White Christmas

Indeed, it is the wish of many of us living near the equator to experience a white Christmas. Because we do not have four seasons in Singapore, we never saw snow during Christmas. But yet, this Christmas, God surprised us with a holiday to Beijing. It was a 4D3N business trip for Heng and both Joshua and I tagged along.  After we came back from Taiwan, Joshua said he hoped to visit a place where it is very cold and he can see snow. Well, God is so so good to Joshua. He granted Joshua his heart's desire.

We only knew about this trip two weeks before we left so it was quite sudden. Yet we looked forward to spending a winter holiday in Beijing during this Christmas season. As we bought the winter clothing, we were really excited about this trip.  Winter in Beijing was really cold. In the daytime, temperature was about 2 degrees but at night, the temperature was about -4 degrees. It was like walking in a huge freezer and you could feel your face all chilled out. But well, we did not complain because we could not experience such weather in Singapore!

Thank God that even though Heng had to work at day, I was able to bring Joshua to visit many places like the Tian An Men Square, The Forbidden City, the Underwater World of Blue Zoo and the Winter Wonderland in Beijing National Stadium (or Bird's Nest). The Lord's protection was clearly on us as we boldly relied on the cab drivers to bring us to our destinations since I had totally no clue how to get to those places! Joshua had great fun in those places, especially the Winter Wonderland. It was the most memorable place for him. He said Beijing was more fun than Taiwan!

As it was his first encounter with snow, he was elated and so curious. He kept asking me how to make snow balls and snow man! He enjoyed sliding down the snowy slope on the rubber ring slides. It was a splendid sight for us to see snow everywhere...and we totally forgot about the cold weather! The only imperfect thing was that Heng could not experience this white Christmas with us. We thank God that even though we hoped that Beijing would snow when our family were there, we were contented to be able to see snow and play in the Winter Wonderland! It is truly a blessed Christmas!

Faith is A Rest!

My pastor preached a wonderful sermon on Sunday which would bless you. In the area of faith teaching, we are exhorted to have faith. Hebrews 11:1 says faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. I guess many of us cannot say that we are people of great faith but thank God that our faith is growing! Yet for some others, faith could become a stumbling block when we turn it into a works.

For example, some people turn confessing the Word of God into a works (law) when they tell themselves they got to confess it at least 10 times a day. Or you heard well-intentioned believers tell you: You got to have faith to receive your miracle.  There is nothing wrong with faith but when the focus is on self, then what happens when our faith runs out? We can get so discouraged thinking 'My faith level must be so low...no wonder I cannot receive my miracle.'

In Mark 9:23, Jesus said to the father who had a demon-possessed son 'If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.' I must have read this verse a hundred times when God gave it to me last year. I kept thinking that if only I can believe, then I can receive my miracle. All things are possible to me if only I can believe. So when I still didn't see my manifestation, I got discouraged wondering what's wrong with me; why I cannot receive when others could.

But when my pastor preached this verse, he said that Jesus was actually referring to Himself. He was not putting the burden of belief on the father because shortly after, He cast the demon out of his son. Who is the 'him' who believes? It is actually Jesus because Jesus always believes, hence all things are possible to Him. Now this is really such a great encouragement to me. For it is not about me but all about Jesus. Even when my faith runs out, His faith doesn't.

When we are conscious of Jesus, faith comes naturally. Hence all we have to do is to latch on to Jesus' faith. Galatians 2:20 says '...I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.' Faith is a rest. When you are in faith, you are really resting. You can tell God 'Lord, I know I have little faith but I am not focusing on my own faith. I have faith in Jesus' faith. That's all I need.'

So what is our part? Our part is to just say it like God said it. In Mark 11:23, Jesus said 'whoever says to this mountain: Be removed and be cast into the sea and does not doubt in his heart but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says.' We are made in the image of God and God calls those things that are not as though they existed (Romans 4:17). Yet because man is fallen from God's image, we often need to see what already happened before we say it.

When Jesus cursed the fig tree, He knew it was dead from its roots even though the leaves still looked green. But the disciples did not know this...they only reported that the fig tree had died when they saw it wither the next day. Hence when we pray and declare that the mountain (be it sickness, poverty) be uprooted in the Name of Jesus and be planted in the sea, believe that the root has been cursed. The manifestation will come to pass even if it seems in the natural that nothing has changed. Have faith in Jesus' faith. And rest in His faith.

Your Seed Shall Prosper

Recently I was seeking the Lord on an issue and His word to me was Zechariah 8:12

'For the seed shall be prosperous, the vine shall give its fruit, the ground shall give her increase and the heavens shall give their dew - I will cause the remnant of this people to possess all these.'

This verse brought tears to my eyes for my spirit was lifted up and joy welled up in my heart. I broke out into thanksgiving and praise to the Lord. I knew exactly what the Lord meant regarding the issue I was seeking Him. And I know that once the Lord has spoken, it is as good as done. Because in and of itself, the Word of God has the power to bring forth the manifestation.

This verse is a scene of fertility and fruitfulness like the scene of the tree bearing fruit after the flowers blossomed. And my God is so good. It was as if I might not fully understand the words that were declared to me, He gave me a visual image of what it meant for the seed to be prosperous.

My hubby bought a loaf of fruit and nuts bread from Gardenia. As he was eating one slice of the bread, he realised there was a cluster of seeds stuck to the side of the bread. He showed it to me. My hair stood up when I saw those seeds but that image could not get off my mind.

The next day I took out the whole loaf to see how the rest of the loaf is like. Guess what I saw? An entire row of cluster of seeds stuck to the side of the bread. I was beginning to feel disgusted at that image when the Holy Spirit spoke to me 'Don't be afraid of this. It is exactly what I meant by the seed being prosperous.'

Immediately I knew this was a scene of fertility and prosperity. It was an abundance of seeds, unlike one side of the bread which had seeds scattered around it. Wow! God is showing me what He meant literally by that verse!

很安静

有一部台湾偶像剧‘桃花小妹’的故事真的很单纯，很可爱。故事描述了一名叫桃花的女子爱上了一名叫史郎的男生。桃花背着四个反对这恋情的哥哥，不顾一切，勇敢地追求她的挚爱。反而是史郎犹豫不决，不敢接受桃花的爱。但他始终还是被桃花感动了，并接受桃花的爱。

剧里有一首歌让我非常难忘。这首歌就是飞轮海 (Fahrenheit)的‘很安静’：

要说的多动听   才能证明      最亲密的关系

云绕着天空     什么也没讲     已是最美好的约定

要说的多华丽      才能说出最默契的默契

我在你身边     呼吸都沉默      你却懂我每个情绪

这世界太热闹     怎么倾听    一颗心呼唤另一颗的声音

这世界再热闹     还好我们    刚好在这里    刚好很安静

Love you, love you

要说的多肯定     才能肯定两个人的心情

风遇上风筝    还没有邀请     已经一起愉快旅行

要说的多用力    才能留下最坚定的决定

每一个路口      你不用开口      我已经重合你脚印

这世界太热闹     怎么倾听    一颗心呼唤另一颗的声音

这世界再热闹     还好我们    刚好在这里    刚好很安静

所有感受不用形容      已经那么懂

所有的感动是安静的心动

这世界再热闹     也没关系     每一个眼神我们就能感应

这世界再热闹     我们已经    在彼此心里所以很安静

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXy_-ClaIQc&feature=related

这首歌的词写得真漂亮！它描述了我和耶稣之间的关系。我在耶稣身边，呼吸都沉默，但祂却懂我每个情绪。这世界真的很热闹，但每天还是有人觉得很孤单。生活过的忙忙碌碌，叫我们怎么倾听一颗心呼唤另一颗的声音，尤其是耶稣呼唤我们的声音？对我而言，这世界再热闹，还好我在这里，安静的聆听祂对我说的每一句话。我所有的感受不用形容，祂也已经那么懂，我所有的感动都是安静的心动。这世界再热闹，也没关系，因为我们已经在彼此心里住下来，所以很安静。

How you see God will affect your receiving

Last night both Joshua and I were unable to sleep, so we chatted a bit about Joshua's field trip at Botanic Gardens. Joshua was saying that the children saw the tree house, walked through the hanging bridge and had picnic there. He ate sandwiches and banana. When the teachers were distributing the milk, the other children had normal vanilla milk but when it came to his turn, he got chocolate milk.

He was so happy because he thought he would be getting vanilla milk like the rest but he was surprised! He said God made him feel special and different from the others and he thanked God quietly in his heart for the chocolate milk. This was the first time he told me he thanked God even though he did thank God for many other things before. I was really amazed at his heart of gratitude and thanksgiving even for a small thing like this.

His simple sharing caused me to think about how we receive from God. My pastor preached a sermon last Sunday talking about how we view God will affect how we receive from Him. Like the parable of the prodigal son, the older brother was unhappy when the father threw a party to celebrate his younger brother's homecoming. Luke 15:29-32 gave an account of their conversation. The older brother complained 'Lo, these many years I have been serving you; I never transgressed your commandment at any time; and yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might make merry with my friends.' The father replied 'Son, you are always with me and all that I have is yours.'

It was really sad for the older brother to see his father, who is a picture of our heavenly Father, as someone who is hard and tough. The older brother is bitter because he is jealous and resentful. He goes by the law but he has no heart for the Father. The truth is our Father is unfairly good to us. His heart is one that is full of mercy, love and compassion for us. He is so ever ready to bless us, more than we are ready to receive. If only we could have eyes of faith to see that all our Father has belongs to us!

What are we conscious of? The supply from our Father is always there but sometimes we are so focused on our lack, on the natural circumstances that we cannot even receive a small thing from Him. The fact is God's supply is far greater than our needs. As we thank God for the little in the natural, we are telling Him that He is able to multiply the little and bless us exceedingly above what we ask or think. All glory to God!

Fruitfulness

Recently the tree in front of my bedroom has blossomed with many red beautiful flowers. I remember asking the Lord sometime ago to cause the flowers to bloom towards my bedroom so that I could see the birds and the bees pecking at the flowers. I actually forgot about this request but when I saw so many flowers blooming close to my bedroom, I was reminded of God's goodness and His love for me.

It was such a simple request but nothing was too trivial for Him. The beautiful scene in front of me was given by Him, so that I could enjoy the simple joy of looking at the birds pecking the flowers. Yet it was a scene of fruitfulness because after the flowers bloomed, the fruits will always come. God showed me that He alone is my fertility and fruitfulness. He was the One who chose me and appointed me that I should go and bear much fruit and that my fruit should remain (John 15:16). This is the season that I bear fruit like the tree in front of my bedroom. Praise the Lord!

Get down to the root issue!

Recently we had a wonderful caregroup sharing of breakthroughs in members' lives: how God has broken down the strongholds and the chains of bondages had been destroyed in the name of Jesus. One of our precious brother shared that he finally traced the cause of his stress and sleepless nights to the rejection by his parents many years ago. His mum tried to abort him twice but no success. His father also rejected him. Those feelings of rejection caused him subconsciously to condemn himself. This lie is from the pit of hell! The truth is: whether his parents think he is an accident or unwanted, God loved him and has him in mind even when he was in his mother's womb. (Jeremiah 1:5)

3 John 2 says 'Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things even as your soul prospers.' The Lord showed me that whenever you deal with an issue in life, you need to address the root cause. If you only tackle the symptoms, the situation may improve for a while but then the same problem may relapse, even though you thought it had been taken care of. It is like the weeds growing amongst the crops. If you just cut away the weeds without pulling out the roots, the weeds will grow again.

But praise God that when He commences a work in our lives, it is always very deep and enduring. Grace may seem slow in yielding results but its outcome is always sure and permanent as God totally destroys the stronghold. An example is Isaac, the son born in grace is strong, whereas Ishmael, the son born of the flesh (self-efforts) is weak. Hence when your manifestation seems slow in coming, take heart that God is addressing the one area that is hindering your soul prosperity before your miracle comes. No amount of human effort will be able to yield the kind of results God has in mind.

Just like the stone that had to be rolled away before Jesus was resurrected, certain wrong thinking or stronghold needed to be removed first. God would bring to us the awareness of this stronghold and destroy it in the name of Jesus. Sometimes God could be merciful to grant us the miracle despite our wrong thinking but then this issue could recur the next time. He loved us too much to see us go through an emotional roller-coaster. His ideal state is to set us on high, to establish our hearts in His righteousness so that no evil can touch us.

Before God changes things on the outside, He always works on the inner man or our spirit first. When He has completed the work of transforming our spirit (or the heart of the man), things would definitely improve on the outside. You can discern with your spirit how a person's soul starts to prosper in the process and then things start to turn around in the natural. When God causes something to happen in the spiritual realm, we can rest assured that it will always manifest in the physical realm, no matter how long it takes.

Dear brothers and sisters, many of the root causes can be traced to condemnation. Actually God does not condemn us for our sins because they had already been nailed to the cross. Jesus took our punishment and God would not punish the same sins twice. However, when we sin and we are not convinced that we are still the righteousness of God in Christ, then our hearts will condemn us. And this condemnation is dangerous because it can cost us our lives. Christ came to give us the truth and this truth will set us free. The Word of God has the power to break the bondages of condemnation because of the finished work of Christ.

God will make you 1000 times more!

Today is 11 Nov 2011 (11/11/11). It is a popular date for weddings. For me, this day holds special significance because of a sermon I heard some time ago. This sermon was preached by Dr Richard Roberts. The Word he gave was from Deuteronomy 1:11 'May the Lord God of your fathers make you a thousand times more numerous than you are and bless you as He has promised you!'

He shared that God wants to make us 1000 times more in 2011. Something is happening in 2011 that has not happened in 100 years nor will happen 100 years later. If you add the current age of every person (1900-1999) on their birthday to the last two digits of their year of birth, you will get 111. I asked the Lord why the starting point was 1900 and He showed me that from 1900, there was a great spiritual revival and great men of God like John G. Lake and Smith Wigglesworth came from that period.

Dr Roberts preached that God wants to do new things; things that are never seen before. He is going to open the heavens and pour out the blessings on His children. How can God can make us 1000 times more? It can be through an idea, a concept or an insight, through a way you have never done before.

There are seven ways which God wants to make us 1000 times more:

1) God wants us to know that He made us the head not the tail, above and not below. We are His greatest achievements and most prized possessions on this earth. He wants us to know who we are.

2) God wants us to possess the land (Deuteronomy 1:8); to own properties. He wants us to have good success in our business, job, home, friends and investments. Jesus has paid for all these blessings at the cross.

3) God wants us to have our strength renewed (Isaiah 40:31). When eagles grow old, they go to a place

4) God wants us to know that we belong to God. Satan has no part in our lives or inheritance. Jesus paid the price at the cross and that's why we can command Satan to get out of our lives in Jesus' Name.

5) God wants us to know He is our Healer (Exodus 15:26). Jesus destroyed the works of the devil at the cross. God wants us to prosper in all things and be in health just as our soul prospers (3 John 2).

6) God wants us to bring in the tithes and He will open the windows of heavens and pour out the blessings from heaven so that our seeds are multiplied (Malachi 3:10).

7) God will rebuke the devourer for our sakes (Malachi 3:11). The devil steals, kills and destroys but Jesus came so that we can have life more abundantly (John 10:10). 'Rebuke' literally means 'Stop it. That's enough!' God is bringing us to a place where no evil can touch us.

http://www.oralroberts.com/2011/article/special-message-from-richard-roberts-a-thousand-times-more/
My dear brothers and sisters, even though 2011 is coming to an end, I hope you can let Deuteronomy 1:11 sink into your spirit. Let your faith arise to receive all that the Lord has prepared for you this year. Get ready to receive 1000 times more than before!

默默的爱

前阵子又有一首歌深深的感动了我。它让我想起天父对我默默的爱。这首歌就是飞轮海 (Fahrenheit)的‘默默’：

这是一个没有答案的问题

我感觉我变了    谁让我变了

原本这是一个没有答案的问题

却被你解开了     简单的解开了

你走过来     带着和别人不同的对白

你甚至不让我知道       你对我有多好

*慢慢的这份爱    悄悄地住下来

深深的   在心里   没人看的出来

安静的    但却一直都在

是你   默默的爱

慢慢的这份爱    已经变成依赖

浅浅的   笑容里   却让我充满期待

不用说    我就能够明白

你默默的爱*

未来的每一天     不管发生什么

能不能交给我吧

我要永远陪着你

守护着你直到最后

重复**

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M0un0_9JV9U&feature=related

我觉得如同歌词所形容的…我感觉我变了。是神的爱让我变了。祂总是在我最无助时给了我简单的答案，而祂的对白总是与别人不同。神的爱在我心里深深的住了下来。祂的爱是不喧哗或夸张的；而是一份安静与默默的爱。这份爱已经慢慢的变成我的依赖，正如约 翰 一 书第四章十六节所写的‘神对我们的爱，我们已经明白了，而且相信了。’我每天所期待的是看到天父的笑容。而即使祂不说，我也能够明白祂对我默默的爱。我是多么的被宠爱！

God's Supernatural Turnaround

It had been a dramatic week for me. My grandma was hospitalised on last Tuesday after a regular check-up. The doctor just wanted to keep her under observation, for further checks. When I visited my grandma last Saturday, I was quite taken aback by her condition. My aunts said she was cheerful and looked ok on Thursday but then on Friday she suddenly seemed to have aged a lot. It turned out that she had a minor stroke and there was a lot of phlegm in her throat hence she could not eat well or speak properly. She also could not move her left arm and leg.

When I saw her, my heart sank. Earlier I had peace from God that my grandma is going to be well but once I sat my eyes on the natural, God's Word went out of the window. All the human emotions surged when I saw how much she has aged and why suddenly her condition has deteroriated overnight. But I applied anointing oil on her, laid hands on her and prayed. We also partook the holy communion together with her. I told my uncle who is also a believer that it is not God's will for her to leave yet. I believed that she would recover. It was in this hospital two years ago that she accepted Christ. I committed my grandma to God's loving hands.

Then yesterday I received a call from my dad saying that my grandma's heart is weak and the doctor said she could leave anytime now, within the next 24 hours. When I heard the news, my heart was still unmoved. I had peace even as I sought a confirmation from the Lord. The Lord showed me Psalm 103:3 'who forgives my iniquities and heals my diseases' and I knew God's will for her is to live and not die. However, there is just one thing I was bothered about: my grandma's will. I was not sure whether she wanted to live on. Because I knew God will not override her will.

When we reached the hospital, most of my relatives had gathered around her bed. I really hated that scene for it reminded me of the time when my beloved grandfather passed away. Some of my aunties had been crying. I went to my grandma and told her to look into my eyes. I told her that it is the Lord's will for her to live on and she will recover. I asked her whether she wanted to live a few more years. She said no. My heart sat and I cried 'Why? Why don't you want to live on?' Then I realised she might have given up hope on living. Because prior to that she was staying in the nursing home but she missed staying with my youngest uncle. She really loved my uncle and his family, especially his son.

I told my grandma 'Don't give up hope. Don't you wish to return to my uncle's home?' Her face lit up and she said yes and asked my uncle's son if she could stay at his home. But a while later, she was asking to see the rest of the family like my other uncle and auntie who were not there yet. She also was leaving some last words for my uncles and aunties. My heart sank and I could not stop crying because this scene reminded me too much of my grandfather's last moments. Yet I knew that God's Word had the power to turn the situation around. When we touch Jesus, we touch life. My grandma cannot help but live on.

I left that scene for I could not look to the natural anymore. I went away by myself to a quiet place to pray and to petition God. I told myself I need to look to Jesus and not at the natural situation. I spent some time praying in tongues and crying out to Abba Father and Jesus. Then I sensed a release. I felt that I had touched my Father's heart and He has answered me. Afterall, all that healing had already taken place when Christ died on the cross. So I started to worship and sing unto the Lord.

As I was still singing, my cousin tapped my shoulder and told me grandma would be ok. I thought he was just consoling me. My brother came to inform me that the nurse said my grandma's vital organs were still working well and she was not in danger. They would send her for further checks tomorrow. I broke out in praise and said 'Hallelujah to the Lord!' My countenance changed and I was joyful again. I went back and told my grandma that she would surely recover and told her to cry out to Jesus. I told her to say 'Jesus' and she did. At once I declared that whoever calls on the name of Jesus, they shall be saved! 

I really thank God for this morning, my uncle brought me good news. The doctor said my grandma's phelgm has disappeared and she could be discharged on Monday! I really thank God for only He can turnaround such a gloomy situation! I thank God for He is so unfairly good to us! It is truly God's grace for me and my family!

Blessed Taiwan Trip

Our family went for a 5D4N holiday to Taiwan. It was our first trip to Taiwan. We wanted to go there last year but we thought Joshua might not enjoy it if it was purely a shopping trip. However I found out that actually there was a packaged tour that included a farm stay, visit to musuems and hot springs in Taiwan. Besides, there was a promotion on the Taiwan national carrier (Transasia) and hence the tickets were cheaper.

And so we left for Taiwan and my birthday was celebrated during our farm stay on 28 Oct. It was really a blessed birthday celebration. Heng was so sweet. He was the one who suggested that we go on a holiday during my birthday this year. Not only that, he also bought a new camera for me so that we could take pictures during the trip. I truly thank God for such a wonderful hubby!

Thank God that even though the trip was quite tiring as we had to wake up early and retire late in the evening due to a packed itinerary, God gave all of us strength every morning. He gave us good health to enjoy the tour and the food. Thank God that Joshua was well-behaved throughout the trip and he also enjoyed himself, especially the farm stay and the hotspring.

While we were in Taipei, we received a call from home saying that there was an earthquake in Taipei on the news in TV and the buildings shook. Our parents were concerned if we were affected by the earthquake. Heng said there was no earthquake and told them that because God's beloved were in Taipei, the earthquake would not take place. And indeed, we did not experience any earthquake while we were there. We trust that God had protected us without us knowing it. God is really so good. It was indeed a blessed trip of good family bonding, good food and shopping too!

God's Supernatural Protection

I was asked to lead the care group on Tuesday as my care group leader had something on. Even though our family just arrived from a holiday in Taiwan on Monday midnight, I agreed to lead. However, I really had very little time to prepare for the care group facilitation, unlike the previous times. But I told God it was not about me or my efforts but it was about the Holy Spirit taking charge of the session. With that, I ended my preparations and I felt more relieved.

As I stepped into the care group meeting place, I felt tired and worn-out. I guess it was because we did not have enough rest during the Taiwan holiday because it was a packaged tour and the itinerary was so packed. That evening, there were fewer care group members than usual so I was quite relieved, thinking it would be an easy session to lead. Little did I expect what was coming on next.

During worship, a couple walked into the home. They were newcomers. My first thought was 'Oh dear! Newcomers! How do I find the energy to 'ra ra' the members to give them a warm welcome? I am already so tired!' But I told God that though I am weak, He is strong and again I asked God to be the Chairperson of this meeting. I trust that He will strengthen me.

Yet that was not all. Sometime later, during our sharing, one of our church pastors walked into the home. This time I was totally surprised! I knew that our zone pastor would visit and observe one of the sessions that I led since I was new but I did not expect it to be this session! Not when my care group leader was not around and at a time when I was the worst prepared! Again I had to turn my eyes away from my efforts and look to the Lord for provision.

And so I continued with the session, talking about the four faces of Jesus in the gospels. When I spoke about why Jesus was portrayed as the King of Jews and the Lion of Judah in the gospel of Matthew, one of the light bulbs came crashing down. It fell right in front of where our pastor sat in the living room sofa. The sound gave everyone a fright. My first reaction was: whether my son was hurt because that was the exact spot that he usually sat and played his toys. Miraculously Joshua was not there! Wow! Really thank God for His protection as no one was hurt.

It turned out that Joshua was not in the living room but sitting along the passageway near the door. Earlier on, he asked his daddy for a piece of tissue as he wanted to eat some pineapple tarts. For some reason, my hubby did not give him the tissue. So Joshua went to the passageway to eat his food as he did not want to dirty the living room with the crumbs. Both of us were busy that evening and no one attended to Joshua. But God is so good. He personally took care of Joshua while we were serving.

I guess what the evil one meant for bad, God turned it into good. Our pastor was commenting about what an anointed session I was leading that even the light bulb burst! He also said it was a breakthrough! At the end of the session, our pastor encouraged me and said it was a well-led session. I told him it was God, not me because I was so ill-prepared and so tired even at the start of the session. He said it did not look like I was ill-prepared as the leading seemed to be effortless. Thank God for the flow and for the supernatural protection especially over Joshua! All glory to Jesus!

The difference between persevering and letting go

Recently my hubby and I had the privilege to minister to a dear couple facing financial and marital problems. I was blessed by the whole experience because I saw God's power in action. Most importantly, God equipped both of us with wisdom to point them to God's Word and to the finished work of Christ.

Yet in the process, there was one question in my mind: when to let go and when not to give up? Because I saw that both of them were either not willing or not able to let go of certain things like the hurts and pains in the past, the betrayal, the flesh etc. But the good thing was that they wanted to salvage their marriage. Yet this restoration work cannot be done by their own efforts. It has to be the work of God and God does not need any help on this.

So I asked God for wisdom to discern the difference between persevering and letting go and God showed me this. When God plants a desire or dream in our hearts, we should never give up on that dream. Because that desire came from God and He will be faithful to fulfil it. However, in the process of waiting, the flesh wants to help, to do something to make it happen sooner. That's when the heartaches and the frustrations come because all self-efforts are futile. We need to come to the end of ourselves to realise that we cannot help ourselves but only Jesus can and He will.

Usually the harder you try, the more heartaches you experience because it just shows you so cruelly that your efforts come to nothing. If your methods are workable, it would have produced results a long time ago. That is the point when you need to let go of your toilsome labour to the Lord. Because when the Lord tells you to let go as the battle belongs to Him, it is really for our own good that He tells us to cast our burdens to Him and find our rest in Jesus. He will fight the battle for us while we rest.

Even though I sat under the anointed preaching of grace for 2 years, I am still discovering the different facets of grace. Grace is undeserved and unmerited favour from God. Pure grace speaks of nothing but the finished work of Christ. I learnt that the work of God cannot be tainted by any trace of human efforts. Exodus 20:25 says 'And if you make Me an altar of stone, you shall not build it of hewn stone; for if you use your tool on it, you have profaned it.' In an environment of grace, there is really no place for the law or human efforts to co-exist.

Yet the challenge remains: Can we really let go when the Lord tells us? Well, I have learnt that it can be done but again it's not with our strength. It is with God's strength and His Spirit that we learn to let go. Once again, our reliance is on Him.

Secrets of the Furious Five

I watched this short animation movie which was like a sequel to 'Kung Fu Panda'. The movie talked about the secrets of the Furious Five: Mantis, Viper, Crane, Tigress and Monkey. The context was Po, the Kung Fu Panda training a group of young disciples. He was explaining that Kung Fu was not just about fighting but it was the excellence of self, becoming the best you could be. He then shared that each of the Furious Five had to learn the secrets of Kung Fu before they became excellent.

For Mantis, his strength was his speed. The world moved too slowly for Mantis. Once he was captured by a group of crocodile bandits because he had no patience to check for traps. No matter how hard he tried, he cannot escape. He could do nothing but wait for something to happen. For the first time the world around him moved faster than him. Forced to wait, he found himself in a trance-like state of mind. And so, Mantis finally found the secret to self: the mind-blowing power of patience which was the key to help him to escape.

Little Viper was born with no fangs, unlike her legendary father who had venomous fangs. Her father was hoping that she could carry on his name but he was disappointed. So she danced to make her father smile and as a result, she blossomed into the best dancer in the village. Once in a battle with a bandit who defeated her father, Viper's deceptive dancing defied the bandit's venom-proof armour. That night, she found courage, a power far more potent than venom.

Crane was not cool. He worked as a janitor in a famous martial arts school. He longed to be one of the students but he lacked the confidence to go for the student try-outs. Yet he trained hard for the try-outs. When the day came, he was laughed at for even wanting to challenge the try-outs. However, he stumbled upon the starting line of the try-out while cleaning up the mess and as he took the first step, he felt the confidence rushing through his body and he became the only one who could complete the try-out.

Tigress had no idea how strong she was. In the orphanage, she was viewed as a monster and people were afraid of her. However, Master Shifu saw her not as a monster but only a little girl. He taught her to learn to control her strength and her temper. She needed to focus and discipline was what she lacked. Eventually she completed her training and learnt to control her strength. Yet one test remained: will she get adopted? In the end, shifu adopted her.

Monkey was bad and he liked to play tricks on the the villagers. They had enough of him and tried all ways to make him leave. But no matter who they sent, Monkey could easily beat them all until he met Master Oohway. Monkey conceded defeat and decided to leave. But Master Oohway told Monkey that he has great skill but was also in great pain. Monkey was laughed at when he was young. Oohway urged him to find the one thing he was denied years ago: compassion. Monkey stayed on and treated everyone like how he wanted to be treated.

The reason I shared this story was I found the secrets to excellence in Kung Fu relevant to God's ministry today. Indeed one requires patience, courage, confidence, discipline and compassion. But above all, no one could be in ministry work until he finds himself in Jesus Christ. That to me is the top secret.

Standing in faith with you

Today God put an idea into my mind. A very simple idea but will probably bring untold blessings to many people, including myself. You can call it a prayer ministry but all I wanted to do is to stand in faith and pray alongside with you, while you are waiting for your breakthrough or for God's promise to come to pass.

And so, the idea is this: if you feel prompted to share, you may drop an email to me at avinlee77@gmail.com. You can state what would you like me to pray for you in your email or you could even testify to the goodness of God in your life. I would like to be a prayer partner to you and I hope I can send God's Word to address your specific situation wherever you may be in the world.

I may not know who you are but God knows and this is just one of the ways He is telling you that He loves you and cares for you. My dear brother and sisters in Christ, this idea is truly the result of God's overflowing love in my life. 3 John 1:2 says 'Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.' This is also my prayer for you.

这就是爱

对一些人而言，罗曼蒂克的爱是一种奢侈；是不切实际；是幼稚与愚昧的事。即使我有过一段甜蜜的恋情，我曾经也是这样想。谈恋爱这事，不就是专属年轻人的特权吗？但我就是这样幸福。因为神让我在度深深体验恋爱的感受。已婚十年的我本来不敢渴望这种罗曼蒂克的爱。相信很多情侣都是这样：啪托的时候总是甜蜜与激烈的，但结了婚后，随着时间的流逝，孩子的到来，生活的担忧，两人的情感已不如往日。我原本以为这是理所当然的，但就因为我体验了耶稣对我的爱，我渐渐地发现其实这不是神的旨意。祂是希望我们能够再度享受啪托时那罗曼蒂克的感觉。

最近我又听到一首歌词优美的歌：王心凌的“这就是爱”，所以想跟大家分享。

漂流在爱情的海域　你我也曾有过伤心
因为相信让两颗心贴近了距离

当我靠在你的怀里　所有话题都是多余
眼前的风景都是你给我的美丽

月影遥　天都亮了　星星睡不着
我在你耳边轻轻唱着　你笑了

Oh 爱　两颗星星一片海
牵着的手都明白　再也离不开
Oh 爱    轻轻飘進我心海
你是甜蜜的意外　我却逃不开 Oh 爱

当我靠在你的怀里　所有话题都是多余
眼前的风景都是你给我的美丽

月阴了　天都亮了　星星睡不着
我在你耳边轻轻唱着　你笑了

Oh 爱　两颗星星一片海
牵着的手都明白　再也离不开
Oh 爱    轻轻飘进我心海
你是甜蜜的意外　我却逃不开 Oh 爱

开始不懂爱　到现在才明白
恋爱中的人都像個小孩
情愿被宠坏　每一天都充满期待　这就是爱

Oh 爱　两颗星星一片海
牵着的手都明白　再也离不开
Oh 爱    轻轻飘进我心海
你是甜蜜的意外　我却逃不开 Oh 爱
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VlcxW8I5IdI

不知道为什么这首歌深深的吸引我。可能是它表达了我对爱的想法。因为爱会让人伤心，让人脆弱，让人像个小孩，所以恋爱是可遇不可求的。可是，一旦爱飘进你心海，你就是逃不开。歌词写着‘情愿被宠坏，每一天都充满期待，这就是爱’但对我而言，神就是爱。不是我们爱神，而是神爱我们，差遣他的儿子为我们的罪作了赎罪祭，这就是爱（约翰一书第四章第十节）。

My blog is 1 year old!

Praise the Lord! My blog is one year old! I remember starting to blog on 15 Oct 2010. How it all began was an encouragement by a colleague that I should start a blog because I believe that what I have to say to the world is important. And thank God with that, my writing ministry has officially started. Ever since then I had been inspired by the Lord to write on various aspects of life, drawing from the life experiences and the revelations from the Word of God.

It has been a wonderful journey for me and I really thank God for His anointing. Writing has always been an area of weakness to me. Since young, I have no problems expressing myself on stage, in school and at work. However, when it comes to the written word, I always felt that my command of the language is poor. As I look at what I have written, I am amazed at the ability to express myself so easily in written form. Indeed, the power of God comes in when we are weak and devoid of human strength. And so, it can be clearly seen that all glory goes to the Lord!

I am also very grateful to all of you, my beloved audience. I really don't know how you might have chanced upon my blog for I have received feedback and comments from other parts of the world like US and Kenya. Indeed I have been so blessed by all your comments and support. I trust that you have been blessed by my blog as well. Isaiah 55:11 says 'So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing which I sent it.'

And this is what I shall continue to do in the year to come. I shall continue to share with you the Word of God so that it will bless you and change your life in the very area that you need. And having done that, you will then give all the glory and honour to God. As for me, I shall be satisfied knowing that my writing ministry has achieved the very purpose in which God started it. May God bless you richly!

等待的秘诀

曾听过有人说：‘不知道真正的幸福是什么时候降临。人们往往在流逝中看见瞬间，而那一刻是最真实的。’人是矛盾的动物。当你在等待某件事实现或某个人到来的当儿，你的注意力全都放在这件事上。在等待的过程中，往往会产生强烈的感受。无论是不耐烦，愤怒，无奈或者失落，大多数都是不愉快的感受。

我原本是个天生急躁的人，不擅长等待。但是，神在这等待的过程教了我一个宝贵的道理。毕竟在这人生的路途中少不了等待，与其辛苦地等，不如享受这过程，并从中吸取宝贵的经验。对我而言，能够享受等待过程的秘诀是：放手，并陶醉在耶稣的爱河里。这个道理一点都不深澳，但却不容易实践。

当我体验到耶稣对我的爱时，我感觉到无比幸福。在我的世界里，只容得下我和我的爱人，其他的人或事都变得不重要了。多么希望时间能停留，让这么美好的一刻变成无尽的永恒，让我永远活在这甜蜜的意境。我不希望当真正幸福降临时，却有所不知，更不想只在时间的流逝中看到瞬间。

Hooked on love

Recently I came across a few songs by Fahrenheit (a popular Taiwanese group) that are very nice in melody and meaningful in lyrics. I liked them so much that I put the songs on my previous blog posts. I apologise for my English-speaking audience that I posted them in Chinese and did not offer any translation. The reason I kept them in Chinese was that these songs were better expressed in Chinese and any translation would dilute its original meaning.

In summary, I just wanted to share that these are all love songs. Even though they are all commercial pop songs, I could actually feel Jesus' love and His protection over me through the songs. I felt so pampered by His love. That was why I got lost in this romantic love. It is really beautiful. I felt that I am slowly being changed by His love. I also realised why I did not indulge myself in this love before. It could be the fear of being too obsessed with this love, fear of being so reliant on His love and becoming so vulnerable, fear of being rejected should He find out that I am actually not loveable, fear of being so childish and inward-looking.

But now I know these are all lies. The truth is, when you really experience His love intimately, when you cast yourself totally to His love, enjoy intimacy with Him and let him love you extravagantly, you cannot help but be transformed in glory. Indeed love makes one feel like a small girl and though I know I am spoilt by His love, I am still looking forward to more of His love. For the first time in my life, I decided to be 'selfish' for once and allow myself to be loved indulgently by my Lord. 1 John 4:16 says 'And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.' I don't rely on my love for Him because it goes up and down all the time. But I know I can surely count on His love for me, especially during difficult and confusing times in my life.

This love of God has slowly come to stay in my heart; deep in my heart where no one could see it. Yet it has always been there. This love has caused me to be so reliant on God. I longed to see God smile, to see Him happy and excited. Even if God does not say a word, I can still understand His quiet love for me. I am truly blessed to know this everlasting love of God. My friend, have you known His love intimately?