Luke 11:17b
Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and a divided household falls

Food4Thought:
Reminds me of the body of Christ in Christiandom/Believers of Christ. Do you realize how divided the body of Christ is? And I believe this is a serious issue that many close a blind eye to around the world. Wake up to reality!

Proverbs 3:1-4
My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments, for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you. Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart. So you will find favor and good success in the sight of God and man

Finally I am ready for my ministry that He has called me for according to His purpose. I know it will be challenging and exciting all at the same time to see more people get saved and rooted in Christ. His grace is full of hope and I hold fast to His promises for I know He is faithful. Truly there is freedom in Christ Jesus! I want more people (believers or non) to taste the goodness of God and Jesus our Saviour who gave His life for the salvation of the world. Jesus is truly the way, the truth and the life! Obedience pays!

John 14:6
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me

1 John 5:4
For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world – our faith

Hebrews 5:7-10
In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence. Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered. And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him, being designated by God a high priest after the order of Melchizedek

Jeremiah 7:23
But this command I gave them: ‘Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and you shall be my people. And walk in all the way that I command you, that it may be well with you.’

When you are truly born again and touched by God; your life will be transformed for sure! If you are not transformed in a small and big way as you continue walking with God since your salvation; then I would truly encourage you to ask God for revelation into your salvation to see if there is something in your life you need to repent from so you can walk with Him victoriously and free from sin in Christ Jesus! Guard your heart and mouth.

Matthew 15:10-20
Then he called the crowd and said to them, “Listen and try to understand! What goes into a person’s mouth doesn’t make him unclean. It’s what comes out of the mouth that makes a person unclean.” Then the disciples came and said to him, “Do you realize that when the Pharisees heard your statement they were offended?” He answered, “Any plant that my heavenly Father did not plant will be uprooted. Leave them alone! They are blind leaders. When one blind person leads another, both will fall into the same pit.” Peter said to him, “Explain this illustration to us.” Jesus said, “Don’t you understand yet? Don’t you know that whatever goes into the mouth goes into the stomach and then into a toilet? But whatever goes out of the mouth comes from within, and that’s what makes a person unclean. Evil thoughts, murder, adultery, [other] sexual sins, stealing, lying, and cursing come from within. These are the things that make a person unclean. But eating without washing one’s hands doesn’t make a person unclean.”

Proverbs 10:11a;31a
The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life
The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom

Prayer:
Dear Lord, teach me your ways and make my paths right. I want to walk closely with you. Help me guard my heart and mouth. Fill my heart and mind with your truth. Help me live in truth and speak truth. Give me discernment to know falsehood. Help me remove the scales of deceptions from my eyes, ears and heart. Give me strength to persevere through all tribulations that builds my Christlike character. Show me the ministry that you have called me into that is according to your will for me. Help me discern. Help me with any unbelief I may have. Thank you Jesus for your sacrifice on the cross. Thank you for your blood that cleanses all my sins. Help me be reconciled to God eternally. In Jesus name. Amen.

Soaking in God’s presence and grace is beautifully peaceful and comforting.

Food4Thought:
Many long to be close to God; yet few find their way to intimacy with God. Are you an arm’s length from God or are you at His feet? May the Lord reveal to you in His perfect timing.

Hebrews 4:16
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.

James 4:8
Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

As I was writing I could feel the presence of peace and comfort washing over me as I wept while writing the words from my heart of thankfulness to my parents. And deep within me I remember saying to the Lord, “Lord, I release all resentments toward my mom.” And when I was writing my father’s birthday card; was the same thing that happened – “Lord, I release all resentments toward my dad.”

Before my salvation and even more so after my salvation I have released quite a bit of my resentments toward my parents and I thought I had cleanse it all out of my heart; the filth of my heart as I call it. But God is the judge and one who knows the true condition of my heart and will release the revelation to me at his perfect time so I can release it once and for all and turn from it in my heart so my heart can be holy in that area. I embrace moments like these. I believe each experience brings me closer to holiness in my heart so my heart may be pure. This reminds me of two verses in scripture in Book of Psalms and Matthew.

Psalm 51:10
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me

Matthew 5:8
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God

I feel so free and freer in that area to love my parents more as God loves me and be more thankful for all the things they have done for me in my life and the sacrifices they had made to bring me up. (teary eyed here as I wrote this).

In God’s eyes, all of us are perfect. And He is ever ready to pour out His love on us. All He asks for is your heart be pure toward Him, be obedient to His calling for your life – the calling that He has given you before you were born into the earth.

My sisters and brothers in Christ; what is the true condition of your heart? Are you still holding on to any resentments in your heart – toward God, parents, others, or even yourself? And what you want to dig into are the hidden resentments that you are unaware of but God is aware of. Ask and He will reveal when you come to Him with a sincere request to repent from your ways and be holy in your heart. God is faithful to His promises. For it says in the scripture; “when you seek me with all your heart; you will find me” (Jeremiah 29:13). Have a watch on a related message I did on my youtube channel. May it speak to your heart and give you some revelation.

2 Corinthians 2:4
For I wrote you out of great distress and anguish of heart and with many tears, not to grieve you but to let you know the depth of my love for you.

Have you ever felt an anguish in your heart that is so overwhelming where you can’t function? This week has been the peak for me for such an experience. I don’t mean a defeating anguish but a burning anguish for the lost souls – a godly anguish.

I first experienced this anguish sometime last year during a bible study session. I just burst into tears of deep anguish during prayer time after my sisters shared about their struggles. I had little revelation then about that anguish at that time.

From what I can remember, my second experience of such anguish was when I was speaking to my life group leader about my experience with our leader (my leader’s leader) about  a disagreement in doctrinal belief some months back. I was deeply saddened by the deception she is believing and it was not just her but a whole bunch of my sisters who agreed with her. My anguish in my heart was so deep it was so overwhelming I burst into tears (lots) during my sharing; I think my leader and myself were taken aback by that whole experience. I know it is true for me at least. I had no idea where that came from within me except it was as though I was feeling God’s anguish for His lost children. That is as close I can describe it in words. I’ve often wondered about this second experience and for a long time I’ve been asking “Who’s anguish was that?”. I know the anguish was for my lost brothers and sisters in Christ from this second experience. This second experience was much more overwhelming than my first. (During this period, I had prayed to God to show me what are the attributes of a good and bad leader. He has been faithful to show me till today. I am ever so thankful for that.)

Today was my peak experience feeling this anguish. And revelation came through this experience as well. I was inspired to write a song during my prayer time, so I got my song journal and wrote the words that came to my mind. As I was writing I felt God was going to deliver me through this song. My eyes was a bit teary eyed. And when I had finished writing the words; I sang it to God which is the norm for me. The moment I started to sing, I could feel this overwhelming anguish in my soul starting to rise up. At the same time I also felt this warm, comforting and loving presence enveloping me as I sung. By the time I reached the end I was balling my eyes out in deep overwhelming anguish far deeper than the second experience. That was and is my real anguish for the lost souls at this point of time. I balled my eyes to God and was comforted at the same time with His words for a good few minutes. And the revelation that came to me was, “My child, this is the burden I’ve put in your heart for my children. And this is the reality of your anguish in your heart. By my grace I have sustained you.” (This brought tears to my eyes as I wrote this) If I had to feel my real anguish in my heart for the lost souls; I wouldn’t be able to function in my daily life. I know the difference when it’s a godly anguish I am feeling. It’s just different!

Here’s the song; “Let Your Presence Shine in Me, Lord”

Wrap me around your arms, Lord
Help me feel your love
In the depths of my soul

Let me see your grace
In the depths of my heart
Give me a vision of your kingdom in the heavens

Help me Lord
To fill my heart and soul with holiness
Fill the depths of my soul with your living water
That I may not be thirsty
Help me feel your presence and love in my everyday life
Let me stand tall in faith for your glory
Let my life glorify the Father through you, Jesus

Wrap me around your arms, Lord
Never let me go
Cos I’m not letting you go
I await with eagerness to be in the glory of your throne
When you bring me home
For I hold fast to your promise

God puts burdens in our hearts and by His grace He sustains our anguish so we may continue to do what He has called us to do with hope. And that we may function. The Spirit of God in you knows everything; and protects you as God wills through your obedience.

My sisters and brothers in Christ, have you felt the godly anguish God has planted in your heart? I encourage you to kneel before God and ask Him. And be ready to serve.

I pray that you will allow the Spirit of truth to show you the burden God wants you to have for the lost souls in your heart. I pray that He will give you revelation on your calling; give you all the tools and strength to persevere to maturity in Christ. May His grace be upon you. In Jesus name, Amen.

2 Corinthians 12:5
Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you? – unless indeed you fail to meet the test.

Food4Thought:
The reality of your faith is revealed in truth when you face tribulations. Lean not on the commendation of man but God.

Romans 15:13
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit

Food4Thought:
Is your heart closed to God’s discipline?
Is the Holy Spirit convicting you of your sins in the heart?
How much space are you letting God occupy in your heart? 

Hebrews 3:15
As it is said, “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion”

Hebrews 12:5b
“My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him.”

1 Peter 4:18
And “If the righteous is scarcely saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?”

Proverbs 1:20-33
Wisdom sings her song in the streets. In the public squares she raises her voice. At the corners of noisy streets she calls out. At the entrances to the city she speaks her words, “How long will you gullible people love being so gullible? How long will you mockers find joy in your mocking? How long will you fools hate knowledge? “Turn to me when I warn you. I will generously pour out my spirit for you. I will make my words known to you. “I called, and you refused to listen. I stretched out my hands to you, and no one paid attention. You ignored all my advice. You did not want me to warn you. I will laugh at your calamity. I will make fun of you when panic strikes you, when panic strikes you like a violent storm, when calamity strikes you like a wind storm, when trouble and anguish come to you. “They will call to me at that time, but I will not answer. They will look for me, but they will not find me, because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the LORD. They refused my advice. They despised my every warning. They will eat the fruit of their lifestyle. They will be stuffed with their own schemes. “Gullible people kill themselves because of their turning away. Fools destroy themselves because of their indifference. But whoever listens to me will live without worry and will be free from the dread of disaster.”

God’s grace is ever so hopeful. If you’re not living in His true grace then something must be separating you from it in your heart. When you come to Him with a willing pure heart for truth and seek with all your heart for truth; He’ll give to you.

The question is are you embracing His truth with gladness and hope and be transformed in Christ Jesus?

Matthew 7:7
“Ask, and you will receive. Search, and you will find. Knock, and the door will be opened for you.”

Galatians 6:3
For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself

Romans 1:21
For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened

Colossians 3:1-3
If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God

1 Peter 1:14-15
As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct

1 John 2:15-17
Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world – the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions – is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever

2 Timothy 2:15
Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth

To get one, check out Seed of Salvation Tote Bag Collection.

Dear Lord, I will keep your teaching. Help my heart keep your commandments. I won’t let your mercy and truth leave me and I’ll fasten around my neck. I’ll write them on the tablet of my heart. I’ll trust you, Lord with all my heart. Let me not lean on my own understanding. In all my ways I shall acknowledge you. Keep me away from evil and keep me in reverence of you. I honor my wealth of your blessings to building your kingdom. I embrace your discipline and warning. Give me the strength to overcome them all. Help me find wisdom and obtain understanding. I believe the wisdom you give are pleasant ways that lead to peace and it is a tree of life for those who take firm hold of it and cling to it. Do not let me lose sight of these things for they mean life for me and make my way safe. I shall not fear or stumble for you are my confidence. I shall be generous to those in need within my means and according to your will. Keep me away from evil works, quarrel, envy, things like that. In Jesus name, Amen.