but this week hadn't been an easy week for me. starting from sunday, found out that there were quite a few peps around me going thru real rough time... my cell too, at least half i know, the rest one may also be going thru, going through great tsunamis. Indeed this week i've come to known/sense different people who are currently under spiritual attacks. Some, very very serious. One such is my dear cousin who's doing real badly... deep depression. i'm griefed, i'm shocked, i'm worried, i'm praying. i mean like wow, the devil is increasing his attacks, and i've been slacking.. been absorbed with my own problems such that i'm oblivious to what others are going through. In such time, i myself know, there is a need for support.
God's heart gripped mine. On sunday night, i resolved to pray and fast this entire week in school, mainly for my cell, and ignyte ministry, and whatever else God implants in my heart to pray.
It's not been an easy week, getting updates, updating pple, calling pple, receiving calls, smsing pple, while struggling to finish my homework on time. Let me be frank here. At moments, frustration tempted to gripped me, especially when i'm 'running out of time' and there's a chunk of homework to complete. but i have no regrets. becoz i know that through this week, i'm supporting my loved ones.
well, anyway, so i've been praying and fasting lunch since monday till today. and it's been great partnering with God in prayer. But more so i wanna thank God for is His timely Word!
God spoke to me and encouraged me lots during my TAWG this entire week, monday to friday, from Our Daily Bread readings...
Monday
Ebenezer - "Thus far the LORD has helped us"
Passage: 1 Samuel 7:3-12 (NKJV)
God spoke to me that like the Israelites were in this battle, so is the cell (specifically) in such a battle at such a time as this.He is asking me(us) to...
SO THAT the Lord will deliver us (vs3),
He will answer us(vs9),
and one day i can take up a 'stone' and call it Ebenezer[Stone of Help], saying "Thus far the LORD has helped us"(v12)
That was comforting and assuring. A timely word that was sent at such a time as this. A passage that says it all. The only difference is this... the Israelites battle with the Philestine lasted for one day; i sense that this battle my cell is in will last at least a few months.
Indeed Lord, i will arise to be a 'Samuel' to my cell, my ministry and my loved ones, to intercede and cry out to you on their behalf, so that you may save us all.
Tuesday
Ordinary Days, expect God's visitation
was just sharing with 'drew ytd when i talked to him about being unable to shut in with God, even when i set aside time for Him, even in SP camp, etc. and he was encouraging me to press on even when far away from God, even in such tests. i was further encouraged today by the reading of the Word.
Quoting from certain parts of Our Daily Bread:
"Most often the Word of the Lord comes to a soul in the ordinary duties of life." eg. Zacharias performing his duties as a priest; shepherds watching their flocks.. they were at work as usual with no idea that they were about to receive a message from God.
"Jesus rarely comes where we expect Him; He appears in the most illogical situations. The only way a worker can keep true to God is by being ready for the Lord's surprise visits."
On this ordinary day, the Lord may have a word of encouragement, guidance, or instruction for us, if we're listening and ready to obey.
I wonder what I did for God today:
How many times did I once pause and pray?
But I must find and serve Him in these ways,
For life is made of ordinary days. [Macbeth]
Lord, i will learn to wait on you, and be ready for a visitation from you, even on ordinary days. I thank you that i don't have to restrict your visitations to church, camps, my time alone with you.
Wednesday
In all Kinds of Weather, Jesus is present
wednesday wasnt a very good emotional day for me. i went home feeling real down and low, convincing myself of my stupidity for actually going for my sch's drama club audition (yes, i'm in drama club, fyi). well, no one's fault, no that they forced me. i mean i ownself actually really wanna try acting, though believe i cant act, which prevents me from trying. and by the end of it all, i felt totally convinced that i just cant act and i shouldnt have even tried. anyways, felt really down and out and unable to do anything. happen to have my devotion that day at night, and what timely message! if i had read it in the morning, as in my usual routine, it wont be timely!!
Quoting from certain parts of Our Daily Bread:
"I am with you always, even to the end of the age." (Matthew 28:20) the word always literally means "all the days".
Jesus didn't simply say, "always", but "all the days". That takes into account all our various activities, the good and bad circumstances surrounding us, the varied responsibilities we have through the course of our days, the storm clouds and the sunshine.
Our Lord is present with us no matter what each day brings. It may be a day of joy or of sadness, of sickness or of health, of success or of failure. No matter what happens to us today, our Lord is walking beside us, strengthening us, loving us, filing us with faith, hope and love. As He envelopes uswith quiet serenity and security, our foes, fears, afflictions, and doubts begin to recede. We can bear up in any setting and circumstances because we know that Lord is at hand.
"I am with you." (Acts 18:10)
Thank you Lord for reminding me that you're here with me no matter whether today was a day or sadness, failure, and hopelessness. You are with me, even in all kinds of weather.
Thursday
Faithfulness in Everything
A: "There's really no glory in what you do."
B: "No, but it's a job that needs to be done."
you see, B is a painter who paints the inside o the Mackinac Bridge towers in NOrthern Michigan. His unnoticed job is done to ensure that the steel of the magnificent suspended structure won't rust fromt he inside out, compromising the integrity of the bridge. Most of the 12000 pple who cross the Straits of Mackinac ech day aren't even aware that theyare depending on workers like this painter to faithfully do their jobs well.
God also sees our faithfulness in the things we do. Though we think our deeds - big and small - sometimes go unnoticed, they are beng observed by the ONe who matters most. Whatever our task today, let's "do all in the name of the Lord Jesus" (Colossians 3:17)
Whatever task you find to do,
Regardless if it's big or small,
Perform it well, with al your might,
Because there's One who sees it all [Sper]
Daily work takes on eternal value when it is done for God.
Thank you Lord for reminding me to be constantly faithful in everything i do. Thank you for reminding me that you see everything i do, even though it is often not recognised/acknowledged by pple around me, causing me to feel discouraged at times.
Friday
Listen to understand, and be doers not just hearers
Passage: James 1:19-24
the passage was like a reminder, an emphasis on monday's passage, to "lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls" (vs21)
another thing that spoke to me was "be doers of the word and not hearers only" (vs22), "for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets" (vs24)
it reminded me. there were several pple i knew, whom i heard about their struggles, well, truth is for some, i had observed, sensed they were going down, but did nothing, going about doing my own things, and forgetting. I did not warn them, i did not do anything.
Be doers and not listeners.
Thank you Lord for the affirmation and reminder to get rid of anything that hinders, and for teaching me to be a doer and not just a listener, to not just be an observer but to take action.
another thing i came across today is this:
We can have a relationship with God where we can be absolutely honest and transparent to the point of even getting angry with Him. God understands we are hurting and finds a way to comfort us because with our small, human brain we cannot comprehend His thoughts.
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