dear all,
First week of fulltime work have been quite an extreme experience for me. Last week im getting off at around midnite, everyday* So, sometimes when the loads of work burned me out, it's easy to lose touch with the Lord. But when I listened to this song today, it gave me encouragement to go back in His presence, even in the midst of the hustle bustle of our activities. May it be Jesus that we exalt above all else, even in our workplace, in everything that we do :)
have a blessed day!
-git :)
Above All Else
by: Alison Yap+ City Harvest Church
http://www.imeem.com/people/vZL5KP/music/oRWzXbG9/alison-yap-chc-band-above-all-else/
(verse 1)
No eye has see
No ear has heard
Unfailing love
Far beyond words
(pre chorus)
The cross I see
Your blood redeems
My imperfection
Your hands divine
Come shape this heart of mine
(chorus)
Here I stand, thirsting for You
Here I am, surrender to You
Let my life be Your clay
Mould me in Your way
Here I stand, desperate for You
Here I am, a vessel for You
Let me life sing Your praise
Bring honour to Your name
(verse 2)
Beauty unfolds
Joy overflows
Your grace begins
This treasure within
(bridge)
Above all else
Above all else
We exalt You
We exalt (You)
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Monday, August 17, 2009
Above all that you ask :)
ABOVE ALL THAT WE ASK FOR OR THINK - Daily devotional by Reverend David Wilkerson
God always desires to pour out more of his glory on his people. He longs to do for us “exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think” (Ephesians 3:20). This is why he wants a people who have a ravenous appetite for more of him. He wants to fill them with his awesome presence, beyond anything they’ve experienced in their lifetime.
Jesus said, “I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly” (John 10:10). Yet, to obtain this abundant life, we must abound more and more in pleasing the Lord. Paul writes, “We…exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more” (1 Thessalonians 4:1). “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord” (1 Corinthians 15:58).
The Greek word for abound means “to exceed, excel, super-abound—to have enough and to spare, over and above, excessive, exceeding abundantly above, beyond measure.” Paul is saying, “God’s glory in your life is going to exceed the little moments you’ve gotten up till now. But your prayers have to be more than just asking a blessing over your meals.”
“So walk ye in him: rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving” (Colossians 2:6–7). Paul is instructing us, “To have this abundant life of God’s glory and presence, you must serve him above measure—with a love and commitment exceeding that of lazy, slumbering servants.”
“Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence” (Ephesians 1:8). God wants to mete out to you glory and revelation beyond any previous measure. “Having made known unto us the measure of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself (1:9). The Lord is saying, “I’m going to open to you a deeper understanding of my Word. I want to give you revelations of its mysteries.”
God always desires to pour out more of his glory on his people. He longs to do for us “exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think” (Ephesians 3:20). This is why he wants a people who have a ravenous appetite for more of him. He wants to fill them with his awesome presence, beyond anything they’ve experienced in their lifetime.
Jesus said, “I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly” (John 10:10). Yet, to obtain this abundant life, we must abound more and more in pleasing the Lord. Paul writes, “We…exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more” (1 Thessalonians 4:1). “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord” (1 Corinthians 15:58).
The Greek word for abound means “to exceed, excel, super-abound—to have enough and to spare, over and above, excessive, exceeding abundantly above, beyond measure.” Paul is saying, “God’s glory in your life is going to exceed the little moments you’ve gotten up till now. But your prayers have to be more than just asking a blessing over your meals.”
“So walk ye in him: rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving” (Colossians 2:6–7). Paul is instructing us, “To have this abundant life of God’s glory and presence, you must serve him above measure—with a love and commitment exceeding that of lazy, slumbering servants.”
“Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence” (Ephesians 1:8). God wants to mete out to you glory and revelation beyond any previous measure. “Having made known unto us the measure of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself (1:9). The Lord is saying, “I’m going to open to you a deeper understanding of my Word. I want to give you revelations of its mysteries.”
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Surviving Dry Places - J.C Matthew
Surviving Dry Places
But He answered and said, "It is written, Man Shall not live
by bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the
mouth of God ". Matthew 4:4
What does Deuteronomy 8:3 and Matthew 4:4 have in common
What does Deuteronomy 8:3 and Matthew 4:4 have in common
outside of them being almost identical in wording? Of course,
they are both found in the Bible. The answer is: They were
both spoken in a wilderness or a dry place. Moses and Jesus
both were concluding extended stays in a wilderness and came
to the same conclusion. Their conclusion was: "Man does not
live by bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of
the mouth of God."
You may have never spent any period of time in an actual
wilderness. However, at some point in your life you will
find yourselves in some very dry places. Your dry place might
be emotional, financial, physical, spiritual, relational or
some other form of deficiency or you have in your life. Each
person's wilderness is just as real as the other's. These dry
places and times in our lives are not designed to kill or stop
us, but to grow us in our relationship and understanding of God.
They are places of decision and learning where the flesh is
tried and our spiritual man (or woman) is matured
The wilderness is not always a bad place. The purpose for the
wilderness in our lives is three fold. These purposes are to:
(1) try us - physically, mentally and spiritually, (2) reveal
ourselves to ourselves, (3) bring us to a place of total
surrender to God. We must come to a place where we no longer
seek fulfillment, meaning and sufficiency in others or our own
efforts - but in God. Until we learn to trust God's Word in
every situation we cannot enjoy the promises He has spoken
over our lives.
I don't know what your particular wilderness is, but I can tell
you that the test and the lesson is the same. God does not
deny that you have needs. However, He does say that your primary
means of meeting these needs should be found within His Word.
If you are currently in a "dry place" in your life ask yourself,
"What is it that God is trying to teach me here?" "Have I been
depending on His Word or something or someone else?" The answer
to these questions may determine how long you'll be there. The
children of Israel spent 40 years in the wilderness before they
entered into their promise because they continually failed the
test. Jesus passed His test the first time and left His
wilderness experience in 40 days. The way to shorten your time
in these dry places of life is to learn the lessons taught
while there.Friday, June 12, 2009
God's Opportunities - by Dr J.C Matthews
God's Opportunities
"Because you have relied on the king of Syria, and have not relied on the Lord your God, therefore the army of the king of Syria has escaped from your hand. Were the Ethiopians and the Lubim not a huge army with very many chariots and horsemen? Yet, because you relied on the Lord, He delivered them into your hand. For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him."And in the thirty-ninth year of his reign, Asa became diseased in his feet, and his malady was severe; yet in his disease he did not seek the Lord, but the physicians. So Asa rested with his fathers; he died in the forty-first year of his reign".2 Chronicles 16:7-9, 12-13 (NKJV)
Have you been robbing God of the opportunity to be glorified in your life? Much of the frustration we face in life is really our denying God the opportunity to demonstrate Himself able to handle the problems that are too great for us. When we place our confidence in men and turn to others for help, instead of God, we deny Him the opportunity to be glorified. Our problems are really open invitations for God's participation in our lives. Everyday, people suffer unnecessarily because they deny God the opportunity to get involved in their lives and thereby be glorified.
King Asa made a similar mistake when he placed his confidence in man, instead of God. God gave King Asa not only victory, but also unusual peace, despite the fact he was surrounded by hostile nations. The Bible records because King Asa became sick he and once again placed his confidence and his life in the hands of men instead of calling upon God for his healing. As a result, he not only lost God's blessing over his life, but his life itself.
How often, do we decide to turn from God, who has already proven Himself faithful, able and willing to see us through our struggles? It was God who has kept us from being totally destroyed by our enemies - seen and unseen. He has hid us and not allowed our adversaries to know when we are weak, nor has he exposed our hidden faults.
What is it in your life that God is waiting for you to turn over to Him and give Him the opportunity to show Himself strong? Your impossibilities are really God's opportunities. When you deprive Him the opportunity to demonstrate His sovereignty you also deprive Him of glory that is due Him. When you need help, don't look around - but look up! David, facing a seemingly impossible situation, asked himself a question and came to the right conclusion. David said, "I will lift up my eyes to the mountains; from where shall my help come? My help comes from the LORD, Who made heaven and earth" (Psalms 121:1-2, NASB). Remember, the impossibility you are facing might actually be an opportunity for God to show Himself strong!
"Because you have relied on the king of Syria, and have not relied on the Lord your God, therefore the army of the king of Syria has escaped from your hand. Were the Ethiopians and the Lubim not a huge army with very many chariots and horsemen? Yet, because you relied on the Lord, He delivered them into your hand. For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him."And in the thirty-ninth year of his reign, Asa became diseased in his feet, and his malady was severe; yet in his disease he did not seek the Lord, but the physicians. So Asa rested with his fathers; he died in the forty-first year of his reign".2 Chronicles 16:7-9, 12-13 (NKJV)
Have you been robbing God of the opportunity to be glorified in your life? Much of the frustration we face in life is really our denying God the opportunity to demonstrate Himself able to handle the problems that are too great for us. When we place our confidence in men and turn to others for help, instead of God, we deny Him the opportunity to be glorified. Our problems are really open invitations for God's participation in our lives. Everyday, people suffer unnecessarily because they deny God the opportunity to get involved in their lives and thereby be glorified.
King Asa made a similar mistake when he placed his confidence in man, instead of God. God gave King Asa not only victory, but also unusual peace, despite the fact he was surrounded by hostile nations. The Bible records because King Asa became sick he and once again placed his confidence and his life in the hands of men instead of calling upon God for his healing. As a result, he not only lost God's blessing over his life, but his life itself.
How often, do we decide to turn from God, who has already proven Himself faithful, able and willing to see us through our struggles? It was God who has kept us from being totally destroyed by our enemies - seen and unseen. He has hid us and not allowed our adversaries to know when we are weak, nor has he exposed our hidden faults.
What is it in your life that God is waiting for you to turn over to Him and give Him the opportunity to show Himself strong? Your impossibilities are really God's opportunities. When you deprive Him the opportunity to demonstrate His sovereignty you also deprive Him of glory that is due Him. When you need help, don't look around - but look up! David, facing a seemingly impossible situation, asked himself a question and came to the right conclusion. David said, "I will lift up my eyes to the mountains; from where shall my help come? My help comes from the LORD, Who made heaven and earth" (Psalms 121:1-2, NASB). Remember, the impossibility you are facing might actually be an opportunity for God to show Himself strong!
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Music we listen to..
OK...its sharing time again ! haha...just sharing with you all what i've read on other ppl's blog..
think about the pointers he stated...worth pondering...erm..at least to me?? :D
I started out by saying God gave us music as a gift to direct our attention to him. In the Bible, music is connected with worship, weddings, funerals, work, play, and war. The basic elements of rhythm, melody, and harmony aren’t inherently evil or sinful. Non-Christians can write beautiful songs that are good for us. Christians can write terrible songs that are bad for us.
So how can something so good become something bad? Two reasons. First, there’s a sinful world outside us. Music, like any gift, can be abused, misused, and used wrongly. Those who make music - artists, record companies, marketers - aren’t primarily interested in caring for our souls or helping us avoid worldliness. They want us to buy their music.
Second, there are sinful desires inside us. Just as people can write music to communicate sin, we can listen to music to feed sin. And music amplifies the deceptive voices of the world. Listening to music is never neutral, because our sinful hearts are involved (James 1:14-15).
Listening to music without discernment and godly intent reveals a heart willing to flirt with the world. We get into trouble when we don’t THINK about the music we listen to.
I ended by offering six handles to help us think more concretely and biblically about the music we listen to.
1. Submission (Prov. 19:20)If you’re living at home, that means submission to your parents. If you’re an adult, that means submission to those who are spiritually mature and know you best. Listening to music is not a right. It’s a privilege to be earned.
2. Content (Phil. 4:8)If we listen regularly to ungodly lyrics, it’s only a matter of time until we become dull to sin or drawn by sin. Some Christians say they don’t know what songs are saying. If we don’t listen to what’s being said, why don’t we find out? Christians, more than anyone, should know what the songs we listen to are saying (James 3:8-10).
3. Associations (Prov. 22:3)Because music can’t be held, touched, or seen, it always associates itself with the things that surround it: friends, concerts, clubs, radio stations, videos, websites, other artists. A “neutral” song can lead us to a variety of temptations.
4. Time (Prov. 13:20)The more time you spend listening to music, the more it becomes a friend that will affect you. Is your music a wise friend or a fool?
5. Fruit (Prov. 14:14)We should be aware of the kinds of emotions the music we listen to produces in us. How does it affect our relationships with others? What effect does it have on our attitudes, perspectives, and appearance? Is there any desire to deceive others about the music we listen to?
6. Conversion (2 Cor. 13:5)An ongoing struggle with music and its effects could reveal that an individual has never been regenerated. Only a true worshiper of Jesus can appreciate music the way God intended it to be appreciated – not as an idol, but as a gift.
think about the pointers he stated...worth pondering...erm..at least to me?? :D
I started out by saying God gave us music as a gift to direct our attention to him. In the Bible, music is connected with worship, weddings, funerals, work, play, and war. The basic elements of rhythm, melody, and harmony aren’t inherently evil or sinful. Non-Christians can write beautiful songs that are good for us. Christians can write terrible songs that are bad for us.
So how can something so good become something bad? Two reasons. First, there’s a sinful world outside us. Music, like any gift, can be abused, misused, and used wrongly. Those who make music - artists, record companies, marketers - aren’t primarily interested in caring for our souls or helping us avoid worldliness. They want us to buy their music.
Second, there are sinful desires inside us. Just as people can write music to communicate sin, we can listen to music to feed sin. And music amplifies the deceptive voices of the world. Listening to music is never neutral, because our sinful hearts are involved (James 1:14-15).
Listening to music without discernment and godly intent reveals a heart willing to flirt with the world. We get into trouble when we don’t THINK about the music we listen to.
I ended by offering six handles to help us think more concretely and biblically about the music we listen to.
1. Submission (Prov. 19:20)If you’re living at home, that means submission to your parents. If you’re an adult, that means submission to those who are spiritually mature and know you best. Listening to music is not a right. It’s a privilege to be earned.
2. Content (Phil. 4:8)If we listen regularly to ungodly lyrics, it’s only a matter of time until we become dull to sin or drawn by sin. Some Christians say they don’t know what songs are saying. If we don’t listen to what’s being said, why don’t we find out? Christians, more than anyone, should know what the songs we listen to are saying (James 3:8-10).
3. Associations (Prov. 22:3)Because music can’t be held, touched, or seen, it always associates itself with the things that surround it: friends, concerts, clubs, radio stations, videos, websites, other artists. A “neutral” song can lead us to a variety of temptations.
4. Time (Prov. 13:20)The more time you spend listening to music, the more it becomes a friend that will affect you. Is your music a wise friend or a fool?
5. Fruit (Prov. 14:14)We should be aware of the kinds of emotions the music we listen to produces in us. How does it affect our relationships with others? What effect does it have on our attitudes, perspectives, and appearance? Is there any desire to deceive others about the music we listen to?
6. Conversion (2 Cor. 13:5)An ongoing struggle with music and its effects could reveal that an individual has never been regenerated. Only a true worshiper of Jesus can appreciate music the way God intended it to be appreciated – not as an idol, but as a gift.
Friday, May 29, 2009
Read on a web-Words of Wisdom :)
Someone shared this with me on my twitter.. :) So share with u ALL.... :)
"Islands and Mountaintops"
When people feel like they are all alone, they often say that they feel as if they are on an island. The truth maybe that you have simply come to a place in your walk that your companions are unable to ascend to. The reality is that you are not on an island at all, but standing on top of a mountain surrounded by water.
Let me explain. Life is lived on levels. Everyone will not be able to obtain certain levels in life because they lack the ability to handle what awaits them at the next level, or they may simply refuse to make the necessary changes to go to the next level.
For those that God has called to do a special work in life, isolation and loneliness are inevitable. You must realize that you cannot take everyone with you. They cannot handle the altitude that you are being called to. You will begin to notice, as you continue to ascend in the will of God, that the number of people who have the ability to share your perspective of life are few and far between.
Therefore, your feeling of separation and isolation are not indications that something is wrong. It simply means that you have risen above the sea of mediocrity and ascended to a place that few others are able to witness.Your perspective is everything. Change your perspective of your situation and don't allow the enemy to cause you to despise what God is doing in your life. You are not stranded on an island, but standing on the top of a mountain!
Pastor J.C. Matthews
"Islands and Mountaintops"
When people feel like they are all alone, they often say that they feel as if they are on an island. The truth maybe that you have simply come to a place in your walk that your companions are unable to ascend to. The reality is that you are not on an island at all, but standing on top of a mountain surrounded by water.
Let me explain. Life is lived on levels. Everyone will not be able to obtain certain levels in life because they lack the ability to handle what awaits them at the next level, or they may simply refuse to make the necessary changes to go to the next level.
For those that God has called to do a special work in life, isolation and loneliness are inevitable. You must realize that you cannot take everyone with you. They cannot handle the altitude that you are being called to. You will begin to notice, as you continue to ascend in the will of God, that the number of people who have the ability to share your perspective of life are few and far between.
Therefore, your feeling of separation and isolation are not indications that something is wrong. It simply means that you have risen above the sea of mediocrity and ascended to a place that few others are able to witness.Your perspective is everything. Change your perspective of your situation and don't allow the enemy to cause you to despise what God is doing in your life. You are not stranded on an island, but standing on the top of a mountain!
Pastor J.C. Matthews
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Peace - A Weapon to use
Juz sharing... =)
Today God Is First Volume 1 by Os Hillman
"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me." - Psalm 23:4a KJV
In the battles of the workplace, your peace is actually a weapon. The workplace creates many opportunities to rob us of our peace. Cash flow concerns, deadlines, relationships - all create stress on us. Your confidence in the God of peace declares that you are not falling for the lies of the devil. You see the first step toward having spiritual authority over the adversary is having peace in spite of our circumstances. When Jesus confronted the devil, he did not confront satan with His emotions or in fear. Knowing that the devil was a liar, He simply refused to be influenced by any voice other than God's. His peace overwhelmed satan; His authority then shattered the lie, which sent demons fleeing.
There is a place of walking with God where you simply fear no evil. David faced a lion, a bear, and a giant. In this Psalm he stood in the "shadow of death" itself, yet he "feared no evil." David's trust was in the Lord. He said, "...for Thou art with me." Because God is with you, every adversity you face will unfold in victory as you maintain your faith in God! David continued, "You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies" (Psalm 23:5a). The battle you are in will soon become a meal for you, an experience that will nourish and build you up spiritually. Only God's peace will quell your fleshly reactions in battle. The source of God's peace is God Himself. If fear has been knocking at your door, begin to face that fear with God's peace. It is God's secret weapon to destroy fear.
Today God Is First Volume 1 by Os Hillman
"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me." - Psalm 23:4a KJV
In the battles of the workplace, your peace is actually a weapon. The workplace creates many opportunities to rob us of our peace. Cash flow concerns, deadlines, relationships - all create stress on us. Your confidence in the God of peace declares that you are not falling for the lies of the devil. You see the first step toward having spiritual authority over the adversary is having peace in spite of our circumstances. When Jesus confronted the devil, he did not confront satan with His emotions or in fear. Knowing that the devil was a liar, He simply refused to be influenced by any voice other than God's. His peace overwhelmed satan; His authority then shattered the lie, which sent demons fleeing.
There is a place of walking with God where you simply fear no evil. David faced a lion, a bear, and a giant. In this Psalm he stood in the "shadow of death" itself, yet he "feared no evil." David's trust was in the Lord. He said, "...for Thou art with me." Because God is with you, every adversity you face will unfold in victory as you maintain your faith in God! David continued, "You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies" (Psalm 23:5a). The battle you are in will soon become a meal for you, an experience that will nourish and build you up spiritually. Only God's peace will quell your fleshly reactions in battle. The source of God's peace is God Himself. If fear has been knocking at your door, begin to face that fear with God's peace. It is God's secret weapon to destroy fear.
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