After being completely frustrated and saddened about the world and myself for a very long time, I came to a moment in time this afternoon when I HAD to do something!
IMAGINE if I took all the money that comes my way and said, ‘God, ALL this is yours… what do you want me to do with it?’
IMAGINE if I dared to radically give to people, even in times of lack.
IMAGINE if I opened my day planner and said, ‘God, ALL my time is yours… what would you like me to do with it?’
IMAGINE if I chose to invest time into people, giving them permission to talk and just listening without having to 'have my own say'.
IMAGINE if I surrendered all my possessions and said, ‘God, EVERYTHING I have is yours… what would you like me to do with these?’
IMAGINE if I opened my arms, looked into the face of my God and said, ‘Daddy, ALL I AM IS YOURS… You can move me, open me, heal me, love me, use me, ruin me, do whatever you want to… all I am is yours.’
I dare myself to do this. I am scared… but I shouldn’t be. God is good, faithful, trustworthy… what have I to fear? When I live and love with open hands, that is when everything I love is truly safe.
So why not try this? There is no point being convicted and then doing… nothing…
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Stirring Up My Faith
For the past two years, I have been learning about faith and finances. Prior to this time, I was working hard, earning a living while studying and had the ability to buy whatever I wanted. Then God asked me to go to Bible College last year and to come to YWAM (Youth With A Mission) in Singapore this year. This time in my life has really challenged my mindset about provision.
I am a good provider for myself. I know what it means to work and get paid. I know how to live within my means and how to budget.
Then I do not need God…
Having grown up without a real Dad, I do not know how to look to God as a Daddy who loves and provides and intentionally seeks to bless me. No matter how much I hear teaching on this, the journey from my head to my heart has proven difficult and God knows that the only way I will ‘get it’ is through experience.
This morning, I have been moaning my money woes. I want to have my hair cut but some money that I was expecting in my account has not gone through. A simple thing, like a hair cut, is now something I have to think about. Previously, I never had to think about where the money for a trim would come from.
I was chatting with JJ on MSN just now, and he told me to ‘not have a poverty mentality; that God would provide for me.’ I have been sitting here and thinking about his words.
I have heard so many times from the pulpit the words ‘stir up your faith!’ said with great enthusiasm. It makes me feel awakened and fired up to believe. Then I walk out of church and too soon forget.
I decided that I will not be a ‘victim’ this morning. I do not want to be depressed and downcast, thinking of my lack rather than of my Jehovah Jireh, my God who provides. I do not want to be a ‘hearer of the Word’ only, and not a ‘doer’.
I sat myself down and began to remember. I told myself stories about how God has miraculously provided for me over the past two years, and even beyond.
I remembered a few months ago I was doing a one-day ironing job and at the end, the lady presented me with a cheque that covered my board for the month… the amazing mobile phone that was given to me… when I came back from outreach with $3 in my purse and by the end of the night I had $50… the list goes on!
My faith is still growing slowly, day-by-day. However, regardless of my faith or lack of faith, my Daddy God continues to be faithful. I have never had no food, no roof over my head, and no clothes. Anything above this is abundant blessing. I just need to realise the fact and change my mindset.
Perhaps instead of focusing on my lack, it would do me good instead to remember the blessings and bask in the love and goodness of my Daddy.
I am a good provider for myself. I know what it means to work and get paid. I know how to live within my means and how to budget.
Then I do not need God…
Having grown up without a real Dad, I do not know how to look to God as a Daddy who loves and provides and intentionally seeks to bless me. No matter how much I hear teaching on this, the journey from my head to my heart has proven difficult and God knows that the only way I will ‘get it’ is through experience.
This morning, I have been moaning my money woes. I want to have my hair cut but some money that I was expecting in my account has not gone through. A simple thing, like a hair cut, is now something I have to think about. Previously, I never had to think about where the money for a trim would come from.
I was chatting with JJ on MSN just now, and he told me to ‘not have a poverty mentality; that God would provide for me.’ I have been sitting here and thinking about his words.
I have heard so many times from the pulpit the words ‘stir up your faith!’ said with great enthusiasm. It makes me feel awakened and fired up to believe. Then I walk out of church and too soon forget.
I decided that I will not be a ‘victim’ this morning. I do not want to be depressed and downcast, thinking of my lack rather than of my Jehovah Jireh, my God who provides. I do not want to be a ‘hearer of the Word’ only, and not a ‘doer’.
I sat myself down and began to remember. I told myself stories about how God has miraculously provided for me over the past two years, and even beyond.
I remembered a few months ago I was doing a one-day ironing job and at the end, the lady presented me with a cheque that covered my board for the month… the amazing mobile phone that was given to me… when I came back from outreach with $3 in my purse and by the end of the night I had $50… the list goes on!
My faith is still growing slowly, day-by-day. However, regardless of my faith or lack of faith, my Daddy God continues to be faithful. I have never had no food, no roof over my head, and no clothes. Anything above this is abundant blessing. I just need to realise the fact and change my mindset.
Perhaps instead of focusing on my lack, it would do me good instead to remember the blessings and bask in the love and goodness of my Daddy.
Thursday, November 27, 2008
I Dare You: Embracing Life With Passion
‘Taking responsibility for how we live is a brave thing. It takes courage to accept life as it comes to us and it also takes courage to be determined to make the most we can out of it. Life is too short to waste it by always erring on the cautious side or playing it safe instead of pursuing all you can be. It’s time to take action and make your life count: step out of the boat and start working toward leaving a legacy when you are gone.’ [p. ix]
‘It is possible to change our motive by simply making a decision, but we must first know what our motives and purposes are. This requires some deep soul searching few people take the time to do. Quite often we are afraid to really know ourselves. It is a brave person who faces truth about himself and does whatever is necessary to line up with God’s will. I dare you to be bold enough to honestly examine all your motives and be willing to do nothing if you cannot do something for right reason.’ [p. 15]
- ‘I Dare You: Embracing Life With Passion’ by Joyce Meyer
‘It is possible to change our motive by simply making a decision, but we must first know what our motives and purposes are. This requires some deep soul searching few people take the time to do. Quite often we are afraid to really know ourselves. It is a brave person who faces truth about himself and does whatever is necessary to line up with God’s will. I dare you to be bold enough to honestly examine all your motives and be willing to do nothing if you cannot do something for right reason.’ [p. 15]
- ‘I Dare You: Embracing Life With Passion’ by Joyce Meyer
Friday, November 21, 2008
Advent Conspiracy
As we are nearing Christmas, the mad rush begins to buy presents for our family and friends and for anyone and everyone that we can think of. I have ended buying gifts for people, not because I wanted to, but because I was afraid to offend them, or out of obligation as I knew that they would be shopping for me, possibly also out of obligation as they thought I would be giving them a gift.
Shopping Centres become increasingly hectic as we try to find the perfect gifts to give people that have everything.
After Christmas, we are blessed/burdened with more things to clutter our already cluttered lives, homes... Not all presents are so frivolous, but in general... you get the idea.
I was sent a link to this website by a friend of mine and I think it is worth visiting, watching the short video and perhaps being open to celebrating Christmas a little differently this year.
http://www.adventconspiracy.org/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K14c4NGuhDI&feature=related
Shopping Centres become increasingly hectic as we try to find the perfect gifts to give people that have everything.
After Christmas, we are blessed/burdened with more things to clutter our already cluttered lives, homes... Not all presents are so frivolous, but in general... you get the idea.
I was sent a link to this website by a friend of mine and I think it is worth visiting, watching the short video and perhaps being open to celebrating Christmas a little differently this year.
http://www.adventconspiracy.org/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K14c4NGuhDI&feature=related
Thursday, October 9, 2008
God Answers Prayer...
I have an amazing story to share with you!
When I first came to Singapore, I was so blessed to be loaned a mobile to use for my time here. For the past month or so however, it has been not working properly. Finally, on Sunday, it stopped working completely. It was an older phone and I think that it had just run out of life.
I was coming home from spending lunch with some friends. It was about 6pm. I was somewhat frustrated. I do not have the money to buy a new mobile. I really need a phone because I am contacted via text message when I need to do work for YWAM.
So I prayed…
Dear God, I do not know if you can do this. I really need a new mobile. If it is possible, are you able to get me one by the end of the day? Amen
I prayed full of doubt and not expecting the answer I wanted.
When I got home to the YWAM Base where I live, I met with some girls talking. One of them was a girl that I am just starting to get to know. She asked me how my day was and I shared how frustrated I was about my phone and told her about the prayer I had just prayed less than an hour ago. To my surprise, she said, I have a spare phone, would you like to keep it? My heart leapt at these words. Of course, I would love it!
In the end, God answered my prayer by giving me a hardly used and in wonderful condition phone. I did not have to pay a cent. The girl also had the manual for the phone with her. She had bought it from home as a spare one.
God has answered my prayers before, but to have one answered so immediately really touched my heart. It reminded me about how much God really cares for me and for the little things that matter to me!
When I first came to Singapore, I was so blessed to be loaned a mobile to use for my time here. For the past month or so however, it has been not working properly. Finally, on Sunday, it stopped working completely. It was an older phone and I think that it had just run out of life.
I was coming home from spending lunch with some friends. It was about 6pm. I was somewhat frustrated. I do not have the money to buy a new mobile. I really need a phone because I am contacted via text message when I need to do work for YWAM.
So I prayed…
Dear God, I do not know if you can do this. I really need a new mobile. If it is possible, are you able to get me one by the end of the day? Amen
I prayed full of doubt and not expecting the answer I wanted.
When I got home to the YWAM Base where I live, I met with some girls talking. One of them was a girl that I am just starting to get to know. She asked me how my day was and I shared how frustrated I was about my phone and told her about the prayer I had just prayed less than an hour ago. To my surprise, she said, I have a spare phone, would you like to keep it? My heart leapt at these words. Of course, I would love it!
In the end, God answered my prayer by giving me a hardly used and in wonderful condition phone. I did not have to pay a cent. The girl also had the manual for the phone with her. She had bought it from home as a spare one.
God has answered my prayers before, but to have one answered so immediately really touched my heart. It reminded me about how much God really cares for me and for the little things that matter to me!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)