Do Not Be Afraid
(Entry Date : January 15th, 2012)

Scripture

Ezekiel 2:6 - And you, son of man, do not be afraid of them or their words. Do not be afraid, though briers and thorns are all around you and you live among scorpions. Do not be afraid of what they say or be terrified by them, though they are a rebellious people.

Observation

1. “Do not be afraid” was repeated three times in a single verse. 
2. God sent Ezekiel to prophesize to His people, yet told him in advance the kind of peoples and challenges he will encounter.
3. Why send Ezekiel when God knows fully well that he is going to suffer? God has to repeatedly tell him not to be afraid.

Application

As I prayed over this verse, I sense that God is teaching about courage. “Do not be afraid” is knowing God is on and by our side (Deuteronomy 31:8) and knowing God’s purpose for us. Ezekiel is fulfilling his calling as a prophet. God told Ezekiel not to be afraid not because God promises “a life happily ever after” nor God will go before him to destroy his enemies. Ezekiel is “not to be afraid” because He knows his calling. Courage comes from knowing my calling! Courage comes from knowing I’m fulfilling God’s purpose,  for what I am created for.

 

Prayer

Dear Lord, forgive me when I only focus on what You can do for me instead of what You want to do through me.  Help me to have the clarity about Your purpose in my life and not to be distracted or intimidated by the people, the words, the irritables and sometimes painful experiences.  Lord, I pray for a courage which arises from knowing that I am fulfilling my calling.  In Jesus’ name, I prayed. Amen.

 

The Wow! factor
(Entry Date : September 25th, 2011)

Scripture

Song of Songs 2: 3-4

3 Like an apple tree among the trees of
the forest is my beloved among the young
men.
I delight to sit in his shade,  
and his fruit is sweet to my taste.
4 Let him lead me to the banquet hall,   
and let his banner over me be love.

Observation

Song of Songs is a love song sung between God and His people. In Song of Songs 2:3-4, His people praises God for his uniqueness -"apple tree among the forest", "beloved among the young men". They delights in God's fellowship "I delight to sit in his shade". His people rejoices in God's sweetness - "his fruit is sweet to my taste". They thanked God for His provisions - "Let him lead me to the banquet hall". His people celebrate because God's love for them goes public, broadcast across the land - "let his banner over me be love."

Application

When one is in love, we are bubbling with joy that we want to tell the whole world that "I'm in love!" And God is so great that it is not too difficult for me to be so in love with Him that I want to tell the whole world. But what does God see in me, which makes Him go "Wow!"? If I don't do anything, will God still go "Wow!" when He sees me? If I busy myself doing many things, then God will go more "Wows!" when he sees me? My answers:与众不同的神，欣赏我的与众不同！Yes! He loves me and that's "fullstop" No! Doing more doesn't make Him love me more. But loving Him more does make me closer to His heartbeat, want to do more. Replace the words "I", "me" and "myself" with "Shekinah AOG".

Prayer

Dear Heavenly father, reading through Song of Songs reminded me of your unfailing and unwavering love for me and Shekinah. You simply love us, goes "Wow!" when we draw near to You. Forgive me as sometimes even when You are near, I took You for granted. Even when You dance around me, I didn't see. Instead of going "Wow!", I said "Wait!"Help me to be sensitive to Your spirit and fulfill the destiny You have crafted for me! I'm that special that the King of Kings and Lord of Lords map out my destiny for me! Yes! I can do great things through Christ who strengthens me! In Jesus's name, I give thanks and pray. Amen.

 

God, Come Quickly!
(Entry Date : May 15th, 2011)

Scripture

Psalm 70: 1– 5 (NIV)
1 Hasten, O God, to save me; come quickly, LORD, to help me.
2 May those who want to take my life be put to shame and confusion; may all who desire my ruin be turned back in disgrace.
3 May those who say to me, "Aha! Aha!" turn back because of their shame.
4 But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who long for your saving help always say, "The LORD is great!"
5 But as for me, I am poor and needy; come quickly to me, O God. You are my help and my deliverer; LORD, do not delay.

Observation

This is a petition by David, a desperate SOS sent to God. David expected God to reply quickly, almost like us calling for help from the police or calling for ambulance. (Psalm 70:1, 5) Not only did David expected his prayer to be heard, he expected his petition to be answered and also expected immediate action taken by God.

Application

Reflecting this Psalm with my Shekinah Kids' lesson on Judges 2-4, illustrating the cycle which the Israelites repeated 7 times.

Relax > Rebel > Rebuke > Repent > Rescue.

I observed that David seemed to be in this cycle too, so do I. Many times I had become complacent. When times are easier, I disobey God. But when times get difficult, I cry for help God, being faithful and merciful, always rescue me.

I should learn from King David, his faith and his relationship with God. Let my faith arise! Let God be the One I seek help from because I know He hears me and answers me. When I pray, let me know who my God really is (Psalm 70:4) - "The LORD is great!" "You are my help and my deliverer" When I pray, let me know who I really am (Psalm 70:5) - I am poor and needy.

Prayer

Thank you for sticking by and loving me despite my flaws, my weaknesses, my failures and my sins. You have never let me go and walk with me through the mountains and the valleys.

Thank you for being my gracious Father, hearing and answering my calls for help and my petitions, even when I least deserved or expected it. I pray that I will pray like never before, treasure the times spent with You just like David. I pray for a close and personal relationship with You just like David. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

 

Knowing God's Ways
(Entry Date : Feb 11th, 2011)

Scripture

Job 26:14 - And these are but the outer fringe of his works; how faint the whisper we hear of him! Who then can understand the thunder of his power?”

Observation

Job had all the reasons to be a "wounded beast". Bad things keep happening to Job.
He accused God of being unjust, God's hands being too hard on him and he is angry with God for doing this to him. He wants to know why God would allow all these to happen to him. Job's spiritual “BO” is very high, he was sure he has done nothing wrong. He even wanted to go to court to demonstrate his innocence. This is against my learning of “we are all sinners forgiven”. What stood out is Job's acknowledgement that i) God is Almighty (there is no one higher); ii) God is Lord over all (everything is under His control, decision is His alone); iii) God is all Powerful (no one can withstand His wrath); iv) Even in his distress, his anger, he knows God is the One and Only God.

Application

The reading becomes harder to understand when Job's friends came to the picture.
I had comforted my friends in those exact words when they are in difficult situations. My friend replied me like how Job replied his friends. That when they are not going through tough situations, they know the right answers and impressive, philosophical truths. But when we are going through or in the lowest valley, these words do not inspire nor motivate. Even when I said it, the words sounded empty and superficial. Reading the book of Job is very emotionally draining & spiritually challenging. When I read it, many verses (replies by the friends) are similar to Psalms or Proverbs. Many accusations by Job are characteristics that I cannot associate with God. Painfully, these chapters serve as a mirror to reflect the shallowness of my knowledge & faith. I realize that I cannot continue to selectively choose those characteristics of God which tickles my ears (blessings, grace, love, mercy, forgiveness) and shut off the others.

Prayer

Dear Lord, my faith may be like a candle under the bed during challenging times. Let me learn from Job, that I know Your majesty, Your grace & Your holiness. Help me to understand & apply Your Word and to have the wisdom to accept things which are not yet for my understanding. In Jesus' name I pray, amen!

 

The Talents Entrusted To Us
(Entry Date : Nov 12th, 2010)

Scripture

Matthew 25:21 - “"His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!'

Observation

The servants with 5 and 2 talents multiplied the talents entrusted to them. The master praised and trusted them with many things however the servant with one talent faced a very different outcome: He was called a wicked, lazy and worthless servant. The master spoke about investment (bank interest) and took the only talent from him and subsequently threw him into the darkness. All of us have a God-giving calling. We are merely servants entrusted with the Master’s property and we are expected to multiply (use) our talents for His kingdom. So, it is not an option to keep our talents to ourselves. Moreover, God’s formula is special! He didn’t look for the size of church, committee, project etc to reward our work but availability or our desire to be moulded by Him, for the faith to step out and do His will!

Application

Last year, I went through a survey to discover my gifting. I was surprised to find out that one of my gifts is intercession. Slowly, I decided to explore this talent He has entrusted to me. While running one morning, I decide to intercede for two of my colleagues who are very ill. The presence of the Lord fell upon me. God took over and He is praying with me. He is not a passive recipient. I remembered as a young Christian, I was taught that as we pray, we move God’s hand. I also learned that I am merely resting my hands on His hands while he healed. The experience is revelational! As we exercise the talent He entrusted, mine the gift of intercession, God was using me to show His compassion for them which moved me to tears. With the talent He entrusted to me, I will use it for the blessing of His Kingdom.

Prayer

Dear Lord, I ask for Your forgiveness for assuming and thinking that Your kingdom can wait but my “kingdom” can’t. I focused on the things of this world rather than Yours. Indeed, I desire to hear these words “Good and Faithful servant ......” Let me draw close to You, listening to Your heartbeat and multiply the talents (teaching, interceding). In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

 

Rights
(Entry Date : Sep 3th, 2010)

Scripture

1 Corinthians 9:15- But I have not used any of these rights. And I am not writing this in the hope that you will do such things for me.

Observation

Paul has relinquished his rights for the sake of the gospel. His rights as Roman citizen, his rights as an apostle, his rights for all the privileges - eat well, get marry, receive wages . Because he surrendered his freedoms and made himself a slave to all in order to win as many as possible to Christ.

Application

These two weeks had not been exactly easy for me. Heavy work loads, long working hours, insufficient sleep and pressure have taken a toil on my body. I fell sick and yet unable to slow down. So, I was frustrated and felt unjustly treated, keep asking God why this? Why that? Why not this? And Why not that? In short, I was asking, even worse demanding for my rights! Then I started reading 1 Corinthians 9. And I was repeatedly prompted to surrender! I observed from Paul the apostle, this surrendering of my life requires more than knowledge and superficial words, not merely acknowledging, singing, saying that “I surrender all”. It involves not only my God but to put others first and surrender my rights. This surrendering is hard as I would need to apply it, exercise it and work at it. What makes it harder? I don’t want it! I don’t want to surrender! I want my rights. Then, I was reminded of all the grace and mercy, all the blessings and privileges I had taken for granted. In my hurry to protect my rights, I focus on the minors and forgot my Master – Jesus. How He has watched over me, led me, protected me and love me. And all these because He gave up His life, His rights! Definitely, God didn’t leave His people on earth, to demand and protect their rights. He wants us to give up ours to put others first, just like what He has modeled for us.

Prayer

Dear Lord, I thank you for answering my prayer and clarifying what “Surrendering” means to me. Lord, help me each day to see others needs above mine and always seek to bless others. Lock my focus back to you and not on situations and circumstances. Grant me a joyful heart and not to be weary in doing good. Thank you Jesus for loving me. In Jesus’ name, I give thanks and pray. Amen!

 

Psalms 6
(Entry Date : April 30th, 2010)

Scripture

Psalm 6- For the director of music. With stringed instruments. According to sheminith.[a]

A psalm of David.

1. O LORD, do not rebuke me in your anger  or discipline me in your wrath.  
2. Be merciful to me, LORD, for I am faint; O LORD, heal me, for my bones are in agony.
3. My soul is in anguish. How long, O LORD, how long?
4. Turn, O LORD, and deliver me; save me because of your unfailing love.
5. No one remembers you when he is dead. Who praises you from the grave ?
6. I am worn out from groaning;  all night long I flood my bed with weeping and drench my couch with tears.
7. My eyes grow weak with sorrow;  they fail because of all my foes.
8. Away from me, all you who do evil, for the LORD has heard my weeping.
9. The LORD has heard my cry for mercy;  the LORD accepts my prayer.
10. All my enemies will be ashamed and dismayed;  they will turn back in sudden disgrace.

Observation

King David is a king, a mighty warrior who fought Goliath, who killed lion and won many battles. All these were done to honor God in times which required extraordinary Faith. Yet in Psalm 6, King David demonstrated extraordinary faith in an extraordinary way. He is bold enough to share his deepest feelings without any camouflaging. His pleads for mercy, his cry for healing. This boldness vividly illustrated his intimate relationship with God. King David is very expressive describing his tears, his crying, his weeping. Words which we normally associate with people who are weak. Yet a king expressed his all in a song to God.

Application

I could relate this to the Batam church whom I visited in March. It is exactly this type of Faith, this Childlikeness, Urgency and Perseverance in their prayers, God’s hands moves through His people to bless them!

Prayer

Dear Lord, I confessed that there are many occasions where my prayers were superficial, camouflaging how I truly feel and what I truly want to ‘question’ you.
Please forgive me and help me to increase in my Faith so that I can be more and more open and transparent. Crying out to you about my fears, my tears, my desires and my struggles to you. I pray that I will develop a hunger to pray unceasingly for my parent’s salvation and your reign in my life as my LORD! In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen!

 

Purify First

Scripture

1 John 3:3 - Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure.

Observation

In 1 John 3, John gave instructions and encouragement for us as children of God. We are to purify ourselves, just as He is pure. We cannot keep on sinning as He lives in us. No one who continues sinning if we know Him. The devil tries to lead us astray, to continue sinning. Jesus came and destroyed the devil's work. We cannot go on sinning because we have been born of God.

John brought up a very fundamental truth. How could someone who belongs to God, continues to live the same way, continues to sin? People have to be different after receiving Christ as their Lord and Savior. They have to be more and more like Christ each day. They are after all, children of God, the living God.

Application

After last Friday's cell group's discussion on Matt 5:8, the phrase "pure heart" and the song "A Pure Heart" kept revolving in my head, thus this verse (1 John 3:3) jumped to my eyes as I was preparing for Shekinah Kids’ lesson. As I was reflecting on this verse, my recent facial experience came to mind. The beautician shone a really bright light on my face and made these comments: “My face has lots of room for improvement… I may have used moisturizing cream and mask. However, the nutrients are not absorbed properly as there are impurities on my skin blocking the process. As a result, my skin looks dull and tired. When skin acts up, i.e. pimples of course, I took harsh damage-control which left wounds and marks. Thus, it's important to cleanse, tone and moisturize daily in that order.

The similarity is striking.  When I am confronted by the holiness of God, my spiritual life has lots of room for improvement (feel like throwing dust and ashes on myself). Yes, I read through the Bible daily, reflect upon His Words occasionally, attend church weekly and memorize Beatitudes obediently. However, I didn't purify myself through confession of my sins and asked for God's forgiveness. I lacked the habit of reflecting (SOAP), missed out on the importance of connecting with Him daily. As a result, my spiritual life is nothing to shout about, sometimes pretty dull. I don't project the image of a child of God, living victoriously. When problems arise, I took harsh measures (harsh words and punishments for my kids) which hurts. Thus, it's important to purify, tone my spiritual muscles and receive spiritual food/nutrients from God daily and to be practiced in that order.

Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father, I ask for your mercy and grace to forgive my carelessness and laissez-faire attitude over building my spiritual life. I have time and time again taken you for granted. Forgive me for not putting your Word into actions. Lord, help me as I am weak, I surrender myself to You. May You lead and guide me in the reading of Your Word. Prompt me to wait upon You. May my quiet time receive a fresh touch, fresh passion from You. Thank You for Your gentle reminder tonight. Thank You for loving me as Your child, drawing me near to You. In Jesus' name, I give thanks and pray, amen.