For father’s glory

It is easy to praise God when things are going well with us. We may even automatically say “praise God”. But if we look back and remember, when we overcame those hard times, that’s when we experienced the breakthrough.

We can pray ‘God take this cup away from me’, and even thinking ‘what did I do wrong, that this has to come to me?’ Some even misunderstands that everything bad that happens to us is all Devil’s scheme. But do you know that even Jesus had to go through the hardships FOR GOD’S GLORY?

“Now my heart is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘ father, save me from this hour’? NO! it was for this very reason that I came to this hour. Father, glorify YOUR NAME! “  John 12:27

Praise the Lord for the hardsips you experience, because now you can truly practice what you’ve learnt – to trust God in hard times, to rejoice in good times and bad times, to experience the breakthrough to next level of faith. You will bear the testimony for the next generation. You will be able to share the sufferings of others in the future and be able to say “I’ve been there once myself. I know it’s not easy. Hey, you will get through this.” I mean, how can someone who experienced no pain whatsoever even identify with other’s suffering?

mountain tops may inspire us, but it is at Valley that we grow. Would you endure for Father’s glory, as Jesus did. Would you pray “Father, let your will be done, not my will.” rather than “Father, save me from this hour!”

“..We are not shaken
We are not moved
We wait upon You Lord
Mighty deliverer
Triumph and truth
We wait upon You Lord..”

(‘You’ll come’ by Brook fraser)

Pure faith

Nothing else mattered, then. I was absolutely in love with Jesus, and it was easy when it was only me who I needed to concerned about. I seemed to be doing the ‘right things’ most of time as long as my faith is concerned.

Over the years the scenery outside my window has been dramatically changed. Being a leader over many lives has brought about numerous responsibilities into my life. Almost all the time I am unconsciously aware that I should live a life of example to others. Self control, Time management, Discipline, Integrity, Accountability, Humility, Encouraging and Caring for others…

But, what would I be, if I have no title, no status, and no follower? What am I without Daniel 2? What if there is no one who would expect me to be their role model? What if I have no ministry in the church and no one asks me to do anything? Is my love for Jesus my motivation in doing all that I do, all the time, rather than the sense of responsibility and expecation of others and of myself? Would I still be absolutely the same person, and living the way I am living?

Ps. Lance shared such insight into the danger of the self righteousness. We started ‘right’ at the beginning, all the pure motivations and passion to serve God. As time goes it can be just like a good habit. Then it just becomes a behaviour pattern. It is very easy to develop the self-righteousness from there – “I know what is right and wrong. And I am always right. You should be more like me” kind of attitude.

Lord, search my heart and teach me the way everlasting. Renew my heart and mind and attitude.

I want to BE, not pretend to be.

3 musketeers for our King Jesus -

These are not just 3 people.  These are the vast army!

Pray for a minute for them to be strong and wise.

But if nothing else left,

Love the King.

Self leadership

During my shepherding with Joy today we’ve watched one of the teaching session by Ps Bill Hybels. It was very timely, and appropriate for the season I’m in lately.

- When King David’s army planned to kill him out of their anger, he had no one to lean on. No leader above him, no peers around him. And everyone under him wanted him dead. This is the time that he went to God and gained his strength back, in the Lord. This is the Self leadership.

Difference between a good leader and a great leader is all about the self leadership. Being able to stay sober in time of crisis, Self control during the emotional turmoil, strengthening the conviction in time of confusion, diciding to choose God’s best over a personal preference. It will make all the difference.

There was a pastor who suddenly gave up everything and left ministry. People didn’t know what has happened to him because until the last minute he seemed to be doing okay. But later he confessed, that he ws burnt out, beaten up, angry and bitter inside, saying “I simply collapsed inside”. Inside he was angry, angy, angry. And suddenly he realised that he doesn’t have the compassion for the people anymore. So he quit. but, HE SHOULD HAVE DONE SOMETHING BEFORE IT GETS THERE!!

“It’s your job to let your vision keeps burning. Do whatever you need to, go wherever you need to go, and apologize to nobody.”  said by Ps. Bill.

First thing I did after came back from the shepherding today, was to print out some bible verses and stick it around my mirrors in bathroom and dressing room. Word of God is the powerful source of encouragement and courage, and you can’t start from anywhere else. Join me in fighting the good fight of faith.

I promise God and to myself, that I will never give up.