It's all about Him!

Friday, 22 October 2010

'...for His name's sake.' Psalm 23:3 NKJV

Have you ever asked, 'How could God use someone like me?' The Psalmist answers, 'For His name's sake'! Only one name counts - and it's not yours! With the same intensity that God hates pride, He loves humility. His Word says, '...God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.' (James 4:6 NIV) So here are a few tips on staying humble. First, evaluate yourself honestly. Don't be like the beaver who told the rabbit as they stared up at the immense wall of Hoover Dam in USA, 'No, I didn't actually build it myself. But it was based on an idea of mine.' The Bible says, 'Don't cherish exaggerated ideas of yourself... but try to have a sane estimate of your capabilities.' (Romans 12:3-4 PHPS) Second, learn to celebrate others. Paul writes, '...don't try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves.' (Philippians 2:3 NLT) Every goal scored in life is usually a team effort. Be like the little boy who came home from the auditions for the school play and announced, 'Mummy, I got the part. I've been chosen to sit in the audience and cheer.' When you can do that, your head finally fits your hat size. Finally, don't announce your success before it occurs. '...One who puts on his armour should not boast like one who takes it off.' (1 Kings 20:11 NIV) When one of Charles Spurgeon's students proudly stepped up to preach, but came back down having failed miserably, Spurgeon supposedly said something like, 'If you'd gone up the way you came down, you'd have come down the way you went up.' God blesses our efforts only when they're done 'for His name's sake'.


***** I guess I know how it feels to be immensely into something and take credit. I know it was wrong and all but in the end all was done for and I didn't became who I wanted to be because of my pride, ego and boastfulness.

Lord sorry for my heart make it right. Create in me a heart of humbleness so that I may apply the principles you are teaching me. I have nothing Lord so I know I cannot be arrogant about anything. Everything is for you. It will always be about you Lord. In Jesus name I pray. Amen

Have you lost your peace of mind?

Wednesday, 20 October 2010

'He restores my soul...' Psalm 23:3 NIV

When life overwhelms us we usually look for one of two things. We may look for somebody with all the answers. The trouble is, when you look to someone for that which only God can provide, you set that person up to fail and yourself up to be disappointed. Alternatively, we may look for somewhere with fewer problems. Paul Harvey wrote, 'After Hurricane Andrew devastated South Florida, Patricia Christy vowed she was going to leave on the first plane. She was determined to get as far away from the horror of hurricane damage as she possibly could and have a restful vacation.' Harvey said, 'I just heard from Patricia Christy. She was standing in line for fresh water on the Hawaiian Island Kauai, having just gone through Hurricane Iniki!' Sheep get anxious when storms come, predators roar, or they're forced to move to unfamiliar territory. How do they handle such times? By moving closer to the shepherd! Have you lost your peace of mind today? Read the following Scriptures; they'll help you move closer to your Shepherd: 'But let all those rejoice who put their trust in You; let them ever shout for joy, because You defend them...' (Psalm 5:11 NKJV) 'The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms...' (Deuteronomy 33:27 NIV) 'You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.' (Isaiah 26:3 NKJV) 'The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and He knows those who trust in Him.' (Nahum 1:7 NKJV) For 'The Lord remembers us and will bless us...' (Psalm 115:12 NIV)


***This is how I feel today!!

I've lost my peace and clear thinking. I don't want to be like this because I know it is not healthy. God is the true peace giver. If I will acknowledge God's provision of peace of mind I will have rest and not be burdened with all these affairs. God loves me all the same and it will never change. My happiness does not depend on a person or on material things or my career because it is not everlasting.

Lord I am sorry. Today I've realized that happiness comes from you. Father, please give me peace of mind and clear heart and conscience. I trust in you. You will comfort me. You will love me unlike any other. Lord cleanse my mind and heart. Give me rest. In Jesus name amen.

God will 'be there' for you

Tuesday, 19 October 2010

'...He leads me beside quiet waters.' Psalm 23:2 NIV

Philip Yancey says, 'Faith means believing in advance, what will only make sense in reverse.' If you fear the future, look back and see how God took care of you in the past. 'This I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness... The Lord is good to those whose hope is in Him, to the one who seeks Him.' (Lamentations 3:21-25 NIV) You say, 'I don't know what I'll do if my loved one dies.' You will - when the time comes. You say, 'I don't know how I'll pay these bills.' Jehovah Jireh, the Lord who provides, will be there - when the time comes. You say, 'I'm not qualified to handle this, there's too much I don't know.' Maybe you want to know everything too soon. God will give you wisdom - when the time comes. The key is to meet today's problems with today's strength, and leave tomorrow in God's hands. During World War II, Arthur Sulzberger, publisher of The New York Times, found it hard to sleep or rid his mind of fear until he adopted these words from the hymn 'Lead, Kindly Light': 'I do not ask to see the distant scene; one step enough for me.' And God isn't going to let you see the distant scene either. No, He promises a lamp for your feet, not a crystal ball for your future. 'He leads me' and that's enough for today. And tomorrow? '...we will find grace to help us when we need it...' (Hebrews 4:16 NLT)


*** I am so anxious of tomorrow yes it robs the happiness of today. Lord I pray that you will guide me. Give me the strength and wisdom of today to overcome tomorrow. Lord let me trust you with my whole heart. I don't need a cystal ball Lord but rather a lamp at my feet every step of the way. Give me your light Father. I want to know what I am supposed to be doing In Jesus name amen.

Your Shepherd and Lord

Saturday, 16 October 2010

'The Lord is my shepherd...' Psalm 23:1 NKJV

Abraham Lincoln wrote, 'I have been driven many times to my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had nowhere else to go. My wisdom, and that of all about me, seemed insufficient for the day.' All of us feel that way at times. That's because we are all sheep in need of a shepherd. Of all God's creatures, sheep seem the least able to care for themselves. They're directionless: they'll walk off a cliff or wander into a river and drown. They're defenceless: they've no claws so they can't fight, run fast or climb a tree to safety. They're dirty: your cat and dog can clean themselves, but sheep get dirty and stay that way. You say, 'I don't like being compared to sheep.' All right, then answer these questions. How well do you control your impulses? Do you ever play the victim? Can you relate to Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde? Are you always upbeat and upright? Do you add to the conflict and confusion, or do you always make peace? Do you truly love people, or do you just use them for your own ends? Are you generous, or do you mostly give to those who have something to give back to you? On a scale of one to ten, how do you score when it comes to the fear of people, or failure, or sickness, or death, or rejection or risk? Is your life an open book? How often do you fail and need forgiveness: weekly? daily? hourly? It sounds like you need a shepherd! So instead of saying, 'The Lord is my shepherd', try saying, 'Because I need a shepherd, I make You Lord of my life'.

What is your Achilles' Heel?

Friday, 15 October 2010

'...the sin that so easily trips us up...' Hebrews 12:1 NLT

Achilles, the Greek hero of the Trojan War, was invulnerable, with one exception: his heel. Shoot him there and he'd go down. Guess what? He died from an arrow to the heel! We all have our Achilles' heel - the 'sin that so easily trips us up'. Here, blindness, indifference or denial sets us up for failure. So how do we overcome our Achilles' heel? Author John Piper offers us a solution in the form of an acronym: ANTHEM. A: avoid sights and situations that arouse unfitting desires. Prevent what fuels your appetite for sin. N: say no to every lustful thought within five seconds. In the first two seconds shout 'No, get out of my head!' In the next two, cry out, 'Oh God, in the name of Jesus, help me. Save me now. I am yours.' Say it out loud. The Puritan writer John Owen said, 'Be killing sin, or it will be killing you.' T: turn the mind forcefully towards Christ. Attack sin with the promises of Christ. H: hold the promise and pleasure of Christ firmly in mind. For how long? Until it pushes other images out. Hold it. Don't let it go. Hold it until you win! E: enjoy a superior satisfaction, namely, pleasure in Christ. If you have little taste for Jesus, competing pleasures will triumph. M: move into useful activity, away from idleness and other vulnerable behaviours. Abound in the work of the Lord (1 Corinthians 15:58). Replace deceitful lusts with a passion for good deeds. Today, using this simple acronym, you can move from vulnerability to victory by drawing on the power of God's Spirit within you (Galatians 5:25).


*** I am often trapped in sinful activity whenever I am resting. A day or time or place where there is nothing to do but bite my fingernails. i don't want to do it when the opportunity presents itself (laziness), it crept in.

Lord I am sorry for being lazy. I am sorry Lord because my weakness kills me. I know I am not perfect but in the same way Lord I also know that I can overcome these obstacles. Lord renew me with your strength. Lord guide me with your power. Lord enveloped me with your love.
In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

The deal is sealed

Thursday, 14 October 2010

'...Having believed, you were marked... with a seal...' Ephesians 1:13 NIV

If you are having doubts about your salvation, understand this clearly: the moment you trusted in Christ as your Saviour, His blood cleansed you from all sin. At that point 'you were marked... with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit... guaranteeing [your]... redemption' (vv. 13-14 NIV). The Bible says, 'You should not be like cowering fearful slaves. You should behave instead like God's very own children, adopted into his family - calling him, 'Father, dear Father!' For the Holy Spirit speaks to us deep in our hearts and tells us we are God's children. And since we are his children, we will share his treasures - for everything God gives to his son, Christ, is ours too.' (Romans 8:15-16 NLT) In the book of Ruth we read that 'the custom... in Israel concerning redeeming... [was] one man took off his sandal... gave it to the other, and this was a confirmation...' (Ruth 4:7 NKJV) Notice, the 'redeemer' put on another man's sandal, signifying his willingness to stand in his place. That's what Jesus did for us at the cross. He stood in our shoes so we could stand before God in His - redeemed and righteous! Don't let doubt steal your joy. Refuse to go by your feelings. Make up your mind to believe what God says, for until you do you'll be plagued by uncertainty. Study God's Word until you can say with assurance, '...I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.' (2 Timothy 1:12 NKJV) Are you trusting in Christ as your Saviour? Then your salvation is not in doubt. The deal is sealed!


***I am a person who doubts. I must say there were certain times where I doubt God, Is He real? If He is, is He even interested in me? The sinful me? The unmoving, untrusting, stubborn me? That is my doubt all along. I am never sure anyone could accept me as I am. It's as if I am only a second option in everything. Now in my situation, I do not know where God is but still I am trusting Him. I hate my life now having no career, no money, no ambition. It just kills my soul. I want to trust God that He has a great future planned for me I just can't see the bigger picture yet. I do hope God will open doors for me. Open my eyes perhaps. Lord, please help me overcome my unbelief. In these moments where I am certain of my salvation but uncertain of my future please help me to look in you more than look in the situation. Let me focus in You. Amen.

Rise above worry

Wednesday, 13 October 2010


'God... is the... controller of all things.' 1 Timothy 6:15 PHPS

We all worry from time to time, but wise people have learned to avoid over-anxiety by following these guidelines. (1) Define the situation clearly. What exactly is it you're worrying about? Be specific. Often when we take time to clarify the problem, a way to solve it will present itself. (2) Face the worst that can happen. Would you lose your job? Your relationship? Your investment? In most cases even if the worst did happen, chances are it wouldn't ruin you. It may be inconvenient or painful, but does it really warrant all the anxiety you're giving it? (3) Resolve to accept the outcome, whatever it is. Most of the stress of worry comes from denial, from not being willing to face the worst that could happen. Once you make up your mind to accept whatever happens, you'll find worry loses its power over you. (4) Work to improve the situation. Renowned neurologist James H Austin said, 'Chance favours those in motion.' Do all you can to ensure the best possible outcome, and '...after you have done everything... stand.' (Ephesians 6:13 NIV) Stand on God's promises! (5) Give the problem to God. He's 'the... controller of all things'. The Psalmist said, 'Those who know Your name will trust in You, for You, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek You.' (Psalm 9:10 NIV) Remember, nothing can happen to you today, or any other day, that God is not aware of, in control of, and able to bring you through. .

***The truth is I am an anxious person. I tend not to sleep well because of worry and I know it is not a good thing. I should be really up and front with my problems and resolve all my issues. It kept me from doing a lot of better things. I am so scared and worried at the same time I couldn't act right. It doesn't guarantee that everything will be alright but it will surely improve my situation.

I am hoping with my whole heart and I am willing to give it all to God because I know nothing is impossible with God. He holds the world in his hands.

'But God' moments

Saturday, 09 October 2010

'...it was not you who sent me here, but God...' Genesis 45:8 NIV

Are you in the dark about the direction God seems to be leading you? Jon Walker says, 'The choice to do His will before we know the specifics... develops trust of His character... This is where many people get into a battle of wills... wanting Him to reveal His plan first... That's not how He works. God wants you to decide in advance to trust Him... believing that His will is best for your life... He knows your hesitancy. He won't be surprised if you say, 'I don't know that I'm willing to step out in faith without knowing everything that's going to happen, but I'm willing to be made willing.' One reason God doesn't give you the full picture... is you may be overwhelmed... it may appear impossible... but that's the point - there's no way you can fulfil your mission without Him.' When Joseph was reunited with his brothers in Egypt, he told them, '...do not be angry with yourselves... it was not you who sent me here, but God...' (Genesis 45:5-8) Joseph's brothers sold him out, 'but God' used it to preserve the Jewish race. The Israelites were in slavery, 'but God' sent Moses to lead them to the Promised Land. Jesus died on the cross, 'but God' used His death to save a lost world. Oswald Chambers calls God 'The Great Engineer, creating circumstances to bring about moments... of divine importance, leading us to divine appointments'. Think back; can't you recall some 'but God' moments of your own where you'd reached the end of your rope and He came through for you?


*** Yes I have a problem with trust. I am uncertain about the future and this made me uneasy about my faith. I am just so scared of the things that will happen next.I know I can't control all the things around me and I may not be in the best position right now but the Lord is teaching me something. I am in the phase of life where God is opening my eyes so that I can trust Him. I am not sure yet what are God's plans but yes he definitely has something in-stored for me.

I have to remind myself about the story of Joseph. he suffered a lot to gain a lot. All he did was to be faithful to God, be good and obedient. I can be the best person I can be with God's grace. I do hope to have a Joseph heart and mind.

Lord create in me a heart that will trust you completely. Sorry Lord for my lack of faith. Increase my faith Lord. I am open to receive your blessings help me so that I can be capable to receive these things from you. Widen my horizon Lord, give me more than what I have got and lead me the way where you want me to be. I want to do your will in my life. Help me to discern if it's from you and it's your purpose for me. I love you Lord and I give my life completely to you. In Jesus name. Amen.

Make allowance (2)

Thursday, 07 October 2010


'Make allowance for each other's faults...' Colossians 3:13 NLT


CS Lewis said, 'Everyone says forgiveness is a lovely idea until they have something to forgive.' Author Mac Anderson writes, 'A few times in my life I've been wronged. My first reaction... was anger and resentment. I... felt my stomach tie up in knots, my appetite wane, and the joy slip out of my life... like I'd played the first half of a basketball game in steel shoes. In the locker room the coach said, 'Try these new Nikes in the second half.' Multiply that by ten and you'll understand how it feels to unload your emotional baggage through the power of forgiveness.' Jesus debunked the myth that love is based on feelings. It's an act of your will, and if you love God you'll keep His commandments. It's that simple. If you're struggling to forgive someone who's hurt you, here are some scriptural guidelines to help you. Don't seek retribution. Instead, '...overcome evil with good.' (Romans 12:21) God said, '...Vengeance is mine; I will repay.' (Romans 12:19) Don't rush to judgment. That's not always easy when you're the injured party, but the ultimate Judge said, 'With what judgment you judge, you will be judged...' (Matthew 7:2 NKJV) Make things right. Jesus said, '...be reconciled to your brother...' (Matthew 5:24 NIV) Don't wait for the other person to make the first move, you do it. Paul says, 'Make every effort to live in peace with all men...' (Hebrews 12:14 NIV) Pray for the offender. As much as it goes against your grain, when you '...pray for those who mistreat you' (Luke 6:28 NIV), God gives you the grace to forgive and see them through His eyes.

***I think God really do want me to let go of the past. I've always been a very forgiving person. I mean there are some people whom I want to punch in the face or people I want to trip over. haha.. I mean that's wrong, that is one form of vengeance. I should forgive freely, openly with my whole heart not wishing the bad of the other person. God exactly knows what to do with these kind of people. I'll leave their offenses to the higher power.

Another thing is I am not very forgiving to myself. That's a part I really need to work on.

Make allowance (1)

Wednesday, 06 October 2010

'Make allowance for each other's faults...' Colossians 3:13 NLT


When it comes to forgiving, you can't say it better than Tim Stafford did: 'I would rather be cheated a hundred times, than develop a heart of stone.' The Bible says, 'Make allowance for each other's faults, and forgive anyone who offends you.' You don't get to choose who you'll forgive. Love is a command, forgiveness is an act of obedience. 'He has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother.' (1 John 4:21 NIV) You can't be closer to God than you are to the people you love least. God sets the bar high because grudges are like cancer, and forgiveness is the laser that removes them. Bitterness chains us to the past, destroys families, divides churches and sours relationships. Forgiveness is the key that unlocks the handcuffs of hate. Take your hurt feelings to God and say, 'Point out anything... that offends you...' (Psalm 139:24 NLT) It takes courage, but that's the kind of prayer He answers. It gets easier as you grow in Christ; in the meantime you have to work at it. As a child of God His Spirit lives inside you. You're no longer a slave to sin (Romans 6:14). God knows it's hard to forgive deep-seated hurts, but He will give you grace to do it. To 'make allowance' means to take a charitable view and consider extenuating circumstances. People change and grow over time, so don't insist on clinging to a limited, outdated view of them. Try to see them as they are today. Most folks are doing their best based on the knowledge and understanding they have now, so give them a break!


**** I terribly hate _a_i_i haha.. but I know the Lord wants me to have patience with everything even in the things which are most unreasonable. In a way I know God is perfecting my patience. I have to forgive the people who had offended me from the past so that I won't have a stone heart or a heart so hard full of calluses. The Lord commands me to forgive even to myself. I have been so hard with myself lately. I cannot redo the past but I can forgive myself and move on. Yes, I need to move on.

walks in water

If You Want to Walk on Water, You've Got to Get Out of the Boat.

Chapter 1.

ON WATER WALKING

"It's not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena.. who at best, knows in the end the triumph of great achievement, and who, at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly. So that his place will never be with those cold timid souls who know neither victory or defeat."
-Theodore Roosevelt


* Water-Walkers Recognize God's Presence

In the midst of waves and the storm the disciples didn't recognize Jesus but rather believed saw a ghost in the middle of the sea. They were terrified and cried out in fear. I wonder how they could have failed to know it was Jesus. Who else could it be? But Matthew wants us to know that sometimes it takes eyes of faith to recognize when Jesus is around. Often in the middle of the storm, tormented by waves of disappointment and doubt, we are no better at recognizing his presence than they were.

Jesus pass them by..

to pass by (by garland) - 'striking and temporary appearances in the earthly realm to a select individual or group for the purpose of communicating a message. "

ex. Moses, Elijah

In each case God had to get peoples attention. With each person God was going to call them to do something extraordinary. In each situation each person felt afraid. But everytime that people said "yes" to their calling, they experienced the power of God in their lives.

So when Jesus pass the disciples he was revealing his divine presence and power.

WE HAVE TO REMEMBER: That OBEDIENCE is no guarantee of being spared adversity.

Human extremity is the frequent meeting place with God.

God is presnt even in the most unlikely place.

* Water-Walkers Discern Between Faith and Foolishness.

This is not just a story about risk-taking; it is primarily a story about obedience

Courage alone is not enough, it must be accompanied by wisdom and discernment.

Not a story about extreme sports. It's extreme discipleship.


* Water-Walkers Get Out of the Boat

Boat= safe, secure, and comfortable
Whatever you are tempted to put your trust in.

Water = rough
Waves = high
Wind = strong

You were made for something more the merely avoiding failure. There is something inside you that wants to walk on the water - to leave the comfort of routine existence and abandon yourself to the high adventure of following God.

Boat = Whatever pulls you away from the high adventure of extreme discipleship.
= Your fear will tell you about your boat.

What produces fear in me - especially when I think of leaving it behind and stepping out in faith.?

What is your boat? In what areas of your life are you shrinking back from fully and courageously trusting God? Leaving it may be the hardest thing you ever do.

*Water Walkers Expect Problems.

Peter goes to the side of the boat. he puts his foot in the water while carefully gripping the edge of the boat. Then he does something religious - he lets go.

Then it happens. "Peter saw the wind."

He was terrified. Nothing has really changed, though. The storm should have come as no surprise - it's been there all along. What has really taken place is that Peter's focus has shifted from the Savior to the storm.

Risk lock - a condition which like gridlock, leaves us unable to do anything or go anywhere.

everything is risky

Like hitting a homerun, if you don't step up in the plate and hold on to the bat you will never know the glory of hitting a homerun. You may strike out but it's alright because you can handle your bat better to hit your homerun. The best batters are those that had 2 strike outs..

everything is risky

*Water -Walkers Accept Fear as the Price of Growth.

You've got to get out of the boat a little everyday.

Deep truth about water walking: The fear will never go away. Why? Because each time I want to grow, it will involve going into new territory, taking new challenges.

"The fear will never go away, as long as I continue to grow." - Susan Jeffers

Fear and growth go together like macaroni and cheese.

*Water Walkers Master Failure Management

Failure is not an event, but rather a judgement about an event. It is a way we think about outcomes.

"I never failed anything in my life. I was given a second chance opportunity to get it right." - Winston Churchill.

Only Peter know the glory of walking in water another eleven people were failures sitting in the boat.

The worst failure is nor to sink in the waves. The worst failure is to never get out of the boat.

*Water-Walkers See Failures as an Opportunity to Grow.