Growing Closer to God

About a week ago, I read the post on (in)Courage: How Can I Grow Closer to God? It was a post by writer Lysa TerKeurst, who has written the book, Made to Crave!


It was an inspiring post that got me thinking of the need to distance ourselves from the whatever is is that distracts us from focusing on God!


I posted my comment, together with many others, to the question posed:
What distraction might you need to distance yourself from, in order to grow closer to God?  Leave a comment today and you’ll be entered to win one of 3 copies of “Made to Crave- satisfying life’s deepest desire with God not food.”  


Praise be to God! I just received an email from (in)Courage yesterday, informing me that I've won the book! Looking out for it in the mail, and can't wait to read it!


If you would like to get a copy of the book, do click to buy:

Made to Crave by Lysa TerKeurst Made to Crave is the missing link between a woman's desire to be healthy and the spiritual empowerment necessary to make that happen. Author, Lysa TerKeurst, personally understands the battle that women face and has written this book to help women find the "want to" in how to make healthy lifestyle changes.....and grow closer to God through the process. Cover: MADE TO CRAVE Satisfying Your Deepest Desire With God, Not Food Product Details: Size: 5 3/8" x 8" Paperback Pages: 224 Published by Zondervan Lysa TerKeurst is a contributor to DaySpring's blog, (in)courage. Also, visit Lysa on her inspiring blog at www.lysaterkeurst.com

Well, just to let you know what my comment was, here it is!

Serena May 17, 2011 at 7:50 AM

Thanks so much for your sharing. Sometimes I think I am my own distraction. At times when I am doing my quiet time, I find myself drifting off to my own thoughts. I know I am supposed to wait upon the Lord and for His leading, and I am trying and learning how to do that. In a way I will need to learn to distance me from myself and my will and let Him take over.

Jesus Cooks Fish!

Peter, John and the other disciples must have been very tired and disheartened after not catching any fish after a long night of fishing. 


They hear a friendly and strangely familiar voice calling out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?” John 21:4-6 . 


They had not caught anything all night. 


Then, they are asked to do something, which according to the natural mind, would have been mind-boggling: “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” 

They do so, and when they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish. 153 to be exact, and they were all large fish. The net was not broken.

It could be a case of deja vu. 


In Luke 5, in an earlier encounter with the fisherman by the Lake of Gennesaret, Christ had similarly asked them to let the nets down for a catch, after Simon 


Peter had said that they had "worked hard all night" and not caught anything. Yet, cast the nets they did and to their amazement, "they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break". 


And when they filled both boats, the boats became so full that they began to sink! Talk about getting a good catch!

The ichthys symbol is also known as the fish symbol of Christian faith, and it alludes to the long-standing relationship between fish and Christians. There are many uses of fish in the bible!






Fishers of Men


I will make you fishers of men, fishers of men, fishers of men... 

I am sure many of us have sung that song as children, making the action of fishermen casting their nets into the sea or casting a fishing line. As a child, I remember actually being very perplexed by the song...what in the world is a fisher of men? Thankfully, I have since come to appreciate what the terms mean. "Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” Matthew 4:19

5 Loaves and 2 Fish


Another miracle concerning the fish is the enduring and amazing story of God's providence and care and concern in the story of the 5 loaves and 2 fish. Not forgetting the story of the 7 loaves and a few fish. God came to give us life and abundant life at that. There was more than enough to fill everyone, with leftovers. Also, if we could only give Him whatever small quantities of loaves and fish, He will do amazing things with them. Praise God!



The Fish and the Coin


Another story that would have astounded many around Him was when Christ instructed his disciples to get the coin out of the mouth of a fish to pay the tax! 


"But so that we may not cause offense, go to the lake and throw out your line. Take the first fish you catch; open its mouth and you will find a four-drachma coin. Take it and give it to them for my tax and yours.” Matthew 17: 27

Jesus Prepares Breakfast

Coming back to the story of the disciples catching fish that early one morning.  When they came to shore, a most beautiful sight (and I'm sure, aroma too) greeted them. There, by the beach, Christ had a fire of burning coals with some fish on it, and some bread. John 21:9. 

Jesus cooks fish. How amazing is that? How much tender love has gone into preparing that meal for His disciples. How much care and concern was shown by Jesus as He served His disciples. 

As for me and my house ... we will serve the Lord! 

This month, Dayspring has great offers on wonderful products that remind us of how God has called us and served us, and how how we should serve the Lord. 

One such reminder is the ichthys wood wall carving that is beautifully carved from mango wood. Hang it on your wall at home to remind you that Jesus cooks fish, and the significance of fish in the Christian life.
It is now on sale at US$29.99 (40% savings) at Dayspring.

Wood Carved Wall Hanging - Ichthys (Ichthus, Icthus)

In addition, receive 20% off of your entire purchase with code MAY20!

http://store.dayspring-store.com/

I know the plans YOU have for me

Just the other day, I heard a reply that put a damper on my hopes. It was about a work assignment I was to take on in a couple of months' time, but somehow, due to scheduling conflicts, I could not be included in the team. That was a piece of disappointing news to me. I had looked forward to working in that organisation and on that particular assignment, and both parties had been in contact about it for close to two months now.

I realised that in the midst of the disappointment, I had to cling on all the more to Jeremiah 29:11:

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.


In fact, I personalise that declaration and promise from God to me: That God knows His plans for ME, to prosper ME and not to harm ME, and to give ME hope and a future!

How wonderful it is to also receive Roy Lessin's Confession of Faith. In fact, I see it as my prayer today:

I believe God will guide me:

"In Your unfailing love You will lead the people You have redeemed. In Your strength You will guide them to Your holy dwelling. Exodus 15:13 NIV

I believe my life is in God’s hands and keeping. I believe He has a plan and purpose for my life and that He is leading me in a path that will fulfill that plan and purpose. I believe it is a good plan, a right plan, and the best plan. I believe there is not a better, higher, or wiser way for me to live or way for me to follow. I believe God knows exactly what He is doing and that He will bring things into my life at the exact time they are needed. I believe He wants me to follow Him with praise on my lips for who He is, with thanks in my heart for what He does, and with obedience in my steps for what He asks me to do.

I believe God is true:

The Lord is the true God and the God of truth (the God Who is Truth). Jeremiah 10:10 AMP

I believe God is the true God. From Him, and Him alone, comes all truth. He is true in His character and nature. He will never speak a lie or live a lie. Every word He speaks is true, every promise He makes is true, every deed He does is true. I believe He is true to me. His love is true love, His kindness is true kindness, His concern is true concern, His comfort is true comfort. I believe God is my true north, my anchor point, my certainty, my confidence. I believe I can walk with my eyes set upon Him, with my faith resting upon Him, and with my heart fixed upon Him, knowing He will not and cannot fail.

Amen! God is a good and faithful God, worthy of praise and worship!

I'm choosing to trust in HIM, that when one door closes, He will open another one, a better one, the RIGHT one.

God bless!

9-year old Davis Burton recaps the bible

One of my friends sent me a link to this video of 9-year old Davis Burton who made a speech in his church, recapping the bible, after having read through the whole bible!

This precocious young man is amazing! Without pausing, without hesitating, he shares on the significant details and key episodes in the bible. His recounting is indeed inspiring and should spur all of us to read though the entire bible!

Road to Emmaus - Israel Re-visited

December 2008 can be called a spiritual turning point in my life. That was the time I visited Israel, God's Holy Land.

It's truly amazing to walk in the footsteps of Jesus - Jerusalem, Capernaum, Galilee, and many more places of the Bible. Nothing beats being there, and seeing for myself the land that flows with milk and honey!

It was also because of the trip that I started reading the bible and finding out more about God and His promised land more intently, and God surely rewarded me as the scales fell from my eyes, so to speak, as He opened my eyes to His amazing Grace and Love!

Just as the two disciples broke bread with Jesus (whom they didn't realise was Jesus!) while on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-35), they suddenly saw the light and realised that they were in the presence of Jesus! Yes, His amazing love does that to you.

I'm sharing a video of my time in Israel. Viewing the video is a way for me to re-visit Israel, and re-encounter my memorable moments there. I hope that it will take you on your Road to Emmaus too.

God bless!

Sitting at Jesus' Feet

In Luke 10:42, we learn that "but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."


So often, we behave like Martha, rushing here and there in the busyness of the day, forgetting that Christ just wants us to sit at His feet and draw from Him, just like what Mary did. If only we can quieten ourselves to be still before Him and seek first His righteousness, all [these] things shall be added to us also, minus the stressful scurrying around.


I have to remind myself to sit at His feet. Very often, I worry about things - how things will turn out, what plans I need to put in place, what I need to conjecture, to manoeuvre, but I realise that I do not have the deep insights into things and His full wisdom. I can only trust in HIM to put all things together in the best way possible for me, in ways that only He can.


All that takes trust, and I admit that trusting completely in Him is not always easy. Sometimes, I tell Him, I trust you completely, but at the back of my mind, there's always that fear that things may not turn out the way I want them to. It takes courage and yes, trust, to be able to trust Him to lead me in the way I should go, and I am encouraged by the verse in Isaiah 48:17:


Thus says the LORD, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel, "I am the LORD your God, who teaches you to profit, Who leads you in the way you should go."


I would like to share three things that we should do today, from Roy Lessin, to establish us at the feet of Christ.

Three things to believe today

…know Me, believe Me and remain steadfast to Me, and understand that I am He. Isaiah 43:10 AMP

1. Believe what Jesus has said. You cannot know what Jesus has said without knowing the Scriptures. His words are there for you to hear, to believe, to receive, and to obey. His words are true words, good words, living words, whole words, righteous words.

 Confess: I believe Jesus’ words, they are the foundation of my life.

2. Believe what God can do. Do not place any limits upon God. There is nothing too hard for the Lord, and with God nothing shall be impossible. Believe your life is in His hands and He is taking care of you.

Confess: I believe there is no limit to what God can do and I place no limits on His working in my life.

3. Believe the Holy Spirit’s leading. The Holy Spirit is in you and will guide you into all truth. He will reveal to you what you need to know, where you need to be, and when you need to do what He is directing you to do. Don’t lean upon your own understanding, but upon the Holy Spirit’s guiding. You can always trust His guidance because He always knows what He is doing.

Confess: I believe the Holy Spirit is leading me in the right path and without mistakes.

We are in the world but not of it

The church is not peripheral to the world, and the body of Christ has an active role to play as the light and salt of the earth.

There is power in the body of Christ: Matthew 18:20: For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.


And whatever that is agreed on earth will be done in Heaven. Amen!

He is Your God

Sharing something from Roy Lessin:

He’s Your God, Part 2

He’s your God in the busy,
He’s your God in the slow,
He’s your God in the coming,
He’s your God in the go.

He’s your God in the good time,
He’s your God in the tear,
He’s your God in the dark cloud,
He’s your God in the clear.

He’s your God in the harvest,
He’s your God in the drought,
He’s your God in the silence,
He’s your God in the shout.

He’s your God in the mountain,
He’s your God in the plain,
He’s your God in the losing,
He’s your God in the gain.

In light time and dark time
In the valleys and peaks,
He’s the God who holds you,
He’s the God who keeps.

I will take you by the hand and will keep you. Isaiah 42:6 AMP

How should we respond in the end times?

Dear all, 

Recent events in the world point to the end of the world. We don't know when it would happen but we know that it will happen.

The encouraging thing is that for believers in Christ, it's not a time for us to be discouraged but encouraged.

When I met with a friend recently, she mentioned that if the end of the world comes, it would be good if the family all went together with no one left behind. In a way, I agree, but wouldn't it be good if the family need not perish but be reunited in Heaven, and with God our maker as well?

You know I only wish the very best for you and your family. That's why I'm sending this message to you, to let you know of God's great love for you and your loved ones and He wants them saved, as so do I. You may have already heard of God and the bible. I hope that you will revisit Christ's message for you, and make a decision to accept Him as your true and living God. 

I have come to realise that accepting God has been the most important decision in my life and I have I can have assurance and hope in Him.

Do watch the video below and read the passage as well. If you would like to know more, do feel free to let me know.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kBlDQdwlf70

Luke 21:
9 And when ye shall hear of wars and tumults, be not terrified: for these things must needs come to pass first; but the end is not immediately.

10 Then said he unto them, Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: 11 and there shall be great earthquakes, and in divers places famines and pestilences; and there shall be terrors and great signs from heaven.

...

25 And there shall be signs in sun and moon and stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, in perplexity for the roaring of the sea and the billows; 26 men fainting for fear, and for expectation of the things which are coming on the world: for the powers of the heavens shall be shaken. 27 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 

28 But when these things begin to come to pass, look up, and lift up your heads; because your redemption draweth nigh.

In Christ, we can lift up our heads with expectation, as our redemption is near. Hallelujah!

Meet Me In The Meadow: The Blessing of Shalom

Taken from: Meet Me In The Meadow: The Blessing of Shalom

“Then Gideon built an altar there unto the Lord, and called it Jehovah-shalom.” Judges 6:24

When we greet someone we usually say “hello” and when we leave we usually say “goodbye.” It is a nice social greeting but it really has no deep or profound meaning behind it. In Israel, however, when you greet someone or say goodbye the word is “Shalom.” “Shalom” is much more than a casual social greeting—it is a prayer, a blessing, a deep desire, and a benediction. It is a word that is packed with the full blessing of God. In Hebrew the word has many significant meanings throughout the Scriptures. The following blessing is a compilation of those meanings.

May you be whole in body, soul, and spirit as a result of being in harmony with God’s will and purpose for your life.
May His peace be your covering, your heart know His fullness,
and by His mighty power may you know victory over every enemy.
May He bring to pass the deepest desires of your heart.
May you know the healing power of His presence,
and the restoration of every broken relationship.
Through His sufficiency, may every need that you face
be met by His limitless resources.
May His covenant promises be fulfilled in your life and in your family.
May He bring you the greatest measure of contentment,
and the deepest satisfaction that your heart can possibly know.

Keeping Faith

First there were three: Faith, Hope and Love.

Then, there were two: Hope and Love.

Well, what happened, you may ask. The fact is that I lost Faith. In a split second, as I was washing the pendants under running water in my bathroom sink, Faith slipped away, and dropped swiftly out of sight into a watery maze of pipes.

There was a moment of stunned silence, then peace. I thought I would be upset. Well, I was, but I was surprised that I was not more upset. After all, one third of my favourite trilogy of pendants was gone, and I had been wearing them together very often, since I got them as a birthday present to myself about two years ago. I had grown used to tugging at the three pendants hanging from the silver chain hanging around my neck.

But now, there are two remaining. I could have been more upset, and disappointed that my fingers had let slip Faith.

But I knew that it was only the silver pendant, an outward manifestation, a reminder of my faith.

True faith remains - in my heart, mind and soul. In my Lord and God. Amen!

Hebrews 11:1 (King James Version)

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Joseph Prince - God's Glory Unveiled In The Last Days - 20 March 2011

Five loaves and two fishes or seven loaves and several fishes

As a child, I was always intrigued by the story of the 5 loaves and 2 fishes - how Christ divided them up and there was more than enough to feed the 5000, with 12 baskets of leftovers!

Following that miracle was another one involving 7 loaves and a few fishes (we don't know how many for sure). It was only recently that I took notice of how the two miracles took place one almost immediately after another, as was recorded in the gospels. In Mark 8, we read of:

The Yeast of the Pharisees and Herod

14The disciples had forgotten to bring bread, except for one loaf they had with them in the boat. 15“Be careful,” Jesus warned them. “Watch out for the yeast of the Pharisees and that of Herod.”16They discussed this with one another and said, “It is because we have no bread.”
17Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked them: “Why are you talking about having no bread? Do you still not see or understand? Are your hearts hardened? 18Do you have eyes but fail to see, and ears but fail to hear? And don’t you remember?19When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many basketfuls of pieces did you pick up?”
“Twelve,” they replied.
20“And when I broke the seven loaves for the four thousand, how many basketfuls of pieces did you pick up?”
They answered, “Seven.”
21He said to them, “Do you still not understand?”

This led me to wonder - how is it that Jesus used 5 loaves to feed the 5000, and 7 loaves to feed the 4000? In the natural, it is more logical to need more to cater to more, but what the two miracles show us is that with Christ, anything is possible! He does not need to follow the logic of the natural, physical world. Christ is the Lord of the supernatural, and nothing is too small or too big for Him. This is also a reminder that we should not forget the Lord of miracles - after just having seen Christ perform the miracles of the loaves and fishes, the disciples were worried that they had forgotten the bread!

Oftentimes, that's the case with us too - after having experienced Christ's love and miracles in our lives, we often forget them too soon after. We need to constantly remind ourselves of Christ's love and righteousness for us, and that He is our Lord of miracles indeed. Hallelujah! Thank you, Jesus!

Healed of Cancer

When Dodie Osteen, mother of well-known and well-loved pastor of Lakewood Church in Houston, Joel Osteen, was hit by cancer, she decided to claim the promises of God for healing, and she shares her remarkable journey of faith to full recovery.

She shares the 40 healing scriptural verses that she recites and claims that helped her to claim her healing in Christ. The book also gives her physician's documentation of her diagnosis and healing.

Read the book to learn how you can also claim God's word for your healing.

Beyond healing, God wants you to have divine health! Hallelujah!

Healed of Cancer S$5

I would like to share a song that I can't get out of my head today - Hear my prayer O Lord, from the ends of the earth I cry, Your peace will lead me to the Rock that is higher than I...

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FaithWorks Catalogue

Find meaningful gifts that will inspire Faith in yourself and your loved ones! 

For your convenience, all items are displayed below. Click on the title links to find out more.

Faith Hope Love Pendant

Faith Hope Love Pendant S$52

Love-Heart Necklace

S$25

Messianic Pendants:  

Shalom

Shalom S$49

Barucha

Yeshua S$49

Barucha S$49

Faith Pendants 

Peace - Love - Joy - Smile - So Blessed 

Joy Pendant

(Usual Price S$15.90 NOW S$12! 

Whilst stocks last!)

Peace Pendant

Love Pendant

Smile Pendant

So Blessed Pendant

In the Shadow of His Wing

Wing Pendant S$34.90

Wing earring S$24.90

Wing Keychain S$24.90

Faith Bracelet

S$28 each

Faith Bracelet - Christian Character

Redeemed

Redeemed Pendant S$28

Redeemed Keychain S$18

Scripture on the back

Created-Chosen-Celebrated-Cherished

Rhodium plated pendant S$49

Inspirational Pendants

My Heart, Christ's Home
Angels Watch Over You
Fruit of the Spirit
God's Soldier

Fruit of the Spirit S$22

My Heart Christ's Home S$20

God's Soldier S$20

Angels Watch Over You S$20

Postcards from God
S$10each

With Love

Promise

Hope

Grace

Blessings

Faith Bookmarks

S$8 each (currently out of stock)

Heart-Locket Bookmark

S$10.90 (currently out of stock)

 

Faith Pouches

S$6.90

Faith Notebooks

S$4.50

Faith Diary for Children

S$9.90

Water Bottles

S$10.50 
(currently out of stock)

Live Well Love God

Beautiful Inside and Out

Tree of Life 

Tree of Life Pendant S$34.90

Tree of Life cuff S$34.90

Tree of Life Earrings S$24.90
(Currently out of stock)

How to Order and Make Payment

Please email your order to the email address: faithworks123@gmail.com

Include the following details in your email order: 

a. Name of the item(s)

b. Quantity required

c. Your name and mailing address

d. Type of delivery postage required (regular/registered)

Please note that email orders will be  processed on a first-come-first-served basis.

2.  An email confirmation will be sent to confirm your order. Please make payment when you receive the email confirmation. Your item(s) will be sent when payment has been received.

How to Make Payment:

1. All items are listed in Singapore dollars. Payment is to be made in S$ and items will be sent to Singapore address only.

2. Please make payment via bank fund transfer (POSB). The bank account number will be sent in the order confirmation email.

2. Free local (Singapore) regular postage will be provided. If you would like the item(s) to be sent via registered mail, please add S$3.00, and please indicate your wish for registered mail in your order email.http://faithworks123.blogspot.com/2010/12/faith-hope-love-necklace.html