Busy Sunday..... God Spoke Through the Sermon

I woke up early this morning, to attend the 9am service and to join the choir as well. I needed to sing in both services.... 9am and 11am. Because it was still holiday to me, I stayed through the two services and I received double-portion of blessings of the sermon.
The speaker today is Pastor Jane Evans and she talked about "How to pray effectively". It was really a great sermon and it spoke greatly into my heart. I was glad that I was there for the two services as, I can recheck and complete my sermon notes. Realising how great God was speaking to me in this message and that my sermon notes were quite messy, I told myself I'm going to re-write them again neatly in another new piece of paper later in the day. By that, I can meditate on the verses given as well.
After the second service, I went to uni to study. Having a strong feeling to attend the night service at 6pm tonight, I struggled to reason whether or not to go and I was looking for transport as well.
At the end, I decided to go and I took a bus to church after lunch-er (Lunch+dinner) at McDonald's. Wow! They've got new toy for the Happy Meal. Hehehehehe......
The reason I wanted to come for tonight service was that Pastor Ashley Evans was speaking about "Favour" and How to Find Favour. I learned a lot from the sermon tonight, though I was expecting for more than that, I mean........ More elaboration.
He told us that "Favour = Realtionship + Excellence + Timing/Sovereignty".
He elaborated about "Realationship" and "Excellence", which are the factors that we can take control of and which I really like. I even managed to read through the notes again when I reached home and when I was going through Pastor Jane's sermon notes.
But I still tahnked God that He has brought me there for this sermon and I was sure that He wanted me to be there.
As I read through Ps. Jane's sermon notes, I gained more understanding on effective prayer. She explained that we need to "NOT DOUBT", "Don't be stingy", "Forgive Others", "Have RIGHT MOTIVES", and "Confess our SiNs".
The elaboration that she gave on "Stinginess" spoke to my heart so deeply, as it just occured to me a few days ago. She elaborated that we must not withhold something from the needy when we are the answer to the need. It also reminded me about the theme verse of DUMC a few years ago, "See a need, Meet the need".
It happened last week that I got to know this new friend of mine in the gym on Monday. Having to know that he likes mooncake (I asked him whether he had mooncake for the festival on Sunday) and that he was a bit tight in budget and couldn't buy any mooncake from China town and also that coincidently I just bought 2 mooncakes on the same day, I sacrificed a mooncake (I also like mooncake) and gave it to him on Friday. I was a bit hesitant to give at first, but somehow I just felt that God wants me to give it to him. Looking back through it, I was glad that I blessed him the mooncake, instead of keeping it for myself. If not, I'm sure gonaa get pretty uncomfortable and feeling like "kena tembak" in this sermon. Well, I was glad that God led me to make the right decision which will please Him and to fulfill His will.
As I read through the notes using The Message, I found these few verses which were pretty special and extraordinary:
- Malachi 3:10
Bring your FULL THITHE to the temple treasury so there will be ample provisions in my Temple. Test me in this and see if I don't OPEN UP HEAVEN ITSELF TO YOU AND POUR OUR BLESSINGS BEYOND YOUR WILDEST DREAM.
Well, I was so glad that I made the right decision at the beginning of the year to continue to give my thithes faithfully every month.
- Matthew 18:18-20
"Take this most seriously: A yes on earth is yes in heaven; a no on earth is a no in heaven. WHat you say to one another is eternal. I mean this. When tow or three of you get together on anything at all on earth and make a prayer of it, my Father in heaven goes into action. And When 2 or 3 of you are together because of me, you can be sure tHat I'll be there"
- Matthew 16 23-24
Then Jesus went to work on his disciples. "Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You're not in the DRIVER'S SEAT. I am. Don't run from SUFFERING; EMBRACE IT. Follow me and I'll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to finding yourself, your true self.
Wow! These workds really spoke so deeply into me.
Hope they will also be a blessing and encouragement to you all!

God Has COntrol on The Nature. He Is the Creator!

It was quite a cool and windy Friday morning and it was quite a cold day of spring too.
I was truly excited about the $6 Asian lunch coming up this afternoon.
I left home at about 10 am and I walked to uni.
As I walked out and I looked at the cloudy sky, I prayed to God that He would bless us with a good weather for the Asian Lunch today and that He has control on the nature and I asked that it won't rain.
On my way, I dropped a container of barley, to bless John and Nicole.
I was really happy and I headed to China Town to get some packed barley... Ching po Leung.
I was amazed that God has paved my way that I got two packets of barley which amounted to the amount which was just nice for my daily budget spending, including the lunch in the afternoon. Wow! God is great!
I got the time mistaken as I don't really need to be there at 1130, but at 1230. So when I reached the venue in University of Adelaide, I sat down nearby to do some study, while waiting for the rest to come.
I managed to venture around UniAdelaide as well, looking for a great spot to study.
After 1230, I joined the rest as they started setting up the stuff and we started eating at 100pm. Wow! The food was great and I truly missed those spicy food a lot. We hung around there, eating and playing games at the field until about 4-5pm.
I was truly glad that David Jong was able to drop by as well and was also been blessed with some of the food (extras) and I was able to bless him with the mooncake that God has asked me to sacrifice (I also likes mooncake) and bless him.
All the way through the lunch, the weather was great and at about 4pm, the sun was shining in the sky! I truly praised God that He's answered my prayer and for blessing us with such good weather all the way through!
After the lunch, my LG leader joined us and we (the guys) proceeded to our men's LG meeting at Wilson's place. We discussed about the personal men's stuff that we rarely discussed in normal LG. It was truly a great and awesome time when we shared our struggles and our problems together, strengthening each other in our journey with Christ!
I praised the Lord for such a great LG and also such greatness and favour that He's shown to me and to us!
PRaise THe Lord!!!!!

What A Beautiful Wednesday

I went to gym in uni to do some exercises and workout in the morning. After that, I went to get a new bag for uni use, as my old one was wearing off. But it had been the best one I've ever had, as it had been with me through these years of my struggles in tertiary studies. I thank God for enabling me to get this new bag, which I would expect to last pretty long, as it is a canvas type bag and it also has a "lifetime" (lifetime of the bag, if you understand what this meant) warranty.
I also thank God for His favour that I could still get a bit of bargain for it (though not much), in addition to it's clearance sale price. But I guess I'm paying for the quality of the bag lar.....
Praise the Lord!
After getting the bag, I realised that I missed the Connector Bus to North Adeladie, which meant I'll have to walk all the way home. I also thanked God for the beautiful weather today (quite warm and hot and sunny) that I could walk home slowly, enjoying the fresh air and His created nature.
On my way home, I met the OCF people having a praying meeting out on the field, near Torrens River. Feeling so eager to just sit down on the green grass, with such baeautiful weather, I joined them for the last few minutes of the sharings and prayer. It was good to be able to catch up with a few of my friends like Kevin, Christine Ching, Boon Ping, and Samuel.
After that, I continued to walk home and managed to do some study before got ready to go out for dinner with Andrew Lim, my Life Group leader.
I made some barley for Andrew, with some Anzac biscuits, as he waited for me to change. Then we went out for Pizza House and he blessed me with the pizza meal. at the same time, I managed to update him of the stuff that are happening in my lives and we also managed to discuss stuff about the Life group.
I truly thank God for such a brother like Andrew that we can connect so well and also we could share our personal stuff together and at the same time, encouraging one another to walk with Christ.
After the dinner, we went to Powergen together. I was truly grateful that John was able to come along as well tonight. It was truly the divine appointment for him to come tonight, as God truly spoke so clearly to him in the meeting, through Pastor Adrian. I was also grateful to have been there as well, as God also spoke to me in that meeting, in many ways.
Throughout this few days of the semester break, I was reading this book by Joyce Meyer, "The Battlefield of the Mind". The current chapter (An Anxious and Worried Mind) I was reading also spoke so deeply into my heart, as it truly has taught me how to deal with my current worries of my mind. I wouldn't like to hurry through reading it, but I wanted to take my time and read it so that I would understand the content well and also so that I will be able to be well-equipped with the battle of my mind.
Among those stuff that was revealed to me or was reminded to me were:
- Take One Day At A TIme
- DOn't Fret or Have ANxiety
- Cast Your Cares Upon God
- Matthew 6:25 Therefore I tell you, stop being perpetually uneasy (anxious and worried) about your life, what you shall eat or what you shall drink; or about your body, what you shall put on. Is not life greater (in quality) thank food, and the body, (far above and more excellent) than clothing?
I truly thank God for His greatness and His goodness! Hallelujah!
Let everything that has breathe praise the Lord forever!

Breakthrough of FEAR

It was a great day today.
I was able to go for a free dental checkup from Leah, the dentistry student.
I praise the lord For this favour that I was chosen to be their patient.
Anyway, she'd done a good job and ti was also FOC!
Heheheheh......
After dinner, God put this thoughts of calling people up to check things up with them. Johjn Sng was among the people who were placed in my mind. I called John Sng to check things up with him and I was invited over to visit his college, which is just a few minutes walk from my place.
I visited his room and the college. I had some chat and catchin up chat with him and also some fellowship and session of worship in his room.
During that moment of chat, little did i knew that a Breakthrough was just around the corner. He encouraged me to discussed a matter (personal matter) with my parents (which I was not brought up to do).
I thank God for John, as he has given me the courage and the strength to tell my parents about that matter.
This matter had been in my heart for quite a few months and it had been like a burden to me. Feeling very fearful and shy to tell my parents, I decided to keep this until I met my parents in Dec.
Somehow, after the chat this night, I found the courage to tell my mom and i called back that night.
I told her about the matter/problem and .......Guess what...... i was really surprised about what she said and how she reacted when i told her that.
She told me that it was normal and I won't have to worry so much about that.
I was really surprised that I had been worrying about something that I should not have worried.
After this, I was just filled with joy and happiness and It was, as if a burden had been lifted up of left from my heart. I'm so grateful that I've finally did it and also grateful for all my friends.
God has really brought this breakthrough into my mind and of FEAR as I confronted this matter with a brave, strong heart.
Through this noght, I've learned about CONFRONTING our problem and fear, instead of sweeping it under the carpet.
May God give you the courage and the strength to confront all your problems and fear. Indeed in Christ we have freedom and Victory!
Praise the Lord!

Mooncakes Blessing

Today is the first day after the Mooncake Festival yesterday.
I went to China Town to get some mooncakes, because I like mooncakes.
After doing all the other stuff, I went to one of the shop and checked out the prices of the mooncakes there.
Thank God that he has brought me there right on time, when my other friends were around there, buying mooncakes as well.
It was because they were selling "Buy One Box, Free One Box" of the mooncakes.
So I managed to share this deal with my friends and I agreed of getting a box.
Actually, I don't need a box. But I took it because they don't really need more than a box too and I had a sense that I'd better take the whole box. So I took the risk and paid $14 for the whole box of 4's, which I would consider quite a reasonable price. But i just don't need so many.
When I was waiting for the bus, I saw another of my fren, Bruce, who was crossing the road, heading towards China Town.
He stopped by to say hello and guess what? God enabled me to deal with him, to be able to sell him two of the 4 moon cakes. I'm so glad to have followed my heart and got the 4's that I could help Bruce to get the deal of 2's for a good price. If not, he would have to look for other friends to get the good deal!
I priased the Lord For His goodness, guidance and His timing (which was always on time)!
Hallelujah!

God Spoke To My Heart Today

I was singing in the choir again today in the first and the second services in Paradise Church. I truly am enjoying singing in the choir every week. This morning, God spoke a word of encouragement to me through Pastor Matt, when he was speaking about Offering and breakthrough.
God told me to stand strong and firm in the breakthrough that He's given in my offering and also to trust Him in my financial needs.
I also thank GOd for answering my prayer for breakthrough in my voice and my singing pattern of worship to Him. He has blessed me with a "new" tongue of worship. I Only realized of this gift today although I have been using it a few weeks ago. I am able to sing sentences of adoration to Him these days, instead of just speaking it out. And they formed a beautiful song when it is sang with the keyboard or the guitar. Moreover, He's also placed me in the choir to cultivate this beautiful gift. I also get a lot of encouragement from Tina, the leader of the choir, to sing with more passion for God each week.
I also thank Got for another breakthrough that I can see it progressing in my lives everyday.... in my studies and time management. I believe He is still molding me and teaching me in this area. I believe for His work in my lives..... His progressive works...... each day, as I seek His face.
Lord, help me to grow in WISDOM, STATURE, and in FAVOUR with God and with men! was my prayer everyday!
Hallelujah and Praise the Lord!

God Answered My Prayer and Distress

As I was struggling a few days ago in my preparation for my test on Thursday, I kept asking God how to study effectively. I even envied/jealous about my housemate for being able to somehow do well in a test although he didn't attend many of the classes. I told God what was in my heart and I asked that God would reveal to me how to study smartlly. I also asekd God that He'll reveal to me the secret of studying smartly from my housemate. I didn't dare to ask him myself because i was not that close to him yet. I even envied him for having a friend to motivate and discuss with him.
As I was having my dinner in the hall and he was cooking in the kitchen, he started the conversation and we talked about the test and about his study skills. God somehow answered my prayer and revealed to me the way he studied. he even told me about his struggle and his failure and also how he studied - by asking some questions to himself and also by applying the knowledge in real life. That was really something new to me and I thanked God for revealing me the wisdom at his timing. Praise The Lord!
I also praise God for enabling me to connect with my housemate. Somehow I believe this was the moment where breakthough is around the corner. Praise the Lord!

The Figure of "Open Road to Heaven"

As I finished the last thing (a tutotrial) of my day, I went to catch a Free Connector at Rundle Mall. As I was walking to the stop, the rain just started falling down. Thank God that I managed to reach the stop before I got too wet.
During the bus trip home, the rain stopped slowly and the sun was out, shining at its top. When the bus turned at the junction of St. Mark's church and driving uphill, the bright striking road was ahead of us. Because the road was wet and the sun was shining brightly, the road ahead was reflecting white, bright light. It was like a bright road heading up to Heaven. hahahahahah..... The view was really magnificent and striking. Our eyes just couldn't take it, or too much of the view. I was just grateful to be able to witness such a great view like that. I thanked God for such an opportunity. Praise The Lord!

God Who Answers Prayers

"God, help me to grow in wisdom, stature, and in favour with God and with men........." was my prayer this morning after my Quite Time, before I started my busy day today.

God is really good to me in every way, that He has paved the way for me in every step I went through today. It's like little pieces of puzzles that pieced up to form a straight path for me to walk on, as I seek Him in my day.

In the morning, He blessed me with the only seat in the Connector bus again. Actually, to recall this again, I should have been more sensitive to my friend, who came after me. Because I came earlier than him, he insisted that I board the bus. The thought of giving him the seat came over my mind a bit too late. I guess he needed the seat more than I do, as he had class at the moment and he needed to reach the uni earlier than I do (I asked him about his class at the bus stop). Well, it was over anyway and I thanked God that He revealed this to me of how to be a man of impact and a man sensitive to other needs. I praised God that He revealed this small portion of His heart so that I could learn more about what was in His heart.

After lunch, I headed towards China Town to get some stuff for the pot bless tonight. Again God was there with me that He brought me there to the bus stop just in time to board the Free Bee Line Bus before it leave.

After getting what I intended to get, I looked at the time and realized that it was too late to catch the Free Connector Bus (Bus A) back to North Adelaide in China Town. Then God showed me the Free City Loop Bus (Bus B) and I boarded that bus, hoping to reach another bus stop at North Terrace, in time to board Bus A there at 250pm.
All the way in bus B, I prayed hard that God would bless me so that I would be there on time to board Bus A. The bus driver even stopped at the middle of the trip to get a cup of coffee before resuming the journey (It was just a short time of "tah powing" a cup of coffee). I kept praying and asking for God's help and blessing. I even attempted to board another bus to get there earlier, but somehow I figured out that staying in this bus was the right and best thing to do. So at last, I made up my mind to calm myself down and to put my faith and trust in God, instead of me trying to do another thing that will make things worse and messy. I even prayed that God would somehow make Bus A to be delayed so that it will come a bit later. As Bus B neared the stop that I was trying to get to, I saw Bus A at the traffic light, at the opposite direction, waiting to turn at the junction. Without delaying, I ran toward the stop where Bus A was heading and thank God that I was in time again to board that bus home. As I looked at the watch, it was 255 pm. I truly thanked God for His gracious love and His favourable answer to my prayer. I believe this was God's mighty work, instead of just being coincidence.

On the journey home on Bus A, I received a call from my new housemate. He asked me for a favour to look for something in his room. He was truly glad that I was heading home at the moment.
I was not able to communicate well with him all these while and it seemed that there was some barrier between us. So I was quite surprised when I received a call from him. After I helped him to check his stuff out for him at home, he was so grateful to me that he said he owed me this time. I replied to his SMS, "You owe me ain't no thing. Glad to be able to help you!" I believe this was really a moment of breakthrough and favour with men. I gave thanks to God in all His mighty ways and all His greatness that He's worked in my lives! I looked forward for more of His great works in my lives in my day ahead.

Truly, this verse in the following song is true;
God is good, all the time.

Are you growing in favour with God and with men today? Why not ask God for such favour? He said in His words: Ask and you will receive, Seek and you shall find, knock and the door would be opened to you. I pray that God would also help you to grow in wisdom, stature and in favour with God and with men. God bless you.

Another Connector Bus Encounter

I was not feeling so well today. My throat was full of phlegm when I woke up. My feet felt a lot more better after this rest, as I sprained my right foot during the weekend. I was limping throughout the weekend. Mom told me to get more rest and to stop gym for a week and to take the bus instead of having a 25 minutes walk to and from the uni. SHe said my feet needed rest and healing.
I told God that I had sprained foot and I asked God to somehow provide me with seat in the Connector Free Bus everytime I need to catch a bus. God has been gracious to me to have provided me with seat in the bus this morning. Praise the Lord!
The timetable for the classes today was horrible and lengthy. I felt so tired and tried very hard to concentrate and stay alert during the 6 hours lectures for this whole Monday!
After all the lectures I went to wait for the Connector again at the bus stop, after a buying some drumstick for dinner from Woolworths.
A lot of students were already waiting there earlier than me and so I asked God to bless me with seat again, remembering what mom has told me.
As the Connector came, somehow I manage to get into the bus earlier than a guy and a girl, whom I noticed that they came earlier than me.
As I browsed through the seats available, there were only two more left. Without delaying, I stepped down the bus and blessed those two people who came earlier than me to have that seats.

I also knew the driver of the bus, Claud. Hoping to get a seat or lift in the bus, I asked Claud if he could somehow let me just seat at the hump at the front. But he couldn't do that as the law doesn't allow anyone to stand in the bus or to carry more than what the seats were allocated for.
I just gave it a try hoping for a favour from Claud, as what Pastor Ashley has said on Sunday, that relationship leads to favour.
Walking off away from the bustop, I thanked God for enabling me to bless them the seats which I believe God has reserved for the two of them. I also pray that they will find the true love of Christ in their lives and that the seats will bring forth the Love of Christ to them. After that, I asked myself whether to take the paid bus back or just to walk home. After some thoughts, I finally made up my mind to walk home slowly. I also thank God for the beautiful weather that I could still walk home.
During my walk home, I kept thanking God for enabling me to make the right decision to bless them with the seat and that I did the right thing as they were there earlier than I and they deserve the seats. It would be unfair to them IF only I used the seats. I also believed that GOd was smiling at me when I gave them the seats.
I also enjoyed the walk home as I had a conversation with the Lord, sang praises to Him, and also to be able to enjoy the beautiful nature and flowers of the spring, which He has created. During the fellowship and conversation with the Lord, God assured me that this walk will not make my feet worse or more pain. When I reached home, my feet doesn't felt as hurt as I thought it would be. I truly thank God for such a blessings and favour.
I also manage to meet a new friend, Danny on my way back home. I seen him before in my colllege last year, but didn't really know him. This is another door of opportunity that God has blessed me to enlarge my territory and my network. Praise the Lord.
Even as I walk each day, I kept reminding myself this passage from Isaiah 40:31 But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; They will RUN AND NOT GROW WEARY, they will WALK AND NOT BE FAINT.

I also prayed as how Pastor Ashley has preached about Jesus last Sunday. I prayed that God would build me up to GROW IN WISDOM, STATURE, AND FAVOUR WITH BOTH GOD AND WITH MEN.

Life as a student in overseas is really not as easy as I thought it would be.
THere are lots of things that I need to keep myself in-track of and to manage.
Financial management has been one of my weakness and I've learned a lot since I came over to Adelaide.
Last two months has really been a struggle for me but I thank God that He was there to help me through and has kept me strong and perservere all the way until now.
I have to struggle with my normal allowance to pay for a five weeks rental, instead of four weeks every month. I did not dare to ask from my dad for more as he was already very unhappy with my current spending pattern at that moment. So I told myself that I will perservere through it and that GOd will truly provide me with all my need and also that I can watch my daily spending closely and tightly.

Ever since I attended Ezekiel Camp, God spoke to me and gave me a breakthrough into my offering pattern and I obeyed and "upgraded" my weekly offering to Him.
During this moment of struggle, I asked myself whether I should "degrade" my offering during those weeks, but somehow God kept me strong in faith and I kept giving as according to the breakthrough. GOd had kept me strong as I perservered and kept giving as I should, including the thithes that I used to give every month.

All until this month, God intervened and blessed me when my dad agreed to send some extra allowance to me this month to cover the two extra weeks through the two months' period, with the aid of my sister. I truly thank God for His graceful provision, just right on time. Without Him, I wouldn't have been able to work through this difficult times. I always reminded myself through this period of testing, "God is my DRIVER! Let Him handle the wheel!" and "God is my Provider and I shall not be in want".
As I read through His words, as I always did, God spoke to me so clearly today (4 Spetember 2005) through Proverbs 3:9-10 Honour the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of ALL your crops; then your barns will be fillled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine. These two verses confirmed to me again that I am doing the right things when I was struggling about giving thithes when I first came over to Australia. God again confirmed to me that I was on the right track. Praise the Lord for His guidance.
Another passage that God spoke to me today was also from Proverbs 3:21-26 My son, preserve sound judgement and DISCERNMENT, do not let them out of your sight; they will be life for you, an ornament to grace your neck. Then you will go on your way in safety and your FOOT WILL NOT STUMBLE; when you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your SLEEP WILL BE SWEET. Have NO FEAR of sudden disaster or of the ruin that overtake the wicked, for the LORD WILL BE YOUR CONFIDENCE & WILL KEEP YOUR FOOT FROM BEING SNARED. As I read thruohg these beautiful words that were spoken to me today, I felt all the more strengthened, to walk faithfully with the Lord.

One more thing that I just remembered now. Perhaps today is Australian Father's Day (& so coincidently) that God chose to reveal this few revelation to me about my lives today. It was as if this was His loving gift or message to me today, as He stands faithful as my Great Heavenly Abba Father. I truly thank God for His loving grace.

As I shared this works of the Lord with you, I truly hope that it will also strengthen you, my brothers and sisters in Christ. Perhaps you are sturggling in the same situation as I was. Let me encourage you to be strong and faithful in the Lord in giving and thithing. He shall provide you your every need as how He has done in me. May the Lord bless you all!