Reflection: God’s Faithfulness

Posted on February 19, 2012 by glory2jesus

Ephesians 3:14-19
For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith – that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God

Today was an interesting day for me. First time watching the live streaming of my church services that they had just launched recently. Running live every Sunday 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. Click here to watch. It was cool that we were able to interact with the video team as well but you need to sign up for an account at livestream though. But just watching, you don’t need to do anything except go to the website and watch it. Kudos to the video team of my church.

I am so grateful for my friend who came over to help me with some manly house chores and patiently walking and encouraging me as I took my wheelchair for a test run on the street. I really feel God’s faithfulness in providing me with what I need. The help I’ve received and words of encouragement and comfort I’ve received have been really overwhelming to digest. My heart can’t stop saying “God, you are ever so faithful! Thank you.”

I am getting used to the challenges I have to face on a daily basis with my cast on. God is with me to cheer me on, protect me and heal me. God is my strength! I trust in his provision! He is pulling me closer and closer to Him. I am very overwhelmed by his mercy and love. His will is what I focus on. And it has been a really humbling experience and I pray that I can be a source to humble others as well to start searching for meaning in life and to have the desire to have a relationship with God and Jesus.

Email Forward
Share
Posted in JG-Thoughts | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Reflection: Little nuggets of God’s grace

Posted on February 18, 2012 by glory2jesus

Here I am at home resting my fractured foot and reflecting upon the days before today. So many things had happened in the past few days from trying to perservere on my crutches as my arms are melting with pain to figuring how I should go about doing this and that. In the midst of all that adversities; I can’t help but see God’s grace in the little things that I experienced in my path. In this time of suffering, I feel God’s presence so much more. He’s there to uphold me, comfort me, love me and encourage me to persevere with patient endurance.

People around me – my friends, co-workers and even strangers have been real kind to me in this time. I am so thankful and grateful as through them, I see God’s grace. They’ve earned some brownie points for sure. Each time I see God’s little nugget of grace, I go to Him with a thankful heart immediately and often I would end up in tears. In my heart it says, “God, you’ve been so faithful and merciful to me; I am so overwhelmed by your love, compassion and care.”

When I felt despaired and when I felt helpless; I hear God’s voice “I am with you; perservere my child”; “I am with you; I feel your pain”; “I am here with you, I will never forsake you my child” and “I love you.” (writing and re-reading this still makes me cry)

In the midst of my challenges, God has provided me with solutions. It is an amazing experience to witness God’s wisdom and revelation. And I claim his promises for healing, strength and protection. I trust God will heal my foot completely in His time. God has been really gracious.

Isaiah 41:10
Don’t be afraid, for I am with you! Don’t be frightened, for I am your God! I strengthen you, yes, I help you – yes, I uphold you with my saving right hand.

Proverbs 16:24
Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones

Romans 5:3-5
Not only this, but we also rejoice in sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance, character, and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us

And through this, I lean more and more to God for his strength. He has used my mistake and made it into something that I could glorify him further. He is ever so merciful and forgiving when we go to him to repent with a sincere heart. It’s a good lesson for me to learn more on discernment. I am very very humbled by all the experiences I’ve experienced this week.

I encourage you to take notice of the little nuggets of God’s grace in your life and go to him with a thankful heart. I promise you that the peace, joy, love and grace that you feel will uplift you to soar like an eagle.

Hebrews 4:16
Therefore let us confidently approach the throne of grace to receive mercy and find grace whenever we need help

I’ll be on a cast for a month while still working 4 days a week and 3 days off, then I’d be on a brace ; then walking stick. So I am not sure exactly how long it will take for my full recovery but I trust God for his provision, guidance and healing. He has not forsaken me and I am continuing to hold on to him as my Lifeline. Please pray for my healing and perseverance. Thank you.

 

Email Forward
Share
Posted in JG-Thoughts | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Reflection: Looking up to God in times of suffering

Posted on February 14, 2012 by glory2jesus

Yesterday was my day to move to my new place. Little did I know what I’d encounter that very same day. I sprained my left foot real badly. I feel that God was there to protect me; if not for that; I think it could have been worse. I felt that something supernatural was involved in this mishap. I am getting a glimpse of light on the dark forces.

Right after my injury, I prayed to God a lot throughout the day and also singing “Jesus is the way, the truth and the life” over and over again when I needed strength to persevere throughout the day as I got things sorted with my move. I also read God’s words.

Proverbs 4:20-22
My son, be attentive to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. Let them not escape from your sight; keep them within your heart. For they are life to those who find them, and healing to all their flesh

After I had finished moving my things; to be honest I should have listened to the voice that told me to go see the doctor. Instead I listened to my friends cos I didn’t see too much harm in it although I was contemplating if it was the right decision. I actually ended up following the initial plan which was to go to Ikea and Costco after the move. Bitter sweet experience. It wasn’t the easiest for me to move about but I was really humbled through this experience in spite of making the wrong decision which I thought I was making the ‘right decision’. (I understood my decision to not see the doctor that day was wrong through a revelation God revealed to me through my sister.)

(Anti-swelling patch)

Because Ikea did not have any wheelchairs I had to use the trolley as my walker and by God’s grace I was offered a wheelchair at Costco and that was an interesting experience. And thinking back; if it was me in the past I would have felt embarassed to be in one; but I was glad to have one to help with my mobility and it was my first time manouvering a wheelchair while seated in it; it wasn’t as hard to control as I thought. Nonetheless it was a really humbling experience because I could see what it’s like to be in a wheelchair. I thank God for that humbling experience. And throughout the whole experience; I was able to see God’s faithfulness and grace in spite of my wrong decision; he did not forsake me.

(Consequences of not resting the foot)

It is easy to think that when we can’t see immediate healing (which I did pray for it); God has forsaken us or God didn’t care about us. It is this time that we need to seek Him more and more and never let Him go. I didn’t see immediate healing but I saw His grace in the little things he put in place like the words he put in people’s mouths; the help that others offered; a taxi that came in time when I was screaming inside to the Lord; I’m suffering but I’ll persevere for you Lord and I didn’t have to walk further to get a taxi. Not forgetting the crutches rental company I found online. Such are the things we ought to look for in God’s grace – the little things he is doing to care for us. And through that; it gave me strength to persevere more. I hung on to Him wholeheartedly in spite of the suffering I was going through; I was able to feel his love and grace more and more when I needed him the most. God is such a merciful and loving and gracious God. I continued praying and reading the bible when I got home. Nothing changed with my routine at night.

(Next day. Most of the blue black is gone by God’s grace. I spent most of my day reading God’s words and claiming his promises.)

And I am sure God will use my condition for his good works and I’ll have to persevere and do according to his will. I believe sometimes we are not healed instantly is because God is using our suffering to discipline other people’s lives and possibly our own as well and we are carrying the cross just like Jesus suffered. Jesus persevered to the end and as followers of Jesus; we ought to be ready to take up our cross and be obedient to the Lord with love, faith and hope.

Proverbs 6:23
For the commandment is a lamp and the teaching a light, and the reproofs of discipline are the way of life 

I’m not sure how I’ll manage with my crutches but they would definitely help with my mobility and taking pressure off my foot. I’ll have to get an x-ray and we’ll see.

Dear Lord, I pray for your protection and supernatural healing. I claim your promise that by your stripes I am healed. Put the right words in the doctor’s mouth to minister to me and protect our meeting at the hospital. I trust in your provision, Lord. In Jesus’ name, Amen

Email Forward
Share
Posted in JG-Thoughts | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Food4Thought: Ambassadors for Christ (2 Corinthians 5:20)

Posted on February 10, 2012 by glory2jesus

2 Corinthians 5:20
Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us

Food4Thought:
If you were an ambassador for your country, you’d strive to be a good honorable one that your country would be proud of.

So how much more should you do so for God who is mightier than all beings who gives life to all who seek him? Are you an honorable ambassador that God can be proud of? Where do you need to ask God for help to transform you so you can be one who is in his eyes? Be an honorable ambassador for Christ who draws people to God and not one that repels people by your actions that does not bring honor to God. We are constantly being perfected. Are you allowing Him to? All you need is just ask, believe and be obedient.

Email Forward
Share
Posted in JG-Thoughts | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Songs2Praise: Sing with your Heart to God (Ephesians 5:19)

Posted on February 7, 2012 by glory2jesus

As I was looking for an old note on my phone; I opened some other old notes where I had some of my own song lyrics to Jesus and God. As I made my way home, I felt compelled to sing them (not out loudly of course but was verbalized nonetheless). I ended up singing 3 of them by the time I got to near my home. Little did I know the last song which was written in Malay and one and only one that I had written in Malay played a big part today for me to feel God’s grace upon me. As soon as I started, I could feel His grace fall upon me and I was in tears by the time I had finished the song. Amazing! I really enjoy experiencing God’s grace upon my life. And it reminded me of the Ephesians verse Francis Chan had shared in one of his sermons that I had heard today for the second time.

I felt that the songs had a much deeper meaning to me now than when I first wrote it and sung them. I felt so much closer to God. The one I wrote in Malay nailed the sweetness of grace. Thank you Lord for your grace and love. :) And below are the 3 songs I sung. I’ll translate the Malay one into English for you. I pray that they will touch your life too – your heart and soul and I pray God’s grace be upon you as you dedicate to him with your heart.

Ephesians 5:19b-20
Making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ

1st song: Jesus, You are my HERO

You are my hero
You saved me from death
You died on the cross for me
And washed away all my sins

When I came to you
You erased all my rebellion
Offered me a new life
Righteous and holy

Chorus:
Oh Jesus, I love you
For everything you’ve done in my life
Oh Jesus, I praise you
For everything you’ve given me in your grace

You are my hero
I look up to you
For the way of living
You took away all my bad habits
Renewed me with good righteous habits

How majestic you are
Filling me with your holy presence
Thank you for coming into my life
To give me a magnificent life

Oh Jesus, I love you
For everything you’ve done in my life
Oh Jesus, I praise you
For everything you’ve given me in your grace (Repeat)

2nd song: There’s no other way than Jesus’ way

There’s no other way than Jesus’ way
So majestically beautiful
So free in the grace of God

There’s no other way than Jesus’ way
Filled with joy and bliss
So free in the grace of God

Knowing you is the best things in my life
You’ve changed my life
You lift me up to heaven’s gate
You connected me to my Father
who created me and you

There’s no other way but Jesus’ way
Lord I lift up your name to the most high
I give you glory in everything
I praise you from my heart

There’s no other way but Jesus’ way
So majestically beautiful
With grace and mercy
Lord I lift up your name to the most high

There’s no other way but Jesus’ way
I lift up your name to the most high
There’s no other way but Jesus’ way

3rd song: Yesus (Jesus)

Yesus, engkaulah tuhan ku (Jesus, you are my Lord)
Yang mulia dan ikhlas (Who is noble and sincere)
Janjimu kepadaku amat ku hargai (I greatly value your promise)
Kamu telah selamatkan ku (You have saved me)

Dunia ini penuh derita (This world is full of sorrows)
kepahitan di hati, dukacita (Bitterness in the heart, profound sorrow)

Engkaulah Yesus (You are Jesus)
Yang ku kagumi dan cintai (Whom I admire and love)
Tiada sesiapa yang boleh (No one that can)
berbanding dengan mu selain (compare other)
daripada Tuhan yang mulia (than God who is glorious)

Yesus, jangan tinggalkan ku (Jesus, don’t leave me)
Sila berada di sisiku sentiasa (Please be by my side always)
Hulurkan cinta mu (Stretch out your love)
Dari syurga ke bumi (from heaven to earth)
lepaskan kepahitan yang digenggam (release the bitterness that is held)

Note: You are very welcome to use the lyrics. I would appreciate if you would put my name (Jade Goh) as the lyricist and link it back to my page. :) God bless.

Email Forward
Share
Posted in Songs2Praise | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Food4Thought: Denominational Deception

Posted on February 5, 2012 by glory2jesus

Another area of Christianity that I have been really pondering on is denominations. There are so many denominations it’s absurd. And for a long time it has confused me. I often ask myself and also I am often asked “Which denomination do you belong to?” when I mention I’m a Christian. For a long time I always said protestant.

As I seek God’s face and truth; the only denomination I belong to is “Jesus/God Denomination” if I really have to put a label! Satan has long deceived many Christians into the denominational mentality. Why is there or should there be a division when the ultimate truth is we are to worship the God that created all things and who gave up his only Son for the atonemnent of our sins on earth? We are to worship the one true living God. And we believe Jesus is the Son of God who died for our sins and through him we have salvation and reconciliation to God. So unless you are worshiping a different God, I don’t see the point of labeling ourselves into denominations. We are just plainly BELIEVERS OF JESUS! We are FOLLOWERS OF JESUS! We are reconciled to God through JESUS CHRIST!

Genesis 1:1
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth 

Revelation 1:8
“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God – the one who is, and who was, and who is still to come – the All-Powerful!

John 14:1
Believe in God; believe also in me (Jesus) 

John 14:6
I (Jesus) am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one  comes to the Father (God) except through me. If you had known me, you would have known my Father also 

Recently, I was asked that popular question again “Which denomination do you belong to?” And I answered, I am a believer of Jesus Christ. I don’t belong to any denomination! Boy do I feel that instant freedom and release from the veil of deception that has been plaguing Christians for many centuries. The serpent is very cunning with its ways. Often the lies are laced between good merited ‘truth’ which is really half truth to create divisions among Christians – the members of the body of Christ and also to create a double-minded heart.

Proverbs 2:1-6
My child, if you receive my words, and store up my commandments within you, by making your ear attentive to wisdom, and by turning your heart to understanding, indeed, if you call out for discernment – raise your voice for understanding – if you seek it like silver, and search for it like hidden treasure, then you will understand how to fear the Lord, and you will discover knowledge about God. For the Lord gives wisdom, and from his mouth comes knowledge and understanding

Digest it and ask God for discernment. Imagine when all Christians are one in the heart, what would it do in the spiritual sphere where the battle of the unseen is taking place. I believe more victories in spiritual warfare.

James 4:7-8
So submit to God. But resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and make your hearts pure, you double-minded

Related talk about denominational churches by Zac Poonen

Email Forward
Share
Posted in JG-Thoughts | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Food4Thought: Choose Your Words Wisely – Francis Chan

Posted on February 4, 2012 by glory2jesus

Email Forward
Share
Posted in Food4Thought Video | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Food4Thought: True Faith – Zac Poonen

Posted on February 4, 2012 by glory2jesus

Email Forward
Share
Posted in Food4Thought Video | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Food4Thought: Tithing with a Cheerful Heart (2 Corinthians 9:7)

Posted on February 4, 2012 by glory2jesus

Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need – Malachi 3:10 -

Recently I’ve been pondering on this topic – TITHING/GIVING. You will find that some churches insist on 10% tithing and others are more open to receiving any amount. As the Christian world expands; and possible false doctrines floating in the Kingdom of God; it’s no wonder some of us are left turned off and confused. And are we to tithe to our church only? Must we tithe 10%? Is it compulsary to tithe to the church or can we tithe elsewhere where God has called us to tithe? Who’s right and who’s deceived?

2 Corinthians 9:7
Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver

It’s important for us to give from our heart with joy to the Lord when we tithe. And we can tithe to many of God’s ministries on earth besides our own church. Just because we do not tithe 10% of our income to our church; does that mean we are to be condemned? I don’t think so. There are churches who practice that kind of attitude but ultimately what we tithe is for the glory of God. It’s a thanksgiving offering to God for his blessings upon our lives. And that money should be given to those who actually use the money in the right way according to God’s will to build His kingdom on earth to get as many of his lost children saved in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ.

My church encourages us to tithe 10% of our income to our church. Although I am not tithing that much to my church; I don’t feel guilty about it because God has called me to tithe elsewhere. I prayed to God for a ministry for me to support and he has been faithful to show me the ministry he wants me to support the most which is Gospel for Asia (GFA). God has been faithful to bless me with enough resources (when I see his faithful blessings; I’m practically in tears with thankfulness) to bless and support this ministry. And I give with a cheerful and joyful heart. I hope to support them more when my finances are in better shape. By God’s grace; it’s getting better and better. Some months I give more, other months I give less though I have committed to a base amount each month for this ministry. What I find is actually I’ve been giving more and more ever since with joy to this ministry. And perhaps one day, he’ll provide me with another ministry to support, but for now GFA seems to be it and I am really enthusiastic to see how God is going to work in this ministry. 

Proverbs 11:24
One gives freely, yet grows all the richer

Proverbs 11:25
Whoever brings blessings will be enriched 

Well some of you might disagree with me but what I do is to please God not man. If it’s his will that I part more to my church; I shall do so. Till then wherever He wants my money to flow to; so be it.

Leviticus 27:30
Every tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land or of the fruit of the trees, is the Lord’s 

As much as we should support our church (assuming the money is really used for God’s work and not to feed the ego of the elders), we also need to ask God where he wants us to tithe to the most. As I’ve said before; the money IS for building God’s kingdom on earth! And we should be generous with our offerings when we have more and when we have less, we should still continue tithing even if it’s of a lesser amount. God is a just God.

Mark 12:41-43
As he (Jesus) sat down opposite the treasury and watched the people putting money into the offering box. Many rich people put in large sums. And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which make a penny. And he called his disciples to him and said to them, “Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on

NO matter how tight we are with money; it’s important that we share our money to build God’s kingdom and He will bless you. Trust in HIM who is faithful and just.

Matthew 6:31-33
Therefore do not be anxious saying, “What shall we eat?” or “What shall we drink?” or “What shall we wear?” For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you 

Thank you Lord for your provision. You grace is really sufficient for me. I thank you for your truth and discipline. I thank you for your wisdom and giving me the understanding I need to do your will. I pray that you will open the hearts of my brothers and sisters in Christ to support the ministries that you have planted in their hearts. I pray that they will use all your monetary blessings for your good will. In Jesus’ name, Amen.


Email Forward
Share
Posted in JG-Thoughts | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Food4Thought: Dancing in God’s grace

Posted on February 4, 2012 by glory2jesus

As I continue to build my relationship with God; I can’t help but slowly understand how he works and dances in his grace. It has really removed a lot of weight from my shoulders as I learn to dance and waltz with him.

Proverbs 16:9
The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps 

When you understand how God works you learn to dance in His flow and rhythm. It’s effortless. You see his signs and wonders in every moment.

Food4Thought:
Are you all working too hard to make something bend your way? Or are you letting God bend it for you through you? Work according to His will and time.

Proverbs 16:1
The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord

Proverbs 16:9
The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps

Proverbs 19:21
Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand

Proverbs 20:24
A man’s steps are from the Lord; how then can man understand his way?

Jeremiah 10:23
I know, O Lord, that they way of man is not in himself, that it is not in man who walks to direct his steps 

*effortless doesn’t mean no tribulations. :)

Email Forward
Share
Posted in JG-Thoughts | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment