Grace....

In spite of His overwhelming schedule Jesus walked miles out of His way to speak to a lonely woman at a well. He did what a lot of ministers today are unwilling to do. And you have to ask why. Didn't Jesus have a secretary who said, "He's busy, I'll try and fit you in next month." Christian Leaders, could your schedule be getting in the way of God's? Maybe you're a tiger in the pulpit but a wimp on the street. You can script it for the crowd but you haven't learned to share it one-on-one.

Jesus not only walked to that well, He waited until she showed up. Who did He wait for? Some famous personality with all the right connections? Somebody with a big cheque book capable of underwriting His ministry? Most preachers would travel halfway around the world for that assignment. But no, she was a no-name, five times divorced, promiscuous woman with a bad reputation and a live-in boyfriend.

Please understand: when others are looking at your past, Jesus has His eye on your future. With Him every weed is a potential rose! Whatever you've done, God's not holding it against you. Jesus didn't see this woman as bad - He saw her as lost. Big difference! Once she was "found" she was the kind of person who'd be as strong for God as she'd been for the devil. This woman was destined to shake up the entire city of Samaria: "Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in Him because of the woman's testimony" (John 4:39).

Be Blessed

Integrity

Judge me, O Lord according to my integrity - Psalm 7:8 NKJV

Chuck Swindoll tells about a man who bought fried chicken dinners for himself and his date. Inadvertently, the attendant gave him the proceeds from the day's business; a bucket of money instead of fried chicken. Swindoll writes, 'After driving to their picnic site they discovered a whole lot more than chicken - over $800! But he was unusual. He quickly put the money back in the bag. They got back into the car and drove all the way back.

By then, the manager was frantic. "Mr Clean" got out, walked in, and became an instant hero. "I want you to know I came by to get a couple of chicken dinners and wound up with all this money here," he said. Well, the manager was thrilled to death. He said, "I'm gonna have your picture put in the local paper. You're one of the most honest men I've ever heard of." To which the man quickly responded, "'Oh, no… don't do that!" Then he leaned closer and whispered, "You see, the woman I'm with… she's, uh, somebody else's wife."'

Paul writes, 'Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist… ' (Ephesians 6:14 NIV). He was referring to a leather girdle Roman soldiers wore around their waist to protect their loins and carry weapons such as daggers and swords. This girdle also held the soldier's tunic together so it wouldn't get snagged and hold him back. When it comes to your spiritual armour, integrity protects you and holds everything together. If you don't have integrity in big things and small things, you're going to lose the battle.

Without integrity, everything falls apart.

Be Blessed

Note: The article above is taken from daily devotion email from The Word for Today brought by TheVine in association with The Rhema Broadcasting Group Inc, New Zealand and UCB International Ltd

Guard Your Heart

Looking diligently lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you - Hebrews 12:15 KJV

The phrase 'looking diligently' comes from the Greek word episkopos, which means to supervise, oversee, and correct (It's where the word 'bishop' originates). So you are the overseer of your heart. Each day you must monitor, direct and correct what goes on there. You can't blame your bad attitude, resentment and unforgiveness on others. You are responsible!

When somebody offends you, it's up to you whether or not you let bitterness take root. You can't control what other people do, but it's the 'inside' part - the part you can control - that God holds us accountable for. You get to decide whether or not irritation turns into anger, anger into resentment, and resentment into retaliation.

Paul says, 'Looking diligently lest any… root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and… many be defiled' (Hebrews 12:15 KJV). The reason weeds take over a garden is because the gardener doesn't pull them up fast enough. When your garden is choked by weeds you can't say, 'I don't know how it happened!' When you are 'looking diligently' you will see them moving in. The only way to stay free of the weeds the enemy wants to sow in your life is to be attentive to the condition of your heart.

When you're faced with a hurtful, offensive situation, refuse to let a wrong attitude take root and produce bad fruit. Instead, ask God to help you replace those destructive thoughts with mercy and forgiveness towards the people who hurt you. The Bible says, 'Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life' (Proverbs 4:23 NIV).

Be Blessed.

Note: The article above is taken from daily devotion email from The Word for Today brought by TheVine in association with The Rhema Broadcasting Group Inc, New Zealand and UCB International Ltd

Agape

Agape is love without reason, love that is unearned and undeserved. It's love by choice, love as an act of the will instead of an emotional reaction or mental response. It's love that sets aside its own will for the good of another, without consideration of reciprocity. In other words, agape loves no matter what.

Agape is love which is of and from God, whose very nature is love itself. The Apostle John affirms this in 1 John 4:8: “God is love.” God does not merely love; He is love itself. Everything God does flows from His love. But it is important to remember that God’s love is not a sappy, sentimental love such as we often hear portrayed. God loves because that is His nature and the expression of His being.

He loves the unlovable and the unlovely.....that is us.....not because we deserve to be loved, but because it is His nature to do so, and He must be true to His nature and character. God’s love is displayed most clearly at the Cross, where Christ died for the unworthy creatures who were “dead in trespasses and sins” (Ephesians 2:1), not because we did anything to deserve it, “but God commends His love toward us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).

The object of agape love never does anything to merit His love. We are the undeserving recipients upon whom He lavishes that love. His love was demonstrated when He sent His Son into the world to “seek and save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10), and to provide eternal life to those He sought and saved. He paid the ultimate sacrifice for those He loves.

Be Blessed.

In the centre of God's will

2nd of May 2010 marks the beginning of our 5th year in Penang. The memory of packing our bags and moving to Penang is still vivid in our mind. It was tough...a very tough decision especially leaving behind a brand new home, leaving behind friends who are closer than family members and a comfortable job. But we rather be in the center of HIS will than anywhere else. In 31st December 2005, during the watch night service, I heard a clear voice from the Lord that says my time in Melaka is over and the Lord is preparing to move us out of Melaka in 2006. Never in my wildest dream I thought of Penang but the Lord knows the best.

Psalms 32:8 says "I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you". On May 2nd 2006, we moved to Penang knowing that the Lord has something in place for us. As I was driving up to Penang, I ask of the Lord on His plan for us. Only one answer I got is that to go and see Ps. Geoffrey of TOP whom I have not seen since my teenage days (over 20 years). The next day, we went over to see him in the church office and there we see another journey of life begins. Being in the midst of great people of TOP especially the young people is a blessing indeed.

That is the summarized version of what happen to us as we responded to His will and plans. It was not easy decision but obedience is better than sacrifice.

Many people ask us “How do I know what is God’s will for my life?” Well, the answer is in Romans 12:1-2 - "Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will."

It simply says that we need do these things:

1. To offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God

2. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.

There you have it. Plain and clear — we have some things to work on. Let’s focus on doing these important things so that we may know what His good acceptable and PERFECT will for our lives. Lord, help us! So much work to be done!!

It is indeed exciting to be in the center of His will.

Be Blessed.

Special Note: We want to specially thank Ivan Foo for accompanying us as we move up to Penang and spending few days with us and making sure that we are settled down before going back to Melaka. We appreciate your love and care. We thank God too for many new friends in Penang who make us feel at home especially our Sg. Nibong Cell group.