Anyone interested?
I'm thinking of going, but hope to go with someone....
http://www.ywam.org.sg/gofest/home.shtm
Learning to Walk on Water
Sea of Galilee, Israel
Tuesday, February 28, 2006
Sunday, February 26, 2006
Hungry
Back from camp...
There's so much we received and learnt there, i'd do it injustice to summarize it.
All i know now is that there's so much for God to allow to change in me... need brokenness, humility, discipline, patience and perseverance. Please pray for me when u remember... that i would press in to His courts, that i would knock till the door breaks, that i would cling till He answers... thanks...
This song sums up the cry of my heart:
Hungry, I come to you
for I know you satisfy
I am empty,
but I know Your love does not run dry
And so I wait for You
so I wait for You...
I'm falling on my knees
Offering all of me
Jesus, You're all this heart is living for
Broken, I run to You
for Your arms are open wide
I am weary,
but I know Your touch restores my life
And so I wait for You
so I wait for You...
There's so much we received and learnt there, i'd do it injustice to summarize it.
All i know now is that there's so much for God to allow to change in me... need brokenness, humility, discipline, patience and perseverance. Please pray for me when u remember... that i would press in to His courts, that i would knock till the door breaks, that i would cling till He answers... thanks...
This song sums up the cry of my heart:
Hungry, I come to you
for I know you satisfy
I am empty,
but I know Your love does not run dry
And so I wait for You
so I wait for You...
I'm falling on my knees
Offering all of me
Jesus, You're all this heart is living for
Broken, I run to You
for Your arms are open wide
I am weary,
but I know Your touch restores my life
And so I wait for You
so I wait for You...
Thursday, February 23, 2006
lalala
I apologize for the sparse info in my blog of late, for those who read.... been feeling tired, physically and mentally, doesnt help to put me in a mood to write. Dont wish to ramble on nonsense, like i am now....
Going for a retreat this weekend (yes, another one... heh) Wonder if i'm going for too many, but i'm sure God wishes for me to go each time, for various purposes, to show and teach me something. Though that means less time for studies, which, i confess, have been sidelined lately. Learning how to reconcile how studying can be done for Him. What difference it makes in eternity. I'm lost for words now, again, so shall write from another's wise words:
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Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn spent 10 years of his life doing slave labour in a Soviet work camp. Though he performed harsh physical labour under abhorrent conditions, he was amazed to observe that "such is man's nature that even bitter, detested work is sometimes performed with an incomprehensible wild excitement." Solzhenitsyn would find himself at times, for no apparent reason, totally engrossed in laying brciks precisely where they ought to be, as though he were creating a work of art.
We have all experienced brief flashes of unexplainable excitement in our work. But what will sustain our motivation over the long haul? As a man of broad interests, I have personally sampled quite a few jobs in the smorgasbord of work opportunities - everything from carpentry, painting, and managing a 60-person workforce in the fast food industry to 10 years of leading discipling ministires. In every case, there have been certain periods of monotony and tedious routine. To look for "fulfillment" from any job is expecting more from work than God ever intended.
The only thing that will transform our work into the sacramental endeavor God intended, sustaining our inner motivation, is to offer that work to the Lord. "Here, Lord. I perform this task for Your sake, simply because You are worthy of my best effort." As Paul said, "It is the Lord Christ whom you serve." (Colossians 3:24)
Brother Lawrence, a sixteenth-century Carmelite monk who spent much of his years in the monastery's kitchen as a cook, described how he learned to practice the presence of God by offering his work to the Lord as an ongoing act of love and obedience. This is what he said:
I turn my little omelete in the pan for the love of God... when i can do nothing else, it is enough to have picked up a straw for the love of God. People look for ways of learning how to love God... they take much trouble to abide in His presence by varied means. Is it not a shorter and more direct way to do everything for the love of God, to make use of all the tasks one's lot in life demands to show Him that love? . . .
There is nothing too complicated about i. One has only to turn to it honesty and simply.
What is especially instructive about Brother Lawrence's example is that his experience of God came not through extensive contemplative reading or self-abasement but in the midst of his work, the simple but physically demanding work od preparing food.
If holiness is what we ling for, there is perhaps no better training ground than work. A difficult boss, feelings of failure and inadequacy, and the high-pressure demands of the job can all be used by God as refining agents, forcing us to deal with flaws in our character that may never surface except under pressure. We dont need to enter a monasery or go to other unusual extremes in order to experience God. As we offer our work to Him, this work in itself can become a means of knowing Him.
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Now, for me to put this into practice... O Lord, pls help me.
That is all... have a blessed weekend once more my friends. till next time!
love,
pam
Going for a retreat this weekend (yes, another one... heh) Wonder if i'm going for too many, but i'm sure God wishes for me to go each time, for various purposes, to show and teach me something. Though that means less time for studies, which, i confess, have been sidelined lately. Learning how to reconcile how studying can be done for Him. What difference it makes in eternity. I'm lost for words now, again, so shall write from another's wise words:
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn spent 10 years of his life doing slave labour in a Soviet work camp. Though he performed harsh physical labour under abhorrent conditions, he was amazed to observe that "such is man's nature that even bitter, detested work is sometimes performed with an incomprehensible wild excitement." Solzhenitsyn would find himself at times, for no apparent reason, totally engrossed in laying brciks precisely where they ought to be, as though he were creating a work of art.
We have all experienced brief flashes of unexplainable excitement in our work. But what will sustain our motivation over the long haul? As a man of broad interests, I have personally sampled quite a few jobs in the smorgasbord of work opportunities - everything from carpentry, painting, and managing a 60-person workforce in the fast food industry to 10 years of leading discipling ministires. In every case, there have been certain periods of monotony and tedious routine. To look for "fulfillment" from any job is expecting more from work than God ever intended.
The only thing that will transform our work into the sacramental endeavor God intended, sustaining our inner motivation, is to offer that work to the Lord. "Here, Lord. I perform this task for Your sake, simply because You are worthy of my best effort." As Paul said, "It is the Lord Christ whom you serve." (Colossians 3:24)
Brother Lawrence, a sixteenth-century Carmelite monk who spent much of his years in the monastery's kitchen as a cook, described how he learned to practice the presence of God by offering his work to the Lord as an ongoing act of love and obedience. This is what he said:
I turn my little omelete in the pan for the love of God... when i can do nothing else, it is enough to have picked up a straw for the love of God. People look for ways of learning how to love God... they take much trouble to abide in His presence by varied means. Is it not a shorter and more direct way to do everything for the love of God, to make use of all the tasks one's lot in life demands to show Him that love? . . .
There is nothing too complicated about i. One has only to turn to it honesty and simply.
What is especially instructive about Brother Lawrence's example is that his experience of God came not through extensive contemplative reading or self-abasement but in the midst of his work, the simple but physically demanding work od preparing food.
If holiness is what we ling for, there is perhaps no better training ground than work. A difficult boss, feelings of failure and inadequacy, and the high-pressure demands of the job can all be used by God as refining agents, forcing us to deal with flaws in our character that may never surface except under pressure. We dont need to enter a monasery or go to other unusual extremes in order to experience God. As we offer our work to Him, this work in itself can become a means of knowing Him.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Now, for me to put this into practice... O Lord, pls help me.
That is all... have a blessed weekend once more my friends. till next time!
love,
pam
Tuesday, February 21, 2006
Do You Really Love Him? - Utmost for His Highest
She has done a good work for Me —Mark 14:6
If what we call love doesn’t take us beyond ourselves, it is not really love. If we have the idea that love is characterized as cautious, wise, sensible, shrewd, and never taken to extremes, we have missed the true meaning. This may describe affection and it may bring us a warm feeling, but it is not a true and accurate description of love.
Have you ever been driven to do something for God not because you felt that it was useful or your duty to do so, or that there was anything in it for you, but simply because you love Him? Have you ever realized that you can give things to God that are of value to Him? Or are you just sitting around daydreaming about the greatness of His redemption, while neglecting all the things you could be doing for Him? I’m not referring to works which could be regarded as divine and miraculous, but ordinary, simple human things— things which would be evidence to God that you are totally surrendered to Him. Have you ever created what Mary of Bethany created in the heart of the Lord Jesus? "She has done a good work for Me."
There are times when it seems as if God watches to see if we will give Him even small gifts of surrender, just to show how genuine our love is for Him. To be surrendered to God is of more value than our personal holiness. Concern over our personal holiness causes us to focus our eyes on ourselves, and we become overly concerned about the way we walk and talk and look, out of fear of offending God. ". . . but perfect love casts out fear . . ." once we are surrendered to God ( 1 John 4:18 ). We should quit asking ourselves, "Am I of any use?" and accept the truth that we really are not of much use to Him. The issue is never of being of use, but of being of value to God Himself. Once we are totally surrendered to God, He will work through us all the time.
If what we call love doesn’t take us beyond ourselves, it is not really love. If we have the idea that love is characterized as cautious, wise, sensible, shrewd, and never taken to extremes, we have missed the true meaning. This may describe affection and it may bring us a warm feeling, but it is not a true and accurate description of love.
Have you ever been driven to do something for God not because you felt that it was useful or your duty to do so, or that there was anything in it for you, but simply because you love Him? Have you ever realized that you can give things to God that are of value to Him? Or are you just sitting around daydreaming about the greatness of His redemption, while neglecting all the things you could be doing for Him? I’m not referring to works which could be regarded as divine and miraculous, but ordinary, simple human things— things which would be evidence to God that you are totally surrendered to Him. Have you ever created what Mary of Bethany created in the heart of the Lord Jesus? "She has done a good work for Me."
There are times when it seems as if God watches to see if we will give Him even small gifts of surrender, just to show how genuine our love is for Him. To be surrendered to God is of more value than our personal holiness. Concern over our personal holiness causes us to focus our eyes on ourselves, and we become overly concerned about the way we walk and talk and look, out of fear of offending God. ". . . but perfect love casts out fear . . ." once we are surrendered to God ( 1 John 4:18 ). We should quit asking ourselves, "Am I of any use?" and accept the truth that we really are not of much use to Him. The issue is never of being of use, but of being of value to God Himself. Once we are totally surrendered to God, He will work through us all the time.
Sunday, February 19, 2006
reminiscence
the lives i used to share with
they've moved on
And so have i
Still
i feel the tinge of sadness
loss
guilt
disappointment
of those lost friendships
Wise words from the greatest book in the world.... :
9 Two are better than one,
because they have a good return for their work:
10 If one falls down,
his friend can help him up.
But pity the man who falls
and has no one to help him up!
11 Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.
But how can one keep warm alone?
12 Though one may be overpowered,
two can defend themselves.
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
they've moved on
And so have i
Still
i feel the tinge of sadness
loss
guilt
disappointment
of those lost friendships
Wise words from the greatest book in the world.... :
9 Two are better than one,
because they have a good return for their work:
10 If one falls down,
his friend can help him up.
But pity the man who falls
and has no one to help him up!
11 Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.
But how can one keep warm alone?
12 Though one may be overpowered,
two can defend themselves.
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
Tuesday, February 14, 2006
back from conference and to school again
Feeling pretty 'dry' of words lately but shall try give a decent update on how the conference went, for those who wish to know...
hmm. lots to say. teaching was really good. inspirational. but need to remember and put into practice... met mostly people from england, wales, scotland there. we were the only chinese people there. think they were quite surprised to have us there. but they were all really nice and friendly to us. Most of them were either already involved in mission work here and overseas in East Asia, while others were considering mission work. Some of them had stayed in places like China, Cambodia, Vietnam, Indonesia from 2 to as long as 10 years... and to think i haven't even stepped on some of these countries though i'm Asian and i live so much nearer (when i was in singapore of course...) They shared their experiences there, and their heart for the people. Was touching and encouraging to see how much some of them really truly loved the people of Asia. Not easy to love people who are so different. People whom sometimes you cant understand.
Though i'm chinese, i realise how different i am in terms of my thinking and culture from people from China. Talking to some of them have really changed my mindset and past stereotype of them.
Living here for the past one and a half years or so, i've met more people from Asia than i've ever met before when i was in singapore. People from all walks of life, different backgrounds and cultures. Know that there are quite a lot of people from Asia studying in singapore too, just that i was too comforable to really make an effort to talk to them. But now that i'm a 'foreigner' in this land myself, it bridges the gap between us.
Thinking of visiting China when i come back for my summer hols this June. Still not sure if i should go after this conference, but i know i'm closer to my answer than i was before. Still got a lot of praying, researching and other stuff (e.g. brushing up on my mandarin) to do before i make my final decision though...
Today was Valentine's. Past and went like any other day. Well. Almost. I had a couple of surprises ;)
Remember back when i was in school in singapore i never understood why people made such a fuss of it. Then they called it Friendship Day, and so it became more relevant to me. heh. Not only a time when florist and chocolate shops make more money but also a day to show appreciation for our friends (though of course you could do that any other day), and perhaps, also an excuse to eat chocs. heh. I had one today. :P
I could go on... but it's late and i've got school tmr. So shall end with this for you to ponder on...
"God showed how much he loved us by sending his only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. This is real love. It is not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins." 1 John 4:9-10
Blessed Valentine's and Friendship day, my friends.
in Christ's love,
Pam :)
hmm. lots to say. teaching was really good. inspirational. but need to remember and put into practice... met mostly people from england, wales, scotland there. we were the only chinese people there. think they were quite surprised to have us there. but they were all really nice and friendly to us. Most of them were either already involved in mission work here and overseas in East Asia, while others were considering mission work. Some of them had stayed in places like China, Cambodia, Vietnam, Indonesia from 2 to as long as 10 years... and to think i haven't even stepped on some of these countries though i'm Asian and i live so much nearer (when i was in singapore of course...) They shared their experiences there, and their heart for the people. Was touching and encouraging to see how much some of them really truly loved the people of Asia. Not easy to love people who are so different. People whom sometimes you cant understand.
Though i'm chinese, i realise how different i am in terms of my thinking and culture from people from China. Talking to some of them have really changed my mindset and past stereotype of them.
Living here for the past one and a half years or so, i've met more people from Asia than i've ever met before when i was in singapore. People from all walks of life, different backgrounds and cultures. Know that there are quite a lot of people from Asia studying in singapore too, just that i was too comforable to really make an effort to talk to them. But now that i'm a 'foreigner' in this land myself, it bridges the gap between us.
Thinking of visiting China when i come back for my summer hols this June. Still not sure if i should go after this conference, but i know i'm closer to my answer than i was before. Still got a lot of praying, researching and other stuff (e.g. brushing up on my mandarin) to do before i make my final decision though...
Today was Valentine's. Past and went like any other day. Well. Almost. I had a couple of surprises ;)
Remember back when i was in school in singapore i never understood why people made such a fuss of it. Then they called it Friendship Day, and so it became more relevant to me. heh. Not only a time when florist and chocolate shops make more money but also a day to show appreciation for our friends (though of course you could do that any other day), and perhaps, also an excuse to eat chocs. heh. I had one today. :P
I could go on... but it's late and i've got school tmr. So shall end with this for you to ponder on...
"God showed how much he loved us by sending his only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. This is real love. It is not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins." 1 John 4:9-10
Blessed Valentine's and Friendship day, my friends.
in Christ's love,
Pam :)
Thursday, February 09, 2006
updates
Received my exam results for last semester today.
Had not much expectations... Was rather calm till a few minutes before i went in to get my results. Didn't wish to speculate on what i'd get... but just to accept and be thankful for whatever i got or He gave me. I used to set a standard for myself in every test or exam, an unspoken mark, if which i didn't reach, i'd be utterly disappointed. But i've learnt just to do my best and to be thankful for whatever i receive.
I think i did in a 'good' range this time... =) that's all i will say. heh. All thanks to God.
Been feeling quite restless and tired at the same time this week. Seems to contradict doesnt it. But yeah...
Well, off this weekend with 4 others to an omf conference in Wales, Cardiff. Been praying that i would be able to go for this, and He did. Strangely not feeling excited about it yet, well, i've about 4 hours on the car to prepare my heart for it...
Till then, love,
pam (:
Had not much expectations... Was rather calm till a few minutes before i went in to get my results. Didn't wish to speculate on what i'd get... but just to accept and be thankful for whatever i got or He gave me. I used to set a standard for myself in every test or exam, an unspoken mark, if which i didn't reach, i'd be utterly disappointed. But i've learnt just to do my best and to be thankful for whatever i receive.
I think i did in a 'good' range this time... =) that's all i will say. heh. All thanks to God.
Been feeling quite restless and tired at the same time this week. Seems to contradict doesnt it. But yeah...
Well, off this weekend with 4 others to an omf conference in Wales, Cardiff. Been praying that i would be able to go for this, and He did. Strangely not feeling excited about it yet, well, i've about 4 hours on the car to prepare my heart for it...
Till then, love,
pam (:
Tuesday, February 07, 2006
pics!
My blog's looking too solmen... time to brighten it up with some pics. Enjoy :) 
Zijing and her popiah! :P
We made sushi the other day at our flat...
Zijing and her popiah! :PAdeline and her... erm.... heh.
And that's me squeezing mayo...
The final cut...
Wah la!!! The finished product :)
Sushi has never looked or tasted so good before. heh. The simple joys of studying overseas... learning to make all the things you can get at your doorstep back home. Guess it makes us appreciate stuff more. And also makes me eat stuff i don't normally eat!
Friday, February 03, 2006
to the ladies out there...
"Don't be concerned about the outward beauty that depends on fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes.
You should be known for the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God."
1 Peter 3:3-4
Seems so difficult to live this out in the superficial and materialistic world that focuses on outward beauty. In the end, what will last? What really matters?
Had a chinese new year dinner for solid rock tonight. More people that what we expected turned out there wasn't any room at all to walk or move int he house! It was simply amazing how we could pack i think about 50 people in a 5m by 5m space. amazing huh. And we were worried that there wouldnt be enough food cos we didnt cater for so many people but we prayed and we had faith and God provided :) There was enough food so that everyone was full and satisfied. I thought i wouldnt get to eat but we all did. Praise God! He is good indeed.
I'll be giving my testimony in church this sunday. If you could, please pray for me, that God would give me the right heart and words to say, that all glory would be given to Him.
Have a blessed weekend ahead my friends.
You should be known for the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God."
1 Peter 3:3-4
Seems so difficult to live this out in the superficial and materialistic world that focuses on outward beauty. In the end, what will last? What really matters?
Had a chinese new year dinner for solid rock tonight. More people that what we expected turned out there wasn't any room at all to walk or move int he house! It was simply amazing how we could pack i think about 50 people in a 5m by 5m space. amazing huh. And we were worried that there wouldnt be enough food cos we didnt cater for so many people but we prayed and we had faith and God provided :) There was enough food so that everyone was full and satisfied. I thought i wouldnt get to eat but we all did. Praise God! He is good indeed.
I'll be giving my testimony in church this sunday. If you could, please pray for me, that God would give me the right heart and words to say, that all glory would be given to Him.
Have a blessed weekend ahead my friends.
Thursday, February 02, 2006
on studying
Lessons have started, and it's back to the usual routine before holidays and exams. Feel a huge inertia ever since exams ended. Not much motivation to study =/ But have to find it back soon...
Sometimes i wonder what's the point of all this studying. How much will i actually put to use? And in the end it's all to get a piece of paper... But i need to be a good steward of my studies. Yet not place too much importance on it either. still learning what it means... tend to swing to either extreme.
Reading a book by KP entitled "revolution in world missions". i highly recommend you to get one and read for yourself. After the bible, KP's books have had the largest impact on my life. Writes with conviction and reality. It's not one of those feel good christian books but really challenging. sometimes i'm even afraid to read it cos once i do, i cant simply ignore what is said there. Anyway, here's an excerpt from it:
All of us are called for a purpose. Some years ago when I was in north India, a little boy about 8 years old watched me as I prepared for my morning meditations. I began to talk to him about Jesus and asked him several questions.
"What are you doing?" I asked the lad.
"I go to school," was the reply.
"Why do you go to school?"
"To study," he said.
"Why do you study?"
"To get smart."
"Why do you want to get smart?"
"So i can get a good job."
"Why do you want to get a good job?"
"So i can make lots of money."
"Why do you want to make lots of money?"
"So i can buy food."
"Why do you want o buy food?"
"So I can eat."
"Why do you want o eat?"
"To live."
"Why do you live?"
At that point, the little boy thought for a minute, scratched his head, looked me in the face and said, "Sir, why do I live?" He paused for a moment in mid-thought, then gave his own sad answer, "To die!"
The same question is for all of us: Why do we live?
What is the basic purpose of your living in this world, as you claim to be a disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ? Is it to accumulate wealth? Fame? Popularity? To fulfill the desires of the flesh and of the mind? And to somehow survive and, in the end, to die and hopefully go to heaven?
No. The purpose of your life as a believer must be to obey Jesus when he said, "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel..." That is what Paul did when he laid down his arms and said, "Lord, what do You want me to do?"
If all of your concern is about your own life, your job, your clothes, your children's good clothes, healthy bodies, a good education, a good job and marriage, then your concerns are no different from a heathen's in Bhutan, Myanmar or India.
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Harsh words, but how true....
Sometimes i wonder what's the point of all this studying. How much will i actually put to use? And in the end it's all to get a piece of paper... But i need to be a good steward of my studies. Yet not place too much importance on it either. still learning what it means... tend to swing to either extreme.
Reading a book by KP entitled "revolution in world missions". i highly recommend you to get one and read for yourself. After the bible, KP's books have had the largest impact on my life. Writes with conviction and reality. It's not one of those feel good christian books but really challenging. sometimes i'm even afraid to read it cos once i do, i cant simply ignore what is said there. Anyway, here's an excerpt from it:
All of us are called for a purpose. Some years ago when I was in north India, a little boy about 8 years old watched me as I prepared for my morning meditations. I began to talk to him about Jesus and asked him several questions.
"What are you doing?" I asked the lad.
"I go to school," was the reply.
"Why do you go to school?"
"To study," he said.
"Why do you study?"
"To get smart."
"Why do you want to get smart?"
"So i can get a good job."
"Why do you want to get a good job?"
"So i can make lots of money."
"Why do you want to make lots of money?"
"So i can buy food."
"Why do you want o buy food?"
"So I can eat."
"Why do you want o eat?"
"To live."
"Why do you live?"
At that point, the little boy thought for a minute, scratched his head, looked me in the face and said, "Sir, why do I live?" He paused for a moment in mid-thought, then gave his own sad answer, "To die!"
The same question is for all of us: Why do we live?
What is the basic purpose of your living in this world, as you claim to be a disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ? Is it to accumulate wealth? Fame? Popularity? To fulfill the desires of the flesh and of the mind? And to somehow survive and, in the end, to die and hopefully go to heaven?
No. The purpose of your life as a believer must be to obey Jesus when he said, "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel..." That is what Paul did when he laid down his arms and said, "Lord, what do You want me to do?"
If all of your concern is about your own life, your job, your clothes, your children's good clothes, healthy bodies, a good education, a good job and marriage, then your concerns are no different from a heathen's in Bhutan, Myanmar or India.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Harsh words, but how true....
Wednesday, February 01, 2006
on apostalic passion
Got this from a faithful brother-in-Christ's blog. Came to me at the right time, to give me a wake up call as well as encouragement. Many things reverberated the concerns and burdens of my heart as well... Let this be a reminder to all of God's children and servants out there reading this P/S: ty, hope you dont mind me "copying and pasting"... :P
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Too many people want the fruit of Paul's ministry without paying the price that Paul paid. He died daily. He was crucified with Christ. This strong-willed, opinionated man knew that he must die to self. he knew that in his flesh, he couldn't generate the revelation of Christ. So he died. He abandoned his life. He abandoned himself.
We live in a world of competing passions. If we do not die to self and fill our lives with the consuming passion of the worship of God in the nations, we will end up with other passions. It's possible to deceive ourselves into thinking we have Biblical passions when, in reality, all we have done is to baptize the values of our culture and give them Christian names. We will have chosen apostolic passion only when our hearts are filled with God's desire for his Son to be worshipped in the nations.
May I encourage you, dear friend, to give up your life? I challenge you to pray this prayer: "Lord, be ruthless with me in revealing my selfish ambition and my lack of willingness to die to myself.".
A young man in bible school offered to help David Wilkerson years ago when he was ministering on the streets of New York City. Wilkerson asked him how much time he spent in prayer. The young student estimated about 20 minutes a day. Wilkerson told him, "Go back for a month and pray two hours a day, every day for 30 days. When you've done that, come back. Come back, and I might consider turning you loose on the streets where there is murder, rape, violence and daner... If I sent you out now on 20 minutes a day, i'd be sending a soldier into battle withou any weapons, and you would get killed."
Sometimes I wonder why God put me in a school with such hard ground. An environment where it just doesn't seem right to talk about God. Christians abound who are not too ready to step out in their faith. People are in bondage. Every other guy I know seems to be in ponography or talks about immoral things. There is little unity. I cannot recall a single person who is proud to be in this school. If people have passions here, it is either about the latest fashion or the latest soccer news or the latest computer game or the latest pop group. Other people starting groups elsewhere seem to have softer ground. Christian schools and Christian-friendly schools. But then I really am in no position to speak on this. I'm just a servant in my Lord's house.
At the end of the day I everything goes by faith. Starting a Christian group... I sincerely believe that it's not me or my core group who leads this army. It's God. We're just servants playing a small part. God will work on the larger areas. Like spiritual strongholds and attacks of the evil one. Somehow God still involves us, though I know He'd have absolutely no problem sending in a few legions of angels and taking the school without us. All we have to do is pray and spread His word. And God will do the great work.
I have observed so many Christians who simply pray, but do not spread God's word. Who speak in tongues in the morning but can spend the day with vulgarities flowing from the mouth. Just as the word says in James 3, saltwater and spring water cannot flow from the same source. As the people of God, how is it possible that we can pray for God to annoint our schools but yet shut up when it comes to sharing His word when we are with our friends? You ask how we can share His word? Do you not speak with friends each day?- pray for oppurtunities to share and if you really mean it and ask God for it non-stop, I guarantee you that the chances will come! Is your face (which by the way, is only temporal) worth so much that it would deny you the chance to share Christ with your friends? Is Jesus Christ worth more to you than all you have in this world?
And if the answer is yes, to the last question, then nothing should stop you from sharing Christ wherever you go. You don't have to wait for a calling. Just go and get it done. The Great Commission is already enough.
I thank him that enabled me, even Christ Jesus our Lord, for that he counted me faithful, appointing me to his service - 1 Timothy 1:12
I challenge all who read this. Are you sick enough of the hold of the devil on the world around you enough to share God's word? Are you tired enough of satan playing with your friends' lives to pray (and I mean pray with tears and power, not a 5-second, responsibility-fulfilling, conscience-saving prayer) for your schools?
Christ is coming again. Will we be ready to give an account of what we have done to our King if the rapture (presuming it's pre-trib) comes tomorrow?
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Too many people want the fruit of Paul's ministry without paying the price that Paul paid. He died daily. He was crucified with Christ. This strong-willed, opinionated man knew that he must die to self. he knew that in his flesh, he couldn't generate the revelation of Christ. So he died. He abandoned his life. He abandoned himself.
We live in a world of competing passions. If we do not die to self and fill our lives with the consuming passion of the worship of God in the nations, we will end up with other passions. It's possible to deceive ourselves into thinking we have Biblical passions when, in reality, all we have done is to baptize the values of our culture and give them Christian names. We will have chosen apostolic passion only when our hearts are filled with God's desire for his Son to be worshipped in the nations.
May I encourage you, dear friend, to give up your life? I challenge you to pray this prayer: "Lord, be ruthless with me in revealing my selfish ambition and my lack of willingness to die to myself.".
A young man in bible school offered to help David Wilkerson years ago when he was ministering on the streets of New York City. Wilkerson asked him how much time he spent in prayer. The young student estimated about 20 minutes a day. Wilkerson told him, "Go back for a month and pray two hours a day, every day for 30 days. When you've done that, come back. Come back, and I might consider turning you loose on the streets where there is murder, rape, violence and daner... If I sent you out now on 20 minutes a day, i'd be sending a soldier into battle withou any weapons, and you would get killed."
Sometimes I wonder why God put me in a school with such hard ground. An environment where it just doesn't seem right to talk about God. Christians abound who are not too ready to step out in their faith. People are in bondage. Every other guy I know seems to be in ponography or talks about immoral things. There is little unity. I cannot recall a single person who is proud to be in this school. If people have passions here, it is either about the latest fashion or the latest soccer news or the latest computer game or the latest pop group. Other people starting groups elsewhere seem to have softer ground. Christian schools and Christian-friendly schools. But then I really am in no position to speak on this. I'm just a servant in my Lord's house.
At the end of the day I everything goes by faith. Starting a Christian group... I sincerely believe that it's not me or my core group who leads this army. It's God. We're just servants playing a small part. God will work on the larger areas. Like spiritual strongholds and attacks of the evil one. Somehow God still involves us, though I know He'd have absolutely no problem sending in a few legions of angels and taking the school without us. All we have to do is pray and spread His word. And God will do the great work.
I have observed so many Christians who simply pray, but do not spread God's word. Who speak in tongues in the morning but can spend the day with vulgarities flowing from the mouth. Just as the word says in James 3, saltwater and spring water cannot flow from the same source. As the people of God, how is it possible that we can pray for God to annoint our schools but yet shut up when it comes to sharing His word when we are with our friends? You ask how we can share His word? Do you not speak with friends each day?- pray for oppurtunities to share and if you really mean it and ask God for it non-stop, I guarantee you that the chances will come! Is your face (which by the way, is only temporal) worth so much that it would deny you the chance to share Christ with your friends? Is Jesus Christ worth more to you than all you have in this world?
And if the answer is yes, to the last question, then nothing should stop you from sharing Christ wherever you go. You don't have to wait for a calling. Just go and get it done. The Great Commission is already enough.
I thank him that enabled me, even Christ Jesus our Lord, for that he counted me faithful, appointing me to his service - 1 Timothy 1:12
I challenge all who read this. Are you sick enough of the hold of the devil on the world around you enough to share God's word? Are you tired enough of satan playing with your friends' lives to pray (and I mean pray with tears and power, not a 5-second, responsibility-fulfilling, conscience-saving prayer) for your schools?
Christ is coming again. Will we be ready to give an account of what we have done to our King if the rapture (presuming it's pre-trib) comes tomorrow?
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