Psalm 9:10 And those who know Your name will put their trust in You

The first step in spiritual growth is not to pray for inner feeling or inner change but that God will indeed be God in our lives.

Since taking Bible studies with the BSF, I have been much challenged. Just this week, I have been challenged to ask God early in the morning what is His assignment for me for that day. So, on Tuesday morning I woke up and eagerly asked God,"Dear Lord and Master, what is Your assignment You have for me today?"

In the mid-afternoon, while in the office, my hand-phone rang. A friend of my secondary school class-mate (I have not seen her since 1977) called me. I don't even know her name! Divine appointment! She called me to enquire about tuition teacher for her son. After chatting for a while, I realised that she is very distressed. Her elder son is highly stressed in JC and her second child is very unhappy in her new school. I am glad God led me to attend lessons on ministering to people who are unhappy and upset. I was able to (in His strength) encourage her and even invited her out for a cuppa so that she can get out of her troubles for a while. I am glad God gives me this priviledge to befriend one of His beloved children. Hallelujah! Praise the Lord. Indeed when we submit our day to God, He will lead us in the way we should go and that His name be glorified. God is awesome and great. All glory to Him.

HIS WAY

God sent me on when I would stay
('Twas cool within the wood);
I did not know the reason why,
I heard a boulder crashing by
'Cross the path where I had stood.

He had me stay when I would go;
"Your will be done," I said.
They found one day at early dawn,
Across the way i would have gone,
A serpent with a mangled head.

I ask no more the reason why,
Although I may not see
The path ahead, His way I go;
For though I know not, He does know,
And He will choose safe paths for me

Psalms 145:19

He fulfills the desires of those who fear Him, He hears their cry and saves them.

Indeed God is good. He is near to the broken hearted. He has plans to prosper those He loves and He will not harm them. In His good time, He will bring to pass what He has determined.

Several months ago, a sister was very distressed. She asked me to pray for her for she was facing many trials and tribulations in her workplace. She was a school teacher, but her HOD and fellow colleagues did not like her and gave her no help nor encouragement. She was told to take on many extra classes, even Art & Craft (which she likes and has training in it). But when the school needed a permanent Art teacher, she was told that she was not qualified. This sister was very disheartened. By the end of the year, she could not endure it any longer and asked the Principal for a transfer, but was rejected. She cried to the Lord and text me to pray for her. The Lord gave her a message in Isaiah 43:18-19 "Forget the former things, do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing!" She was much encouraged and went to see her MP to help her in her transfer to another school. She was told to wait.

Early this year, she text me and said she received a message from the MOE regarding her children's school transfer! She was shocked and also find the whole situation getting out of hand. At this point, she can not see how the Lord is 'doing a new thing', but she continued in her work faithfully, trusting the Lord will work for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.

Just last week, she text me and shared with me the good news! The principal has promoted her! She just could not believe it. Her HOD must have recommended her for the promotion and the colleagues also have put in some good words. But she believes that the Lord is faithful to His promise. For the eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous, and His ears toward their cry. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make straight your paths. All glory to our awesome God. God is good, God is good all the time and God can never stop loving you! Just trust and obey - grow in your faith in who God is. Hallelujah! Praise the Lord!

See How The Lilies of the Field Grow (Matthew 6:28)

Many years ago there was a monk who needed olive oil, so he planted an olive tree sapling. After he finished planting it, he prayed, "Lord, my tree needs rain so its tender roots may drink and grow. Send gentle showers." And the Lord sent gentle showers. Then the monk prayed, "Lord, my tree needs sun. Please send it sun." And the sun shone, gilding the once-dripping clouds. "Now send frost, dear Lord, to strengthen its branches," cried the monk. And soon the little tree was covered in sparkling frost, but by evening it had died.

Then the monk sought out a brother monk in his cell and told him of his strange experience. After hearing the story, the other monk said, "I also have planted a little tree. See how it is thriving! But I entrust my tree to its god. He who made it knows better than a man like me what it needs. I gave God no constraints or conditions, except to pray, "Lord send what is needs - whether that be a storm or sunshine, wind, rain or frost. You made it, and you know best what it needs."

1 Peter 4:10 & 2 Timothy 2:10

As good stewards of God's manifold grace, put your gifts at the service of one another, in the measure that each of you has received.

Reflections:To serve others means to dedicate ourselves to others. It means to have time, strength, hands, and heart for them.
Is my life one of service for others or do I live for myself only?

Prayer:My Lord and Saviour, let me see you in all human beings, so that I may unselfishly serve you through them.

I bear all things for the sake of those chosen by God

Reflections:Every suffering is a task that God's eternal love sets before human beings. When we patiently endure our troubles, our own soul is enriched and becomes more mature. In addition, we obtain blessings for the souls of others.
I must remember this is in the midst of my worries and my sufferings. Then I will not grow weary of carrying my cross or of doing good.

Prayer:Father, bless me, and through me let all who draw near me also be blessed. Amen

A YUPPIE'S PRAYER

Dear Lord, day in and day out,
I'm in the daily grind,
Meetings here, desk work there,
Always on the go, You'd find.

I know somehow You've put me here,
In my work, to make a difference,
Help me stop and take stock,
Let me have the perspective that makes sense.

I lay my work and lifestyle at Your feet,
With heart willing in submission
To Your will and dream for my life,
For which You have the best plan and vision.

May what I earn not be for naught,
Never should I use these for selfish gain,
Rather, those in need, lend a helping hand,
With hope my faith will never wane.

May those I love in my life,
Never be neglected by me.
All my relationships good and strong,
As blest as they can be.

And as I go along this life's journey,
Searching for my place,
Guide me along, protect my way,
''Til I thank You face to face.

THE GOSPEL OF JOHN

I have some friends who are doing their Bible studies with the BSF. Encouraged by their sharing and seeing how much they grow in the Lord, I too join the BSF this year in January. In the year 2010, BSF is studying the gospel according to the apostle John, the disciple whom Jesus loves.

Within a very short time, the Lord reveals to me so many things which I did not know. I have read through this Gospel so many times, now I realised what I know is so little. The questions really make me seek the Lord deeper. In fact, there are many questions I can't answer! These questions are so soul searching - that I really have to seek the Lord.

Even as the Lord cleanses the temple and clearing out all things that dishonour God, He is also cleansing my heart which is full of clutters! But the question is how will i co-operate with Him to allow Him to do the job? He is my Saviour, but also my Lord and Master. When I acknowledge Him as Master, He has the right or authority over me in every area of my life. But the Holy Spirit is a gentleman. He will not force me to obey Him. Dear Lord, help me and enable me to submit my will to Thee - in all areas. This will be a tough ongoing lesson.

A LETTER FROM GOD TO YOU

.........................,My love!

I love you. I have called you by name. You are mine. Before I formed you, I knew you. And before you were born, I consecrated you. You did not choose me, I chose you.

Because you are precious to me, I love you. I have loved you with an everlasting love, so I continue to show my constant love. How can I abandon you? My love for you is too strong.

Can a woman forget her own baby and not love the child she bore? Yet even if she forget, I will never forget you - I can never forget you. See, I have written your name in the palms of my hands. For I, the Lord your God, am holding you by the right hand.

Do not be afraid, I have redeemed you. I am with you. And be sure with this, I am with you always till the end of the world. Do not let your heart be troubled. Trust me. I will help you. When you pass through troubled waters, I will be with you. Your trouble will not overwhelm you. The hard trials that come will not hurt you.

Do not worry. Even the hairs of your head have been numbered, so there is no need to be afraid of anything. The mountains may depart, and the hills will be shaken, buy my steadfast love for you will never end.

Come. I will lead you into solitude, and there, I will speak tenderly to your heart. I will be true and faithful. I will show you constant love and make you mine forever. I will deepen my promise, and you will really know me then as never before. I am who I am. I am the Lord, your God.

The Faithful God

He Answered Nothing (Mark15:3)

The day when Jesus stood alone
And felt the hearts of men like stone,
And knew he came but to atone-
That day "He held His peace."

They witnessed falsely to His word,
They bound Him with a cruel cord,
And mockingly proclaimed Him Lord;
"But Jesus held His peace."

They spat upon Him in the face,
They dragged Him on from place to place,
They heaped upon Him all disgrace;
"But Jesus held His peace."

My friend, have you for far much less,
With rage, which you called righteousness,
Resented slights with great distress?
Your Saviour "held His peace."

Matthew 16:24

Then Jesus said to the disciples,"If any of you wants to be my follower, you must put aside your selfish ambition, shoulder your cross, and follow me."

"Follow Me, and I will make you...."
Make you speak My words with power,
Make you vessels of My mercy,
Make you helpful every hour.

"Follow Me, and AI will make you....."
Make you what you cannot be -
Make you loving, trustful, godly,
Make you even just like Me.

Taken from Streams in the Desert

A THORN IN THE FLESH

Several months ago, our local TV station invited the public to write in how they wanted the dramas produced by them to end. Most viewers chose a good ending - ...and they lived happily ever after sort of ending.

At about the same time, my church invited a little girl from overseas to share her testimony. She is blind from birth, but this has not embittered her a wee bit. She sings so joyfully to the Lord, giving Him all the glory and putting all the gifts and talents God gave her to encourage others. I remembered the pastor asking her a question,"Would you like God to heal you?" or something like that. She answered,"Of course I would love to be able to see. But if God chose not to heal me, I am still very thankful and grateful to Him and will continue to love Him and serve Him, just as I am."

Are we able to live with a thorn in the flesh, which God will not remove from us? God is sovereign. He has the authority, the power, the right to choose how our lives will be. Will we be angry or will we still be joyful - to serve Him and love Him just as i am?

My righteous one will live by faith (Hebrews 10:38)

Often our feelings and emotions are mistakenly substituted for faith. Pleasurable emotions and deep, satisfying experiences are part of the Christian life, but they are not the essence of it. Trials, conflicts, battles, and testings lie along the way and are to be counted not as misfortunes but rather as part of our necessary discipline.

In all of these various experiences, we are to rely on the indwelling of Christ in our hearts, regardless of our feelings, as we walk obediently before Him. And this is where many Christians get into trouble. They try to walk by feelings rather than by faith.

Be sure to distinguish between the fact of God's presence and the feeling of the fact. Trust God's Word and His power more than you trust your own feelings and experiences. Remember, your Rock is Christ, and it is the sea that ebbs and flows with the tides, not Him.

Extracted from Streams in the dessert.

Descend from the crest (Song of Songs 4:8)

One day when walking down the street,
On business bent, while thinking hard
About the "hundred cares" which seemed
Like thunderclouds about to break
In torrents, Self-pity said to me:
"You poor, poor thing, you have too much
To do. Your life is far too hard.
This heavy load will crush you soon."
A swift response of sympathy
Welled up within. The burning sun
Seemed more intense. The dust and noise
Of puffing motors flying past
With rasping blast of blowing horn
Incensed still more the whining nerves,
The fabled last back-breaking straw
To weary, troubled, fretting mind.

"Ah yes, it will break and crush my life;
I cannot bear this constant strain
Of endless, aggravating cares;
They are too great for such as I."
So thus my heart consoled itself,
"Enjoying misery,:" when lo!
A "still small voice" distinctly said,
"Twas sent to lift you - not to crush."
I saw at once my great mistake.
My place was not beneath the load
But on the top! God meant it not
That I should carry it. He sent
It here to carry me. Full well
He knew my incapacity
Before the plan was made. He saw
A child of His in need of grace
And power to serve; a puny twig
Requiring sun and rain to grow;
An undeveloped chrysalis;
A weak soul lacking faith in God.
He could not help but see all this
And more. And then, with tender thought
He placed it where it had to grow-
Or die. To lie and cringe beneath
One's load means death, but life and power
Await all those who dare to rise above.
Our burdens are our wings; on them
We soar to higher realms of grace;
Without them we must ever roam
On plains of undeveloped faith.
(For faith grows but by exercise
In circumstance impossible).

O paradox of Heaven. The load
We think will crush was sent to lift us
Up to God! Then, soul of mine,
Climb up! Nothing can e'er be crushed
Saved what is underneath the weight.
How may we climb! By what ascent
Will we crest the critical cares
Of life! Within His word is found
The key which opens His secret stairs;
Alone with Christ,secluded there,
We mount our loads, and rest in Him.
By Mary Butterfield

...if we hold firmly till the end (Hebrews 3:14)

Often the last step is the winning step. In Pilgrim's Progress the greatest number of dangers were lurking in the area closest to the gates of the Celestial City. It was in that region the Doubting Castle stood. And it was there the enchanted ground lured the tired traveler to fatal slumber. It is when heaven's heights are in full view that the gates of hell are the most persistent and full of deadly peril.

The greatest challenge in receiving great things from God is holding on for the last half hour.

THE SEED IS GOD'S MESSAGE (LUKE 8:11)

Late one night my young daughter was digging through her Scripture box. She carefully copied one, then said, "Here Mommy, I picked this for you."

The note read, "You are the seed that decides the harvest around you. "

Tears tumbled as I realized the truth behind the words. I am the seed that decides the harvest around me. When I allow God to pour into me daily, I am able to pour out seeds of love upon my family. In turn, the harvest is plenty. However, when I neglect my time with God, I have no seeds of love to offer. In turn, the harvest proves shallow. I am indeed the seed that decides the harvest around me. How about you?

What kind of seed are you? By Monica Cane

HE HEARS US

PSALM 55:17
Morning, noon, and night, I plead aloud in my distress, and the LORD hears my voice

Isn't the telephone a wonderful invention? Isn't it amazing to pick up your phone, press a button or two, and talk to anyone in the world with whom you're longing to communicate? Well, thanks to Alexander Graham Bell, we can do this. Born on this day in 1847, he created one of the world's most important inventions.

Even though this was one great invention, I know a means of communication that can never be surpassed. The King of our universe invented it - prayer! It's mind-boggling to think that at any time, night or day, we can call out to God and He will hear us. Wireless, yes. And there are no bills, no busy-tones, recorded message - just benefits!

Go ahead! Give him a call! You can be sure that when you pray, God hears you. By Wendy Ann Dunham

Be Ready In The Morning... (Exodus 34:2-3)

Begin the day with God!
He is your Sun and Day!
He is the radiance of your dawn;
To Him address your day.

Sing a new song at morn!
Join the glad woods and hills;
Join the fresh winds and seas and plains,
Join the bright flowers and rills.

Sing your first song to God!
Not to your fellow men;
Not to the creatures of His hand,
But to the glorious One.

Take your first walk with God!
Let Him go forth with thee;
By stream, or sea, or mountain path,
Seek still His company.

Your first transaction be
With God Himself above;
So will your business prosper well,
All the day be love.

By Horatius Bonar

Exodus 34:2-3

The morning is a critically important time of day. You must never face the day until you have faced God, not look into the face of others until you have looked into His. You cannot expect to be victorious, if you begin your day in your own strength alone.

Begin the work of every day after having been influenced by a few reflective, quiet moments between your heart and God. Do not meet with others, even the members of your own family, until you have first met with the great Guest and honoured Companion of your life-Jesus Christ.

Meet with Him alone and regularly, having His Book of counsel open before you. Then face the ordinary, and the unique, responsibilities of each day with the renewed influence and control of His character over all your actions.

Those who have accomplished the most for God in the world are those who have been found on their knees early in the morning.