"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen"
~ Hebrews 11:1 ~
To me, this verse, though it was a verse like to remember in last year's VBS. It was a really powerful thing to me because as I was doing my Quiet Time (QT) just now, God placed this verse back into my heart again!
In the recent weeks, I've not been really very faith filled in certain areas of my life, and I think like when Fifi shared with us about faith during the leaders meeting last night (like until 115am in the middle of the night), it really impacted me!
It set me thinking and made me realise just how much I had to be living in faith, and living with faith. Normally, many people will live by the agenda of 'success breeds faith', but like what was shared yesterday, I truly believe in the other way round, 'faith breeds success'!
I sat there thinking back to the day I was 1st told to lead Effects Ministry, and then, a revelation hit me. In those times, I really didn't know anything, didn't know what to expect, didn't know just what I had to do, but I know I had just 1 thing... FAITH!
Faith to trust in the Lord.
Faith to lead the ministry.
Faith that the Lord will lead me to lead the ministry.
This is when I started to see Effects grow and mature, as talents grew and more people became more planted and committed in the ministry. It gave me the strength and the wisdom to lead, that simple faith and trust in God.
Only then did I realise just how much I really missed spending that time with God and to just cast all my inner and deeper burdens unto Him. Hence, as I was planning and doing a number of things just now, when there was just a burden to go into His presence and pray, I took that step of faith and did it.
I didn't care whether or not it would mean sacrificing sleep and working late. I didn't care whether it mean being physically spent. To me, all that mattered was that simple believe and faith that the only reason why I was called and burdened to do so, was that God wanted to do something.
I am glad that I did it.
During my QT, after being planted that Word, I realised just how powerful that 1 verse was in my life. It literally translate the essence of faith, to just believe and trust that things will happen, where at the end of it, it will become an evidence of things that would come.
As I dwelled in God's presence, He led me in prayer and I suddenly felt the burden to pray for certain things in my life and for certain people that I never really did count as priority people. In the end, the burden grew so strong, the presence came so strongly, I could do nothing but pray as the Lord leads and as I wept in His presence.
Towards the end, I could feel an tingling and electrifying experience flowing from my fingers and hands, to the rest of my body. It was as though God was just saying, 'have faith, I will lead you as you have faith that I will!'
I will live as that, and commit my life, into that simple essence of relationship with God...
FAITH
HoGC
a vision...
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Thursday, May 8, 2008
~ Rain... Raining down on me ~
What' s the purpose of my title?
Looking at the church events for the year, there's Red Rain Concert this coming 24th-25th May, 2008!
This is an event that brings in the alternative life of Christian music!
1st look into the concert, check out this website http://www.redrain.sg
After you look through, I'm sure that you'll want to come, so take the opportunity to enjoy and view a mindblowing, Christian music experience!
Looking at the church events for the year, there's Red Rain Concert this coming 24th-25th May, 2008!
This is an event that brings in the alternative life of Christian music!
1st look into the concert, check out this website http://www.redrain.sg
After you look through, I'm sure that you'll want to come, so take the opportunity to enjoy and view a mindblowing, Christian music experience!
Sunday, March 23, 2008
~ Water Baptism ~
"Whether that means life or death, no matter!"
~ Philippians 1:21 (My Utmost for His Highest) ~
This is my life verse, and it is what I live by, declaring it to everyone as I got baptised today.
Today, was one of the biggest days of my life, besides the day that I recommited my life to God.
It was the day that I got my Water Baptism.
Since I came to Heart of God Church, I've always dreamt and wanted to get myself water baptised, after being baptised in the Holy Spirit. Today, this finally came through, and I am at a lost of words, for words can never expressed the feelings and range of emotions that I've gotten today.
Today, as I stepped into the pool, awaiting my baptism, I felt God's presence, and it reassured me of my decision to take this step of faith, this step of declaration and to surrender all that I was to Him.
I will always remember the point when Pastors placed their hands upon me, and declared, 'Colin, I baptise you in the name of the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit!', and I was placed into the pool of water and out in less than 1 minute.
Yet, in that short few seconds that I was in the water, I felt God's presence. It was a presence, that really allowed me to feel totally clean, and a joy filled my heart & spirit. I then heard a Voice, that simply said, 'It is done!'
I came out, feeling very light, and more joyous then I ever had been! Feeling a love that I knew could only come from God for it made me tear and just praise Him in my spirit.
God is an awesome God!
~ Philippians 1:21 (My Utmost for His Highest) ~
This is my life verse, and it is what I live by, declaring it to everyone as I got baptised today.
Today, was one of the biggest days of my life, besides the day that I recommited my life to God.
It was the day that I got my Water Baptism.
Since I came to Heart of God Church, I've always dreamt and wanted to get myself water baptised, after being baptised in the Holy Spirit. Today, this finally came through, and I am at a lost of words, for words can never expressed the feelings and range of emotions that I've gotten today.
Today, as I stepped into the pool, awaiting my baptism, I felt God's presence, and it reassured me of my decision to take this step of faith, this step of declaration and to surrender all that I was to Him.
I will always remember the point when Pastors placed their hands upon me, and declared, 'Colin, I baptise you in the name of the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit!', and I was placed into the pool of water and out in less than 1 minute.
Yet, in that short few seconds that I was in the water, I felt God's presence. It was a presence, that really allowed me to feel totally clean, and a joy filled my heart & spirit. I then heard a Voice, that simply said, 'It is done!'
I came out, feeling very light, and more joyous then I ever had been! Feeling a love that I knew could only come from God for it made me tear and just praise Him in my spirit.
God is an awesome God!
Monday, March 3, 2008
~ Serving and Believing ~
"Feed My sheep"
~ John 21: 17 ~
A simple 3 words that mean so much, in so many ways. Yet, it provokes the mind, provokes the heart, provokes the spirit.
When the Lord asks us to feed His sheep, it's easy to say that we understand and that we will do it. It's easy to answer, 'Yes Lord, I will do it!'
But, do we really understand what does it fully entail and live it out?
Many times, while we serve and when we love, we say it's impossible and tiring, cause of different and special characters. Characters that we are not used to, characters that we are uncomfortable with, and characters that sometimes are in conflict with who we are.
However, when the calling comes and the commission has been laid, it is a simple rule... to LOVE.
Love not from our own capacity, but drawing it from our Father, and love only like the Father can. It something so simple yet so hard, yet we've to understand this and tap onto it. It's not easy, but it's the ONLY way.
Love is from God, so who else better to learn from but Him. He Who loves us more then we ever deserved.
The question now is, do you believe that you can do it? Do you believe that we can trust the Lord, and love & serve like He wants us to do, and like Him?
"Sir, Thou hast nothing to draw with"
~ John 4:11 ~
How much faith do we have in our Father?
When we say that we cannot accomplish something, we're actually not trusting in the Lord. It's as though we are saying that God can't do the things that we want to do.
It's as though we question His almighty power and we belittle Him who guides us, directs us and empowers us.
'where's thy faith'
That's the question one has to ask.
"Lift up your eyes on high, and behold Who hath created these things."
~ Isaiah 40:26 ~
Our imagination and faith should never be limited. What we should do however, is to expand our vision and plant our faith.
We can only do this when we sit back and raise our eyes, dreams and visions up to God, and know that He is God.
Only then, can we truly grow and endure all in Him.
Only then, can we truly believe and live.
Only then, can we truly...
Live, Learn, Lead
Only then, can we truly...
LOVE
~ John 21: 17 ~
A simple 3 words that mean so much, in so many ways. Yet, it provokes the mind, provokes the heart, provokes the spirit.
When the Lord asks us to feed His sheep, it's easy to say that we understand and that we will do it. It's easy to answer, 'Yes Lord, I will do it!'
But, do we really understand what does it fully entail and live it out?
Many times, while we serve and when we love, we say it's impossible and tiring, cause of different and special characters. Characters that we are not used to, characters that we are uncomfortable with, and characters that sometimes are in conflict with who we are.
However, when the calling comes and the commission has been laid, it is a simple rule... to LOVE.
Love not from our own capacity, but drawing it from our Father, and love only like the Father can. It something so simple yet so hard, yet we've to understand this and tap onto it. It's not easy, but it's the ONLY way.
Love is from God, so who else better to learn from but Him. He Who loves us more then we ever deserved.
The question now is, do you believe that you can do it? Do you believe that we can trust the Lord, and love & serve like He wants us to do, and like Him?
"Sir, Thou hast nothing to draw with"
~ John 4:11 ~
How much faith do we have in our Father?
When we say that we cannot accomplish something, we're actually not trusting in the Lord. It's as though we are saying that God can't do the things that we want to do.
It's as though we question His almighty power and we belittle Him who guides us, directs us and empowers us.
'where's thy faith'
That's the question one has to ask.
"Lift up your eyes on high, and behold Who hath created these things."
~ Isaiah 40:26 ~
Our imagination and faith should never be limited. What we should do however, is to expand our vision and plant our faith.
We can only do this when we sit back and raise our eyes, dreams and visions up to God, and know that He is God.
Only then, can we truly grow and endure all in Him.
Only then, can we truly believe and live.
Only then, can we truly...
Live, Learn, Lead
Only then, can we truly...
LOVE
Monday, February 25, 2008
~ Unconditional & Scarificial Love ~
I just wanted to share this 1 thing that really impacted me and spoke into my heart.
There was this 1 day, when I was taking the train, I saw a sight that reminded me of God's unconditional love.
There was a couple in their 60/70's. The man was in a wheel chair, the lady was old, frail and walking with a bit of difficulty. As the lady pushed the man in and I offered her a seat, but she waved me away and declined. It was then that she turned aside and decided instead, to fully care for her husband. She slowly and carefully put on a sweater for her husband and wiped off his sweat, offered a drink and took care of his every need without a single complain. Yet, from her expressions, you could see that she was tired, panting and had an expression that revealed that she was fatigue.
Yet through it all, she took care of his every need and refused to seat. She made sure that he was comfortable, had a drink and was happy with how he was. Even as she was going to fall, she didn't care, she just wanted to make sure that he was alright. Every few seconds, she would just take a look to see if he was okay, and that he was comfortable.
It was just a short 15 minutes. yet, it really wrecked my heart and made me think of all the instances when I hear of couples beaking up cause of a disability of either, and thought back of the times when youths just totally disregards senior citizens, pretending like they were non-existent.
How could so many people claim to love when they're not even willing to sacrifice? When their love is bordered on conditions of health and stability?
It was then, that God really spoke to me and impressed upon my heart.
about the fullness and totallity of His great love.
In reality, with sin, we are really like an old man or old women, crippled, sitting on a wheel chair and with so many needs. Yet He never gave up on us, even when satan came and caused Him to die on the cross. It was like the mrt jerk, trying to stumble and create an obstacle. As though, it would discourage Him from caring for us and just loving us.
Yet... it just couldn't stop His love. He did all that; suffer ridicule, go through betrayal, be tortured, crucified and die on that very cross. All this, just cause He loves us, and wants us to be well & live a life that would be for Him.
Washing our sins and bringing us to a stage where we are just 'comfortable' per se, but when we believe, we in turn should and can be like the old lady, even with discomforts, but in turn care and love others.
This is God's love...
An unconditional, sacrificial and overwhelming love...
There was this 1 day, when I was taking the train, I saw a sight that reminded me of God's unconditional love.
There was a couple in their 60/70's. The man was in a wheel chair, the lady was old, frail and walking with a bit of difficulty. As the lady pushed the man in and I offered her a seat, but she waved me away and declined. It was then that she turned aside and decided instead, to fully care for her husband. She slowly and carefully put on a sweater for her husband and wiped off his sweat, offered a drink and took care of his every need without a single complain. Yet, from her expressions, you could see that she was tired, panting and had an expression that revealed that she was fatigue.
Yet through it all, she took care of his every need and refused to seat. She made sure that he was comfortable, had a drink and was happy with how he was. Even as she was going to fall, she didn't care, she just wanted to make sure that he was alright. Every few seconds, she would just take a look to see if he was okay, and that he was comfortable.
It was just a short 15 minutes. yet, it really wrecked my heart and made me think of all the instances when I hear of couples beaking up cause of a disability of either, and thought back of the times when youths just totally disregards senior citizens, pretending like they were non-existent.
How could so many people claim to love when they're not even willing to sacrifice? When their love is bordered on conditions of health and stability?
It was then, that God really spoke to me and impressed upon my heart.
about the fullness and totallity of His great love.
In reality, with sin, we are really like an old man or old women, crippled, sitting on a wheel chair and with so many needs. Yet He never gave up on us, even when satan came and caused Him to die on the cross. It was like the mrt jerk, trying to stumble and create an obstacle. As though, it would discourage Him from caring for us and just loving us.
Yet... it just couldn't stop His love. He did all that; suffer ridicule, go through betrayal, be tortured, crucified and die on that very cross. All this, just cause He loves us, and wants us to be well & live a life that would be for Him.
Washing our sins and bringing us to a stage where we are just 'comfortable' per se, but when we believe, we in turn should and can be like the old lady, even with discomforts, but in turn care and love others.
This is God's love...
An unconditional, sacrificial and overwhelming love...
Friday, February 22, 2008
~ a thought on a person's prayer life ~
A Person's prayer life is like running.
When you run, day in, day out, and keep running, you'll be able to run faster and for a longer distance. Likewiese, when you keep praying, you grow stronger and am able to pray longer.
If you set your heart on running, you'll be able to accomplish beyond what you originally though you could. When you set your heart on praying, letting go of all else that distracts and let God speak to you, you'll be brought to another level. In spirit and relationship with the Father, just keep seeking Him, and it'll be brought higher.
When you slacken and decide to take a break, you realise that you can't run like you used to be able to, easily weary and want to give up. It's the same when you pray. However, when you pull yourself together and press in, there will be a breakthrough and you will grow.
It's amazing isn't it?
God reveals so much in our everyday lives, that a simple thing like running can have so much to do with our spiritual life. I believe that if we keep praying and pressing on, running consistently in our spiritual life, we will grow and grow.
Setting our lives in Him will just carry us beyond our original capacity and beyond our originally thought potential.
When you run, day in, day out, and keep running, you'll be able to run faster and for a longer distance. Likewiese, when you keep praying, you grow stronger and am able to pray longer.
If you set your heart on running, you'll be able to accomplish beyond what you originally though you could. When you set your heart on praying, letting go of all else that distracts and let God speak to you, you'll be brought to another level. In spirit and relationship with the Father, just keep seeking Him, and it'll be brought higher.
When you slacken and decide to take a break, you realise that you can't run like you used to be able to, easily weary and want to give up. It's the same when you pray. However, when you pull yourself together and press in, there will be a breakthrough and you will grow.
It's amazing isn't it?
God reveals so much in our everyday lives, that a simple thing like running can have so much to do with our spiritual life. I believe that if we keep praying and pressing on, running consistently in our spiritual life, we will grow and grow.
Setting our lives in Him will just carry us beyond our original capacity and beyond our originally thought potential.
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
~ You have my heart ~
'I find my hope in You, my Lord.
I find my hope.
All of my strength is find in You,
You are my strength.
Lord, take my cares,
Bring me closer to You.
Lord, take my cares,
Bring me closer to You.
I reach out my hands
And worship You, Jesus.
Let Your Spirit fall
And make me new,
More like You.
You have my heart,
Jesus Christ, I give You my life.
You're all I need,
You're all I seek,
You're all I dream,
Jesus.
You're all I need,
You're all I seek,
You're all I dream,
Jesus.'
This song, is called 'You have my heart' and it's by Christian City Church Youth.
Today, this whole day I was listening to Sing About You and somehow when Valerie Cheong asked me about this song, something in my spirit clicked. So next thing I knew, I was listening to the song and God's presence came down so strongly, I just couldn't help but cry.Why cry? Cause His peace and joy was so overwhelming and it just touched my heart, touched my Spirit. The Lord's love is awesome.
'You're all I need,
You're all I seek,
You're all I dream,
Jesus'
This few words, phrases just shouts out in my life right now.In life, many feel that certain things like status, money, relationships, careers, are all needs. Hence, they so passionately and vehemently seek it out, spending countless hours dreaming about how to achieve such things.
Why? Why is it that so many people think and give their lives, slaving over every minute of their lives working just to achieve these things of the temporal? It is something that's so painful to see, something that totally wrecks my heart.
I've seen friends and family members that seem so 'enlightened', it's as if they know just what is it that they want in their lives. Yet, when you ask them, what are their dreams, what are the things that they seek for, they can't give a proper answer. They tell me things like money, status (power), career, relationships (BGR), without exactly thinking that these things actually don't matter to them. So when I ask, 'so what happens if you got all these things?' They are dumbfounded, not knowing and not withstanding, unable to come up with answers. They have lost sight, not knowing that it's because, these are things that they do not really need.
I do understand that people require money per se to 'survive' in this world. Yet, the truth is that there are people who place such things in such high statuses in their lives that they lose sight of what is really a need, what is really important. They worry about all these things day and night, and seek it, slaving over their work to achieve all these things.
I find my hope.
All of my strength is find in You,
You are my strength.
Lord, take my cares,
Bring me closer to You.
Lord, take my cares,
Bring me closer to You.
I reach out my hands
And worship You, Jesus.
Let Your Spirit fall
And make me new,
More like You.
You have my heart,
Jesus Christ, I give You my life.
You're all I need,
You're all I seek,
You're all I dream,
Jesus.
You're all I need,
You're all I seek,
You're all I dream,
Jesus.'
This song, is called 'You have my heart' and it's by Christian City Church Youth.
Today, this whole day I was listening to Sing About You and somehow when Valerie Cheong asked me about this song, something in my spirit clicked. So next thing I knew, I was listening to the song and God's presence came down so strongly, I just couldn't help but cry.Why cry? Cause His peace and joy was so overwhelming and it just touched my heart, touched my Spirit. The Lord's love is awesome.
'You're all I need,
You're all I seek,
You're all I dream,
Jesus'
This few words, phrases just shouts out in my life right now.In life, many feel that certain things like status, money, relationships, careers, are all needs. Hence, they so passionately and vehemently seek it out, spending countless hours dreaming about how to achieve such things.
Why? Why is it that so many people think and give their lives, slaving over every minute of their lives working just to achieve these things of the temporal? It is something that's so painful to see, something that totally wrecks my heart.
I've seen friends and family members that seem so 'enlightened', it's as if they know just what is it that they want in their lives. Yet, when you ask them, what are their dreams, what are the things that they seek for, they can't give a proper answer. They tell me things like money, status (power), career, relationships (BGR), without exactly thinking that these things actually don't matter to them. So when I ask, 'so what happens if you got all these things?' They are dumbfounded, not knowing and not withstanding, unable to come up with answers. They have lost sight, not knowing that it's because, these are things that they do not really need.
I do understand that people require money per se to 'survive' in this world. Yet, the truth is that there are people who place such things in such high statuses in their lives that they lose sight of what is really a need, what is really important. They worry about all these things day and night, and seek it, slaving over their work to achieve all these things.
"25There I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?
26Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?
27Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?
28So why do you worry about clothing? Considering the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin;
29and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
30Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the over, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?
31Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?'
32For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For all your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.
33But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
34Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about tis own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble."
~ Matthew 6: 25 - 34 ~
I think this verse really speaks out to in accordance to the song. Let it be that we seek first God's Kingdom and all these things that we 'need', 'seek' and 'dream' shall be added unto us. This is something that I firmly believe in, that really, why do we seek and dream of all the things of the world, when what the Father sees is important to us will be provided.
In this scripture, it says that even the 'Gentiles' seek all these things in the world and even so, the Father provides it to them. Birds do not need to worry about food yet they are fed. Plants are clothed without doing anything for the Lord provides.
What than of humans?
We are God's people, where we are made in His image. He gave His one and only Son to die for us, such that we may yet again come into His presence and live for Him without having the need to bear the burden of all our sins.
That is why I live with this song. Where truly all my needs, all that I seek and all my dreams are in Jesus.
In the song, there's a part that goes like this...
'On this altar I'll stand,
With my hands lifted high.
I want to draw close to You,
Your joy in my life.
And I join with all the angels,
Singing songs of praise.
I feel Your love surround me,
You wash my fears away.
How I will love to,
How I love to sing about You.
Your love shines down.
How I will love to,
How I love to sing about You.
Your peace falls down.'
This is my heart, and that's where I place it... in the Lord.
When we surrender our lives on the altar and just let go, and let God. His love will surround us and all our fears will be washed away. What we have once went around as a 'need', or 'seek' and 'dream' about will be dealt with as we are filled with the Lord's love and peace that shines down
and falls on our lives.
That's why, I can sing...
'You have my heart...'
26Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?
27Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?
28So why do you worry about clothing? Considering the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin;
29and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
30Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the over, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?
31Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?'
32For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For all your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.
33But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
34Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about tis own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble."
~ Matthew 6: 25 - 34 ~
I think this verse really speaks out to in accordance to the song. Let it be that we seek first God's Kingdom and all these things that we 'need', 'seek' and 'dream' shall be added unto us. This is something that I firmly believe in, that really, why do we seek and dream of all the things of the world, when what the Father sees is important to us will be provided.
In this scripture, it says that even the 'Gentiles' seek all these things in the world and even so, the Father provides it to them. Birds do not need to worry about food yet they are fed. Plants are clothed without doing anything for the Lord provides.
What than of humans?
We are God's people, where we are made in His image. He gave His one and only Son to die for us, such that we may yet again come into His presence and live for Him without having the need to bear the burden of all our sins.
That is why I live with this song. Where truly all my needs, all that I seek and all my dreams are in Jesus.
In the song, there's a part that goes like this...
'On this altar I'll stand,
With my hands lifted high.
I want to draw close to You,
Your joy in my life.
And I join with all the angels,
Singing songs of praise.
I feel Your love surround me,
You wash my fears away.
How I will love to,
How I love to sing about You.
Your love shines down.
How I will love to,
How I love to sing about You.
Your peace falls down.'
This is my heart, and that's where I place it... in the Lord.
When we surrender our lives on the altar and just let go, and let God. His love will surround us and all our fears will be washed away. What we have once went around as a 'need', or 'seek' and 'dream' about will be dealt with as we are filled with the Lord's love and peace that shines down
and falls on our lives.
That's why, I can sing...
'You have my heart...'
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