A few months ago, while I was brushing my teeth, I sensed God say to me that I was "losing my edge". I was taken aback by that. The week had been an extremely busy one, and this had caused me to be disengaged from my lifesource, Jesus, the vine Himself. It was a warning from the Lord, but one I appreciated. I would rather get some gentle chastisement from my Lord than live under His best for me.
I didn't know at that time that there is a bible verse that contains the same principle ... that is, until Ps Yang shared this verse from Ecc 10:10 today.
"If the ax is dull, And one does not sharpen the edge, Then he must use more strength; But wisdom brings success."
Here is a devotional entry from worthydevotions.com that resonates:
"When I was younger I used to take an ax and cut up firewood from the woods behind our house. The one thing I always did was sharpen my axe! A dull axe meant harder work chopping through fallen trees. The sharper the ax the less effort and energy required for the task. So I learned early on to sharpen my ax before venturing into the woods, and I saved myself a lot of time and energy. (Besides I was a small kid, growing up, so I needed all the help I could get! ;) )
I see a lesson here. How many of us are exerting so much energy for the Kingdom, but are working with dull axes? We need to sharpen our spiritual lives, get focused in prayer and spend deep time in the Word. Then, when we are "out in the woods", working for the Kingdom our effectiveness will be greatly multiplied because our axes are sharp!
Don't get so busy that your ax becomes dull. Remember that your devotion to the Lord and His word will sharpen your spiritual life, especially before you start the day. Prioritize your devotional life and watch how your "edge" will cut through the problems, obstacles and difficult situations, like a hot knife through butter!
Sunday, July 8, 2012
Sunday, July 1, 2012
The manifest presence of God
Over the past month, I've been pondering about the manifest presence of God. I can sense His presence, and sometimes even split second changes in the spiritual atmosphere when He arrives. Words cannot describe what His manifest presence feels like ... I guess for me it feels like an encounter with liquid love. I feel His pleasure, and it is usually manifested as a warm feeling on the crown of the head. It's a very precious feeling, something I long for, and so I've been grateful for Murray Dueck's book "Keepers of the Presence" because he puts into words what I've felt. He says that some of us have been created to be "sensers/ feelers", and that when we are in His presence, it is as if we are "in the very atmosphere we are created for". I believe that to be so.
While I've felt God's presence in church, of late, I've been sensing it out in the world too, in my everyday life.
I felt it in a Japanese restaurant in my neighbourhood, as a friend started to share about how God was working in her life. As she started recounting her story, the spiritual atmosphere in our restaurant suddenly changed. I felt it visiting a friend in her house. We were yakking away for three hours, talking about this and that, and as we were about to leave, we felt it was only right to pray for her. And as we bowed our heads (just three of us), and said "Dear Father...", His presence came flooding in. Another split second change in spiritual atmosphere. I felt it having a conversation with a colleague just outside our office tower in downtown Singapore. It's been the first time I felt His manifest presence so strongly in such a secular place. Here she was, my colleague, being open and honest and authentic about her struggles to know the Father Heart of God; and as I conversed with her, God showed up!
It has been leading me to ponder why God showed up in these moments. I know for sure they are God-moments, but what was it about these situations in particular, that He was there?
Murray Dueck writes, "As spiritually sensitive people, we need to recognise that God created us to be sensors/ feelers of His presence that would mature into keepers of the presence of God. To fulfill this calling, we must learn to stand in, be aware of, and grow in our addiction to worship, intimacy, and the presence of the Lord. We need to realise that by focusing upon the Lord, His glory comes upon us, reflects from us, and transforms us into the image of Jesus. Over time, we begin to recognise, become accustomed to, and enjoy His glory and presence. This ability to recognise His presence is essential for us. As our spiritual sensitivity increases, we will start to get a feel for what the Lord is resting upon or involved in and what He is not. As our sensor tunes in, we become ready for the next step - learning to discern what the presence of God is resting on, then guarding and keeping His sweet presence."
I've just started to get a glimpse of what God's presence rests on - and it's always on people. In Italy, I was often awestruck by these iconic cathedrals that took 300 years to build, amazing structures that were the epitome of architecture at their best. But the two occasions I felt His presence were in very "ordinary" places, with people. His presence is on people hungry and longing for Him, people who are hurt and brokenhearted, people whom He has a special touch for. Oh, to know and abide in His presence, and to guard and keep it!
ps. After I wrote this, was just thinking still about how to put God's manifest presence into words, when I was reminded of Psalm 103. I believe this is a revelation by the Holy Spirit :) Thank you Holy Spirit.
Praise the Lord, my soul;
all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
2 Praise the Lord, my soul,
and forget not all his benefits –
3 who forgives all your sins
and heals all your diseases,
4 who redeems your life from the pit
and crowns you with love and compassion,
5 who satisfies your desires with good things
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
The Lord crowns us with love and compassion. No wonder I so often feel His presence as a warm feeling on the crown of my head :)
While I've felt God's presence in church, of late, I've been sensing it out in the world too, in my everyday life.
I felt it in a Japanese restaurant in my neighbourhood, as a friend started to share about how God was working in her life. As she started recounting her story, the spiritual atmosphere in our restaurant suddenly changed. I felt it visiting a friend in her house. We were yakking away for three hours, talking about this and that, and as we were about to leave, we felt it was only right to pray for her. And as we bowed our heads (just three of us), and said "Dear Father...", His presence came flooding in. Another split second change in spiritual atmosphere. I felt it having a conversation with a colleague just outside our office tower in downtown Singapore. It's been the first time I felt His manifest presence so strongly in such a secular place. Here she was, my colleague, being open and honest and authentic about her struggles to know the Father Heart of God; and as I conversed with her, God showed up!
It has been leading me to ponder why God showed up in these moments. I know for sure they are God-moments, but what was it about these situations in particular, that He was there?
Murray Dueck writes, "As spiritually sensitive people, we need to recognise that God created us to be sensors/ feelers of His presence that would mature into keepers of the presence of God. To fulfill this calling, we must learn to stand in, be aware of, and grow in our addiction to worship, intimacy, and the presence of the Lord. We need to realise that by focusing upon the Lord, His glory comes upon us, reflects from us, and transforms us into the image of Jesus. Over time, we begin to recognise, become accustomed to, and enjoy His glory and presence. This ability to recognise His presence is essential for us. As our spiritual sensitivity increases, we will start to get a feel for what the Lord is resting upon or involved in and what He is not. As our sensor tunes in, we become ready for the next step - learning to discern what the presence of God is resting on, then guarding and keeping His sweet presence."
I've just started to get a glimpse of what God's presence rests on - and it's always on people. In Italy, I was often awestruck by these iconic cathedrals that took 300 years to build, amazing structures that were the epitome of architecture at their best. But the two occasions I felt His presence were in very "ordinary" places, with people. His presence is on people hungry and longing for Him, people who are hurt and brokenhearted, people whom He has a special touch for. Oh, to know and abide in His presence, and to guard and keep it!
ps. After I wrote this, was just thinking still about how to put God's manifest presence into words, when I was reminded of Psalm 103. I believe this is a revelation by the Holy Spirit :) Thank you Holy Spirit.
Praise the Lord, my soul;
all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
2 Praise the Lord, my soul,
and forget not all his benefits –
3 who forgives all your sins
and heals all your diseases,
4 who redeems your life from the pit
and crowns you with love and compassion,
5 who satisfies your desires with good things
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
The Lord crowns us with love and compassion. No wonder I so often feel His presence as a warm feeling on the crown of my head :)
Crooked Lines (Corrinne May)
Was at the Corrinne May concert last night, and heard her sing this song "Crooked Lines". It moved me greatly. Especially the line "God writes straight with crooked lines, He takes the mess we make in life, Turns our groaning into perfect rhyme, Hidden by the veil of time, The wisdom of His love's design, God writes straight with crooked lines." There were so many moments last night when I had goosebumps just listening to her music, which was at once ethereal and ministering. Thank you Abba for Corrinne May!
My daughter tries to draw a butterfly
With her crayons and crooked lines
And she's crying cause she just can't get it right
So I wrap her tiny hand in mine
To guide her with her heart's design
And she smiles as her dreams take flight
Perhaps that's how it is on this labyrinth road
I just need to let Him guide my soul
God writes straight with crooked lines
He takes the mess we make in life
Turns our groaning into perfect rhyme
Hidden by the veil of time
The wisdom of His love's design
God writes straight with crooked lines
I've had days as dark as smoke
When it hurt too much to hope
And it felt like the pain would never end
Searching for answers but finding jokes
Limping along the winding road
Certain He left me all alone
When it's hard to trust that there's a greater plan
Like a child I've got to just hold His hand
God writes straight with crooked lines
He takes the mess we make in life
Turns our groaning into perfect rhyme
Hidden by the veil of time
The wisdom of His love's design
God writes straight with crooked lines
My daughter tries to draw a butterfly
With her crayons and crooked lines
And she's crying cause she just can't get it right
So I wrap her tiny hand in mine
To guide her with her heart's design
And she smiles as her dreams take flight
Perhaps that's how it is on this labyrinth road
I just need to let Him guide my soul
God writes straight with crooked lines
He takes the mess we make in life
Turns our groaning into perfect rhyme
Hidden by the veil of time
The wisdom of His love's design
God writes straight with crooked lines
I've had days as dark as smoke
When it hurt too much to hope
And it felt like the pain would never end
Searching for answers but finding jokes
Limping along the winding road
Certain He left me all alone
When it's hard to trust that there's a greater plan
Like a child I've got to just hold His hand
God writes straight with crooked lines
He takes the mess we make in life
Turns our groaning into perfect rhyme
Hidden by the veil of time
The wisdom of His love's design
God writes straight with crooked lines
Sunday, June 17, 2012
10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord) - Matt Redman
Tremendous song by Matt Redman - especially the chorus which says "Bless the Lord, Oh my soul, worship His holy name."
Sunday, May 13, 2012
Sunday, April 15, 2012
I have made known to thee the path of life
This week, in my busyness, I forgot God. It made my heart restless and I became antsy and somewhat empty but did not know why. Then God reminded me from Psalm 16:11 "You have made known to me the path of life. In your presence is fullness of joy, at your right hand are pleasures evermore." In that instant, it hit me - and my heart was pierced. All week, I was not walking in life. I was relying on my own strength, going about my business, forgetting the life source (the vine that I as a branch am rooted to). I had not spent time with Daddy God, hardly spoke two sentences to Him. No wonder my joy was diminished, and my heart wasn't stilled.
The Lord also reminded me of this old hymn - "Nothing but the blood of Jesus". Spending time listening to it, singing to it, refreshed me. It ministered to me. It blessed me. It reminded me of the basics - that Jesus' blood makes me whole, makes me righteous, makes me accepted in the beloved.
This morning at Cornerstone, an amazing thing happened. For the past few days, my upper back has been in excruciating pain, and it was quite unbearable. All yesterday night, I was thinking of which masseuse to go to, to get some temporary relief. It didn't dawn upon me to pray ... I guess when it comes to physical healing, I am still a bit of a doubting Thomas. I know it happens conceptually, but it's an assent at the head level, not at the heart level. Anyway, this morning, when Ps Yang released a word of healing for the congregation from the pulpit, in that instant, the power of the word hit my belly/ Spirit, and I felt the tangible power of God surge up my spine. It was incredible! The pain started to subside, and now, nearly 10hours later, it is almost completely gone!! I am still in wonder at it all. It is just amazing to witness for myself first hand the power of God in physical healing.
I have made known to you the path of life, God says. It all started at the Cross of Calvary, when He shed His blood to atone for our sins, and reconcile us to the Father. I have come that you may have life, and to have it abundantly, He says. Oh praise God indeed. May I tap into that life source, from whom comes blessing, and love, and fellowship with an all-loving God, wholeness and healing. I am among all men most wondrously blessed!! :)
ps. After I posted this, the Holy Spirit showed me that the line "You have shown me the path of life" has path in the singular. There is ONE path, not multiple paths. Jesus said: "I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6) "But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it." (Matthew 7:14) Today, if you are reading this, and do not yet know Jesus as Lord and Saviour, I pray that you will ask Him into your life to be Lord and Master. There is one God-prescribed path to reconciliation with Him, and it is through Jesus, and no other way.
What can wash away my sin?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
What can make me whole again?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
Oh! precious is the flow
That makes me white as snow;
No other fount I know,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
The Lord also reminded me of this old hymn - "Nothing but the blood of Jesus". Spending time listening to it, singing to it, refreshed me. It ministered to me. It blessed me. It reminded me of the basics - that Jesus' blood makes me whole, makes me righteous, makes me accepted in the beloved.
This morning at Cornerstone, an amazing thing happened. For the past few days, my upper back has been in excruciating pain, and it was quite unbearable. All yesterday night, I was thinking of which masseuse to go to, to get some temporary relief. It didn't dawn upon me to pray ... I guess when it comes to physical healing, I am still a bit of a doubting Thomas. I know it happens conceptually, but it's an assent at the head level, not at the heart level. Anyway, this morning, when Ps Yang released a word of healing for the congregation from the pulpit, in that instant, the power of the word hit my belly/ Spirit, and I felt the tangible power of God surge up my spine. It was incredible! The pain started to subside, and now, nearly 10hours later, it is almost completely gone!! I am still in wonder at it all. It is just amazing to witness for myself first hand the power of God in physical healing.
I have made known to you the path of life, God says. It all started at the Cross of Calvary, when He shed His blood to atone for our sins, and reconcile us to the Father. I have come that you may have life, and to have it abundantly, He says. Oh praise God indeed. May I tap into that life source, from whom comes blessing, and love, and fellowship with an all-loving God, wholeness and healing. I am among all men most wondrously blessed!! :)
ps. After I posted this, the Holy Spirit showed me that the line "You have shown me the path of life" has path in the singular. There is ONE path, not multiple paths. Jesus said: "I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6) "But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it." (Matthew 7:14) Today, if you are reading this, and do not yet know Jesus as Lord and Saviour, I pray that you will ask Him into your life to be Lord and Master. There is one God-prescribed path to reconciliation with Him, and it is through Jesus, and no other way.
What can wash away my sin?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
What can make me whole again?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
Oh! precious is the flow
That makes me white as snow;
No other fount I know,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
Sunday, March 18, 2012
The heart of prophetic training (R. Loren Sanford)
Have been reading R. Loren Sandford's book "Understanding Prophetic People", and just had to journal this passage down, because it is hardhitting, but oh so true. In 1 Samuel 19, it is said that Saul was hunting David down to kill him, and on his way, he met a company of prophets, and also prophesised. This is a sobering passage, a stark reminder that because God's gifts and calling are irrevocable, we can be rotten to the core, and yet, still retain the gifts. Are we walking right with God? The plumbline is not whether we are flowing in the gifts; the plumbline is the fruit/ the character of our lives. This line by Sandford is convicting - "Good water pumped through a dirty pipe exits the water tap coloured by the condition of the pipe".
Here is an extract from his book:
The heart of prophetic training has little to do with learning about dreams, visions and methods of hearing God. Rather, it has everything to do with character development, brokenness and humility. Intimacy with God is the goal. The sin nature and its practices constitute obstacles to achieving that goal. Without the crushing and breaking of the sinful practices and structures of the flesh brought about by the wilderness and the dark night, otherwise good words can and do produce decidedly bad fruit. Good water pumped through a dirty pipe exits the water tap coloured by the condition of the pipe.
Character is everything. The prophet must be dead to self and alive to God... the essence of our training must be loss of control and surrender to the hand of God, even in suffering. So do you still want to be prophetic?
When all has been stripped away, what remains? What value is there in standing naked and broken before God? The answer is the inestimable value of knowing to the core of myself that I am a son, that I am loved and that He is my Father. This is my whole identity. Am I a prophet, a healer, a leader? Recognised or ignored? Well-known or labouring in obscurity? These things no longer matter. What remains is that I am His, secure in His arms. Nothing more. And should that not be enough?
A new leadership is soon to emerge. They labour in hiddenness under limitation, learning the sweet simplicity of nothing more than sons and daughters, but they must soon be revealed and released. In brokenness and humility, walking in the depth of His love, this new generation will be safe to wield the power of God because those elements of flesh that would have abused the flock or usurped the glory of God will have been crucified with Christ. This must be the goal, not building great ministries or expanding our influence.
Here is an extract from his book:
The heart of prophetic training has little to do with learning about dreams, visions and methods of hearing God. Rather, it has everything to do with character development, brokenness and humility. Intimacy with God is the goal. The sin nature and its practices constitute obstacles to achieving that goal. Without the crushing and breaking of the sinful practices and structures of the flesh brought about by the wilderness and the dark night, otherwise good words can and do produce decidedly bad fruit. Good water pumped through a dirty pipe exits the water tap coloured by the condition of the pipe.
Character is everything. The prophet must be dead to self and alive to God... the essence of our training must be loss of control and surrender to the hand of God, even in suffering. So do you still want to be prophetic?
When all has been stripped away, what remains? What value is there in standing naked and broken before God? The answer is the inestimable value of knowing to the core of myself that I am a son, that I am loved and that He is my Father. This is my whole identity. Am I a prophet, a healer, a leader? Recognised or ignored? Well-known or labouring in obscurity? These things no longer matter. What remains is that I am His, secure in His arms. Nothing more. And should that not be enough?
A new leadership is soon to emerge. They labour in hiddenness under limitation, learning the sweet simplicity of nothing more than sons and daughters, but they must soon be revealed and released. In brokenness and humility, walking in the depth of His love, this new generation will be safe to wield the power of God because those elements of flesh that would have abused the flock or usurped the glory of God will have been crucified with Christ. This must be the goal, not building great ministries or expanding our influence.
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