I asked God for strength, that I might achieve.
I was made weak, that I might humbly learn to obey.
I asked for health, that I might do great things.
I was given infirmity, that I might do better things.
I asked for riches, that I might be happy.
I was given poverty, that I might be wise.
I asked for power, that I might have the praise of men.
I was given weakeness, that I might feel the need for God.
Almost despite myself, my unspoken prayers were answered. I am, among men, most rightly blessed!!
"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth." Matthew 5:3-5
Friday, 29 December 2006
Saturday, 23 December 2006
The Nativity Story - Back to Basics
It's the time of Christmas again.
I just watched the trailer of the movie "The Nativity Story". Been wanting to catch it. But I can't seem to locate an English version of it here. But the trailer's been good. There's an extended one on the scene just after His birth, where the three wise men came from afar to present gifts to the newborn King.
Gold. Frankincense. Myrrh.
Kingship. Worship. Sacrifice.
Everything in the bible is written for a purpose and a reason. Gold represents kingship. Frankincense worship. And Myrrh (typically used for embalming the body after death) - represents death and sacrifice.
Perhaps the greatest gift of all - Sacrifice.
At the Christmas gathering on Thursday - I felt led to share this with the small group discussion - on how God - the King of Kings and Lord of Lords had chosen to be born in the lowliest of places - baffling all human wisdom and pomp - to stoop so low so as to become one of us. And not just that - to prepare for the ultimate journey towards the ultimate sacrifice. It was all planned for in the beginning - that one born of such humility shall come to save the world.
Isa 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.
It is with such simplicity of circumstances. Yet - it was the greatest mystery.
Sometimes, in the hustle and bustle of ministry and work - we forget the simplicity of how Jesus came. I feel the Spirit's leading to go back to the simplicity of it all - the basics of looking at Him, observing Him and gazing upon His goodness.
Sometimes, the greatest things are not to be found among the glitz and glamour - but in the deep recesses of the realm of the forgotten - where God is waiting for us to find Him there. Forget the works for now. Forget the strife for now. Go back to where we first met Him. Recapture the wonder of it all. That is the beauty of salvation - the greatest gift.
In Psalm 51, David pleaded to God to restore unto him the JOY of his salvation.
Psa 51:12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.
Then will we be able to teach transgressors His ways and turn them back to Him. No point preaching the gospel if we have lost that first joy. Go back to Him. Let Him restore the joy of your salvation. That you may be the carrier of the fragrance of the almighty. Before we can reach out. We reach to Him.
God is waiting.
I just watched the trailer of the movie "The Nativity Story". Been wanting to catch it. But I can't seem to locate an English version of it here. But the trailer's been good. There's an extended one on the scene just after His birth, where the three wise men came from afar to present gifts to the newborn King.
Gold. Frankincense. Myrrh.
Kingship. Worship. Sacrifice.
Everything in the bible is written for a purpose and a reason. Gold represents kingship. Frankincense worship. And Myrrh (typically used for embalming the body after death) - represents death and sacrifice.
Perhaps the greatest gift of all - Sacrifice.
At the Christmas gathering on Thursday - I felt led to share this with the small group discussion - on how God - the King of Kings and Lord of Lords had chosen to be born in the lowliest of places - baffling all human wisdom and pomp - to stoop so low so as to become one of us. And not just that - to prepare for the ultimate journey towards the ultimate sacrifice. It was all planned for in the beginning - that one born of such humility shall come to save the world.
Isa 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.
It is with such simplicity of circumstances. Yet - it was the greatest mystery.
Sometimes, in the hustle and bustle of ministry and work - we forget the simplicity of how Jesus came. I feel the Spirit's leading to go back to the simplicity of it all - the basics of looking at Him, observing Him and gazing upon His goodness.
Sometimes, the greatest things are not to be found among the glitz and glamour - but in the deep recesses of the realm of the forgotten - where God is waiting for us to find Him there. Forget the works for now. Forget the strife for now. Go back to where we first met Him. Recapture the wonder of it all. That is the beauty of salvation - the greatest gift.
In Psalm 51, David pleaded to God to restore unto him the JOY of his salvation.
Psa 51:12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.
Then will we be able to teach transgressors His ways and turn them back to Him. No point preaching the gospel if we have lost that first joy. Go back to Him. Let Him restore the joy of your salvation. That you may be the carrier of the fragrance of the almighty. Before we can reach out. We reach to Him.
God is waiting.
Friday, 22 December 2006
Spider Spirits
Spiders
Since coming here, I have killed at least six spiders.
The largest one was killed when I first arrived here.
Then sporadically, they started to appear - usually when I was spiritually "down" the spiders start to appear. The two most recent ones were lime green in colour. Woah... too many.
I was told once by a pastor that the Spider represents the Jezebel Spirit. Usually an advent of a female spirit attacking a man through manipulation and control. And I also heard an old sermon which I brought from some time back - that there are "spider spirits" that are sent by the enemy to come to pull us back to our old ways. Wow. Take a look at Isa 59:5 below.
"They hatch adders' eggs and weave the spider's web; he who eats their eggs dies, and that which is crushed breaks out into a viper."
Is this all a coincidence - nope I don't think so. Since God has sent me here to allow me to prepare myself and to allow me to heal, these things are here to distract and stumble. Another friend in an email said that he saw "dark figures" approaching me as I was in my room. He cautioned me to keep the spiritual atmosphere of my room.
And sure enough. During the times when I was spiritually or emotionally down - the spiders start to appear. I have a lot of work to do, I suppose. Clearing all these spiders and webs of deception and entanglement.
Will write more later. I have to keep alert.
Since coming here, I have killed at least six spiders.
The largest one was killed when I first arrived here.
Then sporadically, they started to appear - usually when I was spiritually "down" the spiders start to appear. The two most recent ones were lime green in colour. Woah... too many.
I was told once by a pastor that the Spider represents the Jezebel Spirit. Usually an advent of a female spirit attacking a man through manipulation and control. And I also heard an old sermon which I brought from some time back - that there are "spider spirits" that are sent by the enemy to come to pull us back to our old ways. Wow. Take a look at Isa 59:5 below.
"They hatch adders' eggs and weave the spider's web; he who eats their eggs dies, and that which is crushed breaks out into a viper."
Is this all a coincidence - nope I don't think so. Since God has sent me here to allow me to prepare myself and to allow me to heal, these things are here to distract and stumble. Another friend in an email said that he saw "dark figures" approaching me as I was in my room. He cautioned me to keep the spiritual atmosphere of my room.
And sure enough. During the times when I was spiritually or emotionally down - the spiders start to appear. I have a lot of work to do, I suppose. Clearing all these spiders and webs of deception and entanglement.
Will write more later. I have to keep alert.
Revival Fire - When is it my turn?
I just had a "conference" call after dinner with an old friend in Singapore. Wow. Revival is breaking out back home. She shared about how one of the ministries would be gloriously used by the Lord for His glory in deliverance (and I presume healing). I wish I were back home.
I had my own little "revival" lately. I was reading the book of Acts again recently - the funny thing is, the book came alive for me. I've read this book umpteen times - but this time it's different. I could follow through every single detail of what the author wrote - about Peter, Paul, Barnabas - and I could follow through the entire journey of Paul - and picture it in my mind. It was as though I was watching a mental movie of what was happening during the time of Acts. I was excited. I asked - maybe i'll see this soon. The repeat of the book of Acts - and I can be part of the glorious ministry. Part of me can't wait. Yet another part of me is wagging in cynical nonchalence - "as if that is really going to happen". But for now - faith has won the battle. I believe. I know that I will see it happen and I believe that I have a part to play in the end time harvest. I very much want to serve my Lord with all my heart. It's just that sometimes, my spirit is willing but the flesh is weak. It's not easy - the daily struggle with humanity and humanism from within me. But I know that the Spirit will prevail. I need to feed the Spirit and starve the flesh. It's time for a season of prayer and fasting after the Christmas break.
To be honest, I have stagnated somewhat - too many things have "pulled me down" - as one prophet had spoken over my life. But yet again, this prophet said not to allow these things that have "pulled me down" to affect me in my career path and in serving the Lord. The situation that the Lord had given me, he said was to actually "heal me" and to refocus my direction, that I know that God has bought me with his precious blood and that His will is my focus, my will, my joy. My whole perspective shall change as I focus. Everything I have counted for loss for God, I will gain much more in the kingdom of God. God is pouring healing.
I repeat again. I can't wait for God to work through me, to scrub me clean and to advance to the next level.
But I have to be patient, and wait for God to work through it in His time. In the meantime, I have to continue to wait on and wait for God.
A right time for everything (Ecclesiastes 3)
1 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:2 A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;3 A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;4 A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;5 A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;6 A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;7 A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;8 A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.9 What profit hath he that worketh in that wherein he laboureth? 10 I have seen the travail, which God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised in it. 11 He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.
I had my own little "revival" lately. I was reading the book of Acts again recently - the funny thing is, the book came alive for me. I've read this book umpteen times - but this time it's different. I could follow through every single detail of what the author wrote - about Peter, Paul, Barnabas - and I could follow through the entire journey of Paul - and picture it in my mind. It was as though I was watching a mental movie of what was happening during the time of Acts. I was excited. I asked - maybe i'll see this soon. The repeat of the book of Acts - and I can be part of the glorious ministry. Part of me can't wait. Yet another part of me is wagging in cynical nonchalence - "as if that is really going to happen". But for now - faith has won the battle. I believe. I know that I will see it happen and I believe that I have a part to play in the end time harvest. I very much want to serve my Lord with all my heart. It's just that sometimes, my spirit is willing but the flesh is weak. It's not easy - the daily struggle with humanity and humanism from within me. But I know that the Spirit will prevail. I need to feed the Spirit and starve the flesh. It's time for a season of prayer and fasting after the Christmas break.
To be honest, I have stagnated somewhat - too many things have "pulled me down" - as one prophet had spoken over my life. But yet again, this prophet said not to allow these things that have "pulled me down" to affect me in my career path and in serving the Lord. The situation that the Lord had given me, he said was to actually "heal me" and to refocus my direction, that I know that God has bought me with his precious blood and that His will is my focus, my will, my joy. My whole perspective shall change as I focus. Everything I have counted for loss for God, I will gain much more in the kingdom of God. God is pouring healing.
I repeat again. I can't wait for God to work through me, to scrub me clean and to advance to the next level.
But I have to be patient, and wait for God to work through it in His time. In the meantime, I have to continue to wait on and wait for God.
A right time for everything (Ecclesiastes 3)
1 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:2 A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;3 A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;4 A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;5 A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;6 A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;7 A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;8 A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.9 What profit hath he that worketh in that wherein he laboureth? 10 I have seen the travail, which God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised in it. 11 He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.
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