Passion Is A Starting Point

We all know that to produce energy, fuel is required. You have stored or potential energy in fuel being transformed through a process like combustion into other forms of energy. (eg. heat, light, sound, kinetic)
Fuel does nothing on its own. You can have a car full of fuel, but it will not move. But when you turn the ignition. Something is sparked off and what was in the car all along starts to burn and the car is moved when gears are in place.

I think God put in every single one of us some fuel. It could be some talent that you have, an interest in a hobby or a desire to do something no one else likes. But these things don't achieve anything if left by themselves. They are just like a full tank of fuel. Sitting there. Achieving nothing!

On the other hand, passion is like a fire. It burns where there is an abundance of fuel. There are different levels of burn. There is explosive, slow burn, glow, flare, or the simple spark. But you notice one thing that is consistent with ALL forms of burning. There is always light. When something burns, light is always produced.

I've heard this preached many times. We are the salt and the light. As light, we are not to light places that are already bright but to be light in places that are dark. The idea is not to make the bright places brighter. Where do we go to shine then? What can I do? Where can I be effective? These are question many of us ask but few find the answer to.

I believe Jesus asked the same question when He began His ministry in His thirties. In Luke chapter 4, verse 1 & 14 tells us that Jesus had been baptised in the Holy Spirit and that He was had power of the Holy Spirit. The passage says that He went to teach in synagogues and it became his custom.

I'm very sure that Jesus, as He served in the the synagogues, was praying and seeking for answers. I bet He was thinking to Himself, "Father, is this it? Is going to the synagogue all you have baptised me for?"
I'm sure He was wondering what that whole ordeal in the desert with the devil was for, if all He was to do was to go to synagogue every sabbath. Picture this. He was in His hometown of Nazareth where He had been brought up. He went to church as He had always been going, saw the same people, did the same thing week after week after week. Doesn't this situation sound familiar?

This is when God sparks off a scripture that would shape His whole ministry. In verse 17 of Luke 4, imagine what Jesus was thinking as he stood up to read the scripture.
"Why do I always have to read the scripture?!?"
You can almost hear Him giving the softest sigh as He unrolled the mundane looking scroll and just as He is about to read, Father God asks Him, "You wanna know what is it you're baptised for?"

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because he has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives
and recovering of sight to the blind,
to set at liberty those who are oppressed,
to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.

And then it clicks. And you can sense His expression changing. You can picture a smile creeping across His face and a twinkle in His eyes as He rolls the old scroll up. There is a huge grin as He gives the scroll back to the attendant and everyone is bursting with curiousity as He returns to His spot on the synagogue floor. Just as an over-inquisitive man takes a breath to ask, Jesus announces, "Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing."

That is the confidence and boldness of the Holy Spirit talking and that is History made. Don't be stuck in verses 14 - 17. Many of us think there's no future in what we're doing. But the truth is, God has not forgotten! Fuel up on the Word of God and the spark will come when you're ready.

The Weapon Of Worship

Someone once asked me why we sing songs in church. And the honesty of his question surprised me. I had never really thought about how people would feel about the worship of God in song. The more I thought about it, the more I realised that there is a big difference between worship and singing. We sing songs in the shower, you sing songs in karaoke bars, at gigs, at campfires, and at football matches. There is a difference between singing and worship but have we reduced worship to singing songs? Then its no wonder that lives are not being transformed.

So anyway, I tried my best to answer him by saying something about how singing is a form of expression of our love towards God. About how its one of the many forms of expression, like dancing or serving in church. I distinctly remember feeling pretty good about myself. Giving myself a pat on the back for a seemingly religious answer. But it wasn't till I was in bed that night, that I heard God ask. "Expression...?"
And I slapped my head in amazement of how pathetically shallow my answer was.

Worship is not simply an expression. It is a reminder to ourselves of Who we believe in and why we believe. It is a declaration of who God is and who we are in Light of Him. It is a battle call to build our faith before the battle. It is a cry for refreshing through His Strength and His Grace. The fact remains. Our words are the key to access His Power. Our words can contain the power.

One analogy I have is way back from army. Words are like bullets which are practically harmless when they are lying around or in a magazine. The most damage it can do is to bruise or scratch someone. That is the level that many Christians seem to be at. Just throwing verses at one another and bruising one another with it. What a shame! What a waste of ammunition. Wrong use and wrong target! The Word should be meditated on, pondered over, loaded or fed into your Spirit. Load that ammunition into your weapon.

What is your weapon?
James 3:1-12 is a passage that talks about the weapon that God has given to us. (See Untame your tongue) This passage refers to a dangerous weapon, powerful, but perverted by evil & having its power used as poison. But when used the way it was intended by God, the tongue is a weapon & the Word is ammunition! Again, we have many Christians pulling the trigger, quoting verses like crazy but nothing happens. They ask, "Why doesn't it work? Why isn't my gun firing? Why doesn't God answer my prayers?"

This is one area where I think is so important to believers. Revelation.
Revelation is the Word becoming real to you. It is the Word making sense in your situation and it lifts you, encourages you and drives you forward. Revelation is akin to the cocking of the weapon. What happens is when the mechanism of the gun or rifle pushes the bullet into the chamber of the weapon. Now it is ready to be fired. This should be the mode that the believer is in. This is the stance of the Christian ready to overcome. Being ready with a Word as what Paul taught Timothy to do in 2 Timothy 4:2.

When you worship God with the Word, singing songs that declare the Word of God, the promises of God, the truth of God, it is an upgrade of firepower. The M-16 is a rifle that has been used for more than 40 years. On this rifle there is a switch where you can select from 3 modes. Safe, Semi, and Automatic. Just like on a rifle, a believer also has these 3 modes.

When a believer is on Safe, no Words are spoken. Believers who are quiet when it comes to the Word are safe to the devil. Because although they read their bible and are loaded with scripture, they do not speak it out. They don't call those things which do not exist as though they did. (Romans 4:17 [NKJV])

Believers who are on Semi are those who try to face enemies by firing a warning shot in the air. Or they fire a single shot and wait to see the results. Then when it doesn't work, or when the situation remains unchanged, or the enemies are still there, they complain that it doesn't work and they switch back to safe. They give up.

What we should be doing is going fully automatic with the Grace of God. I want to be fully loaded with the Word of God! I want to do what Jesus did to resist the devil in the wilderness. Let the devil know that the more he surrounds me with enemies to my peace and wellbeing, the more the situation seems to come against me, the more trouble seems to try to squeeze me and get me to give up, the more I'm going to keep the trigger squeezed. I'm going to keep speaking the Word of God into the situation!

Hebrews 4:12 says, "For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart."

In the light of modern day weaponry, we could read Hebrews 4:12 this way.
For the Word of God is responsive and reactive, faster, sharper, and fiercer than any bullet or weapon of mass destruction. It penetrates and separates soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It lays bare even the deepest thoughts and intentions of the heart.

God has given us the weapon of worship. So don't be afraid of the difficult times. Don't be afraid of tough situations. These are just opportunities to practice your aim. Practice worship and praising God. Practice using the power of the Word that is available to us. Worship God.

There's A Pattern Appearing...

I think I now know.

Everlasting

How lovely You are
Heaven’s light surrounding me
How lovely Your song
Heaven’s perfect melody

My strength my Rock

To the everlasting
Hallelu hallelujah
Hear our voices rising
Hallelu hallelujah

Worlds cannot contain all the glory of Your name
My heart now contains my delight
The Saviour’s name

Look at the stars look at the earth
The universe surrounding
You shape the stars You shake the earth
The universe resounding
| Parachute Band - Technicolor |

Daryl Go Your Way....

Mark my words,
you can't find comfort in the arms of constrictors.
Lift back the scabs of content and prepare for change.

There is a dream that stirs within me. A dream that threatened to become buried under the busyness of a job and service in church. A dream that could quietly become overwhelmed by the tasks at hand that shout their importance. I have not been fueling this dream. I haven't taken time to imagine and develop this. I haven't had time to study the Word and feed my spirit. I've not prayed like I must and ministered as I should. And yet, God causes this desire within me to burn like a thousand candles. Still, He invites me to shatter my limits with His infinite power.

What are my limits?
They are my sinfulness, my pride, my laziness, my unworthiness, lack of ability and finances, and my taking God for granted. Someone told me very concisely that I've been given more opportunities & second chances then most people can dream of. That is precisely my point. When I present my limitations to God, His Grace comes and covers my limitations.

So what is the next step?
Luke 10 documents Jesus sending out the 72 disciples. (some translations 70)
Jesus' specific instructions can be summarised in verse 3 & 9. He says, "Go your way! Heal the sick and say to them, 'The Kingdom of God has come near to you.' "
In fact, much of Jesus instructions to the disciples made them become more outward looking. Never once in the gospel that says that Christians are to sit in church every Sunday listening to a sermon. Almost every teaching of Jesus was meant for believers to take and bring to the world. It is time to make it right.

You are my Strength

Physically, I am drained. Since the beginning of the week, I've been dreading this weekend because of how many things there was to do. But God is just so amazing. Not only did His Grace shine through spectacularly, He even allowed me to do more than what was planned. He's just amazing.

I was talking about travelling and dreams with friends during a dinner yesterday. Meeting with different people this week has reinforced my desire to travel. But God seems to be reminding me about my relationship with Him first. I went to a seminar this morning and something that Rebecca Sundholm said about her son-in-law, Nathan, really struck me. At 12 years of age, he would spend an hour in prayer everyday. I believe she mentioned it before last year. But God really hammered it in today.

God has been sustaining me in terms of service. I'm doing things I never thought I was able to do. But in terms of direction. I need to seek Him. 2008 has definitely been a year of change my church, my workplace and myself. I want to know what 2009 will be like.

---

There are babies in church.

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In every season, there You are.

I don't know whether to be glad that September is coming to an end. The end of the month marks the arrival of pay day for me. A good thing, considering the fact that I made a heavy duty expenditure this month with the purchase of my Taylor.

September has been hectic so I'm glad that its coming to an end. But with events stacked up in the last quarter, it seems like I've overloaded myself. I really thank God for the amazing people He has put around me to help me with all these responsibilities. People like Julius, my colleague and Programme Manager at work. Keith, friend, XScapade Commandant and superman in church. I really don't know what I'll do without them. These responsibilities have made me realise how far short I am to the standards. I rely on the Grace of God to complete and succeed.

But the thing is, I haven't really been relying on the Grace of God lately. I have been relying on my own ideas and strength. What this means is that I am shortchanging those I am working for. The fact that I am trying my best without the empowerment of God means that the fruits of my labour is second rate and simply not good enough.

I know how to come back though. I know how to get close to God through Jesus Christ. I know how to enjoy the presence of God. I know how to sing to Him, praise Him and honour Him. Its not difficult. I just need to adjust. Too much depends on this. My dream is at stake. Lives are at stake.

Dear Lord, I don't want to be jaded.

My new guitar...

I bought a guitar. This is a picture of what she looks like which I took from the Official Taylor Website.She comes from the 400 Series of Taylor's Acoustic Electrics. More specifically, she is a 414ce, which means she is made of a wood called Ovangkol and has a Grand Auditorium body. This shape means that the sound produced is clearer and brighter. She's nicknamed the performer for her versatility.

She is the first guitar that I have ever owned. Its probably because for many years, my primary instrument was the drums. Well, all that has changed. Maybe because now, I have a song... And when you have a song, it helps to have an instrument that can sing with you. I'm looking forward to bringing her around. She and I are going to see the world.

Your Song for my lips...

"Give justice to the poor and the orphan;
Uphold the rights of the oppressed and the destitute.
Rescue the poor and helpless;
Deliver them from the grasp of evil people."
Psalm 82:3-4 (NLT)

It takes a hardcore band like Underoath to really teach us the bible. This is my interpretation of the message in the song 'Too Bright to See, Too Loud to Hear'.

Psalm 82 is Your Song for my lips. This is Your Work for my hands. So why are we not singing? Why are we not doing? Why have we overlooked the useless, the disgusting, and the unlovable? The reason why the world points and ridicules us is because we look like fools. They stare because the 'freedom' we proclaim has been twisted into chains that adorn our necks, our hands, our feet. The Life we proclaim that Jesus bought for us seems more like death than anything else.

When Paul talked about the Communion or the Last Supper in 1 Corinthians 11:30, he said that is why many of you are weak and ill, and some have died. (fallen asleep)
The cause? We can find it at the start of the paragraph in 1 Corinthians 11:27-29.
"Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself."
Many of us examine ourselves very thoroughly. We confess and repent before taking our communion. But Paul states very clearly the 3 words that many of us leave out.

Discerning the Body...
The Greek word here 'soma' is translated as body, but the word is also used to describe a group of men closely united into one society or family. It is also used in the New Testament to describe the church. It is my strong belief that Paul was not simply asking believers to examine themselves. But to discern is to make separate or make distinct. As the body of Christ, we are to make distinct the body of Christ; we are to stand out as believers!

Isn't that what the early church, the body of Christ did in the Acts? In teaching & preaching, fellowship & feasting, signs and miraculous healings, giving to those in need, praise and worship. This was the body of Christ in action and it was a body that grew! Is there something in that list that we might have left out? Will we remain cold and ignorant? Will our eyes and ears remain closed to the damned and condemned?

~~~ Too Bright to See, Too Loud to Hear ~~~

Good God, if your song leaves our lips
If your work leaves our hands
Then we will be wanderers and vagabonds

They will stare and say how empty we are
How the freedom we had turned us up as dead men

Let us be cold, make us weak
Let us, because we all have ears
Let us, because we all have eyes
Good God

How they knew that this would happen
They knew they knew that this would
(We’re so run down)

Good God! Can you still get us home…
How can we still get home
I’m not dreaming
We’re forgetting our forgiveness
Underoath - Lost in the Sound of Separation

Fascinate...

1. to attract and hold attentively by a unique power, personal charm, unusual nature, or some other special quality; enthrall: a vivacity that fascinated the audience.


2. to arouse the interest or curiosity of; allure.


3. to transfix or deprive of the power of resistance,

I've been thinking of going for Lasik surgery for quite sometime now. It'll probably be done next year when I've saved up enough money. The idea of seeing clearly without glasses intrigues me. I can only imagine being able to see clearly once I open my eyes in the morning. Being able to play soccer without putting on contact lenses. I'm sure many of us who wear glasses have forgotten what its like to live without them. I've had them since I was in Primary 2. I think this rings true especially in Singapore where there is a high rate of myopia.

The problem with myopia, or short-sightedness, is that everything that you look at is a blur unless you hold it up really close to your eyes. But do you ever notice, when you do that, thats the only thing you see. There's really no way to admire an object or picture in light of its surroundings; in the context of its environment.

I think many people, including myself, make judgements based on myopic views. Opinions that are only based on what we've seen and heard when we were holding a person's flaws 10 centimetres from our face. We focus on the bad and the ugly and we forget that a person is still a person.

But I digress... My point is this. Clarity causes me to be fascinated.
1 Corinthians 13:12 --> For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.

Paul was talking in this chapter about Love and he said that Love is eternal. Even knowledge will pass away. My take is this; if we are walking in Love, that's when we see the clearest. This chapter on Love is talking about Perfect Love. Verse 10 says, "When the perfect comes, the partial will pass away."

Why does Paul compares prophecy, tongues and knowledge to childish ways? There is nothing wrong with prophecy, tongues or knowledge. These are noble, Godly characteristics we should strive after. But when compared to Love, these gifts are likened to looking at the world through a stained window. The emphasis here is Love. When we act in Love or show Love to those undeserving, that's when we see clearly. As if we were seeing Him face to face. That's when we have clarity.

And with clarity, we are able to pick out beauty. I don't want to be short-sighted. I want to challenge the world's thinking and the world's way. That is what Jesus was trying to do when he told us to 'turn the other cheek', 'love our enemies', and 'forgive 70 times 7'. Focus on improving any one of these things and you will see the results very soon. It gets easier to see Jesus in our church friends and in our lives. Most importantly, we see Jesus in people who need Him most. That is what fascinates me. The more I choose to Love the unlovable, the more I see Jesus in them. And ultimately, it is Jesus that draws more and more Love from me.

Singaporeans can worship...

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An Excerpt from Sam de Jong, Drummer of the Parachute Band on Festival of Praise 2008
We headed to Singapore for the final week of our trip and man, God is doing something huge in that place!! We were there for festival of praise, a 3 day event which sees 30,000 people come out to praise and worship God in the biggest indoor venue in Singapore. Along with the Hillsong team, we led worship all three nights and the people there would have to be some of the most passionate, hungry people we have ever come across. I looked around the stadium from the kit and saw 99.999999% of people’s arms in the air, crying out to their maker the whole time during worship. It was surreal.

The part that really got to me was each night when the pastors led the crowd in a time of praying for their nation. For around 10 mins solid, the people prayed out loud for the salvation and future of their country. This gave me goosebumps.

So thanks to everyone in Singapore who came out to worship with us and we hope to get back there next year!!

Bring on the durian!!!

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Maybe I'm just rebellious...

I don't know why I seem to be disagreeing with people quite often. Yesterday, I felt rebellious. I felt like I was the bad apple that was going to spoil the barrel. I felt like I was being asked to do things that I could not ever do.

It started with the article written by one of our church members about worship. It was about how it has become a form of entertainment, influenced by consumerism. He went on to quote some Reverend Doctor Ben Witherington, “Worship creates a communion which maintains a separation between us and God.”

I don’t know whether he was quoting the Reverend Doctor in context or not. A search on google showed that Reverend Doctor Ben Witherington is a scholar / theologian. And I am not. But I remember thinking, “How can that be true?”
In Ephesians 2:14-16, it says that Jesus has made us one in Him, so that we might be reconciled to God in one body through the cross.
In Romans 6:4, Ephesians 2:6 and Colossians 3:1, it seems to me that Paul was emphasising that we have been buried AND raised with Christ. How can there be a gulf or a gap if Jesus already bridged that gap?

You see, we are stuck in a rut where we’re telling people not to do certain things because of the consequences, we’re trying to prevent people from doing wrong things. But if I’m not to sin, then what do you expect me to do? Since forever, Pastors and church leaders have wanted to inspire people to come into church because it was in church where they would hear the Word, have a chance to receive into their hearts and be inspired to live it out and serve.

Again on the topic of hymns. The purpose of John Wesley’s songs was to inspire non-religious unchristian people to come to Jesus. He used hymns because the unchristian people recognised the tunes as pub songs. It was the new and fresh which inspired the lost to come. They were willing to listen. Music itself does nothing. The presentation of the gospel contained the power.

So now, worship music is done with the same intention. Maybe not all of it, but I know many have the intention to reach the lost with their music and lights. So why criticise? Why question young believers about whether they are coming to worship or to consume when all they know is that they have been transformed by encountering God?

How come we remember Isaiah 6:5 which says, ”And I said: "Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts!"
We remember the prophet Isaiah’s guilt and depravity. He was sinful and unclean. Why do we fail to mention the marvellous work of God? The Mercy & Grace that brought us to Him? Have we forgotten the burning coal, the Christ? It was He who took away our guilt and atoned our sins!

And from that moment, Isaiah did not dare speak of uncleanness or guilt. Why do we do so? There is no more separation because of Jesus Christ. The dividing wall has been destroyed. The gulf / gap has been bridged.
Romans 8:38-39 says that nothing in creation will be able to separate us from the love of God. Are we the ones who are separating ourselves?

I come to consume Jesus. Because only then will rivers of living water be able to flow out from me. Isn’t this what salvation is about? Isn’t this what the Holy Sacraments represent. Jesus’ body and blood, given and poured out for us?

~~~ On Fire ~~~
And you're on fire
When He's near you
You're on fire
When He speaks
You're on fire
Burning at these mysteries
| Performed by Parachute Band | Written by Switchfoot |

Did not our hearts burn within us...

I felt so privileged to be part of such a uplifting service on Sunday. To see people touched and ministered by the presence of God made it all worthwhile. Such an honour!

Pastor Wilfred shared something that I've not seen before in the bible. About how Peter, one of the 3 disciples closest to Jesus was so close to giving up. He had talked the most and boasted of his love for Jesus but denied Him 3 times. He had heard of Jesus predicting His death and resurrection so that the scriptures might be fulfilled, but he didn't understand. Peter heard the testimony of the women who had gone to visit the tomb but found it empty, but he didn't believe. He had run to the tomb and seen with his own eyes the fulfilling of prophecy but he became discouraged and afraid.

He left with another disciple and headed for home. About 7 miles away. The explanation that Pastor gave was that Peter and Cleopas had given up hope. Their situation overshadowed the truth which was the Word of Jesus. They wanted to return to the only 'safe' place that they knew.

But Jesus chased them down. It is such a liberating thing to know that after Jesus, Son of God, Saviour of the world, died for our sins on the cross, still bothered to chase down Peter and Cleopas to explain things again to them. He re-inspired them with His words, with the enthusiasm in His voice, with the excitement of His actions and the passion of His heart. We know they were convinced, they begged Him to stay!

Does your situation look hopeless like an empty tomb? Are you giving up and heading home to Emmaus? Why not let the Spirit of Jesus open up the scriptures to you so that you may burn again!

I've been at the place where my heart burns for more. Where it burns for something to be done! And it doesn't matter if your situation seems like an empty tomb because all it proves is that Jesus is alive! When your heart burns, it means you have a message. You have to tell someone. Peter and Cleopas ran back immediately to Jerusalem to tell the others. We must talk about Jesus! Verse 36 says, as they were talking about these things, Jesus himself stood among them, and said to them, "Peace to you!"
There are two things we can learn from this verse.
One, when we talk about God and His promises, Jesus reveals Himself to us.
Two, the discussion and revelation of Jesus brings peace. Never strife.

Burn....!

The start of the rest of my life....

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
You were in the driver's seat
always in charge, always in control
Outside, the light diffused by raindrops
clinging for their existence on the glass
Holding on. Did you feel safe?
Alone with a stranger you've known for years...

The shadows wrapped around you like a shawl
Yet I saw you clearer than day
I knew you deeper than any friend
I had it figured out, my game plan ready
Tonight I would make my stand
But you did not recognise me

The rain came down like an emphasis
I had to turn away
It could not hide the carousal in my mind
Thoughts spinning, dizzying, crashing
I would be fainting at high altitude
I saw you and then I turned to face you
You are my playground in the rain
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

More than Words...

Recently, I've been letting words get the better of me. Actually, it isn't so much the words that I use. It is more of the way I said those words. Plus, I think when I'm being serious, I have a pretty mean look on my face. I think it is a frustration that presents itself whenever I start speaking about an area I'm passionate about.

Today I yelled at someone because I felt unfairly treated. I'm adamant when it comes to fairness. Or at least I try to be. But I learnt one thing today. There's no point demanding for an apology from someone who isn't sorry. The best thing to do is to forgive and leave it be. I'm glad for the walk to Jeremy's house that made me calm down. I thank God that it didn't affect the worship session but God allowed it to be used as an example of how the love of God can overcome the obstacles that come against us. I thank God that the 12 bucks spent on cab fare is money that I can afford because He has blessed me so much! Its not worth sweating the small stuff.

The more I think and meditate about it, the more it seems to make sense. God has this way of getting me to notice certain things that He's emphasising on. He lets me see a glimpse of it in His Word and then He emphasises it through different people for a period of time until I get it.

Well, the recent teaching is on the importance of our words. The more I read the verses that talk about not letting corrupt talk come out of our mouths, but only what is useful for building up, the more I believe that Paul was talking about prophecy. In James, Paul calls the tongue dangerous and powerful, and I believe that when used for the right purpose, it makes us most like God. Thats why this song means so much to me. It speaks of worship in the nations. It speaks of Christ revealed. And it starts with my words... My singing... My song...

~~~ With Everything ~~~
Open our eyes
To see the things that make Your heart cry
To be the church that You would desire
Your light to be seen

Break down our pride
And all the walls we’ve built up inside
Our earthly crowns and all our desires
We lay at Your feet

Let hope rise
And darkness tremble
In Your holy light
That every eye will see
Jesus our God
Great and mighty to be praised

God of all days
Glorious in all of Your ways
Oh the majesty the wonder and grace
In the light of Your Name

With everything
With everything
We will shout for Your glory
With everything
With everything
We will shout forth Your praise

Our hearts they cry
Be glorified
Be lifted high above all names
For You our King
With everything
We will shout forth Your praise
| Hillsong - This Is Our God |

Worshipper. Prophesy!

The nations will realize that I, God, make my church holy when worship is established at the center of their lives forever.'"

God grabbed me. God's Spirit took me up and set me down in the middle of an open plain strewn with bones. He led me around and among them—a lot of bones! There were bones all over the plain—dry bones, bleached by the sun. He said to me, "Son of man, can these bones live?"

I said, "Master God, only you know that."

Then God said to me, "Son of man, these bones are the church. Listen to what they're saying: 'Our bones are dried up, our hope is gone, there's nothing left of us.'

He said to me, "Prophesy over these bones: 'Church, listen to the Message of God!'"
God, the Master, told the dry bones, "Watch this: I'm bringing the breath of life to you and you'll come to life. I'll attach sinews to you, put meat on your bones, cover you with skin, and breathe life into you. You'll come alive and you'll realize that I am God!"

He said to me, "Prophesy to the breath. Prophesy, son of man. Tell the breath, 'God, the Master, says, Come from the four winds. Come, breath. Breathe on these slain bodies. Breathe life!'"

Therefore, prophesy. Tell them, 'God, the Master, says: I'll dig up your graves and bring you out alive—O my people! Then I'll take you straight to your rightful place. When I dig up graves and bring you out as my people, you'll realize that I am God. I'll breathe my life into you and you'll live. Then I'll lead you straight back to your rightful place and you'll realize that I am God. I've said it and I'll do it. God's Decree.'"

I prophesied just as I'd been commanded. As I prophesied, there was a sound and, oh, rustling! The bones moved and came together, bone to bone. I kept watching. Sinews formed, then muscles on the bones, then skin stretched over them. But they had no breath in them.
So I prophesied, just as he commanded me. The breath entered them and they came alive! They stood up on their feet, a huge army.

I'll make a covenant of peace with them that will hold everything together, an everlasting covenant. I'll make them secure and place my holy place of worship at the center of their lives forever. I'll live right there with them. I'll be their God! They'll be my people!

Ezekiel 37.The Message.Rearranged.Italics Mine.

Embrace Grace!

I received my Hillsong DVDs last night. I guzzled down the first two sessions by Robert Barriager and Judah Smith. Although it was the 2nd time I heard Judah's preaching, it still blew me away. It simply convinced me about my standing as a child of God and inspired me to keep serving Him.

You were never son by worth. You are son by Birth!
Today, Elissa told me of the comments that someone put in her tagboard. Someone was trying to plant condemnation in her mind. But praise God for His Grace!! His sacrifice on the cross means that we can leave all that rubbish behind and run towards the goal. Praise God that perfection is placed on us. Praise God that when God looks at us, all He sees is the blood of Jesus spilt for our shortcomings and flaws. Oh isn't it true that those who have been forgiven much will love much!

Why have we painted such an ideal picture of Christians? What is the difference between Believers and Non-Believers? Simply acceptance of Grace? Simply accepting the invitation to approach God. My desire to serve my God does not come from self-discipline or self-sacrifice. My character is far from those traits. My character is laid-back and non-chalent. Yet when I see love poured out for me, when I see such compassion despite my ugliness and my darkness, I long to have more of the Light. I become passionate for His cause and I become desperate for His presence. And in His presence, I have all I need. Literally.

There are 3 types of people. Those who ridicule Grace, those who misuse Grace, and those who embrace Grace. I think those who misuse Grace and those who embrace Grace appear to be similar at first. Both of these people take advantage of Grace. But in the long run, those who embrace Grace will start to bring forth fruit because they allow change to come in their lives and because they focus on Jesus, not on the number of chances they've been given.

Grace is not about the number of chances you have. Jesus taught his disciples to keep forgiving because they would be imitating perfection in doing so. They would be imitating God's infinite forgiveness. Grace is infinite opportunity to learn. Grace is Jesus calling out, "Forgive them, Father!" (Luke 23:34) and then stating the reply that He heard from the Father, "It is finished!" (John 19:30)

Do Something!

If I could summarise Hillsong Conference 2008 into 2 words, it would be DO SOMETHING.
It has been a call, stronger than ever, for the church to start acting like the church. A reminder that the church is made up of people and not of bricks and concrete. I received a Word at the beginning of the year that this year would be a year of change. Changes would happen to allow a hunger and a passion for God to arise.

This is a year of change. But the change doesn't only come from the Father. This is not just a year where we allow change to come. This is a year where we are empowered to make change happen.

When a woman came to anoint Jesus with expensive fragrant oil, some commented that it was a waste and the money could have been better used to help the poor. Jesus replied by saying that she had done a beautiful thing. We often highlight the extravagance of worship, and pouring out costly thing as a form of worship. But we often miss out the brilliance of Jesus when he said in Mark 14:7, "You always have the poor with you, and whenever you want, you can do good for them."

Whenever you want, you can do something! For too long, we've been waiting for God to make something happen. But God has given us the authority and the means to better the lives of others. Why are we waiting?

Six Days

Only six days more till I fly to Australia! Its interesting how anticipation makes your senses seem heightened. As if your body is trying to absorb every experience it can. It has made me more aware of things at work. Especially since God has been so good. Its really at a ministry like COH, where God's love touches the less fortunate, that you see God working. You see the strengths of people being developed and their limitations covered by His grace.

This week there was no food being prepared for our clients because the cook's parent had passed away. So the clients had to be brought out for lunch. The teachers had to buy food for those who couldn't leave the centre due to physical handicap.

So anyway, according to my colleague, a stranger just called up intending to donate rice and biscuits to our centre. He was asking if we needed any other supplies. My colleague then explained the situation to him and he offered to sponsor lunch for the activity centre for the rest of the week! The generosity of people still continues to inspire me. God still continues to amaze me,

I've been seeing generosity and the character of God reflected in many people this week. I've been put in many new situations and I'm amazed at how Christ in me handles it. The Grace of God with me.