Final Day!

So finally it has come, today is my last day at Crown, a chapter of life in Hong Kong ends. Though I am excited to start new life in America, I leave emotional with many memories, thoughts sad and happy, and here I am recording this post at a coffee shop to what God is speaking through the scriptures reminding me of His faithfulness and promises.

Deuteronomy 30:8-10 "And you will again obey the voice of the Lord and do all His commandments which I command you today. The Lord your God will make you abound in all the work of your hand, in the fruit of your body, in the increase of your livestock, and in the produce of your land for good. For the Lord will again rejoice over you for good as He rejoiced over your fathers, if you obey the voice of the Lord your God, to keep His commandments and His statues which are written in this Book of Law, and if you turn to the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul"

Deuteronomy 32: 10-14 "He found him in a desert land and in the wasteland, a howling wilderness;
He encircled him, He instructed him, He kept him as the apple of His eye, As an eagle stirs up its nest, Hovers over its young, Spreading out its wings, taking them up, Carrying them on its wings, So the Lord alone led him And there was no foreign God with Him

He made him ride in the heights of the earth,
That he might eat the produce of the fields;
He made him to draw honey from the rock,
And oil from the flinty rock;
Curds from the cattle, and milk of the flock,
With fat of lambs;
And rams of the breed of Bashan, and goats,
With the choicest wheat;
And you drank wine, the blood of grapes"

Focus

Read this one on Jimmy's blog, I had to put this on mine ...thanks Jimmy for the permission. All I did was add the title and it seems to be a right fit for the post.

May this reading bless and enrich your heart.

It was written by a young African Pastor who had tacked it to the wall of his home. He was later killed for what he believed and practiced.**********

I'm part of the fellowship of the unashamed. I have Holy Spirit power. The die has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made. I'm a disciple of His. I won't look back, let up, slow down, back away or be still.

My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, my future is secure. I'm finished and done with low living, sight walking, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tame visions, mundane talking, cheap living and dwarfed goals.

I no longer need pre-eminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits, or popularity. I don't have to be right, first, tops, recognized, praised, regarded or rewarded. I now live by faith, lean on His presence, walk by patience, lift by prayer and labor by Power.

My face is set, my gait is fast, my goal is heaven, my road is narrow, my way is rough, my companions few, my Guide reliable, my mission clear. I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back, deluded or delayed. I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of the adversary, negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity.

I won't give up, shut up, let up, until I have stayed up, stored up, prayed up, paid up, preached up for the cause of Christ. I am a disciple of Jesus. I must go till He comes, give till I drop, preach till all know, and work till He stops me. And when He comes for His own, He will have no problems recognizing me - my banner will be clear.

Blessings and Shalom,

Mercy is Falling like a sweet sweet rain

It’s a long time that I haven't blogged but in this period of waiting and good blessings I just not have had time to put my praises into phrases. Recording it in ink (or bytes) is important as I may forget my daily praises to what God is doing in my life. So here it comes...

I have been studying the first five books of Law and want to record things that have immensely blessed me, may this reading (whoever is reading) also bless you from my heart to yours. In the book of Numbers Chapter 20 there is an account of Moses’ error at Kadesh.

The account tells us when the children of Israel were in the wilderness they grumbled against Moses and the Lord as they had no water to drink. When Moses and Aaron fell on their faces before the Lord, the Lord's glory appears at the door of the tabernacle. He instructs Moses to speak to the rock (notice speak not strike ch 20 vs: 8), but poor Moses in his rashness strikes the rock twice and the waters come out abundantly and the bible says the congregation and their animals drank. What impressed me in this account was Moses clearly disobeyed but still God supplied the needs of the people by providing them water. As a child I often thought the waters that came out of the rock might have been trickles or small streams...can you imagine if that was the case the two or three million people who were there would have perished, but what happened was rivers flowed into the desert so these vast multitude of people and their animals could drink abundantly. The third thing I learnt was in Numbers the Lord tells the people of Israel that ten times you have grumbled and not trusted me (literally you can count all the ten times) and so He tells them none of you shall inherit the promised land, on the other hand Moses in the entire journey has committed only one mistake and God judges him that he will not set foot on the promised land but shall die before entering it. The lesson I learn from here is God holds higher standards for the leader even when he commits a small mistake but with the congregation of people He waits mercifully. We see the same principle in Leviticus when the Lord gives His laws to the children of Israel, when a common man sins he is required to offer a female goat (which is cheap in cattle terms) as restitution but when a priest sins (who is in leadership position) he had to offer a bull (which was expensive in those days). Our God is a just God, full of mercy and compassion. The best blessing to my heart in this account was though Moses disobeyed and messed up, God punished him but God in His soverignity made a way of honoring His servant. Thousands of years later God gives Moses the honor to stand with Jesus on Mt.Carmel at the transfiguration. Oh! what a blessing...when I learnt this I was in tears... getting a peek into the heart of our God, truly He is merciful and just, compassionate and keeping His mercy and promise to thousand generations.

May the Lord, God of Israel be your peace and great reward.

Shalom and Blessings,

I did not know what to title this one, was reminded of a song 'Mercy is falling like a sweet sweet rain'...surely God's mercy is like a sweet rain falling and lifting us every day. I post a couple more things that I have learnt in my next few posts.

Three Brothers

parrot


I heard this one from a speaker who came to our church last Sunday...enjoy!

There were three brothers who lived in a part of Hong Kong called Mong Kok (most densely populated area of Hong Kong). They were poor and lived with their mom. Through the struggles of their mom they survived, got by with good education. All the three worked hard in their businesses and eventually prospered and became very rich. Not just rich but very rich! Their business empires spanned nations and on the 60th birthday of their mother they all got together and decided to honor their mom. The eldest brother proposed that he would buy mother a 5000 sq ft apartment in Mid level's (less densely populated part of Hong Kong) so she can live comfortably and leave that dingy little place in Mong Kok. The second brother said well if you are giving a flat I will give her a Rolls Royce Phantom with a chauffeur to drive her around the town. The third brother who had connections all across the world thought since mother is a Christian and wants a talking companion he would buy her a talking parrot which he would teach to recite the whole Bible. The birthday came and the three brothers offered their gifts to their mother. After a few months the mother requested the eldest son that she wanted to give him the flat back as she was quite lonely in the big place and wanted to return to her small apartment in Mong Kok. She likewise returned the Rolls Royce to the second son saying that it was too big a car and she literally had to shout at the chauffeur from the backseat for him to hear. She finally called the third son and said, 'Now you are a son who knows my tastes in life thank you...the parrot was delicious'

The King is Coming

Maranatha!


At the shout of the archangel,
The host of heaven, trumpets resounding,
My Lord is coming, riding on His white stallion,
The Lord of Hosts, with the army of heaven,
To make war and take home His bride

Eagerly waiting, hearts pounding,
Believers rejoicing and the wicked fearing,
Prophecy and promises, peace and goodwill,
Judgment awaiting, Heaven and earth bowing, exalting,
To the King of Heaven who sits on His eternal throne

Extending His scepter of righteousness, glory of Heaven now settled,
He judges the living and the dead, foes, friends, kings and nations,
Every knee falling, fear and trembling, joy and tears, all still, all who trust
Know we are home, so rejoice and praise, clap your hands, dance for joy,
We are home; we are home to live forever with our Lord and King.

SK

Kingdom Dynamics

The King is coming

We are living in interesting times or should I say a crucial time in the ending chapters of History? As I observe the story of nations and individual lives being unfold, I am really glad to be a believer. Compared to a century ago when people lived and died under monarchies, we are pretty much a blessed generation living in countries where democracy is highly valued. No doubt, democracy is the best form of government man has come up with, but we cannot at the same time deny the immoraltiy, injustice and atrocities of this age. Freedom, Liberty, value for life, are still trampled upon mercilessly. In the past, many a times in friendly discussions I have been asked what is my favorite form of Governance...my answer to that is of course democracy ...but I did remind my friends that personally I'm moving away from it and am waiting for Theocracy...where God is King.

Today I read and memorized Pslams 93 a small psalm, five powerful verses, which give us an insight to the relationship, prophecy and kingdom dynamics the psalmist reveals.

1 The LORD reigns, He is clothed with majesty;

The LORD is clothed, He has girded Himself with strength.
Surely the world is established, so that it cannot be moved.

2Your throne is established from of old;
You are from everlasting.

3The floods have lifted up, O LORD,
The floods have lifted up their voice;
The floods lift up their waves.

4The LORD on high is mightier
Than the noise of many waters,
Than the mighty waves of the sea.

5Your testimonies are very sure;
Holiness adorns Your house, O LORD, forever.
(Psalms 93 NKJV)

The Psalmist declares with saying how the Lord who is King, is clothed in majesty and has established the world. The psalmist welcomes us to the knowledge that the Lord's throne is established from old and is eternal. Oh! so beautifully expressed (prophetic too in nature) ...as christians we believe Jesus our King is returning. He will rule the earth and His Kingdom which is eternal is coming soon with Him. It is indeed a folly to think that we can add or deduct to the glory of God's Kingdom. We also see the psalmist's deep devotional love relationship as he puts his trust on God His King.

Let us also not forget that as a right given to us as God's redeemed, His chosen (whoever believes in His son Jesus) we are to welcome the kingdom rule of God in all our life situations. How do we do that you may ask? This is done by Praise and thanksgiving to Him. "In everything give thanks for this is God's will for you" (1 Thess 5:17). In doing so we are welcoming the overruling power of God's presence into the situations we face. The Lord's prayer also has the lines "Your kingdom come" and "Your will be done". Remember God knows all the angles of our life in any given situation, and any day He knows better.

The Psalmist goes on to tell God that the mighty waves of the sea are rising but at the same time reminds himself again that the The Lord in whom he believes is mightier. Just as Joshua's Praise army, Gideon's trumpeter's and Jeoshapahat's choir overthrew their enemies let us also fill our days, and hours with Praises to our King. As my fellow brother Joe in his blogs puts it 'Don't tell God how big your storms are, tell your storms how big your God is'.
Come friends now is the time to learn the kingdom dynamics and welcome His Kingdom rule in our lives.

Shalom and Blessings,

Travelers

KCR

I live in the part of Hong Kong what is called the New Territories and travel to the main HK Island to work. Hong Kong's excellent transportation facilities ensure that I reach the office in 45 mins. On my way back home the same route takes about 1 hour. To date (even after three years) I have never been able to figure out why it takes 15 mins extra. Anyway, let me not delve into the intricacies of time travel, but come on right to the topic of my post. On the course of my travels I meet many people; being an open and friendly person myself I usually start conversations with strangers I have never met who in turn become friends. Objective for doing so is to get to know a person and an opportunity to tell about Jesus and the eternal life He gives. Though many a times the opportunity to share the message of salvation is not always possible, nevertheless, the experiences have been valuable for me in knowing people from different cultures, races and countries. I will be indebted to these fellow travelers for they have given me a gift of not only friendship, but have shared their experiences, family lives, and an insight to their needs, and an opportunity to keep another traveler in prayer. Among these faces as I recall, a Korean man who works as a General Manager of a company, an African man from Congo living in Shanghai, an Englishman from Durham, a couple from Yorkshire, an Afghani exchange student to Hong Kong, a banker from Taiwan, another African man from Uganda, an Egyptian ...the list will go on, faces of different color, shape and race...all God's children for whom I pray. I think talking to strangers is not a talent, but when one traveler gives the warmth and friendly smile - lasting acquaintances, friendships, impressions, and the possibility for Jesus in you to be made known. All this even on a journey 45 minutes long. I thank the Lord for a job to be done, transportation and fellow travelers.

Shalom and Blessings

Encouragers

In 1 Samuel 14 there is a small story of Jonathan (King Saul's son) and an unnamed young man who was his armor bearer. The scene of this little story begins when Israel is camped at Gibeah in war with its age old enemy the Philistines. Without anyone’s knowledge Jonathan and his armor bearer cross over the valley to attack the Philistines. He resolves to take on the enemy by himself, telling his young servant that it is not by numbers one gains victory but by the hand of the Lord.

Observe - In his quest Jonathan does not go alone, but takes with him this trusted servant, secondly we see he puts his trust in the Lord who alone is able to deliver the enemy into his hands. At the same time the armor bearer willingly follows his master and encourages him to do all what is in his heart. Jonathan attacks the Philistine camp and the brave two, leave twenty men dead within half an acre of the onslaught. Panic strikes the enemy and the Lord Gives victory over the Philistine camp to Jonathan and his armor bearer.

We need a friend who is an encourager like Jonathan’s armor bearer.

Let's move on to another story from 2 Samuel 15 - David is fleeing from his own son Absalom who has usurped the throne. A band of followers and friends follow him into the desert. Did I say friends? Who are these friends who stick by David in the time of his calamity? Surprisingly, many of his friends are foreigners, who were once sworn enemies, against whom David had led military campaigns. Among them worthy to be mentioned is my favorite - Ittai the Gittite, a mercenary from Gath (hometown of Goliath) who had become one of King David's trusted friend and ally. King David tells Ittai to take his family and go back to his own country instead of running away with him to the desert where there is no future and certainty. Ittai's answer is worth noting: But Ittai replied to the king, "As surely as the LORD lives, and as my lord the king lives, wherever my lord the king may be, whether it means life or death, there will your servant be." Oh! What faithfulness. Oh! What an encouraging friend in the time of dire need.

We need a friend who is an encourager like Ittai the Gittite.

These stories remind me that we not only need encouraging friends but also pursue to be a friend who encourages others in the tough walk of our Christian lives.

I am also reminded of the truth that there is a Friend who is closer than a brother (though He is the King of Kings)...He is always there as our constant Encourager. Ittai's answer teaches me that I am servant of the Lord of heaven and earth, and so in death or life, where my Master will be there will his servant also be.

Blessings,

Learning

Think

Living in Hong Kong, Asia's world city, has a charm of its own. It is also a place with highly advanced and fast-paced technology, mad rush for money, and seven million people on the go to get somewhere which can sometimes stress you out. In my case, more than being stressed, I have lately been travelling in a frustration capsule, seems like being in a place of wilderness for a long time. But God is good and He has been teaching me wonderful things in this season. I want to record some things on this post which the Lord has taught me lately and maybe will also bless you in turn as you read.

The first few things the Lord taught me is whatever place or job I am in or wherever I will be, God has good plans for me, plans to prosper and not to harm, plans to give me hope and a future. These words from Jeremiah 29:11 have come time and again from the Lord in these last two years. I also learnt last week that God wants me to know four things in whatever job I am in:

1. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and all your being
2. The Lord is building character and purpose in me
3. God is interested in using my talents and time for His glory
4. God wants to use me to tell about His son Jesus and share the message of salvation

I love the first one because, I believe, when the first one is in place the rest will follow. Loving Him with all your heart will lead you to spend more time with Him, spending more time with Him builds character. We can freely ask from His goodness and His grace riches of His wisdom, knowledge and talents and be assured that He freely gives it to His children who ask. And finally the joy that He gives is so contagious that you cannot help but tell others about the abundant life Jesus gives.

I hope this blesses and enriches your hearts.

In Him,

Listen

O Lord you love me so much,
Will I understand the wholeness of your love?

I wish to know and I wish to fathom,
And even if I do, will I ever understand?
No I will not ...I know.

So oh Lord, even in passing whispers,
Speak your love and let the ears of my heart listen,
Let them give attention to its Creator;
In your words then will my heart find rest

In the chaotic entropy of life,
In worries, strifes and mundane routines,
You alone can bring stillness to my soul
You alone can surround me with pristine peace,
Now this I know, so I shall tell my heart this:

Oh! be still my soul. Your Lord is here,
Oh what a wonder, wonder of wonders,
The Ancient of days takes pleasure in a sinner,
Now my soul is quietened by your presence,
Silence captivated, heart tumulting to hear Him speak,
To be satisfied with words of life from Life Himself.

Now, He speaks each word going deep,
Springing new life and hope, radiating light,
Though not understanding all,
His words bring sound sense and wisdom within,
Each crevice and artery of my heart being lit with holy fire,
An impossible joy rising, yearning to leap in physical ecstasy
With a song, shout and praises for the most High.

But He says "Sit still, my son" and listen,
So I do, as a horse ready to be broken,
Mesmerised by the master of heaven and earth,

O Lord, and My God, I am in quiescent,
Calmed by your love in sweet embrace of your arms.

By SK

What Love is this?

Thou art in Heaven, seated high and above,
Exalted in might and strength;
Yet O Lord, your love stretches and reaches down
To the sons of men who are nothing but dust.

O Lord you choose to let your light shine upon us,
So these earthen vessels can hold Heaven's greatest treasure,
To reflect and radiate the divine presence of Messiah's light
So that these particles of dust can shine like bright crystal stars.

O Ancient of Days, King of all ages,
Exalted in Glory and splendor;
Yet O Lord, you garbed yourself in humility and shame,
To save the sons of men who were worthy of death.

O Lord you adorned your bride thus, in shining garments,
So that we are holy, pure and in beauty surpassing,
Sparkling, forever glimmering, tender and loving bride of God
So, now we can live with You forever and ever in your eternal love.

By Sam Kurien

Shalom

The Lord is my Shepherd

Recently I started reading the book "Travelling Light" by Max Lucado. I am sure many of his readers will agree how Max's books bless people all round the world. Certainly this son takes a lot of traits in story telling from the Master Author Himself. Anyway Thanks a lot Max!

I wanted to post some thoughts and record how blessed I was, having just read two chapters of 'Travelling Light". To summarise, he begins the first chapter with how we carry the heavy burdens of life like anxieties, guilt, expectations, worries, etc. He goes on to teach us that God's wish for us is to leave these burdens and travel light. The second chapter talks about David's Psalm 23 and how this Psalm has blessed people all over the world. Sung in thousands of languages, brought comfort to people in troubles, wars, family feuds and in every pilgrim's progress as a source of strength and encouragement. Max suggests that David's use of the word "The Lord" (the name of Yahaweh) was very intentional and inspired. Instead of choosing the other names of God like 'Adonai', or El Shaddai, he uses 'The Lord' to convey not only his praise but to let his readers know the great weight and meaning of knowing whom we are calling upon. Max explains further that our God is not like a genie puffing out at our command to fulfill our wishes, nor is He a God who is a wise grandfather sweet, but unable to help, and neither is our God an absent Father who appears for some time on Sunday and disappers for the rest of the week. No! this is not the kind of God we need or have. So true, is his explanation of why David choose God's revealed name of Himself. Let me paraphrase Max and and add my Praise in the following lines.

We need a God who is the The Lord God Almighty, who is The Lord of Hosts. The God who flings a billion stars into billion galaxies and a billion galaxies into a universe. We need a Almighty God , who, by His single word sustains and holds all creation. We need a God who takes a lump of earth and forms man, and gives him life, fusing millions of cells into a lump of flesh we call a brain and giving it a trillion neuron connections. We need a God who has chosen to love us inspite of being unworthy. We need Yeshua, who not only bought us out from slavery, but adopted us, became our best friend, and even has made us heirs to rule with Him. We need a God who is 'The Lord", my faithful Shepherd.

Blessings,

Jesus said "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. ²⁹Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Mathew 11:28,29 NIV)

Lessons from Noah's Ark

Everything I need to know about life, I learned from Noah's Ark...

• One: Don't miss the boat.
• Two: Remember that we are all in the same boat.
• Three: Plan ahead. It wasn't raining when Noah built the Ark.
• Four: Stay fit. When you're 600 years old, someone may ask you to do something really big.
• Five: Don't listen to critics; just get on with the job that needs to be done.
• Six: Build your future on high ground.
• Seven: For safety's sake, travel in pairs.
• Eight: Speed isn't always an advantage. The snails were on board with the cheetahs.
• Nine: When you're stressed, float a while.
• Ten: Remember, the Ark was built by amateurs; the Titanic by professionals.
• Eleven: No matter the storm, when you are with God, there's always a rainbow waiting.

Author: Unknown
God bless.

The Cross on the hill

I lived in Shatin for almost one year. And the first thing I noticed on my landing in new territories was the Cross on this hill. The sight of a cross obviously filled my heart with joy but never knew then that in my journeys to work and wanderings all over Hong Kong I will pass by this cross so often and would be blessed by it so wonderfully.

This cross for your information is gigantic about 12ft to 15ft towering in the air. Contrastingly, beside this hill is another hill where a buddhist temple stands. It is a well known tourist spot as it displays 10,000 gold idols of the grinning and groaning buddha's. Even from far away the hill with the cross stands much higher and elevated than the one on which this pagan temple rests. Isn't that interesting? Because of this elevation, the cross can be seen very clearly by all people downtown Shatin and all the surrounding areas. I find this not only interesting but am reminded how the idol of Dagon fell before the ark of covenant. (Read the story in 1 Samuel 5 ). The cross of Jesus Christ will always stand higher. The signs in the earth are many for people to open their eyes and see of our victorious Savior's doing.

I most often see this cross passing Shatin on the KCR train when I peer to look at it and remember what my savior did for me on that cross. That cross has been a constant encouragement, reminder and a blessing on my journeys to work. A reminder of the price my Savior paid, and to what extent He went to rescue me so I could stand and fellowship with God forever.

I always wanted to go upon that hill and see this cross closely. It took me almost three years to get there. Last month I finally got the chance to hike up that hill. I liked the place instantly, a few big rock boulders on which you can sit and pray and trees all around. I am so glad I came up to this hill first before visiting the touristy place down below (you now know the one I am talking about). If you are in Hong Kong and happen to pass by Shatin look up on that cross on the hill and know the One who loved you gave Himself for you.

Shalom

Fairest Lord Jesus

In my morning travels to the office, sometimes I stop for my Starbucks fix. Today was one of those days where my stomach needed a fix too.

So there was I, lounging on the plush seating listening to my IPOD to a new Album (I am Free by Ross Parsley). I was having a great time with the Lord, along with the Starbucks milk, (decaffeinating the coffee addiction with milk) honey and toast to keep company. Then, this old hymn “Fairest Lord Jesus” came up which New Life Church has now made more contemporary with inserting a cool chorus somewhere in between.

The Lord did something amazing, as I heard this song, my heart overflowed so much in love and adoration of my savior. Any blood pressure cuff would have exploded measuring my heart rate as I sang along this song. He filled me so much that I just started bawling. I was wondering why am I crying so much at such a beautiful song. I realized then it was the sweet company of my Awesome Lord that caught and lavished the admiration in my heart for Him, hence the tears. He was choosing to receive my praise through this song as I sang along and He was filling me with His joy. It amazes me that the King of heaven takes time to come and join you at Starbucks (of all the places) to receive your praise. My Lord thou art fairer more than anything, more than anyone. You shine brighter than the brightest star in the heavens.

Read along the verses of this hymn by clicking on this link and let the praise rise from your heart to His:

http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/f/a/faljesus.htm

Blessings and Shalom

Legacy

Today as I traveled to work, I was reading Charles Swindoll's "David", the first one among the Great Lives series. The last chapter talked about David ending his era and giving his final advice to his son, Solomon. This really blessed my heart today and that is what I want to share and record as it correlated with my morning prayers. So let me turn the clock to 45 mins before my travel.

Earlier in the morning, as I was praying and having my worship time. I was praying for my children (though we don't have children yet, my wife and I pray for them) and while doing this my thoughts wandered in thinking how right from conception and even before, God knows them. He has seen the unformed and the unseen, yet to be and yet to come. He has placed fathers and mothers to care for the lives He brings to life. He has placed them not only to be role models of living for Him, but also telling them about Himself. They are to impart the knowledge of the Holy One, and most importantly teach them to seek Him with all their being. As I randomly thought these things, I was telling myself that right from the time when my wife is pregnant I am going to tell the child about our Lord. Ok, enough of a peak into my thought trail....

Coming back to the topic of the book. Charles was talking about the legacy we leave behind for our children. David spoke to his son saying "As for you my son Solomon, know the God of your father, and serve Him with a whole heart and a willing mind; for the Lord searches all hearts, and understands every intent of the thoughts. If you seek Him, He will let you find Him; but if you forsake Him; He will reject you forever." (1 Chronicles 28:9-10)

David very well knew through his life that the most important thing was to know God. So, Let me summarize his advice to his son, from which we can learn so much.

1. Know God
2. Serve Him with your whole heart (which effectively means Loving Him with your whole heart in all you do) and a willing mind
3. Seek Him and He will let you find Him

Swindoll goes into great details and captures all the points above beautifully. But what impressed me was what a great legacy David was leaving his son. Through his own experiences of strength, success, failures and weakness David had learnt to rely on God, knowing Him, serving Him and seeking Him with all His heart. This is what we as a families are placed on earth to do: to glorify and extol the name of our Savior, passing this great legacy to the next generation. I was indeed blessed in my spirit to pray for my children even before they come to be and lay strong foundation for them to know Him.


Blessings,

Know, Serve and Seek the Lord your God with all your heart.

God Cares

Today we had our usual Thurday lunch prayer meeting at the church. All the members couldn't come so Tony, Catherine and myself met and we were sharing about what God is doing in our lives. Suddenly Catherine's friend walks in and is suprised to see her (they hadn't met for a long time). Catherine introduced Julia to us and she told us that she only had five mintues and asked us to pray for her job situation. Apparently she had just joined this new job and was not liking it, she also expressed that she had changed so many jobs and was getting tired of it. Earlier in the morning I had read in Isaiah 62 that the Lord humbles himself from His high place to look after the heavens and the earth. Even cooler than that is the fact that Our God is so intrested in our individual lives and wants to help, guide and care for us. So, I was not at all suprised that He cared for this girl, changed her directions to come to the church where we met, and appointed a time for us to pray (without our knowing) for her need. Our God cares for our good and he will intervene when we are troubled and answers even before we ask.

From the Faith and Bible League Tract

I love it....hope this one ecourages you greatly

He came from the throne of the Father to the womb of a woman. He put on humanity that we might put on divinity. He became Son of Man that we might become sons of God. He was born in a supernatural way, lived in poverty and was reared in obscurity. He had neither wealth nor influence, yet the wisdom of men has never matched His wisdom. Never has a man spoken like this man. His family was inconspicuous and un- influential. In infancy he startled a king. As a boy, He stunned theologians with His knowledge and wisdom for He was taught of God. In manhood, He ruled the elements and quieted the raging sea. He healed the multitudes without medicine. And fed thousands from a boy’ lunch. Even demons obeyed Him and He gave back live to those who died. He never wrote a book, yet none of the libraries of the world can contain the books that have been written about Him. He never wrote a song, yet He has furnished the theme of more songs than all song writers combined. He never founded a college, yet all colleges together cannot boast of as many students as He has. He never marshaled an army, yet no leader has ever had more volunteers. Great men have come and gone yet. He lives all. Herod could not kill Him. Satan could not tempt Him to sin. Death could not destroy Him. The grave could not hold Him. He laid aside His purple robe for a peasant’s gown. He was rich yet for our sakes He became poor. He slept in another’s manger. He rode on another’s donkey. He was buried in another’s grave. He conquered death and rose on the third day as He said He would. He ascended into heaven and is on the right hand of the throne of God. One day He will return with power and great glory to judge the world when every knee shall bow to Him and every tongue shall confess Him as Lord. His friends gladly. But enemies seeking for a place to hide from His face. He is the perfect one. The only one who can satisfy the soul. He gives everlasting life to those who love Him. He is altogether lovely. But best of all He is my Savior.

You are all I Need

Sweet Jesus, you are all I need,
You have set my heart at the right place,
For now I know you are all I need
Be it in pasture land, desert or a palace,
Let my heart rejoice and be always thankful
For all the blessings and longings you pour out
I will turn them back to praise and thankfulness
I will tell my heart they are not the toys I need,
All I need is you alone,
You are all I need.

Thank you Lord

Thank you Lord for teaching me this,
Opening my eyes to the truth,
You are God who will provide,
You are God who saves your servants,
You are Almighty, You are all caring,
You are my refuge, You are my protector
My skills and abilities, my talents and all that I possess come to nothing,
Nothing do I bring to change things around me,
But You O Lord remind me from Your word,
Your word gives me life and your word watches over me,
So I will shout that word from atop skyscrapers and tell it aloud in this land
I will shout like David to the giants I face "You come with sword and javelin,
but I come in the name of my God, the Lord God of Israel"
Oh Lord what a blessing, thank you Lord for blessing me with Your word today.

Early in the morning, Lord had reminded me of some verses from the Psalms 81: 4-6

"This is the decree of Israel an ordinance of the God of Jacob. He established it
as statue for Joseph when he went out against Egypt, where he heard a language
we did not understand. He says "I removed the burden from their shoulders, their
hands were set free from the basket"