Mustard Seed Faith in Business

Mustard Seed Faith in Business TGIF Today God Is First, by Os Hillman

He replied, "Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you." - Matthew 17:20Does God do miracles in business? Is He concerned about the mountains we face in our work life? Does He want us to bring the everyday problems we face in the workplace to His attention? The answer to every one of these questions is yes. God wants to be involved in every aspect of our lives.Gunnar Olson, the Swedish founder of the International Christian Chamber of Commerce, tells a story about God performing a miracle in his own business a few years ago. He owns a plastics company in Sweden . They make huge plastic bags that are used to cover bales of hay in the farmlands across Europe . It was the harvest season and they were getting ready to ship thousands of pallets of these bags to their customers. More than 1,000 pallets were ready to ship when an alarming discovery was made. Every bag on the warehouse floor had sealed shut from top to bottom. Scientists declared the entire stock as worthless trash. Nothing could be done. The company would go out of business.Gunnar, his wife, and children sought the Lord in prayer about this catastrophe. The Holy Spirit spoke through various family members. The wife said, "If God can turn water into wine, what are plastics?" The daughter said, "I don't believe this is from the Lord. We should stand against it." Gunnar sensed they were to trust God for a miracle in this situation. They began to pray. They took authority over this mountain of a problem based on Matthew 17, which gave them the authority to cast a mountain into the sea if faith only the size of a mustard seed could be exercised. The following Monday they went to the warehouse and laid hands on every pallet asking the Lord to restore the bags to their original condition. It took several hours. Later, the employees began to inspect the bags. As they inspected the bags, they discovered that every single bag had been restored to its original condition! An incredible miracle had taken place.What obstacles have been placed in your life that need a miracle today? Could God be setting the stage in your life for you to trust Him at new levels you've never trusted before? God sets the stage to allow His power to be revealed for those willing to exercise the faith of a mustard seed. All things are possible with God.

Possessions of the Kingdom

Possessions of the Kingdom
TGIF Today God Is First, by Os Hillman

But I will punish the nation they serve as slaves, and afterward they will come out with great possessions. - Genesis 15:14

Whenever God brings you through a time of great adversity, you can expect to come out of that experience with great possessions, if you have been faithful through the trial. This is a universal truth. Wisdom comes from obedience, not knowledge. When we have been tested and proven, the reality of our faith results in possessions from God that we would never receive if we had not gone through those trials. These are precious in His sight and should be valued greatly. Those who know you will be amazed at the wisdom that comes from your mouth. It is one of those mysteries of the gospel that only those who experience incredible testing and hardship can explain.

God kept the people of Israel enslaved 400 years, but when the time came to free them from the bondage of slavery, they came out with great possessions. These physical possessions symbolize the spiritual possessions we receive when we come out of being enslaved to those things that have hindered us all our lives. These possessions are to be shared with others so that they also can know how they might become free.

What has God freed you from that allows you to share your possessions with others? Share what God has done in your life with someone you work with today. It may be the possession they need most in their life.

Wanted: Dead or Alive!

Had not been back for some time...over here, would like to share this with you.

Wanted: Dead or Alive!
TGIF Today God Is First, by Os Hillman

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms (Eph 6:12).

In the old west it was common to see a poster on the wall of the town jail or post office with a man's picture below the words: Wanted: Dead or Alive! These were the most notorious criminals who posed the greatest danger to society.

Let me ask you a personal question. Is there a "Wanted: Dead or Alive" poster in hell with your name on it? Are you a real danger to hell? Do you cause problems for Satan's legion of demons? Are you pushing back Satan's agenda on planet earth?

Are the unsaved in danger of receiving salvation through you? Will someone receive healing because you dared to pray for them? Will someone's life be impacted because you chose to pray for them in your workplace during a difficult time? Will a city be impacted for Jesus Christ because of you?

Millions of believers sit on the sidelines everyday having no impact on the Kingdom of darkness. Their names will never appear on a Wanted poster in hell because Satan sees that they are no threat. However, God wants you to be a threat to Satan's kingdom.

What are some things you can do that will pose a threat to Satan's agenda? Perhaps you can begin praying for one of Satan's most notorious talk show personalities. Or maybe you are called to visit an elderly home to bring the love of Christ into a lonely place. There are many ways you can earn a reputation in hell.

Are you willing to be a force to be reckoned with by Satan's legions?

God's Tests

God's Tests TGIF Today God Is First, by Os Hillman

.."What have I done? What is my crime? How have I wronged your father, that he is trying to take my life?" - 1 Samuel 20:1The cost of being one of God's anointed can be great. Those whom God has anointed for service and influence in His Kingdom go through a special preparation. David was anointed to be the next king over Israel . Shortly after this, while still a young boy, he was brought into King Saul's service to play music in Saul's court. While there, the opportunity to stand up against Goliath elevated David for his next stage of development as future king. As his popularity grew so did Saul's jealousy. However, even Saul's jealousy was God's instrument for molding and shaping David.Saul finally decided he could no longer tolerate David's success and popularity among the people, so he tried to kill David. The confused young shepherd boy spent many years hiding in wilderness caves before he was able to see the hand of God in all of this. No doubt David thought that when Samuel anointed him he would be conveniently raised up to be king with all the accompanying benefits of kingship. Not so. God's preparation of David involved much persecution, disloyalty, and hardship. These were the lessons necessary to be a godly king. God brought many tests in David's life, just as He did with Saul. David passed these tests. Saul did not.When God anoints us, it often is accompanied by some severe tests. These tests are designed to prepare us for the calling God has on our life. Should we fail these tests God cannot elevate us to the next level. For a workplace believer, these tests often involve money, relationships, and other issues of the heart.What if God has chosen you for a specific purpose in His Kingdom? Are you passing the tests He is bringing about in your life? These tests are designed to bring about greater obedience. In most instances, it will involve great adversity. The Bible tells us that the King of kings learned obedience through the things that He suffered (see Heb. 5:8). If this is true, why would it be any different for His children? Be aware of the tests God may be bringing before you in order to prepare you for His service.

Knowledge that is Productive

Knowledge that is Productive TGIF Today God Is First, by Os Hillman

For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. - 2 Peter 1:8Productivity is a term all workplace believers can relate to. It is the by-product of what we desire from our work. Without productivity, we do not make sales, we do not deliver goods, and we do not achieve our goals. There are things in our work lives that can creep in making us unproductive. The same is true in our walk with God.The apostle Peter tells us that we can become knowledgeable of Jesus but fail to be effective and productive in our relationship with Him. We are a society that has great knowledge, but our comparable scale of productivity from that knowledge is extremely weighted to the knowledge side. The apostle Peter tells us there is a solution to this dilemma.For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith, goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Peter 1:5-8).Is your Christian experience filled with knowledge, but little power? Is there staleness in your walk with God? Is there unrest in your soul? It may be due to a need to develop character that only the Holy Spirit can develop out of an obedient heart. Ask the Lord today to add these qualities to your faith so that you can be productive as a soldier of Jesus Christ.

The Gospel of the Kingdom

The Gospel of the Kingdom TGIF Today God Is First, by Os Hillman

This is how we know we are in Him: Whoever claims to live in Him must walk as Jesus did. - 1 John 2:5b-6When Christ came to earth, He came to bring to mankind the gospel of the Kingdom. Over the centuries, the Church has tended to emphasize only a portion of the gospel. That portion is the gospel of salvation. However, Jesus came that we might have more than just salvation. He came to give us a whole new life that was accompanied by signs, wonders, and His Spirit living in us and revealing Himself to us daily. He came so that we might walk on this earth as He did. If our lives are not reflecting the same things as Jesus' did, we must ask why?I have noticed three distinct types of workplace believers throughout my 24 years of walking with Christ. First, many of us come to Christ out of a need for salvation. Our hearts have been touched by His call on our lives. We reason and analyze the claims of Christ and make a decision for Him. It is the convenient time to accept Him in our lives. This first stage is often characterized by a "Bless me, Lord" attitude toward God. It is the first stage that primarily brings salvation into our lives. Some never really go past this first stage.The second stage is the crisis stage. A crisis takes place in our lives, and we are motivated to seek Christ with a whole heart. However, this motivation is not out of pure love for Christ; rather, it is motivated by the desire to get out of the pain of living. The motivation is to solve "the what" versus "the why" in my life at the time. This stage is best characterized as "Help me, Lord."In the third stage we begin to experience the gospel of the Kingdom. It is the place where Jesus resided in His walk with His heavenly Father. It is the place of conviction. The number of people who live at this level are quite few, but these people are experiencing the reality of a walk with God that is foreign to all others. They are seeing daily occurrences of His involvement in their lives. They are motivated by a deep love for Him. They know Him. These people have an attitude characterized by these thoughts, "Have me, Lord; though He slay me, still will I trust Him."Where are you today? Have you merely accepted His salvation to simply float along? Or do you seek Him with a whole heart only when a crisis occurs? His desire is for you and me to live a life of conviction, motivated by our love for Him and His love for us. This is where we will experience the gospel of the Kingdom.

Planning for Success

Planning for Success TGIF Today God Is First, by Os Hillman

I know, O Lord, that a man's life is not his own; it is not for man to direct his steps. - Jeremiah 10:23In business I hear a lot about planning. Every January I hear workplace believers establishing their planning for the year. Corporations establish plans that cover anywhere from one to five years. Individuals establish personal life plans. There is only one problem that I see with most planning done by well-meaning believers. If God is not the originator and director of the plan, then that plan is doomed for failure. So often, Christian workplace believers set out to plan something that seems good in their own mind. The merits of what is being planned can look great, and it can even be a worthy endeavor. However, that is not the point. When Jesus said He came only to do the will of the Father, He could not consider doing anything that was not what the Father wanted, no matter how good or righteous it might appear to be."In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps" (Prov. 16:9). God must give us the vision for what He calls us to do. After we have the vision, we must ask Him if He wants us to take action on that vision and what the action steps entail. The Lord wants to direct each step of the planning process. David learned this lesson when he went to battle against his enemy, the Philistines. One day he inquired of God as to whether he was to go up against the Philistines, and the Lord said, "Yes, but only when you hear the marching in the balsam trees." It is a mistake to reason and analyze in order to come to a decision on a matter. The Lord already knows the answer. It is our responsibility to seek Him to find out His mind on the matter. Our planning must be established in Him. Only when we remain so connected to the source can we be assured of putting God's plan into place. Also, getting that plan confirmed through others will assure that we are not following the deceit of our own heart.When you begin to plan next time, ask God for His wisdom for establishing the vision and action steps. You will be surprised how well He can plan.

Sold Out

Sold Out TGIF Today God Is First, by Os Hillman

But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. - Philippians 3:7George Mueller was a man known for building orphanages by faith in the mid-1800s. He raised literally millions of dollars for his orphanages, yet died with little in his own bank account. When asked about his conversion experience he commented,"I was converted in November of 1825, but I only came into the full surrender of the heart four years later, in July 1829. The love of money was gone, the love of place was gone, the love of position was gone, and the love of worldly pleasures and engagements was gone. God, God alone became my portion. I found my all in Him; I wanted nothing else. And by the grace of God this has remained, and has made me a happy man, an exceedingly happy man, and it led me to care only about the things of God. I ask affectionately, my beloved brethren, have you fully surrendered the heart to God, or is there this thing or that thing with which you have taken up irrespective of God? I read a little of the scriptures before, but preferred other books; but since that time the revelation He has made of Himself has become unspeakably blessed to me, and I can say from my heart, God is an infinitely lovely Being. Oh, be not satisfied until in your own inmost soul you can say, God is an infinitely lovely Being!" [Basil Miller, Man of Faith and Miracles ( Minneapolis , Minnesota , Bethany House Publishers, n.d.)]Many will never get to the place where George Mueller was in his spiritual life, because we are unwilling to release control of these areas of which he speaks. If we do release control, it usually is due to a process that God brings us through. Paul got knocked to the ground and was spoken to personally before he was willing to listen and follow completely. Peter had to live with Jesus three years and he still denied Him. It was only later, after he denied Jesus and realized how weak he was in his own faith, that he became fully committed to the Savior.What will it take for you to fully surrender? You will know that you have given full surrender when power, money, and position no longer have meaning in your life. Paul said he came to a place where his life was the life of Christ only. It is a sacrificial life, but it is also a life of freedom, purpose, and meaning. Let God take full control and see His life lived fully through you.

A New Breed of Workplace Believers

A New Breed of Workplace Believers TGIF Today God Is First, by Os Hillman

Speak to Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah , to Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and to the remnant of the people.... - Haggai 2:2Zerubbabel was the governor of Judah 60 years after the great temple built by Solomon had been destroyed. The temple lay in ruins, and the Lord spoke to the prophet Haggai, "Is it a time for you yourselves to be living in your paneled houses, while this house remains a ruin?" (Hag. 1:4) God was calling for a remnant of His people to come out of their comfort zones and restore the glory of God's house.God is doing this same thing today among Christian workplace believers throughout the world. He is rising up a remnant of workplace believers who are being handpicked to use their resources, skills, and experience to affect nations that have not heard the message of Jesus Christ. The only way they can hear is by commerce being brought into their nation through Christian workplace believers, because these are closed regions to normal missionary efforts."But now be strong, O Zerubbabel," declares the Lord. "Be strong, O Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest. Be strong, all you people of the land," declares the Lord, "and work. For I am with you," declares the Lord Almighty. "This is what I covenanted with you when you came out of Egypt . And My Spirit remains among you. Do not fear" (Haggai 2:4-5).The remnant of workplace believers God is calling today understand that they have to come out of Egypt from their past work life. Egypt signifies the way of the world. It represents sweat and toil. It is the flesh. This new way is exemplified by a pioneer spirit. God knows we need to have courage in order to move in this realm. Also, God assures us that His Spirit is with anyone who seeks to live in the realm of supernatural faith.Are you one of these remnants He has handpicked in these days? Has He called you out of Egypt in order to do extraordinary things in your life for His Kingdom? Ask God to show you how He wants to use you in the workplace this year. Then act and "be strong, all you people of the land."

Fulfilling Vows

Fulfilling Vows TGIF Today God Is First, by Os Hillman

When you make a vow to God, do not delay in fulfilling it. He has no pleasure in fools; fulfill your vow. - Ecclesiastes 5:4Have you ever had a business relationship with someone who made a commitment but later said, "Well, things changed, so I cannot honor our original agreement."? Sometimes this may be the case, but often it is simply an opportunity to avoid fulfilling an agreement. God is big on fulfilling vows. God's nature is righteousness and truth. You will always see God honor His Word. He expects the same of His people.God says there are consequences when we do not fulfill our vows. Subsequent Scripture verses reveal the following:It is better not to vow than to make a vow and not fulfill it. Do not let your mouth lead you into sin. And do not protest to the temple messenger, "My vow was a mistake." Why should God be angry with what you say and destroy the work of your hands? Much dreaming and many words are meaningless. Therefore stand in awe of God" (Ecclesiastes 5:5-7).God tells us that He will destroy the work of our hands for failure to fulfill vows. That's pretty strong language. It gives us an indication of how important fulfilling vows is to God. He will not prosper our work if there are unfulfilled vows in our livesAre there any unfulfilled vows in your life that may be hindering your projects? Vows show up in many areas of our lives - marriages, businesses, personal friendships. Unfulfilled vows in any one of these could be the reason your work may be hindered.Ask God today if there are any unfulfilled vows in your life. If so, begin today to make them right so that you may be successful in whatever God calls you to do.

Is Anything Too Hard for God?

Is Anything Too Hard for God? TGIF Today God Is First, by Os Hillman

So Sarah laughed to herself as she thought, "After I am worn out and my master is old, will I now have this pleasure?" - Genesis 18:12God had promised Abraham and Sarah a son who would be the seed of a whole nation. Sarah was now beyond childbearing years. So when some angels from God paid Abraham and Sarah a visit to inform them that Sarah was going to have a child, she happened to be listening outside the tent and erupted with laughter. The thought seemed preposterous to her. The angels reminded her that nothing is impossible with God. "Is anything too hard for the Lord? I will return to you at the appointed time next year and Sarah will have a son" (Gen. 18:14). Sarah gave birth to Isaac as foretold.Recently, I was considering putting on another workplace-leader summit for ministry leaders who minister to those in the workplace. I had been involved in such an event a year earlier. My friend Gunnar Olson, who is the founder of the International Christian Chamber of Commerce of Sweden, had been involved with me in putting on the first event, so I inquired whether he would be willing to participate in the second event. He wrote me an e-mail letter informing me that an international gathering of Christian workplace leaders would be taking place on the island of Cyprus in March and asked if I could postpone my event and instead participate in an event in Cyprus and invite other leaders. My initial response was laughter due to my current financial condition. In fact, I had to go to a map to see just where this place was.The following day I received a call from a man I had met only 30 days earlier. We had not discussed this event in March. "What are you doing tomorrow? I would like you to go to the airport with me to pick up a missionary whom I want you to meet. We'd like to propose an idea to you. Can you come?""Sure," I said.The next day he picked me up and informed me that we were picking up a missionary who was flying in from Cyprus . "We are planning to take 25 workplace believers to Cyprus for an event that Gunnar Olson is involved in and would like you to come and teach your Esau-to-Joseph workshop the day before. We will cover your expenses. Would you be interested in doing this?" Again, I had to laugh as I saw the hand of God orchestrate in such a miraculous way and in such a timely manner to assure me of His involvement in the new directions in my life.Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God" (Mark 10:27).Are there things that make you laugh when you think of the miracle that would be required for it to take place? Ask God for the miracle you need today.

Opening Our Spiritual Eyes

Opening Our Spiritual Eyes TGIF Today God Is First, by Os Hillman

And Elisha prayed, "O Lord, open his eyes so he may see." Then the Lord opened the servant's eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. - 2 Kings 6:17Elisha was counseling the nation of Israel against the impending attack of the king of Aram . The Lord supernaturally gave Elisha the plans that the king was implementing, and in turn, Elisha warned Israel of each intended attack. The king could not understand why his plans were continually foiled. It seemed there was a secret informer in his midst. He was furious when he was told it was the God of Israel who was to blame for this inside information. The king decided the only way to resolve the situation was to get rid of the problem - kill Elisha.The king's forces arrived and surrounded Elisha and his servant. Elisha's servant became upset and fearful when Elisha was not upset. Elisha immediately prayed that his servant's eyes might be opened to see that there was no need to be afraid, because the angels were protecting them.And Elisha prayed, "O Lord, open his eyes so he may see." Then the Lord opened the servant's eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. As the enemy came down toward him, Elisha prayed to the Lord, "Strike these people with blindness." So He struck them with blindness, as Elisha had asked (2 Kings 6:17-18).Who is the Elisha in your life? Do you have a mentor friend who can see the activity of God in your life when you cannot see it? We all need to have somebody we can trust to help us see the activity of God. It is often difficult for us to see what God is really doing because we are so consumed by the circumstances of the moment. Ask God today to help open your spiritual eyes that you might see Him in your circumstances.

An Eternal View of Circumstances

An Eternal View of Circumstances TGIF Today God Is First, by Os Hillman

Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel. - Philippians 1:12Are your life circumstances advancing the gospel? Can you see the Lord's hand in your life in such a way that all of your life experiences, joys, sorrows, hardships, and training have resulted in advancing the gospel?Paul was a tentmaker by trade. But he had an overall ministry objective in his business life. That objective left him imprisoned and persecuted at times. But Paul saw these events not as roadblocks to his mission. Rather, they were catalysts to advancing the cause of Christ. Paul's revelation of this kept him from despairing about his circumstances.One day a little-known pastor who lived in the small African nation of Benin began to pray for his Marxist president. For two years he prayed. Then the Lord told the pastor to go to meet this president and share the gospel with him. The president rejected the gospel, but after another such occasion, the president accepted the gospel and became a Christian. He was removed from power but was discipled by this pastor. Sometime later this same president was elected again. Today that president is now a Christian leader of a nation committed to spreading the gospel throughout his nation. One man - yet millions have been affected by his obedience. This modern-day story is retold in countless lives of those willing to live for a cause greater than themselves.Are your work and life experiences serving to advance the gospel? What experiences has God allowed in your life that are part of His plan to advance the gospel? Ask Him to help you see your life the way He sees it. Seeing our life the way God sees it will help us avoid discouragement in those times when life appears to be a mystery to us.

Staying Connected

Staying Connected TGIF Today God Is First, by Os Hillman

Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in You. Show me the way I should go, for to You I lift up my soul. - Psalm 143:8Two of the greatest inventions of my time have been the laptop computer and e-mail. The laptop means I no longer have to stay in one place to be productive in my business life. E-mail has allowed me to stay connected to people all around the world with the touch of a button.My greatest frustration is when either of these does not work. Sometimes e-mail cannot be used because I can't get a connection. Sometimes I cannot use my laptop because I have not properly charged it, and then the charge runs out while I am on an airplane. Both of these situations mean I am unable to tap into the resource that allows me to fulfill my calling in my work to the fullest.The morning time with God is much like these situations. God pours His Word into my spirit, and I am recharged. This recharging has an important effect on my day. It allows me the greatest opportunity to hear the small voice that directs my steps. If I refuse to "get connected," I risk following my own ways of fulfilling the duties of my day. It sets forth the opportunity for God to speak into my spirit what He desires for me each day. It allows me to focus on God's purposes, not mine.The only way to know someone is to spend time with him or her. The only way to discern the voice of another is to hear that person's voice. David, the author of this psalm, was a warrior, king, and businessman. He understood this principle of connecting with God in the morning. His morning allowed him to connect with God's love, renew his trust in Him, and hear His directions for his life. Shouldn't you and I do the same?

Obedience with a Cost

Obedience with a Cost TGIF Today God Is First, by Os Hillman

Ever since I went to Pharaoh to speak in Your name, he has brought trouble upon this people, and You have not rescued Your people at all. - Exodus 5:23Have you ever felt like you have been obedient to the Lord for something He called you to do and all you get are more roadblocks? This is the way Moses felt. When Moses went to tell Pharaoh to release the people because God said so, Pharaoh simply got angry and made the people make bricks without straw. Moses caught the blame for this from the people. Moses was just learning what obedience really means in God's Kingdom. You see Moses had not even begun to release plagues upon Egypt . He hadn't even gotten started yet in his calling, and he was complaining about his circumstances. There were many more encounters with Pharaoh to come, and many more plagues with no deliverances in sight. Why would God tell Moses that He is going to deliver them and not do it?It was all in timing. God never said when He was going to deliver. He just said He would. In the next chapter, we find Moses arguing with God about not being capable of the job God had called him to:But Moses said to the Lord, "If the Israelites will not listen to me, why would Pharaoh listen to me, since I speak with faltering lips?" Now the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron about the Israelites and Pharaoh king of Egypt , and He commanded them to bring the Israelites out of Egypt (Exodus 6:12-13).Do you get the feeling God was losing His patience?God had a good reason for His delays. He said, "And the Egyptians will know that I am the Lord when I stretch out My hand against Egypt and bring the Israelites out of it" (Ex. 7:5). God not only wanted the people of Israel but also the Egyptians to know Him. It would be the greatest show of God's power on earth.God often causes delays in our lives that we cannot understand. Sometimes it seems our obedience is not getting rewarded. Jesus said He learned obedience through the things He suffered (see Heb. 5:8). Imagine that - Jesus having to learn obedience. What does that say for you and me? Sometimes God's delays are simply because He wants more glory in the situation, more recognition, more Christ-likeness in you and me through greater patience and obedience. Faint not, for the promise may yet come.

Delay and Disappointments

Allow me to share a letter with you, from Sri Lanka, Noel Berman.

During my school days in the 1960s, we read the English classic Around the World in Eighty Days by Jules Verne. The discussions were animated and one of my classmates said, "Why 80 days? Today we can easily do it in under 80 hours!"

The Bibil tells about an entire nation that took 40 years to finish a journey that would normally take about 2 weeks. It seems ridiculous. A month or two, or even a year, would be somewhat understandable, but 40 years is beyond our imagination-unless...God was working out His purpose and allowed such a delay.

Deuteronomy 8:2-5 tells us: "Remember how the Lord your Godled you all the way in the desert these forty years, to humble you and to test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep His commands. He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your fathers had known, to trach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord. Your clothes dod not wear out and your feet did not swell during these forty years. Know then in your heart yhat as a man disciplines His son, so the Lord your God disciplines you."

Delays, disppointments, and detours may seem to be unnecessary. But to a loving God who wants to work out His best in and through our lives, it is part and parcel of the growing process.

How exciting to realise that no hard thing is wasted, if only we are submitting to His work in our lives. this is only possible as we know Him through His Word.

So, whatever disappointed we get in life, do understand and know that God is working...in His time, not ours.

Hallelujah!

Treasures in Darkness

Treasures in DarknessTGIF Today God Is First, by Os Hillman

I will give you the treasures of darkness, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the Lord, the God of Israel , who summons you by name. - Isaiah 45:3"I have never been in this place before. It is new ground for me, and I find I am way out of my comfort zone. I am scared to death to trust Him at this level. I had to confess to the Lord I have not been able to accept or believe His love for me in this area." Those were the words I expressed to a friend when I was in a difficult place in my life. That day when I confessed those words, God led me to this passage of Scripture.What we perceive as dark periods in our lives are designed to be treasures from God. They are actually riches stored in secret places. We cannot see those times in this light because of the often-accompanying pain or fear that prevents us from accepting these times as treasures. They have a particular purpose from God's viewpoint: "...so that you may know that I am the Lord...who summons you by name."You see, unless we are cast into times in which we are completely at God's mercy for breakthroughs in our lives, we will never experience God's faithfulness in those areas. We will never know how personal He is, or that He can be trusted to meet the deepest needs in our lives. God wants each of us to know that we are "summoned by name." Every hair of our head is numbered. He knows every activity we are involved in. His love for you and me knows no bounds, and He will take every opportunity to demonstrate this to us.Has God brought you into a place of darkness? Trust Him today to reveal that hidden treasure that can be found in this darkness. Let Him summon you by name.

Living a Life of Conviction

Living a Life of ConvictionTGIF Today God Is First, by Os Hillman

For we know, brothers loved by God, that He has chosen you, because our gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction. - 1 Thessalonians 1:4-5aEveryone lives a life of conviction. Whatever we give our greatest time, our greatest energies, and our greatest resources to is a good indication of where our convictions lie. Some live a life of conviction about sports. Some live a life of conviction around pleasure. Still others live a life of conviction about very little that matters at all.Whenever God chooses to do a deep work in a life, a strong conviction is born of the Holy Spirit. Conversions in the early Church resulted in changed lives that held to a deep, life-transforming conviction regarding what they believed and how they lived out that belief. Paul explains that the gospel they received came not just in words, but also in power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction.In order to impact the workplace for Jesus Christ, each of us must be reflecting a faith that is demonstrated through deeply held convictions. Are you living a life of deep conviction that spurs you on to reflect the power of Christ in your life and the lives of others? Paul was willing to suffer great persecution for his faith in a living God. God calls each of us to a life that is supernatural, not simply a good, moral life. The early Church understood the role the Holy Spirit played in demonstrating this power of the gospel. It was this deep work that resulted in living the gospel with great conviction. If you are not living the gospel with great conviction, ask the Holy Spirit to so fill your life today that the power of His Spirit is truly reflected in your life so that you may impact others in your workplace.

Faith Versus Presumption

Faith Versus PresumptionTGIF Today God Is First, by Os Hillman

So she said to Abram, "The Lord has kept me from having children. Go, sleep with my maidservant; perhaps I can build a family through her." Abram agreed to what Sarai said. - Genesis 16:2

Presumption is based on our own reasoning. Abraham and Sarah fell into presumption when they got too old to have children. God had promised a son to Abraham and Sarah - a son who would fulfill His promise to birth a nation. But Abraham and Sarah were past the normal age for childbearing. So, they concluded that God needed help to work out His plan.Many workplace believers make the same mistake every day. We make assumptions about what we believe God is doing and wants us to do. However, before we really have full assurance that God has spoken to us on the matter and revealed His perfect action plan, we move forward with our steps to get it done. How do we protect ourselves from presumption? The Proverbs tell us that there is safety in a multitude of counselors (see Prov. 11:14 KJV). Submitting our decisions to others for confirmation protects each of us from the deceit of our own heart. This process will protect us from presumption and encourage us to move in faith. The next time you believe God is directing you toward a specific action, consult with your spouse first, then some close, spiritual friends who will take the time to prayerfully consider your request. If you don't have consensus, wait until you do before you move forward. God will move through this process to His desired will for the matter.

The Anguish of Faith

The Anguish of FaithTGIF Today God Is First, by Os Hillman

Do not hide Your face from me or I will be like those who go down to the pit. - Psalm 143:7bOf all the biblical characters, David gives us a glimpse of a man who walked with God with great emotion in victory and in defeat. David never lost a battle throughout his many years of serving as king of Israel . In many of the Psalms, David often lamented about the difficult places where God had placed him. He talked of his enemies and the need for God to deliver Him. He talked of God's everlasting love for him. How do you suppose David came to this understanding after years of being sought after by King Saul who wanted to take his life? His years of turmoil within his family gave him many reasons to lose all hope in a loving God.David often began his Psalms in a place of discouragement and loss of hope. But He never ended one Psalm in defeat. He always came to a place of victory in God by the end of the Psalm. David always placed his life in God's hands, knowing He would care for him.Let the morning bring me word of Your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in You. Show me the way I should go, for to You I lift up my soul. Rescue me from my enemies, O Lord, for I hide myself in You. Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God; may Your good Spirit lead me on level ground (Psalm 143:8-10).It is okay to feel discouragement. It is part of the process of grieving and working through those times of pain. But God wants each of us to allow Him to walk with us in these places. If you find yourself in one of these places, do what David did. Ask God to show you the way and let Him bring the word of His unfailing love to you.

The Training Ground of God

The Training Ground of GodTGIF Today God Is First, by Os Hillman

Praise be to the Lord my Rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle. - Psalm 144:1

David was a man skilled in war. From his days as a shepherd boy to the days of serving in Saul's army to leading his own army, David learned to be a skillful warrior. How does one become a skillful warrior?The only way one can become a skillful warrior is to be trained and placed in the middle of the battle. It is only when we are placed in the furnace of battle that we truly learn to fight the real battles. Practice doesn't make you battle ready. War games won't prepare you for facing your real enemy in the battlefield. The stark reality of being in the midst of the battle makes us effective warriors.Simply reading your Bible will not make you a warrior for the Kingdom. Knowledge without experience is mere folly. Only when you are placed in situations where there is nothing or no one who can save you but God will you learn the lessons of warrior faith. This is the training ground of God, which will make you into a soldier for Christ in the workplace. Consider it to be suicidal faith - faith that says I want to be dead to anything that keeps me from fulfilling God's purposes for my life. It is when your efforts can do nothing to change your circumstance and you are at the mercy of God. These are the real training grounds of God. Do not shrink back from the battle that God may be leading you to today. It may be a training ground that is necessary for the calling He has on your life.If you can trust Him in these times, you'll know that you have gained a faith that will move mountains and will sustain you in the most difficult of circumstances. "Praise be to the Lord my Rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle."

The Passion of Christ - Part 8

Let's look at A Man and Our Servant Forever. Who He?

When Jesus chose not to go out free, but to remain and be pierced at the cross, what did it mean? It meant that Jesus, though fully God, chose to remain a Man and out Servant forever!That might shock some religious people. But in heaven today, Jesus is forever a Manand forever our Servant. It was His choice. He said one time, "I did not come to be served. I came to serve." (Matthew 20:28)

'Messenger, how can you say that? Jesus is Lord. He is God." Yes, He is all that. But He is also our Servant. And it is pride not to allow Him to serve us. When Peter refused to allow Jesus to wash his feet, Jesus said, "If I do not wash your feet, you have no part with Me." (John 13:8) It takes humility for us to allow Jesus to minister to us. We want to minister to the Lord. We want to give to the Lord. We want to build great things for the Lord. We want to be contributors to the Lord. But we can give nothing because we are all bankrupt spiritually. What can we give, except that which we have received from Him. So, the greatest thing you can do is to receive from Him. One of the criminals who was crucified with Jesus said of himself and th other thief, "We deserve to die for our evil deeds, but this Man has done nothing wrong." Then, he turned to Jesus and said, "Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom." (Luke 23:40-42) In the movie, When Jesus turned His face to look at the thief, I was something. In the midst of all His suffering, somebody brought refreshment to His heart. Somebody still asked something of Him. And He was so pleased that He said, "Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paesdise." (luke 23:43) That dying thief refreshed Jesus' heart when he put himself under the fountain of His blood. Beloved, what "strengthens" out Saviour? What "refreshes" Him, if I may use wuch language? It is when He is able to give to a sinner, when He can find someone who is willing to receive from Him. That refreshes Him because He loves to serve. It is the nature of His heart of love to serve. And we are the objects of His love. He remins a Servant forever by choice. Yes, He is all glorious. But even though He has been gloriously resurrected, He is a resurrected Man with affections and feelings like you and I, and that is why He knows how you feel, and wanted to serve you. So, if you are sick, come to Him and say, "Lord, I need Your service." That is what refreshed His heart today. I do not know if there were any Hebrew servants who chose not to go out free in Bible times. But let's suppose that there was one. Now, imagine that after he and his wife have fallen asleep, his wife wakes up in the middle of the night. She looks at her husband and remembers that years ago, he could have gone out free, leaving her and their children behind, but he chose not to. And as he is sleeping there beside her, she sees his pierced ear - a symbol of his love for her forever. Beloved, in heaven one day, we will see Jesus's wonds. And we will remember that He did not have to remain and be pierced for our sins, but He chose to, because He loves us!

What A GREAT LORD!

The Passion of Christ - Part 7

Welcome! Many times, someone hurt us, and we will forgive them after a while but, do you really already forgiven that person? Think for a moment and let's look at God's forgivness.

Jesus the perfect Servent said, "I love My Master. I love My wife. I will not go out free." That is what He decided in the Garden of Gethsemane. But "I will not go out free" meant that He had to pay the price. And the full price has been paid. So it is a sin to believe that you still have unforgiven sins. If you believe that, you are saying, "Eh, Jesus, You suffered, yes, but it is not enough. I know you cried 'it is finished, but in my case, it is not really finish." I love what my brother told me after he saw the movie and all the suffering that Jesuswent through. She said, "How can anyone, after watching the show, say that their sins have not been completely forgiven?" The greatest incult to Christ is to believe that your sins are still not forgiven. That is why I am a strong messenger of the truth that your entire lifetime of sins has been paid for because that is what His suffering have accomplished for us. He took the fullness of the pubishment so that you can enjoy the fullness of forgiveness. You are forgivenen completely of an entire lifetime of sins!

So, next time when soemone hurt us, do also do what Jesus do, forgive them completely.

The Passion of Christ - Part 6

Scourged For Our Wholeness

In the scourging scene in the same movie, Jesus stood up again after the first round of scourging. If you watch the scene, you will feel like sating, "Stay down!" Because by standing up, He made the Roman soldiers angrier and they changed their whips to those with hooks to inflict more pain. According to historical studies of Roman scourgings, these hooks go right into the victim's flesh, and rip pieces of flesh from the body!

And Jesus was probably not scourged 39 times according to the Jewish law of 40 stripes minus one. (Deuteronomy 25:3, 2 Corinthians 11:24) The Roman soldiers who carried out the scourging hated Jews and would nt have observed their law. We do not know how many times Jesus was whipped, but it was enough to expose the bones on His back! In Psalm 129:3, it says, "The plowers plowed on my back; they made their furrows long." In Psalm 22:17, it says, "I can count My bones. They look and stare at Me," You don't see that in the movie, so, actually, the movie is still not that violent.

The Bible also say that "by His stripes we are healed". (Isaiah 53:5) Jesus took every one of those painful lashes because He had to pay the full price for our health. By those stripes, your cancer died. By those stripes, your child's asthma died. By those stripes, we ar emade whole and strong!

Some people think that God has mood swings. If He is in a good mood today, He will heal you. If He is in a bad mood, He will not heal you. How can you put your faith in a God of moods? No, God of His Word. He will heal you because His Sin has paid the price for your healing. And His Son's work is perfect.

Till today, what thought runs in your mind?

The Passion of Christ - Part 5

Today, let's look at why our Heavenly Father cried.

God turned His back on His Son because He had to pubish Him for our sins. He is the judge of the universe. But as Father, I believe He wept. That is why in the movie, The Passion Of The Christ, there is this part where a tear falls from heaven - I love that scene! (I watch it with my brother and sister-in-law.)

The Bible itself says that Jesus's sacrifice was a sweet-smelling aroma to the Father. (Epesians 5:2) Yes, as God and judge, God had to turn His back on His Son because His eyes are too pure to behold evil and sin. (Habakkuk 1:13) But as Father, His heart was broken because Christ was never more pleasing to Him than at the time. Do you remember what Jesus said? "Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again. No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have the power to lay it down, and I have the power to take it again. This command Ihave received from My Father." (John 10:17-18)

Those of you with children love your children all the time. But sometimes, your child will do something special out of love for you, and it touches your heart so much that you want to just hug him.

God felt the same way about His Son when He was on the cross. But He could not embrace His Son even when Jesus cried out to Him. As Judge of the universe, He had to turn His back and allow His Son to be pubished to the full for our sins.

Parents, if your child is suffering, even though he bought it upon himself, it makes you want to cry, doesn't it? It makes you want to help your child. How much more if your child is innocent! Jesus was innocent. He knew no sin. He did no sin. And in Him was no sin. (Hebrews 4:15) Yet, He suffered and died for our sins because He loved His Father and He loved us.

In total, Jesus took the fullness of the pubishment so that you can enjoy the fullness of forgiveness.

Thank you Lord Jesus!

A thorough God

Today, let's take a break from The Passion Of Christ and look at our God - A thorough God.

"God does it so that men will revere him." (v. 14)

For reading and meditation - Ecclesiastes 3:14-15

In these verses we come face to face with the thoroughness of God. However ragged life may seem in a fallen world, the Creator knows no such imperfections. Everything He does is not only permanent, but complete: "nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it" (v.14).

Ever sent for something and found that when it comes a part is missing? God's quality control is 100 per cent. Why does God do things with such thoroughness? Solomon tells us: "...so that men will revere Him". He does it to cultivate in our hearts a climate of reverence. "Religion," it has been said, "beings with a sense of awe, the recognition of God's greatest and our limitations." When do we feel awe? Awe fills us when we stand and look at the works of God - a majestic mountain, a glorious sunset, or a tranquil lake. You don't say as you stand before the Niagara Falls: "Isn't that cute?" You simply stand in silent awe.

But what does Solomon mean when he tells us that whatever is has already been, and that "God will call the past to account" (v.15)? Moffatt translates this statement: "God is ever bringing back what disappears." It mean quite simply that God repeats situations in our lives until we learn the lessons they are meant to teach us. God wants to make a permanent lesson out of something we think is merely passing and temporary. Think of the heartache we would be saved if we could just get hold of this.

Further study:

Heb. 1:12; 13:1-8

Psa. 102:25-27

Mal. 3:6

Let's Pray:

O God, when will I learn? I go through the same situations time and time again simply because I have not heeded Your voice. Make me alert to each passing moment, and show me how to draw from it the lessons You want to teach me. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

The Passion Of Christ - Part 4

Welcome back! Had rest for a day, let's look at Why God is smiling at you - always. Why?

As a Man, Jesus definitely felt the physical pain of the scourging, thorns and nails. But His greatest suffering as I mentioned, was separation from His Father.

At the cross, He cried, "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?" (Matthrew 27:46) God turned His back on Him. At the time when He needed His Father the most, His Father had to turn His back on Him. Do you know why? Because if God did not turn His back on Jesus, He would have to turn His back on you! Jesus took your place so that you can have His place, where God's face is always smiling on you.

Today, we have God's face smiling on us all the time. The countenance of God is shining on you and your family. That is why I can say to you, "The Lord make His face shine on you." (Numbers 6:25) Jesus paid the price so that God would always smile on you, and never leave you or forsake you.

Indeed, Jesus do loved us and this show the more we should light on those who had yet to know Him, and our Heavenly Father.

Before we end, allow me to share the following.

Jesus said that we were to be His witnesses - a witness I a legal trial gives testimony of what happened. That's what we're to do - tell people what God did for you and then let the Holy Spirit do the rest. If they are ready, they will ask questions. Also, we are to be salt and light. Salt adds flavor and light dispels darkness. We are to go into the world and shine the light and love of Jesus. We do this by putting our wants aside and focusing on serving others. The more we serve, the more we show the light and love of Jesus to people who are living in darkness.

Amen.

Remembering HIM

Today, I am not sharing any of the sermon, but rather, let's look at the coming important events that going to take place -- Good Friday.

Not many are remembered for very long after their time. But one man, who many believe walked among us, has been remembered in death for over 2000 years. Come 6th of April, on Good Friday, the Christian world will once again gather to commemorate the trail and execution of the One who began one of the world's most influential and wide-spread faith. His name is Jesus.

Good Friday, which observes the crucifion of Jesus at Calvary, is part of what is commonly know as the Holy Week in the Christian faith, beginning with Palm Sunday and ending with Easter Monday. Services held in churches relive the life and legacy of Jesus Christ and reflect on His final days.

Despite the tragedy of His death, Christians believe in the greatest of the sacrifice which Christ made, and the spirtual redemption that resulted, and hence refer to it as "good" Friday. In some parts of the world, however, it is known as Mourning Friday, Sad Friday or Holy Friday amongst other references.

Good Friday practices vary among the denominations of the Christian faith. Fundamentally, however, they serve to remind believers of the sanctity of the day. Common practices include abstinence from food, especially meat, and alcohol. In some customs, families do not leave home except to go to church.

Traditions can be extreme. In the San Fernando and Pampanga communities of the Philippines, for example, Good Friday processions include devotees who self-flagellate and sometimes even have themselves nailed to the crosses as expression of penance.

In Singapore, congregations are reminded of the divinity of Christ's death and the importance of the cross as a symbol of their faith. In Catholic churches, the receiving of the Holy Communion is especiallu significant, in its physical representation of the body and blood of Christ; that which He sacrificed for Man's sins.

The solemnity of His death is followed by the celebration of His resurrection on Easter Sunday, a momentous event where churches are filled with hymns singing God's praise as parishioners feast to commemorate the day. Some even organise activites and bazaars to evliven the festive mood.

A popular tradition associated with Easter is the distribution of Easter eggs. Although the tradition started off with chicken eggs painted in red, today, chocolate shaped as eggs or plastic eggs filled with candy are more commonly seen.

But above the rituals, it is the word of the Bible and the promose of Christ which resound greatest among Christians. As the Book of Matthew reads from Charpter 28, verse 10 to 20:

Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. Ans surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

These are words that not only beget a religion, but are words which still stand as a pillar of strength for the faithful.

I, as a Christian, will definitely nothing got to stop me from wanting to unravel the customs and traditions behind Good Friday. Although I have not covered other intricacies surrounding Good Friday, I hope that this short introduction will serve to enlighten the many who until now only saw Good Friday as just another public holiday.

Before I end, did you know that the tradition of handing out coloured eggs during Easter is commonly believed to have originated from a visit Mary Magdalene paid to the Emperor of Rome after the Ressurrection of Christ, where she proclaimed the famous words "Christ is risen!" Before preaching Christianity to him, she brought him a chicken egg painted in red. The egg symbolized the world while the colour red symbolized the blood of Christ, thus together signifying the sacrifice Christ made for the world - to redeem all from enternal damnation by shedding His own blood.

The Passion Of Christ - Part 3

Welcome back once again. Time seem to flies fast.

So, we stop yesterday our the Jesus separation from His Father, and shown His love for us. Love...? A Sign Of Love.

There is a very beautiful picture of what Jesus did for us hidden in the law of the Hebrew servant. After God gave Moses the Ten Commandments in Exodus 20, He gave a law concerning servants.

When a Hebrew servant has served his master for six years, he is free to leave in the seventh year. If he is married with children because his master has given him a wife, he cannot bring his wife and children along when he leaves. The wife and her children would still belong to the master. That was the law then. But if the servant says, "I do not want to go out free even though it is my right to do so because I love my master, wife and children," the master will then bring him to the judges of Israel. The master will take a sharp instrument and pierce the servant's earlobe. And this will be done at a doorpost. His blood will be shed and there will be blood on the doorpost too. From then on, the servant will have a hole in his earlobe and something will be put there to keep the hole open.

His piecred ear serves as a sign to others that He is now a slave by choice. He could have gone out free, but he chose to stay because he loves his master, wife and children. And he will be with them forever because "he shall serve him [his master] forever"! Now, do you think that a Hebrew servant would give up his chance to be free after six years of service? Perhaps, but I do not think that a servant would say "I love my master" first, before expressing his love for his wife and children. Obviously, the Holy Spirit had someone in mind when He mentioned this law in Exodus 21. Who do you think this person is? Jesus, of course! Don't the Old testament laws become beautiful when you see Jesus in them? So, at the garden of Gethsemane, Jesus the perfect Servant did not choose to go out free but stayed on earth because He loved His Father and He loved His bride, the church. And because of that, He was later scourged and pierced by a crown of thorns, mails and a Roman soldier's spear. Today, the only man-made things in heaven are those scars in His hands, side and feet. They will remain forever as a sign of His love for us. And when we see them, we will be reminded of how much He loves us. He did not have to, but He chose to.

(Exodus 21:2-6
2If you but a Hebrew servant, he shall serve six years; and in the seventh he shall go out free and pay nothing. 3If he comes in by himself, he shall go out by himself; if he comes in married, then his wife shall go out with him. 4If his master has given him a wife, and she had borne him sons or daughters, the wife and her children shall be her master's, and he shall go out by himself. 5But if the servant plainly says, "I love my master, my wife, and my children; I will not go out free, 6then his master shall bring him to the judges. He shall also bring him to the door, or to the doorpost, and his master shall pierce his ear with an awl; and he shall serve him forever.

What a GREAT sign of Love. So, had anyone been feel out of touch with God? Pray.

Pray that the Spirit be open and aware of God's presence. Also, pray that any hindering that relationship is removed. Pray in the name of Jesus, bind any demonic spirits who are hindering you (or your friend) and ask God to draw you (or them) to Him.

Also pray in the name of Jesus as there is power in that name. Keep praying, the prayer of a righteous man avails much!

Tomorrow we shall see why God is smiling at us today.

Amen.

The Passion Of Christ - Part 2

Hello and welcome back.

Yesterday I share about Jesus made an important in the Garden of Gethsemane that would forever change His destiny and ours. Also, what is the suffering here which we sometimes do not see? Before I start, as this site is for all, today, I would like to had some pointer for those who had lost touch with God, and want to get back in His arms. If you truly wants to come back to the Lord, you needs to repent for your sins and then begin reading the Bible daily, investing time in prayer with the Lord, and connect with a Bible-teaching church. God is right there, but you not feeling Him because you been away from Him. If you draws near, you will discover Him again. If anyone need any prayer, please feel free to request.

All right, so, here what the suffering we sometimes failed to see?

Jesus separation from His Father. YES! Why?

There was a spiritual cup offered to Him. And in that cup lay all our sins and curses. All our filth was in that cup. And to drink that cup meant that He would be separated from His Father, whom He loves.

Up to that time, Jesus had never been separated from His Father. The reason He could do all kinds of miracles when He walked the earth was that His Father was with Him - "My Fahter had been working until now, and I have been working... Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner." (John 5:17,19) Every time He mentiond the Father, He found strength and comfort.

So, Jesus was given a choice - to drink the cup of our sins or to go home to heaven. If He rejected the cup, His Father would bring Him home, and the whole world would literally go to hell, because of sin.

But Jesus loved us so much that He stayed. He drank the cup of our sins to the very last dregs. He went all the way for us - all the way to the cross.

Allow me to wrap with the following sentence.

Jesus the perfect Servant did not choose to go out free but stayed on earth because He loved His Father and He loved His bridge, the church. What a GREAT Shepherd! Here, how can we also benefits from it? It is when you take your place as a sheep and rely on Jesus as your good Shepherd that the abundant life He came to give you will become reality. Hear this message and realise all the blessing and privileges that belong to you as a sheep in Jesus's flock.

Amen.

The Passion Of Christ - WHY?

Hello! Before we start, allow me to share something. The Lord is many things to a believer - Saviour, provider, healer, lover - but most of all, He wants to be your Shepherd.

Today, I would like to share with you about The Passion Of Christ and Why.

Many a time, we think of Jesus as God. He is God, but He came to earth as man. The Bible says that "being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedident unto death, even the death of the cross". (Philippians 2:8 KJV) He divested Himself of all divine privieges and powers, and became Man. This means that, like any other human being, He had sentiments, affections and feelings.

If Jesus had come only as God, then He would not have been able to die on the cross for our sins because God cannot die. But man can die. So, He came as man and suffered as Man. The blood, sweat and tears were real. The pain was real.

We see His suffering when He prayed so desperately in the garden of Gethsemanem saying, "Father, if it is Your will, take this vcup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done." (Luke 22:42) But there is a spiritual suffering here which we sometimes do not see.

What is that? We shall go on tomorrow...but before we end, I shall wrap this up.

In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus made a decision that would forever change His destiny and ours. He chose not to abandon us and return to heaven, but to remain and be pierced at the cross, so that He could be with us and serve us forever.

Amen.

Welcome

This blog is for...

1) Those who are hunger for God's Word.
2) Those who want to find out more about God
3) Those who want to build a lasting relationship with our Heavenly Father
4) Those who had 'lost' touch with God and wanted to be in connect back

The list will go on...

To start this, allow me to share the following sentence...

When you are faithless, HE is always so faithful!

Do bookmark this page and check back often...will be sharing God's Word tomorrow.

God Bless!