SONG OF THE MONTH: Tim Hughes - Counting on your name

Faith as small as a mustard seed...

Faith, a beautiful word, but many live their Christian lives without understanding the meaning around the word.
Faith doesn't just mean belief but more than that: trust, hope, love and obedience. We are all given a measure of faith to begin with - faith as small as a mustard seed - God says that is enough! A mustard on its own is of no use, many don't sow it! But remember, planted in fertile soil, mustard seeds grow into a plant. If the plant is deeply rooted in the soil, no wind can shake it. That is where everything starts! Likewise, our lives are to be firmly planted in the truth of God's word...that would help our mustard seed grow into a strong crop. We've got to trust God's word to be able to let it work in us and help us grow.
Faith also gives you a hope. If you say you 'hope' to do something, you are uncertain about whether it would really happen. But a hope that is brought forth by faith is filled with certainty...you know it'll happen and you long for it. The hope is actually a strong longing for the end result...us being with God in heaven, glorifying His name.
Faith begins with love. Only if you truly love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul and mind will you sow your mustard seed - have faith! A faith planted by love for the Lord is a faith that will be able to persevere and grow.
Faith also brings forth obedience. Why do we obey God? Is it because we are afraid of where disobedience would take us (Hell!)? Or is it because we love Him and want to make Him happy? I pray that you choose the third option! Obedience is one of the hardest things to follow as a Christian living in a highly secular world, but nothing is impossible for God. Let Him guide you through, when you fall, run to Him with a sincere heart, He will plant you back in the soil and water you again.
Faith...a five letter word but with great meaning. Is our faith planted on fertile soil?

Life of an exile...

I was impacted by a Bible study on 1Peter: 1 in our church last night and wanted to share what I have learnt with you all...

As Christians we are called to live the 'Life of an exile'. This is not an easy task and involves these 6 key points...

1. A Life of Hope

2. A Life of Obedience to God

3. A Life Imitating Christ

4. A Life of Holiness

5. A Life of Fear of God

6. A Life of Love (not only for God but other believers too)

How many of us conform to the expectations of the world and forget that our home isn't on earth? How many of us follow all 6 keys to living the 'Life of an exile'? 

Let us persevere and start now!

Things happen for a reason...

Three years ago, I had to move my house and school. I had to leave my school, my friends and the ones I loved. At first, I felt really sad, I couldn't believe that God would take away something I really wanted. It was not the answer I wanted.
However, three years later, I know that God had a purpose, like He spoke through Jeremiah, He has a plan to prosper me and not to harm me. Moving really helped me: I was able to get closer to God, spend more time with Him, leave various parts of my sinful past behind and get focused on Him.

My ODB reading:
'What may seem like coincidence
 As we live our story
Is God at work behind the scenes-
So give Him all the glory  -Sper'


This song 'Waiting Room' by Jonny Diaz is also a beautiful song that reminds us to trust God's decision more than our own.

When things don't go YOUR way, remember to trust God as He knows what He is doing...He will make sure you end up in a better situation.

60sec CamBible - January: Colossians 3:17

Child Prodigy: Akiane, gives God all the glory for her amazing talent! - A MUST WATCH!

Step-out team!

We planned to start the 'Step-out Team' to be able to share our faith with those around us a while ago...but didn't actually start it.
Today, after school, with just a few Gospel tracts and a lot of people, we decided to Step out of our comfort zone...
At first fear aroused inside us, every time we approached a person with the tract, we walked past them...the fear of rejection was over taking us...we quickly said a prayer and asked God to strengthen us. Although the first person we approached rejected our tract, we were able to get over it and actually hand the tract over, in prayer to others.
The joy after Stepping out was overwhelming, we are planning to do it again tomorrow after school...please pray that we are able to look past the fear of rejection, sow the seed of the Gospel and trust God to bring about the salvation.
All we have to is 'Step-out', God will do the rest!

'The Light of the World' by William Holman Hunt

Inspiration of the beautiful painting - The Light of the World by William Holman Hunt:

It is certainly a sermon on canvas...

"Lord, what am I, that, with unceasing care,
Thou did'st seek after me, - that thou did'st wait,
Wet with unhealthy dews, before my gate,
And pass the gloomy nights of winter there.
O strange delusion ! that I did not greet
Thy blest approach, and O, to heaven how lost,
If my ingratitude's unkindly frost
Has chilled the bleeding wounds upon Thy feet.
How oft my guardian angel gently cried,
' Soul, from thy casement look, and thou shalt see
How He persists to knock and wait for thee ! '
And O ! how often to that voice of sorrow,
'To-morrow we will open ' - I replied,
And when the morrow came, I answered still
' To-morrow ' !"

From: a sonnet entitled 'Tomorrow' by Lope De Vega (Spanish) but Translated by H.W. Longfellow

Source: http://www.squidoo.com/lightoftheworld-holmanhunt

'We gotta re-fuel!'

I had an odd out burst towards my parents today for a very petty issue. At the time it seemed normal, but after a few minutes...guilt aroused inside me...I don't normally do that! I knew that something was wrong...when I asked God to show me the reason...it dawned on me that I didn't read my Bible and meditate on His word.

We forget to read His word and meditate on what God wants us to do many times. But His word is our fuel, to keep us going...a machine uses oil as its fuel, this oil not only gives the machine energy to run, it also acts as a lubricant - to ease out the rusty parts to help it work properly. Likewise, our fuel is God's word...if we don't keep in touch, EVERYDAY, we get rusty and malfunction; not doing His will - and eventually, our relationship with God weakens and breaks down. Have you ever heard of a successful relationship without constant communication? I haven't!

Furthermore, once I read and meditated on God's word, I was back to my normal self. We know we grow tired and weak without food and drink for a whole day...same way, without God's word, we will grow weak spiritually.

Remember to take time each day and re-fuel!

A miracle...

Recently, a lady from Queensland, Australia sent out an e-mail that was forwarded by many prior to the floods, requesting prayers for her family, nation and the ones she knows and loves.
The e-mail seemed like just another ordinary forwarded mail, but she ended it by saying, 'If I get washed away, I'll see you on the other side of Jordan.'
This spoke to me, her faith was very great...she trusted God's choice for her life and not her own. She knew that God knew the best for her...even if it meant parting from her earthly life. Do you trust God as much as this Christian sister? Or do you rely on your own choices and cling on to this unsatisfying worldly life?
We've got to learn to let go...our destiny is to be with Him and sing of His glorious name each day, not cling to the life we've got in this sinful life.
By the way, when enquired, we found out that sister in Christ is still alive...She praises God for graciously looking after her family, loved ones and her nation. Miraculously she says, her whole family was untouched by the ferocious floods.
We've got to learn something from our sister in Christ, not only that God allowed her to live, sparing her life, answering her prayers, but also that we are to trust FULLY on God...let Him take control of our life and let Him make the choices for us.
Praise God for the love He bestowed on His children in Australia and let us pray for those who are affected, that they find comfort in God through these floods.

Mia Fieldes - There's A Reason [feat Dannielle Guglielmucci & Annie Garr...

My thorn brought forth a rose...

I've had a book called 'Steps to Christ' by Ellen.G.White for over a year but I've never thought about reading it.
Over the past two days I've been struggling with guilt over doubting God's omni-potent power due to learning various scientific theories. Although, I know I don't believe them at all...when you're surrounded by people bombarding you with so much information to make it sound like a fact, I slipped slightly when a doubt popped up. Although I discarded it with His help...the guilt didn't relieve me.
When I was down and upset, I prayed asking God to help me...the first thing I noticed was this book...something I've never picked up, I suddenly found my self reading through the first few pages...God is awesome, gracious, He is ready to forgive us if we are ready to be forgiven, He will help us through....
Although the world seems filled with thorns and thistles remember.... thistles bring forth buds and thorns, roses.
There is hope for us to be forgiven and helped through....God used this book to reassure me of my destiny and His glorious, unfailing love and His saving grace. He is an amazing God. He is omniscient...although He knows the choices you will make with your free will, He has preplanned solutions for us, to help us get back in the race...just like He saved this book for me, for now....from almost a year ago...He knows that I'll need it now!
Don't be dismayed and waste your time feeling guilty over what you did (again) but ask God for forgiveness, trust in Him to lead the way...and He will certainly help you get back in the race stronger and with a greater drive.

Swimming Through The Ocean

As I swim through this ocean called life, 

I trust in you to lead me through.

Sometimes the tides get restless and 

the waters try to sweep me ashore.

I will pursue as I know where I am headed,

you have made my course crystal clear.

The waves get stronger trying to take me away,

but Lord,

although I drift a little, you safeguard me.

They drown me with doubts about you,

but I know you will help me through.

One day, soon I know, I will be able to to be with you,

you chose me a billion years ago, and I know you have always loved me so.

Father forgive my weaknesses,

grant me strength in you, to be rooted, planted and pursue,

through each trial with you my Lord.

Thus I rejoice, as I know You've made a place for me in Heaven,

to be with You, one day Lord real soon.

Saving Grace

I'm walking with you my Lord through paths of every kind.

You're always beside me Lord guiding and lighting the way.

When life gets stormy and puddles form, I tend to slip and fall,

but you oh Lord never get tired to pull me up when I call.

Father please forgive me for my flesh's evil desires.

Your saving grace, I'm grateful for, as I know I am set free.

Save Them Oh Lord

My blood boils at the sight of their ignorance as tears flood my eyes.

They laugh and mock my trust in you but I know you’ll touch them soon.

You oh Lord, are patient, amazingly patient!

I love them and don’t want them to see peril as they deny your existence.

You gave them life Lord but still, their hearts are as hard as stone, their eyes do not see, or their ears hear.

Save them oh Lord, show them your unfailing love.

Don’t let them fall into the hands of the enemy but bring them closer to you.

Save them oh Lord, show them your never ending grace.

ODB: Call It Good?

A truly eye-opening and strengthening message....Check it out!

ODB: Call It Good?

SONG OF THE MONTH: Josh Wilson - Before The Morning