Me Or Jesus?

Phil 2:1-13

At a recent team meeting, we watched a cartoon,Everyone' Hero. In the cartoon, the ball was bitten by a dog resulting in the boy's mad chase to save the ball from the dog. The prize bat belonging to a famous baseball player (who was sitting at the back of the boy) yelled, " You do not have to bother about him, He's not important, I AM more important!"
Dellia shared something which struck my heart and today, I pose the same question to you "Have you been a family to your fellow sisters and brothers in Christ?" or Have YOU become most important in your heart?

I realised that I have been a selfish sister to many simply because I've become dependent on my own strengths instead of trusting God to provide for my every need. It all boils down to our pride, and lack of faith in God. The word of God has clearly spelt out that our attitude towards each other is such that we,

"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit,
but in humility consider others better than yourselves.
Each of you should look not only to your own interests,
but also to the interests of others"
Phil 2:3-4

It seems such a difficult word to obey! But, as we turn our eyes upon Jesus and allow faith to arise as you draw near to him, we will realize that Jesus is the one who protects our interests, we need not look only to our interests because as we obey him, he will honor you. The bible says, the more we hold on to something, we will lose it, but when we lose it for God, He will give it back to us. (John 12:25)

Today, Shall we check our hearts? Are there times where we have been dysfunctional as a family, as a body of Christ because of our selfish desires and our own interests? Could it be because we have we have been sitting on the throne of our hearts and no longer find the capacity to love the Lord and the people he loves?

The evil one may try to sow a seed of discord ( a seed of envy, a seed of jealousy, a seed of pride, a seed of insecurity, a seed of inferiority) within relationships so that we may not experience the power of unity. Remember, here is the promise that will hold true for the people of God. Everyone's a winner in God eyes. God does not practice favouritism and chooses one over the other, so don't compare, and freely give of your encouragement, of your love, of your time, of your help. As you walk in his ways and obey his words, You'll realise that in his kingdom, Everyone's a hero!

Shine The Way Jesus Does, Sisters!

"You expected much, but see, it turned out to be little.
What you brought home, I blew away.
Why?"
declares the Lord Almighty.
"Because of my house which remains a ruin,
while each of you is busy with his own house"
Haggai 1:9

Have We been too busy with our own house?

Princesses, Why are you still at the entrance?

Hebrews 4:14-16, 5:1-9

The lyrics of this song have ministered to me at many points of my life:

Nothing you can do
Could make him love you more
And nothing you've done
could make him close the door
Because of his great love
He gave his only Son
Everything was done
So you would come

I've came to a point of time in my life where I failed and failed and finally found myself in a place where I dare not draw near to God neither to pray, because I felt that I am just not worthy of the Lord. But yet, it was times like these that the Lord drew me close to him and say "a broken spirit and a contrite heart, I will not despise" and it was times like these, that I experience his grace - I do not deserve it, but yet he still loves.

When Jesus was on Earth, he chose the broken and the despised. The 12 disciples were not perfect, in fact, they were full of flaws. Even during their time with Jesus, and experiencing his miracles, they were fighting and competing amongst each other. He chose to sit with the tax collectors and prostitutes rather than the priests. He chose you. All of us have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, but what it takes today is for you to hold this verse close to your heart, assured that the throne of grace is open to you...

"Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence,
so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need"
Hebrews 4:18

When Jesus picked his 12 disciples, he had only 1 criteria - the people who were willing to follow Jesus and obey me. It does not matter if you have a 100 people tribe, nor wonderful results, nor a developed gifting, all God ask of us when we come before the throne of grace is a repentent and willing heart to hear and obey his word.

Sisters, think about the time when you thought of "quitting God" because you are just not worthy. Then, remember, God is in the business of healing broken hearts and lives, he is here for the sick, not the healthy. (Luke 5:31). Today, will you not stop short at heaven's gates? Will you take that bold step towards the throne because God misses you and he yearns for his princesses to come near to him. All it takes is a confidence in his word and a heart that is willing to obey. Right now, do you hear the King of kings knocking on the door of your hearts?

"When you take 1 step towards God,
God will take 99 steps towards you"

Will you take that 1 step?

A good or bad tongue?

Proverbs 18:4-8, 20-21

It has been quoted by psychologists that it takes an average of 800 positive words to overcome 1 negative word said to any person. No wonder many of us still live in the shadows of negative words and actions. When I was meditating upon today's wordevotional words, Crow whom I now term my ever-encouraging friend popped into my mind. Since I returned, she has been consistently writing me little cards, dropping me encouraging smses, and as you can see, since we started delvotional.blogspot.com , she tags/sms/msn me on a daily basis to spur me to continue to grow deep in the word. Dear sisters, indeed the word is so true "the tongue has the power of life and death". A simple word of encouragement can indeed bring life and spur one to greater heights.

When reading today's passage, you probably felt like me. To control the tongue is something we know that God has instructed but yet, how many times have we failed in doing it. You almost feel like its impossible! Then, he reminded me again, its not a matter of using your own strength to hold it back, its a matter of the heart! Matthew 12:34-35 says "For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him."

Dear sisters, what is your mouth condition? Is there a need for a heart change so that your mouth may overflow with the good in your heart? Today, decide to think a kind thought about the people and circumstance around you so that these kind thoughts may be the healing words you bring forth to those around you. Shine For Jesus In your words!

What touched me more was when He said "Its not only about what you say to others, what have you been saying to yourself?" I realised that many times, I have been to harsh and critical towards ourselves and our circumstances. Such negativity will keep us from shining for Jesus because we dwell on all our mistakes instead of the Lord. Such negativity keeps us from proclaiming the Lord's words of blessings in our lives. Then it dawned upon me that our words of negativity would place a limit to God's blessings in our lives! The word of the Lord says :

"From the fruit of his mouth a man's stomach is filled;
with the harvest from his lips he is satisfied"
Proverbs 18:20-21

What type of fruits are you bearing? Is your stomach filled? Are you experiencing the harvest?

As you evaluate your thoughts, do you realize that you have been speaking with negativity over yourself and over your circumstances? As you read this, I pray that the Holy Spirit will break the spirit of negativity and the words we have proclaimed over our lives. Instead, I speak the blessing of God over all our lives, that indeed, we will proclaim daily that we are tasting of his grace, his goodness and victories! From today on, look in the mirror daily and proclaim the Lord's words over your life.

Let's begin to see the Lord "fill our stomachs" with the fruits of our mouth! AMEN! :)

Be Changed From The Inside Out

Scripture Reference : 2 Cor 3:6-18

Ever felt like its been difficult to get up to go to church on sundays? Ever felt like a hypocrite? Ever felt like a sunday - cellgroup day - easter - christmas christian? I did. Especially, when I first started on the working life, more and more I felt like I needed to conform to the ways of the working place, the ways of gossip, the ways of putting yourself ahead of others, the ways of loving money above most things. The more I conformed to the worldly ways, the more it was difficult to go to church, the more I cried at church at my weakness and resolute to become better the following week, but failed. Again. Weekly. I just couldn't understand why God did not give me the miraculous strength to overcome my weaknesses! I just could not understand why my outward change with my own strength was so short termed.

Things started to change for me only in the beginning of the year when Dellia shared about "going deep" and that we should be consistent in our time spent with the Lord. Weekly, she processed our quiet time with us and slowly, I understood that a inward heart change needed to take place and also realised how shallow my relationship with the Lord is. Slowly but steadily, God has been transforming my mind, and attitude in various areas, and this inward change gave me strength to shine for Jesus DAILY! I experienced victory over many of my weaknesses and am changed from glory to glory! Indeed, its a season for us to grow deep! Praise the Lord.

What about you, dear friend? How is your relationship with the Lord? Are you finding difficulty to be a everyday christian? Are you defeated by your own weaknesses and flaws daily? Today, will you renew the relationship with the Lord and resolute to spend time with The God who Years For You? Believe me, the victorys and blessings you want to experience in your life is correlated to the time you spent with God and obeying his voice.

If you choose to put God first, and to allow him to transform your mind with his words, slowly and unknowingly, you find yourself changing from glory to glory. Like a little ugly caterpillar to a beautiful butterfly, you will start experiencing victory over little areas of your life until you are perfect in Jesus's eyes! Slowly, but surely!


ACCOUNTABILITY ACTION: If you are experiencing difficulty in spending time with the Lord, will you allow your G12 leader to process your quiet time with you? Dellia processing our quiet time with us has taught us many ways in applying the word of the Lord in our lives, trust me, your leaders are God-sent, like ours. Do yourself a favour, hold yourself accountable to your G12 leader about your quiet time! :)

"We can never expect to grow in the likeness of our Lord unless
we follow His example and give more time to communion with the
Father. A revival of real praying would produce a spiritual
revolution."
- E.M. Bounds-

The Joy of The Lord!

Scripture Reference : Phil 4:4-8

When I was in Melbourne, I hurt my ankle to a point I found difficulty to stand for too long, much less dance. In the midst of my whining and complaining, I contemplated to not attend the church service that sunday since I was not feeling too well already. But, I felt God speaking to me "Rejoice in the Lord in all your circumstances". Then, I realise my pain was not only physical, I have doubled my pain when I wallow in self-pity over my circumstances. Well, I forced myself to attend church, and even chose to dance before the Lord when I can. After the worship service, I realised I was completely healed! :) Praise the Lord!

How is it possible to rejoice in the Lord in our hurts and pains and when the road ahead seem so difficult to move on? Let us learn to trust in the Almighty Lord for his guidance and providence. Our God is a father who will not abandon us in ALL our situations. All we are required to do is to pray and commit everything in his hands! With the knowledge that God WILL give you the victory, REJOICE in the Lord in all your circumstances. No mountain is too high for him, no river too deep for him to overcome, so Rejoice!

Sisters, today, will you tell the Lord that you will discipline your emotions and align them to the word of the Lord, that you will rejoice in all your circumstances? Will you hand over your circumstance to God and in complete obedience, Rejoice knowing that the God of miracles can breakthrough your circumstance? Today, will you shine for Jesus in your workplace/family by displaying that peace and joy of the Lord that transends everybody's understanding?

This will indeed be a life changing post for you and those around you if only we will say "REJOICE IN THE LORD ALWAYS, AND AGAIN I SAY, REJOICE!"

May you find strength and experience the miracles of the Lord in your life as you rejoice in all your life's circumstances! :)

Put The Word First

Scripture Reference : Proverbs 4:1-18

As a teenager, I came to a point of time I really wanted to avoid anyone who had too many instructions for me to follow. I decided that I found my own identity and I wanted to be who I want to be and do what I wanted to do. But as I grew up and pieces of my life started to fall in place, I understood my parent's naggings of wanting me to study hard, I understood the curfews that they set in my life. I started to understand that these instructions were FOR ME. It wasn't for their own good, because at the end of it all, I am benefitting from all that they have done for me.

What about us as a Christian? Have we viewed his love letters (bible) to us as silly and unncessary instructions? Have you ever looked at the bible and decided that there were just too many rules, regulations and laws to follow? Henceforth, decide to lead our own life our own way? Dear friends, if we do, we'll only realise that we're walking towards the road of destruction instead of the path of victory.

Our God is a loving God. Like any of your parents, His deep desire is to bless you. The so-called "laws and regulations" are nothing more than practical ways to guide you to receive his blessings and victory in your life. Come, taste and see that the Lord is good, as you walk along side, you will start to see the victory in your life.

Sisters, is God knocking on the door of your heart? As we search deep in our hearts, have we treated the word of God as a law instead of a love letter from the loving father in heaven? Today, will you choose to view the word of God as a love letter from your father and choose to make it the most vital part of your life? Will you live out the word in your life and see God shine through you? Let God Bless You with A life Of Victory. Start Loving His Word.

"Hold on to instruction, do not let it go;
Guard it well,
for it is your life."
Proverbs 4:13

ONCE AND FOR ALL!

Scripture Reference : Hebrews 9:11-26

I grew up in a loving family, yet the reward based system was commonly used; that is, if you are good, you will be dearly loved and pampered, otherwise, you got to continue to work harder to feel that love. Slowly, I grow to learn that we have to work hard to be loved.

It all didn't make sense when I came to accept Jesus in my heart. It was hard to grasp the fact that Jesus has died for my sins ONCE AND FOR ALL, and that I do not have to work for this eternal life that God has given me. Even until now, I have to make the choice to believe in God's word and accept HIS love in my heart on a daily basis.

Today the Lord reminds us of the work of the cross,

"For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance -
now that he has died as a ransom
to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant."
Hebrews 8:15

Dear sisters, search deep in your hearts, are you still struggling to believe that Jesus died for our sins once and for all so that you may draw closer to him? Do you still find yourself seeking the approval of God and men through your own strength and works? Are you entangled in your sins and too focused on the weaknesses instead of the power of the work Jesus has done on the cross?

Today, I pray that the truth of God will set you free daily; that as you meditate on the word, you will make the choice to believe that you are a dearly loved child of God. As you begin to take your rightful place as the daughter of the King of kings, give to Jesus all your weaknesses and sins, and believe that these has been nailed on the cross. Pray for strength to overcome so that you may truly shine as the Princesses of the King of kings!

As we start the Chinese New Year, let's make it a point to start on the right note - To embrace the love of Christ by gaining a revelation of the work Jesus has done on the cross for you and me...

BLESSED CHINESE NEW YEAR!

BLESSED CHINESE NEW YEAR TO ALL!

Dear all,

And, this Chinese New Year, Dellia's G12 have decided to present a precious gift to you - the word of the Lord, so that we may grow deep together as a family! Let's continue to grow together as a family and be excited about each others' lives and spur each other to grow deeper in the Lord and run the race till the very end! :)

We pray that you'd be encouraged by the Lord daily as much as we are encouraged too! :)

Please feel free to drop a comment at the comment boxto communicate with each other too! :) Let's continue to spur each other! Happy New Year!