~~恩典之路Journey of grace and mercy~~

诗篇 Psalms103:12
东离西有多远，他叫我们的过犯，离我们也有多远。

[kjv]
As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.

[bbe]
As far as the east is from the west, so far has he put our sins from us.

Dear sisters and brothers in Christ, I yearn to step out of my current temporal comfort zone and run towards God's everlasting embrace. I wish to be part of "1 year 1 life" if it is really in His will. I believe in prayer. Your prayer is important to me in this journey of faith with Him. I appreciate your prayer from the bottom of my heart. Thank you.

Will you spend 1 min of your precious time to pray with me and for me?

Pray that....

....God will open the right door for me

....God will make it possible if it is really in His will

....God will go before me to prepare the way

....God will reveal clear direction and guidance

....God's perfect love will cast out slightest fear and doubt in me

....God grant me fraction of Peter's faith, enable me to "walk on the water" just as Peter did. May it be one step or two

....I will find Man of Peace whenever I go

....God grant me genuine faith,love and hope

....I will rediscover His love to the world in a unique and fresh way

Above all, let my mum come to know Christ. Her salvation definitely encourage my heart, soul and mind =)

Matthew 14:22-31 Jesus Walks on the Water

22Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd.

23After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone,

24but the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.

25During the fourth watch of the night Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake.

26When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. "It's a ghost," they said, and cried out in fear.

27But Jesus immediately said to them: "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid."

28"Lord, if it's you," Peter replied, "tell me to come to you on the water."

29"Come," he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus.

30But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!" 31Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. "You of little faith," he said, "why did you doubt?"

~~祷告~~

讚美之泉作品，曲、詞：鄭楷

禱告，因為我渺小；
禱告，因為我知道我需要明暸，你心意對我重要。

禱告，已假裝不了；

禱告，因為你的愛我需要；你關懷，我走過的你都明白。

有些事我只想要對你說，因你比任何人都愛我；

痛苦從眼中流下，我知道你為我擦。

在早晨我也要來對你說，主耶穌今天我為你活；

所需要的力量你天天賜給我，你恩典夠我用。

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DqdVMpHKORc

Mission~~ a joyful burden that God has been placing in my heart, mind and soul all this while. Not sure where He wants me to be, feel pretty much like Abraham at times. "Leave your country, your people and your father's household and go to the land I will show you (Gen 12:1)..." similar kind of message keep lingering in mind. (oh Lord, I don't know what is your plan in my life and I don't have to know all things in fact, all I ask for is a teachable spirit, tender heart, sensitive mind, obedient and faithful whole self in this journey of faith.)

Last sunday I finally plucked up the courage to explore "1 year 1 life" mission program with Pastor Ivan. As the name suggested 1 year 1 life means devote 1 year of your life for mission work at foreign land. We have a small discussion about mission. He encouraged me to join short term mission as a start point. Not sure how other missionaries confirmed God's calling in their lives, all I know was tears welled up in my eyes again and again once this decision was made in my heart. The feeling is like heavy weight been unloaded from shoulder, all I need to do next is allow Him to work out His wonderful plan in my life and trust Him for provision. It is a mixture feeling of "rich" in His presence and "filled" by His Spirit. I cried my heart out to God the whole morning. Suddenly I realized (thanks Holy Spirit for open up the eyes of my heart) that how strong I have been gripping on this wordly land. All this while I have been holding on to my job, graspping on my possesion, seizing my relationship, storing up for myself treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal. For where our treasure is, the our hearts will be also (Matthew 6:19-21). How true and how real such verses are! Don't know since when insecurity and doubt have disguised themselves as excuses such as I still not ready yet (when exactly can someone be ready?), I am not good enough (who in this world is perfect?), I can't contribute much (no contribution is too small in God's sight,a willing heart to do His work is all He ask for), I simply don't have what it takes to be a missionary(He never calls the equipped, He equips the called), I might not secure a job upon returning from mission (He is the ultimate provider, whoever believes in Him never lack anything but He blessed His workers abundantly) etc. In the split second, like the veil that torn into pieces, I found myself stopped making excuses but accepted God's authority in my life. "I am the Lord, Your God." He whispered. My pride, my ego, my all knowing attitude, my grip on the so-called "my" life have been washed away by tears. This reminds me of a phrase that one of my CG's members shared with me - you have to pour yourself out to God in order for God to fill you in. What a beautiful anology of inside out transformation! I let go of ownership in my life and allow God to crown me with the status of God's child. I forgo my sin and accept His righteousness in my life. I give up my self-declared wisdom and receive His truth and life. Lord, I know that sanctification is a life long process, I pray that You continue guide me, hold me tight when I am at the brim of falling, when I am teetering on the edge or tossing to and forth by the waves of doubt, fear and insecurity. May Your perfect love casts out all the negative feeling that arise now and then. May I be made perfect in Your great love.

诗篇 Psalms56:8
我几次流离，你都记数。求你把我眼泪装在你的皮袋里。这不都记在你册子上吗？

[kjv]
Thou tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy book?
[bbe]
You have seen my wanderings; put the drops from my eyes into your bottle; are they not in your record?

My little whispering to Abba Father:

Father lord, may this fraction of faith of mine be pleasing and acceptable at Your sight. Oh Lord, I am not hoping for only 1 year in my life time to be in Your field but many 1 year to come. If it is really in Your will, do not withold your divine appointment any longer. May You go before me to make all the preparation. All I need to do is to be like Abraham, be still, wait upon You and be obedient. May You continue to grant me an obedient heart to serve You all of my life. Thank you for first loved us. I ask this in Your precious name. Amen.

~~Do you really know？~~

马太福音 Matthew 5:37

你们的话，是，就说是，不是，就说不是。若再多说，就是出于那恶者。（或作是从恶里出来的）

[kjv]
But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.

[bbe]
But let your words be simply, Yes or No: and whatever is more than these is of the Evil One.

Bible is full of paradox, so as life. There is a very thin line between

... humility or low self-esteem;

... honesty or pride;

... complement or teasing;

... when to help that person or when to leave room of growth for that person;

... punishment out of love or withheld punishment because of love

... laughing with you or laughing at you;

... when to say no and when to say yes;

... and etc, just to name few.

Many times I am not firm enough to know by heart that

... Jesus loves me for who I am and not because of what I have done. Nothing that I have done can make Him loves me less or more

... Jesus first loves me and I ought to love others

... Jesus forgave my sins and I ought to do the same to others

... Jesus' love is unconditional and unchangeable, it remains the same today, yesterday and tomorrow

... Jesus is the ultimate judge of all circumstances

... Jesus is the best listener

... Jesus is the healer

... Jesus is the provider

... Jesus is the lover of my heart

... Jesus is my help in time of troubles

... Jesus is at work even though sometimes we might not see the outcome immediately

... Jesus does not show favouritism, I am not any better than others

... Jesus does not look at outward appearance but inward sincerity

... Jesus will never leave me or forsake me

... Jesus has a perfect plan for me

Sometimes I thought I really know but the truth is it is impossible for me to know...I thought

... Jesus wants me to do this

... Jesus wants me to accomplish that

... Jesus wants me to build "my" church....(the truth is all churches belong to Him)

... Jesus wants me to go that way

... I know Jesus' plan in my life

... it is His will but the truth is it is more of my own wishful will

Whisperig to Abba Father ( I sound like psalmist in the book of psalm...hahhahahha)

Father Lord, may You grant me consistency and persistency in prayer. May it big or small matters, help me oh Lord, help me to start everything by fervently and humbly asking Your opinion. Help me to be still, patient and wait upon You. Transform me to be Mary instead of Martha. I yearn to just sit under Your feet, fix my gaze on You and learn Your truth. Do not allow my heart to grow fade and my spirit to grow weary. Grant me joy and peace in walking in Your will. Enable me to do Your will. Grant me sensivity towards Your guidance and direction. Bestow greater wisdom and discernment in me for the expansion of Your Kingdom. Use me oh Lord, transform me to be Your instrument of Love. Help me to be more and more Christ-like. Make me salt and light of the world. Bless me abundantly so that I can extend the same blessing to the people surround me. Grant me greater endurance and discipline to perservere and stay faithful till the very end. Help me to be real and honest in front of You. Help me to see my worth and value in You. Set me apart from the bondage and enticement of the world. Help me to be pure. Send in more helpers and people to encourage me in this journey of faith. Allow me to feel Your warm embrace in my darkest hours. Help me to be who You want me to be.

~~Worth pondering~

Recently my caregroup member lend me a book title " Revolution in world missions" by Dr K.P. Yohannan, founder and international director of Gospel for Asia. This book really stirred me in a unique and special way. Below is some of points I resonate well:

1) For Christians that get burned out....It is a privilege

... "I am not in any trouble," He (God) chided, " that I need someone to beg for Me or help Me out. I made no promises that I will not keep. It is not the largeness of the work that matters, ut only doing what I command. All I ask of you is that you be a servant. For all who join with you in the work, it will be a privilge - a light burden for them."

2) For Christians that walk in His will...An encouraging word

...The only way I escaped several disastrous decision was my stubborn refusal to compromise the vision God had given. It something fit in with what God had said to me, then I considered it. If not - no matter how attractive it appeared - I refused. The secret of following God's will, I discovered, usually is wrapped up in rejecting the good for God's best.

One piece of advice did stick, however. Every Christian leader should have this engraved in his subconscious: No matter what you do, never take yourself too seriously. Paul Smith, founder of Bible Translations on Tape, was the first executive to say that to me, and I think it is one of the best single fragments of wisdom have received from anyone.

God always chooses the foolish things of this world to confound the wise. He shows His might only on the behalf of those who trust in Him. Humility is the place where all Christian service begins.

3) For churches that simply go through the motion... An awaking call

...Only when we are emptied of our own self-sufficiency can God use us. When a church or a mission board spends more time in consultation, planning and committee meetings than in prayer, it is a clear indication the members have lost touch with the supernatural and have ended up, in Watchman Nee's words," serving the house of God and forgot the Lord Himself."

Churches need to develop the quiet disciplines they have lost - practices such as contemplation, fasting, listening, meditation, prayer, silence, Scripture memory, submission and reflection.

to be continued...I am only half way through the book ^.^

Little prayer for missionary in the world:

Father Lord, I pray that every single missonary seed that you have laid will fall in the right soil. May Your mighty hand continue to cover and shelter them with Your everlasting blessings and goodness. May Your anointment fall on them daily. Help them to live lives by leaning on Your grace and mercy. May You set their hearts free and light, may they sing of your praises all day long.

In time of persecution, preserve them;

in time of hardship, set them free;

in time of disappointment, encourage them;

in time of spiritual dryness, nourish them;

in time of fear, assure them;

in time of conflict, help them to resolve;

in time of need, provide them;

in time of hurt, heal them;

in time of sad, console them;

in time of sick, restore them;

in all times hold them in Your safety palm.

I commit this humble request of mine in Your mighty name. May it be pleasing in Your eyes.

Psalm 23:6
Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

~~Run with perseverance~~

Stress is like acid that invades lives and corrodes souls. It comes in many forms and affects people from all walks of life. According to dictionary.com, stress defines as physical, mental, or emotional strain or tension. In other words, it can affect us both internally and externally (inside out). It can eat us up bit by bit or sometimes swallow us alive if we are not careful in handling stress.

I realized I am not good in managing stress in life. -_-'' Whenever I feel overwhelmed or choked by life, the first response is run away. Run to a place that I believe can set me free.

Recently I have been thinking of running away from where I am right now. Life is way too hectic and busy or I am too slow to catch up? Oh Lord, I don't wish to see myself leading such a taxing life 5 years down the road. It is frustrating to know that I need to slow down the pace of my life yet I am unable to do so. It is disappointing to know that I need to pray more yet my body is fighting for more rest. It is irritating to always think that I would prefer God's work yet I am still at where I am right now. It is hurting to live in future and neglect God's best in my life right now. Father Lord, it is uncomfortable to always live with the "already and not yet" feeling that shadow my life. I thought I "already" ready for Your work yet it is "not yet" happening. Father, may You help me to find joy and strength in the place that You have prepared for me right now. Help me to find complete rest and perfect peace in You. My soul yearn and long for Your refreshing and personal touch. May Your love submerges me daily. Whenever stress is over my head,may I run...not aimlessly running away but run to You and You alone. Equip me oh Lord, gear me with perseverance and help me put on the garment of patience, love and hope.

Thank you Oh Lord, thank you for Your firm embrace of grace and warm grip of mercy. Thank you for promising that You will never let me go. Thank you for saying that You will never leave me or forsake me. Thank you for Your ever present outstretched arm in all seasons of life.

感谢主在“波涛汹涌”的生活中为我的心打造一片净土。阿门。

希伯来书 Hebrews12:1-2

我们既有这许多的见证人，如同云彩围着我们，就当放下各样的重担，脱去容易缠累我们的罪， 存心忍耐，奔那摆在我们前头的路程，

[kjv]
Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

[bbe]
For this reason, as we are circled by so great a cloud of witnesses, putting off every weight, and the sin into which we come so readily, let us keep on running in the way which is marked out for us,

12:2
仰望为我们信心创始成终的耶稣。（或作仰望那将真道创始成终的耶稣）他因那摆在前面的喜乐，就轻看羞辱，忍受了十字架的苦难，便坐在神宝座的右边。

[kjv]
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

[bbe]
Having our eyes fixed on Jesus, the guide and end of our faith, who went through the pains of the cross, not caring for the shame, because of the joy which was before him, and who has now taken his place at the right hand of God's seat of power.