam. Believers are turning to human idols and even blasphemy. The people whom I was proud of...what happened to you? What's with the wrong believing?

I was disappointed.

But I'll say this: I have greater confidence in Jesus' righteousness than Adam's son, and I believe that where sin increased, grace superabounded. The more they sin, the greater and more amazing the repentance, the change, and the greater the glory that God Almighty deserves.

Proud yet disappointed, but not giving up the hope. My Jesus will make it all better.

Risen

Risen, He's risen

Forever glorified

Risen, He's risen

King Jesus, King Jesus is alive!

The same power, the same power

That crushed the enemy

The same power, the same power

The same power lives in me

In Jesus' Name

God is fighting for us,
Pushing back the darkness
Lighting up the Kingdom
That cannot be shaken
In the Name of Jesus,
Enemy's defeated
And we will shout it out,
Shout it out

—Darlene Zschech, 2013

Ace by Grace

Straight A's in FEs to shout world how I got it: not by mugging exams but by resting in the GRACE and UNMERITED FAVOUR of my God. Studying? Do that on a consistent basis not for the grades but to honour God as a student.

The freedom generation

We are the free

The freedom generation

Singing of mercy

You are the One who set us all in motion

Yours is the glory

There's a fire in our hearts 

And it burns for you

It's never gonna fade away

We are the free

Yours is the glory!

28 September 2014

For if by the one man’s offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ. (Romans 5:17 NKJV)

27 September 2014

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8 NIV)

While we were still sinners. In our sin, Christ came to give us salvation.

26 September 2014

The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their cry (Psalm 34:15).

Good morning. I pray that you will find favor in the people you meet and will be able to carry the presence of the Lord with you. I pray for His love and guidance, His strength and wisdom, His Truth and Light. In Jesus' name, Amen.

25 September 2014

And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. (Romans 8:28 NLT)

24 September 2014

But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved)... (Ephesians 2:4-5 NKJV)

23 September 2014

Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit. (Ephesians 2:19-22 NIV)

22 September 2014

He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit. (Ephesians 2:17-18 NIV)

Through Jesus, we have access to God! Think about it: God! So when it gets tough to honor God in your actions, hey, in spite of that sense of not doing enough for God, come to Him, because you have access not by you but by Jesus!

21 September 2014

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. (Ephesians 2:8-10 NIV)

You weren't saved by works. You're saved by grace, through faith (by receiving the gift of God). Your works are a fruit of your faith, not the root. So now that you are saved by faith, exemplify your faith, His love in you, through your works. Take the route of work God prepared for you, now that you are the righteousness of God in Christ. (2 Corinthians 5:21)

20 September 2014

Throughout Jewish history in the OT, people feared God and there were good reasons for that. God thundered on Mt. Sinai and forbade anyone up the mountain except Moses (Exodus 19:16, 21). Access to God was granted only through the high priest with very specific instructions (Leviticus) Accidentally touching the Ark of the Covenant, which represented the holy presence of God, and you will be zapped (2 Samuel 6:6-7).

 

God’s presence was a cause for fear but Jesus’ death and resurrection changed all that. When Jesus died at the cross, the temple curtain (veil) separating the Holy of Holies from the rest of the temple was completely torn (Matthew 27:50-51), now allowing us access to God without fear. God’s wrath for our sin has been satisfied, and we are invited into His presence: “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace” (Hebrews 4:16). Today our fear of God is a reverent fear of Him, the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 9:10).

 

God has not changed – He is still omnipresent; but because of Jesus, our circumstances have changed and we can come to God through prayer anywhere, anytime.

19 September 2014

Fear not, for I 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 NKJV)

When we uphold ourselves, we succeed for some time then fail away, but when God upholds us with HIS righteous hands...we are upheld and being constantly upheld. Place your confidence in getting through the day in Him!

18 September 2014

“Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”

Because you look forward to the day Jesus comes again to restore our bodies, and that you may be with Him forever and ever, live a life that is set apart, like not using profanity in a community that does on a regular basis.

However, more important than the action, the commitment to love holy, is the motivation, that I'm doing all this not to get into God's good books, but because I already am in God's good books through His Son, Jesus, and this undeserved favor empowers me to go and sin no more, to honor Him in my actions.

17 September 2014

And I will soar on wings like eagles

Held by the hand of God

I will run and not grow tired

When on His name I call

For The Lord is never weary

His ways are beyond my thoughts

I will trust in Him with all my heart

~Like Eagles, Don Moen

But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint. (Isaiah 40:31 NKJV)

16 September 2014

Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, (prophecies) will fail; whether there are tongues, (tongues) will cease; whether there is knowledge, (knowledge) will vanish away. [1 Corinthians 13:8 NKJV]

Lover never fails. It's alright not to have "gold dust" or "great visions" or "strange dreams" or "spiritual attacks" to define how strong or precious you are in Christ Jesus. All that matters is He loves You and His love endures forever. Lover never fails!

If you would love to encourage others with a verse or a devotional of your own, do send them to me and I'll use the daily verses as a platform to help amplify your encouragement ;)

15 September 2014

Behold, He who keeps Israel Shall neither slumber nor sleep. (Psalm 121:4 NKJV)

If God keeps a nation safe, how much more an individual like you?

If you would love to encourage others with a verse or a devotional of your own, do send them to me and I'll use the daily verses as a platform to help amplify your encouragement ;)

14 September 2014

Let Your mercies come also to me, O LORD — Your salvation according to Your word. So shall I have an answer for him who reproaches me, For I trust in Your word. (Psalm 119:41-42 NKJV)

Amen?

If you would love to encourage others with a verse or a devotional of your own, do send them to me and I'll use the daily verses as a platform to help amplify your encouragement ;)

13 September 2014

The LORD is my strength and song, And He has become my salvation. (Psalm 118:14 NKJV)

If you would love to encourage others with a verse or a devotional of your own, do send them to me and I'll use the daily verses as a platform to help amplify your encouragement ;)

12 September 2014

He also brought them out with silver and gold, And there was none feeble among His tribes. (Psalm 105:37 NKJV)

When the Israelites left Egypt the night the Egyptian firstborn were killed, they left with finances and health. God's provision is more than enough for His people when they follow His call, Amen?

If you would love to encourage others with a verse or a devotional of your own, do send them to me and I'll use the daily verses as a platform to help amplify your encouragement ;)

11 September 2014

A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. (Psalm 91:7 NIV)

If you would love to encourage others with a verse or a devotional of your own, do send them to me and I'll use the daily verses as a platform to help amplify your encouragement ;)

10 September 2014

You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday. (Psalm 91:5-6 NIV)

If you would love to encourage others with a verse or a devotional of your own, do send them to me and I'll use the daily verses as a platform to help amplify your encouragement ;)

9 September 2014

Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days. (Psalm 90:14 NIV)

That's why it's good to in the morning indulge in the things of God. Spend time with God. Don't need to take too long, but spend some time, that His presence and mercy lead you well through the tough times.

8 September 2014

Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion! When God restores his people, let Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad! (Psalm 53:6 NIV)

7 September 2014

Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken. (Psalm 55:22 NIV)

6 September 2014

Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. (Psalm 42:5 NIV)

5 September 2014

Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord.” And you forgave the guilt of my sin. (Psalm 32:5 NIV)

4 September 2014

I sought the LORD, and He heard me, And delivered me from all my fears. (Psalm 34:4 NKJV)

3 September 2014

Though my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will receive me. (Psalm 27:10 NIV)

2 September 2014

The LORD is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid? (Psalm 27:1 NKJV)

1 September 2014

No one who hopes in you (the Lord) will ever be put to shame, but shame will come on those who are treacherous without cause. (Psalm 25:3 NIV)

31 August 2014

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the LORD Forever. (Psalm 23:6 NKJV)

30 August 2014

Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;

But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night.

He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper. (Psalm 1:1-3 NKJV)

29 August 2014

But friends, that’s exactly who we are: children of God. And that’s only the beginning. Who knows how we’ll end up! What we know is that when Christ is openly revealed, we’ll see him—and in seeing him, become like him. All of us who look forward to his Coming stay ready, with the glistening purity of Jesus’ life as a model for our own. [1 John 3:2-3]

28 August 2014

What marvelous love the Father has extended to us! Just look at it—we’re called children of God! That’s who we really are. But that’s also why the world doesn’t recognize us or take us seriously, because it has no idea who he is or what he’s up to. [1 John 3:1]

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:13 NKJV)

27 August 2014

And now, children, stay with Christ. Live deeply in Christ. Then we’ll be ready for him when he appears, ready to receive him with open arms, with no cause for red-faced guilt or lame excuses when he arrives. Once you’re convinced that he is right and righteous, you’ll recognize that all who practice righteousness are God’s true children. [1 John 2:28-29]

26 August 2014

Don’t love the world’s ways. Don’t love the world’s goods. Love of the world squeezes out love for the Father. Practically everything that goes on in the world—wanting your own way, wanting everything for yourself, wanting to appear important—has nothing to do with the Father. It just isolates you from him. The world and all its wanting, wanting, wanting is on the way out—but whoever does what God wants is set for eternity. [1 John 2:15-17]

25 August 2014

By faith, barren Sarah was able to become pregnant, old woman as she was at the time, because she believed the One who made a promise would do what he said. That’s how it happened that from one man’s dead and shriveled loins there are now people numbering into the millions. [Hebrews 11:11-12]

His Love

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:35, 38–39 NKJV)

Grace

It's in the moment of complete helplessness and depravity.

"When one has been driven to a corner, that's when he can realize that God is the only way." –Tay Zhengyu, 2011, China Immersion Trip

Only at a corner, at the pit of our lives, at the deepest valley where everything is stripped from us, will we see Jesus and trust Him. And may that turning point continue on.

Deeper waters

We're falling into deeper waters, calling out to You. We're walking into deeper waters, going after You.

Privacy

Having been staying with my cousin for about 4 weeks now, and having 12 more to go before I migrate to my new home, I'm starting to miss the privacy of being home alone. There is always someone else in the house, considering that it's not mine, and I can't let loose.

Oh, how I long for my room. To freely bask in the presence of my Savior!

I can't but You can

I can't quit social media addiction, but Christ can!

I'm not even going to try because I cannot, but Christ can!

Random complaints

You have influence. Influence to drive people to the Lord or turn them away from Him. Even they will be accountable to their decision, you will be held accountable for influencing that decision.

Why follow what others say? Yes, some things, give or take, aren't harmful, but issues like profanity and abusive defense...are you going to follow a human, albeit a great human but nonetheless a regular sinful human, or are you going to follow the perfect Human who gave His life for you? Spend time with your friends, but DON'T LET THEM BE YOUR GOD!

It is saddening to see the fire rise and fall. Saddening. Very saddening.

My friend, why continue in the devil's lie of depression? Don't you know that depression, rejection and self-pity is of the devil? Are you telling me you actually enjoy indulging in the devil's workings? Wake up! Rise up! Jesus doesn't have depression, neither do you in this world. Yes, the world (and even Christians!) will reject you, but the Father forsook Jesus once for all at the cross that He may embrace you for all eternity now and forevermore. Break out of the devil's lie!

Wait

Wait until mature.

Until we've graduated.

I'll be back, promise.

Admit Both Sides of the Issue

During my Mid-Year Examinations, I got an E for Economics. I wasn't happy. I wasn't satisfied. (#firstworldproblems). I was born to get straight-As, and the E here and E in General Paper was stopping me from that. I was born for excellence, not that I'm subject to excellence, but that God has designed me with ability to excel. And 'E' isn't exactly excellence.

On the other hand, I got 75 percentile, meaning I beat 3/4 of the cohort. Isn't that comforting? My cohort had an average of U, which goes to say I'm pretty above average. My friends (church and school) tell me that I should be grateful for this gift that God has given me. I should be satisfied. I should be thankful and no more. I did relatively much better than my cohort!

What should I do?

Consider Philippians 4:8, where "whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things." Excellence in academia fits the bill. And not excellence through underhand means like cheating but through God-given diligence. Diligence is virtuous and one should reap what he sows into his ministry, in this case, as a student.

Now let me clarify, it is not I, but Christ in me, that brings forth excellence. Also, excellence does not need to manifest in the standards of the world, as God determines it. It just so happens that my standard of excellence coincides with that of the world.

So I'll do this: thank God for the current glory, that even though the paper killed the cohort, I did relatively better. Thank God for the present glory. But I won't stop there; I'll eagerly and earnestly expect God for greater glory (aka hope, Romans 5:5), in my case, straight-As in my Promotional Examinations this time. God has designed me with capability for excellence, and I will persevere in His grace, not me studying but Him in me, that I fulfill my role as a student. I don't thank God for the E, per sé, but the determination and diligence that God spurred in me during the struggle from E to A. And His grace will take me to that level of excellence.

Disclaimer: Yes, I desire stunning results, but it's not the end of the world if I don't get them. What matters the most is that I have honored The Lord as a student, and He will honor me.

I will admit both sides of the issue. Thank God for the good and not the bad but the struggle in the bad.

God didn't create bad things like sicknesses and failure. These are the works of the devil or of the flesh. That said, because God is so good, He will take us out of it. Sometimes He takes us out via a struggle to make us stronger. So we thank God not for the struggle but for the strengthening during the struggle. We thank God for the challenge that makes us more resilient and persevering, to tackle on the fight of life. God gives us the victory. Our defeat is a reflection of the moment when we forget God's provision.

So in the midst of sickness, don't thank God for the sickness. Hate the sickness. But thank God that while you aren't immediately healed, The Lord has made you much, much stronger than before due the the struggle with that sickness. Don't stop believing. Don't thank God for the failure or the weakness but His guidance out of that failure and His strength in your weakness.

I'll admit both sides of the issue.

Joel Kindiak

No, You're Not Mad With Me

But now Your grace for me is ever chasing me
No possibility of ever letting go
And You're not mad at me, no You're not mad at me
You're madly in love with me
You love me madly, madly, madly

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
Follow me all my days
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
Yeah, follow me all of the days of my life

Read more: Israel Houghton - Surely Goodness Lyrics | MetroLyrics 

24 August 2014

By faith, Noah built a ship in the middle of dry land. He was warned about something he couldn’t see, and acted on what he was told. The result? His family was saved. His act of faith drew a sharp line between the evil of the unbelieving world and the rightness of the believing world. As a result, Noah became intimate with God. [Hebrews 11:7]

23 August 2014

By an act of faith, Enoch skipped death completely. “They looked all over and couldn’t find him because God had taken him.” We know on the basis of reliable testimony that before he was taken “he pleased God.” It’s impossible to please God apart from faith. And why? Because anyone who wants to approach God must believe both that he exists and that he cares enough to respond to those who seek him. [Hebrews 11:5-6]

22 August 2014

The fundamental fact of existence is that this trust in God, this faith, is the firm foundation under everything that makes life worth living. It’s our handle on what we can’t see. The act of faith is what distinguished our ancestors, set them above the crowd. [Hebrews 11:1-2]

21 August 2014

“But the exact day and hour? No one knows that, not even heaven’s angels, not even the Son. Only the Father. So keep a sharp lookout, for you don’t know the timetable. It’s like a man who takes a trip, leaving home and putting his servants in charge, each assigned a task, and commanding the gatekeeper to stand watch. So, stay at your post, watching. You have no idea when the homeowner is returning, whether evening, midnight, cockcrow, or morning. You don’t want him showing up unannounced, with you asleep on the job. I say it to you, and I’m saying it to all: Stay at your post. Keep watch.” [Mark 13:32-37]

20 August 2014

“Take a lesson from the fig tree. From the moment you notice its buds form, the merest hint of green, you know summer’s just around the corner. And so it is with you. When you see all these things, you know he is at the door. Don’t take this lightly. I’m not just saying this for some future generation, but for this one, too—these things will happen. Sky and earth will wear out; my words won’t wear out. [Mark 13:28-31]

19 August 2014

“Following those hard times, Sun will fade out, moon cloud over, Stars fall out of the sky, cosmic powers tremble.

And then they’ll see the Son of Man enter in grand style, his Arrival filling the sky—no one will miss it! He’ll dispatch the angels; they will pull in the chosen from the four winds, from pole to pole. [Mark 13:24-27]

18 August 2014

“These are going to be hard days—nothing like it from the time God made the world right up to the present. And there’ll be nothing like it again. If he let the days of trouble run their course, nobody would make it. But because of God’s chosen people, those he personally chose, he has already intervened. [Mark 13:19-20]

17 August 2014

When they bring you, betrayed, into court, don’t worry about what you’ll say. When the time comes, say what’s on your heart—the Holy Spirit will make his witness in and through you. [Mark 13:11]

16 August 2014

Sitting across from the offering box, he was observing how the crowd tossed money in for the collection. Many of the rich were making large contributions. One poor widow came up and put in two small coins—a measly two cents. Jesus called his disciples over and said, “The truth is that this poor widow gave more to the collection than all the others put together. All the others gave what they’ll never miss; she gave extravagantly what she couldn’t afford—she gave her all.” [Mark 12:41-44]

15 August 2014

Jesus was matter-of-fact: “Embrace this God-life. Really embrace it, and nothing will be too much for you. This mountain, for instance: Just say, ‘Go jump in the lake’—no shuffling or shilly-shallying—and it’s as good as done. That’s why I urge you to pray for absolutely everything, ranging from small to large. Include everything as you embrace this God-life, and you’ll get God’s everything. And when you assume the posture of prayer, remember that it’s not all asking. If you have anything against someone, forgive —only then will your heavenly Father be inclined to also wipe your slate clean of sins.” [Mark 11:22-25]

13 August 2014

This is the kind of love we are talking about—not that we once upon a time loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to clear away our sins and the damage they’ve done to our relationship with God. [1 John 4:10]

Streets of London

by Ralph McTell

Have you seen the old man 

In the closed-down market 

Kicking up the paper, 

with his worn out shoes? 

In his eyes you see no pride 

Hand held loosely at his side

Yesterday's paper telling yesterday's news 

So how can you tell me you're lonely, 

And say for you that the sun don't shine? 

Let me take you by the hand and lead you through the streets of London 

I'll show you something to make you change your mind 

Have you seen the old girl 

Who walks the streets of London 

Dirt in her hair and her clothes in rags? 

She's no time for talking, 

She just keeps right on walking 

Carrying her home in two carrier bags. 

So how can you tell me you're lonely, 

And say for you that the sun don't shine? 

Let me take you by the hand and lead you through the streets of London 

I'll show you something to make you change your mind 

In the all night cafe

At a quarter past eleven, 

Same old man is sitting there on his own 

Looking at the world 

Over the rim of his tea-cup, 

Each tea last an hour 

Then he wanders home alone 

So how can you tell me you're lonely, 

And say for you that the sun don't shine? 

Let me take you by the hand and lead you through the streets of London 

I'll show you something to make you change your mind 

And have you seen the old man 

Outside the seaman's mission 

Memory fading with 

The medal ribbons that he wears. 

In our winter city, 

The rain cries a little pity 

For one more forgotten hero 

And a world that doesn't care 

So how can you tell me you're lonely, 

And say for you that the sun don't shine? 

Let me take you by the hand and lead you through the streets of London 

I'll show you something to make you change your mind 

12 August 2014

The people brought children to Jesus, hoping he might touch them. The disciples shooed them off. But Jesus was irate and let them know it: “Don’t push these children away. Don’t ever get between them and me. These children are at the very center of life in the kingdom. Mark this: Unless you accept God’s kingdom in the simplicity of a child, you’ll never get in.” Then, gathering the children up in his arms, he laid his hands of blessing on them. [Mark 10:13-16]

11 August 2014

“Everyone’s going through a refining fire sooner or later, but you’ll be well-preserved, protected from the eternal flames. Be preservatives yourselves. Preserve the peace.” [Mark 9:49-50]

10 August 2014

He asked the boy’s father, “How long has this been going on?” “Ever since he was a little boy. Many times it pitches him into fire or the river to do away with him. If you can do anything, do it. Have a heart and help us!” Jesus said, “If? There are no ‘ifs’ among believers. Anything can happen.” [Mark 9:21-23]

9 August 2014

Then Peter, turning around, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following, who also had leaned on His breast at the supper… [John 21:20]

In the Gospel of John, you will find John referring to himself as “the disciple whom Jesus loved” several times. Why did he do that? Did Jesus love him more than the rest?

John was simply practicing and personalizing the love that Jesus had for him. As you keep reminding yourself that you are the disciple whom Jesus loves, you will grow in the consciousness of the Lord’s love for you. And the more you are conscious of His love for you, the more you will find your fears dissipating. Why? Because His perfect love casts out all fear (1 John 4:18). And besides living fear-free, you will also begin to experience an increased measure of His free favors! -Joseph Prince

7 August 2014

Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path. [Psalm 119:105]

In a place where there is literally no light around you, His word will be a lamp to your feet. Now that isn't much light to know what's ahead, but enough to do what God wills at that point in time.

In darkness, follow God's word, be it Scripture or song or science, for He will guide you with His word, step by step, bit by bit.

6 August 2014

Many, O LORD my God, are Your wonderful works Which You have done; And Your thoughts toward us Cannot be recounted to You in order; If I would declare and speak of them, They are more than can be numbered. [Psalm 40:5]

5 August 2014

Then he said to Him, “If Your Presence does not go with us, do not bring us up from here. For how then will it be known that Your people and I have found grace in Your sight, except You go with us... [Exodus 33:15-16]

The presence of the Lord IS evidence that He shows favor on us. The Lord was with Joseph and Joseph prospered. Our prosperity is the presence of God. And this presence is clear evidence that God shows us undeserved, unmerited, unearned favor.

Live in His presence. Live in His grace.

Blessed

I'm blessed.

Inspiring quotes (9/8/14)

Btw, happy Jubliee year, Singapore! May God do an extravagant work in our nation!

The cure for a lonely heart is to be alone with Jesus. -Joseph Prince

No other name like Jesus; no one can stand against us. Jesus, You hold the victory, death and sin defeated. -Audacious

Time and again, love never ends, finding freedom here; never letting go of You again. My saving grace; champion of my faith, finding freedom here; never letting go of You again. -Audacious

What if? -Joel Kindiak

We come to Jesus to obtain joy not as a ticket to Jesus, but that Jesus is the joy that we seek -adapted from John Piper

Baruch haba b'shem Adonai -author unknown

You don't need a person to tell you "I love you" to see that he/she does. -author unknown

Random thoughts (8/8/14)

So full of Your favor, so full of Your love.

I'm blessed, exceedingly, abundantly more than enough, to be a blessing.

I don't like how my earphones keep messing around in my pocket.

After Sec Two, I was so elated that I wouldn't have to deal with my class anymore, only to realize that it's part of me running away from the problem of rejection.

I come alive; I'm alive when You speak to me.

After running around for a while, one would get tired and realize that only the Lord can restore him.

An unfortunate reality is that we are unlikely to ever meet people who have left us ever again.

At least I know the location. I have 3 weeks drop by one day before my shift.

I don't respond to desperation.

It's the last few hours of Singapore's 49th year.

Stop attributing things to Mother Nature and start resigning to the truth of Father God.

Treasure your family.

It is one thing to be loving and another to be overprotective.

I will not let the moodiness of others steal my joy, in Jesus' name!

Cherishing ev'ry moment with Riverlife.

27 Days

In 27 days, I'll be moving on from Riverlife Church. I'm gonna miss them a ton. All the memories will stay etched in my mind and possibly my heart too, how these children of God have blessed AND hurt me before. Hey, a good experience is not just one of joy but also one of grief, and in Riverlife Church I've received a fair share of both. Eventful, indeed.

Whilst I cannot detail every nitty-gritty detail of my amazing times, I can give the headers and the possible time periods which they reside in.

AH Cell, January 2010–December 2012
Camp Noise, December 2010
Batam Mission Trip, November–December 2011
Dance Ministry, December 2011–August 2013
Camp Activate, June 2012
Superlife Usher Ministry, September 2012–June 2014

Kingdom Call, June 2013
Superlife Musicals, December 2012 and 2013

Camp Kadash, 2014

And the most significant to me of all:
Weekly Sunday Chats, June 2012–August 2014

I would love to detail them...but I'm pretty zonked right about now. Perhaps another day when I have more energy will I cover them all. I still have 16 cheesy farewell letters to write, so I really have no idea when I might cover this (and considering PW is a daunting task for me, I might spend more time on it than here, unfortunately)

4 August 2014

“So they shall put My name on the children of Israel, and I will bless them.” [Numbers 6:27]

When the name of God, Yahweh, is upon Israel, they are blessed. Today, God has sealed you with His name, and You can expect His blessings of protection and provision for you to glorify His name.

3 August 2014

The LORD lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace. [Numbers 6:26]

2 August 2014

The LORD make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you; [Numbers 6:25]

1 August 2014

The LORD bless you and keep you; [Numbers 6:24]

31 July 2014

And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work. [2 Corinthians 9:8]

This good work refers to charity, in the context, or helping a brother out. In short, ministry. And our ministries include being good friends, being good children, being good parents, being good students and so one

God is ready to supply you whatever you seem to lack in whichever ministry you are in.

30 July 2014

Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. [Psalm 139:16]

The Lord knows your going in and your going out. He knows us so well and when we say 'Yes' to His ways, acknowledging that He knows what's best for us much more than we will ever know, He will lead us in His ways for us, ultimately to prosper us (not without trials) and give us hope and a future.

29 July 2014

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. [Galatians 5:1]

Freedom is not the ability to do anything. It is the ability to say 'Yes' to good and say 'No' to evil. When Christ sets you free, you are free from sin and citizens of His righteousness.

What for go back to sin?

28 July 2014

God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. [2 Corinthians 5:21]

At the cross, God treated Jesus, who knew no sin, as the world's greatest sinner, punishing Him on behalf of the world of the past, present and future. But that's not all!

Jesus became sin that we might become righteous, and God treats us, who are steeped in sin, as heaven's best, blessing us on behalf of His beloved Son of the past, present and future. 

27 July 2014

In his days Judah will be saved and Israel will live in safety. This is the name by which he will be called: The Lord Our Righteous Savior. [Jeremiah 23:6]

Who is the Lord here? He is Jesus, our righteous Savior, in whom we are well-pleasing in God's eyes (Matt 3, 1 John 4:17), by whom we are righteous (2 Cor 5:21) and because of whom we love (1 John 4:19).

And where the Lord dwells, there is glory, peace and victory. Let the Lord dwell in every area of your life, that our lives may be fulfilling ones that are victorious. Let the Lord reign in our life, for He is righteous and He loves us. We owe it *all* to Him.

26 July 2014

"...I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint." [Jeremiah 31:25]

As we look at the promises of God in the book of Jeremiah, we see that a God is always out to restore His people after judging them. Once their sin is punished and accounted for by some means of judgment, God always has plans to restore them to their better-than-original condition.

And today, we receive this prosperity; prosperity to prosper others and to bring forth the gospel, because, BECAUSE, Jesus Christ is our judgment of sin and our sins have been burnt up once and for all at the cross. This means that today, you and I can judicially and freely receive God's rest, that it's not about us; it's about Jesus.

25 July 2014

But I will restore you to health and heal your wounds,’ declares the Lord, ‘because you are called an outcast, Zion for whom no one cares.’ [Jeremiah 30:17]

Israel had been infamous for continually sinning against God over and over again, even after God repeatedly showed His great mercy over them. And in the end, the Lord still promised to heal them of their damages, physical for the individuals and social for the nation.

You may feel that you have let God down over and over and over again, and God won't show grace and mercy to you. Guess what? He still does, and now does it with an even greater, magnanimous measure, as He promises to heal you on the basis of Jesus' wounds. (Isaiah 53:5)

There is hope for the hopeless. His name is Jesus.

24 July 2014

As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving. [Colossians 2:6-7]

Your spiritual life grows because of Jesus' finished work allowing you to have fellowship with Daddy God. Don't try to earn your relationship, but out of the goodness of God, thank Him and love Him because He first loved you! It's not about us; it's all about Jesus!

23 July 2014

HELLO :) I couldn't resist quoting all these different versions of this verse. Because it reveals that Jesus doesn't just love us, He's madly in love, head over heels, absolutely crazy over us!

Song of Solomon 4:9

Contemporary English Version (CEV)

9 My bride, my very own,

    you have stolen my heart!

With one glance from your eyes

and the glow of your necklace,

    you have stolen my heart.

Song of Solomon 4:9

New Living Translation (NLT)

9 You have captured my heart,

    my treasure,[a] my bride.

You hold it hostage with one glance of your eyes,

    with a single jewel of your necklace.

Song of Solomon 4:9

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

9 “You have made my heart beat faster, my sister, my bride;

You have made my heart beat faster with a single glance of your eyes,

With a single strand of your necklace.

Song of Solomon 4:9

Amplified Bible (AMP)

9 You have ravished my heart and given me courage, my sister, my [promised] bride; you have ravished my heart and given me courage with one look from your eyes, with one jewel of your necklace.

Can you see it, all we have to do, is look at Him, for even a second, and His divine heart beats faster. The God of the cosmos, of the whole world! The Lord of everything, His heart beats faster with a single glance of our eyes!

-Jing Rong Ho

22 July 2014

And Hannah prayed and said: “My heart rejoices in the LORD; My horn (strength) is exalted in the LORD. I smile at my enemies, Because I rejoice in Your salvation. [1 Samuel 2:1]

What salvation is Hannah talking about? Is it salvation from hell to heaven? Of course not! Salvation in this context refers to God answering her prayer and RESTORING her!

My friend, Jesus died that you may be saved; that you may be restored! Whatever you lost in the past, be it time, money, relationships, family time, health and so on, rejoice, for the Lord is your restoration for all things lost!

21 July 2014

Now Hannah spoke in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard. Therefore Eli thought she was drunk. [1 Samuel 1:13]

Notice how Hannah's prayer was so soft to the point Eli saw her as drunk, but the Lord listens to it and answers it nonetheless? On the other hand, we see Elijah commanding, "There shall be no rain for 3.5 years!"

It's not about how loud or how soft your prayer is. It's not about your sincerity (Hannah was sincere, but Elijah just spoke). It's about your God, the One who answers prayers. It's not about your prayer but about who you are praying to. 

And He loves you.

20 July 2014

And God sent me before you to preserve a posterity for you in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance. [Genesis 45:7]

In the story of Joseph, we see that God sent him ahead of the rest to bless them in famine. Jesus is our spiritual Joseph, and the Father sent Jesus ahead of us to provide us in famine.

My friend, during lack, weaknesses and sicknesses, Jesus was sent to bring you to completion, body, soul and spirit. Would you tell Him how much you need Him, and take from His abundant supply? Just ask.

19 July 2014

Why do you spend money for what is not bread, And your wages for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, And let your soul delight itself in abundance. [Isaiah 55:2]

So often we spend a disproportionately large amount of our money on the things that are not of God. I'm not saying that everything bought should be about religion and God, but when large amount of time and money we spend on worldly things, we are not satisfied.

I'm saying that when the bulk of your time and money is spend on bread (food: physical and spiritual), you will be truly satisfied, and have much more money leftover.

So let your soul delight in abundance coming from the goodness of God!

18 July 2014

God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. [2 Corinthians 5:21]

Many of us focus on part one, where Jesus became sin. But do you know of part two?

That in Him we may become the righteousness of God in Christ.

Start focusing as well on seeing yourself as the righteousness of God in Christ, my friend!

17 July 2014

Truth shall spring out of the earth, And righteousness shall look down from heaven. Yes, the LORD will give what is good; And our land will yield its increase. Righteousness will go before Him, And shall make His footsteps our pathway. [Psalm 85:11-13]

I proclaim these promises over your life this very day, in Jesus' name!

16 July 2014

Surely His salvation is near to those who fear Him, That glory may dwell in our land. Mercy and truth have met together; Righteousness and peace have kissed. [Psalm 85:9-10]

This sounds like a prophecy to me. A prophecy about Jesus. In fact the word 'salvation' in Hebrew is the root word for 'Yeshua', which is literally Jesus' name!

Glory dwells where Jesus dwells. At the cross, God's truth in punishing our sins kissed with His mercy in sparing us, by punishing Jesus for our sins, on our behalf, declaring us righteous not by merit but by His effort.

15 July 2014

I will hear what God the LORD will speak, For He will speak peace To His people and to His saints; But let them not turn back to folly. [Psalm 85:8]

The wisest thing to do and the most beneficial is to hear Him. In Hebrew,

Shema, which means 'hear attentively'. Hear His peace and may His grace and may His ways empower you to go and sin no more. (John 8:11)

14 July 2014

Will You be angry with us forever? Will You prolong Your anger to all generations? Will You not revive us again, That Your people may rejoice in You? Show us Your mercy, LORD, And grant us Your salvation. [Psalm 85:5-7]

The mercy of the Lord is that He turns His anger away from His people and revives them again, that they may rejoice Him. And through Jesus, we have such mercy! Rejoice, for the Lord is no longer angry at you!

13 July 2014

You have taken away all Your wrath; You have turned from the fierceness of Your anger. Restore us, O God of our salvation, And cause Your anger toward us to cease. [Psalm 85:3-4]

Before Christ, the Jews longed for God to turn His anger from them, after they have repented. But as God swore that never again will He destroy the earth with a flood (confirm plus chop), He also swore that He will never be angry with us not rebuke (condemn) us, Isaiah 54:9-10.

(Sidenote: God does discipline those whom He loves, Hebrews 12:6, but the Hebrew word for that in Isaiah is the word used in Zechariah 3:2 where it says, 'The Lord rebuke you, Satan!')

God is not angry at you today!

Prayer of Rest

Father I thank you
that you have made a way
for me to come into your presence

By faith [take a step forward]
I step into the realm of your presence
and ask you to forgive me
for doing things in my own strength.
I repent of providing for and protecting myself;
I repent of finding significance in achievements
and trying to create my own self image;
I repent of comparing myself with others.

I repent of trying to be somebody else
and trying to meet others’ expectations;
I repent of wearing masks of pretence to cover up my inadequacies;
I repent of trying to be good and righteous
using dead works
to try to please God and others;
I repent for trying to make amends for my past.

I repent for trying to maintain control of my life.
Today Jesus I wilfully, with desire,
hand over responsibility for my life over to You.
I cast all my burdens onto you
and hand over responsibility
for my family, finances and future.

I cast all my sin, guilt,
shame and condemnation onto You
I cast all my sorrows, grief,
disappointments, worry, anxiety and fear onto You.
I cast all my debts onto You;
I cast all the weight of expectation onto you;
I surrender control of my life to You.

I choose to be yoked to You Jesus:
Train me in gentleness and humility
to bring me to the place of maturity.

Now, Lord, I step back [take a step back]
into this earthly dimension,
bringing Your rest with me
to live in the eye of the storm.

I choose to live from the seat of rest.

Credit: https://freedomarc.wordpress.com/tag/jesus/