When everything is just temporary

Sometimes, you won't see things because your heart is not into it. There are various lessons God is teaching us yet we sometimes tend to see them with our mere eyes. "Eveything is temporary." This is ringing on my head since yesterday. It's been over a year that I couldn't settle myself in. I have seen changes after changes that I found it hard to catch up. At many times, I found myself just keeping my head above the water. When I was suddenly taken out from the place I thought I was thriving, it took me time to really move on. Then I realized, I was struggling because my other foot was still stuck on the other end - my comfort zone. So I made a declaration and commanded myself that I will get up from bed seeing things from His perspective. It took me awhile to see that but I'm glad I found the courage to do so. One thing I have proven true again is that there's wisdom in letting go, in surrending it all to God. And so after I made that decision, I found myself again walking on water. I started to see myself again in my best form and the best part is, I started enjoying each moment of waiting. But right, this is again "temporary" as another beginning is fastly approaching. Sometimes, when we start to get the hang of it, is actually the perfect message that it's time again to let go. God taught me and still teaching me that all these "temporary" moments have "eternal" purposes. What I have learnt is that obedience to God doesn't really require "understanding" but obedience will later on make us understand. There are a lot of things in our walk that dont make any sense on an outright but God is asking us to just plunge in and as we keep on taking the step of faith, as we keep on holding on to His grip in the midst of uncertainties, He will make us understand and see the beauty of His impecable plan. We just have to make a decision to align our heart to all these wonderful mysteries He has on mind. "The grass withers and the flowers fade, but the word of our God stands forever." Isaiah 40:8, NLT

INFINITE

Living on my own for almost 2 months now makes me more understand what "infinite" means. I got to keep myself busy in many ways I can imagine. I got to see what fun means in many angles as I could. And the more I discover them in countless ways, it develops infinite hope in me. It makes me see how infinite GOD's goodness is! Remember when Abraham was asking God about his inheritance? God took him outside the house and said "Look up at the sky and count the stars--if indeed you can count them." Then God said to him, "So shall your offspring be." (Gen 15:5) Infinite. It's a simple word yet so profound. It's one word yet has "infinite" meaning. And so is hope. And so is faith. And so is trust. They are seemingly simple words but how they keep us anchored is so deep to measure. God speaks to us in countless ways. In fact, God is infinite. In so many ways we want to comprehend all things in our own infinite ways, God is actually the only ONE who already knows the end even before it has begun. The more we dig into the "infinity" of the future, the more we got to tighten our grip to HIS goodness as only HIM and HIM alone who can truly anchor and take us to where we should be. "He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set ETERNITY in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end." Ecc 3:11, NIV

The WIND

GOD's love is more than tangible! I woke up really early this morning. I looked around in my room and yeah, I am alone and today marked my 1 whole week living on my own in my small rented apartment. In Singapore, I usually greet my roomies and flatmates in the morning. And everytime I come back from my long absence, they would always welcome me with "We miss you. It has been so quiet here without you." Or one will say "I miss your cooking." Or "No one is initiating our housemate bonding anymore". Or "I miss our breakfast together." I also miss hanging out almost every night and there would even times that I couldnt fit everyone in! Yeah, I miss those moments. In fact, it has been a year that my lifestyle has drastically changed. It was so drastic that I let my feet slip at times. But when I woke up this morning, my heart was at peace. My heart is filled with joy. I felt so much loved. I felt His embrace wrapped around me. I am loved. I am soooo loved! HE lavished His love on me. And one thing that really came to me was that HIS love gave me the assurance of victory. I think the assurance of being loved gives us so much to look forward to. It negates our fear indeed as we know that that in HIS love, no matter what happens, we are accepted. It gives us full of hope knowing that the ONE who loves us unconditionally has our best interest on mind. HIS love gives us courage - being assured that His grace will always come to our rescue when all fail. Many of us know this so well already but knowing is one thing and really living to its fullest extent and feeling deep down in our soul is another. It's more than a revelation. It's like the air we breathe - we know it exist and we believe it does... but when the air move or we call it "wind", the feeling is much different. God's love is like that - sometimes it just become so ordinary to us like air but His love does move and when it does, the presence is much felt!

When our best is not good enough

When our best is not good enough, God will complete it. The only thing God is asking us is to give our best - no more, no less. He will not ask us beyond our fullest capacity. When you have given your best and still it's not enough, take courage! Don't look down, look up as it's just about time for God to show us what He can do. It simply means, He wants to take part of that dream. He wants us to be dependent on Him. He wants us to trust Him. If giving our best alone will satisfy that, we tend to take the glory. We tend to look to ourselves more when we should be focusing on Him. I think that's what faith and grace are all about. It's taking God into the equation. Faith to be assured that God is with us. Grace that enables us to do things beyond our skills, strengths and even beyond the best of our best. So when we can honestly say we have given our best and still falling short, don't be discouraged as God will definitely walk you through. "Everything will be OK. When it's not OK, it means it's not yet the end." - anonymous I read and heard this many times, and true enough, God will never fail those whose trust are in Him. “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived the things God has prepared for those who love Him." 1 Cor 2:9, NIV

Run with perseverance!

Don't expect life to be easy on you; If it so, you won't discover the possiblities God has put within you. Therefore, run with perseverance.

Don't think you will always hear His voice in silence; If so, you won't realize that God has actually already put the answers in your heart. Therefore, run with perseverance.

Don't linger on sadness when you experience failure; If everything is about winning, you won't learn that you can actually do some more. Therefore, run with perseverance.

Don't await that someone will always pick you up; If that's the case, you won't find out that God has enabled you to push yourself up. Therefore, run with perseverance.

Don't be surprised when you find yourself alone at times; If they will always be around, you won't really see that above all, God is actually who you need after all. Therefore, run with perseverance.

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith..." Hebrews 12:1-2, NIV

PERHAPS

After listening to Ptr Paul's message this morning, there's one word that really struck me. It was not the highlight of the message in fact but it came to me like a bomb and the Lord spoke to me through the word -- perhaps!

Perhaps is an expression of some sort of uncertainty yet it's the same word Jonathan used when he called his armour bearer to go up and invade Philistine garrison.

Then Jonathan said to the young man who was carrying his armor, “Come and let us cross over to the garrison of these uncircumcised; PERHAPS the Lord will work for us, for the Lord is not restrained to save by many or by few.” 1 Samuel 14:6, NASB (emphasis added)

Jonathan was not sure yet he moved up in courage. He was not certain yet he took the step. He didn't know what awaited him yet he pursued his destiny. He didn't have any idea of the future but he knew his God!

Not having the full picture is the perfect picture of walking by faith. It is where we discover that God has actually bigger things on mind than what we know.

Perhaps God is just waiting for the same courage from you. Perhaps HE is just waiting for you to take that bold step. Perhaps HE is just asking you to move up and take what is yours. Perhaps HE is teaching you to let go and move towards your promised land. Perhaps HE is just asking you to take your full assurance from who HE is!

Perhaps and many more perhaps. Most of the times, God will not tell you what's on the other line but you wouldn't really know unless you cross it - be bold and embrace!

Thoughts into captivity

“Just because you have a thought, you don’t have to think it… bring every thought into captivity (2 Cor 10:15)” – twitted by Max Lucado

Sometimes the tests will not come in a big wave or strong storm… Sometimes, they come in silence. And sometimes, we just find ourselves wondering and holding tight as changes in life pass us by. Thoughts will keep on knocking into our head for sure and no wonder we always say that our mind is the battleground. It takes so much stillness in our minds and hearts to hear every “hallelujah” our spirit is crying out.

At times, you would feel nobody seem to see the depth of your cry and that every small victory would mean a lot… and that every time you trip, you would just want someone to tap your shoulder and say “it’s ok” or every time you slip, you just long to have someone reminding you how great you have done so far and just let your mistakes fly away.

Oh... sometimes you would ask GOD questions that you yourself know the answer – you just want to blurt it out. And in every silence, sometimes, you would just close your eyes holding on to every encouragement you could find – no matter how small that is. Yet sometimes in finding, you are putting yourself in stickier mud... and so sometimes, doing nothing means doing something.

Sometimes, you know you are neither lonely nor doubting, but you just find yourself seeking to what seem to be missing… and this is one of the moments you would realize that there must be a good reason why GOD’s kingdom must be seek and as promised, those who will seek with all their hearts will find it.

But yeah, bring every thought into captivity… as the enemy is trying to ensnare you away from the stillness of HIS love. This is why we have to renew our mind daily – feed our thoughts with HIS words, fill our hearts with HIS peace.

And when you are back to your senses, you would smile and just say, “yeah, I can be the answer to my own prayer...”

“For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ.” 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 ESV

Unfamiliar Road

I remember one time I was talking to myself the things that I'm not really comfortable with and one top of mind answer I had was: "Facing the UNKNOWN". I guess like everyone else, nobody wants to walk the road of uncertainties. We get uneasy knowing we will face things we may not know. 

Yet at the same time, this could also give you the excitement if you will just see it in the eyes of faith. It's turning our question from "God, why am I here?" to "God, what are You teaching me?" 

As I was having my time with God, HE just reminded me of this one basic principle: the gold process. To get pure gold, it has to go under a certain degree of heat... and during this process, the mineral impurities will be separated. Being in the unfamiliar road would make you see what are from God and what are not. In the process, God will show you the impurities of your heart, not to say "you are bad" but a message that "HE is good". HE is that good that inspite of your imperfection, HE has chosen you to reflect His glory... And little would you know, HE is in the process of purifying you for HIS plans that you have never imagined. 

All these "revelations" you have learnt in your years of Christian journey would just be "concepts" and "principles" if they are not tested... If they are not flesh out. Jesus didn't just take the "WORD" wherever He went, HE WAS THE WORD HIMSELF (John 1:1). It's no longer just knowing the principles and taking it wherever we go, it's about living them -  that your words and yourself will be one. It's like when you talk about "grace", that grace itself permeates in your life. When you talk about "self control", that very word will be seen without you saying it. When you talk about "all things are possible", your life itself will show that indeed nothing will hold you back. 

Being in the "unfamiliar road" is the perfect time to take all these "familiar principles" you have known and make it your reality -- your very life message.

Unshakable

“… so that what cannot be shaken may remain.” Hebrews 12:27, NIV


This came to me like an echo from GOD to my heart. “Unshakeable” is something that separates the disciples from the crowd, the mature ones from the yet to be matured. So when shaking comes – where do you stand? The shakable or the unshakable?

It is no longer a surprise to us that shaking comes – it is no doubt expected. One thing that assures us is that we have received an unshakable foundation, we just have to stand firm and remain steadfast. Nothing in the world can shake the goodness of GOD. No one can even fathom how great HE is – that’s why HE said, “I am who I am” (Exodus 3:14)

“Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.” Hebrews 12:28, NIV

Be part of the “unshakable”.

The BIGGER WHY

They say, it’s the WHY that will drive you to move forward. It’s the reason behind that gives you the will to take another step. But what if you can’t find the reason? What if you don’t know the purpose why things happened?

I bet many would fall without having a clear understanding of the why.

Then I looked at my heart. What keeps me then going when I don’t understand? I came up with this answer: it’s first knowing the bigger why behind the why. It’s like I aim to give my best at work because I want to be a good testimony or I give because I want to be a blessing to others… but behind all the WHY’s I do things because I am loved by GOD and I love HIM. So if my work will be shaken or how the people will see me, even if I don’t understand, I will keep on keeping on because first, my GOD loves me so much.

I think that’s one big difference from the world. Now I’m having a clearer understanding of the bigger WHY, if you don't have it, you will lose sight of track when everything else fail... when all your whys fail. Everyone needs a strong ground to stand on… something that will never change through all seasons and there’s only one I can think of: HIS love.

So as for me, I’ll keep on declaring, in high or low season, I will praise GOD.

“Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! 
His faithful love endures forever.” Psalm 136:1, NLT

The Bigger Blow

When there's crisis in our lives, the tendency is we get weak because we stop what we are doing. But the more we stop, the more the enemy advances. And the more we give in, the more we unconsiously agreeing with the satan's subtle schemes.

Jesus clearly said, "My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to finish His work." (John 4:34). It is in the doing what we should be doing, believing what we should be believing and pursuing what we should be pursuing that we get strengthened. If we stop, we deprive ourselves from eating our spiritual food. And that's like letting the enemy take the upper hand because guess what? The enemy's goal is to steal away that purpose God has given us - he wants to steal that "moment".

Instead, let me share to you one of my principles in my walk with God: when the enemy is trying to steal away my joy, I give the enemy a bigger blow! Whenever he touch my family, I would say, "Alright, I'll get up and encourage more people." Whenever I see his plans advancing, yes there are moments that I will just give myself a break - let all the things out of my chest, cry out to God... but at the same time, I tell the enemy, "Watch out. Once I'm back, I'll definitely give you a bigger blow. I'll preach all the more. I'll excel all the more. I'll lead all the more. I'll love all the more. I'll write all the more. I'll give all the more. I'll give you more bigger blows!"

For this I know, I'm strengthened in living my very purpose!

"Each time He said, "My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness." So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me." 2 Cor 12:9, NLT

Because it takes HUMILITY to GROW

Sometimes, it is in this "yeah, I know that" moments that God is actually teaching us BIG time... but learning takes humility. No wonder sometimes kids learn faster. They have lesser understanding of what we call "pride". And no wonder JESUS promotes childlike faith. They don't need logic to fully believe. The best part is, when "pride" takes the upper hand is actually the time we need "humility" the most. Whilst pride plays around selfishness, humility talks about selflessness. Pride capitalizes on "what I think"; humility sees "what HE thinks". 

"He leads the humble in doing right, teaching them HIS way." Psalm 25:9, NLT

Sometimes, we redefine what humility is and only wear it when it doesn't hurt us. Stubbornness blinds us. We indulge too much on what we know instead of what we should do. 

Humility talks about radical surrender, unconditional obedience to God. It is not "OK GOD I'll do this if..." or "I will believe when...". Humility recognizes the nature of God - not just what He already did or can do, but the very nature of HIM who knows so much far better than we do. Humility highlights HIS LOVE. It speaks more than just about trust or faith. It is not merely preaching about peace. It is a state of the heart. 

Humility is behaving like this, "HE must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less." John 3:30, NLT

And if we really want to grow, wearing the cloak of humility is definitely a good start.

Deep longing. Deeper assurance.

After decades has passed...


I'm still on the road believing
To a promise worth fighting.

Finish line is still out of sight
But hope keeps me strong in the fight.

Agony is surely waving
But HIS love is far more convincing.

The more I get my knees to the ground;
The more I see how HIS grace abounds.

Well, who says there's a deadline in faith anyway?
Faith is just believing all the way.

Ohh yes, after decades has passed
All I know is, His goodness is steadfast.

When Small Means BIG

I think many “strong” believers "fail" more on the little things than the big things. We can hear a louder “yes” or “no” when we will be tested on giving up our “big dreams”, “big desires” and responding to “big callings” but we tend to miss listening to the whispers of giving up our rights, responding righteously when no one sees, thinking admirably especially at the middle of emotional tortures. How funny it is when we can say YES on an instant to BIG stuffs but make excuses on how we are behaving on small things?
If there’s a camera everywhere, will you respond differently? If there’s a megaphone on your mind, are your thoughts worth echoing? I was walking one evening when I saw this advertisement that says, “Transparency is beautiful when you have nothing to hide.” Oh how indeed so true and these “hidden” things are actually what define us the most.
These small things shape us as much as the big things. Even Jesus highlighted this, "Whoever is faithful with very little is also faithful with a lot, and whoever is dishonest with very little is also dishonest with a lot." Luke 16:10, NASB

Small responses mean BIG especially when your character is on the line! So yes, “CHARACTER” is the word and is best displayed when we have all the excuses to be rude, impatient, mean and all…
“On the contrary, we speak as men approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please men but God, who tests our hearts.” 1 Thessalonians 2:4, NIV

Yielded Heart

When I was still studying, I used to tell to myself, "There's no such thing as a surprise quiz to those who are always ready". Now I have come to realize that in our Christian journey, there's no such thing as a "surprise test" to those who have that right kind of heart.


I have been contemplating these past few days on how is it to really live a life in a place of total yieldedness... and this lead me back to the basic - the state of heart. Many times we tend to make all our trials as our excuse on why we responded "that" way but isn't that our actions are just a mirror of what’s inside of us? Matthew 12:25 says, "a good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him". No matter how utterly surprising things would come, a yielded heart would always exude the true qualities of it.

These are the priceless teachings I got from one of my great heroes, Job. It never fails to inspire me on how he responded to the overwhelming "surprise tests" he had. Just right after everything was taken away from him in one instant, he humbled himself and said, “Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.” (Job 1:20)
His response was more than notable, it was exceedingly commendable! Did it come as a surprise? Absolutely yes! But his outright response reflected the state of his heart. Talking about yielded heart? Job displayed it perfectly.
To conclude, only thru our yielding to GOD that we will experience the fullness of life. Job yielded and in his yielding, he had that life everyone would want - "full life" (Job 42:17).

It is POSSIBLE!

It is possible to stay strong even if all the people are displaying their weaknesses.


It is possible to be so hopeful even if all that surround you are hopeless.

It is possible to keep calm when everyone else is in panic.

It is possible to believe when they are all doubting.

It is possible to forgive when it's "valid" not to.

It is possible to extend grace even if your pride says no.

It is possible to stand again even if you were wounded countless times.

It is possible not to say hurtful words even if the situation prompts you so.

It is possible to advance even if everyone else retreated.

It is possible to bless even if all others are cursing.

It is possible to remain faithful, even if they all forgot.

It is possible to keep on loving even if you feel it's not being returned.
It is possible to respond rightly even if you were offended.
It is possible to contend in faith even if they all think it's ridiculous.
It is possible to keep on fighting even if it has already caused you so much pain.
It is possible to walk on water even if you were the only one left daring it.
And definitely...
It is possible to pursue Christlikeness, even if the scenario tempts you otherwise.


It is possible!!! The answer only rest on the choice that you will make - it will spell the BIG DIFFERENCE!


(Today's random thoughts inspired from Ptr Les' preaching)

IRONIES

Isn’t amazing that GOD is asking us to think not the way the world thinks? Here are some life chunks that the Lord taught me and still teaching me:

1. Sometimes, the CLOSER you get, the FARTHER you will become. Does familiarity ring a bell to you?

2. The HIGHEST wisdom that you need is mostly found at your LOWEST point, at least true to my experience!

3. It is never about your GREAT achievements but the LITTLE things that you do that will put you at the right spot.

4. It is not about what you do when the SPOTLIGHT is on you but what you become when the party is OVER that will define you.

5. When YOU need refreshment, try refreshing OTHERS and you will be refreshed! Oh well, it's actually in Proverbs 11:25, NIV!

6. It is not when you RECEIVE that you will gain the most but it is when you GIVE.

7. MATURITY begins when you accept that you are still IMMATURE.

8. The more you COUNT it, the more you will FALL short.

9. Knowing the value of true REST and granting yourself one, will keep you GOING.

10. You are ready to HAVE it when you are ready to LOSE it. (This talks about yieldedness to HIM, surrendering everything to HIM, trusting HIM come what may.)

11. The "pride" that you could BEST offer HIM is when you have not taken any pride with the things you have offered.

12. It is not about how people acknowledge you but how you acknowledge that it's not about acknowledgement at all.

13. The more you SURRENDER to HIS ways, the more you will experience VICTORY.

14. Influencing lives talks more about what you can LEAVE and not what you can TAKE.

15. Sometimes knowing it all does NOT actually mean you know it ALL.

All glory belongs to YOU GOD. You must increase so I would decrease (John 3:30)...

Sweet lessons...

The LORD concluded my birthday celebration with these lessons in life:

1. You don’t need a “secret formula” to influence lives… Just be the woman (or man) GOD wants you to be- just the way HE designed you and there goes the “formula”. Remember, HIS designs, every inch of HIS idea about you is the perfect blueprint and it covers everything!

2. A willing heart attracts GOD! Don’t resist HIS move. Don’t fight HIS grip. There is nothing more edifying than a heart that is just so willing to trust and obey HIS move. Abide in HIS words. Trust HIS silence. Listen to HIS heartbeat. Pursue HIS dreams. Remember, you can never outgive, outlove and outdo HIM; HE always give you back in hundred folds!

Beyond logic...

When Jesus multiplied the fish and loaves, He definitely didn't use logic. When He raised the dead, He didn't support it with logic. When HE caused the lame to walk, HE didn’t explain it with logic. When all other miracles happened from Old to New Testament, GOD never presented logic. HIS goodness is just simply beyond our comprehensions and logic will fall short to explain even just a single miracle.

So why use logic when faced with seemingly unreasonable challenges after challenges? Logic will not take us any farther; we will just find ourselves lost in trying to understand all things. That’s why the psalmist said, "Be still and know that HE is GOD. (Psalm 46:10)" We were never asked to “understand GOD” and in fact, Ecclesiastes 11:5 says, “As you do not know the path of the wind, or how the body is formed in a mother's womb, so you cannot understand the work of God, the Maker of all things.”

If truth be told, GOD is inviting us to walk the path of miracles and beyond logic - to dream bigger than ourselves and to dare wilder than what we have been seeing. Excuses are no longer “excuse”. Jesus even guaranteed us that greater things shall we do (John 14:12). Where’s the logic in there? A resounding NONE! We just have to see it for ourselves!

We were created beyond logic to begin with. And the purposes and potentials implanted within us are as well beyond logic. For this reason, we were posed to “live by faith and not by sight” (2 Cor 5:7).

The Yardstick

The more you measure it, the more it will come fall short... but the more you pour it out, the more it will just overflow...

These phrases have been just ringing on my head and echoing in my heart since this morning. You just got to give love, release hope, bring joy, and carry encouragement relentlessly without measuring the extent of what you have already given or counting what you have already received in return. You just got to let that love go!When will we know if we have already given enough? I guess penning answers to that question is like limiting what love can actually do. Can we really measure love? Taking the illustration of a candle – will the candle stop burning after it will provide you light for a moment? I doubt that because giving is not just merely responding for a moment. It’s not just answering to someone’s needs. It’s just simply giving because it's the nature of the giver. I have come to realize that the more you withhold it, the more you keep yourself away from shining that glory GOD has implanted within you because the glory of someone is being revealed in the giving mode – in the line of duty, in the light of service. When was the glory of the Father’s love perfectly shown? When HE gave HIS only SON. And when was the glory of HIS son JESUS immensely demonstrated? When HE gave HIS life for us.

So what’s the yardstick of giving? In Phil 4:19 it says, “And my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” God gives according to what HE can, what HE has and what HE will. This verse perfectly expresses that in giving the yardstick is not the receiver, but the giver himself.