As I was walking to Bukit Merah interchange, feeling good that I had gotten the evening off from work to go home to complete my readings, I met one of the Kumon students on the his way to class. He was just the tiniest boy, maybe about 4 years old. He was walking with his mother and carrying the Kumon 'fish' folder in his hand. It was at that moment that he recognised me and loudly exclaimed, "Mummy, ni(2) kan(4) Kumon lao(3) shi(1)!" which means "Mummy, Look at the Kumon teacher!"
And that put a big smile on my face. He said it with such enthusiasm and happiness that joy just filled my soul. I don't care who you are, recognition like that is always welcome. It feels good to be an influencing factor in the lives of these children.

But on to spiritual things. I praise God for the finished work of the cross! Praise God for my righteousness in Jesus Christ. But I know there is something deeper than this. Lord, open my eyes. Give me greater understanding!

~~~ Open My Eyes ~~~
Saviour of my soul
I worship You as God alone
Greater love has made a way to You

I could not forget
The moment I in faith confessed
For my sin You died and rose again

I believe every word You say
Father God with all my heart I sing

Open my eyes
I want to see Your glory, Your glory Lord
I open my ears
I want to be closer, closer to You

Here I am again
I find my strength in drawing near
You have heard the desperate cry in me

And as I wait on You my God
I’ll know the voice of truth
In quietness I am in awe
And as I worship You my Lord
I understand the cross
The sacrifice of God
| Hillsong - Mighty To Save |

If I really think hard about it, I can remember the whole atmosphere that the church was in. Back in those days, I remember how the entire environment was changed because of the presence of God. You couldn't say that I had any understanding whatsoever of spiritual things. I had no knowledge or ability to express how I felt. But as a little boy, I vividly remember experiencing His presence. I recall the feel of the cheap, rough carpet under my body. I remember the way it felt as I lay there in some hotel conference room. The rest of the adults oblivious to what I was going through.

As I traced the patterns of the carpet with my fingers, little did I realise what God was doing for me. He was tracing His plan and fusing His character with mine. Formed even before there was any trace or thought of my existence. Oh yes! Even without my understanding, He was filling me with His Spirit. Waiting for the time where my understanding would catch up with my spirit. Waiting for me to take hold of what I had.

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
Ephesians 2:10

I like the phrasing in the English Standard Version of Romans 8:28
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
The Amplified version says God being a partner in their labor all things work together and are fitting into a plan for good to and for those who love God and are called according to His design and purpose.

I think many of us love God. The question that remains is, how do we know if we're called? How do we know whether God has a purpose for me?
The bible says in Jeremiah 29:11. For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.
In Ephesians 4, Paul speaks about each person in the body of Christ having a role to play.

I was reading Exodus 35:31-35 last week. And the Words of God through Moses really hit me hard. I will retell it as it spoke to me.

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God has filled me with the Spirit of God. The power of the Holy Spirit! He has anointed me with skill, intelligence, with knowledge. With all that is necessary for the job thats laid before me. Not just the minimum requirements but the ability to do an excellent job. To make beautiful work, music or words with high quality.

For the work that He has called me into, He has inspired me to learn and teach. HE has filled me with skill, artistic talent, imagination, words, ideas, plans, details to fulfill my calling. He has given me the ability to inspire others to find and carry out their plans as well.

As easily as I have received the Holy Spirit through salvation. As easily as I have been filled to the overflowing, with power of the Holy Spirit, I am just as easily anointed to do His will. With boldness and conviction, confidence and strength.
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