many times we are afraid to let go because we are afraid of the unknown.

As I was trying to come up with an idea to decorate my new journal, of using water and crown as the main focus...i typed out the word water & crown on flickr to see if it yields any good result.

To my amazement, it just hit on me that the picture of a water droplet is the shape of a CROWN!

Or you already notice it long before I do..hehe

The Word Crown & Drip are found in the same verse in our theme verse for our church this year!

Ps 65:11 You crown the year with your abundance; and your path drips with abundance.

If you notice, there's a semi colon instead of a comma or full stop separating the two sentence. Semi colon shows that there is a close r/s between the two sentence(http://the-semicolon.com/)

Then I asked the Lord, why drip..drips sounds little to me;) that's when i check out the meaning of drip and saw the word rain.

You can only get the shape of a crown from a water droplet, one at a time. If you're releasing it from the tap, it might that you have to release it slowly. wow just saw this. for us to make plenty of water droplet one by one liken to rain, it's impossible.

That is why His blessing is liken to rain. You can never achieve the result by your own self-effort.

Ezekiel 34:26 I will send down the showers in their season; they shall be showers of blessing.

Why abundance? Because it's almost impossible for the rain to just fall on your feet or your blouse without touching your head or your surrounding.

I love how its said in the Irish blessing, "..May the blessing of god's soft rain be on you, falling gently on your head"

When your head is blessed, everything around you will be blessed!

Interestingly, the backgroud picture for our theme verse in church is also a water droplet. wonder did they realised this when they made it or maybe it's just me again that i just started noticing it=)

So i'm off to bed now with my incomplete journal. At least I know how I should be drawing the crown now;)

God drops desire into our hearts. And if you follow the desire he has placed in you, there'll be fruits.

The desire may not be something you like initially. But when you obey it, your love for that desire grows.

He knows you better than you do.

Usually it's an area you are already gifted in or find ease learning.

Working with kids was not something in natural I wanted. But he placed the desire there. I obeyed. And i've been blessed eversince. I grew to love them.

Serving in Rockkidz has always been a no for me. The desire he place in me to go for it in Dec 2009 was so strong. I availed myself for keyboard audition and was asked to sing instead. God knows best. I looked back now in a year and saw how he has increase me. Yest, Johannah came up to me to tell me it sounded good and I improved. I did realised a sudden difference in my voice too only yest before she told me. I was kinda surprise hearing myself. Hehe. It can only be god.

This pass month, He has drop another desire in my heart. A dream bigger than myself. I gave my all to it because I know it's not from me. I know it'll take a god-kind of way for it to come to pass.

Be open to listen to the desire he has placed in you. It may or may not be something you think you'll do. When you obey, you'll love it with a god kind of love=) and it'll stay.

Desires cause you to wake up early and stay up late doing the things you love.

How good it it to be in a place you know there is plenty room for improvement.

Listen.

It's interesting when I found this out in a book, "the word season in Greek(2122) has to do w e word opportunity."

And as I read on further, I saw this connection more clearly in the story of Isaac & Rebecca, of how he send his servant to look for a wife.

As you all know, Rebecca was chosen because she offered to give water to the servant's camel. Gen 24:14 "Let the young woman to whom I shall say, 'Please let down your jar that I may drink,' and who shall say, 'Drink, and I will water your camels'--let her be the one whom you have appointed for your servant Isaac. By this I shall know that you have shown steadfast love to my master."

But what really caught my attention in this story was when Rebecca's brother & mother requested for Rebecca to stayed back for ten days and the servant refused. Rebecca did not question but take on that opportunity and agreed!

Gen 24:55 Her brother and her mother said, "Let the young woman remain with us a while, at least ten days; after that she may go."

Gen 24:56 But he said to them, "Do not delay me, since the LORD has prospered my way. Send me away that I may go to my master."

Gen 24:57 They said, "Let us call the young woman and ask her.

Gen 24:58 And they called Rebekah and said to her, "Will you go with this man?" She said, "I will go."

Opportunity comes in every stage of our season. You can either missed it when it comes or reap the blessings thereof. Just saw this. There are three areas we can learn from the story 1) are you faithfully doing what you're called 2) are you willing to walk in the door god has open for you 3)are you following what the Holy Spirit tells you to.

There is no mentioned if she was 'ready'. She just faithfully did what she was called to do & obeyed e servants command.

If Rebecca wasn't doing what she was called to do, she'll never be chosen.

If she had followed what her mum says, to stay ten days instead of what the servant says, to leave immediately with him on that day itself, she'll also miss the opportunity given.

The servant typifies the Holy Spirit in our context. When you follow the voice of the Holy Spirit, you're blessed in the season you're in. You can either take on the open door opportunity god gives you or let go of it.

Psalms 65:11 : You crown the year of Your goodness, and Your paths drip with fatness/abundance.

Depend on His goodness. Our goodness is limited.

You do not have to think to come out with a resolution. Goodness will happen to you.

The goodness of god will lead you into repentance.

Christianity is not a life of acting.

You have the life of Christ inside you.

It’s in the being = resting

Be conscious of god.

Only good can come our of you.

Abundance in Strong H1878(dashen) means to anoint

God will anoint you with divine ability

Divine empowerment & enablement

When you are anointed, there’s a flow & rhythm to things. God will back you up.

This year, you will live a fulfilled life. It’s a year of fertility(mentioned by Ps Prince)

Your path will supernaturally cross with the love of your life.

Human is limited. God’s love is inexhaustible.

Jesus was crown with thorns.

John 19:1-3 :Then Pilate took Jesus and flogged Him. And having plaited a wreath out of thorns, the soldiers put it on His head. And they threw a purple mantle around Him, and said, Hail, King of the Jews! Ans they gave HIm blows with the palm.

Thorns symbolizes curses/lack.

Because of man's sin, the earth will produce thorns and thistles and man will experience sweat from the work that he does.

Jesus wore the crown for you & I.

He was made poor so that we can become rich.

Your needs, look to Jesus at the cross

How do you walk in a crown year?

Where do you find crown. On the head.

All blessings starts from the head. Surrounds you.

Psalms 133:1-3 Behold! How good and how pleasant is the living of brothers, even in unity. It is like the precious oil on the head that ran down on the beard, Aaron's beard, going down to the mouth of his garments, like the dew of Hermon coming down on the mountians of Zion; for there Jehovah commanded the blessing life till everlasting.

When god wants to bless someone, it begins from the head. Your consciousness.

Be conscious of His goodness.

Do not be conscious of your past. Your sins he remembers no more.

The key to being attractive is to be confident. Christ confident.

Lack of Christ esteem – repels people away.

How does god crown someone?

How did god crown Jesus on earth.

Hebrew 2:9 but we do see Jesus crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death was made a little less than the angels, so that by the grace of God He might taste of death of all.

With Glory & Honor.

The voice of affirmation – who you are in Christ, what you have – bring glory & honor to a person. “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”

Don’t hear the voice of condemnation. It pushes you further into sin/sickness.

It releases the anointing/goodness.

Pastor gave an example of his school days when he was constantly failing math because a teacher kept confessing that he is not good. But when another came along and tell him that he is not stupid, just lazy, he studied hard for the last two months and score A from F.

How do you hear?

John 10:27-28 : My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.  And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

God will put His fingerprints all over your life this year.

Your inability to hear his voice is not greater than his ability to speak to you.

God KNOWS you. Your bad and your good. Your thoughts..

God is speaking with you every step.

Shepherd always move ahead.

You are on unshakeable ground.

Trust the Lord to direct your path.

God is always behind us watching us.

Blessed is the man when sin is not imputed on him.

Be conscious of god’s love for you.

Hear His voice in his written word.

2Peter 1:19-21: We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

Morning star(Jesus) will rise in your heart. Jesus fills your heart.

A peace/shalom the world cannot give.

Prosperity also has the root of shalom.

Hear His Word. Your night will become day.

In Your light, I see light.

Feed on the voice of affirmation.

On Jan 4, I wrote this on twitter - "Believe the little voice inside you that encourages & comforts you." and "The holy spirit cannot rest on condemnation. The favor of god, the power of anointing cannot rest on condemnation."

It was when I was listening to a sermon. And this thought just jumped up at me..

The times when I feel discouraged, I hear Him softly speaking inside me, talking with me and affirming me. And I am comforted. There's a 'fren 'in all of us=)

Just saw this. This year, as you go about your daily activity, talk to him as you do...when you follow the voice inside you, the one who will cheer you when you can't go on, will cause all goodness to abound in you when you obey.

I love the picture of a crown that is painted in my vision now. We are born to reign in this life!

I took awhile to decide if I should write this. The journey, though short..over just a span of 3 days was significant and it brought me to a higher level of faith i’ve never experience before.

The next day, I was crippled with fear. I kept replaying it in my mind the voice I heard. Did I really hear? Aunty did mentioned she does scolds her husband at night as she fears he may fall down walking out alone due to his condition. But the voice was different…it was very clear. I told my colleagues and the first reply that came from 3 of them was to take out my bible and open it wide..even non believers know the power of the bible hehe

My mind was occupied with these thoughts. I could not focus on my work. Every thoughts of fear went through my mind..

I thought this house was a blessing? Should I move out? When will this fear ever leave me…Will I overcome it?I really thought I’ll never overcome it. I was thinking of plans to move out...

I went to band prac that day and asked the 2 girls to pray for me & I even borrowed the anointing oil as I couldn’t find mine when I needed it most.. that night I text my housemate, & she came down to sleep with me.

The next day, nothing changed. I was still in fear. It was cg day. Should I go to cg? I thought to myself. I have every reason not to…as I was tired & I wanted to ask the aunty abt the house. If I go, I wouldn’t be able to ask her & I’ll be home late…BUT I choose not to go by my feelings & I went.

The most amazing thing happened was when Jayden shared abt his recent honeymoon experience & their evil spirit experience in the hotel. My heart jumped & beat so fast when I heard that. At that time, I was looking at every scripture to find words of comfort. I was hoping to come to cg for a word. How amazing the Lord can even use the topic on Righteousness & relate it to his experience there & share it with us! Even Faith his wife was surprised when he started sharing abt it.

Tears just roll down my cheek when I shared. I told them I was afraid. I’ve come to a point that nothing really terrifies me & worries me anymore until this happens. All the scriptures I know seem to have come to void. I tried everything from anointing oil to prayer to Holy Communion. The encouragements were nice but it made no difference to how I felt at that point. I knew I needed to deal with it myself. It was an issue of the heart.

That night I went home still afraid. At 2am, I text my fren who was still awake. She text me & called me to comfort me. I cried. I was frustrated. I needed my sleep. But I couldn’t. That night, my lights were on the whole nights. I listened to a sermon twice and even in the sermon was the mentioned of the disciples being afraid of ghost when they saw the waves but Jesus words to them were, “Do not be afraid”. But still I couldn't sleep.

I didn’t know what took place. The next afternoon, every fear I had left. It was supernatural. I felt a newness of boldness it me. It felt like an aura of god surrounded me & every darkness has left. There was peace in the house. I really understood what it means the presence of god drives out every fear. I could literally feel it. You cannot reason fear away.

During my experience, god showed me the story of the Joshua & Caleb. What god meant for you as a blessing can be turned to be giants when you allow fear to come in.

Wow so cool, I went to look up for the story of Joshua & Caleb & the first site I landed on was (Your Inheritance -  All things work together for good 14June 2009) by this man who has been writing pastor’s sermon notes weekly I found recently.

Your giant is never meant to make you feel smaller or afraid. It was never meant to hinder your walk. It was bread for your taking. It was meant to be a blessing to youJHave faith & god will do the rest.

I woke up in the middle of the night at 400am last night & this question just popped in my head, "How does the mute speak". How is he going to confess his healing, his blessings...

Immediately I turned on my computer & looked for the Greek translation for the word 'say' Pastor mentioned in Mark 11:23.

For^{1063 verily281 I say3004 unto you,5213 That3754 whosoever3739, 302 shall say2036 unto this5129 mountain,3735 Be thou removed,142 and2532 be thou cast906 into1519 the3588 sea;2281 and2532 shall not3361 doubt1252 in1722 his848 heart,2588 but235 shall believe4100 that3754 those things which3739 he saith3004 shall come to pass;1096 he846 shall have2071 whatsoever3739, 1437 he saith.2036}

G3004 leg'-o

A primary verb; properly to "lay" forth, that is, (figuratively) relate (in words [usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas G2036 and G5346 generally refer to an individual expression or speech respectively; by implication to mean: - ask, bid, boast, call, describe, give out, name, put forth, say (-ing, on), shew, speak, tell, utter.

G2036 ep'-o

A primary verb (used only in the definite past tense, to speak or say (by word or writting): - answer, bid, bring word, call, command, grant, say (on), speak, tell. Compare G3004.

What really caught my attention most & gave me the 'answer' was the mentioned of, 'to speak by writing.'

The meaning of discourse mentioned in G3004 is actually a spoken or written communication between people. You see here & also used in G2036 that speech & writing is interchangeable.

The deaf hear not, but he is able to read the writings of Jesus. The mute speak not, but they are able to write the words of Jesus.

I did ask him once, why then ask us to write our vision down & it'll come to pass & also speak. which? (went to look at the verse with vision)...my reaction was....omg!! check it out.

Hab 2:2 And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.

Hab 2:3 For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.

This bring to rememberance a card I saw at Joan's place on her keyboard recently when I went to her place to learn. It was made abt ten years ago when she had not joined music min. It was the words of David being a talented musician written in Samuel. There were also two pics of her as a young little girl playing piano & flute. And this small 'poster' is always placed on her keyboard till today even when she practised! How the word written speaks for itself now. Amazing when I saw it. It makes me want to start writing now=)

I love how Strong’s & Greek Lexicon explains it. A definite past tense. A prophecy. Sounds like it’s sure to happenedJ

I love it how he shows me as I write each time. Something about writing;)

Wow I dunno where I should start...I hope I can finish this in half an hour.

It was what the Lord showed me about the message Pastor preached today. I'll not elaborate on it, I presume you're from my church if you're reading this. Otherwise, you may not understand as i'll just be sharing a summary of it=)

It was last night after I came back from the Live Recording 'I Sing Hosanna' that I saw this three words very strongly in my spirit. Water. Drink. Thrist. It was the same strong witness in my spirit as when I wrote on the post of the first & last mentioned of thirst which ties it all with this.

It was a simple message he told me last night. 'Why aren't people drinking water(the Word) as much or as freely as they would to their natural water as they would to their body today." Even our body suffer for lack of it.

So when Pastor expounded the scriptures on the Water from the Rock experience of the Israelites wilderness journey they took with Moses, comparing the difference at the start of the journey and at the end of it(40 years), my spirit jumped at the mentioned of these 3 specific words I receive the night before.

The begin at (Exodus 17) and ended (Numbers20).

Here's a short summary of Exodus 17 - It was a rod of judgement(he hit the rock), water was not abundant, silence of scripture that they drank. Numbers 20 - Rod of grace(he spoke to the rock), water was abundant, the people drank.

When Pastor was showing us the Hebrew letter for speak(door/son - when we speak, we open up the door to the son) I kept asking god how is it related to the scripture mentioning whether they drink/not.

Here's what I saw. Speaking = drinking water. When you speak His Word(water), you are drinking.

In my last post I link above, I mentioned an amazing truth he opened my eyes to - Jesus never once mentioned he thirst on earth except on the cross(John 19:30)...

Check out the difference in speech here..it blew my mind=)

Exodus 17:3(law-hit the rock) "Why did you bring us up out of Egypt to make us and our children and lives stock die of thirst?

Numbers 20:4(grace-speak to the rock) "Why did you bring the Lord's community into this desert, that we and our live stock should die here? (no mentioned of thirst)

The first time, it was mentioned they would die of thrist. The rod of judgement can never quench your thirst. There was no mentioned the people drank although there was water made available to them.

Jesus fifth word on the cross was 'I thirst' so that you and I will never die of thirst. And this is accomplished when we speak to the rock. When we declare His Word over our circumstances, you receive all that he has died to give you.

You can no longer die of thrist when you speak His Word.

Why thrist I asked. When you are thirsty, your body is missing out something. You have a need. When water is supply, that need is no longer there.

When you speak His Word continually, it's like pumping your body with water. You'll never 'die of thrist'. Your meets are always met.

I write myself happy. Apologies if this is confusing;)

I can't contain the joy that is bubbling inside me..guess writing it down is the best way to let it out=) as a reminder too of his goodness. I love reminiscing the past events when His goodness supersedes my expectation. Read only if you're into details, if not just the ones in bold;)

It was about two weeks back that my agent told me I had to move out as my landlady is selling of the place. I was a little sad, not fully as I had never quite like staying in a noisy environment. I love the convenience here though.

So I did what I should. Copy down the agent numbers. Do a search on the internet. Sign up for website that gave me more access to room details. I did this over & over again. Yesterday I spent the whole afternoon searching. It was so intense I needed to take a break. It was when I wanted to call it for a day, I saw an advertisement unbelievable to me.

These were my thoughts, "It cannot be so cheap. I think PUB is not included since it has air-con. It's rundown. It's old. Many people is staying in the place..."

It was a picture of the room I saw. It didn't look at all attractive. A double storey terrace house. The price was LOW. The lowest price I've seen in all my search as compared to all the hdb prices I saw. I called up the agent to give it a try.

I showed my colleague the picture & she has been teasing me ever since.. "Spooky, spooky..." "If you don't see me at work tomorrow, you know where to look for me" Hehe.

But one thing I knew was, "When I see it, I'll know that it's the house for me"

As I got of the bus stop, I love what I saw. Greeneries. People jogging around. Serene. And as I walk up the slope, I was looking around for an old house. When she stopped at a pretty house, pretty new too, I couldn't believe my eyes. The house doesn't match what my thoughts were & the picture I saw.

The first thing the aunty said when she saw me was, "So pretty":)..I was with my glasses on and tired after bringing my kids out the whole day for rehearsal. She just stared at me admiringly. Hehe. The one thing that got us connected and talking so much was, she's from ipoh too! And she used to stay the street just next to where my house is now.

I love my room I saw. Plus point : away from sunlight=) This house feels like my house in Ipoh. The way the furnitures are and how it's arranged. Even the back kitchen is connected to the neighbour like the one at home. A garden is something I always wish for. She showed me her fren -a star print tortoise when I was about to leave. She invited me for a simple dinner. Oh how I love home cook food even in its simplest form. Gave me my favourite mango & it's from her own tree.

I remember telling my fren this one day while walking around her house estate in 6th ave..I wish I could stay in a house and come out and walk around the estate to feel the night breeze. When i'm in the bus travelling pass all the houses, I would have this wish again.

And He made it come true for me in the sweetest way.

This was something I saw while writing. Sometimes we have so many misconception about things that we start worrying about it and even have negative thoughts. But in fact, god has already all good planned and prepared for us. My bad thoughts about the house could not change how it would turn out to be. He did not disqualify me from it. We simply receive the gift regardless of what it's said right/wrong. In fact, even if you did think negative, it'll cause you to be even more amazed when you experience it.

The last msg my mum sent to me on Sunday & in her last lines were, "TRUSTJESUS".

When faith & trust meets, you see Jesus working.

Most morning, or rather on the days I’m well rested, I would usually read a book or the bible on the bus & train. How do I do it? I would simply open up my cupboard of books & randomly pick a book I feel like reading. Today was a little different from the rest as my bag was packed with things & I tried to look for the tiniest book I can find. And it was the book by E.W.Kenyon, ‘Signposts on the Road to Success’. What do I remember about this book every time I read it was, I gain a little more insight on success. Every line written is just so rich with meaning. The first topic I turned to was on seasons of preparation which brings to mind the tweets I read later this morning. I find it interesting, or it shouldn't even come as a surprise to me anymore – that the things shared by these successful man of god are quite similar. If it’s only one, we have reason to doubt their words. But it’s said again by countless man. I’m learning to read between the lines in their words. Not to just ‘gain knowledge’ from their experience but to truly grasp & apply it in my own life. I highly recommend this book to anyone from students to managers. I got it from Rock bookshop a few years ago & it has blessed me everytime I read it again.

____________________________________________________________________________

What of life? You are standing on the threshold. Before you lie the untried paths.

What are you going to do? Have you chosen your work, your vocation, your place in life, or are you drifting, hoping that something will turn up.

It will, but the thing that turns up will be of no value to you unless you are ready to take it as it comes. Don’t float. Dead fish float.

Make up your mind that you will put your dreams into blue prints, and then, with that blue print in hand, you will build your mansion.

Find your place, but be sure that you do through preparatory work. Put real hard work into days of preparation. Don’t just get by.

Don’t be satisfied with anything but one hundred plus. Fight for it. Work for it. Enjoy it. Make it a game to win. Be a success in youth and you will be a success in middle life. You will be crowned in old age. Make yourself a wanted person. Be so valuable that if you had to move, men and women would weep because of your departure.

If you plan to be a minister, be God’s best. If you go into business, be the best in your community. If you plan to be a lawyer or a physician, put a trained, cultured personality into it.

Whatever you do, plan to build your house on top of the hill. Harness that lazy mind and make it work. That mind can make a place for you. Let me say again to you, “Go under your own steam.” Prepare yourself, and doors will open to you everywhere.

by E.W. Kenyon

I was browsing through my blog really fast wanting to just read some of my first few entries. Interestingly before I even got to where I want, my eyes fell on this particular post I wrote in Jan 11, 06 about heart too(something the Lord has been showing me lately) and the example given was also from the life of David which was the example I gave yesterday. This article has blessed me then and now as I read it. How it warmth my heart to know that all he wants from us is our hearts not what we have or can do for Him. Be blessed=)

from Extravagant Worship by Darlene (Repost)

 …The only thing I want from you is your heart. God says, “I don’t need your talent. I don’t need your gift. I don’t want all the stuff that you can do. I just want you. I want your heart.” David was the runt of the litter, overlooked as the one nobody wanted, but God loved his heart. He said, “I have found David son of Jesse a man after my own heart;he will do everything I want him to do”(Acts 13:22). God saw David’s heart and ready obedience, and He responded to David’s offering in a magnificent way—He made him king over His chosen people.

            One morning I was lying on bed, when Chloe said, “Mummy, sit up, sit up;I want to make you a breakfast.” She was five at the time, so I know her meal would be unique! She knew I liked toast, but she’s not allowed to use the toaster, and we kept the bread in the freezer. So her “toast” was rock hard. I also drink herbal tea, but she’s not allowed to use the kettle, so she put a teabag in a cup with cold water. And I don’t know where it came from, but she added a squashed banana to my breakfast tray.

            She was so proud herself when she put the tray on my lap. Words fail me.

            “Do you love it, Mum?”

            “Yep, I sure do!” I waited for her to leave, but she didn’t. “Thank You, Chloe, this is lovely.” She sat on my bed, looked at me with the cutest expression, and waited. Suddenly I knew that I had to eat the breakfast!

            “Mmmmm, Chloe, it’s beautiful!” The look on her face was priceless. She didn’t bring me breakfast to win points with me. She was too young yet to know that there might be money attached. All she wanted to do was to bless me. She gave me her best with a pure heart.

            You are not empty-handed, with nothing to bring to the table. God doesn’t want what you would like to be. He wants all that you are today. You can offer yourself to Him in worship; you can let that explosion of faith force you to praise His name and offer your attention to bless Him. Do you think giving your heart will bless God? Chloe blessed me. I still think about it! And you will bless God, because He looks past all the stuff of life and looks straight to the heart.

            When I exalt the Lord, God is increased, and the “me” in my life is decreased! I know I need more of God and less of me. I need more of His wisdom and less of my great ideas. I need more of his presence and less of my talent. Isn’t that what we all need?

            When we worship God, He is exalted, and our problems shrivel in His presence. “Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face. And the things of earth will go strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace.” Remember that song? That is the truth. When He is exalted, everything about us—the good, the bad, and the ugly—is decreased as we focus on Him.

http://jacql.multiply.com/journal/item/67/What_can_you_give_Him 

The Lord just showed me something really beautiful yet so simple but profound and have missed seeing it and hearing it so many times...

I've never did see it so clearly as now.

Been thinking lately or living as the Scriptures says of guarding my heart as the Lord tells us to guard above all else. For me it is in the context of not allowing my heart to be irritable, angry or even worried...something the Lord showed me in my last post. So here I am, whenever my kids in class drive me up the walls in class...I would tell myself. Hold it there, my heart matters=)

So here I am listening to the verse from Phil 4:7 today which states,

"and the peace of God which surpasses all understanding, shall guard your hearts and mind in Christ Jesus."

The next question you should be asking is how then do I get the peace like u would ask how do I guard my heart.

The verse before that gives us the answer. "Be careful about nothing, but in everything, by prayer and supplication make your request be made known to god. (Phil 4:6)

So there is two things you need to do:

1. Do not worry about anything,

2. Tell the Lord what troubles you.

I've read this verse many times and thought I understand it but interestingly i've never truly understand the full meaning of supplication.

And the dictionary defines a supplicant as a person who humbly ask God or an important person to help them or to give them something they want very much. to earnest ask, one translation says to beg, even in Strong's concordance. Wow...dun you think that is a strong word to use.

I think many times we would have want something very much, think about it...would probably think god knows about it, he loves me...so I dun need to tell god or remind him.

You don't call someone who ask simply or quietly in his heart begs...but someone who ask eagerly and earnestly. Like a child begging for that toy till the parents give in=) God is like a father to us too who longs to hear us ask.

A clear example of someone who talks or even write psalms telling god about his problem is the life of David. Whatever he lifted up to god, that area he experience victory. The only area he fell was with the women he loved and that was the area he kept silent.

Is there something in your heart you has been longing for?You so want it. Keep on telling god. Remind him. And you'll see the floodgates of heaven open for you!=)

My housemate is moving back to Indonesia tomorrow and she pass on some of her things to me as she won't be able to carry them back home and it's scarily accurate of what I wanted!

1) Mini swimming pool - She bought it for her dog=) but never been used. I went back Ipoh last month to see my niece & nephew and was just talking with my bro where's the mini pool we had and he said it was spoilt.

2) Internet Security - A brand new box still sealed. Last week I was in Ipoh and my mum who's been taking up computer class kept pestering me to get Security for my computer which i've not since I bought it a few months back.

3) New Body Shop bag - I've always wanted to buy this green recycle bag to carry my teaching material to school but thought I should save money and just make do with the bags I have.

4) A packet of new hairclips - Just last week I was out with my mum in the market and I was telling her I wanted to get hairclips=)

5) Oxford dictionary - Been thinking of buying one to put in school.

6) Bath towels - My mum was asking me to pack back some towels as I was coming back on Sat but I didn't want to carry to many things.

7) Jewelry box - A few of my accessories has been homeless lately so it's just perfect!

I dun think she would have imagine that it turn out to be an answered prayer for me=)

Her last few words to me, "You're going to miss Casey's bark"...yay:( but...i'm going to miss the silence when everyone is hardly at home. The american missionary who stayed in my room previously is back to stay in her room. I rather have the dog bark=p then a human yak heh kidding The last time I view this room, I saw Pastor's Destined to Reign on his bed. I'll have someone to preach to me now haha...

God is here in this house=)

This post came or rather the thought I have on heart came after I went for an echogram of my heart. I saw how my heart beats, how the valves flaps, and hear how it sounds so different at different segment. The experience changed my whole perspective on how I view my heart and made aware to me how little focus I have put into it.

Prior to the check up I was afraid of the different beats I was feeling.You can say too that life and death is in the power of your heart beat. No sickness, defect on my body worries me more than my heart. It never did occur to me this until I was going through it.

A cut on a finger, a plaster will suffice. Fever, I could just pop a panadol and go to sleep. If there's a swell, I'll do the necessary treatment. But what would you do if you felt pain in your heart? Would you just pop a pill and go to sleep?

Jesus NEVER says, Above ALL else, guard your fingers...your hands, your head...but guard your heart.

I always saw guarding your heart as not allowing bad influences from the media, friends to come in, not opening it up to people who will take it lightly, to put it simply...keep it in good ground.

But He open my eyes to see this...

Do you ever think of your heart when you get angry? when you spread poisonous rumours of your colleagues, when you speak words of death into a situation...when you stress over your work... 

Many times these actions do not produce immediate consequences on your outward circumstances, but it's like a veil slowly covering your heart.

When you get angry, your heart gets angry too...when you harbour unforgiveness, your heart feels it...when you stress, your heart is stress too. But when you choose to do otherwise, you're guarding your heart.

It's interesting what I saw in one of the account of Pharoah plagues.

God sees a heart as he sees a person...He plagues the heart/person. Heart=You. Whenever the Lord wants to impart wisdom, understanding, directions...he imparts it to your heart. If you are able to see how important your heart is, you'll do all to make it happy and be watchful of how you live your life. It's funny when the Lord was showing me this, Bob Fits in one of his songs was singing, 'Dancing heart'. That really came as a confirmation to me.

What do you see when you look into your heart today. Is it joyful, disheartened, or you're just not sure...

A good book to see how God prioritize your heart is the book of Proverbs...it even teaches you how you could make it happy=D

Prov 15:30 The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart (your smile brings life to someones else heart!!)

Prov 17:22 A merry heart does good like a medicine (If you're sick, make your heart happy:))

Just check out the verses on heart in Proverbs and you'll understand what He means when he say 'Above ALL else, guard your heart!'

Wow the Lord just showed me this when I was brushing my teeth all ready for bed heh-

As I was thinking about the subject of trust & relationship and how it's interchangeable.

How deep your trust in someone, is how far your relationship will go. How much and what you share with someone is how much you trust him/her. He just showed me this as i'm writing...your level of love cannot grow where there is no trust, but your level of love grows when there is trust.

This is what he told me just now,

"I did not ask you to 'Love me with all your heart' but to 'Trust me with all your heart'.

It takes more faith to trust someone than to love someone.

When you put aside walls of doubt, and put you trust in your Father in heaven, you break the barrier that is allowing the relationship to grow to a deeper level. We are afraid many times because of what broken trust has caused us. See His love, trust your Father's heart. Take a step of faith to let go and let him. And he will direct you.

When a woman does not trust her lover, she will not open up her heart fully to him and may even doubt his love for her even though he loves her. But if she trust him, she is able to embrace the love. It starts from us...and it begins with trust.

I hear this often,..Do not trust your husband, go and work...cause one day he may leave you. Yes, it may be true out there but not with Jesus. He will never leave you nor forsake you. Open up your heart to him. Only when you do, he can come in to embrace you.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will direct your path" Proverbs 3:5,6 (My childhood favourite verse:))

Nights!=)

This subject came about when I was looking at the the beginning of all story. When Adam & Eve made the first and 'biggest' mistake in the garden that brought sin to all man kind.

God could have acted as an Executioner to judge them for their wrong doing but he did not.

God could have recreated it again, but he did not.

He came as a Redeemer.

What is your greatest pain you've ever experience. Many times, is a LOST in our lives.

A lost of a dear one. A lost of our qualification. A lost of money.

The good news is Jesus came to redeem and restore that which was lost.

That's when the Lord said this, "My restoration is always greater than what was lost. Are you sure you want back the very thing you have lost. Look up the word restore.."

And when you look at the words used for restore, you cannot but rejoice for the lost in your live because of the so much god is going to do and the much more you're getting back.

Restore - excel, grow, increase, rise, mount up, prosper, peace, completed, reconstitute

Exo 22:1 If a man shall steal an ox, or a sheep, and kill it, or sell it, he shall restore five oxen for an ox, and four sheep for a sheep.

Lev 6:5 Or all that about which he hath sworn falsely, he shall even restore it in the principal, and shall add the fifth part more thereto and give it unto him to whom it appertaineth, in the day of his trespass offering.

2Sam 12:6 And he shall restore the lamb fourfold because he did this thing, and because he had no pity.

Exo 22:7 If a man shall deliver unto his neighbour money or stuff to keep, and it be stolen out of the man's house, if the thief be found let him pay double.

This are just a few verses on restoration. And what does it mean when He tells us, "I will restore to you the years that the locust has eaten"?

It simply means you'll get back more than what you have lost. Sometimes even holding tight of losing something, you are not allowing god's redeeming power to flow through your lives. Because restoration can only happened when something is lost. Or do you still prefer to have back the very thing you lost than really trust His grace to give you something better and more. 

He came to redeem/set us free from the law, that we could become God's children.(Gal 4:5)

Will you allow him to..

This is a delayed post on what god has put in my heart the past week.

First it was a picture of a stream of water with lush greenery by its side, signifying fruitfulness in the area where there is life.(previous post) When there is water, there'll always be trees along it. It was then the Lord told me too that if I see no life in an area, bring in the Word into that situation and soon you’ll see fruits.

What makes a plant IMPOSSIBLE to grow? Water. You can have the best soil, the most well carve pot, the best breed of seed, the best climate but it’ll still remain as a seed the day you do not put water in it. It remains as it is. A seed. With all it’s potential to be. (That just came from the Lord as I write=))

Last week, I kept seeing these two words, “Water & Word”. The only verse I knew that directly relates the Word to water is in Eph 5:26  That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word.

The funny thing was when a twitter msg came in from a parenting blog on water, “Why drink water the first thing in the morning”

“Moms and dads, before you sip that morning cup of coffee, before you down that little glass of juice, many doctors recommend drinking a cup of water. Yes, plain, unadorned, unsparkled, unflavored . . . water.

We all know that water is beneficial and that we should drink several glasses a day, but why the first thing in the morning? Two reasons are important ones:

1.       Water rids the body of toxins that have been stored over night.

2.       Water aids your digestive tract and helps start your day off right….”

Don’t that sound like what Pastor has been asking us to do—to feed on His Word at the start of the day. 

When do we long most for water? It’s when our body tells us we are thirsty.

Which story in the bible you know of when Jesus offered water to the one who was thirsty. It was with a Samaritan woman who was outcast by people. Who was living with a man who was not her husband.

What I found most amazing was it was NEVER mentioned in any of the scriptures that Jesus was ever thirsty! We would have thought he would have mentioned because he asked the Samaritan woman for a drink. But was that the main reason he asked her for water. Look it up in John 4.

Jesus was tempted in the wilderness for 40days and 40nights, but the scripture did not mentioned he was ever being thirsty.

Luk 4:2  For the space of forty days, and was tempted by the devil. And he ate nothing in those days. And when they were ended, he was hungry.

But the ONLY time the mentioned of thirst was made was in the fifth words of his last seven words on his crucifixion. “ I thirst”

Father forgive them, for they know not what they do(Luke 23:34) / Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise(Luke 23:34)/ Woman, behold your son :behold your mother(John 19:26-27)/My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?(Matt27:46, Mark15:34)/I thirst (John 19:30)/Father, into your hands I commit my spirit(Luke 23:46)

Six of Jesus words were outward to god the father and the people. Only one was of Himself. It was a word he never did mentioned in his walk on earth. All the sins that was laid on him, everything that he died for – he cried out, “I thirst”.

Was it coincident that it was the fifth words(grace) mentioned by Jesus on his crucifixion. Or was it also coincidence that the first mentioned of this word thirst(G1372) was, “Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness: for they shall be filled.(Matt 5:6) and it was the same thirst used when he cried “I thirst”

Was it coincidence too that the last word thirst is mentioned in Revelation at the end of all that was said was, “And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth, say, Come. And let him that is thirsty, come: And whoever will, let him take the water of life freely.”

I love how the Amplifiied version puts it, “Come!…who is thirsty [who is painfully conscious of his need of those things by which the soul is refreshed, supported, and strengthened] drink the water of Life without cost!

Grace & Righteousness is your greatest gift of salvation He has died to give you.

Come draw from the water of Life, the Word of God, in your deepest moments. For there, you’ll see life in every area of your life!

I told myself this morning I was going to spend some time writing tonight. Glad that nothing changed and I have my own sweet time writing.

Work has been awesome. God has blessed me with a good time schedule. I have more than enough time to finish up my work without bringing my work brain back home. That leaves me to do my own personal things after work.

But what struck me to write this post were the words that was said by one of my kids. "Jana, come be my friend". Anabelle put her hands over her shoulder. Wow.. (not their real name)

Anabelle used to dislike her so much she pushes her away whenever she wants to play with her. I have 3 girls in my class and she'll whisper to the other girl not to play with her. My heart goes out for Jana each time that happens. My lao shi would tell me she's just plain jealous she's pretty. Heh. I would then pull Anabelle aside and talk with her. She would then grudgingly under my advice befriend her. When I was young, I like to be in the ‘in’ crowd too, and gossip seems juicy. But on the flip side, I have been the Jana too and I know how much it hurts. That is why when I see all this, it becomes more of a heart to heart talk than a rule to play. Kids needs someone to tell them.

Today, without me realizing when the change has taken place, Anabelle’s countenance has changed. She no longer has the despise look. Heh. She is not as strong headed as she used to be.

What touches me was when Anabelle’s mum came to thank me that her daughter has not fallen sick this year. It used to be a fortnightly thing. But what hurt me more was when I saw the tiredness in her mum’s face. She told me yesterday that her maid has left her. And emphasize a few times to her daughter “You cannot fall sick..mummy cannot take anymore leave”. What always amuses me too is that kids who’s parents are caring but yet struggling tend to have kids who do not cause much problem. The child seems to understand.

Job, ministry, or even friends takes a different level when you know that it has been ordained by god for you. There’s a spring in your step and much life flowing in there. I asked myself this question yesterday…’What do I do when I see no life in an area anymore”…(previously ie. serving) do u step out or as some say remain faithful. I think I got my answer as I wrote.

A stale water has no life in it. When you just remain in a place for the sake of numbering your days, there will be no growth in it or around it. A stale water provides stale nourishment to the trees around it bearing little or no fruit. But be where there is life, there you’ll always see a lush of beautiful trees.

I experience e most amazing thing just now. I happened to be going home at the same time with my Director in school just now. Her husband happened to be picking the son up from school just next to my home. As we were discussing about getting teachers, I got a msg from my friend whom I’ve not contacted for months since our course ended. She asked if my school needs teacher. The scary part was her son goes to the same sch as my Director! If all goes well, I’ll get a free ride to work & $500 for recommendation=D Not only that, she has mentioned to me before that she had wanted to bring her son to children church. This week she’ll be coming with her friendJMy Director asked me after she called up my friend, “Did you prayed” Errr…(no) I just smiled…My reply was, “These kind of things do happen quite often” =)

When you go about His business, he goes about yours!