God is shaking, what is He saying? Hear!

[Red alert! Going deep in God is not an option!]

Looking around us, it does not take much wisdom or PhD to tell that God is shaking...

Global economic crisis -- Big brothers in the financial sector declaring bankruptcy that made impact on the world economy... Swine flu (or recently re-named Influenza A... means there just could be Influenza B, C and so on?!? or just giving the birds and pigs a break...) leaving the world sitting up and ready for an impending pandemic...

And if your memory does not fail you, here are some major catastrophe that hit Asia in recent years, just to name a few, that took away many lives:
* the cyclone in Myanmar
* the earthquake that shook Sichuan (China)
* the Tsunami in Thailand in Dec 2004

So what about this series of events? What does it tell us? More so, as children of the living God, what should we do in response to these events?

In the bible, we learn that there are seven elements that God is shaking: Heaven, Earth, Sea, Dry land, All nations, Gold & silver (economy) and the temple (church). Haggai 2:7 reveals the purpose of the shaking -- that all will turn to Him...

In the light of the things happening around us, we must not adopt the ostrich mentality as if everything will be better, neglecting what the Word of God says about what is happening and our role in the midst of it! We also need to carry our hearts right and not be offended or fearful.

We need to turn to God, grow in our understanding of what He is saying/doing and know our role, we can be confident and rise up in such a time as this! Like the sons of Isaachar, 1Chron12:32 -- we need to have 'understanding of the times', and 'know what we ought to do'!


Why is it important WHAT you hear?
Matt 24:4-5 says "Take heed that no one deceives you"... dude, you got to hear the right stuff! "Many will come in Jesus' name, saying "I am the Christ,' and will deceive many." It will happen, and will you hear the right things? In the face of so many voices, we need to know what God is saying!

Mark 4:24 Then He said to them, “Take heed what you hear. With the same measure you use, it will be measured to you; and to you who hear, more will be given.

In Mark 4:9-11, after Jesus has told the parable of the sower to his disciples, He says "He who has ears to hear, let him hear." God is speaking and we are the ones hearing... This is the context. We can know the mystery of the kingdom!

Jesus then goes on in verses 13-20 to explain the parable, ending with verses 21-23, exhorting those who hear to be a voice of God.

Through the parable of the sower, Jesus speaks of the way the word (seed) was received, it's corresponding end result, what we hear and 3 warnings + 1 blessing.

Why is it important HOW you hear?

Luke 8:18 Therefore take heed how you hear. For whoever has, to him more will be given; and whoever does not have, even what he seems to have will be taken from him.”

Very often, the condition of our heart determines what we hear. What is the condition of your heart right now? That will determine how you hear what God is saying!






















Going deep... What you should read / hear now...

























If you would like to purchase a voice recording of the above topic, check out here!

LEANing Bride

[When confusion sets in and frustrations overwhelm you, who do you run to? Who do you turn your thoughts to? Come before the magnificent One… Lean on Him and be lifted up…For a moment He shakes, but He will mold you and show you what remains in you that is precious in His sight…]

I am logical
But I’m also illogical
I am organized
But I’m also disorganized

What I think
What I see
Is imperfection
Is inconsistency

What do I uphold?
What do I stand for?
Only time can tell
Only wisdom can discern

Casting off remarks
Putting aside what I do not fully understand
One Audience remains
One Person I stand before
Selah
His searching eyes
His blazing gaze
Silenced my fretting
Melting away the confusion within
Selah
I will live to please Him
I will live to honor Him
Thanking Him for His grace
Praising Him for His ways

This is my cry
This is my prayer
To love as He love
To walk as He walk

To be close to Him
Near to His courts
To hear His heart’s cry
To see His power and His glory

A bride leaning on her bridegroom King
Overcoming goliaths
Leaping over the mountains
Tried and tested

Dark but lovely
Eyes on Him
There’s no other place I’d rather be
There’s no other Name I will praise

Breaking the silence

[Haven't blogged for quite a while... Got to start digging out my hand-written notes and translate them over here...]

Your life is shaped by the words you speak
The books you read
And the people you associated with

Overwhelmed, Addicted, Messed Up...

[Sometimes seeking the Lord can be a delightful experience, yet sometimes it can be a 'painful' one. Delightful when his tangible presence can be felt and enjoyed. Painful when you are pressing in despite not understanding, not knowing, but pressing in cos you just want to pursue Him and know Him more. .. But you know what, if you seek Him, He will surely come...]

"Let us know,

Let us pursue the knowledge of the LORD.

His going forth is established as the morning;

He will come to us like the rain,

Like the latter and former rain to the earth."

~ Hosea 6:3

The More I Seek You

The more I seek You
The more I find You
The more I find You
The more I love You

I want to sit at Your feet
Drink from the cup in Your hand
Lay back against You and breathe
Feel Your heart beat

This love is so deep
It’s more than I can stand
I melt at Your peace
It’s overwhelming

Hear the song by Kari Jobe here http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=60769488

Men who saw God

[In the house of prayer, we pray quite a bit using Eph 1:17-19 - that we will have the wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of God... When God answers this prayer, His ways have often been that of self-revelation (of ourselves) => end of self (a response to the holiness of God) => entrusted with deep things of God. May we keep our eyes on the Author and Perfector of our faith, for truly His ways are better!]


[The following is extracted from the book “Spiritual Maturity” by J. Oswald Sanders]


Job – God calls him a perfect and upright man, one that feared God and shunned evil. When confronted with the vision of God, the perfect man is reduced to abject self-abhorrence. “I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear; but now mine eye has seen thee: Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.” Job 33:9; Job 1:8; Job 42:5-6 Collapse of Job’s self-righteousness was quickly followed by the bestowal of double what he had lost, and the turning of his captivity through his intercessions for his friends.

Isaiah – one that presented lofty prophecy, calling down woes on his contemporaries. After the radiant vision of God, he called woe upon himself…Lips which had mediated the divine message were foul and unclean in the light of the holiness of God. Not only were Isaiah’s unclean lips purged and his iniquity removed, but he received an enlarged commission. Isa 3:9, 11: 5:8, 11, 20; 6:1-5

Daniel - One of the most blameless of saints when confronted with the divine glory is prostrated at the corruption, not of his vices but of his virtues! “for my comeliness (beauty) was turned into corruption”. Dan 10:7-9 To Daniel, the sense of corruption gave place to joy in the privilege of being the vehicle of Divine revelation.

Men who saw God - Joshua the High Priest, Job, Jacob, Elijah, Isaiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, Peter, Paul, John... A consistent pattern appears throughout these visions. First the vision, then self-abhorrence, self-abasement, the averted face, the sense of uncleanness, blindness, prostration, comeliness turned into corruption, self-banishment, falling as dead. Do we still desire to pray for a vision of God?

But there is still another side to the picture. God takes no pleasure in seeing His children lie in the dust. If He abases and humbles them, it is only that He may exalt them in due season. Humiliation is not an end in itself - it merely prepares the way for blessing.

The open lesson of these visions surely is that God cannot entrust a man with any deep blessing, any important spiritual ministry, until there has come a complete collapse of self.

True, the vision of God inevitably leads to self-revelation, but always with a beneficent end in view. God does not aim merely to humiliate us. There is no need to fear being brought to an end of ourselves for “the end of self is the beginning of God.” Indeed we may welcome the vision of God if our deepest desire is to advance in holiness and to be of the greatest use to Him.


Prov 29:18 - "Where there is no vision (revelation from God, of God), the people perish (die spiritually prematurely): but he that keepeth the law, happy is he."

You are Faithful God

[Many emotions and thoughts come when the time draws near to moving to a new place for the House of Prayer. God is doing something! We have all grown. As we look back with gratitude and ahead in anticipation, it helps to remind ourselves that God is truly faithful, He really is! What He said, He will do...]

John 3:27-30

John answered and said, “A man can receive nothing unless it has been given to him from heaven. You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I am not the Christ,’ but, ‘I have been sent before Him.’ He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore this joy of mine is fulfilled. He must increase, but I must decrease."

Father, thank You for giving us this ministry - to build the House of Prayer for You in Singapore. This ministry is from You!! Wow!! That You would entrust us to do what is on Your heart. Thank You God! No words can describe just how we feel, just knowing that an Almighty God, so divine and perfect, would give us a gift, and such a precious one - to do the very thing on Your heart! That You would choose us, because You saw that we are sincere, even though we are weak..

Your heart's cry in Isa 66:1 is to look for a dwelling place among men. You showed us the pattern of the tabernacle You desire to dwell in - a place where night and day worship and prayer goes on. A House of Prayer just for You and where worshippers can come anytime to burn, as they watch and pray...

Over the four years, You led us to grow in the message of Intimacy with God and Understanding the Times. You taught us that gazing at You, growing in intimacy with You is to take priority. You let us hear Your call to intimacy with God, even in such a time as this. You reminded us that we are called One Thing Ministries - to do the One Thing - to acquire the oil of intimacy by gazing at Your beauty in Your temple, to sit at Your feet, to count all things loss for the sake of laying hold of You, forgetting what is behind.

So we did. We said yes. We fumbled, we tumbled as we moved along. In Your eyes, we are beautiful. You saw our hearts that say yes, You saw what no men saw... You saw what was in our hearts. There were good times, there were 'bad' times, there were mundane times. You allowed it all, to let us learn to do the House of Prayer before the Audience of One. We ceased striving by our own flesh, we decreased, and let You increase within us. We learnt to live before Your very eyes, we learnt to live before Your very gaze. We pray that You'll keep us steady, as you promised that You would.

Father, stir the hearts of many to come and build the House! People who have the hearts of David, who are after Your own heart. People who are like Mary and Anna, who would pour forth their lives, burning in Your House, so that worship and prayer can continually go on. Worship leaders, Intercessors, Musicians, Singers! Come! That You would bring them in, as You have said in Your word in Isa 56:7. Let them hear and rise up. Let them come and understand what is on Your heart. Your ways, not our ways...

Father, like Abraham, we say that You are our shield and exceedingly great reward! The inheritance of the Levites, those who burn in Your House, is the Lord! Deu 10:9. You are all that we want, You are all that we desire...

I want to be found faithful, I want to be found steady... until the end. Keep me faithful, keep me steady... I say yes! I just want to be Your friend. I just want to hear Your voice! To know what's on Your heart, and to do Your will!

You are still with me

[Often times, we have the faulty impression that being spiritual or having an encounter with God will 'solve it all'. Having an encounter with God (so divine) and an encounter with the frailty of human flesh (so earthly), gave me a such an awakening - to my own perspective of being a christian. Is it my way (God-for-me: expecting God to help me to be better, make things better, bless something I'm doing etc), or is it all about His way (me-for-God)... It's a journey!]

YOU ARE STILL WITH ME

I thought I just met You
I thought You just touched me
But at the next breath,
I faced the giants in my life, and fell

Isn't that encounter with You
Supposed to make me strong(er)?
So that I can overcome?
So that I can be stand?

God for me?
Or me for God?
A journey of me decreasing...
A journey of God increasing...

Yet I am always with You
You hold me by my right hand.
You will guide me with Your counsel,
And afterward receive me to glory.

Whom have I in heaven but You?
And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You.
My flesh and my heart fail;
But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

I'll keep walking
I'll keep leaning
I'll keep gazing
I'll keep my heart ever before You

Seeking You in Your House
Worshipping You
Loving You
With all my heart, my mind, my soul and strength

Song of Songs 2:16
"My beloved is mine, and I am his."

[a statement of a believer saying to God that while she recognises that God is hers, she also belongs to Him. She realises it's not all about herself but that she belongs to God. That it's not all about her needs and her struggles or her sins. The fact that we know that we belong to an Almighty God who loves us, changes the very way we feel, think and see ourselves, people and things around us. Most of all, it impacts how we see and feel about ourselves! I belong to.... God! Wow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!]

Gift of God

[I just can't get over this song and these verses! By Justin Rizzo from IHOP! Hear it here http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=147442388]

1Sam 2:8
"He raises the poor from the dust
And lifts the beggar from the ash heap,
To set them among princes
And make them inherit the throne of glory. "

Romans 5:10
"For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life."


GIFT OF GOD

As for me
I was dead in my transgressions
I was bound to my sin
And (I was) bound to condemnation

As for me
I was an object of His wrath
And fully deserving of death
(I was) Fully deservating of death

But You saw me there
Because of Your great love
You saw me there
Because You're rich in mercy


Chorus
And You made me alive
When I was dead
You raised me up
And seated me with Christ
And it's by Your grace
That I am saved
And it's through faith
It's the very gift of God

Bridge
Eternally
I've been bought with blood
There will never be another sacrifice


Eph 2:4-7
"But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus."

Isaiah 61:3
"... To give them beauty for ashes, "

ps: I love You (back), Lord

Isaiah 43:18

“Do not remember the former things,

Nor consider the things of old.

Behold, I will do a new thing,

Now it shall spring forth;

Shall you not know it?

I will even make a road in the wilderness

And rivers in the desert.

[This verse strikes a familiar chord in many hearts as we usher in a yet another new year... too familiar indeed, until it becomes a cliche? However, it never fails to speak to me, well, seldom, for there's much to put behind us, and much more in Christ that is ahead of us to lay hold of -- that which Christ has first laid hold for us.

May we relentlessly press in, knowing that God takes delight in making known to us His will and face. So we come before Him, having the confidence that He wants to show us more of Himself. And we come boldly, not by our own merit or strength... For He alone is the One who first loved us, and is able to keep us steady and faithful. Through it all, keep within me dear Lord, the heart that responds, ps: I love You (back), Lord...]


Old has gone
Putting the past behind
Memories linger as I inched forward
................................................................I love You, Lord

Eyes (fixed) on You
Hope (evermore) in You
What is this You are doing within me?
................................................................I love You, Lord

I yield to the work of Your gentle hand
Give me revelation
Give me wisdom to understand
................................................................I love You, Lord

According to Your good pleasure
Make known to me the mystery of Your will
What is upon Your heart regarding the fullness of the times
................................................................I love You, Lord

According to the riches of Your grace
Blot out my transgressions
That I may come boldly before You
................................................................I love You, Lord

Early will I seek You
Early will I rise
My love, my God, draw me away...
................................................................I love You, Lord

Methuselah!

[Methuselah, son of Enoch, lived 969 years and his name means "When he dies, judgment will come." Which it did with the great flood... Methuselah died about a month before the flood. God spared him from the flood!

It also tells us something about God who told Enoch to give him that name. It means God is VERY patient when He comes to judging people. He's not quick to do it and hopes that they will repent. Our God is long suffering! Wow!]


From http://www.christiananswers.net/dictionary/methuselah.html

Methuselah

Exact meaning is somewhat uncertain: Dr. Henry Morris says it may mean, "When he dies, judgment." Others say: "When he is dead it shall be sent" ("it" refers to the Deluge) (Cornwall and Smith, Exhaustive Dictionary of Bible Names).

the son of Enoch, father of Lamech, and grandfather of Noah

He was the oldest man of whom we have any record. This very ancient man lived before the Flood, and died at the age of 969 years, in the year of the Flood (Gen. 5:21-27; 1 Chr. 1:3).

This fact, plus the former possible meaning of his name, suggests that Methuselah's very godly father, Enoch, received a prophecy from God when his son was born, thus the name.

Methuselah's great age may be further evidence of God's "long-suffering… in the days of Noah" (1 Peter 3:20; 2 Peter 3:9).

Methuselah's name is mentioned seven times in the Bible: Genesis 5:21,22, 25,26,27; 1 Chronicles 1:3; Luke 3:37.

You like, I become!

[Whenever I hear someone say, "We come to the House of Prayer to make God happy", there'll be some goosebumps on me. Goosebumps cos that's not my 'second nature'... yet. I mean, 'make God happy' sounds foreign to me, kindof... Over time, however, I realised that doing what pleases God, becoming what God likes, bring indescribable delight within me. Now, I just like to make God happy! And what He delights in, I seek to become. And boy, am I happy just to hang around the Father's house! I'm a happy being wannabe! =)]

Eph 5:8-10 ~ For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord.

Colossians 1:10 ~ And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God...

1 Thessalonians 4:1 ~ Finally, brothers, we instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living. Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more.

THE TYPE OF PEOPLE GOD LOOKS FOR...

1) People after God’s own HEART

What about them ==> They position their hearts (in ALL seasons and situations), to pursue God's heart - to seek to know what God wants, and yield to it. To recognise fleshly un-crucified old-self that's still alive, subject them to God's sovereignty (His timing and ability to help them die to it), and lean on God to see them through the journey.


As a result, when God's word and ways become flesh in them, they will grow to also feed others with knowledge and understanding of God, ie lead them to intimacy with God.

Who it reminds me of ==> King David

Verse to pray ==> Jer 3:15 "And I will give you shepherds according to My heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding."

2) People who seek to understand and know God

What about them ==> They fill their minds with things of God, they seek to understand the why's and what's of God's mind, His attributes etc, and to know Him deeply and intimately.

Who it reminds me of ==> Daniel (Daniel 10:12 ~ “Do not fear, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand, and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard; and I have come because of your words."

Verses to pray==> Jer 9:23-24 ~ But let him who glories glory in this, That he understands and knows Me, That I am the LORD, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight,” says the LORD.

Psalm 53:2 ~ God looks down from heaven upon the children of men, To see if there are any who understand, who seek God.

3) People who set their hearts to be voluntary lovers of God

What about them ==> love is not love if it is programmed, or forced. Which means we are all given a choice to love or not love. So it's the same with loving God. He gives us free will to choose to love Him. He is looking for voluntary lovers!

What happens when we love God ==> God is totally overcome with emotions of joy & delight; fascinated and captivated by a believer who turn their eyes/hearts towards Him in love.

SoS 4:9 ~ "You have ravished my heart, My sister, my spouse; You have ravished my heart. With one look of your eyes (desire), With one link of your necklace (will)."

SoS 6:5 turn your eyes away from me for they have overcome me.

In our own human ability, we are unable to love God automatically. God already knows that, and has provided the way!

Rom 5:5 ~ "because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us."

Jesus is saying that there will be people who will love Himself (Jesus) the way God the Father loved Jesus. Jn 17:26 ~ "And I have declared to them Your name, and will declare it, that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them.”



4) People who are whole-hearted towards God

What about them ==> Whole-heartedness is not an attainment or achievement. Rather, it is the pursue and posture of the heart, to seek God diligently, with ALL their hearts... As a result, we can see good fruits in their lives! God IS priority and everything and central in their lives!

Verse to pray ==> 2Chron 16:9 ~ "For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him."



5) People who are poor and of a contrite spirit

What about them ==> Blessed are the poor in the spirit (realised that there's so much more they want from God, hungry & thirsty to be right before God, meek, merciful, pure in heart, persecuted for God's sake, those who mourn..., those who has the fear of the Lord - they cherish and take God (and His word) seriously!

Verses to pray ==> Matt 5: Beattitudes; Isaiah 66:2 “But on this one will I look: On him who is poor and of a contrite spirit, And who trembles at My word."



6) People who put their faith in the Lord

What about them ==> They walk by faith, not by sight. They choose to put their unwavering confidence and trust in the Lord in the face of difficult circumstances -- for God to deliver them or press in for an eternal reward.

Verses to pray ==> Hebrews 11:6 ~ And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.



7) People who live their lives in godliness and holiness, with a knowledge of truth

Verses to pray ==> 1Tim2:1-4 ~ "I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth."

Paul urges Timothy in 1Tim1 to stay in Ephesus to "charge some that they teach no other doctrine, nor give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which cause disputes rather than godly edification which is in faith. " Paul is concerned that some have strayed from the knowledge of truth - that teaches them to have a pure heart and sincere faith, and "have turned aside to idle talk, desiring to be teachers of the law, understanding neither what they say nor the things which they affirm." Paul thus emphasises in 1Tim2 to call the people back to a life of godliness and holiness, with a knowledge of truth.

I Come Before You

[from ihop interns]

C G
I come before You
F C
Simply to adore You
C G
And I lay down my heart
F C
And choose the good part

C
To know I am Yours
G
To sit at Your feet
F
To give You my heart
G
And all of me

C
To see You face to face
G
And stand as Your friend
F
To know Your embrace
G
A love without end
C G F G
I come before You


I come before You
Knowing that I love You
And I lay down my plans
And come just as I am

Be Near

[When all came crashing down on us.. when all seemed dark and bleak... Take heart, my friend, and find strength and comfort in the Lord! This poem depicts the journey of one who went through the storms in life, emerging as one who brings the comfort and strength received from God to others...]

BE NEAR

It's so dark here...
I can't see what is ahead of me
I can't feel what is inside of me

Where are You?
My love, the One who loves me so
I cried out to You, from the depths of my heart

Is there any life here?
Is there any movement in my heart?
Is there any song I can sing to my Beloved?

So I go about my life
Not feeling, not seeing
Yet faintly hoping all these will change...

My times are in Your hands
My hope is in You
In You alone, I put my trust

And I open my heart to You
No matter how much it hurts
No matter how long it takes

Letting Your love wash over me, completely
Letting Your blood cleanse me, deep within
Letting Your strength empower me, even in my weakness

Be Near O Lord my Strength! (I have none left)
Be Near O Lord my Light! (and shine upon my path)
Be Near O God! (You are all I need)

Come to the Lord
And rest in His strong embrace
For this is Your salvation
For this is Your deliverance


2Cor1:3-4
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

Breakthrough!

[Expressing hearts, expressing prayers, of breakthrough and breaking forth within and without…]

John 5:35
“He (John the Baptist) was the burning (running with hearts burning with love of God) and shining lamp (running in ministry)…”

Micah 2:13
“The one who breaks open will come up before them; They will break out, Pass through the gate, And go out by it; Their king will pass before them, With the LORD at their head.”

Breakthrough!

Going about busy
To and fro
Learning to make sense
Learning to give You my all

I stumble and fall
I made a mess of it
Gently You came
Gently You lifted me up

I knew I made a mess
I knew things went wrong
Sometimes people understand
Sometimes they don’t…

I don’t need the counsel (for now)
I’m trying to make it work (can’t you see?)
I don’t wana talk about it (for now)
I don’t wana think about it (for now)

What do I do?
When all seems so topsy turvy
I just want to run away
I just want to be free

Where can I go?
‘Cos I just want to find You
Your presence is all I want
Your presence is all I need

Speak to me O Lord
Tell me what’s on Your heart
I will hear and obey
I will walk and trust

For You have been my Guide
For You have been my Strength of my heart
Face the giants?
Face the goliaths in my life?

Courage I need (from You)
Confidence I lean (on You)
To break out
To break forth

Help me to express the words
Deep within my heart
To You
And to the ones who love me so

Do they love me?
Or do they love me not?
Let not love grow cold within me
Let me burn and shine, I pray

Loving You
Loving one another
Is what You desire
Is when all will see and know You are God

My times are in Your hands
Strengthen me to run the race
Steady and faithful
Pressing on, breaking forth

I will face the giants
I will face the goliaths
In the Name of the Lord of host
And carry my heart right, ever before You

I will return to the flock
I will return to the fold
Leaning on You
Never alone…

You see me
You see my heart
Lifter of my head
Break out, break within, break forth I pray…


Song of Solomon 1:7
"Tell me, You whom I love, where you graze your flock and where you rest your sheep at midday. Why should I be like a veiled woman beside the flocks of your friends?" [depicts God leading a believer back to the flock, where one can find Him]

One Thing...

source: http://www.godtube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=ef39e24b2d88e1dc7b5d

Lyrics for One Thing

Verse 1
One thing I desire
One thing I seek
To gaze upon Your beauty
Your Majesty

Verse 2
God of my salvation
Lifter of my head
Teach me how to live O Lord
Your righteousness

Pre Chorus
So I pray to You
So I pray to You

Chorus
Lord Your name
Is higher than the heavens
Lord Your nameIs higher than all created things
Higher than hope
Higher than dreams
The name of the Lord

Verse3
In the days of trouble
You cover me
In the secret place of refuge
Lord I will sing

Bridge
I will seek Your face
Call upon Your Name Jesus
All I want is You Jesus

Team Hoyt - Dick and Rick Hoyt

The father's love for his son reminds me of God's love for us. We say (pray), He acts. He does not give up on us when the world says we are nothing...

Come!

Come be the fire inside of me

Come and be the flame upon my heart

Come and be the fire inside of me

Until You and I are one

That SETTLES it!

I'm in love with God

And God's in love with me

This is who I am

And this is who I'll be

And that settles it

Completely

Can I make-it?

Sometimes I get depressed, really depressed, because I think I think about the wrong set of questions. Know what I mean? Then I spiral down and start to fret... Omigosh! I read the Book of Revelation, and erm, this time round, I got really depressed! I'm thinking - so many calamaties, so many people die (Rev 6:7; Rev 9:18), how I can survive, how I can make it till the end? Then I thought about, ok, so what do I need to do now, quick quick, find out... (not wrong, but pretty much out of fear and many what-if's).

Time-out. Take a step back. Wait... It begins with asking the right question.

Instead of "Can I make it"? I thought... "Can God be trusted?"; "Can I trust Him?" Besides, Apostle Paul exhorted Timothy:

2 Tim1:12
"For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day." (NKJV)

"That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day." (NIV)

(1) For I know whom I have believed!!!!!

(2) persuaded, convinced, confident that God can keep us faithful and steady till the end!

Ok, my heart rate calmed down. And hmm... I'm not so depressed after all.

Get down to really KNOW God.
(Article on Knowledge of God http://one-thing-ministries.blogspot.com/2005_06_01_archive.html)

Then entrust our steps into His faithful and loving hands. Trust Him to lead us, being confident in His leadership in our lives, then our ability to make-it.

Prov 3:5-6
"Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths."

Jer 9:23-24
Thus says the LORD:
“ Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom,
Let not the mighty man glory in his might,
Nor let the rich man glory in his riches;
But let him who glories glory in this,
That he understands and knows Me,
That I am the LORD, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth.
For in these I delight,” says the LORD."

Phil 1:6
"...being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ..."

related read: http://peopleofonething.blogspot.com/2006/11/do-you-know.html

Lovesick...

[Ever feel a loss of words in telling God that you want to know Him more? Ever feel so parched and dry, poor in the spirit? Take heart and put Your hope in the Lord! Be strong, and wait upon Him. He is answering your prayer for more. He is cultivating a lovesick heart in You - one that inclines to Him, longing, seeking... ]

Gentle whisper faintly calling
Broken vessel waiting to be filled
Thirsty soul longing to be satisfied

Deep calls out to deep
There is a longing for more
There is a yearning deep within

How can I express
That I want to know You more
That You are all that I want

How can my heart go on
Without a glimpse of Your beauty
Without a touch from my Bridegroom King

Kiss me! with the kisses of Your word
Kiss me! Your love energizes me
Kiss me! Your love is better than wine

That is why I live
That is why I seek
That is why my heart cannot go on without You

Your love is all I live for
Your love is all I seek after
Your love is what sets my heart on fire

Burn a holy flame
Burn it deep within me
Seal of love on my heart

Lovesick for You
Lovesick for more
Lovesick till You come again...

Song of Solomon 1:2
Let him (Jesus) kiss me (church, His bride) with the kisses of his mouth (word that proceeds from His mouth). For your love is better than wine (the pleasures of this world).

People of One Thing

[Overheard... left and right brain communication...]

A: Bee, I heard you got new name ah?

B: Yah, I'm called People of One Thing!

A: Wah, so cool... Wat it means ah?

B: It means seeking God is my One holy passion and pursuit lah.

A: Aye, that reminds me of King David, Mary of Bethany, and Apostle Paul leh.

B: Ah-ber-then, they are People of One Thing mah!

A: Why ah, why they so like dat?

B: Like wat?

A: Like oni want to do One Thing - seeking to be near God, to know God and what God is tinking, feeling about, like so extravagantly wasting their life on God, like so want to have more of God so much so that they consider everything else like dung?

B: Erm, I'll let you know when I become like dat.

A: What you mean?

B: Becos I also discovering why they like dat... I think hor, it's got to do with who God is...

A: who God is?

B: Yah, that God is worth the why they so like dat, or else what? Wake up your idea...

A: True, true... Bee, I mean People of One Thing, I oso want to like them leh. How ah?

B: You sure or not? Don't just say say ah.

A: Yah lah, true one lah.

B: Let's pray lah.

A: Ok, pray wat ah. You pray, I say amen ok?

A: Ok lah...

I will waste my life on You...

[Songs from the prayer room...]

I will waste my life
I'll be tested and tried
With no regrets inside of me
Just let me find I'm at Your feet (2x)

It's all about You, Jesus
It's not about me
Or what I can bring

It's all about You, Jesus
Come and take my offering
Come and take, take all of me

Grow Up =)

["Grow Up!" That seems to be the most valuable advice we can give others and even ourselves, not in impatience, but in a loving tone. I remember the cherished people by my side who have ever gently said that to me. I appreciate these words, and keep them close to my heart. Here's something from Alice Smith's Insight]

Who would you call in a spiritual emergency? Do you have an Elijah--someone whom God has placed in your life as a mentor and role model? Although God provides us Elijah, in due time, we learn that we must not continue to lean on them. God gives us mentors for a reason; but he also gives those mentors for a season. His ultimate intention for us is to stand on our own. The day will come--if it hasn't already--for you to leave the safety and security of the nest and fly.

Consider the partnership of Elijah and Elisha. Three times Elijah made plans to leave; and three times Elisha replied, "As Jehovah lives, and as your soul lives, I will not leave you." He admired and emulated Elijah. He didn't want his friend and mentor to leave. But there would come a time when Elijah would have to go (see 2 Kings 2:13-25).

At some point like Elisa experienced, your Elijah will have to leave. It is painful but predictable, and it's God's plan. You needn't refuse to release your Elijah, or else you will forfeit your full Kingdom potential.

When Elijah ascended in a chariot of fire, Elisha found himself alone. He returned to the Jordan River, which is symbolic of death and separation. "Crossing Jordan" means death to the old and birth to the new opportunities and responsibilities. Your Jordan experiences are those in which you must take the responsibility to walk out what your Elijahs have taught you. When you are alone, the Jordan, once a very familiar place, now seems overwhelming and impossible to cross.

Some wrongly conclude that troubles dissipate when one becomes a Christian. Not so. God does not remove trouble but He empowers us to overcome in the midst of it. After all, without trials there would never be triumph. There is no victory without war and there is no war without an enemy. Strangely, trouble is our friend. Trouble brings us to total dependency upon Christ. Prepare to cross your own Jordans, to confront your own giants and to gain your own victories.

The usual response to trouble is to say, "I can't." But we fail to realize that our tests are tailor-made by the Father (1 Cor. 10:13).

Wasn't God the God of Elisha as He was the God of Elijah? Even though it seemed overwhelming, Elisha was ready to cross the Jordan alone. And we must make the same journey too.

It's important when faced with trouble to keep our focus on Christ. When we focus on our trouble, all of our strength goes to the problem rather than the solution. At that point, we are not only afflicted by trouble but we are distracted from our communion with Christ who is the Source of our strength. Intimacy with Christ is where you will find the strength to stand. You are to stand in faith, walk by faith, and live by the faith of the Son of God (see Eph. 6:13-14; 2 Cor. 5:7; Gal. 2:20).

In 2 Kings 2:15, we read that "a company of prophets from Jericho were watching Elisha." Inside your heart you long to trust God for the extraordinary. But people are watching. You wish someone else could do the work for you. The thought may come to you as it probably did to Elisha, Where is my Elijah when I really need him? Amazingly, if you will press in and be true to the call of God, regardless of your feelings of insecurity and inadequacy or your lack of faith, the Lord will prove Himself to you.

In 2 Kings 2:23-25 we find Elisha being jeered by 42 young people at Bethel. Bethel means "the house of God." Yes, even Christian friends and family may mock your faith or your passion or the level of your commitment. When I was a newly saved teenager, older Christians said, "Alice, after you've been saved awhile, you'll settle down." Today, after more than 42 years, I am more passionately in love with Christ than ever!

Shortly after I began writing my first book, Beyond the Veil: Entering Into Intimacy With God Through Prayer, a Christian leader told me that I was foolish to think that I could write a book. That statement so intimidated me that I shelved the book for 10 months. However, I couldn't shake the fact that the Lord had spoken to me to write this book. In Christ I found the courage to begin again, and Beyond the Veil has become a best-seller. Yes, even in the Church you will find your critics. And its possible that those who have walked with you for years may leave you if the commitment level becomes too difficult for them.

Are you at your end of your endurance? Have you been feeling the need to quit? Don't do it! Your extremity of need is God's opportunity. Stand on His promises. In His time He will disclose the truth and validate you. The fight is not yours, the battle is the Lord's! Practice what the Elijahs in your life have taught you. Put on the mantle of prayer, stand confidently in Christ and stop looking back for your Elijah to do it for you. Jesus Christ is more than enough!

Who's Number One?

[Something I found on the internet on Who's Number One? http://www.sermoncloud.com/pastors-edge/whos-number-one]

Matthew 22:37-39 Jesus said to him, “ ‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’

Before we get into the first commandment, you need to understand that these laws were not given to the Nation of Israel as rules for a relationship with God. These laws were given as a reflection of a relationship with God. You don't keep the Ten Commandments in order to have a relationship with God; you keep them because you do have a relationship with God. The Ten Commandments are not rules for religious people; they are guidelines for God's people. They were meant for God's family.

As our sons began to grow up, we established certain rules in our home: do your homework, don't talk back to your mother, make your bed, and be home on time. I did not give these rules to my kids so they would be my kids; I gave these rules, because they were my kids. These rules simply reflected how I wanted my kids to behave.

Now you will see why the first commandment is not only the first commandment, but it is foundational to the other nine, because if you don't get the first one you will never get the other ones. In the first commandment, God is not saying, "If you want to have a relationship with Me, this is what you have to do." He was saying, "If you have a relationship with Me, this is what you want to do." The first commandment forces us to answer the question, "Who's Number One?"

[It's like God is saying, I did not ask you to love me so that you will be a lover of God. I commanded you to love me because you are a lover of God! So the first commandment is about our identity as a lover of God!]

Be-attitudes in Luke 6 & Matthew 5

LUKE v17
"And He came down with them and stood on a level place with a crowd of His disciples and a great multitude of people..."

[v20-26] Our attitude towards Circumstances
- a worldly or kingdom perspective?

[v27-38] Our attitude towards People
- be Christlike!

[v39-45] Our attitude in Ministry that will sustain you
- be Christlike, learn to see clearly, be honest with yourself, guard your heart.

[46-49] Attitude towards God

===============================================
Matthew 5
v1 "And seeing the multitudes, He went up on a mountain, and when He was seated His disciples came to Him. 2 Then He opened His mouth and taught them..."

[Matt 5,6,7] How to grow the fruits of the be-attitudes and measure them.

God will take care of us!

[Many times, we live our lives, wondering.. Will God take care of us? Can we trust Him? The word of the Lord striked my heart, when I saw how He took care of the multitudes. Those who followed Him, sought Him, those who were 'lost'. He had compassion on them, took care and provided for them, through the miraculous provision of food, even with leftovers! Surely we can trust Him, as we follow and seek Him. God is so good!]

Those who followed Jesus
[Feeding of the Four Thousand)

Mark 8:1-3

"In those days, the multitude being very great and having nothing to eat, Jesus called His disciples to Him and said to them, “I have compassion on the multitude, because they have now continued with me three days and have nothing to eat. And if I send them away hungry to their own houses, they will faint on the way; for some of them have come from afar.”

Those who sought Jesus
[Feeding of the Five Thousand)

Mark 6:33-37

"But the multitudes saw them departing, and many knew Him and ran there on foot from all the cities. They arrived before them and came together to Him. And Jesus, when He came out, saw a great multitude and was moved with compassion for them, because they were like sheep not having a shepherd. So He began to teach them many things. When the day was now far spent, His disciples came to Him and said, “This is a deserted place, and already the hour is late. Send them away, that they may go into the surrounding country and villages and buy themselves bread; for they have nothing to eat.” But He answered and said to them, “You give them something to eat.”"

Simply Inspirational!

Friend of God

John 15:13-15
Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.You are My friends if you do whatever I command you.No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you.

[Moses]

Exodus 33:11So the LORD spoke to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. And he would return to the camp, but his servant Joshua the son of Nun, a young man, did not depart from the tabernacle.

[Abraham]

2 Chronicles 20:7Are You not our God, who drove out the inhabitants of this land before Your people Israel, and gave it to the descendants of Abraham Your friend forever?

Isaiah 41:8"But you, O Israel, my servant, Jacob, whom I have chosen, you descendants of Abraham my friend,
James 2:23And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” And he was called the friend of God.

[Lazarus]

John 11:11These things He said, and after that He said to them, “Our friend Lazarus sleeps, but I go that I may wake him up.”

and so is Mary, King David... to be continued...

Remarks of Bill Gates - Harvard Commencement

Two salient points I picked up from a person with a passion in life:
http://www.news.harvard.edu/gazette/2007/06.14/99-gates.html

[the following paragraphs are parts of the speech made by Bill Gates]

1) Four stages of problem solving

If we can really see a problem, which is the first step, we come to the second step: cutting through the complexity to find a solution.

Finding solutions is essential if we want to make the most of our caring. If we have clear and proven answers anytime an organization or individual asks “How can I help?,” then we can get action – and we can make sure that none of the caring in the world is wasted. But complexity makes it hard to mark a path of action for everyone who cares — and that makes it hard for their caring to matter.

Cutting through complexity to find a solution runs through four predictable stages: determine a goal, find the highest-leverage approach, discover the ideal technology for that approach, and in the meantime, make the smartest application of the technology that you already have — whether it’s something sophisticated, like a drug, or something simpler, like a bednet.

The AIDS epidemic offers an example. The broad goal, of course, is to end the disease. The highest-leverage approach is prevention. The ideal technology would be a vaccine that gives lifetime immunity with a single dose. So governments, drug companies, and foundations fund vaccine research. But their work is likely to take more than a decade, so in the meantime, we have to work with what we have in hand – and the best prevention approach we have now is getting people to avoid risky behavior.

Pursuing that goal starts the four-step cycle again. This is the pattern. The crucial thing is to never stop thinking and working – and never do what we did with malaria and tuberculosis in the 20th century – which is to surrender to complexity and quit.

The final step – after seeing the problem and finding an approach – is to measure the impact of your work and share your successes and failures so that others learn from your efforts... This is essential not just to improve the program, but also to help draw more investment from business and government. But if you want to inspire people to participate, you have to show more than numbers; you have to convey the human impact of the work – so people can feel what saving a life means to the families affected.



2) Much has been given, much is expected

My mother, who was filled with pride the day I was admitted here – never stopped pressing me to do more for others. A few days before my wedding, she hosted a bridal event, at which she read aloud a letter about marriage that she had written to Melinda. My mother was very ill with cancer at the time, but she saw one more opportunity to deliver her message, and at the close of the letter she said: “From those to whom much is given, much is expected.”

When you consider what those of us here in this Yard have been given – in talent, privilege, and opportunity – there is almost no limit to what the world has a right to expect from us.

In line with the promise of this age, I want to exhort each of the graduates here to take on an issue – a complex problem, a deep inequity, and become a specialist on it. If you make it the focus of your career, that would be phenomenal. But you don’t have to do that to make an impact. For a few hours every week, you can use the growing power of the Internet to get informed, find others with the same interests, see the barriers, and find ways to cut through them.

Don’t let complexity stop you. Be activists. Take on the big inequities. It will be one of the great experiences of your lives.

Somewhere Over The Rainbow

Somewhere over the rainbow
Way up high,
There's a land that I heard of
Once in a lullaby.

Somewhere over the rainbow
Skies are blue,
And the dreams that you dare to dream
Really do come true.

Someday I'll wish upon a star
And wake up where the clouds are far
Behind me.
Where troubles melt like lemon drops
Away above the chimney tops
That's where you'll find me.

Somewhere over the rainbow
Bluebirds fly.
Birds fly over the rainbow.
Why then, oh why can't I?
If happy little bluebirds fly
Beyond the rainbow
Why, oh why can't I?

Britain's Got Talent - Connie, Somewhere Over The Rainbow.

Happy Birthday Celyn!

Beautiful bride
Dancing with joy
Beautiful bride
Basking in His love...

Closing her eyes
Making a prayer
Heads lifted up
Hoping in Christ...

Take me higher
Draw me nearer
Close to Your throne
Close to Your heart

Beautiful bride
With tears of joy
Beautiful bride
Sealed in His love

Happy birthday Janet!

Look left, look right
Where am I going?
What do I do?

Look left, look right
Where do I want to go?
What do I want to do?

Look left, look right
I look for nothing else
cos' God is right here by my side

By my side, right from the start
Where He leads, I'll go!
What He does, I'll do!

Living on the Edge

[A poem dedicated to the youths - Bel, Pris, Abby]

Are you ready, world?
Here we come
Here we come

Not with weapons of this world
Nor trusting in chariots or horses
No, not relying on own wisdom alone

With the weapons of worship, we will advance
With the weapons of warfare, will will conquer
Not by might nor by power but by His Spirit!

Trusting in the Name of the Lord
Jehovah Sabaoth
Lord of hosts

A generation that seeks Your face
A generation that will arise
An army of God unstoppable

Living on the edge
Fearlessly overcoming obstacles
Holiness is our goal

Who is our God
Who is our Chief
Jesus Christ, soon and coming King!

Dove eyes

[A poem dedicated to Cynthia. Your dove eyes have ravished the God and King...]

My soul contemplates
As I dwell in Your presence
I'm waiting for You
I'm gazing at the One I love

So caught up
So drawn in
He is my God
He is my King

No eyes have seen
No ears have heard
What a mystery!
What an awesome God!

Time flies...
People pass me by...
But one thing I seek
Just to be in Your house

In Your presence
Never wanting to leave
Dwelling daily
Burning for You and You alone

My God, my Bridegroom King
You are coming
I am Yours
You are mine...

Deeper...

Isaiah 40:13

“You are My witnesses,” says the LORD,
“And My servant whom I have chosen,
That you may know and believe Me,
And understand that I am He.
Before Me there was no God formed,
Nor shall there be after Me.

Do you know Jesus wept? John 11:35

Do you understand why He wept? John 11:5, 11

Do you know Jesus did not go immediately to Lazarus when He heard that he is sick, but waited two more days? John 11:6

Do you understand why Jesus did that? John 11:4

A little bit closer, a little bit higher, a little bit deeper in You...

Everything has its time...

Ecclesiastes 3

To everything there is a season,
A time for every purpose under heaven:
A time to be born, And a time to die;
A time to plant, And a time to pluck what is planted;
A time to kill, And a time to heal;
A time to break down, And a time to build up;
A time to weep, And a time to laugh;
A time to mourn, And a time to dance;
A time to cast away stones, And a time to gather stones;
A time to embrace, And a time to refrain from embracing;
A time to gain, And a time to lose;
A time to keep, And a time to throw away;
A time to tear, And a time to sew;
A time to keep silence, And a time to speak;
A time to love, And a time to hate;
A time of war, And a time of peace.

The God-Given Task
What profit has the worker from that in which he labors? I have seen the God-given task with which the sons of men are to be occupied. He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also He has put eternity in their hearts, except that no one can find out the work that God does from beginning to end. I know that nothing is better for them than to rejoice, and to do good in their lives, and also that every man should eat and drink and enjoy the good of all his labor—it is the gift of God.

I know that whatever God does,
It shall be forever.
Nothing can be added to it,
And nothing taken from it.
God does it, that men should fear before Him.
That which is has already been,
And what is to be has already been;
And God requires an account of what is past.

My Life Goal...

[Prayer of my heart from Ezra 7:10]

NKJV
"For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the Law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach statutes and ordinances in Israel."

NASB
"For Ezra had set his heart to study the law of the LORD and to practice it, and to teach His statutes and ordinances in Israel."

NIV
"For Ezra had devoted himself to the study and observance of the Law of the LORD, and to teaching its decrees and laws in Israel."

Hosea 6:3
"Let us know,
Let us pursue the knowledge of the LORD.
His going forth is established as the morning;
He will come to us like the rain,
Like the latter and former rain to the earth."

[Isaiah 58] The fast that pleases God

[There are much benefits in physical fasting, let alone one done in the spiritual context. Fasting cleanses our body, and there are many areas in our lives that God can cleanse as we approach fasting with a sober heart and right attitude. Fasting is also not just about ourselves. We are reminded to remember the needs of others, especially the poor - the people very much on God's heart. Most of all, as we seek God, He promises to bless us! That's just Him! We can trust Him, and He is always good...]


A) Four areas in our lives to ask God to CLEANSE
so that we may draw near to God with clean hands and a pure heart (Psalm 2:3-4)
Isa 58:6

1) To loose the bonds of wickedness

• Ways in us that are not right before God ~ Ask God to surface them and deal with them radically!
• Pray the prayer of King David in Psalm 139:23-24 "Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties; And see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting."

2) To undo the heavy burdens

• Past sins/issues that we are still holding on to that added weight/baggage in our lives, so that we cannot run swiftly or are choked in our growth in the Lord ~ Ask God to surface them and deal with them speedily!

3) To let the oppressed go free

• External or internal opposition, either voluntary - eg due to wilful sins in our lives that open doors to oppression or involuntary - eg. generational iniquity ~ Pray with someone and be set free!

4) And that you break every yoke

• Extra load that you have taken upon yourself unnecessarily that strips you of the joy in knowing, loving and serving God ~ Cast them aside, Learn to carry the yoke of the Lord, which is easy and light.
• Matt1 11:28-30 "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."

(B) Four types of people to CONSIDER
Isa 58:7

Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and that you bring to your house the poor who are cast out; When you see the naked, that you cover him, And not hide yourself from your own flesh?

Consider the needs of those around you and reach out to them. This pleases God.
Matt 25:40 "And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’ "



(C) Five promises of God to CLAIM
Isa 58:8-9

1) Then your light shall break forth like the morning

• Your ministry/life will be fruitful. God is light. His light will shine through your life/ministry.

2) Your healing shall spring forth speedily

• You will receive God's divine healing, upon your heart, mind, soul and body.

3) And your righteousness shall go before you

• You shall be right before God and men.

4) The glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard

• He will watch over you. You will have no fear of darkness or opposition.

5) Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer; You shall cry, and He will say, ‘Here I am.’

• He will hear your prayers and answer them!

[Psalm 1] A life that's blessed and prosperous

[We are blessed already, not by our possessions or status, but by knowing God and his laws, and living them out to the fullest makes us prosperous! There is a blessedness and prosperity that is available both to us here on earth, and there in the days to come in eternity...]

WHAT (focus):
On God’s laws - chew, meditate, think, dwell, reflect, sense, contemplate, consider, ponder….

WHEN (intensity):
Day and night (v2)

WHERE (position):
By rivers of water – plant, take root, bear fruit (keep growing through the seasons!)

HOW (attitude):
Take delight in God’s law (v2)

Walk not in the counsel of the ungodly (v1)
- Listen to the right folks, dude.

Stand not in the path of sinners (v1)
- Do righteous acts. God is watching.

Sit not among the scornful
- Speak wholesome talk. Be found among the godly.

WHY (purpose):
There is a God who sees us (v6 For the Lord knows the ways of the righteous). And he is coming again (v5 the judgment). Don't play play...

SUCCESS 101 = What + When + Where + How + Why

WHO is God?
One who knows our ways, and is coming to judge. The upright - He will bless and prosper. The ungodly – They will not stand in God’s judgment.

Promises to claim, and conditions:
Blessedness and Prosperity in all we do if we stay steadfast and faithful till the end...
- Faithful (sit, walk and stand uprightly, taking root in God’s word, and bearing fruit in seasons)
- Steadfast (leaf does not wither), keep doing what is good.

Outline:
v1-2 The Conduct of the upright
v3 The Growth of the upright
v4-5 The Detriment of the ungodly
v6 The God of our hope

Stunned... Silenced... Repented... Restored

[Job 38-40]

[The LORD Reveals His Omnipotence to Job through the storms of his life, and brother Job was silenced by the revelation of God's Omnipotence... He repented and confessed God's sovereignty and power...]

1 Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said:

2 “Who is this who darkens counsel
By words without knowledge?

3 Now prepare yourself like a man;
I will question you, and you shall answer Me.

4 “ Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth?
Tell Me, if you have understanding.

5 Who determined its measurements?
Surely you know!
Or who stretched the line upon it?

6 To what were its foundations fastened?
Or who laid its cornerstone,

.....

[Job 40]

1 Moreover the LORD answered Job, and said:

2 “Shall the one who contends with the Almighty correct Him?
He who rebukes God, let him answer it.”

3 Then Job answered the LORD and said:

4 “ Behold, I am vile;
What shall I answer You?
I lay my hand over my mouth.

5 Once I have spoken,
but I will not answer;
Yes, twice, but I will proceed no further.”

------------------
[Job 42]

1 Then Job answered the LORD and said:

2 “I know that You can do everything,
And that no purpose of Yours can be withheld from You.

3 You asked, ‘Who is this who hides counsel without knowledge?’
Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand,
Things too wonderful for me, which I did not know.

4 Listen, please, and let me speak;
You said, ‘I will question you, and you shall answer Me.’

5 “I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear,
But now my eye sees You.

6 Therefore I abhor myself,
And repent in dust and ashes.”

Still...

[ Psalm 63:7 "Because You have been my help, therefore in the shadow of Your wings I will rejoice..." Hide me Lord, under Your wings... Where else can I go, what else can I do... I keep my gaze on You, in quietness and trust. Isa 26:3 "YOU will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You"... You answered the storms of my life with Your Presence. I press on, I press on...]

Hide me now under Your wings
Cover me within Your mighty hand.

(Chorus) When the oceans rise and thunders roar,
I will soar with You above the storm.
Father, You are King over the flood.
I will be still and know You are God.

Find rest my soul in Christ alone.
Know His power in quietness and trust.

Psalm 46:10-11
Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!

The LORD of hosts is with us;
The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah

I will follow you!!! erm... let me think again...

Ever wondered why Peter denied Jesus?

Yes, he denied Jesus, not once, not twice, but thrice...

Even the rooster was counting down...
John 18:27 "Peter then denied again; and immediately a rooster crowed."

Omigosh... Pete... how could you... one day you said you would follow him, another day stress comes, off you go in the other direction. How can like that? What's wrong with you?!!

There's nothing wrong with Peter actually... Many claimed he was too boastful and confident in his own commitment to follow Jesus. Perhaps he did it out of devotion to Jesus... But Jesus saw his heart (that loves God) and spoke to him forthrightly:

John 13:38 "Then Jesus answered, "Will you really lay down your life for me? I tell you the truth, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times!"

Let me run you by Peter's profile... But before that, I just want to say this - I think I like Peter! He was bold, brash, and enthusiastic. He didn't always think before speaking. He wasn't always faithful, and sometimes fearful, but he has a good heart and loved Jesus. He was not afraid to be transparent before Christ ("I will lay down my life for you!!").

Alrighty, here's more about Pete:
1) He was the first to begin preaching to the gentiles.
2) Father: Jonah (John 1:42)
3) Spouse: Unnamed (Matthew 8:14)
4) Brother: Andrew (John 1:40)
5) First mention: Matthew 4:18
6) Final mention: 2 Peter 1:1
7) Meaning of his name: Simon means "hearing;" Peter means "rock" (Greek) Cephas means "rock" (Aramaic)
8) Frequency of his name: Referred to 183 times
9) Biblical books mentioning him: Nine books (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Acts, 1 Corinthians, Galatians, 1 Peter, 2 Peter)
10) Occupation: Fisherman and apostle
11) Place of birth: Bethsaida in Galilee (John 1:44)
12) Place of death: Tradition says he died in Rome.
13) Circumstances of death: Tradition says he was crucified upside down.
14) Important fact about his life: He was one of the chief apostles and author of two New Testament books.
15) He and John were the first to visit the tomb where Jesus laid; Peter was the first who entered it. (John 20:1-10)
16) On the day of Pentecost, Peter, as the spokesman of the apostles, preached that remarkable sermon which resulted in the conversion of about 3,000 souls.
17) Temperament: choleric
18) Christ in Peter: From impulsive, unsteadfast, slow of heart to understand the mysteries of the kingdom--to one, in the book Acts--firm and courageous, ready to go to prison and to death, the preacher of the faith, the interpreter of Scripture.

How did Peter respond when he realised that he denied Jesus?

Like all flesh and blood, Peter broke down and wept... At the end of himself, realising his human frality, he wept...

Mark 14:72 "Immediately the rooster crowed the second time. Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken to him: "Before the rooster crows twice you will disown me three times." And he broke down and wept."

But the highlight of it all, is how Jesus restored Peter, as seen in John 21. Read already can cry...

1) Jesus came to Peter where he was v1
2) He did a miracle and opened their eyes to see Him v6
3) Peter ran away from Jesus (v7 "Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment (for he had removed it), and plunged into the sea.")
4) Jesus spoke to Peter tenderly (v15 “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?”) Jesus helped Peter realised that he (Peter) actually loved Him. Jesus did not say... Peter, will you now follow me, or, Peter, will you do this do that? But He said, do you love me....

The rest is history... Peter was restored to Jesus and went on to live for Him and served Him fervently.

Take heart and know that God sees your heart, your heart that says "I love You, Lord..."

1 Samuel 16:7 "... The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."

He will complete it...

songs from the chamber...

He who begun a good work in you
Will be faithful
To complete it in you

He who begun a good work in you
Will be faithful
To complete it in His time

For I know You are
A good good God
And You are so faithful and true

For I know You are
A good good God
And You are so faithful and true


Phil 1:6 ~ "...being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ..."

You hold my heart

[songs from the prayer room]

Now to You
Now to You
Who is able to keep me (from falling)

Now to You
Who loves me
More than I know

Have Your glory
Have my love
Here’s Your glory
Here’s my love

Both now and forever
Be clothed in glory Lord
Both now and forever
I’ll give You all my love

You who hold seven stars in Your hand
You hold my heart
Hold my heart

Take my heart Lord
Come and seal it
That’s all I have to give

Never let me wander from the fountain that I’ve come to love
Never let me stray to another stream

May You be all that’s on my mind
All of the time
Let my heart be torn in two
Until Your will is mine

Come Lord Jesus!

[songs from the house of prayer..]

Come to me
Come for me
Together with the Spirit we cry Come!

Revelation 22:17 "And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” "

Forerunner School

Join One Thing Ministries in the teaching sessions in the Forerunner School, starting Feb'07.
-----------------------------
John the Baptist answered, “…the friend of the Bridegroom…rejoices greatly because of the Bridegroom’s voice.” John 3:29

John the Baptist described himself in his forerunner ministry as a “friend of the Bridegroom”. For John went before the First Coming of Jesus to prepare a people for Him. The Holy Spirit is again, raising up forerunners in this exciting hours to declare & teach on the a 3-fold revelation of the beauty of Jesus as a passionate Bridegroom, transcendent King & righteous Judge (Psalm 2:10 – 12). These are vital themes for preparing every believer as we live in the Last Days.

One Thing Ministries seeks to equip & prepare believers to live in the Bridal Identity with wholehearted love for God. Our desire is to see the LORD raising up different types of ministries that function in the forerunner spirit as “friends of the Bridegroom” to prepare the Body of Christ as a holy lovesick Bride for the fulfillment of the Great Commission & the unique measure of glory in the Last Days.

We will be starting the School of Forerunners with regular teachings organized around 3 teaching tracks from Feb. 2007. The 3 tracks are Intimacy with God; the Forerunners’ Ministry & School of Prayers.

The Intimacy with God track comprises the following topics: Intimacy with God; the Bride of Christ; Song of Songs; Knowledge of God; the Father Heart of God; the Ravished Heart of the Bridegroom-King; the Book of Psalms; the Life of David; etc.

The Forerunners’ Ministry track comprises the following topics: the Ministry of Forerunners; Basic Understanding of End-Times; Overview of End-Times; Understanding Israel; the Book of Daniel; the Book of Revelation; the Book of Joel; the Kingdom of God, etc.

The School of Prayers track comprises of the following topics: 24/7 House of Prayer; the Tabernacle of David; the Bridal Intercession; the Harp & Bowl Intercessory Worship Model; Biblical & Apostolic Prayers; Devotional Worship & Prophetic Worship; Antiphonal & Prophetic Singing; etc.

The School will be conducted on every 1st Friday (7.30 – 9.30pm) & 1st Saturday (3.00pm – 6.30pm) of every month. The followings are the schedule for Feb – Apr 2007:

Feb 2 & 3: Intimacy with God
1. The Call to Intimacy with God
2. The First & the Great Commandment
3. What is Intimacy with God?
4. Seven Foundational Principles of Growing Intimate with God
5. Growing into an Intimate Relationship with God
7. Romance of the Gospel I: The Bridegroom-God
8. Romance of the Gospel II: The Bride of Christ

Mar 2 & 3: Bride of Christ
1. Bridal Identity
2. Bridal Paradigm
3. Bridal Destiny
4. Bridal Invitation
5. Bridal Preparation
6. Bridal Partnership
7. Bridal Intercession

Apr 6 & 7: Song of Solomon
1. Introduction to Song of Solomon
2. Overview of Song of Solomon
3. Growing intimate with God through Song of Solomon
4. Revelation of our Bridegroom-King through Song of Solomon
5. Revelation of our Bridal Identity through Song of Solomon

The School will be held at Bible House, 6th floor, 7 Armenian Street, Singapore 179932 & there will be registration fee of $15.00. We have attached a registration form for sign up.

For inquiry & more information, please write to onethingministries@yahoo.com.sg