It Is Because of His Mercies

I have suffered much because God was angry. 

He chased me into a dark place, where no light could enter. 

I am the only one he punishes over and over again, without ever stopping. 

God caused my skin and flesh to waste away, and he crushed my bones. 

He attacked and surrounded me with hardships and trouble; he forced me to sit in the dark like someone long dead. 

God built a fence around me that I cannot climb over, and he chained me down. 

Even when I shouted and prayed for help, he refused to listen. 

God put big rocks in my way and made me follow a crooked path. 

God was like a bear or a lion waiting in ambush for me; he dragged me from the road, then tore me to shreds. 

God took careful aim and shot his arrows straight through my heart. 

I am a joke to everyone— no one ever stops making fun of me. 

God has turned my life sour. 

He made me eat gravel and rubbed me in the dirt. 

I cannot find peace or remember happiness. 

I tell myself, “I am finished! I can't count on the Lord to do anything for me.” 

These are some of the things that came out of the mouth of the prophet in Lamentations 3. 

Do they sound familiar? Like coming out from our very own lips? Don't we all feel like this sometimes? That God is angry with us and He is the one that's causing our problems.

But just like how the prophet encouraged himself, let us remind ourselves of this:

It is because of the Lord's mercy and loving-kindness that we are not consumed, because His [tender] compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great and abundant is Your stability and faithfulness. (Lamentations 3:22, 23 AMP)

It because God is merciful that we are not utterly destroyed. It is because He loves us that's why He continues to pursue us, draw us back to Him.

So cheer-up! The God of the Heavens is for you and not against you.

It is because of the Lord's mercy and loving-kindness that we are not consumed, because His [tender] compassions fail not. 

                    

Rest, Seriously - Part 3

Isn't it amazing how God always makes people lie down on green grass?

In John 6:10, it is mentioned that "The ground was covered with GRASS, and Jesus told his disciples to tell everyone to sit down.

In one of the most famous psalms, Psalm 23, David confidently declares that "You let me rest in fields of GREEN. You lead me to streams of peaceful water" in verse 2.

While He is doing what needs to be done in our life, Jesus asks us to lie down on green grass.  Isn't this much much better instead of asking us to sit on the hot sand of the dessert or struggle to float on water or hold unto a tree-branch?

This shows that God wants us to go through life resting in His goodness.
So stop struggling and rest in the finished work of Jesus. 

Green is the color of nature, fertility, life. 

Grass green is the most restful color.

Green symbolizes the master healer and the life force. 

It often symbolizes money. It was believed green was healing for the eyes. Egyptians wore green eyeliner. Green eyeshades are still used. You should eat raw green foods for good health.

Rest, Seriously - Part 2

Exodus 35:2 has got this to say about rest:

"You have six days each week for your ordinary work, but the seventh day must be a Sabbath day of complete rest, a holy day dedicated to the Lord. Anyone who works on that day must be put to death."

What actually strikes me in this verse is how God takes rest very seriously. Isn't it amazing that God commanded to put to death those who were caught working instead of those who were resting? If He did command to kill those who were resting, then that would make God very cruel. He was just like the evil Egyptian masters of the Israelites.

This command to rest was given after the Isralites left Egypt. Remember that they served as slaves in Egypt for hundred of years.  And as slaves, they were bit given any day to stop from working and just rest. Maybe not even a day in a month. Not even a day a years. In hundreds of years.  And possibly, their Egyptian masters would have killed anyone caught taking some a nap, sitting down or simply leaning against a wall.

So when God gave this command, it was meant to teach the ex-slaves Israelites how to rest. God emphasized the need for rest even when God gave them theif food of Mana in the desert which was simply falling from the heavens and all they had to do was just collect from the ground. God told them:

"You may gather the food for six days, but the seventh day is the Sabbath. There will be no food on the ground that day.” (Exodus 16:26)

But being used to heavy labor and non-stop toiling, the Israelites struggled to stop working.

The Lord asked Moses, “How long will these people refuse to obey my commands and instructions? They must realize that the Sabbath is the LORD's GIFT to you. That is why he gives you a two-day supply on the sixth day, so there will be enough for two days. On the Sabbath day you must each stay in your place. Do not go out to pick up food on the seventh day.” (Exodus 16:28, 29)

God is a good God. And this good God is our great provider. He supplies our needs out of his goodness and abundace. And He is gracious to give us the GIFT OF SABBATH so we can rest from toiling :)

The Lord is my shepherd;
 I have all that I need.
Psalm 23:1

Rest, Seriously - Part 1

You have six days each week for your ordinary work, but the seventh day must be a Sabbath day of complete rest, a holy day dedicated to the Lord. Anyone who works on that day must be put to death. (Exodus 35:2 NLT)

Back in the times of Moses, Sabbath was a day of rest and this rest day was supposed to be dedicated to the Lord. Meaning that the Israelites had to spend their day not in working their ass, toiling in hard labor. But instead, they were to spend that day of rest to go to God, spend time in His presence, worshiping Him and giving thanks for what they have accomplished for the past week. That was how the people rested. Their definition of rest was time with God.

Today, people have come up with a lot of ways to rest and to get revived and re-energized. 

How about you? How do you rest? Do you still go to the very source of life and energy? Do you rest in God's presence?

He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams.    He renews my strength.
He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name.
Psalm 23:2-3

Keep That Personal Connection

In Exodus 32, Aaron led the people into sin by creating the golden calf using gold. This was because he listened to the people and just took orders from them.

Looking at other incidents before that, there was no mention of Aaron speaking or hearing directly from God. Everything He did was only based on what Moses asked Him to do. So although he was doing the things of God, He did not have developed a personal relationship with God. He did not learn to practice inquiring God on his actions. So he just basically followed what other people would tell him.

Resolve to personally seek God on every task or assignment given to me. Ensure also that you don"t get too busy with ministry tasks that you neglect my personal time with God :)

You Bring God Great Joy

Leaders will face disappointments. And sometimes it is disappointment with ourselves. And this causes us to feel uncomfortable in approaching God's throne.

It's like the feeling of holding a report card with failing remarks. Like the feeling of coming home after failing an interview, that feeling when you didn't get that job or when you didn't manage to close that deal.

This must be the reason why before Jesus started his ministry, God assured Him of His worth in Matthew 3:17 when God said:

“This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy.”

So when that feeling of disappoitment with yourself creeps in, remind yourself that your very presence and existence bring joy to our Daddy God. He is not disappointed with you. He is pleased with you!

“This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy.”

Surpassing Expectations

Just want to share God's goodness which is beyond what I asked.

Last wed, i had lunch with my sheep who is also my officemate. She had an envelope with Singtel vouchers/certificates which were supposed to be given to the agents as an incentive.

We had so much fun while eating, amused with the interesting conversation of the 2 Angmo sitting next to us.

When we returned to the office, my sheep realized that she left the envelope at the Kopitiam. She quickly went back to the kopitiam but the envelope wasnt there anymore. Someone took it according to the cleaner.

I was thinking that it won't be returned by whoever got it. They may have even purposely took it.

So i just messaged the person-in-charge of the vouchers if we could reprint the certficates and vouchers. She was upset that i lost it and even highlighted that how could we replace those vouchers. So i just prayed to God that she will agree. Which she did, she agreed to reprint them and I was supposed to collect them on Monday.

Yesterday, when I was about to leave the office, the person-in -charge messaged me and told me that someone returned the certificates at the Helloshop in Clifford Center near our office! My heart skipped and i thanked God because he surpassed my expectation. I only prayed that the person-in-charge of the vouchers will agree to reprint it. But God did something greater 😊😊

God is able to do far more than we could ever ask for or imagine. He does everything by his power that is working in us. (Ephesians 3:20 NIRV)

Grace That Is Always Sufficient

Whenever we face trials, our initial reaction is to ask God to remove the problem. We ask God to give us a new job when things are getting tough in the workplace, we ask for a new boss when our boss is just too mean or demanding. We ask God to settle our bills and debts when we are in lack. We ask God for healing when we are sick.

But that's not always the case. You see, in every situation, either God will take you OUT OF IT, or give you the grace to GO THROUGH IT.

Apostle Paul mentioned in 2 Corinthians 12 that "Three times he pleaded with the Lord to take IT away from him." we don't really know what it was that He was asking God to remove.

But God simply answered Him, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” 

God's grace is SUFFICIENT for you. 
Don't worry much, you'll be fine.

That Which Is Best

In heaven I have only you, and on this earth you are all I want. My body and mind may fail, but you are my strength and my choice forever. (Psalms 73:25, 26 CEVDCUS06)

I liked how this version used the word CHOICE instead of PORTION from other version.

- choice is being able to select and determine which one we want to take based on the value of two things.

As i read from the beginning of the psalm, i read how David initially complains about how sinners prosper and no punishment comes to them so they just continue sinning.

Like David i feel like this at times especially when I see people who are not serving God, choosing career or personal stuff over spiritual things.

And i realize that doing all these things, seeking God first and serving Him is all a choice. And i do have a choice not to prioritize God and not to do anything for His Kingdom. I can drop all these anytime and just be like the other "normal" people who goes through life doing what they want and when they want it.

But just like David who

wants God for than anything, I choose to seek God first and take comfort and joy in knowing that God is mine. He is mine. And God and his presence is soooooo much more valuable than what other things could bring. 

Choice when used as an adjective means "of very fine quality" or "Appealing to refined taste".  So doing so truly means that I am choosing something of great quality and value. I have a refined taste and I know how to select that which is good. Based not on my natural senses but on spiritual senses :)

Rise-Up Soldier

In Ezekiel 37;10 the prophet said "So I spoke the message as he commanded me, and breath came into their bodies. They all came to life and stood up on their feet—a great army."

Enough of the defeated spirit and attitude. 
Enough of the oppression of the enemy, always reminding you of your mistakes or weaknesses or limitations. 

Don't continue being down, walking and yet walking sloppily, with your head down. 

Let the spirit of being a warrior rise up in each of us and fight the enemy and stand up and walk with your head high. 

Like A Flourishing Tree

Psalm 92:12, 13 says "The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon; planted in the house of the Lord, they will flourish in the courts of our God."

I looked up meaning of "flourish" online and here are some of what I got:

1. to be in a vigorous state; thrive.

2. to be in a period of highest productivity, excellence, or influence: 

3. to be successful; prosper.

4. to grow luxuriantly or thrive in growth, as a plant.

5. to be at the peak of condition

6. to make steady progress; be at the high point in one's career or reach a high point in historical significance or importance.

7. to succeed, progress, grow, advance

All these will happen as we continue to connect ourselves to Jesus 🌹🌻🌺🌷🌸🍀💐

God Is Glorified When We Are Happy

Isaiah 61:3:

"and provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor."

To grieve is to feel great sorrow, to be oppressed and carry a heavy burden. And there is nothing beautiful or glorious in grief.

But as Jesus died for me and rose again, He replaced my grief with joy so that I will be like a tree, stable, strong, withstanding any storm. It is when i become stable and inmoveable as a tree that I display God's splendor and God is glorified in my life.

Protect Your Heart From Discouragement

“Therefore, say to the people of Israel: ‘I am the Lord. I will free you from your oppression and will rescue you from your slavery in Egypt. I will redeem you with a powerful arm and great acts of judgment. I will claim you as my own people, and I will be your God. Then you will know that I am the Lord your God who has freed you from your oppression in Egypt. I will bring you into the land I swore to give to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. I will give it to you as your very own possession. I am the Lord !’” (Exodus 6:6-8 NLT)

So Moses told the people of Israel what the Lord had said... (Exodus 6:9 NLT)

And we would expect that the Israelites will be overjoyed and excited with what God will do.

But as the verse continued it says: 

"but they refused to listen anymore. They had become too discouraged by the brutality of their slavery." In the message version it said "... they didn’t even hear him—they were that beaten down in spirit."

Discouragement can:

-prevent us from hearing God's promises to us 

- make us hear God's promises but we won't listen attentively, we won't be able to pay attention

- make us hear but we won't believe.

So as Aaron & Moses performed the miracles, they were not to convince the pharaoh only.  They had to convince the Israelites also that God will indeed do what He promised and will deliver them from Egypt.

We need to protect our hearts from discouragement by always keeping a positive outlook even when things are not happening as we want them to. We need to always look at God's miracles in our lives and in the lives of the other people around me so that I will be convinced that God will really keep His promises to me.

The World Needs Leaders

When God brought the Israelites out of Egypt, their only leader was Moses. Thousands of people versus one leader. When Jethro visited Moses, he saw how BIG the task was and was the first person to point out that it wasn't supposed to be done by Moses alone.

Jethro, puzzled at how Moses was able to manage such a big task, asked Moses:

“What are you really accomplishing here? Why are you trying to do all this alone while everyone stands around you from morning till evening?” (Exodus 18:14 NLT)

Because Moses was alone:

People had to wait from morning til evening.

Nothing much was being accomplished.

Only some disputes were resolved daily and the others will need to wait again and queue up the following day.

People got more irritated and maybe small disputes became bigger while the people waited it to be settled.

Moses was pressured. He felt weary, physically and mentally. He had too many things to settle and He got irritated easily.

And this is also what happens when only one is leading a group. Leaders accomplish little and people's needs aren't met. And leaders grow tired.

As Jethro advised Moses:

But select from all the people some capable, honest men who fear God and hate bribes. Appoint them as leaders over groups of one thousand, one hundred, fifty, and ten. They should always be available to solve the people’s common disputes, but have them bring the major cases to you. Let the leaders decide the smaller matters themselves. They will help you carry the load, making the task easier for you. (Exodus 18:21, 22)

Stop Whining & Just Keep Moving

In Exodus 14:15, we can read that the Lord said to Moses, “Why are you crying out to me? Tell the people to get moving! 

This is what the Lord told Moses when the Israelites got nervous at the sight of the Egyptians chasing them while they were about to cross the Red Sea. The Israelites started to complain to Moses and wanted to go back to Egypt and continue serving their cruel Egyptian masters. 

They told Moses "Didn’t we tell you this would happen while we were still in Egypt? We said, ‘Leave us alone! Let us be slaves to the Egyptians. It’s better to be a slave in Egypt than a corpse in the wilderness!’” (Exodus 14:12)

And like them, this is often what we do when we experience difficulties. We look back and we foolishly wish to go back to our comfort zones where things were predictable and we always knew what will happen. Although things were difficult but we could always predict what will happen tomorrow.

Sometimes, we may think that we have reached a dead end and we are already defeated. We may feel that our circumstances is as huge as the Red Sea and it is about to drown us to death.

But the most important step in gaining victory is to keep moving. Keep moving. Stop whining and complaining move your butt forward. Coz victory is waiting at the end of the road.