So last night we had a yam cha / sharing / prayer session with some youth leaders in kk.
It was awesome.
There was Kenneth from LBC. He organised it. Kenny from Calvary Charismatic Church. Reuben and Ryan from Charis Youth BCCM. Ganesh from LBC as well. Eric from Eklektos. Me and Joey. And Athena from Maranatha Church.
I think the most important part of last night was hearing each others struggles and finding out we are not alone. Some of our struggles are the same. Some have already faced and overcome what some are facing now (excited to help each other!). Some are totally opposite (eg. Some have too much of a family feeling that there is no respect for leadership. While some are struggling to make everyone feel like its a family). The best thing about hearing each other out is realising we are not alone. And we understand each other.
I’m excited to meet up again. And I hope more leaders in KK find the time and passion to join us.
The whole night yesterday I just keep having the feeling that God’s hand was in our meeting, bringing us together, giving us the same passion for each other.
As I was praying for Joey, I asked Him to just stop and fix a situation she’s in. I know He can. He’s the Master Fixer. He can heal anything. He can stop anything from happening. And He can make anything happen. It’s entirely up to Him.
But He reminded me that He let’s us go through tough times and tight spots because He loved us.
He said He did it to protect us and strengthen us. What??… Isn’t that the opposite? I know He’s the Master Protector and Master Strengthener, but I forget He uses tough and bad situations as He pleases! Okay I admit, they’re probably more effective.
Tough times are like vaccines pumped into our lives.
He’s in control just like the doctor control’s the dosage. He has our situation under control no matter what.
He tells us it will hurt and it might even leave a permanent scar. He doesn’t lie about it being just an ant bite. He knows what a punctured skin and what scars feels like.
He knows our body will be able to take it and overcome it, thus effectively be immune to it.
So He tells us to just hold on. You may feel a bit sick from it, but keep on keeping on. You can take the punches.
4 Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!
5 Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.
6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. 9 The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.
First of all, verse 6 and 7 was in my mind this morning. I’m not really doing well emotionally these days. I’m upset. I don’t have faith in myself. I’m failing in certain (big important) areas in life. But here I’m reminded that I’ve got to pray and put my trust and faith in a God that is in control and who wants ONLY the BEST for His children. I’m really really looking forward for this peace of God, not just any peace, that is more than all that we can imagine. These few things I’ve got to face right now, sigh… is not too easy. Career, other humans to deal with, responsibilities. I want to be in control. But I’m more glad that God is in control. That’s the simple faith I have now. And it’s all I have.
Secondly, verses 4 and 5 “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.”
That’s a great reminder for me to be joyful and hopeful in God no matter what I’m facing. To refocus not on the tiny details that seem scare me, but on the weight of Glory of Jesus who has overcame, and will come back again soon. Changing my selfish, human, carnal mindset, to a kingdom-expectant mindset. And to remember that we are on God’s winning side! He picked us and allowed us to share in this glory. That’s reason enough to rejoice.
Thirdly, after being reminded to put my faith and trust in God and to pray, and after being reminded to change our mindset and rejoice! Then there is verse 8 “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. ”
It’s like Paul is telling me “No matter what you’re going through, whatever you’re thinking, whatever you’re worrying about or wondering, STOP THINKING IT.”
I need to spend my time looking to God’s face and glory. And seek His presence. And look for evidence that He is real, because He is always showing His glory and truth and miracles but I’m not always looking out for it. Just like a man who just needs to spend every last second he can with his lover. Just like a son who wants to enjoy the presence of his father on the dinner table. I want to enjoy the presence of my wonderful and beautiful God again.
It’s like God is saying, “Think about Me! Think about things that matter! Know that I love you. Be sure that Jesus has saved you for a greater purpose. Be sure that I will send my angels to protect you. Be sure that you have the Holy Spirit to guide to give you life and power. Be pure and compassionate in your thoughts towards others. Take my wisdom and instructions seriously. I have revealed to you and your brethren what I have not revealed to others, meditate on it.”
Aaron, be at peace, because God is your focus.
Kekuatan di jiwaku, ketenangan batinku
Ada dalam hadirat-Mu, kumenyembah-Mu
Tersungkurku di kaki-Mu, rasakan hadirat-Mu
Tak ‘kan kumelepaskan-Mu, Kau cahaya bagiku
Mengiring-Mu seumur hidupku, masuk dalam rencana-Mu Bapa
Pikiranku, kehendakku, kuserahkan pada-Mu
Harapanku hanya di dalam-Mu, kukan teguh bersama-Mu Tuhan
Jadikanku bejana-Mu untuk memuliakan-Mu
Psalms 46:1-3 (NKJV)
1 God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear, Even though the earth be removed, And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
3 Though its waters roar and be troubled, Though the mountains shake with its swelling.
2 Timothy 3:1-5 (NKJV)
1 But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come:
2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good,
4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,
5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!
2 Timotius 3:1-5 (AVB)
1 Ketahuilah, bahawa pada akhir zaman, akan datang suatu masa yang sukar.
2 Manusia akan menjadi pencinta diri, pencinta wang, bercakap besar, berlagak bongkak, mencaci-maki, ingkar terhadap ibu bapa, tidak bersyukur, tidak suci,
3 tidak mengasihi, tidak mengampuni, suka memfitnah, tidak menguasai diri, buas dan pembenci kebaikan,
4 khianat, gopoh, angkuh, serta lebih mencintai keseronokan daripada mengasihi Allah.
5 Mereka menjalankan kewajipan agama tetapi menyangkal kuasanya. Jauhilah orang demikian.
1 Timothy 2:1-2 (NKJV)
1 Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men,
2 for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.
1 Timotius 2:1-2 (AVB)
1 Pertama-tama aku menyeru supaya permohonan, doa, syafaat dan kesyukuran dinaikkan untuk semua manusia –
2 untuk raja-raja dan semua yang memegang kuasa, supaya kita hidup aman tenteram, salih dan penuh hormat.
I have to admit. I have been putting a lot of focus on everything else other than God. Relationships, work, and even ministry. I’m taking God for granted. So here are a few things I think I need to start doing:
Read. I need to take some alone time to improve myself. Intellectually and spiritually. I do have some books at home, not a lot, but enough spiritual and ministry books to keep me occupied for the year or so. It would also definitely help me understand God more and keep me close to Him.
Write. I’ve always wanted to teach and say something. I just got to do it. Probably need to take time out to blog again. I still have a draft blog post from a devotion that I wrote for about a month, but haven’t finished.
Wake up earlier to pray. I notice that I pray more in the morning after I wake than than at night before I sleep. So I guess I’m more focused in the mornings. The only problem is my life culture is just that I do all my extracurricular activities at night. So I end up doing everything that takes up extra time till late at night, and find it very difficult to wake up early. Which means: SLEEP EARLY. Also, mornings have a fresh morning smell that helps connect me to a thankful mood a lot easier.
What else should I do? I don’t know. These 3 things are hard enough. Thank you.
Here’s a post I read today about Christ increasing and I decreasing. Good advice.
Paul has lots of good examples of prayer. So I’ll be using certain words in a blessing he wrote to the church of Colossae for my prayer for Malaysia. Colossians 1:3-14
God, I thank you that the church has started a movement to pray for Malaysia. That’s pretty cool. Intercessors covering this beloved country in prayer 24/7. Lord, I thank You for the confidence we can have, that we have a special place just for us in heaven and in eternal fellowship with You. No matter what, Your love and grace and mercy and word will reign.
I thank You that Your grace and good news is being spread through our local church to the world! That Malaysians can be part of praising You boasting of You to the world. I pray that the word of truth set people free and bear fruit by changing lives. Let Your word be heard and understood. Let there be a renewing of the mind so that transformation may take place in the lives of all Malaysians. And then to all the world.
Lord, please give all Malaysians complete knowledge of Your will. Open our eyes and ears to Your spiritual wisdom and understanding. Also, close connection to evil spirits in this land. May the way we live honor and please You. May our lives produce every kind of good fruit. Because all good fruit come from You. I pray that all Malaysians grow in You more and more each day. That each of us will grow into strong, healthy, fruitful trees.
Dear God, strengthen us through Your glory and power, so that we may have patience and endure what is to come. Teach us to be ever thankful, so that we may be filled with joy! Thank You that You enabled each of us, no matter who we are, to live pure and holy lives, so that we can share in the inheritance that belongs to all Your children. Because You sent Your son to die for each and every one of us. You sent Jesus, who has purchased us from all darkness and shame, forgave us of our sins, and transferred us into His Kingdom.
Thank You Lord for Malaysia. Though we need a lot more work and refining before we get anywhere close to a perfect country, Lord, do not forsake us. Guide us, hold us, mold us. And in the end, may Your Glory SHINE without fail from Malaysia. May we be a sweet incense and a pleasing music to You.
There is hope. We can be fixed. 