2010年8月21日星期六
Where do i go from here?
"So lost" has been bombing my mind. I am "clueless" and "restless". On the verge of giving up when God appeared in the least expected way. Someone came along and asked me - how have your season been? Go back and experience that season that you once worked on. The season of intimacy with God. Clarity will surely come. Go.. go and experience that which you have lost, He will surely come through.
2010年5月13日星期四
The "bad" is included in HIS "all"
1 less bad experience = 1 less lens/filter. Every experience we go through in life becomes a mental filter/lens which either helps us see things clearer or blurer. If I have not gone through the 1st incident, my eyes would not be opened to similar incidents. If there was no awareness, my tiny brain will not be “infested” and my heart will not be infected by fear - fear of failing, fear of stumbling & sinning, fear of hurting others.
Yet deep down in me there was this voice that said ’Remember “All things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose”?’ The experience was bad and it became like a shadow that I could never shake it off, followed me wherever I went, but there remains a mysterious outcome, which the Creator of the Universe guaranteed that it will be good.
As I seek solace in the love of God through His Word, my tiny but active brain was drawn to the what my cheeky friend said - I am committed to you and this friendship. I was blessed because my greatest fear is when others know about me, they will not want to have me as a friend so I rather not disclose too much. But having said it all, pretense is no longer required and is a great relief to me. And when I was searching on something on the internet, I found the following
My cheeky fren did what Jonathan did... she encouraged me by accepting me instead of judging me.
I am thankful to God and grateful my cheeky friend.
Yet deep down in me there was this voice that said ’Remember “All things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose”?’ The experience was bad and it became like a shadow that I could never shake it off, followed me wherever I went, but there remains a mysterious outcome, which the Creator of the Universe guaranteed that it will be good.
As I seek solace in the love of God through His Word, my tiny but active brain was drawn to the what my cheeky friend said - I am committed to you and this friendship. I was blessed because my greatest fear is when others know about me, they will not want to have me as a friend so I rather not disclose too much. But having said it all, pretense is no longer required and is a great relief to me. And when I was searching on something on the internet, I found the following
1 Samuel 18
Saul's Jealousy of David
1 After David had finished talking with Saul, Jonathan became one in spirit with David, and he loved him as himself. 2 From that day Saul kept David with him and did not let him return to his father's house. 3 And Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself. 4 Jonathan took off the robe he was wearing and gave it to David, along with his tunic, and even his sword, his bow and his belt.
1 Samuel 23:16-18
16 And Saul's son Jonathan went to David at Horesh and helped him find strength in God. 17 "Don't be afraid," he said. "My father Saul will not lay a hand on you. You will be king over Israel, and I will be second to you. Even my father Saul knows this." 18 The two of them made a covenant before the LORD. Then Jonathan went home, but David remained at Horesh.
My cheeky fren did what Jonathan did... she encouraged me by accepting me instead of judging me.
I am thankful to God and grateful my cheeky friend.
2010年5月8日星期六
HE HAS Made Everything Beautiful.....
I was looking at something I wrote but never “published”
I am reminded of Ecclesiastes 3:1 – 11
1 There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven:
2 a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot,
3 a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build,
4 a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance,
5 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain,
6 a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away,
7 a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak,
8 a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.
9 What does the worker gain from his toil? 10 I have seen the burden God has laid on men. 11 He has made everything beautiful in its time.
GOD said He HAS made EVERYTHING beautiful in its time... and I really have to believe that HE HAS indeed made all things beautiful ....
Just when I decided to “drop out of the friendship game” and move on after having tried so hard, cried so much and hurt so bad and let God have His Way, things took an unexpected turn.
God gave me another friend. It’s strange how we became friends. I wanted to get to know this person yet I wanted to “stay out” of friendship(as past issues never “fail” to haunt me) while at the back of my mind there was “mission” to accomplish. It’s “strange” how God, within such a short time, breakdown the wall I built to protect myself when He placed this friend in my life.
Then, one of my “old” fren wrote to me saying that she actually drafted an email to me wanting to ask me not to leave the friendship, but decided to delete bcos it was too mushy. Strangely when this thing happen on Monday/Tuesday, there was no excitement in me instead I felt very sad. I could not feel my heart or rather I wonder if it has hardened itself. I wondered why we do not appreciate/treasure another until we lose or about to lose that one person? A time to heal.. a time to kill... a time to tear down..a time to build...I found no answer to my “whys” except to trust in the ONE who said HE HAS made everything beautiful in its time. And as I learn to trust in HIM who has made everything beautiful in its time, I am reminded of the song...
Is no fun going thru all these as many wonder what planet have i come from, am thankful that HE who Made everything beautiful is faithful.
2008... has it left you without any memories?.
For me.. it was suppose to b a significant year.
2008 - A year where by I was kept in the quiver.. A year whereby God gave me back what I had lost after I decided that He knows what is best for me and let Him have His Way. It was a year whereby God opened a way for me to pray for colleagues ; invite colleagues to church and "commanding" my family to "sit quietly" to watch a Christian DVD.
And it was a year whereby God brought someone, back from NZ for holidays, to remind me good friends are hard to come by.. treasure them and to stand by them. To not focus on the "bad" but on their "good".
And truly.. this was the year that I was thankful to God for as it marked the 10th anniversary for my friendship with a few friends. Though there were no celebration.. no party to "commemorate", still deep within my heart, I am thankful that God gave me wonderful friends. Despite of my pecularities, they had been my friends and are still my friends
I am reminded of Ecclesiastes 3:1 – 11
1 There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven:
2 a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot,
3 a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build,
4 a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance,
5 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain,
6 a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away,
7 a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak,
8 a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.
9 What does the worker gain from his toil? 10 I have seen the burden God has laid on men. 11 He has made everything beautiful in its time.
GOD said He HAS made EVERYTHING beautiful in its time... and I really have to believe that HE HAS indeed made all things beautiful ....
Just when I decided to “drop out of the friendship game” and move on after having tried so hard, cried so much and hurt so bad and let God have His Way, things took an unexpected turn.
God gave me another friend. It’s strange how we became friends. I wanted to get to know this person yet I wanted to “stay out” of friendship(as past issues never “fail” to haunt me) while at the back of my mind there was “mission” to accomplish. It’s “strange” how God, within such a short time, breakdown the wall I built to protect myself when He placed this friend in my life.
Then, one of my “old” fren wrote to me saying that she actually drafted an email to me wanting to ask me not to leave the friendship, but decided to delete bcos it was too mushy. Strangely when this thing happen on Monday/Tuesday, there was no excitement in me instead I felt very sad. I could not feel my heart or rather I wonder if it has hardened itself. I wondered why we do not appreciate/treasure another until we lose or about to lose that one person? A time to heal.. a time to kill... a time to tear down..a time to build...I found no answer to my “whys” except to trust in the ONE who said HE HAS made everything beautiful in its time. And as I learn to trust in HIM who has made everything beautiful in its time, I am reminded of the song...
"As I looked back on this road I've travelled
I see so many times He carried me through
If there's one thing I have learned in my life
My Redeemer is Faithful and True
My Redeemer is Faithful and True
Everything He has said He will do
And every morning His mercies are new
My Redeemer is Faithful and True
My heart rejoices when I read the promise
"There is a place I am preparing for you"
I know some day I'll see my Lord face to face
My Redeemer is Faithful and True
My Redeemer is Faithful and True
Everything He has said He will do
And every morning His mercies are new
My Redeemer is Faithful and True
And in every situation
He has proved His Love to me
when I lack the understanding
He gives more grace to me"
Is no fun going thru all these as many wonder what planet have i come from, am thankful that HE who Made everything beautiful is faithful.
2010年4月29日星期四
When you believe...
Was bombarding my tiny brain with this song for many nights...hoping that it lift up my spirit.. hoping for a miracle. As I was sitting in front of my laptop listening to the song again, a few minutes ago, it suddenly dawned on me - tho the 2 singers sang so well...tho they sang with their hearts, looked what happen to them?
Many nights, we've prayed
With no proof anyone could hear
In our hearts, a hopeful song
We barely understood
Now, we are not afraid
Although we know there's much to fear
We were moving mountains long
Before we knew we could
(Chorus 1:)
There can be miracles
When you believe
Though hope is frail
It's hard to kill
Who knows what miracles
You can achieve
When you believe
Somehow, you will
You will when you believe
In this time of fear
When prayer so often proves in vain
Hopes seems like the summer birds
Too swiftly flown away
Yet, now, I'm standing here
My heart so full I can't explain
Seeking faith and speaking words
I never thought I'd say
Is it true that it is so simple that there can be miracles when you believe? Looks to me that God is reminding me that it is not simply when you believe but who you believe in. Don't be deceived cos we can believe in many things but only when hope is in Him, then there is real hope.
Many nights, we've prayed
With no proof anyone could hear
In our hearts, a hopeful song
We barely understood
Now, we are not afraid
Although we know there's much to fear
We were moving mountains long
Before we knew we could
(Chorus 1:)
There can be miracles
When you believe
Though hope is frail
It's hard to kill
Who knows what miracles
You can achieve
When you believe
Somehow, you will
You will when you believe
In this time of fear
When prayer so often proves in vain
Hopes seems like the summer birds
Too swiftly flown away
Yet, now, I'm standing here
My heart so full I can't explain
Seeking faith and speaking words
I never thought I'd say
Is it true that it is so simple that there can be miracles when you believe? Looks to me that God is reminding me that it is not simply when you believe but who you believe in. Don't be deceived cos we can believe in many things but only when hope is in Him, then there is real hope.
2010年2月16日星期二
Point of Grace...
Experiences either make or break us. How can we ensure that it always make but never break us? How do we encourage those going through tough times?
Does it help just telling them God never waste the things He has allowed you to go through?
Or maybe tell them it is but temporal and there is light at the end of the tunnel. Oh, just tell them I will keep you in prayer, brother/sister.
Will we give more?
Oh.. I can't. I have my work commitment. I am inadequate. My family needs my time. Its their fault that they got themselves into such a situation, so why bother. He/she has gone through this so many times, never learnt, he/she does not deserve any help. This person has many friends, so surely there was helped rendered. All so valid..so true.
I found comfort in this song "The Point of Grace" by Dennis Jernigarn -
When the fire of life leaves you so dry, that your eyes have no tears left to cry. When heartache leads you wondering why, wondering how you will survive.
And when you've grown too tired to run this race, find your strength is gone without a trace. when you reached that lonely desperate place. child, you have reached your point of grace.
I will meet you there, when your striving end and I will hold you there in my embrace. And you will find a place where true joy begins when you reached the Point of Grace. When you reached the Point of Grace.
When your hopes and dreams begin to fade, disappointment clouding all the plans you havemade. Feeling lonely broken and afraid, Seem so long since you seen the light of day.
When it seem life every trial you face, lead you one step closer to the place when you fall away, you reach for my embrace child you have reached the point of Grace.
Just let go and you will see. Just mighty what love can be. Child, your greatest strength is when you are weak. Looking up from your brokenness to me.
I will meet you there ....
Though all I gotten were accusation, judgements,criticisms... the Lord's assurance, comfort cheers me n led me on.... Though tough times are not nice times, they are my points of Grace.
Does it help just telling them God never waste the things He has allowed you to go through?
Or maybe tell them it is but temporal and there is light at the end of the tunnel. Oh, just tell them I will keep you in prayer, brother/sister.
Will we give more?
Oh.. I can't. I have my work commitment. I am inadequate. My family needs my time. Its their fault that they got themselves into such a situation, so why bother. He/she has gone through this so many times, never learnt, he/she does not deserve any help. This person has many friends, so surely there was helped rendered. All so valid..so true.
I found comfort in this song "The Point of Grace" by Dennis Jernigarn -
When the fire of life leaves you so dry, that your eyes have no tears left to cry. When heartache leads you wondering why, wondering how you will survive.
And when you've grown too tired to run this race, find your strength is gone without a trace. when you reached that lonely desperate place. child, you have reached your point of grace.
I will meet you there, when your striving end and I will hold you there in my embrace. And you will find a place where true joy begins when you reached the Point of Grace. When you reached the Point of Grace.
When your hopes and dreams begin to fade, disappointment clouding all the plans you havemade. Feeling lonely broken and afraid, Seem so long since you seen the light of day.
When it seem life every trial you face, lead you one step closer to the place when you fall away, you reach for my embrace child you have reached the point of Grace.
Just let go and you will see. Just mighty what love can be. Child, your greatest strength is when you are weak. Looking up from your brokenness to me.
I will meet you there ....
Though all I gotten were accusation, judgements,criticisms... the Lord's assurance, comfort cheers me n led me on.... Though tough times are not nice times, they are my points of Grace.
What's Love After All??
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.1 Cor13 :4
Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 1 Cor 13:8
And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'Matt 22 :39
"If you love me, you will obey what I command.
Jn 14: 15
My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.
Jn 15:12
This is my command: Love each other.
Jn 15:17
The bible is so full of verses that about love. But what is love really? Was it all about I love you and you love me and we both feel good? Is it about I love you because you have something that I do not have, so I hope that when I love you you can give me that which I do not have? Or is it really about loving another just because God said so and I choose to do so?
I always hear others telling me if you do not love yourself no one will. Was that why God said love your neighbour as yourself??? If we do not love ourselves, then we will not be able to love others, so therefore there will not be any love because we do not have the ability to love since we can't even love ourselves. Hmmm.... what a thought.
Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 1 Cor 13:8
And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'Matt 22 :39
"If you love me, you will obey what I command.
Jn 14: 15
My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.
Jn 15:12
This is my command: Love each other.
Jn 15:17
The bible is so full of verses that about love. But what is love really? Was it all about I love you and you love me and we both feel good? Is it about I love you because you have something that I do not have, so I hope that when I love you you can give me that which I do not have? Or is it really about loving another just because God said so and I choose to do so?
I always hear others telling me if you do not love yourself no one will. Was that why God said love your neighbour as yourself??? If we do not love ourselves, then we will not be able to love others, so therefore there will not be any love because we do not have the ability to love since we can't even love ourselves. Hmmm.... what a thought.
2009年1月28日星期三
Does Your Tongue Need Healing?
Was given this book in Sep 08 and was "told that I must write a book review" on it. But very shy to say that I realised I dont know how to write one. Guess I will write it the way I want and if my "professor" find that it is not the appropriate way,then maybe my "professor" can give me some tips??? ; p
This book was written by a famous author - Derek Prince. Written when?? no idea but guess it is not very important cos what is important is that I learnt something from it and thanks to my friends who gave me this as a gift.
I was asked why do you need such a book? Does your tongue need healing? My 1st response was I just wanted to know more about it. After reading it, my response to this friend will be - I do need healing.
Many verses were quoted in the book and many principles drawn from the verses...here are some that "spoke" to me and set me thinking
25 After exploring the land for forty days, the men returned 26 to Moses, Aaron, and the whole community of Israel at Kadesh in the wilderness of Paran. They reported to the whole community what they had seen and showed them the fruit they had taken from the land. 27 This was their report to Moses: “We entered the land you sent us to explore, and it is indeed a bountiful country—a land flowing with milk and honey. Here is the kind of fruit it produces. 28 But the people living there are powerful, and their towns are large and fortified. We even saw giants there, the descendants of Anak! 31 But the other men who had explored the land with him disagreed. “We can’t go up against them! They are stronger than we are!”
30 But Caleb tried to quiet the people as they stood before Moses. “Let’s go at once to take the land,” he said. “We can certainly conquer it!”
Passage Numbers 14:
20 Then the Lord said, “I will pardon them as you have requested. 21 But as surely as I live, and as surely as the earth is filled with the Lord’s glory, 22 not one of these people will ever enter that land. They have all seen my glorious presence and the miraculous signs I performed both in Egypt and in the wilderness, but again and again they have tested me by refusing to listen to my voice. 23 They will never even see the land I swore to give their ancestors. None of those who have treated me with contempt will ever see it. 24 But my servant Caleb has a different attitude than the others have. He has remained loyal to me, so I will bring him into the land he explored. His descendants will possess their full share of that land.
26 Then the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, 27 “How long must I put up with this wicked community and its complaints about me? Yes, I have heard the complaints the Israelites are making against me. 28 Now tell them this: ‘As surely as I live, declares the Lord, I will do to you the very things I heard you say. 29 You will all drop dead in this wilderness! Because you complained against me, every one of you who is twenty years old or older and was included in the registration will die. 30 You will not enter and occupy the land I swore to give you. The only exceptions will be Caleb son of Jephunneh and Joshua son of Nun.
31 “‘You said your children would be carried off as plunder. Well, I will bring them safely into the land, and they will enjoy what you have despised. 32 But as for you, you will drop dead in this wilderness.
36 The ten men Moses had sent to explore the land—the ones who incited rebellion against the Lord with their bad report—37 were struck dead with a plague before the Lord. 38 Of the twelve who had explored the land, only Joshua and Caleb remained alive.
- v 28 Now tell them this: ‘As surely as I live, declares the Lord, I will do to you the very things I heard you say
~ God hears what we say. And watch what we say..who knows it becomes my destiny.
(F) Several diseases listed in the book
i. Excessive talking
Proverbs 10:19:
19 Too much talk leads to sin. Be sensible and keep your mouth shut.
Ecclesiastes 5
1 [a]As you enter the house of God, keep your ears open and your mouth shut. It is evil to make mindless offerings to God. 2 [b]Don’t make rash promises, and don’t be hasty in bringing matters before God. After all, God is in heaven, and you are here on earth. So let your words be few.
- While I may think I do not talk very much, but I am in danger too as the author wrote - it is as much a sin to sing a lie as it is to tell a lie.
ii. Idle/Careless Words
Matthew 12 : 36But I tell you, on the day of judgment men will have to give account for every [d]idle (inoperative, nonworking) word they speak. 37For by your words you will be justified and acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned and sentenced. - Amplified Bible
- I am afraid of silence and may fall into the danger of just babbling to keep the conversation going.
iii. Gossip
Leviticus 19:16:
16 “Do not spread slanderous gossip among your people.[a]
“Do not stand idly by when your neighbor’s life is threatened. I am the Lord.
Proverbs 20:19:
19 A gossip goes around telling secrets, so don’t hang around with chatterers.
Proverbs 20:19:19He who goes about as a talebearer reveals secrets; therefore associate not with him who talks too freely.(Amplified Bible)
- speak not and receive not
Psalm 15
1LORD, WHO shall dwell [temporarily] in Your tabernacle? Who shall dwell [permanently] on Your holy hill?
2He who walks and lives uprightly and blamelessly, who works rightness and justice and speaks and thinks the truth in his heart,
3He who does not slander with his tongue, nor does evil to his friend, nor takes up a reproach against his neighbor;
- If we slander, does evil to a friend or take up reproach agst a neighbour, the Bible say we will not get to dwell on His Holy Hill.
iv. Lying
Proverbs 6:16-19:16These six things the Lord hates, indeed, seven are an abomination to Him:
17A proud look [the spirit that makes one overestimate himself and underestimate others], a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,(A)
18A heart that manufactures wicked thoughts and plans, feet that are swift in running to evil,
19A false witness who breathes out lies [even under oath], and he who sows discord among his brethren.
Revelation 21:8:8But as for the cowards and the ignoble and the contemptible and the cravenly lacking in courage and the cowardly submissive, and as for the unbelieving and faithless, and as for the depraved and defiled with abominations, and as for murderers and the lewd and adulterous and the practicers of magic arts and the idolaters (those who give supreme devotion to anyone or anything other than God) and all liars (those who knowingly convey untruth by word or deed)--[all of these shall have] their part in the lake that blazes with fire and brimstone. This is the second death.
- Liars go to hell... I thought it was just a common saying. Now I know it is written in the Bible.
v. Flattery
Proverbs 26:28:28A lying tongue hates those it wounds and crushes, and a flattering mouth works ruin.
Proverbs 29:5:5A man who flatters his neighbor spreads a net for his own feet
- The end for flatterers and recipient of flattery is ruin
vi. Hastiness of speech
Moses got angry, smote the rock instead of speak....
Numbers 20:7-12:7And the Lord said to Moses,
8Take the rod, and assemble the congregation, you and Aaron your brother, and tell the rock before their eyes to give forth its water, and you shall bring forth to them water out of the rock; so you shall give the congregation and their livestock drink.
9So Moses took the rod from before the Lord, as He commanded him.
10And Moses and Aaron assembled the congregation before the rock and Moses said to them, Hear now, you rebels; must we bring you water out of this rock?
11And Moses lifted up his hand and with his rod he smote the rock [a]twice. And the water came out abundantly, and the congregation drank, and their livestock.
12And the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, Because you did not believe in (rely on, cling to) Me to sanctify Me in the eyes of the Israelites, you therefore [b]shall not bring this congregation into the land which I have given them.
Psalm 106:32-33:32They angered the Lord also at the waters of Meribah, so that it went ill with Moses for their sakes;(A)
33For they provoked [Moses'] spirit, so that he spoke unadvisedly with his lips.
Proverbs 29:20Do you see a man who is hasty in his words? There is more hope for a [self-confident] fool than for him.
- If Moses had to pay the price for that hasty statement...do i know what have i lost as a result of the hasty statement i have said the the past???
F. Healing
i. Call your problem by its right name: SIN
ii. Confess and receive forgiveness & cleansing
iii. refuse sin & yield to God
- I was told repeatedly that for me to receive healing I have to be honest and humble and indeed when i face it instead of excusing myself, breakthrough came.
1 John 1:7-9:
7but if we (A)walk in the Light as (B)He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and (C)the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.
8(D)If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the (E)truth is not in us.
9(F)If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and (G)to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
- It is not just saying no to sin.. i have to yield to God as only He can tame the tongue
G) Can no one really tamed the tongue?
Acts 2:1-4
1 On the day of Pentecost[a] all the believers were meeting together in one place. 2 Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were sitting. 3 Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them. 4 And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages,[b] as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability.
1st thing that the Holy Spirit did when it descended was....operated in the disciples' tongues.
After that..we see them speaking in tongues(1 Corinthians 14: 2, 4 2For one who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God; for no one understands, but in his spirit he speaks mysteries. 4One who speaks in a tongue edifies himself; but one who prophesies edifies the church. ) .. Apostle Peter boldly proclaiming the Word instead of going back to the sea ...church growth ....etc etc
Conclusion :
The questions I have for myself - do I take His Word seriously? do I believe the whole Bible is God's Word??? Or did I selectively believe? I must have believed that He is Jehovah Jireh, my provider but I did not believe that I have to account for every word I speak/sing. If I had, I would have watch my words. If I had, my conversations with my friends would have been different. It would be seasoned with salt, it would build others up,it would esteem others above myself, it would no longer be what others will think of me but what do I say so that my friends will be blessed. It would no longer be will they be offended but if it is the truth and with God's help I will speak out in love so that we will be more like Him. It would bring life instead of death. It will warm one's heart & refresh others.
Hebrews 4 :1 says.. His Promise still stands, what should my response be?
1 God’s promise of entering his rest still stands, so we ought to tremble with fear that some of you might fail to experience it.
May God help me...
This book was written by a famous author - Derek Prince. Written when?? no idea but guess it is not very important cos what is important is that I learnt something from it and thanks to my friends who gave me this as a gift.
I was asked why do you need such a book? Does your tongue need healing? My 1st response was I just wanted to know more about it. After reading it, my response to this friend will be - I do need healing.
Many verses were quoted in the book and many principles drawn from the verses...here are some that "spoke" to me and set me thinking
(A)Death or life?
Prov 18 : 21 says Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and they who indulge in it shall eat the fruit of it [for death or life] - amplified Bible
"The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences." - New Living Translation
"Words kill, words give life; they're either poison or fruit—you choose. " - The Message Bible
- There were no in betweens. Either death or life.
- the ball is in my court. I get to choose
(B) How can I being evil speaks what is good?
Matthew 12:33-37: 33"If you grow a healthy tree, you'll pick healthy fruit. If you grow a diseased tree, you'll pick worm-eaten fruit. The fruit tells you about the tree. 34 -37"You have minds like a snake pit! How do you suppose what you say is worth anything when you are so foul-minded? It's your heart, not the dictionary, that gives meaning to your words. A good person produces good deeds and words season after season. An evil person is a blight on the orchard. Let me tell you something: Every one of these careless words is going to come back to haunt you. There will be a time of Reckoning. Words are powerful; take them seriously. Words can be your salvation. Words can also be your damnation." - The Message Bible
33Either make the tree sound (healthy and good), and its fruit sound (healthy and good), or make the tree rotten (diseased and bad), and its fruit rotten (diseased and bad); for the tree is known and recognized and judged by its fruit. 34You offspring of vipers! How can you speak good things when you are evil (wicked)? For out of the fullness (the overflow, the [a]superabundance) of the heart the mouth speaks. 35The good man from his inner good treasure [b]flings forth good things, and the evil man out of his inner evil storehouse [c]flings forth evil things. 36But I tell you, on the day of judgment men will have to give account for every [d]idle (inoperative, nonworking) word they speak. 37For by your words you will be justified and acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned and sentenced. - Amplified Bible
- I thought there is no link between my speech and the condition of my heart. I always tell people that one's word may not sound edifying but the heart is good. But looks like the Bible said otherwise. Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks. The nature of the Tree(Heart) determines the kind of Fruit(Words). What is inside of me(my heart), will come out through my speech or what i say will reflect the condition of my heart.
(C)Small but Powerful
James 3:2-8
2For we all often stumble and fall and offend in many things. And if anyone does not offend in speech [never says the wrong things], he is a fully developed character and a perfect man, able to control his whole body and to curb his entire nature. 3If we set bits in the horses' mouths to make them obey us, we can turn their whole bodies about. 4Likewise, look at the ships: though they are so great and are driven by rough winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the impulse of the helmsman determines. 5Even so the tongue is a little member, and it can boast of great things. See how much wood or how great a forest a tiny spark can set ablaze! 6And the tongue is a fire. [The tongue is a] world of wickedness set among our members, contaminating and depraving the whole body and setting on fire the wheel of birth (the cycle of man's nature), being itself ignited by hell (Gehenna). 7For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea animal, can be tamed and has been tamed by human genius (nature). 8But the human tongue can be tamed by no man. It is a restless (undisciplined, irreconcilable) evil, full of deadly poison. - - Amplified Bible
- Bits vs horse, rudder vs ship & spark vs forest fire. they may be small yet it can control something big or cause destruction.
- v 7 - every kind of beast & bird.... can be tamed and has been tamed BUT v8 - human tongue can be tamed by no man..it is restless...full of DEADLY POISON.~destruction can be great.
(D) Unacceptable religion vs Acceptable Religion
James 1:26-27: 26 If any man thinketh himself to be religious, while he bridleth not his tongue but deceiveth his heart, this man's religion is vain. 27 Pure religion and undefiled before our God and Father is this, to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world. (American Std Version)
26 If you claim to be religious but don’t control your tongue, you are fooling yourself, and your religion is worthless. 27 Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you. - NLT
- Wah... Just because I do not control my tongue..God says my religion is vain.
(E) They each received what they said
Passage Numbers 13:
25 After exploring the land for forty days, the men returned 26 to Moses, Aaron, and the whole community of Israel at Kadesh in the wilderness of Paran. They reported to the whole community what they had seen and showed them the fruit they had taken from the land. 27 This was their report to Moses: “We entered the land you sent us to explore, and it is indeed a bountiful country—a land flowing with milk and honey. Here is the kind of fruit it produces. 28 But the people living there are powerful, and their towns are large and fortified. We even saw giants there, the descendants of Anak! 31 But the other men who had explored the land with him disagreed. “We can’t go up against them! They are stronger than we are!”
30 But Caleb tried to quiet the people as they stood before Moses. “Let’s go at once to take the land,” he said. “We can certainly conquer it!”
Passage Numbers 14:
20 Then the Lord said, “I will pardon them as you have requested. 21 But as surely as I live, and as surely as the earth is filled with the Lord’s glory, 22 not one of these people will ever enter that land. They have all seen my glorious presence and the miraculous signs I performed both in Egypt and in the wilderness, but again and again they have tested me by refusing to listen to my voice. 23 They will never even see the land I swore to give their ancestors. None of those who have treated me with contempt will ever see it. 24 But my servant Caleb has a different attitude than the others have. He has remained loyal to me, so I will bring him into the land he explored. His descendants will possess their full share of that land.
26 Then the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, 27 “How long must I put up with this wicked community and its complaints about me? Yes, I have heard the complaints the Israelites are making against me. 28 Now tell them this: ‘As surely as I live, declares the Lord, I will do to you the very things I heard you say. 29 You will all drop dead in this wilderness! Because you complained against me, every one of you who is twenty years old or older and was included in the registration will die. 30 You will not enter and occupy the land I swore to give you. The only exceptions will be Caleb son of Jephunneh and Joshua son of Nun.
31 “‘You said your children would be carried off as plunder. Well, I will bring them safely into the land, and they will enjoy what you have despised. 32 But as for you, you will drop dead in this wilderness.
36 The ten men Moses had sent to explore the land—the ones who incited rebellion against the Lord with their bad report—37 were struck dead with a plague before the Lord. 38 Of the twelve who had explored the land, only Joshua and Caleb remained alive.
- v 28 Now tell them this: ‘As surely as I live, declares the Lord, I will do to you the very things I heard you say
~ God hears what we say. And watch what we say..who knows it becomes my destiny.
(F) Several diseases listed in the book
i. Excessive talking
Proverbs 10:19:
19 Too much talk leads to sin. Be sensible and keep your mouth shut.
Ecclesiastes 5
1 [a]As you enter the house of God, keep your ears open and your mouth shut. It is evil to make mindless offerings to God. 2 [b]Don’t make rash promises, and don’t be hasty in bringing matters before God. After all, God is in heaven, and you are here on earth. So let your words be few.
- While I may think I do not talk very much, but I am in danger too as the author wrote - it is as much a sin to sing a lie as it is to tell a lie.
ii. Idle/Careless Words
Matthew 12 : 36But I tell you, on the day of judgment men will have to give account for every [d]idle (inoperative, nonworking) word they speak. 37For by your words you will be justified and acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned and sentenced. - Amplified Bible
- I am afraid of silence and may fall into the danger of just babbling to keep the conversation going.
iii. Gossip
Leviticus 19:16:
16 “Do not spread slanderous gossip among your people.[a]
“Do not stand idly by when your neighbor’s life is threatened. I am the Lord.
Proverbs 20:19:
19 A gossip goes around telling secrets, so don’t hang around with chatterers.
Proverbs 20:19:19He who goes about as a talebearer reveals secrets; therefore associate not with him who talks too freely.(Amplified Bible)
- speak not and receive not
Psalm 15
1LORD, WHO shall dwell [temporarily] in Your tabernacle? Who shall dwell [permanently] on Your holy hill?
2He who walks and lives uprightly and blamelessly, who works rightness and justice and speaks and thinks the truth in his heart,
3He who does not slander with his tongue, nor does evil to his friend, nor takes up a reproach against his neighbor;
- If we slander, does evil to a friend or take up reproach agst a neighbour, the Bible say we will not get to dwell on His Holy Hill.
iv. Lying
Proverbs 6:16-19:16These six things the Lord hates, indeed, seven are an abomination to Him:
17A proud look [the spirit that makes one overestimate himself and underestimate others], a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,(A)
18A heart that manufactures wicked thoughts and plans, feet that are swift in running to evil,
19A false witness who breathes out lies [even under oath], and he who sows discord among his brethren.
Revelation 21:8:8But as for the cowards and the ignoble and the contemptible and the cravenly lacking in courage and the cowardly submissive, and as for the unbelieving and faithless, and as for the depraved and defiled with abominations, and as for murderers and the lewd and adulterous and the practicers of magic arts and the idolaters (those who give supreme devotion to anyone or anything other than God) and all liars (those who knowingly convey untruth by word or deed)--[all of these shall have] their part in the lake that blazes with fire and brimstone. This is the second death.
- Liars go to hell... I thought it was just a common saying. Now I know it is written in the Bible.
v. Flattery
Proverbs 26:28:28A lying tongue hates those it wounds and crushes, and a flattering mouth works ruin.
Proverbs 29:5:5A man who flatters his neighbor spreads a net for his own feet
- The end for flatterers and recipient of flattery is ruin
vi. Hastiness of speech
Moses got angry, smote the rock instead of speak....
Numbers 20:7-12:7And the Lord said to Moses,
8Take the rod, and assemble the congregation, you and Aaron your brother, and tell the rock before their eyes to give forth its water, and you shall bring forth to them water out of the rock; so you shall give the congregation and their livestock drink.
9So Moses took the rod from before the Lord, as He commanded him.
10And Moses and Aaron assembled the congregation before the rock and Moses said to them, Hear now, you rebels; must we bring you water out of this rock?
11And Moses lifted up his hand and with his rod he smote the rock [a]twice. And the water came out abundantly, and the congregation drank, and their livestock.
12And the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, Because you did not believe in (rely on, cling to) Me to sanctify Me in the eyes of the Israelites, you therefore [b]shall not bring this congregation into the land which I have given them.
Psalm 106:32-33:32They angered the Lord also at the waters of Meribah, so that it went ill with Moses for their sakes;(A)
33For they provoked [Moses'] spirit, so that he spoke unadvisedly with his lips.
Proverbs 29:20Do you see a man who is hasty in his words? There is more hope for a [self-confident] fool than for him.
- If Moses had to pay the price for that hasty statement...do i know what have i lost as a result of the hasty statement i have said the the past???
F. Healing
i. Call your problem by its right name: SIN
ii. Confess and receive forgiveness & cleansing
iii. refuse sin & yield to God
- I was told repeatedly that for me to receive healing I have to be honest and humble and indeed when i face it instead of excusing myself, breakthrough came.
1 John 1:7-9:
7but if we (A)walk in the Light as (B)He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and (C)the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.
8(D)If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the (E)truth is not in us.
9(F)If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and (G)to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
- It is not just saying no to sin.. i have to yield to God as only He can tame the tongue
G) Can no one really tamed the tongue?
Acts 2:1-4
1 On the day of Pentecost[a] all the believers were meeting together in one place. 2 Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were sitting. 3 Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them. 4 And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages,[b] as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability.
1st thing that the Holy Spirit did when it descended was....operated in the disciples' tongues.
After that..we see them speaking in tongues(1 Corinthians 14: 2, 4 2For one who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God; for no one understands, but in his spirit he speaks mysteries. 4One who speaks in a tongue edifies himself; but one who prophesies edifies the church. ) .. Apostle Peter boldly proclaiming the Word instead of going back to the sea ...church growth ....etc etc
Conclusion :
The questions I have for myself - do I take His Word seriously? do I believe the whole Bible is God's Word??? Or did I selectively believe? I must have believed that He is Jehovah Jireh, my provider but I did not believe that I have to account for every word I speak/sing. If I had, I would have watch my words. If I had, my conversations with my friends would have been different. It would be seasoned with salt, it would build others up,it would esteem others above myself, it would no longer be what others will think of me but what do I say so that my friends will be blessed. It would no longer be will they be offended but if it is the truth and with God's help I will speak out in love so that we will be more like Him. It would bring life instead of death. It will warm one's heart & refresh others.
Hebrews 4 :1 says.. His Promise still stands, what should my response be?
1 God’s promise of entering his rest still stands, so we ought to tremble with fear that some of you might fail to experience it.
May God help me...
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