Father and Child

Small little events we witness daily can be a message from the Lord if we take time to pause and think abt it. Here's something which i saw today which is a gd reminder of God's love for us.

While on the train, I saw a father and son standing next to the row of handles which we grab onto when the train is moving. The father was holding onto his son of abt 2yrs, while the son was grabbing the handles. At the same time, the father slowly lowered his arms, while still carrying his kid and allowed his son to try to use his own strength to hold onto the handles. This was repeated over and over again. Of course, the son didnt succeed each time, but yet there was so much joy between both the father and the son.

Kind of reminds you how as a christian, the way we r treated by God is something like the above scene. He holds onto us and yet at the same time, he slowly let go and allows us to experience and try out things so that we can grow in maturity and be able to stand on our own feet. And the great thing is, each time whenever we might fail in our attempts, God is already there waiting to hold onto us so that we wont get hurt from trying to overcome new challenges.

Being a young or matured christian isnt a matter, each new challenge might be tough but yet we can be assured that our God is already on hand to hold us whenever we need him.

Continue to trust that the Lord is indeed beside each and everyone of you in your daily lives.

Side note: Thank you Lord for 1 year of learning and sharing through this blog. May it continue to be a blessing to everyone out there.

God Speaks Progressively

The bible reveals a progressively pattern in the way God communicated with people. In Old Testament times the heavenly Father spoke in multiple ways. The Gospels tell us God fulfilled the Old Testament prophecies and deepened his relationship with his people by sending his Son. After Christ's Ascension, God sent the spirit and established the church, continuing to communicate with his people. Jesus said it was to his disciples' advantage that he leave them so that they receive the Holy Spirit.

God also relates to individuals in a progressive way. In the bible, someone's first meeting with God is often more dramatic than later encounters. The original discourse between God and Moses was the burning bush experience. A bright light literally blinded Saul of Tarsus when the risen Christ first confronted him. Likewise, Ezekiel's first encounter with God was unforgettable as he saw a great cloud of fire flashing and heavenly messagers within it. (Ezek. 1:4-21). However, as each of these men grew in his relationship with God, God did not always need to use such dramatic means to gain their attention and to communicate his will. For example, the apostle Paul mentions hearing from God often, but apart from a couple of exceptions, the manner he describes seems to indicate an intimate, daily communication, not a string of earth-shattering events. Many people seek a series of spectacular experiences with God, but biblically the dramatic seems to be the exception rather than the norm.

God seeks a dynamic, growing relationship with his people, so he speaks progressively to individuals. He guides people step-by-step, day-by-day, each new word building upon what he said previously. When God first spoke to Abraham, it was to tell him to leave his homeland and to go to a different place. At first, God didn't even tell him where his new home would be. After following God for almost forty-five years, Abraham received the command to sacrifice his only son (Gen 22:1-3) . It is doubtful Abraham would have been prepared for such a difficult word at the outset of his walk with God.

Likewise, Jesus taught his disciples in a progressive way. He did not speak to them about the cross, for example, until they had first come to understand that he was the Christ (Matt 16:13-21). They simply were not ready for such a stunning revelation before then.

- Hearing God's voice by Henry & Richard Blackaby

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What phase are you @ in your walk with Christ ?

Only He knows what's best

When you pray that certain things wont happen to you and God decides to turn it 180 degrees around and instead gives to you the exact things you didn't want, it can be mind blowing ! Of course, after spending Sunday night thinking about it while uploading the pics for retreat, its a sense of knowing that God knows what's best for me. So yup, I'm thankful for everything that was given to me and I'll use them wisely to spur myself on till retreat 2009.

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Its no coincidence that retreat 07 and 08 both ended on the last day of my holidays. Somehow, its a good boost to start school on the right note after spending time to reflect on both retreats and asking what's next. To me, the end of retreat 07 was the start of a 1 yr journey which concluded with retreat 08. Now that retreat 08 is over, its time for a new phase till retreat 09 of which, to continue to serve with a clearer mindset and maybe waiting for other things to drop down from the top boss above us. "Ouch"

In between these 2 retreats, the Lord has answered lots of questions, lots of doubts and lots of prayers as well. So much similar to what the Israelites did when they were brought out of Egypt that they kept asking God for miracles (re-learnt this during children service), i understand now that complaining must be done in the right manner. I guess it enough seen and time to really just let things play out in the way God wants them to be (even if sometimes, one will ask why in this way must it happen then the end goal can be reached).

The Lord really loves M'kkadesh. Everyone who is in the cell, can feel and is witnessing great things that God has done, is doing and is continuing to do even at this stage. It takes 2 hands to get a thing done, God is doing his part, now its our turn to do our part. As a body, so much can be done, but each individual must first be willing to play out his/her part. This is also why God has given us one another and to some, closer friends in this cell. So that we can encourage, teach and pull one another on the path that God intends for this cell group. Let us not waste away yet another 365 days before we come again to retreat 09 and ask for the same things once again. Its high time we move on to a new level in our faith for there is so much out there we can give to and bless if we in the 1st place get ourselves aligned with God's will.

Well, we did asked for time to spend to know one another better so that's one very quick answered prayer. He knows our deepest desires, given us so much,don't you think we really need to take a stand for God. He has given his greatest creation the ability to decide what we want, so what's your choice after hearing and receiving so much during this retreat? Only He knows what's best for each one of us, all we ever need is to trust that he is control of everything.

"No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you." Joshua 1:5

He's there, so close beside us, waiting to be let in to be in the centre of all things we encounter in this life. Don't allow yourself to run your life, let God do it, things will turn out so much differently when God is in charge of things.

No one is perfect, not me, not you, only God is. So don't ever get discouraged how tough the choice we make for God will be. Just as Marcus shared abt trying out a new shirt b4 putting it on, remember to put on your NEW SELF and cover it with the armour of God so that it stays clean !