Living under open heaven

Clogged with wishes.  I was wishing that my wishes were what God wishes, and if my wishes were not what God wished, I wished that I could wish that my wishes would go away, but the wishes were still there.. “And Judah said, The strength of the bearers of burdens is decayed, and there is much rubbish; so that we are not able to build the wall.” ‭‭Nehemiah‬ ‭4:10‬ ‭KJV‬‬ “So in the lowest parts of the space behind the wall, in open places, I stationed the people by their clans, with their swords, their spears, and their bows. And I looked and arose and said to the nobles and to the officials and to the rest of the people, "Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes. Those who carried burdens were loaded in such a way that each labored on the work with one hand and held his weapon with the other. And each of the builders had his sword strapped at his side while...

"No one puts new wine into old wineskins: otherwise, the wine will burst the skins, and the wine is lost, and so are the skins: but one puts new wine into fresh wineskins" (Mark 2:22). You can't put new ideas into old mind-sets. You can't get new results with old behaviors. The comparison is a very apt one when we think of the properties of wine and wineskins. When wine is new, it is in a state of fermentation. It bubbles and expands as the fermentation gases are released. A fresh, pliable wineskin can absorb such expansion and slowly age-with the wine until the fermentation process is complete. To put fresh wine into an old wineskin, however, is asking for trouble. The old wineskin has assumed a definite shape and is no longer pliable. It is fixed and somewhat brittle. The activity of new wine will stress it beyond its ability to yield. And so both the wine and the skin are lost. This means that old mindsets, even if based on Godly principles, still won...

"'Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your mind, and with all your soul and with all your strength.'  -Matthew 22:37 "I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;'      your works are wonderful,      I know that full well." -Psalm 139 "No one in military service gets entangled in matters of everyday life; otherwise he will not please the one who recruited him." -2 Tim 2:4 Doubt and insecurity come like a giant. When there's a new trigger, be it being passed up for a promotion, fail in a new endeavor, read a negative review, let someone down, disappointed a loved one, being misunderstood, overlooked, criticized, or not living up to someone’s expectations, what is your mind focus on?  Are you living for the world's approval, when knowing you have already gained His verdict?  I now love and serve on the basis of the verdict. Because He loves me and He accepts me, I do n...

I will be still and know You are God Feeling all flustered and restless today. Pretty overwhelmed by all that is happening. Disgusted by how ugly my heart can be at times, in loving people that are difficult to love, in being patient for people who does not want to grow, and being upset towards insincere and bitter people who wasted the times of those who cares. I long to be more like Him, and that means partnering with Him, having discipline is His word and being in His presence, it means to pray. Jesus will not always look at how time is wasted when ministry is seemingly fruitless. Let us not become weary in doing good, for we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. My boat is rocking, but i can be still, and know that even in my weaknesses, He is still God. He is still in control. and i got Jesus in that rocking boat with me. Learning to love myself more in times as such, that I am still a work in progress too. In ministry with God, it is not all about efficiency, but sl...

我的神，我要永远在你的怀里。 爱慕你，屈膝在你面前。 单单敬拜你，我渴慕你， 我敬拜你，我的主。 我深爱的唯一。耶稣 耶稣我灵最深渴慕。 耶稣哦,耶稣你医治我心深处 喔耶稣 喔耶稣 祢喜悦我向祢歌颂 高举双手 全心敬拜祢 我要一生敬拜祢 在祢殿中瞻仰祢荣美 在祢丰盛恩典中我欢欣歌颂 在祢救恩盼望中 我灵不住快乐 活着为要敬拜祢 活着为要全心来爱祢 俯伏在祢荣耀中 祢的荣美 无人能及 活着为要敬拜祢 活着为要全心来爱祢 永远住在祢殿中 昔在今在永在的主 我爱祢 喔 我爱祢 喔 全心敬拜祢 日夜不停歌唱 哈利路亚 我爱祢

Exodus 14  The Story and Song of Salvation 14  1-2  God  spoke to Moses: “Tell the Israelites to turn around and make camp at Pi Hahiroth, between Migdol and the sea. Camp on the shore of the sea opposite Baal Zephon. 3-4  “Pharaoh will think, ‘The Israelites are lost; they’re confused. The wilderness has closed in on them.’ Then I’ll make Pharaoh’s heart stubborn again and he’ll chase after them. And I’ll use Pharaoh and his army to put my Glory on display. Then the Egyptians will realize that I am  God .” And that’s what happened. 13  Moses spoke to the people: “Don’t be afraid. Stand firm and watch  God  do his work of salvation for you today. Take a good look at the Egyptians today for you’re never going to see them again. 14  God  will fight the battle for you.      And you? You keep your mouths shut!” 19-20  The angel of  G od that had been leading the camp of Israel now shifted ...

Longing for the day when I see you face to face. Being with you forever, in New Jerusalem. "God’s home is now with his people. He will live with them, and they will be his own. Yes, God will make his home among his people.  He will wipe all tears from their eyes, and there will be no more death, suffering, crying, or pain. These things of the past are gone forever.  The streets of the city were made of pure gold, clear as crystal." I can only imagine What it would be like When I walk by your side I can only imagine What my eyes would see When your face is before me I can only imagine Surrounded by your glory What will my heart feel Will I dance for you Jesus Or in awe of You be still Will I stand in your presence To my knees will I fall Will I sing hallelujah Will I be able to speak at all I can only imagine When that day comes When I find myself Standing in the Son I can only imagine When all I will do Is forever, forever worship you I can only imagine I ...

圣灵请你来充满我心 我需要你恩膏 充满我灵 圣灵啊我好爱你 我的灵让你牵引 而每一天我要更深爱你 我要追求你主 我将生命献给你 牵引我更亲近你 你大能更新我灵 无人能与你相比 主我仰望你的荣面 我敬拜你在灵与真理里 你從未離開過我，你恩典直到永久， 你應許都要成就，你信實永遠不朽， 唯有你是我倚靠，唯有你是我榮耀， 一生一世要住在神的殿中。 我的口要充滿感謝， 我的嘴唇要充滿讚美神的話， 誰能像我的神，愛我直到永遠， 在你能力中，我展翅上騰。 我的口要充滿感謝， 我的嘴唇要充滿讚美神的話， 誰能像我的神，將我放在心上， 在你懷抱中，我自由地歌唱 你一直在我的左右， 你的恩典直到永久， 你所有應許一個都不落空 。

The problem of choosing to love again is that the choice to love means living under the constant threat of further loss. but the problem of choosing not to love is that the choice to turn from love means imperiling to the soul; for the soul thrives in an environment of love.  Soul-full people love; soul-less people do not. If people want their souls to grow through loss, whatever the loss is, they must eventually decide to love even more deeply than they did before, they must respond to the loss by embracing love with renewed faith and commitment.  There is an ominous dimension to love, especially after a loss. If loss increases our capacity for love, then an increased capacity for love will only make us feel greater sorrow when suffering strikes again, there is no simple solution to this dilemma.  Choosing to withdraw from people and to protect the self diminishes the soul; choosing to love even more deeply than before puts us at risk of getting hurt, for the choi...

Lately, I've been winning battles left and right But even winners can get wounded in the fight People say that I'm amazing I'm strong beyond my years But they don't see inside of me I'm hiding all the tears They don't know that I come running home when I fall down. They don't know who picks me up when no one is around I drop my sword and cry for just a while 'Coz deep inside this armor The warrior is a child Unafraid because His arrow is the best But even soldiers need a quiet place to rest People say that I'm amazing I never face retreat, oh no But they don't see the enemies That lay me at His feet They don't know that I come running home when I fall down. They don't know who picks me up when no one is around I drop my sword and cry for just a while 'Coz deep inside this armor The warrior is a child

“You’re blessed when you’re at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule. “You’re blessed when you feel you’ve lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you. “You’re blessed when you’re content with just who you are—no more, no less. That’s the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can’t be bought. “You’re blessed when you care. At the moment of being ‘care-full,’ you find yourselves cared for. “You’re blessed when you get your inside world—your mind and heart—put right. Then you can see God in the outside world. “You’re blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That’s when you discover who you really are, and your place in God’s family.” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭5:3-5, 7-9‬ ‭MSG‬‬ “In a word, what I’m saying is, Grow up. You’re kingdom subjects. Now live like it. Live out your God-created identity. Live generously and graciously toward others, the way God lives...

https://thir.st/blog/missions-joseph-chean-fopx-conference/ “I discovered then that missions is not about doing something for God, but… discovering who God is in the nation,” Chean said.  "If you think missions is about bringing Jesus to the nations, you’re wrong. Because Jesus is already there.”“Missions is about cultivating a friendship with God,”  Chean said, "our driving force for missions should be our love for God. The work of the nations is driven by your love for God and not the needs of the world. If you look at the slums and see their needs, I tell you, you will just give up." “God won’t do anything without first having a chat with us. That’s why missions is about walking with Jesus, cultivating a friendship with Him, learning to listen to Him and then doing exactly what he wants us to do. “The Lord confides in those who fear Him; He makes His covenant known to them.” ( Psalm 25:14 ) Are we someone God can confide in?

Mordecai appeals to the idea of vocation. Unless you use your clout, your credentials, and your money in service to the people outside the palace, the palace is a prison, it has already given you your name. Sometimes we may think we have been given little and are always striving for more, but we have been given much, and God has called us to put it into play. It is natural to root your identity in your position in the palace, to rest your security in the fact that you have a certain measure of control over the variables in your life; to find your significance in having clout in certain circles. But if you are unwilling to risk your place in the palace for your neighbors, the palace owns you. Idolatry has power over our actions because it has power over our hearts. When we set our hope on an idol in this way, we are saying to ourselves " if I had that, it would fix everything, then i'd feel my life really had value." or "If I have to let go of what I have, all that...

What gift of grace is Jesus my redeemer There is no more for heaven now to give He is my joy, my righteousness, and freedom My steadfast love, my deep and boundless peace To this I hold, my hope is only Jesus For my life is wholly bound to His Oh how strange and divine, I can sing: all is mine! Yet not I, but through Christ in me The night is dark but I am not forsaken For by my side, the Saviour He will stay I labour on in weakness and rejoicing For in my need, His power is displayed To this I hold, my Shepherd will defend me Through the deepest valley He will lead Oh the night has been won, and I shall overcome! Yet not I, but through Christ in me No fate I dread, I know I am forgiven The future sure, the price it has been paid For Jesus …

"Yes, maybe as a manager I should think more and worry more about the goals we conceded, but I couldn’t care less, to be honest. F or development, it’s the most important thing that you react in the right way. There’s a perfect football game all these boys can play, but a rather difficult game is what we have to make them ready for. It was a difficult football game and they worked their socks off and played their soul on the pitch. I really loved it. " - Jurgen Kloops I like how Kloops sees it. A tough match is the training field for the boys to be ready for what Kloops sees in them. He looks at their spirit of excellence, more than just the goals. It kinda translates well who we can be and for what we are toiling for too... :) 

Most of us start our careers with enthusiasm and anticipation for what the future will hold. But when you add in the inevitable disappointments, failures, interpersonal tension, and unrealistic demands, suddenly work feels more like a jail sentence than the key to freedom. Viewing work without God can have this effect on even the most passionate men and women. Learning to let my focus move from self to others as I being praying quietly for those around me. Prayer points: 1. coworkers will come to know and follow Jesus. 2. those who do follow Jesus will boldly lead change in the workplace. 3. coworkers that I'm comfortable with and the ones that aren't so easy to love. 4. Pray for my workplace. 5. Pray for myself, that God will ignite a fire in me to go that extra mile, to care more, and to work more diligently. I believe in being excellent at work, listening well, praying quietly, and encouraging others creates the foundation for a spiritual community in the workplace. It is ...

There have been circumstances that will expose my weakness, yet God's power is made perfect in our weakness. Life’s challenges can sometimes erode my confidence in who I am in Christ and lead me to doubt myself. But shouldn't it work the other way? When we stand firm in the truth of who we are in Christ, our circumstances no longer have an upper hand. Instead, our identity in Christ as His child redefines our stance in such circumstances, and there is no need to earn approval from others. Biblical adulting leans on God, and with this reliance, it should change the way we pray. Despite being imprisoned on a couple of different occasions and being rejected by close friends, the apostle Paul never lost sight of whom he belonged to and what he was called to do. His perspective on his circumstances was defined by his identity in Christ! Because of that, he was able to stand firm, even in prison, and maximize each situation as a new opportunity to share the love of Jesus, similarly ...

What's good enough then? We live in a noisy world. Bombarded by social media, opinions of others, and the pressures of life. The world is constantly talking to us, and it is easy to let those voices and societal norms dictate our day. Maybe a coworker has discouraged you or a friend has disappointed you. Life can certainly fill our hearts with many voices. Thus, it is so important to cultivate God’s truth in our hearts, making sure that this is louder than the noise of our daily lives. I know what my Daddy says. We must put more faith in what we do know about God than in what we don’t know about the future, trusting that He is good and there is no darkness in him at all (1john 1:5) “Now this is the gospel message we have heard from Him and announce to you: God is light, and in him there is no darkness at all.” We don’t need to meet the societal definitions of what is good to be “good enough”, but rather, allowing God to define who you are rather than your circumstances or failur...

God cherishes us in our brokenness, but he’ll never leave us there. He sends people. And then, as he heals us, he uses us to touch others. I love the conclusion of the story of the lame man who was healed at the Gate called Beautiful (Acts3): “When all the people saw him walking and praising God, they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.”  When the people saw the man and recognized him, a crowd gathered. It became the perfect opportunity for Peter to preach, and the man was used as a witness unto the power and person of Jesus. Our healing could be for others too. When the man looked up, he obeyed, undaunted, and he was healed, and multitudes came to Christ.  Isn’t this the same work God was doing in us? He wants to lead us all through the gate called Beautiful, right into his presence. To put us on the path to our destiny, to fulfill our ca...

GOD SEES YOU But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or his stature because I have rejected him. Humans do not see what the Lord sees, for humans see what is visible, but the Lord sees the heart.” -1 Samuel 16:7  I recall one of the interviews I had in September and was taken aback by the interviewer's response. It didn't make sense.  I remember feeling so helpless, so surprised, so insignificant.  I eventually left, but is hard to forget how that interview made me feel. And yet, I’m well aware of the times that I have acted more like the interviewer did than I have acted like Jesus—when I’ve  looked,  but not  seen.  How easy it is for us to absent-mindedly look past the waiter serving us, the manicurist at the salon or the clerk at the store. How common it is for us to stare at our phones and forget to acknowledge the barista handing us our coffee? How many times have we been the one to overlook someone else? Looking ...