Ask the Lord for a sign

"Ask the Lord your God for a sign, whether in the deepest depths or in the highest heights."
- Isaiah 7:11 NIV

My husband has a long-time friend who has struggled with his faith for years. Recently, this man's faith got a major boost when his grandson was hospitalized because of a sudden and serious affliction. As he left his house to head for the emergency room, he spotted a neighbor walking along the road at a distance. This neighbor had taken walks around the neighborhood every day for many years, and in all that time, she never so much as glanced at my husband's friend whenever he drove by. Desperate to hear from God that his grandchild would recover, this man prayed, "Lord, give me a sign that my grandson is going to be all right." Seconds later, the lady stopped in her tracks, looked at my husband's friend, and gave him a huge wave. Tears sprang to this man's eyes as he recognized the sign from heaven that he had so desperately needed. And he is telling everyone who will listen about the kindness and goodness of God.

Many Christians are afraid to ask God for signs because of Jesus' words in the Gospels, �An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign." (Matthew 12:39 NKJV) But we have to keep in mind that when the Master spoke these words, He was mainly addressing the religious people of His day who were not sincere God-seekers, and who would never believe in the Savior, no matter what He did. Throughout the pages of the Bible, we see that not only did many of God's people ask for signs, but in many cases, the Lord actually offered them signs, when He knew that it would strengthen their faith in Him.

Scripture tells us that God called King David "a man after My own heart." (Acts 13:22) Yet in the Book of Psalms, we discover that David prayed: "Give me a sign of Your goodness, that my enemies may see it and be put to shame, for You, O Lord, have helped me and comforted me." (Psalm 86:17 NIV) David was in effect asking God to give him a sign of His approval, some reassurance that the Lord was standing with him against his adversaries. The prophet Isaiah records an occasion when God offered to give King Ahaz of Judah a sign. "Ask me for a sign, Ahaz, to prove that I will crush your enemies as I have promised. Ask for anything you like, and make it as difficult as you want." (Isaiah 7:11 NLT) Here, the Lord was willing to strengthen the king's faith with a sign of impending victory. Instead, Ahaz foolishly turned down God's offer. "No," he said, "I wouldn't test the Lord like that." (Isaiah 7:12 NLT) The verses that follow reveal that God was actually angered by the king's refusal to ask for a sign.

There are times when I feel impressed in my spirit to ask the Lord for a sign that would encourage my heart in a situation. I receive confirmation that these impressions are from Him, when I receive the answer to my request in defining ways. God does not want us depending on signs as a way of living the Christian life. We are to "live by faith," not by signs. (Romans 1:17) But it would be wise for us to be sensitive to the times when our God would have us turn to Him and say, "Lord, give me a sign..."

(Taken from Devotionals by J.M.Farro)

What is trust?

While on my way back on the bus yesterday, I pluck on to my mp3 to listen to the chinese album by our church. This album is truly anointed. From someone who does not understand Mandarin and is clueless as to what the worship leader is singing, I could still sense His love so strongly =)

I then saw a picture of a lady who's marriage is breaking down. As I thought of her, I started asking myself, "What can she do to save the marriage?" I asked Him many times. I know that by cooking a more delicious meal, by waking up earlier, by listening to his demands, it will not turn her husband's heart who have been cold. She is really not in a position to save the marriage herself. She can cry over her mistake, over the spill orange that spark the fight or the the morning she overslept and fail to prepare him the meal. But we know all this is vanity.

Then the Lord brought this picture to illustrate to me my situation. It's evident in a marriage she cant do anything but in other areas like finance, we still think we can do something.I ask the Lord, "If it's so evident in a broken marriage that the lady cant do anything to save it, do I also not do anything since I cant save or undo my mistakes"

I then saw this. He said the same lady will still do the same thing each morning. Prepare the meal and getting up early each morning. But she do it not out to save her marriage but because she love her husband. And I saw her at her bedroom just spending time with the Lord and letting Him love her. She no longer do it out of works but of rest knowing that the promise of a good marriage is by the Lord.

I was reading the story of the three men thrown in the fire the other day and one verse that really hit me was this, "Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, Who has sent His angel and delivered His servants who believed in, trusted in, and relied on Him!..Daniel 3:28. I would marveled and meditate on those verse. Many times I read of great man of God being delivered and blessed when they trust in Him.

I always ask the Lord of what he meant by trust. When I saw the picture of the lady, I saw what it meant. I saw grace. When all else fails, you are not in a position to do anything but to just simply rely on Him in quiet confidence to come through for you.That is trust.

Step into the Zone

Growing up as a little gal in church, I've always dreamt of dancing on stage. Looking up, I always thought to myself that it was only for the called or the talented ones but as for me I will remain "down here" to something else the Lord has for me =) When DARE started a new dept for dancing, I thought maybe I can join the kids for it. I may not be able to do it when I was young, but at least I get to do it with them now. Litlle did I know that they were auditioning for Planet Shakers. I tried out and toke a step of faith to join with my nil experience. And by His grace I pass the audition. The first few weeks were pretty relax. But as the day drew nearer, I got anxious and had thoughts like, "What have I gotten myself into", "This is a dance to thousands, wat if I forget my steps." I have every thought of backing off. But I stayed on doing it afraid on the inside. Knowing well that when it is completed,  it has been for a great cause. I wanted to take this journey to trust Him in what I know I cannot do by myself. 

It has indeed been a good experience. It was a combination of DARE, Arrow, & the adults coming together to dance. I got to know so many people I wouldn't have if I had not been in it. And I love you all =) We stayed up late, rented rooms & got Steph really worried =) At the final week the Storm were still not giving her performance quality.We just couldn't do it together. What you saw that day was a miracle by itself. An acceleration =)
When the day arrived, every fear I have left. I would shiver and shake when I give a presentation to my class of 20 or even 5 people! I did not even try to do it afraid this time. I was just at rest and it felt like the Lord taking over my steps. Now I understood what it meant when my fren told me, "The Lord will take over". He surely did.
Little would this little girl have imagined her dream came true dancing for the Lord in front of thousands and many walked up or even ran up that day to receive Christ! =) What an awesome sight. What she thought was impossible, the Lord made it possible for His glory.
Thank you Stephanie, Jean & Shanti for teaching us. I had so much fun learning and dancing with you all, laughing so hard over our mistakes. You guys were so patient with us and that was something I admire and learnt.
Grace IS with us!

The snake that was humbled

I love the story about the snake that went to the optometrist for a pair of glasses.

“You can’t wear glasses,”said the optometrist. “You don’t have a nose or ears on which to hang them. And besides, your eyes are in the wrong place. Let’s try some contact lenses.”

“All right,” the snake agreed.

Several weeks later, the snake returned to the doctor.

“Have you been able to see better?” the doctor inquired.

“Yes, I can see fine. But I’m extremely depressed,” the snake complained.

“Why is that?”

“I’ve just discovered that I have been living with a water hose all of theses years.

Clear vision can be painful! Humility is seeing ourselves—both our accomplishments and our failures—from God’s point of view. And such a shift in perspective is not always pleasant! But in humility is where grace flows.

by Robert Jeffress

Daughter you are beautiful

 

'horais'(greek) \beautiful\

'to flourish or be at its loveliest because it has reach the right hour or season'

"The princess is very beautiful..."

Psalms 45:13

(As I was walking along Suntec just now after work, I sense the Lord telling me how important it is to know and sense that we are beautiful in His eyes. The verses that you see above with it's meaning was something the Lord had for me. As I was going to church yesterday in the train, I toke out my bible to read.from Psalms 37 till chapter Psalms 45 where I stop there to ponder over the word beautiful =) To my surprise, Pastor Brian Houston open up his sermon from that passage too. I found out later that he actually preach a totally different sermon from the first, second and fourth. And it was only during third he brought out this verse. After service, I went to the book counter outside and decided to invest in one with my first pay check from my new found blessed job. It was a book by Bobbie Houton, "I'll have what she's having" strongly recommended by Ben (a guy haha) He said it was highly recommended by Coach Maddy and Pastor Lian, so I toke his word for it. I came home and ask the Lord for a page...it was 139. So i tried and turn to it. You wont believe what I saw Hehe~ It was this big word written "Beautiful" with a picture of a mum and her baby girl with the page next to it a picture of a pillow inscribe princess and below it was written Psalms 45 Always and Forever. God's beloved daughter, you are His beautiful princess. He loves me so much to tell me this and made me feel special and is His story for you too =)

'bella' (italian) \beautiful\

Do not be afraid, He is there to hold you.

After I switch off my lights and was about to sleep, I asked the Lord yesterday for a verse for the season I was going through. I flip open my children’s bible and using my hand phone as the torch =) I read the verse that was right before me from Psalms 37. I felt so encouraged by the living Word.
Working and being in church with your friends sometimes can be so different. Only when we are out there can we truly understand and appreciate the comfort and safety of our godly friends. In the church of God, there is unity, the love of Christ in us. With our colleagues, there is a crash of personality, character and some of them even carry with them their insecurities which would greatly affect us if we are not careful to discern them. This can be quite harsh. Talking behind ones back was common in my growing up years. Many times I would try to stay far from it. And I find them no difference in the adult working world too. All this can really weigh us down when we are not careful to shut them off. The Lord instructs us to always keep only what is good. But I’ve learn something along the way. Ask the Lord for His wisdom and protection each morning before work, and it works.
When I’m tired, I have thoughts of taking a break from serving. But He sends His Word thru Pastor and the scriptures to tell me that to serve is not something you do in and out of season. And seeing my youths again, brings back the passion in me once again.He will enable me. I want to serve for life-to reach out to the youths till I’m many many years older, amen =) Verse 4 was highlighted in my bible and it was something that got me reading the whole passage when I open up to it. So simple. Just enjoy serving Him & He’ll answer the desires of my heart.
The highlighted ones below are the verses that have encouraged me.
I was afraid of making mistakes, but He assured me that when I do I will not fall but He’ll be there to hold me.
The good, the righteous, will speak forth with wisdom and lend to many.
He tells me not to get upset or angry when evil takes place because it will not make things get any better. When we trust, rely and follow His ways, He will protect us and be our provision.
This is His promise to me. I will not fear when evil comes knocking at my door because of the covenant He has sealed for us at the cross. I will stand to believe in faith.
Psalms 37
1 Don’t be upset because of evil people, Don’t be jealous of those who do wrong.
2 Like the grass, they would soon dry up. Like green plants, they would soon die away.3 Trust the Lord and do good.Live in the land and enjoy its safety.
4 Enjoy serving the Lord And he will give you what you want.
5 Depend on the Lord.Trust Him, and he will take care of you.6 Then your goodness will shine like the sun.Your fairness will shine like the noonday sun.
7 Wait and trust the Lord.Don’t be upset when others get rich or when someone’s else plans succeed.
8 Don’t be angry. Don’t be upset; it only leads to trouble.9 Evil people will be sent away. But people who trust the Lord will inherit the land.
10 In a little while there will be no more wicked people.You may look for them, but they will be gone.
11 People who are not proud will inherit the land.They will enjoy complete peace.
12 The wicked draw their swords.They bend their bows. They try to kill the poor and helpless.
They want to kill those who are honest.
15 But their swords will stab their own hearts.Their bows will break,
16 It’s better to have little and be right than to have much and be wrong.
17 The power of the wicked will be broken.But the Lord supports those who do right.
18 The Lord watches over the lives of the innocent.Their reward will last forever.
19 They will not be ashamed when trouble comes. They will be full in times of hunger.
20 But the wicked will die.The Lord’s enemies will be like the flowers of the fields.
They will disappear like smoke.
21 The wicked people borrow but don’t pay back.But those who do right give freely to others.
22 Those people the Lord blesses will inherit the land.But those he curses will be sent away.
23 When a man’s steps follow the Lord, God is pleased with his ways.
24 If he stumbles, he will not fall, because the Lord holds his hand.25 I was young, and now I am old.But I have never seen the Lord leave good people helpless.
I have never seen their children begging for food.
26 Good people always lend freely to others
27 Stop doing evil and do good.Then you will live forever.
28 The Lord loves justices.He will not leave those who worship him.
He will always protect them.But the children of the wicked will die.
29 Good people will inherit the land, they will live forever
30 A good person(righteous) person speaks with wisdom.
31 The teachings of his God are in his heart.He does not fail to keep them.
32 The wicked watch for good people.The want to kill them.
The Lord will not take away his protection.He will not judge good people guilty.
34 Wait for the Lord’s help and follow him.
He will honor you and give you the land.
And you will see the wicked people sent away.
35 I saw a wicked and cruel man.He looked strong like a healthy tree in good soil.
36 But he dies and was gone.
37 Think of the innocent person.Watch the honest one.
The man who has peace will have children to live after him.
38 But sinners will be destroyed. In the end the wicked will die.
39 The Lord saves good people. He is strong city in times of trouble.
40 The Lord helps them and saves them. He saves them from the wicked
Because they trust in him for protectionI looked for him, but he couldn’t be found.He says what is fair.And their children are a blessing.