Your Grace

Thank God! I can finally graduate next month. It's all done through the Strength, the Grace that you've given me! I couldn't imagine how I would get through my preparation of study for final exam without You. When I tend to worry, Your people gave me words of encouragement, showed me the help I would need. When I tend to worry, You showed me that my problem is not even one, You're the priority. There are much more things which I could care for. You and Your people. You're great. You come before all creations. You just took away my worries like that, so easily. Love you.

I haven't surrendered all. Father, please, I pray that you'll open my eyes, open my heart, open my ears, so I could just focus on You. No ethnocentrism. Please also, teach me not to love things and use people, but to love people and use things. In the great Saviour's name I pray. AMEN!

Because of You

Once again, another prayer of mine is answered. QUT gave me an offer to do Master in Business(Accounting) next year! It's supposed to be a 1.5 years program but due to what I'd have completed for my Bachelor of Commerce(Accounting), I'm given 0.5 year exemption! Yay! Isn't it great?!

Yes. I know you've a plan for me to fulfill my purpose. Show me.

It's always good to have You! xoxox

Offering - GIVING

A few nights before Ignite(lifegroup) on 2 weeks ago, I flipped through some notes that I'd taken during Bible study. From without knowing what those lines really meant to where they've taken me to, it's AMAZING! By just writing a few Bible verses from that notebook of mine, I "coincidentally" found that they're linked to one another. God has planned them for me! Suddenly, I'd an idea to do the offering for Ignite during that Thursday. It's not normal for me to want to make a speech in front of everyone there with a mic but I just knew I have to! Without hesitating, I sent an email to Jamie telling him that I wanna do it.

When that night came, I was so happy to go up there to share with everyone but I started to shed tears which I didn't expect I would... However, it's all about HIM! It's the tears thankfulness and gratefulness! When I look back, I can see how clear and bright the paths that He has directed me to!

I know I used to be a cry baby but not anymore. I remembered they're worries for my tax law result and family trouble for the last 2 times I did. Sometimes, I tend to worry about 'problems' which they don't even exist. I have to put all trust in Lord and don't let my imagination run away with me for I've tasted the real goodness of Him!

Prayer: Lord, I'm so grateful to know You and be able to have this relationship with You and my relationships with people which You've given me. What else could be better than this! Please help me to mend those insecurities which I have sometimes because I know You are with me and what else could I be afraid of. Restore me, Lord! I also pray for Brayan that one day he'll grow up to be the man that you want him to be because he's one of the chosen ones, Lord! There're times when I've hard time in hearing and obeying your Words but please help me to be alert and be an obedient sheep at all time. In Your Name, Amen.

Anyway, below is what I'd said that night. They actually made up a 'journey' of mine!

==>DESIRE:
Do you guys have something in your heart that you want to pursue/ own it so badly?
E.g., a gadget, a relationship, a career, a person, a car

I concluded them as DESIRE(S).

==>PROMISES, PLANS, PURPOSE, PLEASURE:
In the Bible, God has made a lot of promises that will prosper us. The Bible also tells us that many have been prospered by God's promises because
they trusted God has the best for them.

In Jeremiah 29:11, 'For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.' (NIV)

Romans 8:28, Paul says: 'And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.' (NIV)

To me, 'plan' and 'purpose' from these 2 Bible verses seem to be highly related.

1. God created us for his pleasure and that's His purpose because He loved us.
2. Therefore, our purpose is to please God, not someone else.
3. For we're the creation of God, we should always remember whatever we have are all blessings from Him.

==>GIVING:
What can we do to please God?
In Matthew 25:40, 'The King will reply, "I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me." (NIV)
=Obviously, one of the ways is by GIVING.

What can we give?
- skills, knowledge , talent
- time
- money
- food
- blanket for the refugees
- transport - private car, public transport...

I don't own a car but God blessed me by having Ann to give me a lift to Ignite. When she couldn't pick me up, she will arrange someone else to do that. If no one can, I still have other options, such as taking the public transport!

Ponder this: Have you in your life short of anything which you won't be able to live without it?
Yes/ No

I'm bold enough to say that I've received uncountable blessings from God. And He has proved with His power, many things which seemed so impossible at the beginning in my own thoughts and power can be realized. Without realizing God is pleased by the things I did, good things just happened to me!

Regardless of what you're doing, do it with a WILLING HEART! GIVE, PRAISE, WORSHIP... with a willing heart. Just as when you say you surrender ALL to God, you do it wholeheartedly. When God is pleased by what you do, you're worshiping him!

Besides giving in the church, this can be practiced outside of the church too. As God's blessings to us do not just stay in the church but wherever you're at.

==>Link: God's plans, promises, pleasure, giving, blessings.

==>When we look after God's people(business), He'll look after our DESIRES.

==>Encourage you all to give generously.

My Prayer Was Heard and Answered!

Weeks ago, I called Dad to tell him that I hope to stay back here next year for Masters. Calls to Dad were connected a few times but he couldn't hear my voice from this side. I was so eager to tell Dad about it so I sent him a text. Told Selvey about it the next day and she told me it could be not the right time yet. Days after that, after a Sunday service, I walked to the altar area and asked a pastor to pray for me. He asked me what I was praying for but I couldn't answer just tell him I need one. After he prayed for me, he told that God has heard my prayers. I don't have to worry about it but it just wasn't the time for Him to answer me yet. Isn't that Holy Spirit's work!! YES! GOD HEARD IT and HE KNEW IT! God spoke to me through that pastor! It's truly amazing!

Weeks after weeks, I was still waiting and praying for the right moment. Jeremiah 29:11 keeps on popping up. Sometimes, I'm full of faith, sometimes, I think whether God really wants me to stay back. I always try and make myself think God has the best plan for me and his people. He would not want to see us suffer but if there's, it's to make us stronger! God, please help me to always believe in You wholeheartedly no matter what my circumstances are, help me to build strong faith in You.

Yesterday, when I came home after work, Sis sent me offline messages through msn. She said Mom told her that Dad has agreed to sponsor me for Masters! Just that I needa make a call back to home to confirm all these! What a great God! Great Dad! It's not easy for my Dad to send me overseas to study and I always know that, somehow I just didn't live to the standard that I'm supposed to. I've disappointed him once though he had never given me a lecture on that. This time, I wanna make God and Dad proud!

God always has his perfect timing for the right things to happen, all I need to do is to wait patiently. This is what I truly believe. I know there're much more to come!


Lord, thank you for the extra blessings that you've given me and my family. I pray that You'll give me strength, wisdom and whatever you want me to possess in order to follow your ways and to serve You and Your people. Amen.

Who can be against us?

God has been telling me not to live in what the world believes but to live in what He has called me to do and to be.

Speaking of living for God and others, I myself thought that I've been working hard to it. I just wanna show friendliness, warmth to people whom I've just met or have known, especially the ones you can feel their loneliness because I wanna let them feel God's love that I've experienced. But certainly not forcing myself to make up a conversation just for the sake of talking.

I found that there're many times the 3rd party would give me the kind of feeling that I was too enthusiastic or I should not have done this or that. Is it because of their insecurities which caused them to judge me? I know I shouldn't be bothered but I can't for I know I care so much of my friends' feelings and do not wanna disappoint them. Isn't that I'm contrasting myself with what I've said in the first line?

Again, in the first place, if I didn't judge them for judging me, I wouldn't have felt that way. Isn't that God is supposed to be in the first place in my heart? Why do I care about what the others would think about me?

Romans 8:31 "If God is for us, who can be against us?"

Jeremiah 29:18, Jeremiah 18

Jeremiah 29:18 - For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord," plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. (NIV)

Came across the book of Jeremiah. Lately, I've been praying about my direction after this year and told my bible study group friends about it. A friend wanted to point out this verse to me, later found out that I've already highlighted it. While I was reading an article on a Christian site yesterday, this verse popped up again. This is definitely not coincidental.

I have to believe this. God has a plan for everyone, a great one!

Jeremiah 18:4 - .".. so the potter formed it into another pot, shaping it as seemed best to him." (NIV)

Again, the story mentioned in Jeremiah 18 At the Potter's House spoke to me. The mistakes I made so far for not walking in the path God's give me, yet He's always able to bring me back. I'm like the clay in his hands, He's always able to make me into the person seemed best to him.

Last Sunday at Totally Kids, a ventriloquist called Sally came in to perform for the kids. God is so amazing, He spoke to me through her though her "preaching" was for the 2-4 years old kids. God sees each of us as equally important no matter who we are because we're always special in his eyes and He's always there to listen to whatever we've got to say and only He can give us peace of mind. He understands us the best both in and out.

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, I pray that You keep speaking to me and direct me to where you want me to be and the kind of person you want me to be which is the best in your eyes but not in the eyes of the world. Make me live like Jesus. I want to live for You and others, not just about me. In our Dear Lord Jesus Christ's name. Amen.

13/7 The Power of Story

Pastor Bruce Hills (Garden City Christian Church, Brisbane, Australia)

Luke 18:1

God speaks:

4. By visions and dreams

5. By providential circumstances

6. By angels

7. By audible voice

8. By the power of story

Jesus used story...

· To teach disciples

· To help people understand

· To refute detractors

Luke 13

1. “Do not judge” – Matt. 7:1

· Based on incomplete facts

· Heart, verbal

· E.g., military man, baby, cashier

2. “ Power of blood” – 1 John 1:7

· Covered by blood of Jesus, I belong to him

· He purified us

· Protected, cleansed, justified

3. “Importance of maintaining vision” – Neh. 2.12

· What god places in your heart

· Between Holy Spirit & our spirit, reveals what God wants us to do

· When you see something not as it will be

· See with your eyes closed ßà what has been placed in your heart

· Devil will target your vision and attack you. To make you lose sense of direction, real sense of purpose of God

· Discouragement, critical words of others... to take away what God really wants you to do

· Lost the ability to see

· Have faith and believe what God says

· God’s purpose doesn’t change, just that we lost our eyes

· Vision!!!

· Natural à Supernatural

· Ordinary à Extraordinary

· Get that sense back!!!

4. “Love and value each other” – John 13:34-35

· Identification, serving, sacrifice

· Selfless

· Father’s love, Jesus’ love

· Sickness affects health, physical, motion...

· E.g., Leukemia lady, lifegroup à shaved their hair, don’t want to let her feel alone.

· What love?

· Show genuine interests in others

· Incarnation

· Don’t disengage left in others

· Take initiative

· Value lives of one another

· Make difference in somebody’s life

5. “God do all things for the good” – Rom. 8:28

· God sent or God used.

· Redeemed by God

· God’s mercy, He has the best interest and heart

· God’s good, powerful, love

· God’s divine purpose

· Trust him, worship, call upon him at all circumstances

6. “Keep hungry for Jesus” – Rev. 2:4

· Jer. 2:2

· When you want God as much as you want an heir, you will find Him.

· Pursue, listen Him

· Presence of Jesus

ð Gasp, Yield, Hungry, Thirsty for Him.

Much More to Come!

Thank God for what I've encountered for the past fews months, ups and downs, old and fresh ideas. And I know everything happens for a reason and He's there to educate me about Him and others, it's not just about myself. Sometimes, I'm still trying really hard when someone annoyed me for doing certain things. Looking at things from that someone's point of view, things I have done might have affected him too. I know there're more to come! I shall not be afraid for He's with me!

I just hate writing stuffs but will try to post more. The next post would be the notes I took while listening to sermons at Garden City Christian Church by Pastor Bruce Hills. It speaks to me! Hope you can understand what I've written. Otherwise, you could drop me a message and will try to explain to you =)

A Letter to ALL

Hey guys, I was searching for Craig Gross' XXX church homepage yesterday and I found a blog entry written by Shellie R. Warren for women. And, I thought it suits everyone regardless of your gender, status, age... just follow the link, the title of the article is called "A LOVE LETTER TO MY DAUGHTER". Enjoy!

Water Baptism

I had my first water baptism about 9 years ago. A few months ago, I thought to myself that I need a second time of water baptism. And I decided to have one by first taking the action of telling some of the guys at Ignite (my lifegroup) and some of the closest people I've known in Brisbane. 2 weeks ago, I registered myself at the main foyer at Garden City Christian Church (GCCC) for water baptism at today's 6pm service!

I guess many of you would think that why do I need to do that again as I've already got baptised once. Yea... I was backsliding and I found the joyous since I've known that Jesus Christ has found me! This is totally NOT insane at all. I got to know all the foundations of faith and wanted to know more. Before I had my first water baptism, I was kept asking by 'Do you wanna be baptised?' Back then, I really didn't know much. I would say I feel ashamed of myself because I'm not even qualified! But God never give up on me and he speaks to me through many ways and many people. God loves everyone! Even a pornstar, a murderer...! Moses was the greatest sinner in the bible as he broke all 10 commandments at once (Exodus 32:19) but he's forgiven by God and he even saw God's face.

Water baptism is a physical action to tell and show everyone that I want to follow Jesus Christ and God is my creator...... You'll see it's not just I'm going into the water and raise from the water. But, a transformation in the inner of making that decision. And soon, you'll see a transformation of what I say, I do and through that how I think. My new great life is awaiting for me!

Our Lord Jesus Christ had no need to repent of sin because he was without sin but he showed us what we should do. I'll be baptised fully under the water. He was baptised in the river of Jordan. 'Baptise' means to 'dip' or 'plunge' or to 'immerse'.

Tonight, there'll be a number of friends and my closest people in Brisbane to witness that I believe and receive Jesus into my heart. This is going to be a testimony to everyone of God's power and that I'm saved.

Tonight I will be:
I die with Christ.
I am buried with Christ.
I am raised with Christ.
I am risen with Christ.
I am enthroned with Christ.


Acts 2:38 (NIV) - 'Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.'

Character & Courage

While I was reading "Growing in Christ" and "The Happiness Factor", and on the articles talking about CHARACTER and COURAGE, it immediately direct me to a person I know. Some would say it is just a coincidence. But, what I've heard from Sunday services, camps and conference, learned in lifegroups, read from bibles and other books AND what (relating to an issue/ teaching) is/was happening around me come simultaneously. It is not for the first time, but for many times and continuously. I feel like God wants to speak to another person through me. And it is at the right time, right place and right circumstances. I feel privileged to be able to do so.

Now, to the person that I'm sending this to. It is YOUR responsibility to hear and to listen as Romans 10:17 (NIV) says "Consequently, FAITH comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ."

Your CHARACTER: (Partington, J. 2007. “The Happiness Factor” New Wine Press, Malta.)

1 Corinthians 15:33 (NIV): “Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.”

“Birds of a feather flock together”: If you mix with people with bad habits, you’ll start to pick the habits up too. Start to change your social circle. (John Partington, 2007)

1 Corinthians 15:34 (NIV): Come back to your senses as you ought and stop sinning; for there are some who are ignorant of God – I say this to your shame.

==> Relate this to your current social circle. Who are you hanging out with? I’m not talking about judging others, but use this as a mean to judge yourself. Often, the people around you do reflect how you are like. They are like mirrors. We all need to be constantly assessing our characters.

Have COURAGE: (Hughes, S. 2005. “Growing in Christ” CWR, Singapore.)

1 Corinthians 16:13 (NIV): Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong.

Courage strengthens our character. Do not lack of moral courage. Our character is weaken every time when we refuse to face up to issues and confront them.

“Many Christians lose their witness because of lack of courage. They lie down before everything instead of standing up for something. All is not lost while we have courage. Christ is ready to give you all you need.”

Read also: 1 Corinthians 16:5-18 (NIV)

Story: A minister faced the situation of an elder in his church openly involved in an adulterous relationship. Everyone was aware of it and some members pressed the minister to speak to them. The minister’s response was not to intervene in the hope that the matter would right itself. Nine-tenths of the members walked out, leaving a remnant who were not very spiritually minded. Soon the one-tenth who were left disbanded. The minister lost his church because he did not have the courage to face up to an issue and take action.

==>Do you have the courage to stand up firm and faced when the problems have occurred? Or you just know it is there and let it be or give yourself excuse to treat it later and continue to sin?

Prayer: “O God, let the courage that pervaded Jesus also pervade me. Strengthen the courage I have with yours, dear Lord. Amen.”

==>Character Needs Courage: (Hughes, S. 2005. “Growing in Christ” CWR, Singapore.)

Read: Romans 5:1-11 on Peace and Joy

Romans 5:3-4 (NIV): Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.

• Here Paul speaks of the development of character.

• The hope Paul talks about is the confident of expectation that when we pursue what is right, we will have the backing of the universe.

• When we confront issues --> troubles, sometimes suffering. But, the trouble and suffering strengthen our moral fibre --> they produce character. It takes courage to stand up and be counted, to resist evil, and speak out when wrong is being done.

• Fear of suffering is what lies behind an inability or unwillingness to confront wickedness. BUT if we truly love Christ and seek to follow his footsteps, ought not our love for Him to be sufficient to dispel all fear? Perfect love drives out fear (1 John 4:18). If you lack the courage to challenge wrongdoing don’t try manufacturing courage. Consider if your love for Christ is sufficiently deep and strong. That’s where the problem lies.

==>Where’s your courage? For God’s love to you, isn’t it more than enough for you? And why do you still fear? Many times, you claim that you know what to do but why didn’t you really make a firm decision to do what God wants you to? Is it because of your fear of suffering?

Prayer: “Lord Jesus, may my love for You so increase that it flushes out every fear. I would be ruled by love, not by fear. Help me, dear Saviour. Amen.”

Easterfest 2008

I can't wait to next Saturday! There'll be a 3-day event down at Toowomba from 21st to 23rd March. It's the biggest Gospel Musical event in Australia. Jenn and I most probably will join the Methodist church youth for the Saturday program. Yipee!

http://www.easterfest.com.au