"If any of you is deficient in wisdom, let him ask of the giving God [Who gives] to everyone liberally and ungrudgingly, without reproaching or faultfinding, and it will be given him."
James 1:5
God gives wisdom without any restrain. He gives liberally. What more about us, who have been bought by the blood of Christ, His only son.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Saturday, April 26, 2008
let them who want, ask of Me and I will freely give
For wisdom is a defense as money is a defense,
But the excellence of knowledge is that
wisdom gives life to those who have it.
Ecclesiastes 7:12
But the excellence of knowledge is that
wisdom gives life to those who have it.
Ecclesiastes 7:12
Thursday, April 24, 2008
2 Samuel 24
2 Samuel 24 (The Message)
- v10 But when it was all done, David was overwhelmed with guilt because he had counted the people, replacing trust with statistics. And David prayed to God, "I have sinned badly in what I have just done. But now God forgive my guilt—I've been really stupid."
- v10 But when it was all done, David was overwhelmed with guilt because he had counted the people, replacing trust with statistics. And David prayed to God, "I have sinned badly in what I have just done. But now God forgive my guilt—I've been really stupid."
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
pearl of great price
"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls,
who, went he had found on pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it."
Matthew 13:45
the church is the pearl of great price that God gave His precious Son to redeem. How much more will He not freely give us all things? if its more time you need, ask Him. if its better memory you need, ask Him. if its more wisdom you desire, ask Him. and know that you will receive because He who loves you desires that every good thing be added unto you
who, went he had found on pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it."
Matthew 13:45
the church is the pearl of great price that God gave His precious Son to redeem. How much more will He not freely give us all things? if its more time you need, ask Him. if its better memory you need, ask Him. if its more wisdom you desire, ask Him. and know that you will receive because He who loves you desires that every good thing be added unto you
2 Samuel 22
2 Samuel 22 (The Message)
- v1 David prayed to God the words of this song after God saved him from all his enemies and from Saul.
- v4 I sing to God the Praise-Lofty,
and find myself safe and saved.
- v5-6 The waves of death crashed over me,
devil waters rushed over me.
Hell's ropes cinched me tight;
death traps barred every exit.
- v7 A hostile world! I called to God,
to my God I cried out.
From his palace he heard me call;
my cry brought me right into his presence—
a private audience!
- v47-51 Live, God! Blessing to my Rock,
my towering Salvation-God!
This God set things right for me
and shut up the people who talked back.
He rescued me from enemy anger.
You pulled me from the grip of upstarts,
You saved me from the bullies.
That's why I'm thanking you, God,
all over the world.
That's why I'm singing songs
that rhyme your name.
God's king takes the trophy;
God's chosen is beloved.
I mean Raphael and all his children—
always.
- v1 David prayed to God the words of this song after God saved him from all his enemies and from Saul.
- v4 I sing to God the Praise-Lofty,
and find myself safe and saved.
- v5-6 The waves of death crashed over me,
devil waters rushed over me.
Hell's ropes cinched me tight;
death traps barred every exit.
- v7 A hostile world! I called to God,
to my God I cried out.
From his palace he heard me call;
my cry brought me right into his presence—
a private audience!
- v47-51 Live, God! Blessing to my Rock,
my towering Salvation-God!
This God set things right for me
and shut up the people who talked back.
He rescued me from enemy anger.
You pulled me from the grip of upstarts,
You saved me from the bullies.
That's why I'm thanking you, God,
all over the world.
That's why I'm singing songs
that rhyme your name.
God's king takes the trophy;
God's chosen is beloved.
I mean Raphael and all his children—
always.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Numbers 23:19-20
Numbers 23:19-20 (Amplified)
- v19 God is not a man, that He should tell or act a lie, neither the son of man, that He should feel repentance or compunction [for what He has promised]. Has He said and shall He not do it? Or has He spoken and shall He not make it good?
- v20 You see, I have received His command to bless Israel. He has blessed, and I cannot reverse or qualify it.
2 Samuel 10-12
2 Samuel 12
- v13-14 So David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the LORD.”
And Nathan said to David, “The LORD also has put away your sin; you shall not die. However, because by this deed you have given great occasion to the enemies of the LORD to blaspheme, the child also who is born to you shall surely die.”
- v20 So David arose from the ground, washed and anointed himself, and changed his clothes; and he went into the house of the LORD and worshiped. Then he went to his own house; and when he requested, they set food before him, and he ate.
- v13-14 So David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the LORD.”
And Nathan said to David, “The LORD also has put away your sin; you shall not die. However, because by this deed you have given great occasion to the enemies of the LORD to blaspheme, the child also who is born to you shall surely die.”
- v20 So David arose from the ground, washed and anointed himself, and changed his clothes; and he went into the house of the LORD and worshiped. Then he went to his own house; and when he requested, they set food before him, and he ate.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Ephesians 6:10
10Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.
Amplified says it better...
10In conclusion, be strong in the Lord [be empowered through your union with Him]; draw your strength from Him [that strength which His boundless might provides].
Took this from today's devotional. Beautiful for such a time like this coz been busy studying for tests and rushing through projects. I must say, it's my first time co-leading in something cox I never get to lead. And certainly, there is favour!!! I actually grow to enjoy making decisions.. of course with Daddy God. It's fun to make decisions with HIM.
Recently, as I walked home all alone, talking to Daddy God, heard Him telling me, in His usual calm voice. "Michelle, if you can let your heart be filled to love others, why not use this love I give you to apply into your own life". Puzzled, I pondered for the past few days... and I began to realised, all these while, I've been giving, centralising people in my life. I forgot about myself, to love myself.
"When love takes you in, everything changes. A miracle starts with a beat of the heart. The loneliness ends, and a new life begins." -- When love takes you in, Steven Curtis Chapman.
Indeed, it all starts with a beat of the heart, linking your heart to Daddy's. Knowing Daddy's heart for you. Having this revelation, just gave me this supernatural strength to study. We study not to score, but taking this opportunity to commune with Daddy, to study knowing deep down in your heart, He is flipping through the notes together with you.
Simply enjoy HIS outpouring love and let it flow, transcend into your life. Where you think you lack, HE will fill HIS love into that void.
10Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.
Amplified says it better...
10In conclusion, be strong in the Lord [be empowered through your union with Him]; draw your strength from Him [that strength which His boundless might provides].
Took this from today's devotional. Beautiful for such a time like this coz been busy studying for tests and rushing through projects. I must say, it's my first time co-leading in something cox I never get to lead. And certainly, there is favour!!! I actually grow to enjoy making decisions.. of course with Daddy God. It's fun to make decisions with HIM.
Recently, as I walked home all alone, talking to Daddy God, heard Him telling me, in His usual calm voice. "Michelle, if you can let your heart be filled to love others, why not use this love I give you to apply into your own life". Puzzled, I pondered for the past few days... and I began to realised, all these while, I've been giving, centralising people in my life. I forgot about myself, to love myself.
"When love takes you in, everything changes. A miracle starts with a beat of the heart. The loneliness ends, and a new life begins." -- When love takes you in, Steven Curtis Chapman.
Indeed, it all starts with a beat of the heart, linking your heart to Daddy's. Knowing Daddy's heart for you. Having this revelation, just gave me this supernatural strength to study. We study not to score, but taking this opportunity to commune with Daddy, to study knowing deep down in your heart, He is flipping through the notes together with you.
Simply enjoy HIS outpouring love and let it flow, transcend into your life. Where you think you lack, HE will fill HIS love into that void.
Sunday, April 13, 2008
2 Samuel 9
2 Samuel 9
- v7 So David said to him (Mephibosheth), “Do not fear, for I will surely show you kindness for Jonathan your father’s sake, and will restore to you all the land of Saul your grandfather; and you shall eat bread at my table continually.”
- v8 Then he bowed himself, and said, “What is your servant, that you should look upon such a dead dog as I?”
- v9-10 And the king called to Ziba, Saul’s servant, and said to him, “I have given to your master’s son all that belonged to Saul and to all his house. You therefore, and your sons and your servants, shall work the land for him, and you shall bring in the harvest, that your master’s son may have food to eat. But Mephibosheth your master’s son shall eat bread at my table always.” Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants.
---------------------------------------------------
I believe David knew Mephibosheth had an self-esteem problem. But instead of counseling him about it in front of everyone at the king's court, he just ignored Mephibosheth's "dead dog" statement and spoke directly to Ziba.
Personally, I see a principle here - there is a right time to counsel people. Some people just won't get it at that point in time. Moreover, David would look quite stupid if he tried to counsel Mephi and failed. David just continued to show Mephi grace.
This relates to something about me and I think God is now releasing me to share this with all of you as well.
What happened to Mephi kinda applies to me at my work as well. My VP has been telling me that I'm doing a good job but I always felt I wasn't good enough, and that she was just encouraging me superficially. As time went by, I felt so inadequate that I started avoiding my VP because I felt I had not performed up to standard, and I know that she can sense it as well.
There was once I screwed up a presentation to her and the vendor VP, and got corrected by the vendor consultants in front of everyone.
She then came up to my desk, sat down, and said that she was very pleased with my presentation and satisfied with my work thus far. And I told her that I wasn't happy with my performance because I felt that I could have done better, and that I should have worked more on having the facts at my fingertips. Then she smiled and replied, "slowly la". Then she got up and walked off.
My confirmation is this week - the end of my probation. And my VP and boss have to write a recommendation report about my performance for the last 9 months at SIA. This is a confidential report that is not shown to anyone except my VP's bosses.
However, during our weekly project review meeting last week, she told my boss, "Show Raphael what we wrote for him for his recommendation report."
My boss was quite stunned and he said, "Are you sure?"
She said, "Yeah, show him." All this was said in front of my other colleagues.
Then my boss went out and printed a copy of my recommendation report. And all my colleagues gathered around me to read it.
"Wah, how come I never get to see mine leh?" one colleagued mused.
My boss said, "I also never got to see mine."
Then another colleague said, "Wah! You got to attend SO MANY courses ah?" (There is a list of courses I've attended at the back of the report)
And another colleague said, "I work for so many years and I didn't even get a mentor lor!" (All of us are assigned a person of senior rank to be our mentor who will take care of us in our 1 yr of service)
And when I read the 4-page report, I just felt so embarrassed. I felt I was nothing like what my VP and boss had written about me.
"Raphael has done well and met all his work objectives.... Raphael is hardworking... Raphael has good work ethics... Raphael is amiable and is able to relate well to colleagues and our vendor.... Raphael is.... Raphael has.... Raphael this... Raphael that... Raphael has shown potential for further career development. I highly recommend his confirmation at the end of his probation."
And to show that it was not just a report of superficial praise, there was a paragraph also about my weaknesses and how my bosses were going to send me for more training to address these areas over the next 2 years. (My bosses had already planned ahead for my training and welfare.)
My boss asked me what I felt about the report, and I just said, "Praise God."
I had nothing else to say. This is just pure grace, undeserving and unearned. I don't deserve anything at all.
I have always benchmarked myself against my other experienced colleagues who have been working for 10 years+ in the company. I never believed in the "excuse" that because you are "fresh and unexperienced", you are allowed to perform lesser than them.
And as I looked back, I believe a lot of my work dissatisfaction, agony and unhappiness stemmed from these high expectations that I've placed on myself.
Now, things at work is really quite easy for me. I've already gotten the hang of all the technical stuff and I've favour with everyone whom I need to work with. I'm also able to talk at a certain level with the vendors who used to despise me for my ignorance. Now, it's only a matter of getting the job done.
I used to tell God that it was unfair that someone who's good in the natural would not be able to experience as much of His grace as someone who isn't as good in the natural.
But I guess I've reached the end of myself yet again, the end of my excellence. And God has shown me that at the end of the day, no matter how good I am in the natural, I don't lose out, because His grace is even larger than that.
- v7 So David said to him (Mephibosheth), “Do not fear, for I will surely show you kindness for Jonathan your father’s sake, and will restore to you all the land of Saul your grandfather; and you shall eat bread at my table continually.”
- v8 Then he bowed himself, and said, “What is your servant, that you should look upon such a dead dog as I?”
- v9-10 And the king called to Ziba, Saul’s servant, and said to him, “I have given to your master’s son all that belonged to Saul and to all his house. You therefore, and your sons and your servants, shall work the land for him, and you shall bring in the harvest, that your master’s son may have food to eat. But Mephibosheth your master’s son shall eat bread at my table always.” Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants.
---------------------------------------------------
I believe David knew Mephibosheth had an self-esteem problem. But instead of counseling him about it in front of everyone at the king's court, he just ignored Mephibosheth's "dead dog" statement and spoke directly to Ziba.
Personally, I see a principle here - there is a right time to counsel people. Some people just won't get it at that point in time. Moreover, David would look quite stupid if he tried to counsel Mephi and failed. David just continued to show Mephi grace.
This relates to something about me and I think God is now releasing me to share this with all of you as well.
What happened to Mephi kinda applies to me at my work as well. My VP has been telling me that I'm doing a good job but I always felt I wasn't good enough, and that she was just encouraging me superficially. As time went by, I felt so inadequate that I started avoiding my VP because I felt I had not performed up to standard, and I know that she can sense it as well.
There was once I screwed up a presentation to her and the vendor VP, and got corrected by the vendor consultants in front of everyone.
She then came up to my desk, sat down, and said that she was very pleased with my presentation and satisfied with my work thus far. And I told her that I wasn't happy with my performance because I felt that I could have done better, and that I should have worked more on having the facts at my fingertips. Then she smiled and replied, "slowly la". Then she got up and walked off.
My confirmation is this week - the end of my probation. And my VP and boss have to write a recommendation report about my performance for the last 9 months at SIA. This is a confidential report that is not shown to anyone except my VP's bosses.
However, during our weekly project review meeting last week, she told my boss, "Show Raphael what we wrote for him for his recommendation report."
My boss was quite stunned and he said, "Are you sure?"
She said, "Yeah, show him." All this was said in front of my other colleagues.
Then my boss went out and printed a copy of my recommendation report. And all my colleagues gathered around me to read it.
"Wah, how come I never get to see mine leh?" one colleagued mused.
My boss said, "I also never got to see mine."
Then another colleague said, "Wah! You got to attend SO MANY courses ah?" (There is a list of courses I've attended at the back of the report)
And another colleague said, "I work for so many years and I didn't even get a mentor lor!" (All of us are assigned a person of senior rank to be our mentor who will take care of us in our 1 yr of service)
And when I read the 4-page report, I just felt so embarrassed. I felt I was nothing like what my VP and boss had written about me.
"Raphael has done well and met all his work objectives.... Raphael is hardworking... Raphael has good work ethics... Raphael is amiable and is able to relate well to colleagues and our vendor.... Raphael is.... Raphael has.... Raphael this... Raphael that... Raphael has shown potential for further career development. I highly recommend his confirmation at the end of his probation."
And to show that it was not just a report of superficial praise, there was a paragraph also about my weaknesses and how my bosses were going to send me for more training to address these areas over the next 2 years. (My bosses had already planned ahead for my training and welfare.)
My boss asked me what I felt about the report, and I just said, "Praise God."
I had nothing else to say. This is just pure grace, undeserving and unearned. I don't deserve anything at all.
I have always benchmarked myself against my other experienced colleagues who have been working for 10 years+ in the company. I never believed in the "excuse" that because you are "fresh and unexperienced", you are allowed to perform lesser than them.
And as I looked back, I believe a lot of my work dissatisfaction, agony and unhappiness stemmed from these high expectations that I've placed on myself.
Now, things at work is really quite easy for me. I've already gotten the hang of all the technical stuff and I've favour with everyone whom I need to work with. I'm also able to talk at a certain level with the vendors who used to despise me for my ignorance. Now, it's only a matter of getting the job done.
I used to tell God that it was unfair that someone who's good in the natural would not be able to experience as much of His grace as someone who isn't as good in the natural.
But I guess I've reached the end of myself yet again, the end of my excellence. And God has shown me that at the end of the day, no matter how good I am in the natural, I don't lose out, because His grace is even larger than that.
Saturday, April 12, 2008
today while i was studying, i felt super unmotivated as always cause sometimes i really don't see a purpose in studying so hard if i only want to work ten years. haha. but i was thinking even if i don't study really hard, His grace will still cover for me to get the results that i want right? but then the verse that i have been meditating on suddenly came across my mind.
"But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully." 2 Cor 9:6
then it dawned on me that it can apply to my studies as well. I'm so glad that in this chapter, God did not specify what is the 'thing' that we must sow and reap. be it tithes, time to serve, time to study, that if we sow bountifully, we will reap bountifully. and God is able to make all grace abound toward us. it's also amazing to know that God who is the one who supplies everything in the first place, will be the one who multiply the seed that we sow. haha what more can we ask for.
but then i asked God again if i were to study very hard, it seems as though it is using self effort. but He reminded me that what makes us different from the world, is that when we study, we study out of rest, and not out of stress. we can study out of rest, not worrying about what results we get because we know that He has already provided everything for us in our lives and that it is good. and whatever results that we get are His.
"And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him" Col 3:17
what God told me today really motivated me to study because it makes me want to study for His glory, because when i do the natural He can do the supernatural for me.
"But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully." 2 Cor 9:6
then it dawned on me that it can apply to my studies as well. I'm so glad that in this chapter, God did not specify what is the 'thing' that we must sow and reap. be it tithes, time to serve, time to study, that if we sow bountifully, we will reap bountifully. and God is able to make all grace abound toward us. it's also amazing to know that God who is the one who supplies everything in the first place, will be the one who multiply the seed that we sow. haha what more can we ask for.
but then i asked God again if i were to study very hard, it seems as though it is using self effort. but He reminded me that what makes us different from the world, is that when we study, we study out of rest, and not out of stress. we can study out of rest, not worrying about what results we get because we know that He has already provided everything for us in our lives and that it is good. and whatever results that we get are His.
"And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him" Col 3:17
what God told me today really motivated me to study because it makes me want to study for His glory, because when i do the natural He can do the supernatural for me.
2 Samuel 8
2 Samuel 8
- v1 After this it came to pass that David attacked ...
- v6 ... So the LORD preserved David wherever he went.
- v14 ... And the LORD preserved David wherever he went.
--------------------------------
2 Sam 8 shows a list of David's victorious conquests after God said He would build David a house. So David reigned over all Israel; and David administered judgment and justice to all his people. (v15)
---------------------------------
But what's interesting here is David's administration.
- v1 After this it came to pass that David attacked ...
- v6 ... So the LORD preserved David wherever he went.
- v14 ... And the LORD preserved David wherever he went.
--------------------------------
2 Sam 8 shows a list of David's victorious conquests after God said He would build David a house. So David reigned over all Israel; and David administered judgment and justice to all his people. (v15)
---------------------------------
But what's interesting here is David's administration.
- v16 Joab the son of Zeruiah was over the army;
Joab = Jehovah is Father
When you see God as your Father, you will be victorious in all your trials.
Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was recorder;
Jehoshaphat = Jehovah has judged
recorder = to remember, recall, call to mind
God has remembered your judgment at the cross
- v17 Zadok the son of Ahitub and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar were the priests;
Zadok = righteous
Ahimelech = my brother is king
You are a king-priest; you are the righteousness of God in Christ, and our Lord Jesus, who is King of kings, is also a Brother to you.
Seraiah was the scribe;
Seraiah = Jehovah is ruler
scribe = to count, recount, relate
God, who rules the whole universe, is not unjust to forget your work and labour of love which you have shown toward His name.
- v18 Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over both the Cherethites and the Pelethites;
Benaniah = Yahweh has built up
Cherethites = executioners - bodyguards of King David
Pelethites = couriers - guardsmen of King David
Like how David was protected by his bodyguards, God will keep you safe under the shadow of His wings.
and David’s sons were chief ministers.
And your children, and future generations are blessed.
1 John 5:5
5 Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?
It's amazing how I chanced upon this verse after CG today.
We are overcomers of the world just by believing that Jesus is the Son of God.
It's amazing how I chanced upon this verse after CG today.
We are overcomers of the world just by believing that Jesus is the Son of God.
Friday, April 11, 2008
psalm 51
7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;
Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
8 Make me hear joy and gladness,
That the bones You have broken may rejoice.
9 Hide Your face from my sins,
And blot out all my iniquities.
10 Create in me a clean heart, O God,
And renew a steadfast spirit within me.
11 Do not cast me away from Your presence,
And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.
12 Restore to me the joy of Your salvation,
And uphold me by Your generous Spirit.
13 Then I will teach transgressors Your ways,
And sinners shall be converted to You.
14 Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God,
The God of my salvation,
And my tongue shall sing aloud of Your righteousness.
15 O Lord, open my lips,
And my mouth shall show forth Your praise.
16 For You do not desire sacrifice, or else I would give it;
You do not delight in burnt offering.
17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit,
A broken and a contrite heart—
These, O God, You will not despise.
psalm 51:7-17
Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
8 Make me hear joy and gladness,
That the bones You have broken may rejoice.
9 Hide Your face from my sins,
And blot out all my iniquities.
10 Create in me a clean heart, O God,
And renew a steadfast spirit within me.
11 Do not cast me away from Your presence,
And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.
12 Restore to me the joy of Your salvation,
And uphold me by Your generous Spirit.
13 Then I will teach transgressors Your ways,
And sinners shall be converted to You.
14 Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God,
The God of my salvation,
And my tongue shall sing aloud of Your righteousness.
15 O Lord, open my lips,
And my mouth shall show forth Your praise.
16 For You do not desire sacrifice, or else I would give it;
You do not delight in burnt offering.
17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit,
A broken and a contrite heart—
These, O God, You will not despise.
psalm 51:7-17
2 Samuel 7
2 Samuel 7 (The Message)
- v1-2 Before long, the king made himself at home and God gave him peace from all his enemies. Then one day King David said to Nathan the prophet, "Look at this: Here I am, comfortable in a luxurious house of cedar, and the Chest of God sits in a plain tent."
- v3 Nathan told the king, "Whatever is on your heart, go and do it. God is with you."
- v4-5 But that night, the word of God came to Nathan saying, "Go and tell my servant David: This is God's word on the matter: You're going to build a 'house' for me to live in?
- v 8-9 "So here is what you are to tell my servant David: The God-of-the-Angel-Armies has this word for you: I took you from the pasture, tagging along after sheep, and made you prince over my people Israel. I was with you everywhere you went and mowed your enemies down before you. Now I'm making you famous, to be ranked with the great names on earth....
- v11 Finally, I'm going to give you peace from all your enemies. Furthermore, God has this message for you: God himself will build you a house!
- v18-21 King David went in, took his place before God, and prayed: "Who am I, my Master God, and what is my family, that you have brought me to this place in life? But that's nothing compared to what's coming... What can I possibly say in the face of all this? You know me, Master God, just as I am. You've done all this not because of who I am but because of who you are—out of your very heart!—but you've let me in on it.
---------------------------------------
Recently, a few people have come to me to share with me about stuff related to the one-north building fund, and also about the coming Miracle Sunday.
People came to share with me about how finances came for them to sow, and people also came to tell me about their lack of faith to sow.
And I felt the release to share with them about what God has done for me as well. And seeing my daily devotion for today, I'll share with you gals as well.
Describing all that happened in detail is going to be a mouthful, so I'll just share the facts. If you all wanna know more, feel free to approach me.
I told God in March, "How can I expect a substantial increase in income this year, looking at my pathetic salary?" I knew I was going to get a special half-month bonus in April, and that would bring my take-home income to slightly more than $3,000.
But in faith, sitting in my bedroom, I declared, "God, I call forth prosperity for myself in the month of April. Devil, hands off my finances! By the authority of my Lord Jesus Christ, ministering angels, go! And bring forth my finances to me. I claim $4,000 - $5,000 for the month of April. In Jesus' name!"
Because I knew that any increase in income is definitely not going to come from my salary. And you could tell how faithless I was that I couldn't even say $5,000, and I had to give God a range.
And guess what?
On 7 April, I received a credit in my bank account from CPF. They had cashed out my ERS shares and I got around $1,200+.
Then I woke up last Sunday and my mum told me she found a purse somewhere in her wardrobe and gave it to me. I opened it and found a whole wad of Australian dollars and a whole bunch of coins. It was easily a few hundred Australian dollars. My Hillsong Conference trip in July has been PAID FOR!!!
Then I realised. Oh my God, I had never planned to go to London at all last month!!! And suddenly I'm planning for my London trip, and it is also PAID FOR!!!
Another CPF letter came in a few days ago, telling me to pay off my school loan of $23,000+.
My dad told me, "Don't worry, I'll pay it off for you." My NUS degree, also PAID FOR!!!
Not to mention all the sudden adhoc treats my bosses have been giving this month. They brought us out for lunch at T2 Swensons + takeaway ice cream cakes, and I've got a dinner treat tonight at some restaurant after work.
I don't even need to calculate. The monetary blessings I've received this month can add up to so much more than the $5,000 that I've claimed. And it's not even the middle of the month yet. God provides exceedingly, abundantly indeed.
-------------------------------
EDIT - OMG!! I JUST FOUND OUT I GOT A PAY INCREMENT AND BACKPAY ALL THE WAY BACK TO JAN!!!
- v1-2 Before long, the king made himself at home and God gave him peace from all his enemies. Then one day King David said to Nathan the prophet, "Look at this: Here I am, comfortable in a luxurious house of cedar, and the Chest of God sits in a plain tent."
- v3 Nathan told the king, "Whatever is on your heart, go and do it. God is with you."
- v4-5 But that night, the word of God came to Nathan saying, "Go and tell my servant David: This is God's word on the matter: You're going to build a 'house' for me to live in?
- v 8-9 "So here is what you are to tell my servant David: The God-of-the-Angel-Armies has this word for you: I took you from the pasture, tagging along after sheep, and made you prince over my people Israel. I was with you everywhere you went and mowed your enemies down before you. Now I'm making you famous, to be ranked with the great names on earth....
- v11 Finally, I'm going to give you peace from all your enemies. Furthermore, God has this message for you: God himself will build you a house!
- v18-21 King David went in, took his place before God, and prayed: "Who am I, my Master God, and what is my family, that you have brought me to this place in life? But that's nothing compared to what's coming... What can I possibly say in the face of all this? You know me, Master God, just as I am. You've done all this not because of who I am but because of who you are—out of your very heart!—but you've let me in on it.
---------------------------------------
Recently, a few people have come to me to share with me about stuff related to the one-north building fund, and also about the coming Miracle Sunday.
People came to share with me about how finances came for them to sow, and people also came to tell me about their lack of faith to sow.
And I felt the release to share with them about what God has done for me as well. And seeing my daily devotion for today, I'll share with you gals as well.
Describing all that happened in detail is going to be a mouthful, so I'll just share the facts. If you all wanna know more, feel free to approach me.
I told God in March, "How can I expect a substantial increase in income this year, looking at my pathetic salary?" I knew I was going to get a special half-month bonus in April, and that would bring my take-home income to slightly more than $3,000.
But in faith, sitting in my bedroom, I declared, "God, I call forth prosperity for myself in the month of April. Devil, hands off my finances! By the authority of my Lord Jesus Christ, ministering angels, go! And bring forth my finances to me. I claim $4,000 - $5,000 for the month of April. In Jesus' name!"
Because I knew that any increase in income is definitely not going to come from my salary. And you could tell how faithless I was that I couldn't even say $5,000, and I had to give God a range.
And guess what?
On 7 April, I received a credit in my bank account from CPF. They had cashed out my ERS shares and I got around $1,200+.
Then I woke up last Sunday and my mum told me she found a purse somewhere in her wardrobe and gave it to me. I opened it and found a whole wad of Australian dollars and a whole bunch of coins. It was easily a few hundred Australian dollars. My Hillsong Conference trip in July has been PAID FOR!!!
Then I realised. Oh my God, I had never planned to go to London at all last month!!! And suddenly I'm planning for my London trip, and it is also PAID FOR!!!
Another CPF letter came in a few days ago, telling me to pay off my school loan of $23,000+.
My dad told me, "Don't worry, I'll pay it off for you." My NUS degree, also PAID FOR!!!
Not to mention all the sudden adhoc treats my bosses have been giving this month. They brought us out for lunch at T2 Swensons + takeaway ice cream cakes, and I've got a dinner treat tonight at some restaurant after work.
I don't even need to calculate. The monetary blessings I've received this month can add up to so much more than the $5,000 that I've claimed. And it's not even the middle of the month yet. God provides exceedingly, abundantly indeed.
-------------------------------
EDIT - OMG!! I JUST FOUND OUT I GOT A PAY INCREMENT AND BACKPAY ALL THE WAY BACK TO JAN!!!
Thursday, April 10, 2008
2 Samuel 6
2 Samuel 6
- v20 Then David returned to bless his household. And Michal the daughter of Saul came out to meet David, and said, “How glorious was the king of Israel today, uncovering himself today in the eyes of the maids of his servants, as one of the base fellows shamelessly uncovers himself!”
- v21-22 So David said to Michal, “It was before the LORD, who chose me instead of your father and all his house, to appoint me ruler over the people of the LORD, over Israel. Therefore I will play music before the LORD. And I will be even more undignified than this, and will be humble in my own sight. But as for the maidservants of whom you have spoken, by them I will be held in honor.”
- v23 Therefore Michal the daughter of Saul had no children to the day of her death.
----------------------------
Even David's own wife had things to say to him!!
And Michal never had a heart for the Ark, because her father never did. And some people, even after seeing you become king/queen, will still be blind to see that your success is attributed to having Jesus in your life!
- v20 Then David returned to bless his household. And Michal the daughter of Saul came out to meet David, and said, “How glorious was the king of Israel today, uncovering himself today in the eyes of the maids of his servants, as one of the base fellows shamelessly uncovers himself!”
- v21-22 So David said to Michal, “It was before the LORD, who chose me instead of your father and all his house, to appoint me ruler over the people of the LORD, over Israel. Therefore I will play music before the LORD. And I will be even more undignified than this, and will be humble in my own sight. But as for the maidservants of whom you have spoken, by them I will be held in honor.”
- v23 Therefore Michal the daughter of Saul had no children to the day of her death.
----------------------------
Even David's own wife had things to say to him!!
And Michal never had a heart for the Ark, because her father never did. And some people, even after seeing you become king/queen, will still be blind to see that your success is attributed to having Jesus in your life!
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
2 Samuel 5
2 Samuel 5 (Amplified)
- v3 So all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron, and King David made a covenant with them [there] before the Lord, and they anointed [him] king over Israel.
- v10 David became greater and greater, for the Lord God of hosts was with him.
Even though the people of Israel had already made David their king, David only considered himself king over Israel when the Lord confirmed it.
- v3 So all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron, and King David made a covenant with them [there] before the Lord, and they anointed [him] king over Israel.
- v10 David became greater and greater, for the Lord God of hosts was with him.
- v11 Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and cedar trees, carpenters, and masons; and they built David a house.
- v12 And David perceived that the Lord had established him king over Israel and that He had exalted his kingdom for His people Israel's sake.
-------------------------------------------Even though the people of Israel had already made David their king, David only considered himself king over Israel when the Lord confirmed it.
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
2 Corinthians 12:9
And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.”....
His grace is sufficient for me.
That is all I need.
His strength is made perfect in weakness.
To place down my pride and be vulnerable before God.
His grace is sufficient for me.
That is all I need.
His strength is made perfect in weakness.
To place down my pride and be vulnerable before God.
2 Samuel 2-4
2 Samuel 4
- v8 And they brought the head of Ishbosheth to David at Hebron, and said to the king, “Here is the head of Ishbosheth, the son of Saul your enemy, who sought your life; and the LORD has avenged my lord the king this day of Saul and his descendants.”
- v9-11 But David answered Rechab and Baanah his brother, the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, and said to them, “As the LORD lives, who has redeemed my life from all adversity, when someone told me, saying, ‘Look, Saul is dead,’ thinking to have brought good news, I arrested him and had him executed in Ziklag—the one who thought I would give him a reward for his news. How much more, when wicked men have killed a righteous person in his own house on his bed? Therefore, shall I not now require his blood at your hand and remove you from the earth?”
-------------------------------------------------------
If you've noticed by now, a lot of ppl SAID things to David, every one of using the Lord's name in what they wanted to tell him.
But David always knew when it was God, and when it was not.
- v8 And they brought the head of Ishbosheth to David at Hebron, and said to the king, “Here is the head of Ishbosheth, the son of Saul your enemy, who sought your life; and the LORD has avenged my lord the king this day of Saul and his descendants.”
- v9-11 But David answered Rechab and Baanah his brother, the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, and said to them, “As the LORD lives, who has redeemed my life from all adversity, when someone told me, saying, ‘Look, Saul is dead,’ thinking to have brought good news, I arrested him and had him executed in Ziklag—the one who thought I would give him a reward for his news. How much more, when wicked men have killed a righteous person in his own house on his bed? Therefore, shall I not now require his blood at your hand and remove you from the earth?”
-------------------------------------------------------
If you've noticed by now, a lot of ppl SAID things to David, every one of using the Lord's name in what they wanted to tell him.
But David always knew when it was God, and when it was not.
Monday, April 7, 2008
Proverbs 12,13
" The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but he who heeds counsel is wise." Proverbs 12: 15
"A wise son heeds his father's instruction, but a scoffer does not listen to rebuke." Proverbs 13: 1
" Poverty and shame will come to him who disdains correction, but he who regards a rebuke will be honoured." Proverbs 13:18
reading these few verses just makes me want to humble myself and receive constructive correction and feedback from God and people around me.
"A wise son heeds his father's instruction, but a scoffer does not listen to rebuke." Proverbs 13: 1
" Poverty and shame will come to him who disdains correction, but he who regards a rebuke will be honoured." Proverbs 13:18
reading these few verses just makes me want to humble myself and receive constructive correction and feedback from God and people around me.
2 Samuel 1
2 Samuel 1
- v14-16 So David said to him, “How was it you were not afraid to put forth your hand to destroy the LORD’s anointed?” Then David called one of the young men and said, “Go near, and execute him!” And he struck him so that he died. So David said to him, “Your blood is on your own head, for your own mouth has testified against you, saying, ‘I have killed the LORD’s anointed.’”
--------------------------------
Even after David was told that Saul is finally dead, he still saw him as the Lord's anointed.
- v14-16 So David said to him, “How was it you were not afraid to put forth your hand to destroy the LORD’s anointed?” Then David called one of the young men and said, “Go near, and execute him!” And he struck him so that he died. So David said to him, “Your blood is on your own head, for your own mouth has testified against you, saying, ‘I have killed the LORD’s anointed.’”
--------------------------------
Even after David was told that Saul is finally dead, he still saw him as the Lord's anointed.
Sunday, April 6, 2008
1 Samuel 28-31
1 Samuel 30 (The Message)
Deuteronomy 8:17-18 (The Message)
- v17-18 If you start thinking to yourselves, "I did all this. And all by myself. I'm rich. It's all mine!"—well, think again. Remember that God, your God, gave you the strength to produce all this wealth so as to confirm the covenant that he promised to your ancestors—as it is today.
- v18-20 David rescued everything the Amalekites had taken. And he rescued his two wives! Nothing and no one was missing—young or old, son or daughter, plunder or whatever. David recovered the whole lot. He herded the sheep and cattle before them, and they all shouted, "David's plunder!"
- v21 Then David came to the two hundred who had been too tired to continue with him and had dropped out at the Brook Besor. They came out to welcome David and his band. As he came near he called out, "Success!"
- v22 But all the mean-spirited men who had marched with David, the rabble element, objected: "They didn't help in the rescue, they don't get any of the plunder we recovered. Each man can have his wife and children, but that's it. Take them and go!"
- v23-25 "Families don't do this sort of thing! Oh no, my brothers!" said David as he broke up the argument. "You can't act this way with what God gave us! God kept us safe. He handed over the raiders who attacked us. Who would ever listen to this kind of talk? The share of the one who stays with the gear is the share of the one who fights—equal shares. Share and share alike!" From that day on, David made that the rule in Israel—and it still is.
---------------------------------------------Deuteronomy 8:17-18 (The Message)
- v17-18 If you start thinking to yourselves, "I did all this. And all by myself. I'm rich. It's all mine!"—well, think again. Remember that God, your God, gave you the strength to produce all this wealth so as to confirm the covenant that he promised to your ancestors—as it is today.
Saturday, April 5, 2008
1 Samuel 27
1 Samuel 27 (The Message)
- v7 David lived in Philistine country a year and four months.
David wasn't naive and stupid.
- v7 David lived in Philistine country a year and four months.
- v8 From time to time David and his men raided the Geshurites, the Girzites, and the Amalekites...
- v10 Achish would ask, "And whom did you raid today?"
- v11 David would tell him, "Oh, the Negev of Judah," or "The Negev of Jerahmeel," or "The Negev of the Kenites." He never left a single person alive lest one show up in Gath and report what David had really been doing. This is the way David operated all the time he lived in Philistine country.
- v12 Achish came to trust David completely. He thought, "He's made himself so repugnant to his people that he'll be in my camp forever."
----------------------------------------David wasn't naive and stupid.
1 Samuel 26
1 Samuel 26
- v8 Then Abishai said to David, “God has delivered your enemy into your hand this day. Now therefore, please, let me strike him at once with the spear, right to the earth; and I will not have to strike him a second time!”
- v9-11 But David said to Abishai, “Do not destroy him; for who can stretch out his hand against the LORD’s anointed, and be guiltless?” David said furthermore, “As the LORD lives, the LORD shall strike him, or his day shall come to die, or he shall go out to battle and perish. The LORD forbid that I should stretch out my hand against the LORD’s anointed...
- v8 Then Abishai said to David, “God has delivered your enemy into your hand this day. Now therefore, please, let me strike him at once with the spear, right to the earth; and I will not have to strike him a second time!”
- v9-11 But David said to Abishai, “Do not destroy him; for who can stretch out his hand against the LORD’s anointed, and be guiltless?” David said furthermore, “As the LORD lives, the LORD shall strike him, or his day shall come to die, or he shall go out to battle and perish. The LORD forbid that I should stretch out my hand against the LORD’s anointed...
Friday, April 4, 2008
1 Samuel 25
1 Samuel 25 (The Message)
- v28 (Abigail to David) "Forgive my presumption! But God is at work in my master, developing a rule solid and dependable. My master fights God's battles! As long as you live no evil will stick to you.
- v28 (Abigail to David) "Forgive my presumption! But God is at work in my master, developing a rule solid and dependable. My master fights God's battles! As long as you live no evil will stick to you.
- v30-31 (Abigail to David) "When God completes all the goodness he has promised my master and sets you up as prince over Israel, my master will not have this dead weight in his heart, the guilt of an avenging murder. And when God has worked things for good for my master, remember me."
- AMP v33 (David to Abigail) And blessed be your discretion and advice, and blessed be you who have kept me today from bloodguiltiness and from avenging myself with my own hand.
Thursday, April 3, 2008
1 Samuel 24
1 Samuel 24
- v4-7 Then the men of David said to him, “This is the day of which the LORD said to you, ‘Behold, I will deliver your enemy into your hand, that you may do to him as it seems good to you.’” And David arose and secretly cut off a corner of Saul’s robe. Now it happened afterward that David’s heart troubled him because he had cut Saul’s robe. And he said to his men, “The LORD forbid that I should do this thing to my master, the LORD’s anointed, to stretch out my hand against him, seeing he is the anointed of the LORD.” So David restrained his servants with these words, and did not allow them to rise against Saul. And Saul got up from the cave and went on his way.
- v12 Let the LORD judge between you and me, and let the LORD avenge me on you. But my hand shall not be against you.
- MSG v17-18 (Saul to David) "You're the one in the right, not me," he continued. "You've heaped good on me; I've dumped evil on you. And now you've done it again—treated me generously. God put me in your hands and you didn't kill me.
- v19-20 (Saul to David) ... Therefore may the LORD reward you with good for what you have done to me this day. And now I know indeed that you shall surely be king, and that the kingdom of Israel shall be established in your hand.
-----------------------------------------------------
David followed his heart (the Lord's leading), and not what people said / told him to do.
- v4-7 Then the men of David said to him, “This is the day of which the LORD said to you, ‘Behold, I will deliver your enemy into your hand, that you may do to him as it seems good to you.’” And David arose and secretly cut off a corner of Saul’s robe. Now it happened afterward that David’s heart troubled him because he had cut Saul’s robe. And he said to his men, “The LORD forbid that I should do this thing to my master, the LORD’s anointed, to stretch out my hand against him, seeing he is the anointed of the LORD.” So David restrained his servants with these words, and did not allow them to rise against Saul. And Saul got up from the cave and went on his way.
- v12 Let the LORD judge between you and me, and let the LORD avenge me on you. But my hand shall not be against you.
- MSG v17-18 (Saul to David) "You're the one in the right, not me," he continued. "You've heaped good on me; I've dumped evil on you. And now you've done it again—treated me generously. God put me in your hands and you didn't kill me.
- v19-20 (Saul to David) ... Therefore may the LORD reward you with good for what you have done to me this day. And now I know indeed that you shall surely be king, and that the kingdom of Israel shall be established in your hand.
-----------------------------------------------------
David followed his heart (the Lord's leading), and not what people said / told him to do.
hosea 6
6 For I desire mercy and not sacrifice,
And the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.
hosea 6:6
this is our Father's heart- that we receive every good thing that He has for our lives by grace. He desires so much that we know His heart that is always towards us.
And the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.
hosea 6:6
this is our Father's heart- that we receive every good thing that He has for our lives by grace. He desires so much that we know His heart that is always towards us.
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
2 Corinthians 9:7-8
7 So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.
Having God's grace abound towards us. God's undeserved unmerited favour is for us. Having all sufficiency in all things. Meaning having sufficient time, wisdom and strength to go about doing what is needed.
1 Samuel 22-23
1 Samuel 22
- v3 Then David went from there to Mizpah of Moab; and he said to the king of Moab, “Please let my father and mother come here with you, till I know what God will do for me.”
1 Samuel 23
- v1 Then they told David, saying, “Look, the Philistines are fighting against Keilah, and they are robbing the threshing floors.”
- v2 Therefore David inquired of the LORD, saying, “Shall I go and attack these Philistines?”
And the LORD said to David, “Go and attack the Philistines, and save Keilah.”
- v3-5 But David’s men said to him, “Look, we are afraid here in Judah. How much more then if we go to Keilah against the armies of the Philistines?” Then David inquired of the LORD once again.
And the LORD answered him and said, “Arise, go down to Keilah. For I will deliver the Philistines into your hand.” And David and his men went to Keilah and fought with the Philistines, struck them with a mighty blow, and took away their livestock. So David saved the inhabitants of Keilah.
- v6 Now it happened, when Abiathar the son of Ahimelech fled to David at Keilah, that he went down with an ephod in his hand.
- v7-8 And Saul was told that David had gone to Keilah. So Saul said, “God has delivered him into my hand, for he has shut himself in by entering a town that has gates and bars.” Then Saul called all the people together for war, to go down to Keilah to besiege David and his men.
- v9-11 When David knew that Saul plotted evil against him, he said to Abiathar the priest, “Bring the ephod here.” Then David said, “O LORD God of Israel, Your servant has certainly heard that Saul seeks to come to Keilah to destroy the city for my sake. Will the men of Keilah deliver me into his hand? Will Saul come down, as Your servant has heard? O LORD God of Israel, I pray, tell Your servant.”
And the LORD said, “He will come down.”
- v12 Then David said, “Will the men of Keilah deliver me and my men into the hand of Saul?”
And the LORD said, “They will deliver you.”
- v13 So David and his men, about six hundred, arose and departed from Keilah and went wherever they could go. Then it was told Saul that David had escaped from Keilah; so he halted the expedition.
-----------------------------------------------------------
Saul judged by circumstances, David inquired of the Lord.
- v3 Then David went from there to Mizpah of Moab; and he said to the king of Moab, “Please let my father and mother come here with you, till I know what God will do for me.”
1 Samuel 23
- v1 Then they told David, saying, “Look, the Philistines are fighting against Keilah, and they are robbing the threshing floors.”
- v2 Therefore David inquired of the LORD, saying, “Shall I go and attack these Philistines?”
And the LORD said to David, “Go and attack the Philistines, and save Keilah.”
- v3-5 But David’s men said to him, “Look, we are afraid here in Judah. How much more then if we go to Keilah against the armies of the Philistines?” Then David inquired of the LORD once again.
And the LORD answered him and said, “Arise, go down to Keilah. For I will deliver the Philistines into your hand.” And David and his men went to Keilah and fought with the Philistines, struck them with a mighty blow, and took away their livestock. So David saved the inhabitants of Keilah.
- v6 Now it happened, when Abiathar the son of Ahimelech fled to David at Keilah, that he went down with an ephod in his hand.
- v7-8 And Saul was told that David had gone to Keilah. So Saul said, “God has delivered him into my hand, for he has shut himself in by entering a town that has gates and bars.” Then Saul called all the people together for war, to go down to Keilah to besiege David and his men.
- v9-11 When David knew that Saul plotted evil against him, he said to Abiathar the priest, “Bring the ephod here.” Then David said, “O LORD God of Israel, Your servant has certainly heard that Saul seeks to come to Keilah to destroy the city for my sake. Will the men of Keilah deliver me into his hand? Will Saul come down, as Your servant has heard? O LORD God of Israel, I pray, tell Your servant.”
And the LORD said, “He will come down.”
- v12 Then David said, “Will the men of Keilah deliver me and my men into the hand of Saul?”
And the LORD said, “They will deliver you.”
- v13 So David and his men, about six hundred, arose and departed from Keilah and went wherever they could go. Then it was told Saul that David had escaped from Keilah; so he halted the expedition.
-----------------------------------------------------------
Saul judged by circumstances, David inquired of the Lord.
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Psalm 1
Blessed is the man
Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly,
Nor stands in the paths of the sinners,
Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;
But his delight is in the law of the LORD,
And in His law he meditates day and night.
He shall be like a tree
Planted by the rivers of water,
That brings forth its fruit in its season,
Whose leaf also shall not wither;
And whatever he does shall prosper.
Psalm 1:1-3
Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly,
Nor stands in the paths of the sinners,
Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;
But his delight is in the law of the LORD,
And in His law he meditates day and night.
He shall be like a tree
Planted by the rivers of water,
That brings forth its fruit in its season,
Whose leaf also shall not wither;
And whatever he does shall prosper.
Psalm 1:1-3
1 Samuel 20-21
1 Samuel 20
- MSG v23 Regarding all the things we've discussed, remember that God's in on this with us to the very end!"
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1 Samuel 21
- MSG v3 Now, what's there here to eat? Do you have five loaves of bread? Give me whatever you can scrounge up!"
- MSG v6 So the priest gave them the holy bread. It was the only bread he had, Bread of the Presence that had been removed from God's presence and replaced by fresh bread at the same time.
- MSG v23 Regarding all the things we've discussed, remember that God's in on this with us to the very end!"
-------------------------------
1 Samuel 21
- MSG v3 Now, what's there here to eat? Do you have five loaves of bread? Give me whatever you can scrounge up!"
- MSG v6 So the priest gave them the holy bread. It was the only bread he had, Bread of the Presence that had been removed from God's presence and replaced by fresh bread at the same time.
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