Be Strong!
===========
You are preparing to enter one of the most difficult periods ofyour life.
Be strong!
When you persevere through this severe trial you will bestronger, more confident, richer, refreshed and better.
Be Strong!
The desire to give up is sometimes overwhelming but don't quit.
Be Strong!
Many of you are now entering the 7 day water portion of 42.
Many of you are just going through a rough time that hasabsolutely nothing to do with 42.
Be Strong!
"I Am Strong!" is energizing and helps to give you power.
Be Strong and remember, YOU are strong!
~A MountainWings Original~
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Friday, July 25, 2008
More on Fasting and Prayer
Fasting and Prayer
TGIF Today God Is First Volume 2, by Os Hillman
06-23-2008
"So, after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off" (Acts 13:2).
There are times in our lives when major decisions require a concerted effort to press into the heart of God. In Acts, chapter 13 we find a situation in which the disciples were worshiping during a time of fasting. During this time God spoke to them with some specific instructions. It was a strategic time in the church in which Barnabas and Saul were being set apart for the work God had called them. Fasting was an important aspect of hearing from God.
Angie and I have often set aside times of fasting and prayer whenever a major decision has to be made. Fasting is a physical demonstration to God that we are serious about wanting an answer. It allows us to be totally focused on the issue at hand. The physical aspects of fasting contribute to our mind being more in tune with the spiritual dimensions of life.
In 1997, before I was married to Angie, I was troubled over where I was in my life. It seemed nothing was moving forward. I was struggling with whether to rebuild my advertising agency, or focus on the new calling God seemed to be raising up. I assumed my fast would be a few days. However, as each day went by I did not feel I was getting direction. I extended it for a few more days. By the time I was on my fourteenth day I decided to fast for forty days.
It just so happened that the last day of my forty day fast was the first day of a conference I had planned to attend months earlier. That night an intercessor from South Africa came forward with a word of prophecy for someone in the audience. The minute he read his words, I knew they were directed at me because the scripture verse he used had been a passage that God has used consistently in my life during my journey recently.
The next time you have an important decision to make, consider setting aside a time of fasting and prayer to gain clarity on your decision.
TGIF Today God Is First Volume 2, by Os Hillman
06-23-2008
"So, after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off" (Acts 13:2).
There are times in our lives when major decisions require a concerted effort to press into the heart of God. In Acts, chapter 13 we find a situation in which the disciples were worshiping during a time of fasting. During this time God spoke to them with some specific instructions. It was a strategic time in the church in which Barnabas and Saul were being set apart for the work God had called them. Fasting was an important aspect of hearing from God.
Angie and I have often set aside times of fasting and prayer whenever a major decision has to be made. Fasting is a physical demonstration to God that we are serious about wanting an answer. It allows us to be totally focused on the issue at hand. The physical aspects of fasting contribute to our mind being more in tune with the spiritual dimensions of life.
In 1997, before I was married to Angie, I was troubled over where I was in my life. It seemed nothing was moving forward. I was struggling with whether to rebuild my advertising agency, or focus on the new calling God seemed to be raising up. I assumed my fast would be a few days. However, as each day went by I did not feel I was getting direction. I extended it for a few more days. By the time I was on my fourteenth day I decided to fast for forty days.
It just so happened that the last day of my forty day fast was the first day of a conference I had planned to attend months earlier. That night an intercessor from South Africa came forward with a word of prophecy for someone in the audience. The minute he read his words, I knew they were directed at me because the scripture verse he used had been a passage that God has used consistently in my life during my journey recently.
The next time you have an important decision to make, consider setting aside a time of fasting and prayer to gain clarity on your decision.
Sowing in Tears
Sowing in Tears
TGIF Today God Is First Volume 1 by Os Hillman
Friday, May 16 2008
"Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy." - Psalm 126:5
The most difficult place to keep moving in faith is the place of extreme pain. Extreme pain, especially emotional pain, can become immobilizing to the human spirit if it is allowed to overcome us. The psalmist tells us there is only one remedy for overcoming painful circumstances that will result in joy. We are to sow in the midst of these times. You cannot do this if you live by feelings alone. It is an act of the will. This act requires that we go outside ourselves in pure faith.
I learned this principle during one of the deepest periods of my life. I had lost much that was dear to me. A mature man in the faith admonished me to reach out to others in spite of my own pain. "Invest in someone else," he said. I did not realize what a place of healing and comfort that would become.
"He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him" (Ps. 126:6). Pain can become a source of joy if we take the first step by planting seed. There is a harvest that will come if we sow in the midst of tears.
TGIF Today God Is First Volume 1 by Os Hillman
Friday, May 16 2008
"Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy." - Psalm 126:5
The most difficult place to keep moving in faith is the place of extreme pain. Extreme pain, especially emotional pain, can become immobilizing to the human spirit if it is allowed to overcome us. The psalmist tells us there is only one remedy for overcoming painful circumstances that will result in joy. We are to sow in the midst of these times. You cannot do this if you live by feelings alone. It is an act of the will. This act requires that we go outside ourselves in pure faith.
I learned this principle during one of the deepest periods of my life. I had lost much that was dear to me. A mature man in the faith admonished me to reach out to others in spite of my own pain. "Invest in someone else," he said. I did not realize what a place of healing and comfort that would become.
"He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him" (Ps. 126:6). Pain can become a source of joy if we take the first step by planting seed. There is a harvest that will come if we sow in the midst of tears.
Friday, July 18, 2008
Monday, July 14, 2008
Whirlwind Night
It was just a lazy Sunday evening. Had woke up early today to reach church to play guitar for Sub District Prayer meet. Shopped like crazy buying up stuff for Ballroom Dance CCA. Cosmetics must be my forte, swept up all the "gim gim" makeup! You have glitter mascara, eyeshadow, body glitter, and lots of other makeup knicks and knacks that are really dramatic to top up my spending up of 272 bucks!
Woo hoo...SaSa loves me i think!
I was marking my compositions when I received a frantic call from SW. She was in bad shape and had high fever and rashes all over her body. There was no one in the area to send her to the doctor. Her parents were out and she was alone in the house. I think my protective instinct over dear SW was just activated just like that. Worried that she may not be able to handle herself and walk, I jumped out of my seat and immediately changed, asking my sisters and called KX to help. Wow, sounds like a cool rescue operation. My sis accessed the website and found some 24-hour clinics and much to my chagrin, some of them are NOT updated.
I think I have the sweetest dad. I told him of my situation that my friend fell ill and needed my help, no questions asked he just said, "Take my car!" Ladies and gentlemen, where can you find a super Dad like that right? So sensitive and caring!
Grabbed some 24-hour clinics addresses and dashed out of the house. Reached SW's house in no time. My heart went out to her. Her face and eyes were swollen, rashes and fever raged on. Decided to go to the nearest 24-hour clinic at Rivervale Plaza, but hey, really made a wasted trip! The clinic there had stopped their 24-hour consultation.
Quickly called KX for help, my navigator hehe... was a great help to locate all the nearest clinics and their names for me...Was a bit hestitant to call this clinic at Hougang, but decided to go anyway, had a mini saga at the clinic which I shall not elaborate but suffice to say, I was stunned. The consultation fee alone came out to 83 bucks!!!! Total medical bill came to a whopping 144 bucks! Scary sia...
Thank God the whirlwind ended at around 1:30am in the night. I can't really sleep after that...got up and made pancakes at 4:45am! hahah...crazy me...am zombified the rest of the day today...Thank God for sustaining me.
Had a refuelling session though with the Cindy, Pat and KX at Hougang Suki Sushi :P
It's really worth it after all.
SW, you are in my prayers :) Get well soon!
Woo hoo...SaSa loves me i think!
I was marking my compositions when I received a frantic call from SW. She was in bad shape and had high fever and rashes all over her body. There was no one in the area to send her to the doctor. Her parents were out and she was alone in the house. I think my protective instinct over dear SW was just activated just like that. Worried that she may not be able to handle herself and walk, I jumped out of my seat and immediately changed, asking my sisters and called KX to help. Wow, sounds like a cool rescue operation. My sis accessed the website and found some 24-hour clinics and much to my chagrin, some of them are NOT updated.
I think I have the sweetest dad. I told him of my situation that my friend fell ill and needed my help, no questions asked he just said, "Take my car!" Ladies and gentlemen, where can you find a super Dad like that right? So sensitive and caring!
Grabbed some 24-hour clinics addresses and dashed out of the house. Reached SW's house in no time. My heart went out to her. Her face and eyes were swollen, rashes and fever raged on. Decided to go to the nearest 24-hour clinic at Rivervale Plaza, but hey, really made a wasted trip! The clinic there had stopped their 24-hour consultation.
Quickly called KX for help, my navigator hehe... was a great help to locate all the nearest clinics and their names for me...Was a bit hestitant to call this clinic at Hougang, but decided to go anyway, had a mini saga at the clinic which I shall not elaborate but suffice to say, I was stunned. The consultation fee alone came out to 83 bucks!!!! Total medical bill came to a whopping 144 bucks! Scary sia...
Thank God the whirlwind ended at around 1:30am in the night. I can't really sleep after that...got up and made pancakes at 4:45am! hahah...crazy me...am zombified the rest of the day today...Thank God for sustaining me.
Had a refuelling session though with the Cindy, Pat and KX at Hougang Suki Sushi :P
It's really worth it after all.
SW, you are in my prayers :) Get well soon!
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Bonuses, Bullies and Boo boos...
Ah....bonus is in for us yes...:) Dun envy us, we are covering more than what we are supposed to do. :P Hey I still love my job! It's a calling!
But I wanna thank God for a smooth Lesson observation today. It was supposed to be on Wednesday and I had prepared and went through the lesson with myself so many times that I got very stressed.
Rashes started to break out from my hands. It was postponed to Friday morning due to the Hair for Hope event in school where the principal and 50 other children took part in the event. Normally the Principal and Vice Principal would not make joint "appearance" at my lesson. But suddenly, not 3 but FOUR ppl turned up at my class to see me teach composition.
The two principals, my reporting officer came to observe my lesson and the Special Needs officer to take a look at my autistic child. Yes, you have 4 ppl looking at me teach composition.
Thank you all for all your prayers and your encouragement! The children were participative, they were responsive and they were very willing to take part in the activities and games played. A few glitches I made could be the video on School Bullies which I showed was not too edifying and the kids were actually laughing at it, and my time control...hopefully and prayerfully they would like my lesson. :P
The kids were able to identify with school bullies and some of time could describe in details on what horrible things that had been done to them. To my horror, some of them admitted that they themselves were actually bullies too.
The Holy Spirit was really moving in the kids hearts and in the classroom today. Wow...am amazed at how smooth the delivery of the lesson was. heheh His grace was upon me...din really prepare well enough for the lesson still I feel...
Phew! Can finally sleep well liao...:P
But I wanna thank God for a smooth Lesson observation today. It was supposed to be on Wednesday and I had prepared and went through the lesson with myself so many times that I got very stressed.
Rashes started to break out from my hands. It was postponed to Friday morning due to the Hair for Hope event in school where the principal and 50 other children took part in the event. Normally the Principal and Vice Principal would not make joint "appearance" at my lesson. But suddenly, not 3 but FOUR ppl turned up at my class to see me teach composition.
The two principals, my reporting officer came to observe my lesson and the Special Needs officer to take a look at my autistic child. Yes, you have 4 ppl looking at me teach composition.
Thank you all for all your prayers and your encouragement! The children were participative, they were responsive and they were very willing to take part in the activities and games played. A few glitches I made could be the video on School Bullies which I showed was not too edifying and the kids were actually laughing at it, and my time control...hopefully and prayerfully they would like my lesson. :P
The kids were able to identify with school bullies and some of time could describe in details on what horrible things that had been done to them. To my horror, some of them admitted that they themselves were actually bullies too.
The Holy Spirit was really moving in the kids hearts and in the classroom today. Wow...am amazed at how smooth the delivery of the lesson was. heheh His grace was upon me...din really prepare well enough for the lesson still I feel...
Phew! Can finally sleep well liao...:P
Monday, July 07, 2008
40 Day prayer and fasting
Our Sub District had called for a corporate prayer and fasting for 40 days last 2 weeks starting on the 30th June 2008.
So many things had happened since school started and I really thank God for answering my prayers and for bringing through all the things that had happened.
23rd June 2008
First day of school - Wham! Bam! start to Term 3 of 2008. Lotsa things happening and the kids are pretty sedated..quite glad though as it made teaching rather easy. Things moved and progressed and the Lord had really answered my prayers on a breakthrough in some things.
The call came. We had a long talk, one and a half hours! Sort of expected that things would turn out that way. But hey, how come I sense this strong sense of peace over me? Is it that I have been fasting and praying throughout these 6 months that my faith and trust in the Lord has increased?
Romans 8:28 - "God works for the good of those who love Him and who have called according to His purpose."
Talked about this verse many times, but ever since the Lord had spoken to me so many times about this person, I am hanging on! I am NOT giving up.:) It's tough but I would let the Holy Spirit lead, guide and direct. Things are certainly easier now that my burden is over and on His shoulders instead of mine. I have spoken my thoughts and feelings...let God intervene.:)
2nd July 2008 (Wednesday) - 3rd Day
Meeting time, struggle time. The 3rd day of our Corporate Prayer and fasting and I am even more expectant to hear from God and see Him move in my life. I was just wondering about all these, muttering the prayer under my breath. Thinking how I should carry on in relating to him when suddenly, Mary showed me this passage from the book "The Prayer of Jabez" It was like a direct call from the Lord!
"If you keep an expectant watch, God's intervention will be unmistakable. Whether it's the provision of millions for a worthy cause or the firm, gentle shifting of a loved one's heart - God will do before your eyes what you could never have done without His intervention."
I was jostled out of my seat. I was there so touched and shaken by this message! You know the kind of feeling when you had just finished your prayer and immediately God speaks? It's like you are dialing for God on the phone and God answers! Woa!
I know it is Him speaking to me about him...I know it and I will trust and hold on expectantly no matter how seemingly different things may be. I know the Lord is really moving. What a big assurance! My confidence is certainly boosted by the Lord and not what people say. Expectant watch...carry on praying, waiting and trusting and watch the Lord move in the hearts of all those whom we are praying for.
4th July 2008 (Friday) - 5th Day
Almost immediately, the Lord touched my life again this morning.
"The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love." Galatians 5:6b
We claim that we have faith in the Lord. Circumstances always seem to put us all down, we are amazed at the ways in which God works, certainly much higher than our ways. If we have faith in God, we carrying on loving. We express this faith in our Lord Jesus through showing love to people around us. Yes, have faith in God.
5th July 2008 (Saturday)- 6th Day
Received this sms from Wils "Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9
Wils had enc me that the Lord had brought this verse to him while he was praying for me. Thank you prayer warriors!
I can really wonder at myself how many times I struggled and grappled with the idea of giving up and fear of facing the unknown. This is another assurance from the Lord from what I have already received from Him about this matter which I have been praying about. This verse really boosted me up. I will be strong, I will be courageous, lead me O Lord, out of my disbelief and let me wait in strong expectancy at Your hand in all these situations...Help me to rest in Your loving arms and I desire rest and peace in the inmost parts. Lead me to make the correct decisions. Amen!
So many things had happened since school started and I really thank God for answering my prayers and for bringing through all the things that had happened.
23rd June 2008
First day of school - Wham! Bam! start to Term 3 of 2008. Lotsa things happening and the kids are pretty sedated..quite glad though as it made teaching rather easy. Things moved and progressed and the Lord had really answered my prayers on a breakthrough in some things.
The call came. We had a long talk, one and a half hours! Sort of expected that things would turn out that way. But hey, how come I sense this strong sense of peace over me? Is it that I have been fasting and praying throughout these 6 months that my faith and trust in the Lord has increased?
Romans 8:28 - "God works for the good of those who love Him and who have called according to His purpose."
Talked about this verse many times, but ever since the Lord had spoken to me so many times about this person, I am hanging on! I am NOT giving up.:) It's tough but I would let the Holy Spirit lead, guide and direct. Things are certainly easier now that my burden is over and on His shoulders instead of mine. I have spoken my thoughts and feelings...let God intervene.:)
2nd July 2008 (Wednesday) - 3rd Day
Meeting time, struggle time. The 3rd day of our Corporate Prayer and fasting and I am even more expectant to hear from God and see Him move in my life. I was just wondering about all these, muttering the prayer under my breath. Thinking how I should carry on in relating to him when suddenly, Mary showed me this passage from the book "The Prayer of Jabez" It was like a direct call from the Lord!
"If you keep an expectant watch, God's intervention will be unmistakable. Whether it's the provision of millions for a worthy cause or the firm, gentle shifting of a loved one's heart - God will do before your eyes what you could never have done without His intervention."
I was jostled out of my seat. I was there so touched and shaken by this message! You know the kind of feeling when you had just finished your prayer and immediately God speaks? It's like you are dialing for God on the phone and God answers! Woa!
I know it is Him speaking to me about him...I know it and I will trust and hold on expectantly no matter how seemingly different things may be. I know the Lord is really moving. What a big assurance! My confidence is certainly boosted by the Lord and not what people say. Expectant watch...carry on praying, waiting and trusting and watch the Lord move in the hearts of all those whom we are praying for.
4th July 2008 (Friday) - 5th Day
Almost immediately, the Lord touched my life again this morning.
"The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love." Galatians 5:6b
We claim that we have faith in the Lord. Circumstances always seem to put us all down, we are amazed at the ways in which God works, certainly much higher than our ways. If we have faith in God, we carrying on loving. We express this faith in our Lord Jesus through showing love to people around us. Yes, have faith in God.
5th July 2008 (Saturday)- 6th Day
Received this sms from Wils "Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9
Wils had enc me that the Lord had brought this verse to him while he was praying for me. Thank you prayer warriors!
I can really wonder at myself how many times I struggled and grappled with the idea of giving up and fear of facing the unknown. This is another assurance from the Lord from what I have already received from Him about this matter which I have been praying about. This verse really boosted me up. I will be strong, I will be courageous, lead me O Lord, out of my disbelief and let me wait in strong expectancy at Your hand in all these situations...Help me to rest in Your loving arms and I desire rest and peace in the inmost parts. Lead me to make the correct decisions. Amen!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
