Blessing for the year!

I am re-posting the following benediction by Roy Lessin:

A New Year’s Benediction

May the coming year be one of increased riches of grace—hearing His voice more clearly, knowing His heart more deeply, resting in His love more fully, trusting His care more completely, walking His pathway more peacefully, knowing His presence more intimately, blessed by His goodness more abundantly.

And in all things, may you know the shalom peace of God—encouraging you to move forward, empowering you to boldly take each step, greeting you as you turn a new corner, calming your heartbeat as you walk through dark valleys, softening each footstep as you climb rugged mountains, and increasing your courage as you follow your Shepherd wherever He leads.

You crown the year with a bountiful harvest; even the hard pathways overflow with abundance. The grasslands of the wilderness become a lush pasture, and the hillsides blossom with joy. Psalm 65:11-12 NLT

Blessed 2012 everyone!

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Blessed CHRISTmas!

In the week leading up to Christms, many start to feel increasingly hassled and harried as they fuss about prepping for their grand Christmas celebrations. There's food to be cooked or ordered, presents to be bought and wrapped, and greetings to be mailed, emailed, smsed.

Yet, only ONE thing is needed, and that is to be still and know that HE is Lord. He is the first Noel, our Emmanuel, God with us.

Let us remember the CHRIST in CHRISTmas,and that HE is the reason we celebrate CHRISTmas.


Blessed CHRISTmas, one and all!

He Will Never Let Me Go

I'm the lamb Christ carries
     He will never let me go.
He has me in the centre of His palm
     He will never let me go.
His Favour surrounds me as a Shield
     He will never let me go.
He instructs me in the way I should go.
     He will never let me go.
He is with me in every situation.
     He will never let me go.
He knows me by name.
     He will never let me go.
He knows the plans He has for me.
     He will never let me go.


He will never let me go.


Inspired by Psalm 136

Images:
http://www.google.com.sg/imgres?q=christ+and+lamb&hl=en&gbv=2&biw=1280&bih=685&tbm=isch&tbnid=B_WtsB6BpcwQCM:&imgrefurl=http://free-christian-wallpapers.blogspot.com/2010/02/great-god-jesus-christ-posters.html&docid=eqrcSPIO_5SqeM&imgurl=https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggDTNEdSXwlT6oz9Q-sjfRHu_5fnQrjo7ncSKUYxb4KtkhSFkMoba4nGUoV4DB6hDlnoBM66hDaxdtkYnvdcqNn06ViWtHxgNfwahcIBrwtZFVGZUvM9LDeVmC4utIAdP-zp4TnSF0OKY8/s400/Behold-the-Lamb-Posters.jpg&w=320&h=400&ei=krbcTvHEH8aqrAeet_3gCg&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=173&vpy=239&dur=2081&hovh=251&hovw=201&tx=108&ty=106&sig=115425711255643696145&page=5&tbnh=153&tbnw=128&start=77&ndsp=20&ved=1t:429,r:0,s:77
http://www.google.com.sg/imgres?q=christ+and+lamb&hl=en&gbv=2&biw=1280&bih=685&tbm=isch&tbnid=15ZDsyKinAsrjM:&imgrefurl=http://www.comicvine.com/jesus-christ/29-56085/all-images/108-213933/jesus1/105-1378041/&docid=bXx0l1MiyWGCqM&imgurl=http://media.comicvine.com/uploads/5/50532/1378041-jesus1.jpg&w=350&h=498&ei=krbcTvHEH8aqrAeet_3gCg&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=198&vpy=125&dur=347&hovh=268&hovw=188&tx=80&ty=143&sig=115425711255643696145&page=1&tbnh=143&tbnw=127&start=0&ndsp=19&ved=1t:429,r:0,s:0

For I Know the Plans I Have For You ...

I have been claiming Jeremiah 29:11 for some time now:

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.

It has been a great source of reassurance, especially when I think of the decisions for my life that I've made over the past year or so, in my move from a secure full-time job to a part-time one. 


Yet, there has been some nagging thoughts about whether my actions have been in accordance with God's will. Somehow, there have been times when I felt that perhaps I was not following His directions for me, and not fulfilling the work that He had for me. However, claiming Jeremiah 29:11 has helped me to manage those fears.


I have just started reading Pastor Joel Osteen's latest book, 'Everyday a Friday'. Last night reading the book, at the end of chapter 4, something he wrote brought back some of those fears. He wrote that 

when you are in difficult times, remember that either God is doing a work in you, or He's using you to do a work in someone else.

I know that reading scripture and books related to faith and scripture should raise hope and not cause uncertainty. I brought my concerns to the Lord again. This morning, I told the Lord that He had to let me know in no uncertain terms that I was walking in His will, that the 'steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord' (Psalm 37:23).


I would like to say that our God is a good God and He is so faithful!


Turning over the page of perpetual calendar of Roy Lessin's Reflections from the Heart of God, I read these comforting words and beautiful reminder of God's love and grace for me:

God is leading you on a prepared pathway and will perfectly lead you into the plans He has for your life. Take each step without concern about where the path is taking you. He has gone ahead of you like a scout who has already checked out the trail. Nothing that is ahead will take Him by surprise.

Amen! There are many other verses who also let me know that God has me constantly on His mind and that He is leading me in the way I should go: 

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you. Psalm 32:8

I will go before thee, and make the crooked places straight: I will break in pieces the gates of brass, and cut in sunder the bars of iron Isaiah 45:2 

Isaiah 48:17

      I am the LORD your God, 

      Who teaches you to profit,
      Who leads you by the way you should go.

Amen, indeed!

The Love of Money

I have never thought of myself as being money-minded. I'm not a penny-pincher nor a miser; I don't spend all day cooking up money-making schemes; in fact, why, I do believe I'm one of the more generous people around. As Aunty Chocolate to the kids in the neighbourhood, I can always be counted upon to have sweets, chocolates and cookies for them. Even my colleagues have not been spared the sweet treats, as I go around to their cubicles to leave them sweets and cookies (I tell them that I am spreading the calories around). I'm also usually the first to give birthday and Christmas presents!


So, when the Holy Spirit recently convicted me of having the love of money, I was taken aback at first.

1 Timothy 6:10 

New International Version (NIV)


For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. 


Me? Have the love of money? How is that possible?

Then, it dawned on me that perhaps, unconsciously, I was loving money, but not in that obvious greed is good manner. What had happened, and how it happened was more subtle, and hence I needed that wake-up call by the Holy Spirit.

A few months back, I switched from having a full-time job to a part-time position. While I knew that there would be a reduction in income, I guess I was not really all that prepared for it. So, what happened was that I began to take on a few part-time positions, wishing to make-up for the previous income.  I also became more conscious of how much my work and my time was worth, which is not always a healthy thing. In doing so, I kind of forgot why I had decided to switch to part-time work in the first place.

Then, recently, for a few days consecutively, I started getting messages - bible readings, faith books, daily devotional messages on how the love of money is the root of all evil, and the importance of seeking Him first. 

Matthew 6:33   

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.


Initially, I glossed over the message. Ya, ya, ya, I know that the love of money is the root of all evil... and we need to seek Him first.


I have heard all that before. Besides, was I one who loved money? Generous ol' me? The one who blesses others with my blessings?


Then, it hit me. 


I had been seeking opportunities on my own, trying to do it all and make it all through my own effort and hard work. Yet, Christ has told us that when we seek Him first and His righteousness and remember that He has done it all for us, He will add everything else - blessings, wisdom, peace, prosperity... to us!

Matthew 6 26“Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? 27“And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life? 28“And why are you worried about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, 29yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these.30“But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith! 31“Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’ 32“For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

Praise and thank God for His grace and love. I have decided to rest upon Him and put Him first and rest in His peace and assurance of an abundant life. I still believe in being blessed to be a blessing to others.

And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times you may abound in every good work. As it is written, ‘He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.’ He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God.”

II Corinthians 9:8-12 (ESV)

When did you last tell a lie?

Hi everyone!

I have a guest post on in(courage) with the above title. I hope that you will enjoy reading my post.

Do read it and share your comments!

I would love to hear from you!

http://www.incourage.me/2011/07/when-did-you-last-tell-a-lie.html#comment-94188

Forgetting the Past

We often hear the advice that we should forget the past and look to the future. In fact, Paul exhorts us to do so in Philippians 3:13-14 when he shares

Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Usually, what people have in mind is the need to forget the painful past, forget the unhappiness, bitterness and unforgiveness and move on. Such painful memories or baggage can weigh us down and prevent us from pushing on to success.


Recently, as I was reading one of Pastor Joel Osteen's daily devotional messages, something that he wrote really drew my attention. I'm including his words below:

This One Thing

Are you determined to forget the past? I know many people don’t fully understand what that means. They wonder, “How can I forget something that’s happened to me?” But one definition of the word forget is to disregard intentionally or to overlook. In other words, you have to choose to disregard your past so that it doesn’t hold you back. That means the good and the bad. Sometimes our past victories keep us from rising higher as much as our past failures can. If we don’t let go of the old, we’ll never be able to embrace the new.

How true. At times, it's not past failures that hold us back, but our past victories. Some people go through life comparing their present with their past glories. They may have done very well early on in life, or had the best times of their lives while in school, and when they look back on those days with fond nostalgia, they can't help but feel that sadness that they can never get those old warm feelings back again.

While we can look back to our past with happy memories, it would be sad to allow them to hold us back and think that we could never achieve such success or experience such happiness again.

I believe God wants us to experience His fullness at every stage of our lives, despite our past sadness or happiness. We can look forward to each new day with hope and anticipation that He is going to do great and mighty things for us, and with us, and through us!

I don't think any one wants to be like Lot's wife and fossilised into a pillar of salt for looking back!


In Hebrews 12:1, we are reminded to "run with endurance the race that is set before us".  So, look up and look forward to the exciting possibilities God is opening up to you right now! Amen!

Trust in the Lord with all Your Heart

During the weeks that I felt lost and confused, I found great encouragement in the words of Roy Lessin:

 

5 Heartfelt Responses Concerning God’s Will Posted: 20 Jun 2011 07:30 AM PDT  (If God isn’t leading you to a certain place, why go there?) Lord, I am following You. I will not run around in circles trying to find my own way. I place my feet in Your footsteps. I take the place that You have prepared for me. I will faithfully remain where You have placed me until You make it clear it is time to move on.  (If God hasn’t asked you to do a certain task, why perform it?) Lord, I will only carry what You ask me to lift. I lay down my agenda and my ideas of what I think needs to be done. I say “no” to all stress and striving and “yes” to the peace that comes from obeying what You are asking me to do. (If God hasn’t directed you to speak something, why declare it?) Lord, put Your words in my mouth. I want to speak words that are fitting for the moment—the right word, the true word, the edifying word, the anointed word, the word in due season—the word from Your heart to others. (If God wouldn’t be pleased with your choice, why choose it?) Lord, I choose those things that will bring a smile to Your face.  My greatest pleasure is to please You. (If “for His glory” is the right reason, why do something for the wrong reason?) Lord, I love Your righteousness. I want to live right, think right, and act right. I want my motivation to be for Your sake, and my attitudes to be a reflection of who You are. May others want to know You more because of what they see of Your life in me. May the name of our Lord Jesus Christ be glorified and become more glorious through and in you. 2 Thessalonians 1:12 AMP The only question was how can I know God's will for me? I decided to write to Roy Lessin: Thanks for the sharing which is so inspiring. I want to obey God and follow His will. The big question for me is what is His will for me? How do I know what He wants me to do? To my pleasant surprise, Mr Lessin write back with more encouraging words which I will share below, andI hope that they will encourage you too. Serena, Thank you for your comment and your question. There are 3 steps you can take. #1 Ask God what it is He wants you to do? #2 Wait upon Him to answer you in His time. #3 Obey what it is He is asking. You do not need to feel pressure about this or try to make something up. Simply ask in faith, and trust in Him to work things out and bring to pass in your life what He desires. Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6 How true, if we are to trust in Him, He has promised to direct all our paths! Amen!

The

Spiritual Warfare

Just a few weeks ago, Satan was having a field day attacking my thoughts, which ended up affecting my spirit and body as well.

In a way, I didn't really know what hit me till it happened. Everything had been going on well, and I was upbeat and generally happy. In fact, I had just gotten a new work assignment and was excited about it.

Then, WHAM! One after another, the attacks came....what if I couldn't handle the new work? What if I didn't like my new colleagues, or they didn't like me? True, there were many adjustments I had to make - to new work systems, new materials, new time schedules and many new people. Yet, all these didn't seem to me to be too much to handle, yet when the attacks came, I felt them badly.

I was shaken. I was shocked. I was unhappy, confused and plagued by countless doubts. All of a sudden, I began to question myself. What had I done? What was I doing? Did I know what I was doing? What directions were I supposed to take? Where was God in all of this?!


Thankfully, all my time spent reading devotionals and the great and encouraging writings of Kenneth Hagin, Kenneth Hagin Junior, Joel Osteen, Pastor Prince, Pastor Rony, and many others, and of course, the Bible has taught me that even when you feel that God was not listening, you should still trust that He's with you. And so I continued to pray and give thanks and claim His wonderful promises of peace, strength and wisdom.

I also enlisted the help of a few friends to pray for me. I use the word 'enlisted' for a purpose. These friends were with me engaging in spiritual battle for me.

I'm thankful that things have turned for the better now. I remember Pastor Benny Ho and Pastor Joseph Prince mentioning before that with God, we always have happy endings! If things still didn't feel right, we should not worry - the whole problem was still being worked out and would come to pass, and God and us will prevail! We must not forget that we are fighting from a point of victory. We are not fighting for victory as VICTORY has already been won by Christ at Calvary! Hallelujah!

The following are some scriptural verses that I clung desperately to and I still continue to claim them by faith:

For wisdom: 

2 Timothy 1:7

New King James Version (NKJV)

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.


For peace:

New International Version Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. For joy:

Psalm 16:11

English Standard Version (ESV)

You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.




For directions:

The steps of the righteous man are ordered by the Lord. Psalms 37:23

Jeremiah 29:11

New International Version (NIV)

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.

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!