However, in the midst of these 3 months, one thing does surface in my thoughts and reflections. That is Hope. I was thinking, what is the one thing that will propel us to do what we do and sustain us through the hits and bumps of life? It is Hope. It is not just hoping for the best, but hoping for One who will make all things new. As we approach the Christmas season, I can’t help but once again remember of the Hope that I have. The hope that a better place will come, a hope that there will be no more sorrows and tears, a hope of abundant provision, grace and love ….. and this hope is only in the person Jesus Christ… the begotten one who came to lay His life for me and restore me to the Maker.

“Thank you Jesus.”

“I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saint, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power towards us who believe.” Eph 1:18,19a (NASB)

PS: Remember to switch of the blog music to enjoy this wonderful song

Recently, I have simply came to realised once again that without Christ and God in my life, I am simply nothing. It is not that I doubt my giftings, capabilties and strengths. But it simply dawned on me that without Christ in me, I will simply be living a mediocre life and being pushed around and chasing the vanity of life.

“Lord, thank you for choosing me and led me to you. Thank you for choosing to die for me that I may experience Your love and grace. Most importantly, that I may experience the life of having You in me. Thank you Lord, and may You grant me the tenderness of heart, and never let my heart be hardened, to accept You and let You be everything that I am. Amen”

“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life i live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” Gal 2:20 (NIV)

Enjoy this wonderful Chinese song  simply depicting the power of the Cross and His agape love for us.

“For God so loved teh world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world should be saved through Him.” John 3:16-17 (NASB)

“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” 1 Cor 1:18 (NIV)

P/S: Remember to switch off the blog music.

It was humbling to see SP Lawrence Khong admitting on the first session of the conference to all delegates that the church has not grown since we have entered into the G12 vision. It was humbling to see how SP’s willingness to share on our challenges and failures. I was humbled. But more than being humbled, I was encouraged to see that with these new insights, it has helped me to better understand the heartbeat of the church and G12 Vision and most importantly, the heartbeat of Christ.

More than understanding methodologies in running and growing the cell, the conference has once again brought back the dream that is in my heart and reigniting it again. On the first day of the conference, I was challenged by the Lord to “dare to dream again”.  Indeed, the dream has somehow been dormant for a while. Maybe it’s due to the various demands at this phase of my life and maybe it’s also due to the hardened heart from the various disappointments. I chucked this thought aside. However, on the second day, the Lord challenged once again through Ps Claudia’s message on “Reaching for the Star”. The Lord reminded me on the calling and the purpose that He has set before me and I am to “follow the star” and in the same vein I need to be trained, equipped and am patient as I follow the “star”. And at this juncture, he is training and equipping me. On the third day, I was furthered reminded on “what am I going to do about the revelation God has given me?”. It dawned on me that its no longer about what I know in my mind about what God has in store for me, but how I need to have a “heart of flesh”  so that I can love, hope and have the faith to believe again.

The Lord really ended the conference for me in a sweet note with Delirious? ministering me through their song “History Maker”. What ministered and touched me was when they shared on Isa 58, which has inspired them to write the song. As I was seeking the Lord and preparing my heart for the conference the week before, the Lord led me to read Isa 58 but I didn’t find any significant in it then and how it would relate to the conference. As Delirious? shared, I was moved and received afresh the dream and calling the Lord has given me back in 2003 “to feed the hungry, to clothe the naked and to give drink to the thirsty”.

I was thankful for the conference, for it has once again reignited my heart and my dream, preparing it for the journey the Lord has called me to.

“Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter – when you see the naked, to clothe him,” Isa 58:6-7 (NIV)

“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’. The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’” Matt 25 :37-40 (NIV)

Was reading Hebrews Chapter 3 this morning.  And in vs 4, I was once again being reminded that it is the Lord is “the one who made everything.” (NLT). This brought me to one of my favourite Psalms….

“Unless the Lord builds the house, they labour in vain who build it; Unless the Lord guards the city, the watchman keeps awake in vain.” (Ps 127:1, NASB)

I was once again being reminded, it is not what I can do or how much I can do, but simply who I am working with and for. As I was meditating one this, this song keeps humming in my mind and it sums up all my thoughts and reflections.

Are you tired of chasing pretty rainbows
Are you tired of spinning round and round
Wrap up all the shattered dreams of your life
And at the feet of JESUS lay them down.

***
Give them all, Give them all, Give them all to JESUS
Shattered dreams, wounded hearts,
and a broken joy
Give them all, Give them all, Give them all to JESUS
And He will turn your sorrow into Joy.

He never said you’ll only see sunshine
He never said there’ll be no rain
He only promised us a heart full of singing
Bout the very things that once brought pain.

PS: Remember to turn off the blog music as you listen to the song. Enjoy.

Someone commented, “Wow 33 years old liao leh, how do you feel hitting a double 3?”.

My response is quite candid, “Well it’s the year that Jesus was crucified and died. Maybe, I will need to die somehow or other die….”

“Choi!!!” most will reply.

Well, I don’t think that this is inauspicious or what, but it simply allows me to reflect once again on the love and grace of my Lord and Saviour. Frankly speaking, I will not be who I am and doing what I am doing, if not for His unconditional love and transformative power in my life. You may attribute that to my character and strong will, but I know that if it is not for Him, I will have been living life like most people, being trapped in the “rat race” and driven by “materialism”.

The good thing is that Christ didn’t just died at 33 years old, He resurrected too after 3 days of His crucifixion!! This demonstrated His power over death and His assurance that we no longer need to be “trapped in the dominion of this world”. We can have eternal and abundant life through Him J

And it is always in His promises that when we “seek Him first and His righteousness”, He will add all things unto us (Matt 6:33, paraphrase mine). Not that I do not have any wants, I am contented and I know that whenever I need or want, the Lord will give unto me (providing me) as long as I walk alongside with Him and in His purpose.

“Thank you Lord for finding me 20 years ago, thank you Lord for all Your love, grace and blessings that is bestowed upon me. Thank you, for loving me.”

This song has been playing in my mind for the past week. Not only for its good rythm and melody, but also for its ministering and meaningful lyrics. The context of the song is taken from Isaiah 61. Isa 61:1,2 are the words which Christ quote at the synagogue at the beginning of His ministry (Luke 4:18-21). It is also the prophecy of the Messiah’s office or a messianic prophecy pointing to Christ’s ministry on earth. (Side note: The book of Isaish is written about 681 years BC i.e. before the birth of Christ).

I have been ministered by this song. Simply becuase it reminded me that it is not what I can do for Him or in service for Him. But rather, I can only do all things “through Him who gives me strength” (Phil 4:13, NIV). It is only with the partnership of His Holy Spirit, that I can face the challenges and tasks in 2009 and the years ahead. It is only with His annointing and empowerment that I will be able to serve Him in the arenas He has placed me in.

“Ashes – By ashes understand whatever is proper for days of mourning, as by beauty whatever may become times of rejoicing. (John Wesley’s Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible)” Indeed, the Lord will turn all circumstances around for the “good of those who love Him and are call according to His purpose” (Rom 8:28. NIV).

Lord, pour Your Spirit over me and lead me to Your cross where You are. Lead me and guide me in path of righteousness for Your name sake, that I may honour and glorify You in wherever You have placed and lead me. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

“1 The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, Because the LORD has anointed me To bring  good news to the afflicted; He has sent me to bind  up the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to captives And freedom to prisoners; 2 To proclaim the favorable year of the LORD And the day of vengeance of our God; To comfort all who mourn, 3 To grant those who mourn {in} Zion, Giving them a garland instead of ashes, The oil of gladness instead of mourning, The mantle of praise instead of a spirit of fainting. So they will be called oaks  of righteousness, The planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified.” Isa 61:1-3 (NASB)

“To all who mourn in Israel, he will give beauty for ashes, joy instead of mourning, praise instead of despair. For the LORD has planted them like strong and graceful oaks for his own glory.” Isa 61:3 (NLT)

“To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.” Isa 61:3 (KJV)

“and provide for those who grieve in Zion – to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of His splendour.” Isa 6:3 (NIV)

PS: Remember to turn off the blog music as you listen to the song. Enjoy.

To many, Christmas is about Santa Claus, jingle bells, presents under a Christmas tree…… but Christmas means more than that. It is really about Jesus, the Child, the Son of God who came down from His heavenly throne, to walk on earth among us. To be with us, to understand us, to show us the way and to redeem us from the grip of the evil one and death.

This is one of my favourite secular Christmas song. It tells of the true spirit of Christmas….that when the Child (Jesus) is born,  He brings forth the ray of hope that mankind seeks for. Enjoy.

“….and you shall call His name Jesus, for it is He who will save His people from their sins.” Matt 1:21 (NASB)

“”Behold, the virgin shall be with Child, and shall bear a Son, and they shall call His name Emmanuael,” which translated means, “God with us.”" Matt 1:23 (NASB)

“Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through me.” John 14:6 (NASB)

PS: Remember to turn off the blog music as you listen to this song.

Although the LoveSingapore 40 days of fasting and prayer is over, I am still pondering and linger over some of the thoughts in the devotional and prayer guide.

Who is the poorest of the poor, the lowest of the lowest and the least of these? As I was reflecting on these linkling thoughts, it dawns on me that the people with intellectual disabilities (ID) and mental disorder fall exactly into this category.

“Eeee…..he is siow one!!” ” Why is he like that??” “Don’t come near me, I have nothing to do with you.”

These are not just  comments or statements made by avearge income or rich people…..I have heard these statements made by the poor and needy towards the people with ID or mental disorder. Even those in the lower strata of the society make these statements towards them…Viola!!! The least of the least are these people with ID or mental disorder!!! Frankly speaking, some of these people with ID or mental disorder may be coming from rich family but yet the poor can look down on them. Isn’t it an irony?

I am priviledge that I am able to work among these people with ID. I have seen improvement and the potential that lies in them. Many times, we may see them as abnormal, but I would say that, many a times, we have been the one who is “abnormal” being chased around in the frantic of this society. They are simple, what to them is important is important, nothing is more urgent enough to take over the priority of what is important to them.

Maybe, its time for us to learn from them. Keeping the important things important…….. 

“The King will reply ‘I tell you the truth, whateer you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me’ ” Matt 25:40 (NIV)

As I enter into the LoveSingapore 40 days prayer and fasting, I am simply humbled by how impure, unclean and deceiving my heart can be. “Teach me your ways, O Lord, that I may live according to Your truth! Grant me purity of heart, that I may honour You.” (Ps 86:11, NLT). May this be my prayer each day…..

Create in me a clean heart, O God

And renew a right spirit within me (2x)

Cast me not away from Thy presence, O Lord

And take not Thy Holy Spirit from me

Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation

And renew a right spirit within me

PS: turn off the blog music as you listen to this song