Treasures in darkness
by Os Hillman
I will give you the treasures of darkness, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the Lord, the God of Israel, who summons you by name. ~ Isaiah 45:3
"I have never been in this place before. It is new ground for me, and I find I am way out of my comfort zone. I am scared to death to trust Him at this level. I had to confess to the Lord I have not been able to accept or believe His love for me in this area." Those were the words I expressed to a friend when I was in a difficult place in my life. That day when I confessed those words, God led me to this passage of Scripture.
What we perceive as dark periods in our lives are designed to be treasures from God. They are actually riches stored in secret places. We cannot see those times in this light because of the often-accompanying pain or fear that prevents us from accepting these times as treasures. They have a particular purpose from God's viewpoint: "...so that you may know that I am the Lord...who summons you by name."
You see, unless we are cast into times in which we are completely at God's mercy for breakthroughs in our lives, we will never experience God's faithfulness in those areas. We will never know how personal He is, or that He can be trusted to meet the deepest needs in our lives. God wants each of us to know that we are "summoned by name." Every hair of our head is numbered. He knows every activity we are involved in. His love for you and me knows no bounds, and He will take every opportunity to demonstrate this to us.
Has God brought you into a place of darkness? Trust Him today to reveal that hidden treasure that can be found in this darkness. Let Him summon you by name.
Revelations
Indeed, Easter had always been a time for reminder of how Jesus endured the Cross till all of us are redeemed and washed clean from our sins, shame and guilt.
He endured the Cross so we could live.
He endured the Cross so we can be rich
He endured the Cross so we can be healthy
He endured the Cross so we can be blessed
The Cross was widely known by believers as the Great place of exchange. Looking upon the Cross, I could literally see and feel how great a love God has for everyone of us.
I was reading my bible today on my way to school. While i was boarding the bus, i felt led by the Holy Spirit to read this verse (Ephesians 3:3-5). I flipped open my bible and there and there as i read, i was remembered i was "day dreaming" about the RAIN that fell upon the the church during one of Pastor Ulf's meeting. Pastor was explaining that this rain was a supernatural encounter as he saw silver drops of rain falling upon the people but as he reached his hand to feel it, it wasn't there. But most amazing thing is that they were INDOORS! They were not in an open field!
As i read the verse, i was shocked for a moment. The day dream that i had before boarding a bus was actually used by God to illustrate something to me. He explained that this kind of encounters are to illustrate the revelation of the Holy Spirit to His people. All the revelations are given through the Spirit. These revelations are given through His apostles and prophets to reveal the nature and character of God which are beyond words of description most of the time.
Visions and dreams serves very well in these cases. Like the saying goes "A picture speaks a thousand words". No wonder God always gives us visions and dreams. I believe these visions serves one purpose: God wants us to catch the Spirit and fire behind it!
Catch this fire and come into the ultimate purpose of God in our lives today! :)
Understanding our own calling
Tuesday, March 29, 2005
by Os Hillman
..."If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow Me." ~ John 21:22
Jesus was talking to Peter after he had just had a very important encounter with Him-one of the last meetings the two would have. This was the third time Jesus had shown Himself to the disciples after His resurrection. It is the famous dialogue between Jesus and Peter in which Jesus asked Peter three times if he loved Him. Jesus followed by commanding, "Feed My sheep." Jesus went on to foretell of Peter's future death. As they were walking together, John was with Peter and Jesus. Peter asked Jesus about John and whether he would die also. Jesus reacted sharply to Peter's comment, telling him not to worry about what John's role or purpose was in life. All Peter had to do was worry about fulfilling his own purpose.
As workplace believers we tend to measure our success on whether we have achieved a certain position or stature in life. Even as Christians the temptation to believe that someone is blessed if they have achieved prominence is always confronting us. In His discussion with Peter, Jesus was getting at the very heart of the matter of a person's calling. Peter was worried about whether his friend John was going to get the same lot in life as he was. Jesus told him it should not be his concern. He was to concern himself only with one thing: his own calling before God.
Are you tempted to compare yourself with where others are in their life? Are you dissatisfied with where God has you right now? Be of good cheer-"[be] confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus" (Phil. 1:6).
Peace-A Weapon Against Satan
Thursday, March 24, 2005
by Os Hillman
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me. ~ Psalm 23:4a KJV
In the battles of the workplace, your peace is actually a weapon. The workplace creates many opportunities to rob us of our peace. Cash flow concerns, deadlines, relationships - all create stress on us. Your confidence in the God of peace declares that you are not falling for the lies of the devil. You see the first step toward having spiritual authority over the adversary is having peace in spite of our circumstances. When Jesus confronted the devil, he did not confront satan with His emotions or in fear. Knowing that the devil was a liar, He simply refused to be influenced by any voice other than God's. His peace overwhelmed satan; His authority then shattered the lie, which sent demons fleeing.
There is a place of walking with God where you simply fear no evil. David faced a lion, a bear, and a giant. In this Psalm he stood in the "shadow of death" itself, yet he "feared no evil." David's trust was in the Lord. He said, "...for Thou art with me." Because God is with you, every adversity you face will unfold in victory as you maintain your faith in God! David continued, "You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies" (Ps. 23:5a). The battle you are in will soon become a meal for you, an experience that will nourish and build you up spiritually. Only God's peace will quell your fleshly reactions in battle. The source of God's peace is God Himself. If fear has been knocking at your door, begin to face that fear with God's peace. It is God's secret weapon to destroy fear.
Davids's Source of Direction
by Os Hillman
Let the morning bring me word of Your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in You. Show me the way I should go, for to You I lift up my soul. ~ Psalm 143:8
David is the only person in the Bible whom God describes as a man after His own heart. Despite David's many setbacks he continually sought to know and do God's will in his life. Like many of us, his will got in the way of a sinless life.
In the morning hour, David sought to hear from God. I can imagine David sitting on the open deck of his palace looking over the hills of Jerusalem, listening to God. There, in his morning watch, he felt God's unfailing love. He reaffirmed his trust in God. He also understood that the key to knowing God's will lay in spending such moments alone to reflect on what God had done and was doing in his life.
Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God; may Your good Spirit lead me on level ground (Psalm 143:10).
Sometimes we fall prey to believing that God is not concerned, and that He does not lead us in our work life. We are tempted to think that He leads us in other areas, but not in our daily workplace. The truth is that God is in every aspect of life and desires to direct us.
Do you need direction in your life today? If so, David provides the best example of gaining direction. Set aside the morning hour to draw close to His presence. There, you will sense His unfailing love for you. His direction for your life will be a natural by-product of this time of communion with Him. Ask God to lead you by His Spirit today.
Looking beyond the natural
Had a wonderful time serving God yesterday. Played for make up CG in the morning and it feels wonderful to seek His face and welcoming Him into our lives early in the morning! After cg, one of the members that came for make up cg actually offered us a ride to svc. God is so good! We don't even have to worry for our transport to church for He already provided for us! God is so thoughtful that He goes for details in our lives. There's nothing that ever happen to us without God first approving it and He always provides a solution to it.
(Job 1:10-12: " 'Have You not made a HEDGE around him, around his household, and around all that he has on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land....' And the Lord said to Satan, 'Behold, all that he has is in your power; only DO NOT lay a hand on his person.' So Satan went from the presence of the Lord")
The only thing now is that we must seek Him for the solution. (Matt 7:7 "Ask, and it WILL be given to you; seek, and you WILL find; knock, and it WILL be opened to you.")
Notice the words in capital letters? It is a promise from God(WILL). Not a suggestion! :)
While i was at guitar ministry after svc, I was asked to teach a small section of the lesson by Gerald (my main instructor). Was kind of tongue-tied and made several mistakes but thank God that I made it through! I also had a wonderful time fellowshipping with my fellow instructors and we began to share our encounters and what God spoke to us as we grew in the Lord. As we shared, it was a real encouragement to all of us as we were reminded of the goodness of God that He always want to help us overcome and not stay defeated! :)
(1 Corinthians 2:9 "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him")
Mobilised...
Today I had a wonderful experience of the Holy Spirit! I was playing guitar for Sis Marlin's cg today and it was suppposed to end by 1pm. Then Marlin wanted to share about healing and she then turned to me and asked me whether i am able to stay or i have to rush off. I was supposed to leave by 1pm so that i can reach Rebekah's house by 2pm for guitar prac. But after some thought, i feel that since i'm already there, i should stay a while more to draw in the presence of God rather than leave the meeting just in the middle. And I'm Glad I stayed! :)
She shared about what she learned in Bible school and as she shared, thoughts went through my mind. Eventually, when she started praying for healing (healing for emotions), just felt the Holy Spirit remind me of the verse that i feel that He led me to read. And when i realise that it is the Holy Spirit trying to fix the deepest most parts of my spirit, I started to feel edification in the deepest most of my spirit. It's a stirring that i never had before and it's like something healing and refreshing going on inside me. Although i'm not very sure what is that about but it does feel very good and i believe the Holy Spirit is trying to fix something in my heart and spirit. Really thank God for such an experience! Really glad that i stayed on in His presence! ("Draw near to God and He shall draw near to you")
Then after cg, i rushed cab down to fetch Weiying for cg. By the time i reach rebekah's house downstairs, my camp mate called me to report back camp for mobilisation!! But thank God, God had everything covered! Even in the midst of confusion and surprises, God still remain in control! He provided another guitarist (someone who just happen to come for make up cg) to replace me and I also didn't miss CG coz i went in the morning! God is GOOD!
Was praying just now as i went downstairs to find food.. I started praying as i began to see shops closed. I prayed to God saying that i'm hungry and asked Him to provide for me. And indeeed, He immediately answered my prayer and i saw a coffee shop opened so late in the night where i had a sumptous meal! God is so real and good! ("Ask and you shall be given"). Praise the Lord!! :)
Joy of the Lord
Been learning to lean more on the Holy Spirit. Beginning to realise that He is so real as a person as I spend more time focusing on the Holy Spirit. Walking with Him is so fun and when the moment I sense Him around me, my heart just rejoice! :) No wonder the bible says: " the joy of the Lord is my strength". From the moment I sense Him and as joy of the Lord fills my heart, I just feel like i can take down the world in Jesus name! :)
Been inviting every person i came in contact with for the dessert party. Although there may not be anyone for the moment, but i believe God is going to open wide the doors of revival as i keep praying and believing for miracles! :)
Heart for others
Today conducted guitar lesson for Xiangyou, Samantha, Xuelin and Weiying. Sis Xiaojia couldn't make it coz something cropped up, Yew Teck got CCA, Darcy got Drama..
Funny thing is that Sis Marlin wanted to come but she was caught up and was very late. She couldn't find us in church and eventually we happen to see her in the same cabin (on MRT) with us when we were going home! hehe.. such coincidence :) She said she tried to msg me but i think my Handphone hang again. Been having such things lately. :P
But i really admire Sis Marlin's sincerity. She came all the way down to Jurong premise just to attend lesson for a while (all the way from Pasir Ris). Such attitude should always be admired and upheld! :) Learn alot from her especially in the area of loving ppl with all her heart. She really did that and she's a living testimony! :)
Hope is found! :)
Been working on my software engineering project today. Then as i started referring to my friend's sample, I began to find confidence and direction to what i'm supposed to do! Praise God for that! :) I'm meeting Nickson on Friday morning to rush on the projects. Really pray that i'll finish it once and for all so that i can focus on my main exams coming on 13th May!!
My friend Kelvin told me that there might be mobilisation this coming weekend! Really pray that it won't happen coz there's so much that i can do this weekend!! Don't wanna miss out anything!
Funeral Service
Was asked by Bro Wuiping at last minute that a guitarist was required for funeral service. Was asked whether i could make it. i then made some adjustments (postponed Bs with yew keong to sun). But it was a mis-com at the end of the day as Pastor Meng had found his own guitarist.
Although i wasted my trip but i was praying that i did made an impact there by just being there. Coz i reached rather early and got to talk to the son of the deceased. Later got to know that he's an advertiser at SPH. Interesting and warm guy who kept me company all the way (I was kinda lost.. donno how to react in a funeral though :P).
Then finally when on the way back, got to change the timing of BS with yew keong to sat morning instead. (hehe.. feel excited as I begin to start teaching BS. Got to know that I actually kinda gifted in teaching. A revelation to myself.. Thank you God!) :)
2nd guitar lesson
Yesterday was the 2nd time i'm in the guitar lesson as an assistant instructor. We really had fun teaching the students. We played games and joked and everyone's laughing and enjoying themselves. Gerald (the main instructor) was praised for a job well done during the meeting. Well done brother! :) Today just set this blog up and been spending my whole day doing research on how to improve on my teaching materials. Been a fruitful day! :)
