Salt & Light : Shining Light in Our Circle of Influence

John 12:35-36 Then Jesus said to them, "A little while longer the light is with you. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you; he who walks in darkness does not know where he is going. While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light."

Jesus was the “Light of the World,” and He commanded His followers to be light, as well. We're to shine with a godly brightness in hopes that people will be drawn to the One who dwells within us.

Light shines most effectively when it is not hidden. As Christians, we are to be transparent about our faith and our dependence on the Lord. Light is also brightest when its cover is kept clean. People are quick to spot hypocrisy, so our private actions must match who we are in public. Eliminating sinful habits and practices will brighten our testimony for Jesus.

Light also reveals the hidden darkness. The Holy Spirit will use our actions to shine biblical truth into others’ lives and to reveal their need for the Savior. Their initial reaction may be discomfort or even guilt. But, as the Spirit moves, they will be drawn to the light you display.

Light also serves to guide and to warn. As we obey God’s leading, we'll be equipped to help others understand some key truths: their sinful state, their need for a Savior; and how to reconcile with God through Jesus Christ. We will also function as lanterns to warn people of the dangers along the path they’re taking.

Finally, our interactions are to bring warmth through an encouraging attitude and servant-like actions. To make a strong impact, we must reflect the light of God’s Son. Growing in Christlikeness is the key. Become intentional about shining your light in your circle of influence--namely, your home, workplace, and community.

Salt & Light : Being a Salty Influence

Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.

In Matthew 5:13, Jesus calls His followers to be the “salt of the earth.” What qualities does salt possess that we can exhibit in our spiritual lives?

First, salt adds flavor. Salt doesn’t bring change to itself; it seasons that which needs improved taste. In the same way, we are to focus on those who don’t know Jesus as Savior. Christlike character opens the way for others to hear our message.

Second, salt is a preservative. Salt keeps meat from going bad. In the case of people, our lives are to demonstrate an alternative to the world’s ways and point others to Jesus. Our influence can help them leave the destructive path they’re on and follow Him.

Third, salt makes an impact. Changes caused by salt may be invisible, but they are still evident. A timely word or act of kindness can speak volumes to someone searching for God. At other times, it's what we avoid doing or saying that catches another’s attention. We can be an effective witness to people around us wherever we are: restaurants, grocery lines, doctors’ offices, etc.

Finally, salt causes thirst. By facing difficulties with calmness, endurance, and hope, we display a godly testimony. When people going through hardship and pain see the way we deal with our troubles, they will thirst to know how we do it. Telling them about our dependence on God and His sufficiency will show them how to satisfy their needs.

Functioning as salt provides the opportunity to have a godly impact on someone else. Do the people around you sense something special in your life and thirst to know what it is?

Salt & Light : Making a Lasting Impact

Matthew 5:13-16 "You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

First Timothy 2:4 says that God “desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth." His plan is to use believers to make an impact on the world. It's God’s will for each of us to live in such a way that we influence other people for their spiritual good. Jesus used two very distinct words "salt and light" to illustrate our mission.

Salt is an additive used for flavoring and preserving. Its presence penetrates and spreads throughout any food on which it is sprinkled. As a result, there is a significant difference in flavor. Christians are to function the same way as salt: by spreading the appeal of Christ through our interaction with others. But, Jesus warns that the “saltiness” of our lives will decrease if we practice ungodly habits and attitudes. Chronic patterns of sin will render us “tasteless” and ineffective.

Jesus also calls us to be light, just as He was (John 1:4, 9). Light drives out darkness, reveals what is present, illuminates the path ahead, and warns of danger. We're to do the same by reflecting the Savior’s presence through our conversation and conduct. Just as soot on a glass lantern diminishes its light, sin’s presence decreases the strength of our testimony and reduces our influence. The more sin there is in our lives, the less divine light we'll reflect.

The composition of salt and the clarity of light are what gives them their power. Our character, which is who we are when no one is looking, can help or hurt our ability to affect our world. Consider the impact you can make by following God!

TRIALS : God’s Protection and Peace in Life’s Storms

Philippians 4:6-7 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Emotional storms of inner turmoil are difficult to handle. Grief, fear, and worry can cause us great distress. To see us through life's difficulties, God provides His protection and peace. But protection doesn't mean that troubles won’t occur.

Jesus allowed the disciples to experience the fear and anxiety of being in a boat on a raging sea. He permitted them to suffer because He had something far more important to teach them. He wanted the disciples to recognize their own helplessness, His sufficiency, and their dependence on Him.

God's peace is not dependent upon the calming of our circumstances or the removal of external pressures. It doesn’t mean the absence of conflict either. His promised peace comes in three ways.

First, Jesus Himself becomes our peace. Through His death, He reconciled us to the Father. And we are no longer His enemies (Romans 5:1). In God, we can be at rest.

Second, when we're in a right relationship with the Father, we have the ability to live at peace with our fellow man (Ephesians 2:14). Through God, we have the power to choose forgiveness, to keep no record of wrongs, and to show love to our enemies.

The third way His promised peace comes is through the transforming work of the Holy Spirit. It enables us to experience an increasing sense of inner tranquility (Galatians 5:22-23).

God provides our spiritual needs to both endure and grow stronger in our Christian faith. What challenges do you face? Are you using what God has provided?

TRIALS : God’s Provision in Life’s Storms

Matthew 14:27-31 "Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid." And Peter answered Him and said, "Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water." So He said, "Come." And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, "Lord, save me!" And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?"

No one enjoys suffering. But in the hands of almighty God, trials become tools. He uses them to shape believers into the people He intends for them to be.

In our own strength, we lack the sufficient resources and abilities to meet life’s challenges. So, God provides just what we need. The most important thing He gives us is an awareness of His presence. At first, the disciples believed they were alone in a terrifying storm. When they initially spotted Jesus, their fear increased. They thought He was a ghost. But as they recognized Him, their fear changed to relief and hope.

During a crisis, we may not sense God’s presence. But, He has promised always to be with us (Hebrews 13:5-6). The assurance that He will never leave provides immediate comfort, an infusion of courage, and a sense of confidence to endure.

Another promise God makes is that He’ll provide a path through the trial. The disciples probably wondered how long the storm would last and whether they would make it safely to shore. As you or I would, they most likely wanted it all to end “yesterday.” But, had they somehow avoided this storm, they would have missed the demonstration of Jesus’ power over the sea and wind. This frightening situation was transformed into a revelation of the Savior’s divine nature. God wants to make known His power through our trials, too.

Ask God to reveal His abiding presence in the midst of your trouble. He'll provide strength to endure and wisdom to navigate a way out.

TRIALS : Reasons for the Storms of Life

2 Corinthians 1:3-6 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ. Now if we are afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effective for enduring the same sufferings which we also suffer. Or if we are comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation.

The Lord is never taken by surprise. He knows everything we are going through. And He is orchestrating our circumstances for both our benefit and His glory, according to His good will.

One purpose for hardship is our cleansing. Because of our own “flesh” nature, and the self-absorbed world we live in, it's easy to develop selfish attitudes, mixed-up priorities, and ungodly habits. The pressures that bear down on us from stormy situations are meant to bring these impurities to our attention and direct us to a place of repentance. Our trials are not designed to sink us but to purify us and guide us back to godliness.

A second reason we face difficulty is so that we'll bring comfort to others. God’s work in our lives is not intended solely for us. It's designed to reach a world that does not recognize or acknowledge Him. The Lord uses our challenges to equip us for serving others. As we experience suffering, we will learn about God’s sufficiency, His comforting presence, and His strength to help us endure. Our testimony during times of difficulty will be authentic. Those we minister to will recognize that we know and understand their pain. What credibility would we have with people in crisis if we never experienced a deep need?

Reflecting on the divine purpose in hardship can help us respond to them in a God-honoring way. Take a moment to fix your attention on the Lord. Seek to understand what He wants you to learn.

TRIALS : God’s Purposes in Our Difficulties

Romans 8:28-29 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.

If we could choose the number of difficulties we want to face in a month, most of us would pick zero. Yet, God sees value in difficult times. Through His mighty power, He uses trials to accomplish His plans.

One of God’s purposes for us is a growing intimacy in our relationship with Him. But He knows we struggle to put Him first over our own interests. Many of us place higher priority on family and friends than on companionship with God. For others, finances, work, or even personal pleasures interfere. When the Lord sees that our attention is drifting away from Him, He might use hardships to draw us back so we’ll refocus.

Another reason God allows difficulties is to conform us to the image of Jesus. Pain is a tool that brings areas of ungodliness to the surface. God also uses it to sift, shape, and prune us. The sanctification process, the building of Christlike character into our lives, starts at salvation and ends with our last breath.

A third purpose for stressful circumstances is to reveal true convictions. Our faith is tested in tough times. It’s easy to say, “God is good,” when things are peaceful. But when everything goes wrong, what do we believe about Him? Do our words and actions reveal an attitude of trust?

King David endured many heartaches: a disintegrating family, personal attacks, and betrayal by close friends. But through his trials, he gained deeper intimacy with God, stronger faith, and more godly character. Won’t you let God accomplish His purposes in your present situation?

LOVE : It's all about forgiveness...

1 Corinthians 13:5-7 Love is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Forgiving those who wronged us is a tough command to follow. Our human nature finds it easier and more satisfying to hold onto our anger. But, as vessels of God’s love, Christians no longer live according to the impulses of the flesh. Thanks to the Holy Spirit, when someone mistreats us, we can not only forgive but also show love to that person.

First Corinthians 13:5 tells us several important aspects of love:

First, Love does not seek its own. Many people are preoccupied with their “rights.” Yet, the idea of entitlement is a worldly creation, not a biblical mandate. This doesn’t mean we allow others to take advantage of us. Rather, our primary concern should not be with our interests. Instead, we're to be focused on showing God’s love to our enemy, which is a mandate from Scripture. (Matthew 5:44)

Second, Love is not provoked. Maintaining a peaceful spirit when we're irritated is difficult. But the moments when we're persecuted or wronged are precisely the times we most need to be mindful of God’s love flowing through us. Think how often Jesus had to face religious leaders who deliberately provoked Him. Yet, on the cross, He sought the Father’s forgiveness for them, too.

Finally, Love does not take into account a wrong suffered. God’s love flowing through us can remove a hurt done someone else. But we must let this happen instead of holding onto painful memory.

People will wrong us. But, if we have an unprovoked, caring attitude that isn't preoccupied with rights, then we can let go of bitterness and forgive with love.

LOVE : Happy Valentines Day Jesus

1 John 4-12 Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.

It has been awhile that Ngiap Heng has walked out on me. This is my second Valentines Day alone since. I remembered last year this time I was still feeling hurt that my wedding did not come to pass and that I spent the day mopping and wallowing in self pity. This year Valentines of 2007 is very different…

I had a really well rested sleep the night before and I woke up feeling as if I was in love. The fact is that I am. I am in love with Jesus and I am THE bride of Christ. I said my morning prayers. I told Jesus that I loved him and I wanted to be with him forever and that I prayed that he would shower me with his love all the days of my life. It was such a beautiful morning. The sky was clear, the sun was shining yet it was nice and cool. I had a really nice walk to the bus stop taking in the fresh air that filled the morning. It felt as if romance filled the atmosphere. Everyone I met along the walk seemed to have a glow radiating out from their faces. I took bus 72 in at 7.20 in the morning and we had a conductor that was checking our farecards. Most of the time they are not very friendly but this was had a smile on his face and was wishing everyone good morning. I obviously wished him good morning back and flashed him my million dollar smile. He was pleasantly surprised and wished me a very “Happy Valentines’ Day”. A few of the passengers were surprised and I had a couple of stares but I didn’t really care. That was so nice of the bus conductor I thought to myself.

I took the train and met one of my salsa dance partners Dylon. He was on the other side of the train but the saw me and came across and stood in front of me. I it was another pleasant surprise. I had a big hug and he too wished me a very “Happy Valentines’ Day”. It was 8.30 in the morning and I already have been wished twice.

I alighted at Buena Vista MRT station and took bus 92 to office and the bus driver seemed to be in an exceptionally good mood too. He greeted everyone that boarded the bus “Good Morning” and I wished him “Happy Valentines’ Day” and he reciprocated by wishing me back too. Office was really nice everyone was in a happy spirit and I was singing to myself all day at the table while doing my work.

Lunchtime… Raymond, Animesh and I went to Cintech for lunch as we had a meeting after and guess who was standing in the Ban Mian queue beside me? It was Josie! The head of the intercessory team and a good friend of mine. What a surprise! She too gave me a big cuddle and wished me “Happy Valentines’ Day” and she was just sitting behind me at the canteen. What a small world! We said our goodbyes and I went off for me meeting at Depot Road.

Guess what… at the lift lobby, I bumped into Dorothy one of my dance ministry friends from New Creation Church and we were like “Hey! Was just thinking about you and ta dah! You appear before my very eyes” We hugged each other and wished each other a blessed love filled day.

My meeting went very smoothly and I ended work on the dot so that I can go to the hospital and spent it with my grandma. I was planning to go to CSC and spend sometime in the adoration room but since it was the day of love I decided to spend it with the one I loved the most and I believed that Jesus would have understood. I went home and did my quiet time instead and I thanked him for the really beautiful day.

Dear Lord, thank you for your faithfulness towards me. Thank you for loving me everyday of my life. Thank you for your steadfast love that is new every morning. Thank you for the love that never ceases. I asked for a simple day filled with love and you just overwhelmed me with the abundance of it. Love from strangers and love from friends. I know it’s your way of showing me that you care. You can’t come down from heaven to hug me but you send friends to come and give me cuddles. Thank you for taking me into your embrace. I love you Jesus, Thank you for everything.

LOVE : The Power of Love

1 Corinthians 13:4-8 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 8 Love never fails.

Believers are channels for God’s love. His love flowing through us is a powerful force that enables us to do more than the unbeliever who relies only upon himself:

First, we can exhibit divine patience. With God’s Spirit living within us, we are empowered to wait upon His timing and purpose. When we care about someone, we naturally want to act quickly on his or her behalf. But, as the Lord is working out His perfect plan, we must wait until He tells us to proceed.

Second, we can demonstrate a kind and caring attitude. As believers, we have the capacity to be genuinely kind, regardless of how others treat us. Unlike vengeance, which feeds our own desires, kindness responds to the other person’s need for love and affirmation.

Third, we learn to separate love from jealousy. Jealousy is a fear of losing someone, or losing loyalty from that person. Being a channel for God’s love gives us the security to hold relationships more loosely. When we're confident of our Lord’s care and sovereignty, we don't need to cling so fiercely to our friends and family that we smother them.

Finally, we understand that love is not arrogant. Apart from the fullness of God’s love, people are empty and prone to crave attention for themselves. But, as believers, we're indwelled by the Holy Spirit, who enables us to understand our value in God’s eyes. As a result, we can be humble before men.

God’s love is powerful. When we allow His caring Spirit to flow through us, we can profoundly affect our world.

LOVE: Above All Else

1 Corinthians 13:1-3 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.

The Corinthian believers placed more emphasis on the Holy Spirit’s gifts than on the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). For this reason, Paul digresses from a discussion of spiritual gifts to write about love. In 1 Corinthians 13, the apostle confronts those who prize eloquence and action over a heart that is genuinely committed to Christ.

Some people speak in a way that could be interpreted as loving. But their pretty words may actually be born of selfishness. Others say mean things, yet claim to do so “for your own good.” If those words are flowing only from the mouth and not from a loving heart, they are nothing more than noise in God's ears.

Similarly, an action that appears loving may have an ulterior motive. Paul uses the example of charitable giving. Those who give do so for a variety of reasons: some noble (like believing in a cause), and others more self-serving (like the need to feel good inside). But, unless charity is motivated primarily by love, the deed will not count toward a believer’s eternal reward. That person already received “compensation” in the form of whatever advantage was sought.

It's easy to hide our true motivation from others. But God knows that if our love for Him isn't compelling us to act on His behalf, then acting and speaking in a religious manner are empty gestures. Believers are called to be conformed to Christ. But we are like Him only when we love as He does.

LOVE : The Lessons of Love

Matthew 22:37-39 Jesus replied: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'

Jesus said the most important commandment is to love God and others. To live apart from this directive is to miss our reason for being. There are different types of love, as well as different degrees of intensity. For example, brotherly love--phileo in the Greek is one type of caring. While agape the unconditional love that characterizes God is love of the highest order. Agape is a commitment that inspires us to help others find and pursue God’s plan for their lives.

John 13:35 reads, “By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” Jesus was saying His followers should be identifiable by their love for others. But people enter the world as selfish sinners with a limited capacity to demonstrate care and concern. So God must do something to enable them to show His love. By receiving salvation through Christ the Savior, a person becomes a brand-new creation, which allows the Holy Spirit to work in the believer's life, and through whom God can live out His life and love.

Natural, self-generated love is imperfect because it comes from a sinful heart. (Jeremiah 17:9) However, a heart filled with the Spirit is capable of practicing agape love. Believers are able to love even their enemies and persecutors because the Holy Spirit lives out God’s most important commandment through them.

Love that is selfless, patient, and kind is rare. And its sole source is God. We're unable to practice that kind of passionate care until we allow the Father’s love to flow through us.

LOVE : The Expressions of God’s Love

Luke 15:11-24

God’s unconditional love guarantees that He, like the Prodigal Son’s father, is always waiting to welcome back sinners (Luke 15:20). He accepts us no matter how dirty we are from sin or how disgraced from failure.

God's first way of expression is through touch. Our heavenly Father reaches out to physically reassure us through the arms and hands of fellow believers.

Second, is quality time. We need intimacy with the Lord in order for our relationship to grow. He is always ready to spend time with us.

Third, God expresses Himself through service. Jesus said that He came to serve. (Mark 10:45) The Lord goes before us to protect, provide, and guide us onto the correct path for our lives.

Fourth, is gift giving. "Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above” (James 1:17). Each blessing in our lives is an expression of God’s care.

And the final way God expresses his love to us is through words of encouragement. The Scriptures are packed with the Lord’s inspiring and encouraging messages for believers. He also sends people into our lives to offer praise and godly counsel.

These are some of the ways God shows us His love. In turn, we must allow His love to flow through us to others. Ultimately, we'll discover that every person will respond to one or more of these methods of communicating God’s love.

More than Enough...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MaLNjeTEeE4&NR

All of You is more than enough for all of me For every thirst and every need You satisfy me with Your love And all I have in You is more than enough

You are my supply My breath of life And still more awesome than I know

You are my reward worth living for And still more awesome than I know

All of You is more than enough for all of me For every thirst and every need You satisfy me with Your love And all I have in You is more than enough

You're my sacrifice Of greatest price And still more awesome than I know

Youre the coming King You are everything And still more awesome than I know

More than all I want More than all I need You are more than enough for me

More than all I know More than all I can say You are more than enough for me

Father Lord, thank you so much for showering me with your love and your grace and your favour and everything good thing that has come along may way for the past 29 years. Thank you for being there for me during the difficult times, never forsaking me and always there with me every step of the way journeying with me every moment. Lord, I can never thank you enough. Keep me close to your heart, keep my heart right by ours Lord, let me never lose sight of you even when my days get really busy and trials get difficult. Let me never forget what whatever it is, You Lord are more than enough for me. This I pray in Jesus name. Amen.

Fix Your Eyes On God's Unshakeable Word

Philippians 4:19 And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

“This war will affect the world’s economy.”... “Unemployment is at an all-time high.”

People of the world feel helpless as systems of the world go up and down. But God does not want you to feel helpless because you are not of the world. (John 17:16) You are of God and therefore need not be subject to the world’s systems. Whatever the world’s situation is, fear not because “God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus”.

Notice that Philippians 4:19 says that “God shall supply all your need”. It does not say that God may supply some of your needs. It also says that God will do it “according to His riches”. It is not out of His riches. If a millionaire gives you a hundred dollars, it is out of his riches. The sum is only a small portion of his riches. However, if he gives to you according to his riches, it means that he is lining up his millions for your supply!

Lastly, the verse says that God does it “according to His riches in glory”. It is not according to the riches of your company or how well the economy is doing. No, it is according to God’s riches in glory!

So how do you stop yourself from feeling helpless in uncertain, shaky times? My friend, don’t look at your circumstances or the bad things that are happening in the world because you will get “earth-sick”. Instead, look at the unshakeable, eternal Word of God. Your heart will become stable and you will see your God supply all your needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus!

God Wants To Set You Up For A Blessing

Ruth 2:12 The Lord repay your work, and a full reward be given you by the Lord God of Israel, under whose wings you have come for refuge.

Have you ever wondered why, in some Bible stories, God sometimes asked people to give what little they had to Him? It may appear cruel, but the truth is that God was setting them up for a blessing! God’s way is to use whatever we have, and multiply it once we put it into His hands.

The widow of Zarephath had only a handful of flour and a little oil to make one last meal for her son and herself before they faced starvation. But she trusted God and used a portion of the little that she had to make a cake for the prophet Elijah. And God rewarded her by making sure that her bin of flour was not used up and her jar of oil did not run dry until the drought ended. (1 Kings 17:8–16)

Similarly, the boy who gave his little lunch of five loaves and two small fish to Jesus not only ate well, but he also saw it being used to feed more than 5,000 people with 12 basketfuls left over! (John 6:1–13)

Whenever we give what little we have, whether it is money, time or energy to God, it opens up our hearts to receive. God can then fill us up with more. And when we give our lives to God, we can trust Him to make things right for us and to be the rewarder of our faith.

When Ruth, a childless Moabite widow, left the comfort of her home to follow her mother-in-law Naomi and the God of Israel back to a foreign land (Ruth 1:16), she was given a full reward by the Lord. God gave Ruth adequate protection and ensured that she was well-provided for through Boaz, who took on the role of kinsman-redeemer for her and Naomi. (Ruth 2:9, 4:9–10)

Beloved, when you trust Him with all that you have today, know that He loves you and is setting you up for a blessing. Expect good things to happen!

You Will Have Whatever You Say

Mark 11:23 For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, “Be removed and be cast into the sea,” and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says.

God says that we will have whatever we say. So whatever we want to have, we can say it and have it.

Unfortunately, we often say what we don’t want to have. For example, we say, “I don’t know why my money just gets used up so fast every month. Even when my boss gives me an increment, there never seems to be enough money.” And, true enough, we see “money not enough” at the end of every month.

You see, you will have whatever you say. So why not change what you have been saying to, “From now on, I will have more than enough because Jesus became poor at the cross, so that I might become rich — 2 Corinthians 8:9. So poverty, be gone in Jesus’ name!”

Whatever mountain of difficulty you have, be it a mountain of debt or serious health condition, Jesus says, “For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says.”

Jesus highlights the importance of saying by mentioning the word “say” thrice, but the word “believe” only once. Our problem today is that there is more preaching on believing than saying. So the reason people find it hard to walk in faith is that they are not saying enough.

But if you focus more on saying God’s Word, faith will come. Faith comes by hearing and hearing the Word of God. (Romans 10:17) That is how God quickened the faith of Abraham. He changed Abraham’s saying when He changed his name from Abram to Abraham, which means “father of many nations”. (Genesis 17:5) From then on, whenever Abraham introduced himself, he would say, “Hi, my name is ‘father of many nations’.”

Beloved, declare your abundance, saying, “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.” (Psalm 23:1) Speak forth your healing, saying, “By Jesus’ stripes I am healed!” (Isaiah 53:5) And you will have whatever you say!

A Season of LOVE...

1John 4:11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another

Have you ever encountered a “sandpaper person?” You know, someone that rubs you the wrong way. Most of us want to run and hide from sandpaper people. Sometimes we escape them, but not for long. Eventually, we will run head-on into another one. Why? Because God is doing some of His best work in us when He places sandpaper people in our lives.

Have you ever noticed how hard it is to love a sandpaper person? They’re usually arrogant, mean, rude and selfish. They like to demand their own way and boast in their accomplishments. Yet, God has called us to love all people—not just the lovable, but the unlovable as well. The Bible says, “Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another” (1 John 4:11).

You may be thinking that’s impossible. You’re right; in our own strength we can’t love the unlovely. Yet, God’s love is different than ours. We express love according to how we feel. When a friend is caring and helpful, we feel loved and then we express love back. We call that kind of love—“friendship love.” When being close to our spouse gives us a warm fuzzy feeling, we call that—“being in love.” However, if we love only according to our feelings, then we will never learn to love the unlovable, because the one thing we don’t feel around a sandpaper person is—love.
While most love according to their feelings, God’s love is more of a response of the will. Examine 1 Corinthians 13:4 as it explains how biblical love responds:

Love is patient and kind, never jealous or envious, never boastful or proud, never haughty or selfish or rude. Love doesn’t demand its own way. It is not irritable or touchy. It does not hold grudges and will hardly even notice when others do it wrong. It is never glad over injustice, but rejoices when truth wins out. If you love someone, you will be loyal to him no matter what the cost. You’ll believe in him and always expect the best of him, while defending him. (NKJ)

That is how God loves us. No matter how mean or selfish we are, or how many times we settle for our own way of doing things instead of His way—God still has the capacity to love us. When we truly realize how God, by His mercy, has loved us to the end of our meanness, selfishness and pride, then no matter how heartless another person may be, we can chose to respond to them in a loving way also.

We respond to all people with love when we choose to see them as a valuable person created by and in the image of God. Love is not a feeling; it’s a choice. It’s a choice that leads to lovely responses toward others.

So how is God teaching us to respond with His kind of love? You guessed it—by not “losing it” with the sandpaper people in our lives. When we respond to the meanest person we know with the loving kindness of God, then God has done one of His best works in us. He’s taught us how to love as He loves!

Dear Lord, thank you for loving me not because I’m lovable, but because You are love. Help me to love the unlovable in my life the way You have loved me. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Hillsong's "Mighty to Save" on YouTube

Hillsongs Mighty to Save can be found at youtube too and I used it alot for my quiet time untill one day I could not take it anymore and bought myself the DVD. Enjoy... :)

Hillsong - Intro
Hillsong - Take It All
Hillsong - I Believe
Hillsong - The Freedom We Know
Hillsong - For Who You Are
Hillsong - You Alone Are God
Hillsong - Open My Eyes
Hillsong - Deep Of Your Grace
Hillsong - From The Inside Out
Hillsong - Found
Hillsong - More To See
Hillsong - Follow The Son
Hillsong - Adonai
Hillsong - Higher (I Believe In You)
Hillsong - Oceans Will Part
Hillsong - None But Jesus
Hillsong - At The Cross
Hillsong - Mighty To Save
Hillsong - How Great is Our God

The last three songs are my personal favs. Be blessed :)

Chris Tomlin in YouTube

For those who love to worship the Lord, do enjoy these video music clips by Chris Tomlin:

Made To Worship
http://www.youtube. com/watch? v=sJEC3eCtmRU&mode=related&search=

Glorious
http://www.youtube. com/watch? v=9i01HyDBImE&mode=related&search=

Amazing Grace - My Chains Are Gone
http://www.youtube. com/watch? v=PU_4lIik9D8&mode=related&search=

Holy Is The Lord
http://www.youtube. com/watch? v=Nv6hSdbfo2E&NR

We Fall Down (Steven Curtis Chapman & Chris Tomlin)
http://www.youtube. com/watch? v=NWVrKOzxuQg&NR

Enough
http://www.youtube. com/watch? v=MaLNjeTEeE4&NR

PRAYER : A Life-Changing Prayer

Colossians 1:9-12 For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light.

The most powerful act anyone can perform is to pray for someone. Of course, the power is not in the praying, but in the release God gives in His perfect answer to our prayers. Paul provides an example of one of the most effective prayers we could utter. He prays that the Colossian church:

• May be filled with the knowledge of God’s will. What a wonderful gesture to ask God to make clear for family members or friends the precise, exact decisions He wishes them to make in every circumstance.

• May walk in a manner worthy of the Lord. This means asking that someone’s life will have weight–will count eternally and not temporally.

• May bear fruit in every good work. We should pray for loved ones to remain so Christ-centered that He through them determines their conversation, conduct, and character.

• May increase in the knowledge of God. Can there be a more precious request than that of wanting someone to grow ever closer to our heavenly Father?

• May be strengthened and sustained with the power of God. Within an evil world system, we need the supernatural power of God to help us bear up under the strain.

• May give thanks that we already have qualified as saints of God. There is nothing for which we should be more appreciative.

PRAYER : Too Busy NOT to Pray

Luke 5:15-16 Yet the news about him spread all the more, so that crowds of people came to hear him and to be healed of their sicknesses. But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.

Have you ever forgone your daily prayer time because you felt too busy? When we surrender quiet time for something else, we’re making a statement about our priorities. It is a not-so-subtle way of saying, “Jesus, my calendar is more important to me than You are today. I’ll catch up with You later.”

We all do this from time to time. It’s so easy to be pulled out of the prayer closet. We think we can “make up” the time later because God will always be there. We seem to have taken God’s eternal, indwelling presence for granted.

We fail to realize that our quiet moments with the Lord empower us to face the challenges of each day. Therefore, the busier our day, the more time we should spend in prayer preparing for it! The Bible clearly shows that Jesus Himself protected His private time with the Father. No one had more on his mind, had more things to do, or was in greater demand than Jesus. And yet, His busiest days are the times we see Him pulling away from the crowds in order to pray.

Is prayer the first thing you remove from your daily agenda when the schedule fills up? Protect that time every day at all cost. Remember that Jesus is God. If He considered prayer necessary to prepare for His busiest days, then it is absolutely essential for the rest of us!

PRAYER : The Price of Prayerlessness

Imagine walking through a crowded airport. You cannot move without bumping into someone. You’re late for your flight, and the wheels just broke on your over-packed suitcase.

With no other option, you’re forced to carry the luggage and slowly maneuver through the congested lobby toward the ticketing area. Almost immediately, a young gentleman offers to carry your bags, but you pridefully refuse. When you realize the ticket counter is two levels up, you make your way to the stairs. Someone asks you if it would be easier to take the elevator. But you are determined to carry your bags.

As you finally make it to the top of the steps, your arms feel numb from the pressure of your bags. Your legs are starting to buckle from the weight. Your back is aching from supporting the heavy load. Then, you spot a collection of unused baggage carts. But you ignore them, self-assured that you can handle the bags yourself.

Isn’t this a silly story? Who would prefer to carry such a heavy burden, ignoring every opportunity to lay it down? And yet, many believers do just that. Our Father has called us to lay our cares at His feet. But when we fail to come to God in prayer, we’re just as foolish as the man staggering with his bags through the airport.

Are you trying to carry a greater burden than you can bear? Don’t ignore God’s offer to help. The truth is, we really can’t “do it ourselves,” and God never wanted us to try.

WAITING : A Lifestyle of Waiting on God

Psalm 37
1 Do not fret because of evil men or be envious of those who do wrong;
2 for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away.
3 Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
4 Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart.
5 Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this:
6 He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.
7 Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.
8 Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret--it leads only to evil.
9 For evil men will be cut off, but those who hope in the Lord will inherit the land.
10 A little while, and the wicked will be no more; though you look for them, they will not be found.
11 But the meek will inherit the land and enjoy great peace.
12 The wicked plot against the righteous and gnash their teeth at them;
13 but the Lord laughs at the wicked, for he knows their day is coming.
14 The wicked draw the sword and bend the bow to bring down the poor and needy, to slay those whose ways are upright.
15 But their swords will pierce their own hearts, and their bows will be broken.
16 Better the little that the righteous have than the wealth of many wicked;
17 for the power of the wicked will be broken, but the Lord upholds the righteous.
18 The days of the blameless are known to the Lord, and their inheritance will endure forever.
19 In times of disaster they will not wither; in days of famine they will enjoy plenty.
20 But the wicked will perish: The Lord's enemies will be like the beauty of the fields, they will vanish--vanish like smoke.
21 The wicked borrow and do not repay, but the righteous give generously;
22 those the Lord blesses will inherit the land, but those he curses will be cut off.
23 If the Lord delights in a man's way, he makes his steps firm;
24 though he stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand.
25 I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread.
26 They are always generous and lend freely; their children will be blessed.
27 Turn from evil and do good; then you will dwell in the land forever.
28 For the Lord loves the just and will not forsake his faithful ones.
29 the righteous will inherit the land and dwell in it forever.
30 The mouth of the righteous man utters wisdom, and his tongue speaks what is just.
31 The law of his God is in his heart; his feet do not slip.
32 The wicked lie in wait for the righteous, seeking their very lives;
33 but the Lord will not leave them in their power or let them be condemned when brought to trial.
34 Wait for the Lord and keep his way. He will exalt you to inherit the land; when the wicked are cut off, you will see it.
35 I have seen a wicked and ruthless man flourishing like a green tree in its native soil,
36 but he soon passed away and was no more; though I looked for him, he could not be found. 37 Consider the blameless, observe the upright; there is a future for the man of peace.
38 But all sinners will be destroyed; the future of the wicked will be cut off.
39 The salvation of the righteous comes from the Lord; he is their stronghold in time of trouble.
40 The Lord helps them and delivers them; he delivers them from the wicked and saves them, because they take refuge in him.

Ever notice how some teenagers will ask a question but then rush out the door before you can respond? We act the same way toward God when we don’t wait on Him. There are several things we need to develop a lifestyle of waiting on the Lord.

First, we need faith. We must be willing to trust God when a solution isn’t obvious and we can’t see a way through our struggles. Meditating on and applying Scripture to life’s trials will result in strengthened faith. (Romans 10:17)

Second, we need humility to develop a lifestyle of waiting on God. We must recognize that we can accomplish nothing apart from Jesus. Then, we will be able to endure until God reveals His answer. (John 15:5) God’s ways are always perfect, and our cleverest plan will not be as adequate.

Third, we need patience in order to wait on God. Waiting is characterized by a calm demeanor and inner peace, which both come from believing that God is who He says He is and that He’ll fulfill His promises. With the Spirit’s help, we’ll face stressful circumstances without complaining, and we’ll accept life’s challenges without trying to manipulate our way out.

Fourth, we need courage to wait on God. It’s human nature to want to be in control. We yearn to know the outcome and timeline of every difficult situation. We need courage to resist following our own schedule and the ability to refuse to cave in to pressure from others.

With the Holy Spirit’s help, we can hold steady when others disapprove of our decision to wait on God. Wisdom and godly action come through seeking God and His will. Quiet your heart and mind and listen to Him.

WAITING : When It’s Wise to Wait

Psalms 130: 5-7 I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I put my hope. My soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning, more than watchmen wait for the morning. O Israel, put your hope in the Lord, for with the Lord is unfailing love and with him is full redemption.

Timing is critical in business, science, and sports. But, most importantly, it’s essential in the believer’s life. To keep in step with the Lord, we need to carry out His instructions in His timeframe.

Waiting on God means seeking further direction from Him while we remain in our present circumstances. It encompasses an attitude of expectancy and readiness. There are several reasons why patience is our wisest course of action.

First, waiting on God allows us to receive direction. Too often, we make decisions based on the influence of our friends or culture. But God is the only source of true wisdom. He knows all things and answers us on the basis of His complete understanding. He is willing to give us clear direction for any large or small decisions we are trying to make. He wants the very best for us in our personal lives, whether the issue is marriage, schooling, business, or relationships (Psalm 32:8).

Second, waiting on God allows us to realize His timetable. To others, it may appear as if we are delaying unnecessarily. But knowing we are walking in concert with God will bring His divine peace to our hearts.

Finally, waiting on God allows us to prepare for His answer and course of action. God may use a season of waiting to strengthen our faith while helping us recognize ungodly motives and areas of sin.

Living godly begins with hearing from God. Have you waited to receive direction from Him?

New Version of Footprints

Ecclesiastes 3:1,4 "To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under Heaven. A time to weep, a time to laugh; A time to mourn, and a time to dance."

Imagine you and the Lord Jesus are walking down the road together. Formuch of the way, the Lord's footprints go along steadily, consistently,rarely varying the pace. But your footprints are a disorganized streamof zigzags, starts, stops, turn arounds, circles, departures andreturns. For much of the way, it seems to go like this, but gradually yourfootprints come more in line with the Lord's, soon paralleling His consistently. You and Jesus are walking as true friends!

This seems perfect, but then an interesting thing happens: Your footprints, that once etched the sand next to Jesus', are now walking precisely in Hissteps. Inside His larger footprints are your smaller ones, you and Jesus are becoming one. This goes on for many miles, but gradually you noticeanother change. The footprints inside the large footprints seem to grow larger.

Eventually they disappear altogether.There is only one set of footprints: they have become one. This goes onfor a long time, but suddenly the second set of footprints are back.This time it seems even worse! Zigzags all over the place. Stops. Starts. Deep gashes in the sand. A veritable mess of prints.

You are amazed and shocked. Your dream ends. Now you pray: "Lord, I understand the first scene with zigzags and fits. I was a new Christian; I was just learning. But you walked on through the storm andhelped melearn to walk with you.""That is correct."" ... and when the smaller footprints were inside of Yours, I wasactually learning to walk in Your steps; followed you very closely.""Very good. You have understood everything so far.""... when the smaller footprints grew and filled in Yours, I supposethat I was becoming like you in every way."

"Precisely.""So, Lord, was there a regression or something? The footprints separated, and this time it was worse than at first."There is a pause as the Lord answers with a smile in his voice.

"Youd on't know? That was when we danced

迎春福

A friend send this poem to me which I thought was really nice to bless others with.

基督宏爱耀大地
祥花瑞蝶迎春来
天使展翅百羽飞
恩典祝福飘满堂

Blessed New Year everyone !

Jesus and the washing machine

A couple of weeks ago a miracle happened before my very eyes. I went home at about 11pm and was going to do my laundry. My washing machine has been acting up lately and sometimes it would automatically decide to shut down by itself after about three seconds of starting the wash. Last night was one of those days again. I tried switching off the main power supply, waiting for awhile and then switching it on again. I tried playing around with the buttons on the machine itself, maybe trying a different "combination" of wash would get the machine to work. Tried all sort of methods and nothing seemed to work. Then I suddenly remembered ! "Why don't I pray?" which was what I did. So I laid my hands on the on button and prayed a really short prayer in tongues and I ended it off with "In Jesus's name, I command you washing machine to work !" and wha la ! the machined started to spew water out and stayed on till the end of the wash !

Last week I did laundry again and I was abit worried if my washing machine will break down once more but then a little voice inside me spoke to me saying... Once Jesus heals he heals forever. Its not like he makes the blind see today and then tomorrow the blind will lose his vision right? Likewise for our life... Jesus came to be crucified on the cross once for ALL our sins... our past sins, our current sins, and even our future sins that we have yet to commit but whatever it is, He will ALWAYS forgive us and love us.

My washing machine has not given me any problem since...

Praise be to you Lord Jesus for using a washing machine to remind me of your everlasting love and forgiving grace!

Praising Him for His Goodness

Psalm 107:8 Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!

There’s nothing like meditating on the goodness of God that stirs up the joy in me, and moves me to praise Him with every fiber of my being. On the other hand, nothing much saddens me more than the attitude of many Christians, who seem to have no joy whatsoever. Many seem to be not only depressed much of the time, but deeply ensnared in bitterness and despair.

One of the reasons this is so troubling, is that so many of these poor, wayfaring strangers have been led into that condition by scripturally errant pastors, prophets, and Christian counselors.
Anyone who tries to teach, comfort, or counsel by saying things like, “God has sent this trial to teach you how to trust Him” or, “It may not be God’s will or timing, in your particular case, for you to be healed from your affliction” or worse yet, “You know... This sin, sickness, or affliction may be your ‘cross to bear’, and you should just thank God for it” — that person may have your best interests at heart, but his message is contrary to the gospel of Christ.

God is good... ALL the time!

At least five times in Psalm 107 alone, we are exhorted to give thanks, and to praise God for His GOODNESS. There are primarily two Hebrew words translated “goodness”, in the Old Testament. One of them is “tuwb” (pronounced toob), and it refers to gladness, joy, welfare, or beauty, i.e., the ‘goodness’ of the promised land.

The other word is “checed” (pronounced kheh’sed), and it means mercy, kindness, etc. This is the word in Psalm 107... “Oh that men would praise the Lord for his ‘goodness”.

God is the source of both. As a matter-of-fact, both words are in one very familiar line of scripture... “Surely goodness (tuwb) and mercy (checed) shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.” (Psalm 23:6)

It is this goodness (mercy), for which we come “boldly unto the throne of grace” to obtain (along with grace), to help us in a time of need. God wants to help you out of your trial. He is not the giver of trials, He is the giver of mercy and grace — goodness, in other words. And His expressed intention is to deliver you.

Sources of trial

If God’s people would only quit blaming Him for their problems and begin thanking Him for the solutions to their problems, my how the circumstances would change for many people! Now think, before you disagree with that — it really is just another way of saying what the Psalmist said... “Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness!”.

You may say, “Well... We really don’t ‘blame God’ for our problems”. But there are many religiously doctored up ways for people to express that very sentiment. It is communicated in songs and sermons alike; thus, propagating the idea that faith and spiritual maturity come through trials, and therefore God, many times, will not deliver you from those trials because they are part of your training. If that were true, most of us would be spiritually perfected faith giants by now.

There are trials of persecution and affliction that come upon the righteous just because they are Christians. And though these trials do not come from God either, they are associated with godliness; and they are part of the package of being a servant of the Lord. The trials and tribulations I am addressing in this article, however, are primarily those which do not have anything to do with persecution or godliness.

Psalm 107:8-13 once again, reveals some of the sources of these trials...

Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness. Such as sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, being bound in affliction and iron; Because they rebelled against the words of God, and contemned the counsel of the most High: Therefore he brought down their heart with labour; they fell down, and there was none to help. Then they cried unto the Lord in their trouble, and he saved them out of their distresses.

Here we have God’s people sitting in darkness, bound up in many different kinds of affliction. Why? ... Because God was trying to teach them something? ... NO. The scripture is very clear as to the reason for their despair. They “rebelled against the words of God, and contemned [despised] the counsel of the Most High”.

God was bound by His own honor and justice to allow them to suffer the consequences of their own determination and stubbornness. And He will do the same for you and me. What I want you to see, is the fact that even though they brought the trial and affliction on themselves; when they called on the Lord for help, He was right there to deliver them. And again — He will do the same for you and me.

Continuing in the same passage of scripture, verses 17 - 21...

Fools, because of their transgression, and because of their iniquities, are afflicted. Their soul abhorreth all manner of meat; and they draw near unto the gates of death. Then they cry unto the Lord in their trouble, and he saveth them out of their distresses. He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions. Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!

Once again... Was it the sovereignty of God, that brought such hardship upon these folks? Was it some hidden purpose of God, working in the lives of these afflicted souls? Hardly! Their afflictions came because of their sinfulness and rebellion to godly authority and counsel — which is iniquity.

Did their affliction teach them anything? Was their faith in any way strengthened by the trial? Absolutely not! When they finally cried out to God for mercy... He sent His WORD... Not more trials and tribulations! He sent His WORD and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.

Please note that God’s Word equates trials and affliction with DESTRUCTION, not training or strengthening. Our deliverance, our healing, our maturation, our training, our equipping for service, our strength — all of that, comes from His WORD, not from trials and affliction.
And think about this for a moment... It was rebellious, transgressing, fools mentioned there, in Psalm 107, who had sense enough to call on the Lord for help, rather than blaming Him for their trials. So, does it not make sense, that if God would hear and deliver the rebellious, transgressing, fools... How much more willing would He be, to hear and deliver those who stand before Him in the righteousness of Christ Jesus — those who boldly come to the Throne of Grace to receive mercy and grace to help in such a time of need?

Deliverance from trial is not based on our goodness, but on His. May we forever praise Him for His goodness and His wonderful works in our behalf.

His Shalom He Has Bequeathed To You

John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

In Israel, the Jews greet each other with the word “shalom”. Unlike the English word “peace”, “shalom” does not just mean peace of mind, but also wholeness for your entire being — spirit, soul and body. It means having a sense of total well-being and soundness. In other words, “shalom” encompasses your prosperity, health and completeness.

When Jesus spoke to His disciples in John 14:27, He did not use the English word “peace”. He would have used the Hebrew word “shalom”, saying, “Shalom I leave with you, My shalom I give to you…” Interestingly, the word “leave” here actually means “bequeath”, the way a rich man bequeaths his estate to his beneficiary.

The disciples must have been excited when they heard that Jesus was bequeathing to them His shalom. They must have known that to receive His shalom was to have His health because they had never seen Him sick. To have Jesus’ shalom also meant never being in lack because Jesus was never broke. Whenever He needed money, money was there. Once, money to pay the temple tax came in the mouth of a fish! (Matthew 17:24–27)

The disciples also understood that having His shalom meant having His abundance because they had seen Him meeting the needs of thousands with plenty of leftovers. They saw him feeding 5,000 men (not including the women and children) and having 12 baskets full of leftovers! (Mark 6:34–44)

Jesus wanted His disciples to know that His peace was different from the peace that the world offers. His peace would change whatever trying circumstances beset them. Even if it was a mega-storm, it would have to bow to His peace. The Prince of Peace merely spoke, “Peace, be still!” and the winds and the sea obeyed Him. (Mark 4:39) His peace changed the mega-storm into a perfect calm!

Beloved, that is the kind of peace that Jesus has bequeathed to you. Therefore, believe that His shalom which He has left with you will change all your difficult situations, bringing you from sickness, lack and mental anguish to health, prosperity and total wellness!

Expect Good Happening To You!

Ephesians 6:1717 And take the helmet of salvation…

When the phone rings at odd times, most people think, “Oh dear, it must be bad news.” They don’t think, “I wonder what the good news is that it cannot wait till morning!”

When we hear, “The boss wants to see you,” instinctively, we think, “Oh dear, this is not good.” But how do we know that it is not a promotion?

Our minds are inclined towards the negative. So to guard our minds against negative thoughts, we are to put on “the helmet of salvation”, which is “the hope of salvation”. (1 Thessalonians 5:8)

If you are going through a trial right now, putting on as a helmet the hope of salvation means that you have a confident expectation of good coming your way. It means that you choose to believe that this trial that you are going through is only temporary because God will see you through it. It means that you believe that this difficult period will end with your salvation — your preservation, wholeness, wellness, health and prosperity!

You may not know what is going to happen this week. But one thing that you can do is put on the helmet of the hope of salvation. And tell yourself that you are going to have a fantastic week!

You can have a confident expectation of good happening to you because you are not like the people of the world. You are a child of the living God. You have a Saviour watching over you. There are more angels given charge over you than there are demons against you. And greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world. (1 John 4:4) There is every reason for you to have a confident expectation of good happening to you!

WAITING : The Rewards of Waiting

Psalm 33:18-22 But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love, to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine. We wait in hope for the Lord; he is our help and our shield. In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. May your unfailing love rest upon us, O Lord, even as we put our hope in you.

We have all experienced times of waiting in doctors’ offices, traffic jams, and checkout lines. While there, we have nothing to do but wait for our turn.

In God’s kingdom, waiting is defined as an “active stillness.” We should be active because we are continuing in our present situation, and still because we are focusing our attention on Him for guidance. Practicing a lifestyle of active stillness requires a purposeful and expectant attitude, a patient and determined frame of mind, and a prayerful and obedient heart.

There are rewards for waiting on the Lord. We receive the supernatural energy and strength we need for godly living. At times, when responsibilities overburden us, we might be tempted to get out of step with God. Even though we know He is calling us to keep a steady pace, we may lag behind. At other times, our schedules leave us little time to think. So we make quick decisions, pushing ahead of Him. In either case, we risk becoming weary and emotionally spent because we are operating in our own strength.

Patiently waiting on God brings us the physical energy and emotional reserves we need to keep going. Waiting on God also enables us to discover His will, which is always for our good (Romans 8:28). We also gain spiritual victory in the midst of our trials and disappointments.

Our all-knowing and all-powerful God is always on time. But we often leave too early or arrive too late. Pick a situation in which you are tempted to overrule God’s perfect timing. Then submit to Him, realizing the issue is a matter of trust.

Don't Just Know But Believe!

1 John 4:1616 And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him.

You may have heard and know that God cares for you and loves you, and that He demonstrated His love for you by dying on the cross for you. But it’s one thing to know this; it’s another thing to believe the love that God has for you.

For example, it’s one thing to know that the sun shines on us during the day. But it’s another thing to believe that the sun is still shining even though you don’t feel its warmth and all you see are cloudy skies.

Sometimes we are slow in believing God’s love for us when we are going through a bad patch. Today, God wants you to know and believe that He loves you in the midst of the deal falling through, when that job is slow in coming, when the boss is fault-finding, when your child still refuses to come home.

In the midst of the pain, He wants you to know and believe that He is wholly for you, on your side and defending you. And if God, the most powerful being in the universe, is for you, can anyone or anything come against you successfully?

Perhaps you feel like you have messed up big time. God wants you to know and believe that though others may be angry with you, He will never be angry with you. Neither will He condemn you. The sum total of His anger against your sins fell upon Jesus at the cross. So He wants you to know and believe that He will never punish you because Jesus was punished in your place.

When you feel unworthy because you have just blown it for the hundredth time, know and believe that your heavenly Father still offers you the gift of no condemnation. So come boldly to His throne of grace to receive mercy and grace. (Hebrews 4:16)

My friend, know and believe that since He loved you and died for you while you were still a sinner, at your worst and ugliest (Romans 5:8), how much more is His love for you now that you are His beloved child and the righteousness of God in Christ! (2 Corinthians 5:21)