Prayer of Jabez

Do you believe in prayer?

I just remembered about the Prayer of Jabez, and I think it is a good time to pray this now - This prayer is good for all who are spiritually stagnant and wish for greater things to happen - (me) as well as, i thought, for all those who feel they aren't able to see what's going to happen next - those whose future seems unclear and need God's guidance.

The Prayer of Jabez
And Jabez was more honourable than his brethren:

and his mother called his name Jabez, saying,

Because I bare him with sorrow.

And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying,

Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed,

and enlarge my coast,

and that thine hand might be with me,

and that thou wouldest keep me from evil,

that it may not grieve me!

And God granted him that which he requested.

1 Chronicles 4:9, 10

And today's verse from Our Daily Bread is from 2 Chronicles 1 - 3. It's about King Solomon. Think about it, my parents wanted to name their child Solomon (IF I TURNED OUT A BOY!). SO then, what would I have been if I was Solomon? Haha that's a funny thought, and an absolutely ARCHAIC name! But then Solomon was greeeaatt! Just see for yourself:


2 Chronicles 1-3 (New International Version)
New International Version (NIV)
Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society

2 Chronicles 1

Solomon Asks for Wisdom

Solomon son of David established himself firmly over his kingdom, for the LORD his God was with him and made him exceedingly great. Then Solomon spoke to all Israel?to the commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds, to the judges and to all the leaders in Israel, the heads of families- and Solomon and the whole assembly went to the high place at Gibeon, for God's Tent of Meeting was there, which Moses the LORD's servant had made in the desert. Now David had brought up the ark of God from Kiriath Jearim to the place he had prepared for it, because he had pitched a tent for it in Jerusalem. But the bronze altar that Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, had made was in Gibeon in front of the tabernacle of the LORD; so Solomon and the assembly inquired of him there. Solomon went up to the bronze altar before the LORD in the Tent of Meeting and offered a thousand burnt offerings on it.

That night God appeared to Solomon and said to him, "Ask for whatever you want me to give you." Solomon answered God, "You have shown great kindness to David my father and have made me king in his place. Now, LORD God, let your promise to my father David be confirmed, for you have made me king over a people who are as numerous as the dust of the earth. Give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may lead this people, for who is able to govern this great people of yours?"

God said to Solomon, "Since this is your heart's desire and you have not asked for wealth, riches or honor, nor for the death of your enemies, and since you have not asked for a long life but for wisdom and knowledge to govern my people over whom I have made you king, therefore wisdom and knowledge will be given you. And I will also give you wealth, riches and honor, such as no king who was before you ever had and none after you will have."

Then Solomon went to Jerusalem from the high place at Gibeon, from before the Tent of Meeting. And he reigned over Israel.

Solomon accumulated chariots and horses; he had fourteen hundred chariots and twelve thousand horses, which he kept in the chariot cities and also with him in Jerusalem. The king made silver and gold as common in Jerusalem as stones, and cedar as plentiful as sycamore-fig trees in the foothills. Solomon's horses were imported from Egypt and from Kue?the royal merchants purchased them from Kue. They imported a chariot from Egypt for six hundred shekels of silver, and a horse for a hundred and fifty. They also exported them to all the kings of the Hittites and of the Arameans.

Read more: http://bible.gospelcom.net/passage/?search=2%20Chronicles%201-3&version=31;

God is the most beautiful.

Pain.


Low Self-esteem. A silent disease. It corrodes from the inside, no one watching, but only the bearer suffering in silence..

I wonder. Why do I feel so much pain? It's because of this silent killer, A small word - just one line - 'long hair suits you better' - makes me feel ONCE AGAIN to be not beautiful. Aren't we all human? We long for approval. We long for people to praise us. And when we don't receive them, we hunger. The startling truth of humanity, experienced in my life.

Once again, for the millionth time, I feel that something is not right with me. Either my face, body, weight, clothes, this, that and now - my hair.

Short hair? It's the mark of rebellion against femininity. Girls ought to have long hair - the notion that humanity carries. But when girls chop off their luscious locks, they are indirectly rebelling against society norms. Well, today it's normal. All part of fashion and image. But for me? It is a liberation. I feel great! I feel good having short hair once again (I had it when I was sec 3!) I feel young again. I feel like I can be active and sporty. I feel great!

In short, I do not regret having cut my hair. But why? Even if I wanted to shut my ears, one sentence is enough to kill. And I spend the night in utter pain, like as if I were lying on the hospital bed waiting for death.

It was painful. Indeed.

But because of this, I am brought back to God and this morning? I awake with joy and consolation from HIM, full of thanks for Him dying on the Cross. HE Is the most beautiful one on Earth. No matter how much we try at beauty, we will never match HIS beauty. Why then do humanity strive so hard?

And ministry? my desire is simply to serve the Lord. I totally hate it when because of the ups and downs of ministry (isn't it typical?) that people watching are able to comment that it's no good being in ministry. Oh God! That's such a lie! Such a fallacy! Being in ministry is a calling. It's a radical notion. It's a spiritual revolution! Who knows how much I have changed from that time being touched by God in 1999? Who really understands? HOW MUCH I have transformed? They only look at the outer appearance and judge. And sadly I haven't passed that test.

For example, about music - listening to purely Christian music these days, its like an Utter Religious Stupidity. But where you can have fashion statements, I can have Christian Statements isn't it?

These questions perplex me. Today I am going to empty out my heart. There's nothing like emptying yourself till you're totally 0% and then letting God fill you up. Today I am too bandaged up to be myself anymore.

And I Just wait on the Lord.

Light and God, JWM Turner & Claude Lorrain!

Today at work, I am really free.. and praise God, I can at least "breathe". Hehehe!

Meanwhile, I was just reminiscing my holiday in London last month. Went to The National Gallery in Britain. It was the first time I'd been to a real national gallery with huge paintings and it was just awesome. My friend (Ruby) and I just didn't get enough, went there twice! And well, I am thinking back of this artist called JWM Turner. I was so inspired by his paintings, there. The interplay of light and colour. I love light and colour!



Check out his paintings here: http://www.abcgallery.com/T/turner/turner.html

It brought me to think about God, as God is "light" and how even paintings can depict God! and well,.. not to mention, Turner was also influenced by this artist called Claude Lorrain,



who painted "Seaport with the Embarkation of Queen of Sheba" - an awesome painting. Just look at the intricate details! It reminded me again of God as Queen of Sheba is a character in the old Testament! heh!

The amazing properties of Light! And God.

The significance of 23

It just dawned on me recently that I'm 23 this year (yes a bit late since birthday has passed long long ago already). And u know, Psalms 23. And that Jesus said, 'when 2 or 3 are gathered in My name, there I will be'.. and that it was 23rd August yesterday.. haha! Okay cut the crap about 23. But then.. about Psalm 23.. it says:

A Psalm of David.

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:

he leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths

of righteousness for his name's sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the

shadow of death, I will fear no evil:

for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff

they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me

in the presence of mine enemies:

thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me

all the days of my life: and I will dwell in

the house of the LORD for ever.

And I was just thinking today as well: That I may fear men (although there's no need to) but with God, perfect love drives out ALL fear.. and I can come into His presence even though I have sinned countless times, and even though I haven't worshipped Him with my whole heart at times.. and that thought is certainly reassuring. Praise the Lord.

http://www.interviewwithgod.com/psalm23.htm
http://www.inspiringword.net/movies/psa-23a.htm

This is so cool this!

This is so cool..this Blogger for Word application! I can just write my blog in Microsoft Word and then publish it from here! Hey presto! It's fabulous. The wonders of technology!

Thankful in His Righteousness

I am so thankful to God. Sometimes, when things don't happen right, we curse and swear at the circumstances and only end up more frustrated with people or with ourselves. But today, even though my so-called class gathering only ended up with 3 people and 2 more at some other venue, I thank God for it because at the end of the day, it was meaningful, and I felt great to know that I have these friends who are so dear to me.

Meanwhile, on the way back home from the No16 bus stop, I was just singing to myself and realised something - When people say "Put on the righteousness of Christ".. according to Ephesians 6, it is actually referred to the "Breastplate of Righteousness".. which is why people always say "PUT ON"... u gotta put it on, otherwise, it's like going into a battlefield without your MAIN PLATE of armour. It's quite a BIG part of the armour really! Indeed, the importance of knowing and understanding the meaning of RIGHTEOUSNESS in Christ. How many really understand it?

To me, it is like being made worthy. Even though I don't think I'm a soldier, once i put on the breast plate, i act like a soldier and FIGHT. Similarly, even if I don't think i'm worthy for heaven, being sinful and wavering in faith at times, when I put on the Righteousness of Christ, I know I am made for HEAVEN and I jolly well live like one who is aiming for heaven.

It is not so much of self-righteousness - being a good person and being calculative about who is doing something wrong and concerned that as long as you're right, it's ok. it doesn't matter. That's rather selfish.

It's about the righteousness of God. Being a righteous God, he makes sure we have a pathway to redemption. That we are not totally lost forever. He thus gave us JESUS. With Jesus on our breastplate, we are made righteous - "fit" for Heaven. When we "PUT ON the righteousness of Christ" we really are putting on the attitude, the mindset, the behaviour and the desires of Christ in us. We are telling ourselves and the world that we desire to live Holy Blameless Lives. That glorify God. How good is that?

Perfect isn't it?

God's love is holy and perfect.. it satisfies and quenches and overflows. Now.. i am super satisfied. I don't need anything else. Sure I need to go shopping to buy new clothes. But INSIDE I am happy. I AM HAPPY!

I've grown!

Grown fatter? ahhh! ok that's besides the point.. I did put on 0.5kg in a month and it's a dire situation.. considering I was supposed to lose weight..

But all the work and catching up with friends just take priority in life right now.

I just thank God for each day, He opens my eyes to new ways, possibilities, ways I could behave, react and inspirations for new dreams. I just have to let go and place each day into HIS hands.

I just find the latest Hillsong - God He Reigns CD so good to listen to each morning. I wake up dreary and tired.. (coz of all my late nights).. but hearing that,..gets me jumping around in my room as I prepare for work..it's such a rejuvenating start to the day.. the joy that flows through me lasts through the whole day, or at least acts as a reservoir for times when the clients I deal with at work give me a hard time or when I do something wrongly and feel lousy.

I thank God for having grown. Beyond and going further. I wanna go beyond myself. Yet I realise how limited I am. At the most very one time, I can be only doing 1 thing, yet I want to do so many things. I also realise therefore, that wanting to "live life to the fullest" can be a way that we glorify ourselves instead of God. But its great to realise this, for when we are able to see God in the correct perspective, then "living life to the fullest" is only part of the way we can glorify God.

So ultimately, it is where your focus is. Glorifying God? or NOT?

;)

SACCRE

YEsterday (13Aug) I went for the 1st Singapore Archdiocese Catholic Charismatic Renewal Combined Youth Prayer Meet.

It was not extravagant. But simple and effective. Praise the Lord.

Some thoughts I had after the event was.. that it is true that the Catholic Youths today don't know God and have that God-experience, and so many leave the Church after "Confirmation" (the process where we are confirmed as God's believers and empowered with the Holy Spirit) because they don't have a solid personal relationship with the Lord.

Youths today want something real, authentic. "Get Real!" Ads & slogans always say. They want to know the Truth, in a world where every truth is "relative" and no one is supposed to believe in an absolute truth. Even if there was (say JESUS), you'd have no freedom to say it simply because people will comment that we are being preachy or that it's a free world, these "christian" things should be kept at home...

So are we really free people? If we say we are "Free thinkers" are we really free to think what we want or are we thinking what's best for society or what society tells us? Eg... NO RELIGION.

In our increasingly secular society which outphases anything to do with religion/faith, we do not have the choice. If we go with our moralities and values, we are deemed to be conservative, religious, etc.. so is this being "free"?

A free thinker certainly is NOT free! They don't know what to think, what to believe in, so they believe in what's common, normal, secularism.. doing the right things, so that "PERHAPS" God may be pleased with them and they'll have a good life (IF they believe in a God in first place).

I've never done much at debating. but i know at least, I can say that I am free because I am liberated "spiritually". I do not fear for tomorrow because I know it is in God's hands. I do not hold grudges against people because forgiving is liberating and is God's precepts. There's so many aspects about freedom in Christ to talk about. Freedom of our sense of existence.. we know why we are existing. Freedom to praise the Lord. Freedom to live our inheritance in HIM. Freedom to love. Freedom to be different. Freedom to love GOD.

Anyways, I'm leaving it at this.. continue the thoughts another time.. gonna go !!

Romans 16:19

Roman 16:19 says
Be excellent at what is good
Be innocent of evil
And the God of peace would soon crush Satan
Yes, God will crush him Underneath your feet

MAN! I just wanna jamm on my guitar! But its been ages since I played... no time no time no time! But I thank God all the same, because of my new job. More and more each day I realise just how right the job is for me, and how right a place I am in, safe and protected, in the shadows of His wings.

In my workplace, I don't have to worry about pleasing or not pleasing my boss because the people there give me a confidence to act out of my own judgement and the freedom. I don't have to worry about bitchy people because it's a very pleasant small team of people working together.

In my workplace, I realise that it is exactly what I had been doing the past 1-2 years! I had been in committees in school and projects doing stuff as the "web" head/officer, who was doing websites and newsletters.. for my FYP as well as in Campus Crusade. Now, I am the focal point for people who want newsletters to be done and online strategies for their businesses. I actually oversee websites, newsletters and other online stuff being designed. And it's really cool. I didn't realise I really liked this field.

Online marketing. The future of the internet?

Lots to learn. Lots to progress in. Can I be that online expert that this line calls me to be? I believe so. The passon is there. And knowing me.. passion is everything. I need passion to survive. And this is it! There's passion.

God be praised!

Lessons..learnt..

That I am living on the Grace of God each day. That this grace allows me to make mistakes and come back to Him without guilt. That I can be free from my emotional burdens, if I let go and Let God.

That I have to be stronger and know what I want, and what I don't want. That I have to make up my mind. That I have to not lean on the approval or opinions of others, but make my own.

That the joy of the Lord will only be upon me, when I yield to Him. When i yield my circumstances to Him, trust in Him, and let go. When I stop clinging on to self-pity, bitterness, and anger. When I forgive and trust Him, I will be joyous, and victorious.

That, it is not good to decide on something out of fear of losing out, or of not gaining approval.

That when God closes one door, he opens another door.

That, sometimes, we go through ups and downs, to show us things in a different light. Things cannot go smoothly all the time. Embrace your trials, for they make you stronger.

That, sometimes, bitterness and loneliness are some of the typical emotional hangups that really prevent a person from shining with the glory of God. Now then, do I want glory for God? or for someone to justify how bad or how upset I am feeling? I should choose Glory for God. So then, adjust my feelings accordingly.

That, all I have to do is talk it out. But can I? Sometimes, I can't even express the feelings inside of me. And so it means, I have to talk it out.. nevertheless, just find a way to talk it out.

That, it is useless finding things to occupy your time and make you feel better. The best is to go straight to God and trust in Him, not feel bitter and decide NOT to pray.

That, there is truly a rainbow after a storm. I've yet to see many more rainbows and storms ahead. But to be hopeful that God will make me into the person I wish to be, the person HE wishes me to be. That is a hope that is beautiful...

That He will never leave me nor forsake me. Hebrews 13:5

Psalm

Are you feeling broken yet? I am.. Lord.. I am..
http://ministryhealth.net/mh_articles/305_broken_yet.html

Psalm 69

• You know my folly, O God; my guilt is not hidden from you.
• Those who sit at the gate mock me, and I am the song of the drunkards.
• But I pray to you, O LORD, in the time of your favor; in your great love, O God, answer me with your sure salvation.
• Scorn has broken my heart and has left me helpless; I looked for sympathy, but there was none, for comforters, but I found none.
• The LORD hears the needy and does not despise his captive people.
  

"I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you., plans to give you a hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)

"Next time you experience failure, try to put it into perspective. Let it change, shape, and strengthen your ministry and dependence on God's building of the church. Let failure be your teacher, success for Jesus Christ be your aim, and the development of a sound, grace-tempered Christian character be your ultimate goal in your capacity as pastoral leader." Thomas F. Fisher

????

What to do when dilemna strikes you?

On one hand you are faced with ugly consequences of bad decisions. On the other, you face the lack of support from people close to you. Perhaps it is not lack of support, for people close to you really care most, and so they won't support you if its a bad decision.

But all I ask for is some understanding, and some comfort. When I have to face the consequences of the bad decision alone, all I ask for is that no one add salt to the wound by telling me further that "Isn't this what I wanted?"

No.

Can't anyone understand?

Can't anyone respond with love rather than cold logic?

I am already living in the regret of having to break promises and take back my words, disappointing others. Isn't this punishment enough?

I know why people don't evangelise

I know why!

People don't evangelise, because they fail to keep the promises of God in their heart. Their concerns are not of God, and their goals in life are not "for the glory of God".

Granted that not everyone is gifted with the "gift of the gab", or the "Gift of evangelism" but everyone is given a "compulsory" mandate to evangelise or simply tell people about God and the simple fact that God loves them or is waiting for them somehow to believe in Him.

But people don't. WHY? Because they don't believe it themselves. And that's why they don't know How to say it to others. And that's why they have no desire to say it at all.

It's for the HOLY People. Who? pastors and priests? No.. it shld be for ALL God's people. We are called to be Holy and Blameless!

As for me.. my prayer (i just can't sleep without God's assurance) is:

Psalms 27:4-6
"One thing I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple. For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling;
he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle and set me high upon a rock. Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me; at his tabernacle will I sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the Lord."

Rainbow pictures as promised!

See how wonderful this rainbow was? peeking out of a cloud.. it was the most magnificent sight I ever saw in the sky. Looked just like an opal stone.. the iridescent, shimmer of a sea shell..

M&Ms

Mmmmmmm! Enjoying M&Ms at work.. to me this is haven!

Well, its really interesting being "at work". I'm now formally in the work force. No longer a little gal anymore. Sometimes, I find it so weird. It's hard changing from one phase to another but I'm glad that as much as I worried over how the process would go, it is amazingly smooth. More so than i had expected.

I really love it! Dun care whether this is honeymoon period or what.. I'm just loving every moment Gee.. hope i dun have to take back my words when one day the workload gets much (it's a rather quiet time now). Anyways, it seems like by one stroke of luck, I found a place where I am happy. Simple and happy. I am so blessed. Praise God!

If I were lazy, I'd have missed the application by a day, and think of all the consequences. I'd have no job, still on the search, and still in limbo.

Praise the Lord too! That I managed to get this lobang from my friend Cheryl Chia.. and I'd never have gotten it if I didn't meet her in early July. Think about it, If i had been lazy and stayed at home, I'd never get this opportunity.

Lessons: Opportunities are made by going out and finding them. Things fall into place when you trust God and submit to His leading. Things are good when you love God because He makes all things work for the Good for those who love him and are called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28.

And that is why I love rainbows. Because they are a sign of the Verse Romans 8:28. Things work for the good of those who love God. There's always a rainbow after a storm.. DID I mention, I saw a really unique & wonderful rainbow when I was out with Cheryl? I'll post it up tonight.

If I felt shamed, what more He.

Have you ever thought about the evil things done to Christ? Can you think of times when Jesus could have given up? How about his time of temptation? You and I know what it is like to endure a moment of temptation or an hour of temptation, even a day of temptation. But forty days? That is what Jesus faced. "The Spirit led Jesus into the desert where the devil tempted Jesus for forty days" (Luke 4:1?2).

Temptation didn't stop him, nor did accusations. Can you imagine what it would be like to run in a race and be criticized by the bystanders?

What if in the toughest steps of the race, I had heard words of accusation and not encouragement? And what if the accusations came not from strangers I could dismiss but from my neighbors and family?

How would you like somebody to yell these words at you as you ran:
"Hey, liar! Why don't you do something honest with your life?" (see John 7:12).

That's what happened to Jesus. His own family called him a lunatic. His neighbors treated him even worse. When Jesus returned to his hometown, they tried to throw him off a cliff (Luke 4:29). But Jesus didn?t quit running. Temptations didn?t deter him. Accusations didn?t defeat him. Nor did shame dishearten him.

Shame is a feeling of disgrace, embarrassment, humiliation. Forgive me for stirring the memory, but don?t you have a shameful moment in your history? Can you imagine the horror you would feel if everyone knew about it? What if a videotape of that event were played before your family and friends? How would you feel?

That is exactly what Jesus felt. Why? you ask. He never did anything worthy of shame. No, but we did. And since on the cross God made him become sin (2 Cor. 5:21), Jesus was covered with shame. He was shamed before his family. Stripped naked before his own mother and loved ones. Shamed before his fellow men. Forced to carry a cross until the weight caused him to stumble. Shamed before his church. The pastors and elders of his day mocked him, calling him names. Shamed before the city of Jerusalem. Condemned to die a criminal's death. Parents likely pointed to him from a distance and told their children, "That's what they do to evil men." But the shame before men didn't compare with the shame Jesus felt before his father. Our individual shame seems too much to bear. Can you imagine bearing the collective shame of all humanity? One wave of shame after another was dumped on Jesus. Though he never cheated, he was convicted as a cheat. Though he never stole, heaven regarded him as a thief. Though he never lied, he was considered a liar. Though he never lusted, he bore the shame of an adulterer. Though he always believed, he endured the disgrace of an infidel.

Such words stir one urgent question: How? How did he endure such disgrace? What gave Jesus the strength to endure the shame of all the world? We need an answer, don't we? Like Jesus we are tempted. Like Jesus we are accused. Like Jesus we are ashamed. But unlike Jesus, we give up. We give out. We sit down. How can we keep running as Jesus did? How can our hearts have the endurance Jesus had?

By focusing where Jesus focused: on "the joy that God put before him" (Heb. 12:2).

"May he enlighten the eyes of your mind so that you can see what hope his call holds for you, what rich glories he has promised the saints will inherit."
Ephesians 1:18 niv