Step or Jump??? of Faith

How can i not blog this............

I did one of the best thing in the world ( i reckon) - skydiving. Will put up the video somewhere when I get it, but at this point, you'll just have to imagine with me.

Last weekend, with a few "crazy" and funloving friends, we decided to take this journey to jump out of a plane and land with a parachute behind us. It was an anxious yet looking forward type of thing. We had funny conversations before the jump, like taking motion sickness pills before jumping, or even writing our will. Well, all the anxiousness and all were silenced when we jumped out of the plane 14000 ft above ground. The feeling or word that can be used to describe it all is PHENOMENAL. I never thought that I would enjoy it so much that I would want to do it another time. I thought I would be so scared that this is my once in a lifetime sort of thing.

Anyway, enough of me saying too much, but more on what I have learnt. This jump of faith is very much a walk of faith for me. Just like Peter who had to step out in faith to walk on water, I felt I needed to challenge my faith to another level by jumping out of the plane. Not so much about testing whether God will catch me, but more so, what would I be willing to do for God, how much would I be willing to step out.

When I evaluated this whole jump, it showed me something really clear, if I willed myself to do it, I have a lot of sheer determination to complete it. It really reminded me of what was prophesied over me about me having a "bull-dogged" tenacity. However, it also showed me that if I can and have put my life on the line for a thrill of adrenalin rush, I'm sure I will be able to put my life on the line for Jesus. The question is whether "am I willing". This became a huge challenge, because it really make me realise that many times when God has called me, or asked me to take on something, I know that He knows I can. But He is testing my willingness to do it for Him, my willingness to give it all for Him. Sometimes, because of our sinful nature, the willingness to do it for yourself is far greater than the willingness to do it for Jesus.

Anyway, I think this challenge has taught me a very simple truth. God is waiting, are we willing to do it for heaven's sake. I have taken that first step to be out of the plane, why should I keep God waiting. How about you?

The never changing God

Every day is different.
Situations arise.
Circumstances change.
Fluctuations of econonmy
Inflation of prices
Political decisions change
Policies made and re-made
Moods & emotions swing
Taste & cravings come and go
Choices and preferences are different.......
The list can go on and on. There is never a constant thing, it seems impossible to achieve "non-changing status" in anything or anyone, except of course the promise in Hebrews 13:8

"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever."

God achieves the impossible of being the same yesterday, today and forever. This does not just show us that we can then trust in His promises since the yester-years, but we can also come to see the omnipotent God that He can do the impossible to remain the same, in His character, goodness and promises.

When I contrast it, I am glad that God is changing me. I can't imagine myself being the same, it would be disastrous, and one can only realise that you do not need to change when you are perfect. But we'll not reach there yet, but that's what we're all working towards, and God working in us. Changes can be painful, but it need to happen so that we can be molded. Therefore if one is growing, one will have to go through changes, so that we can be perfected by God to be like Him - to become "never-changing". Again, only God can perfect us because only He is perfect and therefore never would have to change.

In your changing circumstances, are you being changed by an unchanging God?

A Season of Self Assessment

Got this from a book that I read recently "Leading on Empty". An alright book, but an awesome God that made the sharing in the book encouraging.

There was this part at the end of the book that gave a few questions to ask when we want to do some personal self reflection and assessment. Not fancy questions, but down to earth, bring you back to reality sort of questions. Thought to share it, so that if you like to, you can have a think about it.

1. What was my original calling from God?
2. What activities that I am involved in do I love the most?
3. What activities and people have been draining my tank?
4. If i retired today with several million dollars and no debts, what would I do?
5. What am I doing now that I cannot do anymore?

The first question struck me most, as that has always been the question that I bring myself back to when I reflect upon where I am in God now, and things that have happened so far in my life. It is "my starting point", telling myself that my calling is where I need to start again every time I "trip and fall".

I realise that the questions above, your answers may differ as you go through different seasons of your life, but the 1st question, that answer, should be the same. It is God's call in your life. I am challenged to stick to the call of God in my life. Sometimes when the rubber hits the road, sticking to that call becomes almost so hard that you don't want to face up to it. Ask yourself, what is pushing and motivating you to keep doing the work that you do today? Whether it is your day to day job, or even your spiritual responsibilities in the house of God. I find that when I go through the great moments of my life, it is so easy to asnwer that question. But I also see that it is in the tough times in life that truly brings out the essence of one's motivation.

Can I encourage all out there, whatever seasons you are going through in your life, God's call on your life remains. What matters is our response to God.

HOPE

Isa 40:29-31

²⁹ He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.

³⁰ Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;

³¹ but those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.

Hope that is in the Lord strengthens. This sort of hope can only come from God alone.

Hope that is found in anything else, work, studies, money, material things, friends, or even families, will not strengthen. This is what I have been experiencing over the last few weeks. Sometimes in some things in life, when you look at it with your human eyes, you feel that the hope of changing it for the better, seems really bleak.

Recently when I was working with some of my families, I realise that some of the situations they are in, seems really hopeless, and at times when I talk to them, I empathise with them so much that I feel "dragged in" into their hopelessness. And I have been just casually praying that God will help me to somehow be hopeful in the work that I do, so that it is hope that I can bring to the families, even in their hopelessness. Although I found it really hard to do it practically, I wanted to trust God for it. Amazingly then, with one family that I was supporting, they were in huge financial crisis, and I've been looking everywhere to see what more could be done to support them. I've been praying for God to bring Hope and strength to the family, and they recently received new funding, and hopefully with this new funding, it may help tide the family through. When I looked back at it, I realise that God's hand is upon it. This injected faith into my heart to start praying for all the families that I'm supporting, and trusting that God will bring the best to the families. Even though, I may not be able to openly encourage them to have hope in God, but that I can pray that God will bring hope into the situation.

Anyway, this challenge me to trust and have hope in God even for all that I am in. And truly, only when the hope is in God, then one will find that strength to keep going on. It is when my hope is placed in God, that I find the new strength to wake up every morning, and keep on doing what I would love to do for God. It is when my hope is upon God's heart, that I will understand how He will guide and lead me through my sufferings.

Hope in God.........what can i say, keep that hope always in the Lord, for when we are tired, stressed, overwhelmed, upset, disappointed, discouraged, hurt, that we know that God's hope is always strong and will always help us to arise in that new day, with new hope, that He will bring us through. Take heart, and continue to hope in our Lord.

Tenacity

It is funny how I usually end up writing my blogs late into the night, when I know that I am suppose to be resting, but yet, some writing inspirations come at such a time.......

Just taking some time to browse through some close friends blogs, and felt to write something that is close to my heart. Not that it is my favourite topic, but it is a favourite lesson from God.

Tenacity.............holding fast, that's what it is.
Tenacity, perseverance, boldness, fearlessness, strength and courage are very closely linked words. It is almost like when you use any one of these words, the other words will come into play as well. When I was reading some articles, tenacity was brought through into my thoughts, and I realise this is what God is building in my life. I was brought back to a presbytery that was upon my life a number of years ago, and reading the transcript brought forth that God is building in me tenacity.

Of course, you will then ask yourself, how is tenacity built? What contributes to tenacity? What will help one to hold fast?

• Yes of course, it is GOD .God will empower one to hold fast, but that's provided that one will learn to look to God, in the midst of everything they are doing.
• Then it's the "fearful" word - TESTS. All of us do not like to take tests or exams. When we need to do so, we usually have to put ourselves to some sort of preparation. When there is no tests, there is no preparation. Somehow, we, in our fleshly nature, need to have tests happening, so that we can prepare and grow in our faith. If not, we will never be ready for what is to come when Jesus returns.
• And finally, it is YOU, your choice, and decision, TO HOLD FAST. To hold, is an action word, and what will your action be. It's funny how the term "hold fast". Thinking through it more, it is clearer then before, that in times of "falling" or "failing" behind, one key thing is to learn to hold, and you need to be quick and fast about it, if not, you'll be falling deeper than you thought if you don't hold fast enough. Are you holding fast enough?

Don't run through a marathon and ignore the pains of it all. The pains build tenacity, it is important that we recognizes the pains, and learn from the pains, and let go of the pains.

What is your marathon like today? Full of pains? of full of Joys?

Be Rooted Deeply

In this above picture, it's a plant that's growing in a pot, on my balcony........

Let me give you a bit of a history about the potted plants on my balcony. My very first housemate in this apartment bought some plants, and decided that we'll grow our very own cherry tomatoes (about 2.5 years ago), and it was really successful. We have our cherry tomatoes fresh from our plants on the balcony. But after my housemate moved out, i've never really continue any planting. I think i'm not that sort of person to be growing my own fruits.
But anyway, in the last 2-3 weeks, after about 1.5 years of not touching the dried up soil in the pots, a plant started to spring out of nowhere. I thought, perhaps it's just some weed, but amazingly, it kept growing, and there are flowers starting to develop. The best part is, I have not added any water or taken any particular care of it. I decided that I will have a look at it today. It has got pretty deep roots .......

Anyway, my thought was that it might die after a few days (plus such summery weather), but it didn't, but kept growing taller. Perhaps some will just take it as "it just happens", but I see this as a promise of God , like in Matthew 6 that talks about how God will care for the trees and birds, and provide.

²⁵"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? ²⁶Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? ²⁷Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life^b]">[b]?

²⁸"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. ²⁹Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. ³⁰If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? ³¹So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' ³²For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. ³³But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. ³⁴Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

When I look at this plant, I knew that it has gotten it's nourishment from the sun, and obviously the rain. And perhaps birds have come in to "fertilize" the pot of soil, and therefore, a plant has sprouted out. It is quite a sight.

But it really affirms my heart that if God will take care of the plants and birds of the air, how much God will care for us, because He loves us so much. Do you still have to worry. I read as well, that PROVIDENCE, comes from 2 Latin words - pro (Before) and video (to see). So when we talk about God's providence, it is saying that He sees all things beforehand and His sovereign arrangement of all things. Continue to trust in God's providence, even in our dryest moment, and at times when we can't see it. Look deep into your hearts and ask if your roots are rooted deep into God's promises and His Words.

Refuge......Where?

Ps 91:1-4, 9-12
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the Lord, He is my REFUGE and my FORTRESS
Surely he will save you from the fowler's snare and from the deadly pestilence.
He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart..................
If you make the Most High your dwelling - even the Lord, who is my refuge -
then no harm will befall you, no disaster will come near your tent.
For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways;
they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.

May you find refuge in the Lord
Draw near to Him, and He provides that refuge.

REFUGE