Weblog

Wednesday, 22 July 2009

  • Self bible study

    Self bible study on the OT/NT and on how individuals overcame challenges in their current situation / presented to them (in progress), in their personal lives and according to the calling, plans and purposes of the Lord.  This list is inexhaustive and a start.

     

    I started on this list on the day of fasting for personal breakthrough from a very bad flu, which mucked me up for about three weeks.  Its interesting how fasting brings clarity of understanding and connection with the Holy Spirit. (Thank You Lord.)

     

    Biblical examples

    Description

    Personal comments

    Esther

     

    Characteristic of situation: Unprovoked, in exile – have no control of their circumstance but have control over how they would respond.

    Growing anti-Semitism and ultimate genocide planned for the Jews.

     

    Esther trusted in her keeper (Mordecai).  Esther also relied on his advice and instructions but ultimately, sought the Lord through personal / corporate prayer and fasting for strength and boldness, and for the Lord to move on behalf of the people.

    Keys:

    ·         Prayer and fasting (3 days).  Three days prayer and fasting (without food and water) generally connotes the dire and enormity of the situation.

    ·         Having good instructions from a reliable source who is connected to God also, whose character has shown non-comprise.

    Nehemiah

     

    Characteristic of situation:

    Stepped up to the challenge to rebuild the temple.  Sought the Lord for it.

    Have been in this situation before and asked the Lord for the challenge and task.

    Key: 
    God gave Nehemiah unparalleled wisdom and strength of character.

    Daniel

    Characteristic of situation:

    In exile and in the king’s palaces for service to the king.

    Temptation/s:

    Various temptations presented from excesses, idolatry, idol worship and magic, pressure to submit and follow the practices of the ruling party.

    Daniel avoided temptation from the beginning and left the consequences of his/their decisions to hold fast to the teaching of the Lord, to the Lord.

    Keys:

    ·         Holding fast to the principals learned and convictions built about honouring God in what he would participate in whether in food/drinks, activities, etc (demonstrated with food).

    ·         Continuing in a life of prayer and separation from the heathenistic lifestyles of the king’s court.

    ·         Relying, having confidence in and trusting the Lord for the consequences of obedience to Him.

    Abraham

    Characteristic of situation:

    Requiring obedience and trust, and submitting to the will of God in all things.

    Challenge: Overcoming and appropriately dealing with disbelief, personal desires/flesh and temptations either from the devil or other people.

    It is important to trust in the Lord completely and have faith in His Lordship and take comfort in His sovereignty (not see God’s sovereignty as controlling but rather as God knowing all things and who’s thoughts are higher than ours and thereby, we can trust Him fully and His judgements.

    It’s important to gain God’s principals and to fill out hearts and minds with His Word in order to endure to the very end.

    Keys:

    ·         Build a personal relationship with God.

    ·         Build an altar of prayer and a life of submission to the Lord.

    ·         Build an altar of worship to God.

    Moses

    Characteristic of situation:

    Enormous task of bringing salvation and deliverance to the God’s people who became enslaved by the Egyptian when they became a multitude of people.

    Enslavement linked to spiritual authority and present controlling spirit.

    Keys:

    ·         Know that we serve a God of miracles and power. 

    ·         The power of God is demonstrated for His plans and purposes.  It is not for our own plans, but for the plans of Almighty God.  Notice how the miracles and power giftings operated in accordance to what the Lord has directed and not Moses’ own desires or understanding.

    ·         Partnering with God in His plans and purposes.

    ·         Moses did not fight evil with his own power but by the power demonstrated by the spirit of God and relied upon the Lord to perform as He says He will do.

    Jesus

    Characteristic of situation:

    Roman empire and anti-Jewish types ruling party (Herod) anti-Christ sentiment by the Pharisees and other religious leaders (religious spirit evident, pride and hardness of heart)

    Jesus showed us complete submission to the Father’s will and obedience unto death.

    Paul

    An apostle and a forerunner of the faith to the gentiles.

    Paul's life is a clear example of obedience, conviction, life-long gratitude to the Lord, reliance upon the Holy Spirit and endurance.

    Currently
    Hello Love
    By Chris Tomlin
    see related

Sunday, 28 June 2009

  • All moved in

    I've well and truly moved into my new place, however still settling in and still a few boxes of nick-nacks to pack away or throw away. I never know what to do with old photos, diaries and collectibles. I find things cumbersome sometimes although I tell myself its important to keep some for my kids in the future so they know what mom and her friends look like when she was younger. Strange as it may seem, I'm already thinking of my next property... I think I'll build the next one and hopefully have a little more input in the design and interior design.

    In the meantime, I need to set up my internet and phone lines and invest in a Mac computer (hopefully by next week). The initial investment costs more but the maintenance is low. There's less problems with internet viruses and the costs related to virus buster programs. And there's no need to de-frag your computer either. On top of that there's a whole heap of Mac programs that motivates creativity.

    The roofing people are coming to put in insulator soon (I think). The neighbours have organised a roof insulation installation for some of us and its government funded. Thank the Lord for that.

    I'm still down with the flu but will need to get back to work tomorrow. I hope I will be well enough by then.

    Then there's a trip to Israel next year that I may be interested in but will need to research into the trip before then. Its about time I get there, I think. I haven't done an International trip to a country where I've not been to for about 10 years now, so I think the time is ripe.

    Anyhoo... just a quick update...

    Bye for now.

Friday, 22 May 2009

  • Another chapter

    Its 22 May 2009 and the end of another chapter, and the beginninng of yet another.

    In the past month, I've found out that my spine is no longer straight and that triggered and created ongoing pain, I applied for a new job at a higher level and got it, resigned from my workplace, purchased a townhouse, organised and attended a few late night meetings at work, in the process of finalising my move, ran an event which involved keynote speaker, the Deputy Premier & Health Minister, Paul Lucas, attended a Board meeting at my new workplace prior to starting and finally feeling a little burnt out, and in quiet waiting on the Lord for renewal and refreshment.  Despite feeling "quite out of it", God has really sustained me by His grace and blessed me, and my persistent prayer was that God would help me keep a good attitude irrespective of what was happening at the workplace and how I felt physicially.

    I had hoped to finish up at the workplace last week but due to the event on Saturday and handover duties, I persevered for another week.  All I desire to do right now is to worship at the altar of God once again so that the new chapter-season begins with worship and thanksgiving.

    I thank the Lord for His Lordship in my life and over the workplace.
    I thank the Lord for growing and expanding me through this workplace and providing me with much needed skills required for my next venture.
    I thank the Lord for giving me hope and a future, and faith to continue to believe Him for His plans and purposes, and promises.
    I thank the Lord for giving me greater understanding concerning His Word.
    I thank the Lord for preachers who are faithful in adminstering their gifts and knowledge that they have been bestowed by God and in preaching the Word.
    I thank God for every season that He brings into my life because He knows all things and is in control.

    I pray that God will restore my mobile phone (my Nokia phone went capoot right after Melbourne) as the clarity of the speaker and visual capacity-precision (photo) is high.  For some reason it means a lot to me.  At times I think it reminds me of the giftings that God has given to me and to keep my communication pathway with Him clear and precise; giving no room for doubt.
    I pray that God will grant me greater insight into His Word and application, greater understanding of the prophetic and also the ability to communicate His Word, imparting faith to listeners.
    I pray that God will keep me in His perfect peace and love, forever!
    I pray that God will bless my family, my husband and children (those to come).
    I pray that God will keep them in His perfect peace and love forever!
    I pray that God will renew my spirit, refresh me and restore and increase my strength, and bring a complete healing to my back to give me a strong and firm back.
    I pray that God will increase my love for Him.

    Last but not least, I know that God is good.  His mercies endures forever.  He is just and mighty.  Jesus Chris is His name. Lord of All!

Tuesday, 05 May 2009

  • From Expansion to Rest

    It has been an incredible journey so far.  The Lord is faithful.

    I started my current job last July.  And my term is now ending.  It was a time of expansion.  And now God is bringing me into a time of rest (one year) in another place.

    So far in the last few years, it has been:

    A time for rest (2006),
    A time for restoration (2007 - Conservatorium),
    A time of strengthening (2008 - GU, Law firm, Mining firm),
    A time of expansion (mid 2008/09 - Med Association),
    A time of blessing and believing for provision (2009 - a new home and provision of furniture, etc),
    A time of rest (2009 - a new job on the horizons).

    God's ways are higher than ours.  His wisdom is greater than the seas and the stars put together.  The Lord is great!

    O Lord, You are my wisdom and counsel.  A God who changes the times and seasons.  A God who is faithful and filled with compassion and goodness.  In all things, faith is required.  Faith is demanded.  For faith pleases You.

    Who would have thought that in less than a year, you have not only released provision to me, You have given me promotion and rest.  I rest in You, Lord for my soul is weary, tired but spirit is yearning for more of You.  Thank You for the rest You give.  Cause me to know it, walk in it and receive it, by faith in Jesus' name. Amen.

Tuesday, 17 February 2009

  • A Successful Christian

    Lately, I've been hearing this more and more, "Be a successful Christian", "Are you a successful Christian", "God wants you to be a successful Christian".

    Is this true?  Does God really wants us to be successful Christian?  Is Christianity about success?

    Some say its a matter of interpretation and definition, while others say, yes, Christians can be successful in life.

    If I measure my life on success and being a successful Christian, I may truly have to say that I'm a total failure.

    I believe God calls us first to a live in Christ and into His rich promises.  God promises that in Christ, we would live an abundant life; a life of grace, hope and love that is founded in Him irrespective of situation, time or change, and not a life that is free from the troubles and worries of life, the challenges of loss and the challenges of grieve.

    I believe God call us to sanctification and holiness.  This is an ongoing process as we continue to abide in Him and maintain our position in Him and grow in Him.  This can happen through grace, faith and obedience.  But along the way, we face many challenges but we hope in God and learn to trust in His faithfulness and strength.

    I believe God calls us to a place of honest reflection and examination of our lives in the light of His Word.  God wants us to be true and know the truth so that we can be set free.  God desires that we delight in Him and have no other 'delights' / 'idols' before Him.

    I believe God call us to an intimate relationship with Him and a love for His people.  His Word says, "do good to those who are in the household of God".  We are continue to love one another preferring each other.

    I believe that God is good and He is true!  His ways are higher than ours and His sight / vision is greater than ours.  I believe that we ought to and need to fully trust and rely on the Lord even though disappointments come our way and we don't understand why things don't go the way we have planned or even desired.  I believe that God wants us to trust in Him and not our own understanding.  God is good!

    I believe God is full of love and glory.  He desires that His church be separated from the world and worldliness; to be set apart and recognisable!  I believe God desires for His church to be glorious! (beautiful, pure and experiencing true freedom).

    I believe that true freedom is not about having our every needs or wants met but even when we don't have what the world consider or categorise as lifestyle needs, we are more than conquerors and we are content with what God has appointed for our lot.  I believe God desires us to know what He has appointed us to and to walk with Him, rely upon Him and have faith in Him.

    I believe as true Christian, the true sense of success is when we are walking with God and irrespective of what life deals us, we continue to walk with Him and to grow in our love for God and for His people.  It is not the outcome of what we do is that the most important, but the value of God and who He is and in knowing Him, we have life.

    I believe...

     

Pulse