This is the condition of my old Bible haha! Except that there aren't that many pen markings all over. Even the cover and some pages of it are damaged and torn. I've changed to a Bible which cover looks like its made from my jeans :)
Looking back, I'm really thankful to God, for his Word really did sustain, guide, provide, refresh, bless, assure etc for me. Verses like Matthew 6:33, 1 John 4:7, Philippians 3:8, Philippians 1:6, Psalms 1:1-3, Romans 12:1-2, 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a, and Romans 8:37-39 and many others really stuck through with me as I delighted more and more on his Word.
Do memorize verses, meditate on them and engrave them in your hearts too. Especially those on God's amazing love, for the HS will speak through u powerfully through them in your daily life!
I've also read many many Christian Books and bought over 20+ books from Tecman since I was in NS!
LIVE Before You Die - Daniel Kolenda (Wake up to God's will for your life)
Life Without Limits - Nick Vujicic
The Me I Want To Be, Becoming God's Best Version Of You - John Ortberg (Good book for newer Christians)
Discerning the Will of God - Benny Ho
When Good Men Are Tempted - Bill Perkins
Grace - Max Lucado
Who Made God? & Answers to over 100 questions - Ravi Zacharias
Who Is This Man - John Ortberg (The Unpredictable Impact of the Inescapable Jesus)
The Holy Spirit - Billy Graham (Recommendation for those who want to know the HS more)
The Shack - WM. Paul Young (Where Tragedy Confronts Eternity, Best-seller Fiction, had me close to tears once)
Loving People, How to Love & Be Loved - Dr. John Townsend
The Power of a Praying Teen - Stormie Omartian
Revealing Jesus Devotions - Darlene Zschech (Encouraging, Daily Bread, Points to Jesus)
Unmerited Favor - Joseph Prince
Screwtape Letters - CS. Lewis (Increase your awareness that the Devil can tempt you through 101 ways)
Desiring God - John Piper (Recommended, to delight in God & glorify God)
Be A People Person - John C. Maxwell
Crazy Love - Francis Chan
Destined To Reign - Joseph Prince (Recommended for those who want to experience more of God's grace)
Every Young Men's Battle - Steve Arterburn (Recommended for pursuit to Holiness)
Lead Me, Holy Spirit - Stormie Omartian
Beautiful Outlaw - John Eldredge (Highly recommended, brings the person of Jesus alive and deepen your r/s with Him)
Mere Christianity - CS. Lewis (Very wise)
The Grand Weaver - Ravi Zacharias
The Love Revolution - Joyce Meyer (Love acts, God pioneers through love)
If you want to read any of these, let me know! Haven't read some of these. Some of these are already borrowed and I'm also reading The Love Revolution along and doing Revealing Jesus Devotions currently!
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Also thankful for the presents I've received from my LG, my aunt & my grandma!
From my LG, they gave me a sneakers from Converse, which slogan is "Shoes are boring, wear sneakers!" LOL! & that is true for me as I don't have sneakers previously. The sneakers look good and it just so happened to be the perfect fit for my feet. They also gave me an awesome Chocolate Fudge Cake from Chocolate Origins.
My aunt and grandma gave me a bundle of stuff. My aunt gave me instant noodles, yakult and a shirt. My grandma gave me $200. I appreciate the things from my aunt for it shows her thoughtfulness, and even though she herself is in need, she gave to me. And my grandma's $200 is timely as I've been a little low on cash recently :)
My mum came and connected to the Teachers LG in 2nd service today! She was blessed by the panel sharings during service and the dinner fellowship with the LG. She is coming again next week to join them and may join the Mandarin congregation in the following week! Since next Saturday there is Father's Day service, I hope my dad will come along too! Pray for him to come yeah? :)
And for those of you coming for my 21st tomorrow, see you! :D
I'm not promoting McDonald's Slogan; which has the connotation of really liking something. Rather, I'm talking about a kind of "Just Do It" love, one that simply says, I'm Lovin' It.
Since ACTS Conference, there had been many many many testimonies of God moving, through people to heal, and manifest his love and power. Even just today, I've read the testimony of a lady who prayed for and healed 3 people. There's another who prayed for a men with speech problems and another who was demon-possessed and God moved. These are really amazing and I'm in awe.
I want God's love to pour forth through me to those in my life. I'm connecting my mum to Hope. I want to visit my relatives, especially my aunt and grandma who need healing to pray for them, but have not made time yet. I have 3 NSF section mates in camp. For the one that came for half of the Healing Rally, I prayed for his cough on a working day after Conference. He wasn't healed, but I shared more of God's power and about Christianity either way. I'm also putting aside things like manga, anime & games, albeit not totally, so that I can seek God, His love and His righteousness and His Kingdom first. This include things like just helping my mum in her work, or meeting my sheep, or to fellowship and sow on others.
Currently in camp, I work harder and am more intentional than the other NSFs in my section. I would deal with stock checks, stores, records, issuing and sometimes matters even outside of my role. There were many mistakes that were made that I rectify without raising them up to my superiors, because what I can do, I'll do. This was a way in which I want to love my NSF section mates, to show them that I care for them, watch out for them and get jobs done. However, it is often that my superiors would blame me when a mistake arises, even if the mistake was made by others. And often, when others made the mistakes, it gets swept under the carpet.
This had been rather tiring for me, but I've renewed my soul each day to continue to work and to love, for I want to believe that my labor in God is not in vain. And that my section mates, or even superiors may one day know his love. In this NS environment I'm in, intentionality to get things done well and to cover for others backfired at me; causing me to take blames even when I'm working at times the others rest. It has been the same for my IC, who took a lot of crap and had to rectify them all. Furthermore, my whole section is going to be posted out of the squadron at around September. This means that, after the major audits, we will no longer be part of the squadron. In light of this, I can just lay low and heck care about issues since my section will post out soon. But I know that this isn't honoring to God.
There are times when I really felt quite frustrated and sian about these issues in camp. However, I also see that it is foolish to fill my mind with negativity and work, as it can draw me from looking to God, to his Kingdom and his goodness. This is indeed a molding ground for my character. At the same time, I've decided that while I continue to work hard and look out for my NSF section mates, I'll be more clear to them that I'm covering for them and that I'm helping them, and that they need to help me and need to get work done well too. I also want to believe that a seed is planted in their hearts, and that when they know God's love, they will be changed to see life, to see work and to see people more the way God does.
Today, I've also prayed for the other 2 of my NSF section mates. For one of them, I shared with him more about the miracles God is doing and then prayed for his skin condition. He did not receive any healing yet. For the other who is autistic, I prayed a prayer of blessing for him to be able to communicate better, to be a channel of God's love and to find more people that will love him.
God, even though my section mates did not receive healing and do not know you yet. I pray that you'll begin to move in their hearts more and still heal them if you will. Even though there is probably just a few months before my section will be posted out and separated, I pray that you'll move and let them come to know you. It isn't easy to love in such an environment God, but Jesus, that is where I can partake and channel more of the kind of love you poured out to others. You died for us amidst the persecutions, rejections and scorning. You love the unlovable. May I be like Paul, who say that he considers all things a loss compared to surpassing greatness of just knowing you Jesus.
Now I rejoice in what I am suffering for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church. -Colossians 1:24
Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer... Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel,for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But God’s word is not chained.Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory. Here is a trustworthy saying: If we died with him,we will also live with him; if we endure, we will also reign with him.
-2 Timothy 2:3-12 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us...And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
-Romans 8:18&28 We rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance,
and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope
does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our
hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us
-Romans 5:3-5
I recently came to know this brother called Gerardus, and I just added him on Facebook yesterday. To my surprise, many of the things he shared resonated with my heart and what God was speaking to me in this period of time. It also further confirms the Word that was ministered to me during SEAL Camp, which is to really bring God's love to people, even in persecutions and sufferings. Gerardus shared quotes like these:
"Suffering
is a great grace; through suffering the soul becomes like the Savior;
in suffering love becomes crystallized; the greater the suffering, the
purer the love."
"If God sends you many sufferings, it is a sign that He has great plans for you and certainly wants to make you a saint."
"It is loving the Cross that one finds one heart, for Divine Love cannot live without suffering."
God you win. So, no matter what, I'm Lovin' It. Just as how God loves us, even if we are
flawed, or even if we do not yet know him. He looks at us and says, I'm
Lovin' It & his love never fails. God, I just pray that the seeds of your love will begin to sprout, and that you may pour forth your love tangibly and powerfully. For I want to see your Kingdom of Heaven here on Earth. I want to see your glory, and I can't wait for the day that we all live in your love.
Just had SEAL Camp over the weekend and I can say that it was one of the most memorable camp so far!
On the first day of camp, I had a headache and despite taking Panadol, it did not go away. Before the programs started, me, Caleb and Matthew prayed together for camp and for my headache. But as we started praying, I realize that the pain went away, we also prepared our hearts through that prayer.
At night, there was a dialogue session with Pastor Jeff. And even before the dialogue, during dinner, Pastor Jeff was really intentional to talk to each of us and know us. I gleaned from him that Intentional Love is key, just as how God pioneered in his love. As we pioneer and move in love, God will move in his love too. He also shared that Teachability is very very important even when we become leaders or even pastors, for that is how we can continue to grow, and continue to be humble to acknowledge God and those he appointed. The last thing I take away would be the importance of having a sustainable rhythm of work and rest. so that I can rest well and keep serving God till the end of time.
When the 1st day ended, I had a time of spontaneous worship with other brothers and sisters. And we even harmonized and mixed songs together. We also keep singing Forever forever (literally) with mash up and harmonizing. For some reason, I couldn't fall asleep that night. I lie on my bed for hours before falling asleep at 5am. And then woke up at 7 for my 2nd day.
On the 2nd day, we had a series of workshops after breakfast. The workshops were Teaching, Worship, Facilitation and Leading the Opposite Gender. I learned a lot during Teaching workshop, as the pointers that were shared broaden my horizon greatly. There is no need to prepare new teachings all the time, existing ones are fine, and what is truly important is to make it relevant and applicable to the group. When I share about something to improve on I can point to my mistakes, and when I am sharing something good, I can affirm somebody. Conclusion is key as it is where people apply and respond. Ultimately, it is God who moves and people don't just look at the teaching but how you live your life. There are many other valuable pointers too. The Opposite Gender workshop wasn't as applicable, but it was enjoyable. It taught me how to relate and help girls without crossing lines. And it also helped me get a better picture the God-given roles of guys and girls.
We went to service afterwards, and my mum joined me on that day. There were many young people so she was uncomfortable, but she was still blessed. I was blessed too, just by coming to Church together, as it is one step closer towards serving God together as a family with one heart beat. She will be connected to the 2nd service teacher LG or the adult group soon. Also had a great fellowship dinner with Zion at Old Changi before heading back to the camp site. More fellowship to come :)
When we were back, we were supposed to sleep early. But we(the guys) celebrated Douglas' Birthday in the dorm, we suddenly had an open session of sharing. I was really encouraged to see how each of them are just.. guys, but by God's grace we are here today. This is just as what our camp shirt writes, "By the grace of God I am what I am, worked harder than all, yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me." -1 Corinthians 15:10. Really really excited to run the rest of the race with these brothers-in-arms. I got the picture of rogue soldiers, different yet united with camaraderie :)
Now its the 3rd day early morning, I was probably the last one to fall asleep again. It was already 12.45am. I still couldn't sleep and also had a bad toothache. I kept pondering if I should go to the Hall and ask if a facilitator can pray together for me. Just before I decided to get out of bed, I chose to say one last prayer to Jesus. To my surprise, the toothache just faded away in 1 or 2 minutes. I fell asleep shortly after. Little did I know, all of us would be turned out half an hour later. If I did went to the hall, I might have found out the facilitators' and ULs' plan to turn us out soon.
It's 1.15am now. I was so blur that I initially thought it was 5am. We had a series of activities prepared for us by the facilitators and ULs. There was one where we had to melt an ice with our hands in order to take the paper with a bible verse out and then memorize it. We really want to treasure God's word as our treasure and hid it in our hearts. Another when we carried a teammate across a stretch to signify the weight of supporting and spurring one another on in this race. My hands (and idk why but even my legs) are sore now. I barely exercised over the past few months and I was surprised that I managed to carry the person all the way, I guess God gave me sufficient grace even in this activity itself.
It was a really memorable night, and despite having only 2.5h sleep in camp thus far, God helped me to be awake. At the end, we created a poster together. It has Lamentations 3:22-23 on it, which is about how God's love is steadfast and his mercies renewed every morning as we watched the Sunrise. We also had a session of P&W during the sunrise :)
We slept for a few more hours before having a great catered lunch from Peachy Western Stall. After which, we had a time of ministering. As we worship, we sang the song You Chose Me and responded to truly lay our lives down for God. When Tim Yeo asked who wanted to respond by kneeling down, I knelt, and I believe almost everybody did. I couldn't see, but Tim started to wept, and I was also moved and cried in the grace of that moment. When we can just come before God to give our lives to him, by his grace.
It wasn't really a struggle for me to respond, because I have set in my heart to submit my life to God till he returns. My true struggle was how I will live my life each day on from here, how am I going to love my father, my army section, my extended family, the needy I see, my LG. And also, how can I manage my time, to help my mum in her work, in loving people, in loving my LG, and other important things. I need to renew my mind each day to offer my live as a living sacrifice to God in worship. I need his love to overflow in my life each day. I need to firmly believe that I can consider all things a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Jesus Christ. I need to hold on to his Kingdom and righteousness, and know that he will provide. Today, I am on my birthday off so I am at home. I'm just blogging right now, but no, I do not want to remain stagnant. I want to go out to love somebody, I want to share more about Jesus, I want his Kingdom to touch the world. Keep this flame burning Jesus, move in your power and your love Jesus. I also remembered Pastor Jeff words, "You will always struggle in your journey to serve God and lead, if not you are not serving God. For God will not call you to do something in which you will not need to rely on Him."
When the leaders prayed for us, one prayed for me that I will really be a channel of God's love to those who need to know it, to help people to see how much God loves them, even if they are unlovable. Another prophesied the call of Jeremiah on me, from Jeremiah 1:4-10&17-19.
The word of the Lord came to me, saying,“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,before you were born I set you apart,I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”
“Alas, Sovereign Lord,” I said, “I do not know how to speak; I am too young.” But the Lord said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am too young.’ You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you.Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the Lord. Then the Lord reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me, “I have put my words in your mouth.See, today I appoint you over nations and kingdoms to uproot and tear down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and to plant.”
“Get yourself ready! Stand up and say to them whatever I command you. Do not be terrified by them, or I will terrify you before them.Today I have made you
a fortified city, an iron pillar and a bronze wall to stand against the
whole land—against the kings of Judah, its officials, its priests and
the people of the land.They will fight against you but will not overcome you, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the Lord.
I was convicted yet quite frightful when this was prophesied over me; especially the part where God says" I have put my words in your mouth. See, today I appoint you over nations and kingdoms to uproot and tear down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and to plant." This signifies great influence, one where I may even face persecutions from many but stand by God. But wait, this is the 21st century, and I am just a private in NS. In my wildest imaginations, I still can't picture the kind of influence that is. I am also reminded of having "Furious Intentional Love", one that people would find so unusual, one where I can even share the gospel boldly and pray for the needy, some may scorn at me, but this is furious intentional love.
Some restructuring will happen in the NS ministry, and I don't yet know how God will use me or the other brothers. But God, I am willing, use me. I don't know how, I'm weak, I can't imagine, but you will carry the good work you began to completion. And you have already SEAL-ed us for the Day of Redemption. Thank you also for presenting to me this Certificate of Comissioning from SEAL Camp on this 1st of June; just before my birthday today. I am reminded of Job 1:21 "Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised.". But thanks be to Jesus, that even if I "lose all things", he still adds unto me. I am not naked, I am a conqueror and I have you Jesus!
"I am royalty, I have destiny, I have been set free, I'm gonna shake history."
-Jake Hamilton, The Anthem
Over the past month, God kept speaking to me through what Paul said "I consider all things a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ." The more he speaks to me, the more it resonated to me. It was spoken through Desiring God book, through my devotions, through Conference, and this SEAL camp. The key words are not all things a loss, but compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ. I can experience more of the Kingdom of Heaven on Earth, I can have such intimacy with Jesus, I can see souls receive salvation, and God's grace abounding and more. I leave you with this quote; what are you living for?
"Our greatest fear should not be of failure, but of succeeding at things in life that don't really matter."
-Francis Chan, Crazy Love
You Make Me Brave God. And I just love this Worship Album. The songs are personal intimate heart cries and heart responses to God.
One of the devotions from Revealing Jesus that I read tonight is Desperate Situations. The choiced verse was "Suddenly an angel
of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on
the side and woke him up. “Quick, get up!” he said, and the chains fell
off Peter’s wrists.". It talks about God's way, that in the darkest hours, His tread draws near across the billows. As the day of execution is breaking, the angel comes to Peter's cell. When the scaffold for Mordecai is complete, the royal sleeplessness leads to a reaction in favor of the favored race...
Difficulty is the very atmosphere of miracle - it is miracle in its first stage. If it is to be a great miracle, the condition is not difficulty but impossibility. The clinging hand of His child makes a desperate situation a delight to Him. This devotion was a pleasant surprise for me, as I was quite desperate about my lost base entry pass and uniform set. I went down to Stadium on Monday and did not find it. On Tuesday I went down to Axis and it was closed. Also managed to contact a Church staff(Desmond) who said it might have been found. Then this morning, Desmond told me it couldn't be found. But later in the noon, it was found. It was quite a desperate situation. If the base pass was really lost, I need to pay a fine, file police and base reports, make a new pass, come earlier each day, and may even kena extra for punishment. But thank you God for making a way in this. I just watched God's Not Dead, and in the movie, there was a pastoral character who wanted to take a break and go on a short trip with his friend. But he somehow couldn't start 3 different cars on different occasions. He was disappointed, but because he did not yet go, God used him to ministered to other characters in the movie. And on the 4th car, his friend told him to put faith in God, in deeds. His friend told him to put all the luggage in the car and put on the seat belts before starting the car. After doing so, they managed to start the car. God moved through their faith on the 4th time and also used him to minister to others through the situation.
This isn't the same as sufferings & hardships for Jesus since it was my own blurness. But I can still testify to His goodness in this and that He really do move in Miracles, especially in desperate situations.
I take up compassion and surrender my excuses.
I stand against injustice
and commit to live out simple acts of God's love.
I refuse to do nothing. This is my resolve.
I am the Love Revolution.
This is the creed for The Love Revolution book by Joyce Meyer. I've read a few chapters of the book and it has spoke a lot to me.
God is love. And he acts in his love. He created us. He blessed Abraham. He delivered the Israelite. He sent prophets to his people. He sent Jesus to die on the Cross for us. He perform miracles, guides us and forgives us in our lives. We are his vessels of love, born again in Chirst.
Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.
-1 John 4: 7-12
I decided to share and name this post as "Love Acts" because Acts Conference is just over. And God is acting in our lives. Our part is to allow him to act as we receive and pour out his love to others. Love is also amazing because it gives us the power to overcome sin. As it is said:
Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.
-1 Peter 4:8
Sin is centrally rooted around selfishness. And from it, comes the love of the flesh, pride, lust, deceit, theft, murder and more. Whereas, love is not self-seeking. It desires for the good of others, as in some of its qualities (Always protects, always hope, always trust).
Acts Conference is over, but it is just the beginning. Let us yield ourselves to the Holy Spirit, to allow Christ love to move us to act in love. We pray for healing of others in love, we lend a listening ear in love, we give finances to the needy in love, we talk to the outcasts in love, we share the gospel in love, we honor our parents in love. Love, love, love. When we act in love, God can move powerfully for our will is in line with his. When we love others, we love Jesus. So let us resolve not to do nothing, or to be self-occupied (Even with good things like studies), but let us love one another even as we see the day approaching.
About 1 billon people in the world go hungry, about 1.2 million children are sex trafficked every year, about 250,000 children are forced to carry arms... There are many more people who are suffering and in need around the world. Even in Singapore, many faces pain from divorces, loneliness, stress, people's judgements and expectations, debts and more. God loves each one of these people as much as he loves us. Let us start, from the area of influences in our lives, to love and bless those especially in need. And let us do more if we can, such as to go into the mission field.
Today I prayed for the section mate of mine who came for the healing rally and left halfway. He had cough and flu, and after praying for him. He wasn't healed yet. I do not want to be discouraged as God's ways are higher, and the same power of Christ lives in us. Furthermore, regardless of whether he was healed, I extended a piece of Christ' love to him through this act. There are many many more testimonies of people from our Church who prayed for others to be healed after Conference, and people who share the gospel and reach out to others, even foreigners like Bangladesh workers. This is amazing, let's continue to act. Let's be like the Acts Church, who did not stay in the comfort of internal fellowship, but reach out and reach out and reach out to the World.
This is a story I heard years ago about four people named Everybody, Somebody, Anybody and Nobody. There was an important job to be done and Everybody was sure Somebody would do it. Anybody could have done it, but Nobody did it. Somebody got angry about that because it was Everybody's job. Everybody thought Anybody could do it, but Nobody realized that Everybody wouldn't do it. In the end, Everybody blamed Somebody when Nobody did what Anybody could have done.
When I ask what you are going to do, do you perhaps feel fear because you wonder what "doing something" will require? I understand that kind of panicky feeling. After all, if I really decide to forget myself and start aggressively trying to help, what will happen to me? Who will take care of me if I don't take care of myself? God said He would, so I think we should find out if He really meant what He said. Why not retire from "self care," and see if God can do a better job than you have done. If we take care of His business, which is helping hurting people, I believe He will take care of ours.
-Joyce Meyer
For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
-Matthew 6:33
Blessed to be a blessing. As we freely received, we freely give.
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As for an update to my phone and uniform set loss.
I got a new iNO2 and am contactable again. I thank God for making me go to Parkway Parade to settle my Sim card with Starhub. If not, I would probably have gone with my rash decision to buy a more expensive $500 LG Optimus F5 at Orchard. I should not be getting such a phone when I do not have much money, and I shouldn't get a better phone just to be able to play Clash of Clans without overheating or to enjoy other features. Let me be contented with iNO2, so that the remainder can be stewarded and also given for God's kingdom. And since iNO2 overheats easily when I play CoC, that means I have more time and energy to love people and love God.
For my uniform, I ran all over the place to look for it. I went to Singapore Indoor Stadium on Monday but the staff have not found it. Today, I applied for off right after I came to camp, so that I can file a police report and also travel down to Axis to see if my uniform is found. I decided to go to Axis first as I hope not to file a report for losing such an important item(My base entry pass). I may even be punished for the loss. When I went there, I was disappointed to see that Hope Centre, the Axis, the connect rooms and the facilities management office were closed. I tried calling the Church hotlines yesterday and today, but it was to no avail. However as I contemplate over my course of action over lunch, I was prompted to search for Desmond Lee on Facebook. Desmond is a faithful servant in our Church. I saw him around a lot when I was an usher. He often share encouraging posts, and also helped me from time to time. I was surprised to see that his number was on his Facebook. I called and managed to reach him. He told me that a Church staff saw my bag during the Conference, and that he will confirm if it is found tomorrow. Praise God. Even when I went to the police station, the officer said I need not file the report and it is okay to file the report late if my item is still not found by tomorrow. This is because I had a valid reason that my item is believed to be found.
Thank God for bringing me through this. It wasn't exactly nice, but I looked to you through this and a period without my phone, without anime, without manga and without CoC can help me to look to God and do more things that matters.
I also stumbled in an area of struggle today. It is an area that I've been experiencing a breakthrough in but I stumbled today. I was feeling rather sad and tempted to condemn myself as I really really really wanted to let God act through my life as a clean and instrumental vessel, especially over the past few weeks. I immediately chose to spend quality time with God. During the time, I came across this article which lifted my Spirit up.
David demonstrated his faith seemingly on a
daily basis which pleased the Lord. Throughout his life his faith would
be tested on a grand scale and in the final analysis he passed most of
the tests. David also loved God’s law and he sought to follow it as best
he could. He spent many days meditating on it and trying to apply it to
his own life. He knew that God’s law had the power to change lives if
it was followed to the letter. Another important character trait that
David exhibited was that he had the attitude of gratitude and was very
thankful for his life. During his life he had all sorts of trouble, but
David thanked God every day no matter the circumstances. And, finally,
David was truly repentant. Let us not forget that he was a man just like
us who sinned on a regular basis. But, despite his sin, he always loved
God and sought to repent of those sins. He is a role model for all of
us sinners who need to repent earnestly. David was indeed a man after
God’s own heart.
"What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ." -Philippians 3:8
So you might be wondering why I chose to share this verse after ACTS Conference. Well you're in for a ride. During this Conference, I've experienced God's grace, God's love moving tangibly in our Church. It was especially amazing to see how many people came to know God, and even more people being healed, 100s or 200s or more. I also got to rest in the Spirit as I desired to. And as I prepared my heart as a vessel for God, God really spoke to us about being vessels for his love and power.
I've been fasting from Manga and Clash of Clans. And when I commit to submit my life to God on the 1st night, I plan to fast from Anime for 1 week too. Almost all my leisure revolves around these 3 things. And well, today I lost my phone too. So its like, no manga, no CoC, no anime & no phone. Today, I had to be involved in an operation in my army camp. After it ended, it was close to 2. So I rushed down to Conference with a section mate I've invited. We took a cab and I lost my phone on that cab. As it was the first time my friend is coming to a Church and hearing the gospel, I shared to him more. However, he could only stay for a while. He had to left 2 minutes into Altar Call before people started to respond and already stayed as long as he could. I pray that despite the short visit, and the unfamiliar atmosphere, that Holy Spirit you would already be doing a work in his heart, to desire to find life, love and fellowship in you Father.
After the healing rally, I went to the prayer room to pray and be prayed for. I wanted to seek God for assurance of his guidance and providence. And I wanted to experience his love through healing too. Though I was prayed for during the rally, and previous occasions, and on my own, I've not experience healing in the pressing medical conditions I have. These includes hearing loss, back pain, loss of hearing balance and a cyst in my brain.
At the prayer room, a prayer minister prayed for me. I did not experience a healing in those conditions I mentioned after the prayer. However, he shared with me a testimony of someone who had similar ailments and was even in a terminal condition, but God pulled him through at the end after his 3rd operation. Hearing this really encouraged me, for knowing how unfailing God's love is and also that his ways and timings are higher. As I continue through the rest of the Conference, I had such peace and joy, and continually flow with the HS and worship. I was a little amazed at my "Ok-ness" with regards to how I seem barely bothered about my phone. I hold on to Philippians 3:8, that I can consider these a loss compared to Christ and walking life to the fullest with him. However, when I was about to reach home. I realized that I even left the bag with my army clothes & boots in the stadium. Furthermore, items like my base security pass, appointment lists and locker key are in my attire too.
At that point, I started to really really really feel not ok. I begin to struggle with thoughts of not fasting from anime on my way home, stressing over how to go about my day tomorrow with regards to these mishaps. I just so happened to have a medical appointment tomorrow for my Post-surgery follow up. And the truth is, there is a nauseating smell in my nose still and I might have infection or URTI. So I'm taking an MC tomorrow.
With regards to my phone, I really needed to get another phone. But I don't want to burden my mum who is extremely busy and is needing finances for her business. I remembered about the 1 month pay I was committing to give to God, that though I placed the money in the envelope, I forgot to hand it in Church. When I told my mum about the money, she said God blessed me to have hold onto it till now, telling me that I'm so reckless to give like that. That God doesn't need my money, he sees my heart and I should also really take care of myself to steward for him too. I really cried then, as I really wanted to give to God in faith to glorify him and say he is enough. But now, I'm using the money for my own need to get a new phone. My mum also called M1 to check if she can renew any phone contracts. It just so happened that one of the contracts can be renewed 2 months before 24th of July. And today is 25th of May. So God really blessed me with this miracle, and I will probably get an even better phone than the iNO phone which easily overheats and which literally I no phone now.
So, even in this loss from my blunders, even when I felt so not ok before, I still feel so much joy and feel so blessed, really just for knowing Christ and for his unfailing love for me. Even for these ailments I have, God you will sort them out in your own time, in your higher ways. Thank you Papa
Hi guys! Tomorrow is ACTS Conference!! :D Are y'all excited? It's been 5 days since I last posted. This was certainly a busy week, and I would probably post on weekends in the future too.
I got about 5-6h of sleep each day this week, and I know that many of you sleep insufficiently too. But for me, it's been a while since I gone through a full work week. I also went out almost every night after work and usually come home at midnight. Work was more hectic than the usual and I also have to go back to camp half-day this Sunday. It'll be the first time I disrupt and go for part of a Church Conference/Camp. I did miss a whole camp before when I was BMT though.
Met my sheep and shared mainly about Instrumental Worship as I'm really convicted of how God will move powerfully through us during Conference and in this season. Therefore, the only thing left for us to do is to be clean and willing vessels/instruments. Also got to meet up with my Shep after a while, and had a good time of sharing; more to come? Haha
Was also helping out with my mum's work, but only a little due to time. I can feel God growing my patience and my love for people in need as I guide Elisha, my new autistic section mate. I'm also reading The Love Revolution by Joyce Meyer which really challenges us to be vessels of God's love and really act! So far I'm glad to share that my section mate will probably come with me to the healing rally after work on Sunday. My aunt and grandma are probably coming too.
Yesterday, I had a supper meet up with my ex-LG from SAJC. We also had a birthday celebration for Mandy. Initially, we planned to celebrate for her at the supper location, but when we realized she was sitting with her LGL in a food shop. We decided to sneak up and celebrate for her, but she just started to walk out when we were preparing the cake. We also slipped 2 tickets to SIFA-Open in her bag without her knowing. When she asked about it, we acted blur. She's still confused about it, even now LOL. (Or maybe not after reading this)
After which, I showed everyone the advertisement Adria was on and we even took a selfie with her on the screen haha!
As we shared about life, I'm blessed to see how God moved in each one's life since A levels. Zuoen is studying to be a teacher and is also leading the SALG. Mandy is taking many to serve and steward her God-given giftings and often sees God's hand through it all. Yibin is leading in Ablaze North and is currently a Unit Leader there. Me, Darren, Pei Da & Shaun are in the 4 different major sectors on NS; Airforce, Navy, MP & Army respectively. Darren just got accepted to ADM in NTU. Pei Da, with Chee Kong, desire to be God's vessels to pour his love to people as they work in DB. Shaun is a Tekong Sergeant, training many recruits, even some from our Church. As for me, I shared much about myself on this blog haha.
An amazing thing happened during our meet up. There were me, Pei Da, Zuoen, Mandy, Darren & Yibin there. While we were sharing, I decided to check my phone. Without warning, I saw that my phone was on the line with Shaun, who was also in SALG. I thought Shaun called me, so I answered "Hello, did you call me?". He said no. And he only just picked up my call and is having live firing. I put my phone on speakers and our ex-LG talked to him together for a while. This could only be from God. Yes, I'm blur and careless! But I haven't called him for a while, so even if my phone was unlocked, its no simple feat for my phone to just accidentally dial his number, and even for me to answer on time when I was just trying to check my phone.
Hi Papa, though this was a tiring week. Even one where I faced some 'hurt'. It was a fruitful and blessed one. And Papa, for the past few weeks, I've been setting aside myself more and more, to be a clean and willing instrument for you. I increasingly know the joy of glorifying you and what it truly means to delight in you. It is a joy to delight even in hardships and sufferings, even if there aren't many 'blessings', for there I find deeper fellowship and true treasure in you, and there I am truly living my life to the fullest. I know that you are going to move powerfully this Conference and I can't wait for the deep fellowships and encounters with you. Now one thing I'll ensure, to have a good night rest with this body you've given me, and just wait on you to play the melody. The ACT Begins :) Amen
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