Think about what you are thinking about

There is power in our thoughts life.

Everyone of us who is a born again Christian should try to understand what this means.

A thought is like a seed. When we have a wrong thought, we planted the seed. If we dwell in it, we are watering the poisonous seed. If we act according to what we think, we are allowing the plants to grow and take root in our minds. That is why when one is transformed from glory to glory, it is through a process of renewal of our minds.

When we obtained salvation, our hearts become brand new. We are no longer dead in our conscience but became convicted of what sins are and in us birthed a true desire we to be changed.

That is not the end. Our salvation needs to be worked out. This does not mean that our salvation depends on human effort, I am not talking about that we need to strive to be holy, but salvation is the means to an end, not an end in itself. In fact, salvation make it possible for us to be changed and to be transformed to be more and more like Jesus.

It is possible for someone to be saved and yet unchanged for decades. There are many old Christians but they may not be necessarily matured. How long one has been saved does not measured up to how mature they are in Christ.

Maturity comes with transformation through the renewing of our minds. If the Holy Spirit reveals a wrong thought or mindset to us, we need to repent immediately and allow Him to refresh and renew our minds.

Sometimes, when I think about what I am thinking about, I was so shocked at myself and when the Holy Spirit revealed to me how impure my thoughts could be, I immediately renounced them and ask Him to purify my thoughts and help me to align my thoughts to His thoughts.

For we are to have the mind of Christ. That is God's purpose for each and every one of His child.

The battle is not physical, yet there is a battle in our mind. The enemy has no power over us but He can manipulate our thoughts to lead us to self-destruction. He did not even need any power to kill us, he just tricked us into believing his lies which leads to spiritual and even physical death.

Those who contemplated or even eventually committed suicide or decided to commit murder started from a seemingly innocent thought. A wrong thought eventually leads to wrong ideology and ideology is dangerous. Read about the Holocaust, the various extremist religion and political power and you will understand why we should never entertain a wrong thought. It has the power to cause human to self-annihilate.

An unregenerated mind of a Christian is dangerous. They are like what the bible says: "having a form of godliness but denying its power." 2 Tim 3:5 They act religious, the talk religious but when it comes to the purity of their minds, it can be so ashamed that many of them did not even want to think about it.

But I want to encourage you to think about what you think about. Allow the Holy Spirit to help us to uproot the wrong thoughts and plant the new, noble and holy seed into our minds.

Think about what you are thinking about.

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. (Phil 4:8)

No doubt!

Don't give up!

Without wavering, let us hold tightly to the hope we say we have, for God can be trusted to keep His promise. (Hebrews 10:23)

I think that is the way to prayers. When we pray, we need to believe that God rewards those who sincerely seek Him. (Hebrews 11:6)

There is a reward for certain, it may not necessarily come as you expect it to be or the time you wanted it to happen, but there is a reward.

Without faith, it is impossible to please God and what is faith? Faith is the confident assurance that what we hope for is going to happen.

So if we have confidence in God, we know that He is real and that He hears those who sincerely seek Him, then we can also be certainly, 100% confident that He will reward us. There is no need to be afraid of disappointment because where faith is, doubt needs to go out of the window.

It's like light cannot exist with darkness. Because darkness is the absence of light.

So if we were to pray and not knowing whether when or how it would happen, that is fine because we can be still expectant God is on the case. However, there is a difference in praying and then not sure if God will actually hear it or do anything it. That is doubt and the good thing is, we can be real with God and tell Him to help us with our unbelief. There are times when I was faced with doubts, I could choose to dwell in my doubts or I can choose to ask God to deal with my doubt.

For the word says: If he ask and doubt not because he who doubt is like the wave of the sea, being blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not he will receive anything from the Lord; for he is double-minded man, unstable in all he does. (James 1:6)

God responds to faith. He is attracted to faith like a bee to honey. This is what Jesus told His disciples:

"I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him.

Do you love yourself?

Many people like to compare themselves with others.

No matter how beautiful, rich, successful, smart and talented they are, they will still think that someone else is better than them. That they want to be like this person or that person. That if only I am a bit taller, fatter, slimmer, bigger eyes, thinner lips and so on and so one. This is the way of the world.

As a child, I often heard comparison and remarks made on me and my peers. People like to compare from heights, sizes, physical looks to academic results. It made me wanted to be someone that others want me to be and not being the unique person that God has made me to be.

I often thought I was not good enough even when I have tried my best. As a reaction to others' expectation, I was determined that I did not want to fall into the typical categories of what others said that I was not.

Even as a child, I was quite stubborn in what I believe as right. Although in pride I thought I was doing the right thing, but I did not realise that deep down, I was just denying the fact that I did not like myself that much. The comments that people made of me did affect my confidence and my self-image no matter how much I had chosen not to believe them.

So even I did not care much of my appearances as I strongly believed that looks did not matter, I did cherish the good comments that my aunt gave me. I remember them until today. Although she is no longer around, I would never forget the compliments that she told me as a child. She told me that I was beautiful and that I was fearfully and wonderfully made in God's image. Of course at that time, I did not know what that meant but I do now.

As a result, I did not really think much about physical appearance. I was determined to see past the superficial because one is not judge by their looks. Up until today, although I am still holding onto the same belief, many of my wrong perceptions have changed (Thanks be to God! :))

I learned what it means to truly love myself and enjoy being me. I no longer need to fight off other people's expectations and comments as I know who I am. Therefore, who I am is no longer determined by the world's standards but by God alone. I do not need to strive to be someone that I am not. God showed me the condition of my heart and helped me to renew my mind. He teach me how to appreciate myself, that looking pretty is not wrong per se and enable me to thank Him sincerely for the look, the height, the size, the outer and the inner person that He has so intricately woven and knitted me to be.

If I hadn't known this, I would not be able to love others sincerely. I was Him that first loved me, that first shown me who I am made to be and how wonderful I am, that I was able to love, cherish and appreciate others. Comparison and superficial judgements are no longer acceptable to me although I still need to be graceful to those who still do.

Thank You, Lord for all that You have done, the wonderful things that You have put in me and on me :) I am Yours and I love Your wonderful masterpiece who is me!

Boast in the Lord!

Jeremiah 9:24 says:

"but let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight," declares the LORD."

The Lord wants us to boast about Him. He wants us to shout from the mountaintop of His loving kindness and His goodness, to share with the whole creation of who He truly is.

I just think so many people has misunderstood God. When bad things happened, they blamed it to God. Why did this happen if He is good? Where is God when this happen to me? Why did He allow me to go through this if He is real? In their hearts they said bitterly, "There is no God."

Ever since the time in the Garden of Eden that the Serpent, Satan questioned Adam of God's goodness and His Sovereignty, this epidemic has spread to every human being. They have no knowledge of who God truly is. Adam was innocent but he was not matured. He was yet to grow into the full knowledge of who the Almighty, Holy God truly is. He had yet to gain the full revelation of our perfect, loving Father. That is why, he fell into the trap of the enemy.

Up until now, Satan is still whispering lies into the people's minds. He has no power to do any harm, all power and dominion has been given to Jesus Christ but Satan being the Father of all lies still goes around doing what he does best. The worst thing is, people who are like Adam, believed his lies!

Why? Because they do not have the knowledge of the Almighty. It does not matter what you can or cannot do, if we know God, we can be who we have been created to be. We can be who He has called us to be. No fear, no doubt, no uncertainties of what will happen next. Because we know God.

And this is what God wants each and everyone of His children be boasting of. That they knew Him so well and that they can go around telling everyone who He is and demonstrating to them the nature of His love and His power that is within us through the Holy Spirit.

This is nothing about head knowledge. Nothing about Theology, Christology or Pnuematology. It is about a true and abiding relationship and friendship with the Holy Spirit. It is through revelation not information. Information may help us to understand but unless we received it through revelation, our minds will not be renewed and we will continue doing the same old mistakes. Transformation comes through the true knowledge of knowing God and knowing Him through the revelation of the Holy Spirit.

Seek and you shall find. It is not difficult, all we need is a pure heart that truly and sincerely wants to know the Lord :) Trust me, He is A-W-E-S-O-M-E!!! The GREATEST Person that you will ever get to know in all existence!

The One that my soul longs for...

I am so grateful for all that You have done for me, Lord!

I want my life to speak volumes of Your love, Your goodness and Your faithfulness!!

Let me be the aroma that bring forth Your fragrance of love to the people around me.

Let me be the ambassador that is worthy of the calling that You have purposed for me.

Without You, I live not...

Without Your presence, I breathe not...

Without Your guidance, I move not...

Without Your enabling, I speak not...

Purify my heart and my tongue

Let me be holy just as You are holy

Let my mouth boast only of Your love and Your faitfulness

Speak only of Your blessing and not curse...

For You are God in Heaven

I love You, Almighty One!

I give you my heart completely...

Consume every part of me...

Consume every part of me!

Am so thankful for my amazing husband, my caring and loving family, my faithful friends, sisters and brothers in Christ...and all the blessings that You have so generously poured out onto my lives. All my life, I have seen the faithfulness of the Lord, He will never leave me nor forsake me. His goodness and mercy follows me around. He has destined me for glory and indeed I am His glory. I carry His glory, His goodness to wherever I go. I love You so much!

My heart cries to You:

O Lord, You're beautiful,

Your face is all I seek,

And when Your eyes are on this child,

Your grace abounds to me!

I want to take Your word and shine it all around...

First help me just...to live it Lord...

And when I am doing well, help me to never seek the crown,

For my reward is giving glory to You!!!

You're so so beautiful! :)

(This is) What Faith Can Do - Kutless

Love this song! Keep shining! Keep going! Keep trusting!

Your breakthrough may just be around the corner if you don't give up! :)

Updates

It has been a really busy but productive week! Praise God for more jobs this week which is a blessing to us.

It's been good to be able to sort things out as well, to pack and throw away the things that we do not need. We have now two big boxes ready to be shipped to Malaysia! I hope that is all and if there are any more things left, we will just give them away.

Being very organised, we were also able to finalise the details of our leaving do and were able to send out some texts to families. Will need to do the friends' invitation later this week. We are expecting quite a lot of people for the friends and families leaving do and thankful that we can use the church building for that.

This week is rather exciting too! Need to bake a cake for Love Mum this afternoon. Thinking of marble butter cake. Tomorrow is the Prayer and Fasting day for the whole church which will be awesome! Can't wait for that and just looking forward to soak myself and experience more of God. We don't fast for anything but more of Him, more of His manifest presence amongst His people. God is changing the Church, one relationship at a time :)

Then on Thursday, Dave is coming to film a video of my journey to Christ for the church's website. Glad that I was able to be a blessing in this way - glory to You, Lord!

Panji's birthday on Sat and oh on Friday is the 'Newly married couples' night at Dave and Philippa as well. Will have to see if we could make it as I will be working on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Need to remember that the clock moves forward this Sunday too!

Looking forward to a fun week! Really enjoying of Your blessing, dear Lord! You are so good! My good Shepherd and I shall not want :) Able to bless Louise with the Spa vouchers too and I pray that You will continue to work in her live and one day she will also know Your love for her. Use me, Lord in ways that You see fit. I just want to be a blessing to her and to my colleagues. Thank you for all these wonderful people that You placed in my life. I know that there is for a purpose because there is no coincidence in Your plans and purposes! :)

All glory to You, Lord! I love You!!! :)

Better is One day (in Your presence)

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The Dwelling Place of God

God no longer lives in a 'tabernacle', in temple built my men. Ever since the beginning of time, His heart has always been the same, He wants to make His dwelling place amongst His people.

Before sin, God was pictured to be walking and hanging around with Adam in the Garden of Eden. He loves to spend time with His creation. He loves to be in the midst of us, in and around all the things that we are involved in.

Even after mankind sinned against God, He still does not give up pursuing men. Because God is so holy and He is not able to dwell in the same place where sin is abound. Therefore, He told the Israelites to build a tabernacle where He present Himself in the Holy of Holies. The priest who enter the Holy of Holies once a year on the Day of Atonement to sprinkle the blood of sacrificial animals for the sin of the Israelites. The priest even had a string tied around their ankle so that if they carried sin in themselves, they might die in the Holy of Holies and someone will have to pull him out as at that time, apart from the High priest, no one was able to go into the presence of God and still be alive. Wow!

That is truly astounding and every time I think about the time God present Himself amongst us, we can't but bow before the powerful, living God! The most awesome fact is that we can draw near to Him without afraid being struck down dead. It's all because of Jesus, the lamb of the Atonement who has once and for all washed away the ugly sin that is in us.

Sin is not the wrong things that we do as some understand it to be. Sin cause us to have the tendency to do wrong things. Instead of allowing God to have His way in our lives, we say to Him, no, we know better what to do and therefore turned our back to God and decided to go our way. That is 'sin.'

Now that sin is dealt with, God can once again make His dwelling place amongst His people :) It's our responsibility now to make God at home. To ensure that we are holy just as He is holy. To allow Him to move the furnitures around as He thinks fit.

There may be some things that we have been doing for a long time but when God moves in, He decide for us, as He sees please. Even the neatly arranged clothes in our wardrobe and books nicely sat on our rack are at risk of being moved around and rearranged. He is the Master of the house now and He will have His say.

As we allow Him to move things around, throw things out and bring new things in, we are allowing Him to change our lives inside out. We are allowing our mindsets to be completely renewed, the thrash that we treasured to be cleansed, recycled and turned into real jewels. This is God making His dwelling place in our lives.

As He is more and more comfortable, He will increase His presence with us. We will know His manifest presence in a whole new and tangible way!

When I first became a Christian, I didn't even know that God talks. I was just being religious and thinking that I must now try to be a good person. As I allow Him to dwell in me, I realise that He does not only talk, He listens and then He talks and talks! God is a chatterbox! He loves to listen to His beloved children, enjoy to joke with us and even sometimes being cheeky! He is just the most fun person to hang around with! He gradually becomes my best friend! When I did something to disobey Him, He chastises me. Ever so gently and with so much patience and love. I think because He knows that I respond better with gentleness :) He knows me so well :)

That is when we allow God to make His dwelling place in us and amongst us. Miracles, signs and wonders are just natural phenomena. I guess that is why some people thinks that Christians are schizophrenics! We are in a good way, as we do hear the voice of Holy Spirit, not persecutory voice which is from the devil but gentle and encouraging voice full of love from our most loving Father :)

Lord, my heart is to know Your presence more. Not just to say that You live in me but to actually recognise this fact, to live in this reality and to experience more and more of You. Lord, without You there is no meaning. With You, I have everything! More of You Lord, none of me!

Life under an open heaven

Every Christians can choose to live under an opened or closed heaven. When Jesus died on the cross, the curtain in the temple was torn into two. There is no more barrier between us and the Father. We can come into His presence at all times.

The Heaven is already right wide opened for us and yet many choose to believe otherwise. Some sees it through their own experiences and therefore preach from what they have seen naturally and not with their spiritual eyes.

We need to preach the truth not our experiences. God is bigger than what we go through in this world and His word is the Truth (Jesus Christ). Truth is not a statement of faith, it is not a testimony of life, instead Truth is a Person. He is the One who has been give all authority on heaven and on earth. No one comes to the Father except through Him.

Many Christians are still battling their own demons that they believe have power over them. The reality is, all authority on heaven and on earth has been given to Jesus Christ and be made known to the world through the Church. Christ has been seated far above all rule and authority, power and dominion.

However, sometimes we still choose to agree with the lies of the devil. We choose to life a defeated life when we can have a victorious one. Again, false humility does seem to be good sometimes as we seek comfort from our experiences and our intellect rather than in God.

Some may question, but why is there still disease and deaths? When my beloved aunt was battling with Stage IV bower cancel, I refused to believe that is it. I prayed in faith, I fasted and held onto the promises of the Lord. When she died last year, only one day after my wedding celebration in Manchester, I doubted if the word told me was true. I went through a period of seeking God and asking Him why did He not show up. Why did he not heal my aunt who was an amazing woman of God, who loves God and who told us about Jesus.

The Holy Spirit just comforted me and told me to focus on what He has done and what He is doing and not the things that He did not do. It is so true because often, many of us can get bounded by the past, by that one thing in our life which we do not see a prayer answered and neglected the whole loads of uncountable blessings that we have received. However, in God's eternity, everything will eventually falls into their perfect places.

We do not have to worry about the things that has yet to happen or things that did not happen despite our sincere fasting and praying. He heard all our prayers and He still hears them.

The truth is that we are living under an open heaven and we should not give up until we see the fulfilment of all things that God has promised. We must not let our experiences stop us from continuing to experience more of Him and to see what we thought as impossibility to become a possibility!

Learning to dance with the Father

Dancing is a beautiful art of expression. It is not the area that I 'fare' well in however. It requires very good motor skills, rhythmic movements and certainly synchronization if you were to dance with someone else. It is not for a solo performer. One cannot just do what they feel like doing especially when they are engaged in a dance with a partner. They move beautifully and in sync with his or her partner. They hear each other's heart beat and see with one eyes. They knew when to turn and which way to step forward. It definitely requires a lot of freedom and confidence to dance, especially if one is to dance in front of many people.

There is an invitation to dance from our Father in Heaven. This I cannot say no but humanly speaking, I did think, can I truly dance? Will I be able to move in sync with His Spirit, every step He move, to hear the sound of His heartbeat, truly expressing all that I am, trusting and clinging to Him and allowing Him to lead me to take the unknown steps to do things that I never imagined doing?

Perichoresis is a Greek word used to describe the triune relationship between each Person of the Godhead. Its root word peri-choreio literally means to "dance around." It is this picture of God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit dancing together in the Godhead. They are moving in complete harmony, unity, in step with one another. Alister McGrath in his book wrote, "it allows the individuality of the persons to be maintained, while insisting that each person shares in the life of the other two."

It is a term to describe a community consisting of many people, while maintaining each distinctive identity, 'penetrates the others and is penetrated by them.'

This has always been the essence of the Godhead. The church is the body of Christ to reflect this harmonious dance of the Godhead. We are a community of God's people living together in total harmony, our lives opened to one another, sharing and caring with one another without barrier or hypocrisy. Our heart and our lives is completely poured out for one another, to love and to serve one another, dancing with one another.

Jesus last prayers to the Father for us is so that all of us may be one, just as Him and the Father is One. (John 17: 20:23)

"My prayer is not for them (the 12 disciples) alone. I pray also for those who will believe (us Christians) in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as You are in Me and I am in You. May they also be in us so that the world believe that You have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one. I in them and You in Me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you loved me."

What a prayer! Do we now know our beloved Saviour's heart?

It is not easy to dance with strangers. It is impossible to get the first dance right with someone that you have not danced before. Often the very good dancers knew each other very well. They spend time practicing and dancing with one another before the day of their performance. Although they are two separate individuals with different styles but uniting those differences enables them to create the graceful dance moves.

God is inviting the whole church to dance with Him. We need to learn to first dance with the Father and with one another. However, not everyone is ready. Some is not in the mood of dancing, some forgets their dancing shoes, some feels too insecure and ashamed to take the hands of their Father.

You see, often we place too much emphasis on our own's ability and we forgot that God does not care. All He wants is us, is me, is you. He does not care if we have not got our dancing shoes, how we feel or how good we will be. He is not afraid of us stepping onto His toes. He will lift us up and He will lead us with Him as we just let go and allow Him to take the moves.

We will all learn to dance for there is wedding which is soon to come. The Bridegroom has reserved the first dance for the bride. Let us all prepare and be ready for that glorious day!

The life of the Kingdom

The Life of the Kingdom is not for the faint-hearted.
Christians are not men and women who are weak and needed to depend on God. Rather, the difference is that they know the Source of their strength and power.

They are not depended on their ability, cleverness, talents, intellectual abilities but in all these, they exchange for a better and bigger reality than their own tiny lives.

Elijah is a powerful and anointed prophet of God. He lived a solitary and I believe often a seemingly lonely life. He has given his all to the Almighty God and yet the world that he lived in was not too kind to him. It was a world of injustice and poverty. He had to see people eating their own children, they were so poor that they were eating donkeys' head. Maybe he questioned why were all these injustice despite the existence of a real, benevolent, all-powerful and al-mighty God that he knew so well.

Living for God is not necessarily a smooth, trouble free life. I believe many find it even harder as compared than before they were called by God. They may be doubts, uncertainties, things that we would never understand and that really challenge our faith in Him.

Many great men and women of God were greatly inflicted physically or emotionally as they whole-heartedly serve God. Many were even killed during the process.

Why did this happen? Why would someone still willingly serve the Lord when they knew that what they get in return may not be the good and wealthy life that the world may expect?

The have seen a reality, bigger and more real that life itself. They have seen into the heavenly reality. They have decided to not to live selfishly and to indulge in transient pleasure of this passing life. They realise that what they are going through here and now on earth is nothing compared to the surpassing glory that they will receive in the eternal presence of God.

That reality, if men and women failed to see, would often walk themselves into depression, bitterness and self-pity for life, even as a Christian may not always seem to go all rosy and well.

Only the meek (acknowledge their Master) but strong (in faith) men and women will inherit the promise of the kingdom. For they know everything and all things are in the hands of the Lord who owns Heaven and Earth.

Despite all these, the Lord promises us:

"The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged." (Deuteronomy 31:8)

"But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded." (2 Chronicles 15:7)

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."(Joshua 1:9)

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.(Isaiah 41:10)

What a mighty God we have! We are able because He is able :) Glory to God!!

Friends, Food and Fellowship!

Have had an amazing time with Jaz tonight. She invited Norbert, hubby and myself to hers for dinner.

It's so great to see all that God is doing in her life. The first time I met her a year ago and the now that she is, you just cannot deny that God is truly amazing and that the work that He has started, He will bring it to completion.

She has been through a difficult life but God has restored so much and is continuing to restore in her life.

She is healed of depression, got a job at the church office after she has been searching for one for ages, baptised in the Holy Spirit, serving in the worship ministry, stewarding, serving tea and coffee and being such an encouragement to so many others as well.

The amazing thing about her is her child like faith and her soft heart. She is so teachable and so willing to listen and to learn. I believe that is one of the reasons of the amazing acceleration of spiritual growth in her life. The amount of revelation that she receives is just awesome! It's so refreshing to see her growing into all that God has for her.

I pray that God will continue to bring into completion the good works that He has started in her. She reminded me to continue to pursue the things of God and to have the child like faith that we need to have in our walk with our Father.

It's sleeping time now as I need to work early tomorrow morning. Thanks darling for ironing my working clothes :) They look immaculately straight! You are such a blessing in my life! I love you!!! :)


Thank You, Lord for a good and restful day. Your joy is my strength! Good night, Father :)

Your child,
Nat

There is more!!!

It was such an incredible time together with the church in the homes last night. Tim did a great job leading us to seek His face. To press into the presence of God. To still our soul to listen to His voice.

The presence of God was so thick and people could not but be moved by His Holy Spirit. Some were just crying, some who has never prophesied, started prophesying, prophetic songs were flowing...it's just...incredible! This is what we have when we surrender our agenda to exchange for the Holy Spirit's agenda.

Our amazing Lukundo shared a really good message about listening to the voice of God. She started off by saying, first and foremost, God loves us. He speaks to us from a place of love and not just to tell us what to do and what not to do. He wants commune with us.

In the very beginning back in the Garden of Eden, God was walking in the cool of the garden with Adam. He was communing with Him, fellowshiping with Adam and that is His very intention in the first place. To have a relationship with His people, to walk with them and them with Him.

God speaks all the time. The problem is whether I am listening and even when I did, do I obey His voice. That is the core of the message yesterday. I remember as I was learning to hear His voice, it was so exciting. Every prayer I prayed, almost all of them were answered immediately. I wanted to know something and the answer came to me almost instantly. I was completely blown away by how real God is.

Looking back now, I realise that He was teaching me how to hear His voice. It is so true that Lukundo said everyone started somewhere. The prophets learn to hear the voice of the Lord. Like Samuel, he grew in the presence of the Lord. He learn to dwell in His presence, to listen to His voice and to learn to obey the Lord.

My journey has been an amazing one. God has taught me so much and despite times and times again I may argue with Him or disobey His voice, He still did not give up on me when I repent and turn my face back to Him. I learn to listen rather than speaking all the time. I learn to obey Him even in the craziest things that I would not imagined myself doing without Him like praying for a crippled man in the middle of my working shift in front of my colleagues, telling a dodgy looking man that God loves him and then realised that he was thinking of ending his life and was so thankful that I reminded him that, sharing on buses and on streets, bringing words of wisdom and knowledge to people that I have never met before. It was scary but altogether awesome, I must say.

It is just so exciting that our God wants to speak to us, and He wants to speak to us all the time. Of course a lot of people are worried when we mentioned about God speaking and reminded us that we need to make sure it is God and not some other voices. To be able to do that is to know His word inside out. To familiarise with His very heart and His will.

The Holy Spirit in us helps us to know His heart. For who knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God? (1 Corinthians 2:11) We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit of God so that we can understand what God has freely given us.

Paul went on and said, who can know the mind of the Lord that he can instruct Him? But we have the mind of Christ. (verse 16)

This is just mind-blowing! We are not just been given the Spirit of God but we can also have the mind of Christ so that we can know what God is thinking and act according to His plans and purposes, to be His hands and His feet, His mouth, His eyes and His ears in this world. We can instruct Heaven and all that is bound in heaven will be bound on earth and all that have been loosed in heaven shall be loosed on earth!

That is the heart of our God. He wants us to be One with Him as Christ is one with the Father and that can only happen when we are one with Him in the Spirit.

As I look at the acceleration of His kingdom all around the world, my heart is just bursting with excitement. The future is bright. He is rising a generation that seeks His face, the God of Jacob.
Who knows Him and is one with Him.

We are such a generation that seeks Your face O Lord, we want to know You more. More than ever, more than yesterday, more than every encounter that we have had. I need You MORE!!

Lifter of our heads

"But you, O LORD, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head." (Psalm 3:3)

This verse has been a real encouragement to me. God is the lifter of our heads. No matter how many times I fell flat on my face, how many times I felt that I have let others down or I think that I have let God down, He reminds us that He is the lifter of my head.

Once again, I can lift up my countenance before the King of Kings and be completely lost in glory of His face.

He wants us to look up and to look inside of us instead being bogged down by what's around us. He wants us to have faith in Him. He wants us to know who we truly are. We are not weak, instead we are strong in Christ. He wants us to believe what is beyond our imaginations, to pray big prayers, to pray for the impossibles. For He lift up our head to the Heaven, to remember where all authority that has been given Him has now been given to us!

There is no time for self-pity, self-condemnation but it is the time of now faith.

We are meant for bigger things than we could ever imagined. Am I being big-headed? Well, I have someone too big in me to live a small life. It's time for me to stop thinking what God needs to do but it's time for God to move through me. No longer will I be wishing and hoping but it is now time to act in faith, to move in love and in authority to extend His love and His kingdom to wherever I go.

His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms (Ephesians 3:10)

That is what happens when He lifts up our heads. He enables our eyes to see into the heavenlies, to bring down what we see and heard into the now. Heaven is no longer in the future, it is the now reality. We got to realise that we are the ones that has been called and chosen, sent out by the King of heaven to continue all that Christ has already accomplished.

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people to be his very own and to proclaim the wonderful deeds of the one who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

(1 Peter 2:9)

Let the light do what it is created to do, to illuminate the world, not hiding under a bowl.

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden."(Matthew 5:14)

A Phd Scientist's found fullness of life in Christ :) Awesome!

See His Love!

But You, O Lord!

It is awesome to have the Almighty God to be on our side.

Nothing beats the favour of God. When God favours us, there is nothing the enemy can do.

Throughout the Bible, we have seen in different men and women of God's lives (Abraham, Moses, Joseph, Daniel, David etc, etc) that when God is on their side, they are bound for success and victories, blessings upon blessings.

All of us needs to have the favour of God is our lives. We need to pray in line with His will for us. He did not ask us to go to Him to beg and plead for mercy and grace, He simply said, make your request be known to Him. Let Him know what our heart desires' are and pray in line with His will, His heart is to bless us so that we can continue to be a blessing to others.

As we surrender all our cares and concerns, dreams and desires to Him who knows it all, we are simply saying to God, "Here, we know You can do better, have Your way, Father..." He wants us to go to Him and ask Him to do whatever He wants with our lives. There is no need to worry about the future for we have surrendered to Him who holds our future.

Trying to control our lives will not do us any good. It will lead us to unnecessary anxiety and stress. When we are right in the middle of God's life, we can be sure that we re in the best place at that time and season of our lives.

Before I knew Jesus, I was a worrier. I worried mostly about exams (even though I have studies loads and loads, nothing gives me peace and security) worried about my family, my brothers, worried about the future. I was not happy at all. But thanks be to God, He let me know what His peace is like, it's no longer about what I can do but what He can do through me. It's not about having everything to go my way but it's about letting Him to have His way through my life.

When I did that, there were favour upon favour, grace upon grace that He lavishes on me. He is just a generous God. He is always there waiting, waiting for His children to say, Daddy, here I am, have Your way in my life. Take over. And He will, and He does it better (way better) than I can ever manage to do anything with my own life.

So when things seem tough, remember 'But You, O Lord..." He is there and He hears those who pours out their hearts to Him :) He who promise is faithful :)

But You O Lord, do not be far off! O you my help, come quickly to my aid! (Psalm 22:19)

But You, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness (Psalm 86:15)

But You, O LORD, are enthroned forever, You are remembered throughout all generation.

But You, O LORD, are a shield about me, My glory, and the One who lifts my head! (Psalm 3:3)

I am not ashamed to say I am not able because I know Him who is able and He is for me! :) I can rejoice in the Lord always despite my imperfections as I know my weaknesses are made perfect in His strength!

Thank You, Lord :)

Basting chicken...

As I was reading through an online recipe to learn to make French roast chicken, a word struck me - 'baste'

I need to 'baste' the chicken every so often to ensure that the fat does not burn and the chicken is cooked thoroughly and absorb all the juice of the marinade to keep the meat moist and to add flavour to the chicken.

I wondered why I need to baste the chicken at different specific time and not whenever I want. Apparently, if basting is inappropriately applied, it will counterfeit the very purpose it was designed to do - which leads to drying of the chicken meat. And of course, I did not follow the exact timing as indicated by the recipe ;p (I am not that good with the dainty stuffs) I like experimenting new things and following my 'own' (ehem) recipe. (which is often a trial and error success)

As I was still thinking about 'basting' the chicken, the Lord spoke to me about 'basting' in His presence. Unlike roasting a chicken, there is no occasional or whenever 'I feel like' basting with God. It is either all or nothing. I used to think that being in God's presence is whe

n I am spending time in His word, praying/chatting to Him or worshipping Him or when I was gathering with His people. All these is true but I am not doing all this 24hours a day. These are just the specific timing of basting in His (new/higher/another) level of His manifest presence and I have to admit, His presence makes me 'feel' good!!!

However, He reminded me that I am in His presence at all times. He in me and I in Him. It helps me to align my thoughts of thinking that the Holy Spirit comes and goes but the truth is He is with me, in me and I in Him at all times.

He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. (1 Thessalonians 5:10)

That is why even when I am learning how to baste chicken, the Lord is there to speak to me. I love the fact that He is there at every second, every minute of my breath. I have no explanation of this whatsoever, nor do I have the understanding of how it all works but He is an Omnipotence, Omnipresence God after all!

It always makes me cry thinking how much the Lord loves me and cares about me. Often, I have been too busy thinking how much the Lord loves His people and the people around me but forgot to tell myself, "O, how much I am loved by Him, who gives His all to me!!!" :) Thank You, Jesus, my Lord and my God, my Friend and my Comforter!!! You are my all in all :) :)

Basting myself in Your sanctuary :)

My end product ------------------------------------------>

Our God is an awesome God!!!!

An excerpt beautifully written by one of our brother in Christ, taken from his facebook status (cause I don't think I can write better than what he has said):

This morning a young boy stood up in the middle of the church and said he believes God is going to heal the broken hearted. I then watched an Asian lady with tears in her eyes holding a young kid, moving towards one of the sides
waiting to be prayed for by the same boy that brought the word.

A few minutes later, a young asian man stood up and said that God gave him a word in his own language, Hindi. He brought the word sharing the love of God in Hindi and asked if anyone understands this language to come to the front.
I then watched the same lady who had gone at the side to be prayed for, slowly moving towards the front while still hugging her young kid trying to wipe out her tears.

Sometimes we are so much looking for the extraordinary and the supernatural that we miss the subtle things our God is doing amongst us, emphasizing He is a personal God. Not only He promises He is going to heal you but He also choses to single you out in front of the whole crowd and the handreds of people just to tell you, in your very own native language, how much He loves you. Awesome!"

And in the evening service, another Chinese man gave his life to Christ. It's just AWESOME! Everyone was just drunk in the Holy Spirit and the non-believer became convicted and repented, gave their lives to Christ :) That is the life in the Spirit :)

A verse to end the night, " Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit." (Ephesians 5:18)

Dressed in Scarlet

I have recently been learning how to put make up on, I know it sounds a bit late to start (at 27) but at least I started! :) Lol, trying to encourage myself.

I was never good at make up. Growing up as a child and a teenager, I must admit that I was often amazed by how people can paint their faces so well but I just did not have the time (and the money) to invest in this. I spent all my time in my studies and watching TV (hence the thick, nerdy glasses; well I supposed it's genetic as well ;p)and neglected the part of grooming myself.

I remember when I first met my then first ever boyfriend (now my husband), I did not have any make up kit, not even lip gloss, often dressed in casual blouse and jeans (but thank God I was at least evolved into wearing contact lenses already) and was quite surprised (pleasantly) when he told me that he was attracted to me the first time we met. It must be God!!! LOL :)

But I supposed when I read Psalm 31 about the renown noble woman, I want to learn from her. She is excellent in every way. She dressed herself (and her family) in scarlet; which symbolises wealth and beauty at that culture of that time. I know I can't be perfect in every way, but I can at least put effort into being excellent in all that I do. Hubby told me that it is good for a woman to keep looking good for her husband and for the husband to keep chasing and winning the heart of his wife. That's how the marriage can be kept fresh and alive! :)

To free myself from my old mindset (please allow my then personal convictions)that make ups was to cover up ugliness which was unnatural and refused to do it, I have now repented (changed my mindset) to think that make ups enables me to project and enhance my natural beauty! I know, it sounds vain but it's okay to be beautiful :) That is just who God has made me to be :) Why would I act otherwise?

So I have my make up set now, still an amateur but I am learning and hubby says I am getting better. Lol, when I met him after work yesterday for our date night, he said that I look like a model (blush!!) but am happy that I can improve in this area :)

Someone once said, time is precious. If we wasted it or be lazy with things, sooner or later, we will still have to pay for the time that we have wasted. I believe it is quite true. I have spent most of my time watching TV in the past and now I am using my time in a different way, less TV (although it's because I have not got a TV license here) but I just somehow has lost the interest now. I still love watching my history and documentaries programs though but within a limit :)

Another thing that I need to be more diligent is with my on-going studies. I need to catch up more with my reading or otherwise I will be 'lost' when I start work in September, which is VERY, VERY SOON!!

Remember the Titans

Watched Remember the Titans yesterday with the group. It was such a great film, very inspiring. I did not use to watch many American films growing up. That is why whenever someone asked me whether I have watched this or that film before, my answer used to be often always, 'No, I haven't.'

Since I got married, hubby introduced me to many good films. I know some of them are quite dodgy so we tend to just watch the recommended ones or the inspiring ones.

Remember the Titans by Denzel Washington, who is fast becoming one of my favourite actor (influenced by hubby), was about an American football team where he plays the black coach. He was invited to become the head coach in one of the all-whites college which later was integrated. Unlike in the 21st Century, whites and black Americans did not live well together. They did not even live in the same neighbourhood, or go to the same school. There used to be the Jim Crow system where the black Americans were not allowed to be in the same classroom as the whites. They were to sit and listen on the stairs outside the classroom. I know, it sounds so unacceptable, given the more equal and less discriminative society that we are living in now.

I love how this film who is also based on a real story, unite the black and white team players together that some of them became the best of friends, they called each other brothers. I shed a tear when one of the team player who was paralysed from waist down due to a motor car accident told his black brother how much he loves him and he meant to him.

They went on to win a straight 9-0 in all the games that they played that season. This has shown that love and unity is the way to victory, not colour, cultures or racial backgrounds. What matter is the heart of a person, not their ulterior looks or colours. Like what the team players were singing in the film, "What matter is soul power!" The inner being of the person is what count. It is what makes one shine and beautiful, not the outer shell that will eventually return to dust.

Am so glad that everyone enjoyed the film, what a great night :)
Thanks Panji and Lina (a beautiful black and white couple, one from Zambia, the other from Lithuania) for hosting us and offering us such great hospitality :)

I just love the kingdom culture. Where there are different nations, colours, tongues and languages but we are all united in the one body of the resurrected Christ! Nothing in this world has shown me the kind of love that I found in the body of Christ. One word - Beautiful! :)