Enemy is Defeated

if theres anything I learnt in Tassy, it was that joy comes in the morning, or simply put, suffering is part and parcel of the plan, take hope in that God will see you through it, and that it will pass and be replaced with exponential blessing.

He is greater than the circumstances. I WILL praise Him and thank Him despite these letdowns. I am already blessed as it is with supportive family etc. Ugh. Rant.

That 4 lettered word

Love never dies. Inspired speech will be over some day; praying in tongues will end; understanding will reach its limit. We know only a portion of the truth, and what we say about God is always incomplete. But when the Complete arrives, our incomplete's will be canceled.

1 Cor 13:8-10 (MSG)

I guess sometimes, its good to remember that if we understood everything, there wont be a need for God to teach and guide us, would there?

"we only know a portion of the truth" - that He showed us anyway. Its quite humbling that sometimes we get caught up in doing things, learning, teaching, and feeling oh wow we're there! We're definitely not there. But its important work nevertheless, because He first loved us, then only we are able to love Him and others.

Also, it is not fair to say Christianity is illogical, senseless, brainless just because its based on faith. Its more like, faith is what we believe will bring us to knowledge - complete, perfect, and truthful knowledge, because our God promised completeness in Him. Dont get me wrong, the human pursuit of knowledge is important, and I advocate finding out as much as possible in science and nature. But specifically I am of opinion that the careless dismissal of faith and emotions as medieval charlatanry is bigoted.

Interesting that Love was the only one that didnt die out when He comes to complete us. Maybe, thats the only complete part of us that didnt need fixing.

In conclusion, v13 (MSG) goes on to say:

But for right now, until that completeness, we have three things to do to lead us toward that consummation: Trust steadily in God, hope unswervingly, love extravagantly. And the best of the three is love.

The Importance of Memories

Looking back is dangerous.

Luke 9:62 Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”

Genesis 19:26 But Lot’s wife looked back, and she became a pillar of salt.

But remembrance is important.

1 Cor 11:24-25 and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “This is My body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” ²⁵ In the same way, after supper He took the cup, saying,“This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of Me.”

When you take out journals, pictures, notes, cards, messages. It strengthens resolve, it reinforces purpose, it refreshes weary hearts, and it redirects tired feet. 

Yes! There were struggles, worries, fears, doubts in the past. But as you look through the memories, you realise you can cling on to the promise that He will walk with you now, as He did then.

Keep them memories close, and the people in them closer.

God You Have Done It Again!

yesterday I saw fire fall down from heaven.

I saw people whose hearts were hungry,

I saw broken lives restored,

I saw old and new chains crumble into dust.

I saw a generation ready to claim the promise land.

Thank you for allowing me to be a part of this Father.

Transcending

2 lines mark today,

"I see your hands, I see where you thought you're insufficient, but know that I am pleased with you, I love you, keep this up."

"Do you trust Me?"

Phil 3:14 - Press on.

Arise, Hope

Sometimes, victory seems so out of reach, no matter how hard we try. Chasing dreams for umpteen years yet coming out second best. Seeking for the answer, only to be left with even more questions unanswered. Doing good, yet receiving nothing in return. Offering an helping hand, that is pushed away. Searching for comfort, but only finding doubt.

Although the saying "the night is always darkest before the dawn" is to be questioned, it is with a considerable degree of certainty that the dawn will come, no matter how long or dark the night. So lets have hope! Right?

I for one, do not concur. For in the good book of Psalms 23:4 it reads, "Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me."

In total contrast to the view that the world depend on, that the victory is declared when the dawn reaches, when dreams are realised, when answers are given, when goodness is rewarded, when help is accepted, when comfort is found; God declares that true victory is when we walk through the night, with Him by our side, as we draw deeper and depend on Him more.

What is the dawn? It comes and goes, and it will be night again. But your God will remain by your side.

Where does your hope come from?

Desiring

Matthew 7:7-8.


Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.


Jeremiah 29:13-14a.


You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. "I will be found by you,” declares the Lord...

Beginnings

21 days.

Don't let my spirit sleep.

Step 1

Realization that I cant do it on my own, or rather, it can be done so much better if I let go, and let Him.

Consistency

Luke 9:23. Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me."


1) Wanting to be His disciple. Its a choice we make!

2) Deny themselves AND take up their cross daily and follow Him.

How important it is to be spiritual athletes who exercise consistently and practice self control over things like diet, time, and habits.

And what is our reward?

Joy.

Origami

Fold fold fold fold fold fold fold fold fold fold fold fold fold fold fold.

*squints

"I don't see it."

"Carry on. Trust Me."

Fold fold fold fold fold fold fold fold fold fold fold fold fold fold fold.

*Rrrrip!*

"Still dont see it, and my paper is torn."

"Here take mine, and I'll show you again this time."

Fold fold fold fold fold fold fold fold fold fold fold fold fold fold fold.

*mutters

"Nope, I still don't see it."

"Why is this so hard?"

"Because you're folding with your hands, and not your heart."

fold fold fold fold fold fold fold fold fold fold fold fold fold fold fold.

"Are You there?"

"Always."

"Will You help me please? I can't do it on my own."

"Here you go."

*fold.

Masterpiece.

The Last Page

I rejoice at the ending, for my hopes are in the beginning of a new book.

I saw of the final chapter of suffering and I place my faith in the beginning of the joyful times.

I heard of the last whisper of defeat, and I wait for the triumphant call of victory.

Today, I felt the sorrow and pain around, but tomorrow there will be celebrations and festivities abound.

Verily, it is a time to mourn and grieve, but it is done, and soon it shall turn into happy remembrance and fond memories.

Even as the morning always comes after night, and even the desert thrives when the rain falls.

For what is darkness? It is merely the absence of light. Light but has to shine, and it is overcome.

RIP. :')

Dont Turn Away

Why are you trying?

What are you looking for,

How will you find it?

To where will you run,

To whom do you turn to,

When will you see,

I AM by your side.

Ginourmously Unfanthomable

No long posts, means a busy and thinking hard season. Also,sometimes, I believe that thoughts should be put to action, not words. Cause talk is cheap, and I dont like to talk what I cant walk. But this I want to share, because sometimes words can mean all the difference between make, or break. Especially the Word of a Living God.


Isaiah 64:4
Since ancient times no one has heard, 
   no ear has perceived, 
no eye has seen any God besides you, 
   who acts on behalf of those who wait for him. 


1 Corinthians 2:9
 “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—"


v10:  these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit.


Though some things we dont understand, though it seems so big in front of us. Yes Lord, there You are waiting behind it. Amen.

God is Good

Why do we only attribute the good things that happen in our lives to God's will? And yet when dark times befalls us we tend to lament and blame Him for not being there.

Isaiah 45:7

 I form the light and create darkness, 
   I bring prosperity and create disaster; 
   I, the LORD, do all these things.


Do you not see, that in times of unrest and uncertainty, He has created it also, that His mighty name is glorified?

Take heart, God isn't good only in the good times.God is good, all the time.

Nothing

of my own.

Step by Step Part I

Honestly, I realised I was avoiding writing this post, but no good reason not to. So yeah sat my butt down and started putting it down at 12am like a BOSS... Who am I kidding, if I'm the boss I would get my assistant to write this, So, putting it down at 12am like a normal dude. Word.

Where do I start? Lets break the long-time-no-post-ice. Cue fat polar bear. *badadish* Anyhoo, Updates. I turned 21, 3 weeks ago in the company of friends and family. It is certainly will be one of the memorable ones, for those spared the facebook pics, I assure you, contrary to my grinning face, the makeup was the horriblest feeling ever. But having friends around you that love you, is one of the best feelings ever, so I guess that Makes Up for it. (You see what I did there?). Also, the steak was very nice, thank you everyone! :) Apart from that, I started internship the day after my birthday, and its great, I am really blessed to be where I am in a decent internship just 5 minutes away from my house, thank You!

So after all that hoo-haa, its suddenly December and I'm sitting here thinking about 2012. Thats alright, everyone will look back at their year, and look forward to the next one with resolutions, goals and expectations. But then I realised that it means I am sitting here thinking of my future but limiting it to next year only!I can think further ahead, plan my steps with more certainty! 2012 is the next step, but there are many more after that, equally as important. But that is another story.

More importantly, was what followed that train of thought. In your steps ahead, how do you accomplish your goals, your dreams, your needs, your wants? Setting a target, vital. Have a game plan, of course! For Christians, submitting it to Him, done thing. Praying, in the process already! But ultimately I realised that in everything we want to do, if we want to see a change, if we want to see things happening the most important step is actually to begin here *taps heart*. People search for change everywhere and always want to do things. Dont get me wrong, I also agree that things have to get done. But what I mean is that for REAL change to happen, it always has to come from the inside out, and not outside in. Let me give you an example from Christian faith. What is it that Jesus did, the miracles, the healings, will that save us? Does being cured, or saying a simple prayer grant us eternal life? No, it is deeper than that, because behind the miracles, the cures, the prayer, we believe that by grace He has died for us, and now lives in us, and promises to change our hearts to be like His. 2 Corinthians 1:21-22 "Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come." This tells us that 1)Grace, not our works saves us, and 2)Change, to God, starts from the heart.

Thus for now I am trying to understand that change comes from within and flows out to affect things around you instead of thinking that by changing the things around us, we can achieve the change we want. Its getting late, and I should sleep. But, I hope that the next step, begins with the heart.

Verbatim

Is the act of repeating word by word, exactly.

Are you having verbatim worship?

Are you repeating whatever is on the screen, or the lyrics, or whatever the leader is singing?

Are you having worship of worship?

Is your worship dependent on who the worship leader is, how good the vocals are, or how well the musicians play?

Sometimes its good to stop, and listen.

I heard the voice from the guy behind me. Slightly out of tune he might be, but it sounded as beautiful as the music the band was playing on the stage.

The simplicity of a single untrained voice comparable to the level of music a band can achieve? Come on! What am I saying, that's impossible.

But the truth is, that the only way it is possible, is because the purpose of worship, is to glorify One.

Wise Words

Be Joyful in Hope, Patient in Affliction, Faithful in Prayer.
Romans 12:12 (NIV)

Au Revoir

Why so gloomy, O Mind?

Why so sorrowful, O Heart?

Have you not received more than you deserved?

Have you not been taken in?

Have you not been pardoned, when you should have been condemned?

More than that, have you not been promised greater things than what you thought you wanted?

Train the mind and guard the heart, all for the single purpose, that,

In the end, the only one that matters is You.