I’m Drunk, I’m Full

Ephesians 5:18 "Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit."

Ephesians 3:14-19 "For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15from whom his whole family[a] in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God."

I felt drunk this morning. Very drunk - heady, giddy, giggly and happy. Drunk with the Holy Spirit. Drunk in God’s love. I felt like the most blessed person on earth. I felt very rich – in His love.

I’ve never had this feeling before. Just felt much loved by Jesus. I’ve been praying Ephesians 3:14 to 19 for some time and today I had a realisation of God’s love for me. Verse 19 of Ephesians 3 was made very real to me, leading me to drunkedness – hick!

It’s night time now, I still feel this way, I hope it never ends.

I’m very full, contented and pleased. But like all drunkards, I want more. Can I have more, God? Please!

Prayer: Dear Lord Almighty, I want more of You, more of Your love, more of the realisation of how much You love me. How blessed I am. I want all of my inheritance in You, nothing else will do. I wish for my family and friends to have this want and realisation too, in Jesus name I pray, amen.

Prayer Retreat

Neh 8:10 “ Nehemiah said, "Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength."”

I really enjoyed the prayer retreat last week. We did not do much but like what Tony said, it feels like heaven. Wee Wee said we are like a family. Like Caius, I felt much love and protection – very secure, a lot of joy, very healed.

I love the children, they are so obedient and cheerful. I love the adults, they ate merrily, sang joyously, and are loving and kind. I love God, His merciful healing presence just overflows into our heart and spirit.

It is a time of healing and recovery for me. I feel satisfied. May God continue to bind us together in love and unity.

Prayer: Dear God, though we are once slaves, you have not deserted us in our bondage. You have shown us kindness and have granted us new life to rebuild the house of our God and repair its ruins and to repair our walls of protection and put its doors and bolts and bars in place. Help us to fill every gap in these walls and to complete our restoration, in Jesus name I pray, amen.

Wholehearted Commitment

2 Chronicles 12:1-2” After Rehoboam's position as king was established and he had become strong, he and all Israel with him abandoned the law of the LORD. Because they had been unfaithful to the LORD, Shishak king of Egypt attacked Jerusalem in the fifth year of King Rehoboam.”

Deut 6:4-5 “ Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.”

I have always been asked this question by believers and non-believers “But xxx is a Christian, how can xxx act like this?” This is especially so if xxx is a leader. I have no answer.

I have been reading the years of the rule of kings in the bible- from Saul to David to Solomon, etc. Of all of them, only David has whole hearted commitment to God. The rest wanes along the way. Every time they wane in commitment, rest is taken away from the land, enemies appear, attacks start. Sometimes, after they have sought God with all their heart, tests come along as well.

But in all of these instances, if the kings seek and rely on God with all their heart, they are successful against their enemies. We see rest when the leader seeks God wholeheartedly to walk His ways. We see even more rest when the whole nation unites with their leader to do so.

We may criticise the kings in the Old Testament on their walk. But I think the situation today may not be far from then. How many leaders and those under them seek and rely on God today(in families, in workplace, in the land)? And how many wholeheartedly?

What about us?

Solomon had too many wives; we have too many distractions today.

Jesus said He is one with God. There is no compromise.

Prayer: Dear Lord, we want to walk only in your ways and love you wholeheartedly. Help us to be one with you, in Jesus name, amen.

King over us

Luke 19:27 “But those enemies of mine who did not want me to be king over them—bring them here and kill them in front of me.”

I always thought that the parable of the ten minas and the parable of the tenants were talking about how to utilise our talents and all we have to serve God. Then I stumbled upon the verse above. At the heart of both parables, is about the Lordship and Kingship of God over us and all that we have.

These are days where the rights of a person are held up as most important. In the olden days, there’s a lot of submission and respect for authority. But now, personal rights override. With rights come self centeredness and self crowned kingship. After a while, God is sidelined to serve us. It’s my money, my life, my work, my time. I want it this way, I want it better, don’t take this and that from me.

But all belongs to God, I am only His keeper.

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you that you are King over us. May I truly realise that You are King and that I am only your keeper of the things that you have put in my care. May I let go and help take care of them well for You, in Jesus name, amen.

The King's Table

2 Sam 9:11 “So Mephibosheth ate at David’s table like one of the king’s sons.”

One afternoon, I was confessing that I could not trust the Lord enough because of my past experiences but I would like that to change. The next I know, He invited me to feast with Him. A table was laid full of food, and He asked that I sit down and eat whatever I liked with Him. I was struck, why did he invite me to His table?

Then I read 2 Samuel when David asked Mephibosheth to eat with him always, I realized God treats me like one of His children. God is full of kindness and will always be there to provide and take care of me, His child. I can trust Him.

Prayer: Dear Lord, I thank you for your invitation to your table. I want to sit by your side to eat with you always. There is love and abundance at your table and your food nourishes me, fills me up and satisfies me. I thank you for you loving care and kind provision. In Jesus name, amen.

Jehovah Jireh - The Lord will Provide

Joshua 5:11-12 “The day after the Passover, that very day, they ate some of the produce of the land: unleavened bread and roasted grain. The manna stopped the day after they ate this food from the land; there was no longer any manna for the Israelites, but that year they ate of the produce of Canaan.”

The verses above strike me much. I’ve struggled with provision all my life. It defines almost everything I do - how I behave, how I see myself, how I think, how I work, all the decisions I make. I have strived all my life to ensure provision is enough. But God has promised many, many times He will provide for everything I need. Sometimes it is so surreal. I will see visions of Him endowing me with diamonds, money, castle etc. I know He just wants me to trust Him. It’s been quite a journey, my years as a Christian with God, especially these few years. The things I’m afraid to let go because I’m afraid they will not be enough, He will make me face them again and again to let go. To let go so I can trust Him, so that I can be free and be my true self in front of people and God.

And slowly and gently, as He pry my hands open to these things that I hold for my dear life, albeit sometimes kicking and screaming with tears rolling, He proves Himself faithful in His provision.

There’s still a long way for me to go, I know. Like the Israelites, I have to trust God to fight for me to get my inheritance. But like the verses above, God never let His people go hungry in all situations. Not when we have a God who provides.

Prayer: Dear God, I thank you for your provision in times of need, in times of abundance. I want to be able to let go and trust you more each day. May your glory fall upon us today, in Jesus name I pray, amen.

Demand for a sign or miracle

Mark 8

Mark 8:2 “I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat.”

Mark 8:12 “He sighed deeply and said, "Why does this generation ask for a miraculous sign? I tell you the truth, no sign will be given to it."”

Jesus knew our needs before we mouthed them. In Mark 8, He was filled with compassion for the people who came a long distance to see Him and He provided food for the hungry and filled the people. The people did not ask but a miracle was performed.

In the New Testament, we see many people of great suffering and need going to Jesus, begging Him for help and healing. He never rejected them. In the Old Testament, the Israelites grumbled and complained, God still listened and performed many miracles to meet their needs, though with many lessons for them.

However, when the Pharisees demanded for a sign or a miracle from Jesus to test Him, He refused to give. There was no need for a show or a performance.

What is our attitude when we approach God? Why do we want to see signs or miracles?

Prayer: Dear Lord, I thank you that you know our needs even before we speak. Help us to realize our hunger and to come humbly to you to fill us, in Jesus name, amen.

Barriers to God

Leviticus 8-9, Matthew 23

Lev 9:22 “Then Aaron lifted his hands toward the people and blessed them. And having sacrificed the sin offering, the burnt offering and the fellowship offering, he stepped down.”

Mat 23:13 "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the kingdom of heaven in men's faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let those enter who are trying to.”

Mat 23:23 "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cummin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former.”

I was asking myself as I read the New Testament, why is it that almost everyone could recognise Jesus except the priests, the anointed ones of God? It is so ironical.

In Leviticus 8-9, we read that the priests were given a high place, they were set apart by God so they could help be a bridge between man and God. They represented God, they represented man. They were supposed to help God communicate with His people and the people with God. They should know who is God.

Along the way, the priests lost their way. The rules and laws set by God for them to perform for the people were to bring the people close to God – for justice, for mercy and faithfulness. Instead, the priests made it hard for most ordinary people to go to God- it became something that only the rich could practice. It became about status, power, money, learnedness, etc. Getting to God became something exclusive, only for the privileged few. The priests were proud of this as it puts them in high standing. Instead of being bridges, the priests became barriers to God for the people.

So once again, God has to come down to reach out to the people - the ordinary ones, the ‘last’ ones. This time, He really made sure all have direct access to know and be close to Him if they choose to.

I wonder what's the situation today? Are we bridges or barriers?

Rules and laws were always meant for good. They were meant for protection. It’s the people that fall short. Thank God He never.

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you for your grace. Please help make us bridges for the people to come to you, in Jesus name, amen.

Who cares for God?

Ex 29:44-46 “So I will consecrate the Tent of Meeting and the altar and will consecrate Aaron and his sons to serve me as priests. Then I will dwell among the Israelites and be their God. They will know that I am the LORD their God, who brought them out of Egypt so that I might dwell among them. I am the LORD their God.”

Ex 32:1 “When the people saw that Moses was so long in coming down from the mountain, they gathered around Aaron and said, "Come, make us gods who will go before us. As for this fellow Moses who brought us up out of Egypt, we don't know what has happened to him."”

God took Moses away a long time – 40 days and nights, to tell Moses what are the rules and regulations for the Israelites and also giving very detailed instructions on building the tablenacle and all so that God can dwell with amongst the people. So that He can be their God and they can be His people.

Whilst Moses was away, the people cannot wait and built and worshipped other gods. I wonder how God feel. Does anyone care how He feels? Do we care for God?

All of us want someone to care for us, love us, and appreciate us. We want justice, healing, provision, significance. When we approach God, we expect Him to listen and help us, care for us, love us. But do we care about God?

Love is both ways.

Prayer: Dear Lord, help me to care and love you as you have cared and loved me, in Jesus name, amen.

Big Heart

Matthew 20:1-16 The Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard

Matthew 20:7" 'Because no one has hired us,' they answered. "He said to them, 'You also go and work in my vineyard.'”

From the start when Jesus first taught, His thinking has always been unconventional, challenging our way of seeing things. All of us know when we work, we should be paid our due wages. Why should those who do not perform get the same pay or even be paid first? We reward those who do well. It’s all based on performance, we have to earn it.

But God’s heart has always been with the marginalised - the last in the society, those whom nobody wants. Perhaps they are old, weak, sick, handicapped, of lower intelligence, the prostitutes, the scums, the aliens, the poor, the humble. In the parable, somehow, no one would want to hire them and they were loitering, maybe waiting for a job to feed their family.

He said "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:3). "So the last will be first, and the first will be last." (Mat 20:16).

What a big heart, one full of grace and compassion. Once when I watched an episode of American Idol’s charity programme, a man said “the one who stands tallest is the one who stoop low to help others”

Prayer: Dear Lord, I thank you for your big heart, one full of grace and compassion. May we remember the poor around us, in Jesus name, amen.

Treasure

Exodus 12-20

Exodus 13:22 ”Neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night left its place in front of the people.” Exodus 19:5 “Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession.”

These chapters of the Israelites’ escape are full of heart stopping drama, wonders and miracles. Magic, plagues, death, parting of the sea, water from rock, bread and quail from the sky. There are so many, what will they recall when it all come to pass?

For me, amidst it all, the most moving and most treasured is that God was always by the side of the Israelites – he was in front of them, guiding them, leading them, protecting them, feeding them, teaching them. They are His treasure.

Like the Israelites, we grumble and complain and always look for things, blessings, miracles and wonders from the hand of God. The physical, the emotional, our needs and wants, they overwhelmed us. We forget and overlook that through it all, God is always by our side. This is most precious and is more than enough. May we learn to treasure His presence with us.

Prayer: Dear Lord, I thank you that your presence is always with us. Forgive us when we overlook your presence and place more importance on things. May we learn to treasure it above all. In Jesus name, amen.

Hard of hearing

Exodus 7-11

Exo 8:19 “The magicians said to Pharaoh, "This is the finger of God." But Pharaoh's heart was hard and he would not listen, just as the LORD had said.”

God listens when we cry out to Him. What about us? Do we hear when God speaks?

Pharaoh has a huge hearing problem. He would not listen at first because those he disliked and distrust spoke to him. Evidences piled up and he continued to dismiss them. Ah, but when those he trusted, the magicians, spoke to him and yet he would not listen, there is a real issue. It’s just a recipe for disaster when a leader would not listen to anyone and is totally out of touch with the ground. His people are suffering, the land is in ruin, yet he is still holding on to his pride and sin and would not relent.

It’s a vicious cycle. Each time pharaoh refuses to listen, his sins and pride increase, his heart hardened, and he finds it harder to listen. Sins and pride harden our heart, make us hard of hearing. It is dangerous not to listen, especially to God. He usually sends us warnings against our sins. It slowly builds up. We may say ok one moment and go back sinning next, just like pharaoh. Each time we do this, it become more difficult to let go. Until God sometimes has to send a painful lesson to wake us up. You see, our sins hurt not only us but those around us as well. Only then will we learn to let go.

Prayer: Dear Lord, I thank you that you hear us. Help us to hear and listen to you and your discipline early. Make us soft of hearing. In Jesus name, amen.

God cares

Exodus 1-6
Exo 3:7 “The LORD said, "I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering. So I have come down to rescue them from the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land into a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey—the home of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites.”

Ours is a caring God. Our God is compassionate and kind. When the Israelites cried out to Him, He saw their misery, He heard them and He is concerned about their suffering. So concerned that He said He will personally come down and rescue them. Amazing, God is the Almighty King and yet He is concerned and cares about each one of His people.

Then we have the other mighty kings – the slave drivers. When the Israelites became numerous, pharaoh said "the Israelites have become much too numerous for us. Come, we must deal shrewdly with them or they will become even more numerous and, if war breaks out, will join our enemies, fight against us and leave the country." (Exodus 1:10).

And when the Israelites cried out and asked to take leave to worship their God, pharaoh said "But require them to make the same number of bricks as before; don't reduce the quota. They are lazy; that is why they are crying out, 'Let us go and sacrifice to our God.' Make the work harder for the men so that they keep working and pay no attention to lies." (Exodus 5:8)

There will be times when we are put in charge of people, whether at home, at the workplace or ministry. Are we like God who call these His people and put them first - see, hear, are concerned and will personally help them? Or are we like pharaohs – we are concerned about ourselves, the assignment/task at hand and people become a means to us.

Prayer: Dear Lord, I thank you that you see, hear, are concerned and will help when we cry out to you. Forgive us that many times we are more concerned about ourselves and our task at hand and we forgot about the people you have put under our charge. I pray we will learn to take time to observe them, listen to them, care for them as you have cared for us. In Jesus name, amen.

Redemption (2)

Gen 43-50

Gen:45:5,8 ” And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you. So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God. He made me father to Pharaoh, lord of his entire household and ruler of all Egypt.”

Joseph has been redeemed, made good. He now meets his past and is much, much better than them. He is with abundance, they are starving. They come knocking, begging him. What should he do? He can simply turn them away. Surely they deserve their suffering, he deserve his revenge. This will stop his hurts.

Then realisation struck Joseph. This was never about him and him alone. Yes, he has suffered, but he has a lot now. And his redemption, blessings are all from God. It’s not because he deserve them, it was part of God’s plans to save lives through him, all along. And so Joseph let go of his hurts, forgave his brothers and submitted to God’s will. Therein, an entire race was saved. The redemption, blessings that God blessed Joseph with overflowed and multiplied.

Similarly, we may have many misgivings about life. But God has given us his best – Jesus. Our lives are never about us alone, God’s plan has always been to save lives through us. May our lives overflow and multiply into others.

Prayer: Dear Lord, our suffering and pains are real. But you are with us and have given us your Son. We are immensely blessed. Help us to let go, look beyond ourselves and realise that we are part of your bigger plan. May we share the best you’ve given to us and let it overflow and multiply into others’ lives. In Jesus’ name.

Redemption

Gen 41-42

Gen:41:51-52 ”Joseph named his firstborn Manasseh] and said, "It is because God has made me forget all my trouble and all my father's household." The second son he named Ephraim and said, "It is because God has made me fruitful in the land of my suffering."

At last, all the suffering, all the trouble, all the painful past is gone and forgotten! Joseph is out of prison. He is now rich, famous, powerful, and successful. He even has a wonderful wife and children. He is totally redeemed, he has made good at last! Or has he?

Why is there still a lingering pain from the past? Why is the soul and the heart still not whole?

Look at all the famous, rich, powerful people in the world today. Quite a few had such painful pasts. They’re happy now aren’t they? They’ve everything a man can ask for, no?

Has Joseph really gone out of his prison? Only God knows what is happening deep inside him.

What do you do when you have all you ever dreamed off and then you meet your dark, painful past?

Do you pretend not to recognise them? Gen 42:7 “As soon as Joseph saw his brothers, he recognized them, but he pretended to be a stranger and spoke harshly to them. "Where do you come from?" he asked."From the land of Canaan," they replied, "to buy food."”

Do you turn away from them and weep? Gen 42:24 “He turned away from them and began to weep, but then turned back and spoke to them again. He had Simeon taken from them and bound before their eyes.”

For all the riches, power, fame, success in this world, God knows what is truly deep in our hearts. In his mercy, he presented Joseph with a chance to face his past again. It’s a huge struggle for Joseph. He has made good now, what would he do when he face his past hurts? What should he do? What would you do?

Prayer: Dear Lord, we look alright on the outside, but only you can search us and know us deeply. May we take time to let you search our hearts, in Jesus’ name, amen.

Wait!

Gen 16-18
Genesis 18:12 So Sarah laughed to herself as she thought, "After I am worn out and my master is old, will I now have this pleasure?"

Why did you take so long Lord? What happened to your promise? I prayed Lord, but it did not happened. Did you not promise, Lord? Sarah and Abraham waited and waited until they were old. Was the promise of God real? Whilst they waited, they tried to make it real, but it turned it to be a mess. Oh well, give up! But God kept sending His promise. Oh Lord, its tough to wait. Our hope diminishes as we wait. Our bodies and strength waste away. Job’s wife said to him, "Are you still holding on to your integrity? Curse God and die!" (Job 2:9)

But wait! "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD. (Isaiah 55:8). God is never too late, not even a second. Only we do not understand. “Lord," Martha said to Jesus, "if you had been here, my brother would not have died”. Jesus said to her, "Your brother will rise again." (John 11:16,23).

When God fulfills His promise, it will be at a perfect time. We will witness His amazing resurrection power - the dead will rise again with a new birth. Job, Lazarus and Sarah understood.

Prayer: Dear Lord, I thank you that your promise is real and your timing is perfect. Help us to hold on to you and your promise as we wait. We want to witness your amazing resurrection power, in Jesus name, amen.

Be Perfect

Gen 13-15, Matt 5



Matthew 5:48 “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”



Lot’s people quarreled with Abraham’s over the land. Abraham let Lot chose the best spot. When the spot and Lot got into trouble, Abraham fought off Lot’s enemies for him. Jesus said “Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matt 5:39, 44). I searched my heart and know I fall short. Why? I do not trust God enough. My walk has been one to defend and protect myself. But God loves me. And God loves others. Let me slowly let go to Him.


Prayer: Dear Lord, I thank you that you love us and want the best for us. I pray that you will help us let go and trust you to walk in your perfect ways, in Jesus name, amen.

Highly Favoured

Gen 10-12, Matt 4



Genesis 12:1-3 "1 The LORD had said to Abram, "Leave your country, your people and your father's household and go to the land I will show you.

2 "I will make you into a great nation

and I will bless you;

I will make your name great,

and you will be a blessing.
3 I will bless those who bless you,

and whoever curses you I will curse;

and all peoples on earth

will be blessed through you." "



As I read about Abraham, I thought what great favour he has with the Lord. God will bless those who bless him and curse those who curse him and all peoples on earth will be blessed through him. How does one get into God's favour like Noah, Abraham and Jesus? And indeed generations have been blessed through them. Maybe they stand out in the crowd - obediently walking in God's ways, not compromising and heeding God's call no matter. The relationship and trust they have with God is deep.

Prayer: Dear Lord, grant us this deep trust and relationship with you. Help us take time to cultivate this. Let your favour fall upon us. I pray we will be a blessing and the people will be blessed through us. In Jesus name I pray, amen.