A New Season of Open Doors

It's a new season, with new opportunities, new provisions, new possibilities!

From the beginning of 2014, many prophetic words have been spoken about a time and season of open doors for many of the believers. That God is opening doors that have been previously shut, and for those who have been toiling and pressing in, doors of ministries and opportunities are opening this year!

The words have been definitely confirming what He is doing at the moment as I came to a new season in my life, in my walk with Him...to embrace a new beginning in the land that I used to call home (Indonesia). I still call it "home" cos that's where family is. And Brisbane is also home...I'm blessed that I can call these 2 places home...

It began last year around October 2013, where He started to put a seed of thought in my heart to go back for a season and to be with my family in Indonesia. I was a little surprised at first with that thought, since I didn't have any plan at all to leave Brisbane...so I sought for His direction and confirmation about this.
And yet and behold....He confirmed it with many things, it's as if that He has prepared everything ahead of me and it seemed like a good plan. He began to show me new things, new journey ahead...I mean exciting stuff and what the journey could be if I would respond in faith and allow Him to show me each step of the way, to really take a step of faith and to trust Him totally!
That means that I need to embrace the new things that He is doing and will do...and just say "Yes, Lord" and go and do whatever He will ask me to do.

Few weeks left now before the new journey begins, lots of catching ups and saying bye to many good friends and church leaders, colleagues, my favourite cafes, etc etc...

Walk of faith is a walk filled with adventures, possibilities where the unknown sets a stage for Him to reveal who He is and our obedience produces testimonies that brings Glory to His name....Woohoooo!!!

My sister, My bride...

My Lover spoke and said to me...

"Arise, My darling, My beautiful one, and come with Me...

 See! the winter is past, the rains are over and gone.

 Flowers appear on the earth, the season of singing has come,

 the cooing of doves is heard in our land.

 The fig tree forms its early fruit, the blossoming vines spread their fragrance.

 Arise, come, My darling, My beautiful one, come with Me." 

And I reply...
"My Lover, how precious is Your love, sweeter than honey,
 more precious than any love that anyone could give.
 My soul longs for more of You, and my heart waits for You...
 To taste, feel and see the beauty of Your love and grace.
 Take me deeper into Your heart, lost in Your Glory
 Fill me through and through, till we we are one..
 I am in You, and You are in me..
 For eternity..

Transitioning

It's a new year! A new season...which I look forward to many good things ahead, the fulfillment of His promises in my life. Somehow I feel great anticipation and excitement...to see what God has in store for me. Keeping my hopes up! :)

But at the same time...also having this mixed feelings inside of me. There are still many uncertainties, the unknown, and things that I'm seeking God about, direction, settling back in Brisbane...and many other things here and there!Having the certainty of where He is leading me, but also a bit lost at the same time...trying to figure out where I'll fit in the scheme of things...and decisions..decisions..gotta make 'em, funny how I think they are mine to make, but actually not...for who understand his/her own ways when the Lord is the One who determines their steps?

A little nervous still...trying to fix my eyes on the hope that is in His word...that His grace is sufficient as I continually come before the throne of grace to ask for His mercy and help.

The mission trip has ended...and indeed it has taught me a greater dependency on His grace & love. But it's not really an end...in fact the end is the beginning of something new. I feel like I've just started this journey. But it will be a different journey, where I would need a greater dependency & guidance from Him...and furiously taking hold of His purpose & will for my life.

In my poorest state, I'm filled even more with the riches of His presence....til nothing's left of me, and only Him is seen....

Love & the Gospel

This week, we have done so far 3 major activities:

1. Evangelism Training (ETS)

2. Helping with Medical Mission

3. Visiting small youth group

We traveled quite a few hours to reach Mt Sinai church, the place where the ETS is going to be held. It was my first time too sit under the teaching of "Rev.Alvin Toh" (this is the name displayed on the stage :p), otherwise they just call "Pastor Alvin"..hehe...

Jace and myself are helping with some registration on that day.

The teaching was super awesome! And the people were really attentive and responsive. They shouted a really loud "Amen!!" everytime!! so encouraged! Even some younger ones were participating too! And when it's time to pray....Wow!! this is really a praying church! They were just crying out to God, both young and old are fervent and I could feel God's presence just filled the whole room!

During our time there, we were hosted by the pastor & his family & friends...and we had a super yummy Korean meals...thank You, Lord! :)

Few days after, we went to help with the Relief Medical Mission that was held at Family of Believers Christian Church. There were rice/food packs, medicines, used clothes, and medical treatments for 100 families who live in the slump area. There were so many children with them! Myself and Jace had fun giving away packets of sweets to the children...they were so excited and happy! I love that looks on their faces :)

I was very blessed by the church volunteers who were helping with so much joy in their heart and faces. There were so much unity in that place, and for that moment, I feel that we are a church...our differences disappeared and we were just serving as one body of Christ! Seeing the people blessed, also really blessed my heart...indeed, there is so much joy in giving. And even though it's not much, but for these people, it really means a lot to have people who would care and pay attention to their needs.

It reminds me once again, that there is so much needs in the world...and in whatever scale, we can all play a part in being a part of the solution to those needs.

We are blessed, so that we can be a blessing..

Finally today, we went to visit a small youth group and we ministered to them through testimony, teaching, games, and our joy & laughter :D

We hope that the youth in this group will personally encounter God and experience genuine salvation. There is so much potential in the lives of these youth, and thank God for the opportunity for us to help out in this. :)

I thank God for His grace every single day here...He has protected us every time and He has also opening many doors for this ministry. I can really see the hand of God upon the lovely couple and this ministry...and it's been a great blessing and privilege for me to witness and take part in the wonderful move of God. I'm really loving the mission field! I love seeing God moves and the heart of God has never been clearer...He loves people!and His heart is reaching out to the lost, poor, broken, lonely...and the most loving thing that we can do is just sometimes meeting their practical needs, and also to share the good news to the people.

I hope that we can all join the vision and be a partner in this wonderful ministry... :)

This ministry draws a beautiful picture of what it means to share the Love of Christ and Share His Gospel.

Visiting the slump area & hospital

We were invited to Pastor Jonaver Luklukan's birthday party yesterday, an amazing pastor whose life has been radically transformed by God and his life is still a walking miracle!! He shared about his life story and how God's grace and favor are so evident in his life as he does God's work. Was super blessed and inspired by this pastor, evangelist, missionary & gospel singer (yup, all in one!) :)

Then he took us to visit the slump area where it was flooded, the area where we will join the pastor for a disaster relief medical mission this coming Wednesday (so pray for us!). I was speechless when I saw their living condition, and apparently this happens every year during the rainy season and the water could not really subside, it would normally takes months. So they would built small wooden bridge along the houses so they can walk around...I can say it's really not easy to walk on those.. :p thank God we didn't fall into the water!

The government doesn't seem to be doing anything about this..and I'm thinking to myself, then how can these people's lives change?If no one cares, then who should be doing somethings about this...and I realised that it is the church that needs to step in and make a difference...and I'm very blessed seeing ministers of God who are reaching out to them and bring the bible into their houses. This is love in action, not just words. And a small act of kindness do really mean a lot to some of the people here.

Today I visited the hospital as a part of the hospital ministry by AFJC. I wore my new volunteer shirt for the 1st time :) and join them as they go into the different patient rooms. We talked and prayed with them, and showing a practical way to bless them by giving them a pack of refreshments.

What I love is the people here have beautiful hearts and they are very accepting and helpful (well, majority that I've met anyway...) :p and they are very receptive of the gospel. So most of them know about the gospel, and churches are everywhere along the road. But also at the same time, there were also so many cults and other strange beliefs...deception runs pretty strong in this nation. But nevertheless, I believe in the power of the true one God! and Truth always prevails! We need a revival in this nation!

Greetings from Manila!

I can say that God is amazing!!! and mission is fun! I love seeing how God really grant the ministry His favor and grace, and being inspired by the workers of the harvest field (Alvin & Jace) with what they are doing so far.. and God has been opening many doors for them. Praise God!

I arrived in Manila on the 20th October, they picked me up from the airport and gosh!! Manila is such a big city..we were lost on our way, driving wasn't easy here and the rule is no rule! :)

It's a pretty populated city, and there are so many people on the road everywhere! so spent the day resting and did some groceries.

On Friday stayed at home, and helped to design an ID card! Haha...it's a new skill that I finally obtained :) spent quite a few hours doing it! Hahahaha...it taught me that in mission, you just need to do things that you've never done before. In the end, you'll gain a new skill :)

At night we spent some time praying and just seeking His face...love it!! and we're doing this almost every night that we can :) love it! love it! love it! I love His presence! :)

Today went scouting for presents for the Christmas event where the ministry will bless the children with toys..thank God for a fruitful day :)

And just heard some good news!! God is just opening new doors and there are some exciting things happening ahead...so stay tuned!! :D

Appreciate your prayers, for indeed the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few...there are a lot of needs here, and I pray that He will send His workers out to share His love and the good news :)

Just some things I've discovered here:

- Toilet ~ they call this "Comfort Room (CR)" hahaha...

- Eggs here are all white colour!!! No yellow eggs!

Blessings!!!

a revelation of His love & grace

During a time of worship, I was once again reminded of His love & grace. His hand upon my life all these years...A revelation of His grace that saves me, grace that reaches out to me in hopeless situations. Grace that made a way, where it was impossible for me to have known Him. Grace that made a way for salvation...because of His great love, we are not perishing...but being transformed into His likeness.

As I remember how the Lord set up different circumstances in my life that I may find Him, despite of my ignorance, rebellion and resistance, it never made Him given up on me (thank You, Lord!)...Yet He still passionately, jealously pursue me, that I may know Him, to be in the relationship with my Creator, that I may escape the judgment of this world, to be saved and have eternal life....because of His great love...

Acts 17:26-27
From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands.God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us.

And all I can do, is to worship Him with the very life that He gave...

How great the grace that enables us to be called children of God, that we may call Him our Daddy..our loving Father..for this is what You came for...this is Your heartbeat....

Can you hear His heartbeat? it beats for every single child of Him to come home...

John 1:12-13

Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God. Children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.

thank you!

I had a mixed feeling leaving Brisbane, excited that I’ll be embarking on an adventure of faith, sad that I had to leave my home, my family in Christ....for now anyway.

Just would like to thank all my brothers and sisters who blessed me (you know who you are!), I’m thankful and will always remember that God’s love is evident through every one of you.
The gift that you gave is a prayer answered, a token of love, and the most important, it’s your offering unto the Lord. I’m thankful again for this family that God has placed in my life.

My heart is filled with joy, thankfulness and anticipation of the days ahead!!!!

The Lord is good, and His love endures forever...He is near to all who call upon His Name

into the storms..

During my time with the Lord today, He was pointing something to me..even as I reflect on my situations, other people's situations.

I was reminded of Luke 8:22-24, where God was teaching me, that many times, as we choose to obey the voice of God, often it leads us straight into "storms". It might be a conflict, a problem, a sickness, an impossible situation...in the passage, Jesus was initiating the disciple to go over to the other side of the lake, and we know how the story goes...

He was encouraging me that in the midst of storms of my life, He's always with me. As I obey Him, He promises that He will never leave me nor forsake me. And I need to believe that..I understand that at times, it is difficult, when all you can see is the problem, and when it seems in the natural that there's no way out, but as in my situation..God has always assure me, that I need to just believe and trust Him.
Because when the disciples were afraid, Jesus question them to where their faith is?

Faith to believe who He really is, and to hold on to that...will help us to stay where God wants us to be.

Just a piece of revelation that I hope to encourage anyone who is the midst of storm, to know that Jesus is with you...never will He leave nor forsake you.

And I believe that sometimes only in going through those "storms" in our life, then we'll have a deeper revelation of who God truly is. That we may then glorify and praise His name.

The disciples said (Luke8:24)
"In fear and amazement they asked one another, "Who is this?He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey Him."

This promised us that God is in control and He's bigger than any storms that may come into our lives.

another piece of jigsaw puzzle...

This year has been such an exciting and important year in my life... there has been a few decisions made as I believe the Lord has led me to them.

A journey of faith, a season of trusting Him and to hold on to every single word of His promises.

Praise God for His grace that I was able to complete my Diploma of Counselling just this month..thank God for His strength and protection for all the times I drive from Brisbane to Maroochydore for that one year :)

And for the next season of my life, I will be doing a course with Ywam until next year April. Another piece of jigsaw puzzle that begins to unfold and reveal more of His plans for me.

I don't fully understand, but I choose to trust Him that He knows the best timing and ways.

There are greater things ahead...I look forward with anticipation and excitement of what would God has in store through my time in Ywam.

Having a mixed feeling about not being around my home church for a season of time, but what motivates me is that whatever I will learn in Ywam, I hope it can be used to bless the church even more...so I'm excited because of that! :)

So if you don't really see me around, well, not that I've left church..but I'll just be away for a while in my next adventure with God :) I believe this year is such a significant year for a lot of people where He is leading you towards your destiny in Him.

I'll try to keep updating my blog as my journey continues...

Let's hold on to this precious faith together!

Really....there is no life worth living if it's not for Him.

the greatest is Love

I have always been praying that He will show me a deeper revelation of His love, for me and for others. And I find myself that there's a deeper place each time in His love.

The love of God...love that I could never be able to comprehend and fully understand. It's the love that cost Him His own Son, a price that we could never ever be able to return.

In my own journey of discovering God's love for myself, He does something amazing...He begin to show me His heart, and the love that He feels for others. It's as if I'm wearing a pair of new glasses and begin to see everything in a different light. His light...

I know it's not mine, not me at all... it's just Him, when He simply opens my heart and eyes. I see everything through a whole new pair of eyes.

It cause both grieve and joy...the grieve of seeing needs, hurting & broken hearts, but the joy of knowing God's heart for every one...that is Love.

And this Love, is not selfish, not demanding, not about me....it's the Love that takes away the attention on our self, it's the Love that gives, hopes, perseveres, kind, and gentle..always seeks to put others and seek for the best of others. This Love transcends all barriers, cultures and status. Love that cause us to give a piece of ourselves..just as how Christ gave all of Himself.

I can't get enough of this Love! I believe in this Love!

So I'll choose this Love, and may this Love overflows out my life.... I feel this will please and bless His heart :)

To my brothers & sisters (you know who you are!!) whom have shown the very same Love to someone in need, may the Lord fills you with more of His presence, that you may come to experience the depth of the love of Christ as it keeps overflowing more and more through your lives. I thank you for your heart, it encourages me deeply, and really see God in your words and deeds.

It's a privilege to have known you in this house of God :) I'm blessed by your heart :)

Choosing to Love

The past few day I felt something different that's happening in me..I began to see the people on my left and on my right, how they have needs...
It feels like having a pair of eyes that you didn't have before and begin to see people in a different light...God's light...
I know that it's just a glimpse..of what it really is..but it is more than enough to get me down on my knees.

Pondering about it,I realize how much love, God's love is needed in the world, in every person..for it is the very center of what God is all about, and why the bible is written. it is because of Love that we do what we do.

But in a tragic way, the bible does say that in the last days, many hearts will grow cold, and there's selfishness, people who concern only about their own lives...

I pray that He'll keep us in His love, and that we choose to remain in that Love.
And that we will choose to Love, choose to see through the light of His love..
May He open our eyes to see the needs around us, no matter how small it is, and that God will empower you to meet that need .

I say, starting from today..choose to give Love

perfect love of God

There is no fear in love, for perfect love cast out all fears...
Repeating again and again...all fears, must go in the presence of the perfect love of God. This truth has transformed me, and continue to transform me..
In different season of life that the Lord has lead me to...it never cease to amaze me how the truth of His words will encounter you so powerfully, and it's never the same every time. And I never grow tired in expecting how the truth sets me free everytime.

I've come to realize that it's the will of God for our lives, the life that He wants to give us, the abundance He desires to bless us with...through a series of encounters with the truth of His words, will take us from freedom to freedom.

It's purely the work of His Spirit within us, the bible said that it's working powerfully in us! How exciting is that?!!!

If there are things that I hate...I hate FEAR...BIG TIME!!!I hate what the enemy always try to steal, kill and destroy...I hate to see people of God tormented, oppressed, losing the fight of which they could have triumph in, I hate how fear is crippling people and stop them reaching the destiny that God has for them.

The truth that we are already VICTORIOUS, and we have the authority through Christ in us...the truth that we are sons and daughters of the Most High...the truth that He has given us everything that we need in order to triumph in every challenges...the truth that Jesus really has paid it all and it is now FINISHED...

The perfect love of God, that keeps us, strengthens us, empower us, and drives out every fears in our lives.

May He searches our hearts through and through...there should not be any fear there except the fear of God.

I pray that you'll be filled with His love until there's no more room for fear.

on this Valentine's Day

2011...on this Valentine's Day, I woke up and said "Jesus, I Love You!"...decided to sing and dance for Him, to thank Him for His love, goodness, and grace :)

Then...taking the time to sing into the life of the man of God that He'll bring into my life :)

So here it is, a love song, a prayer to you...wherever you are, may the Lord lead and guide you in your journey of pursuing His will. May your heart be always soft and tender to listen to His voice, just like David in His worship...a man after God's heart...that's what I'm praying for, that you'll

be one who runs after Him all the days of your life.

And one day, I'll run besides you..cheering you on! Believing in you, hopes in you, supporting you in everything that you do.

a beautiful night

Tonight I was on my way home from Maroochydore...was driving on the highway. It was pretty dark on the road, and there was hardly lights on the road.

It was a night like other nights where I was driving through the same road...seeing cars in front of me, and cars behind me, which was good because then the road was a lot brighter.

Then...I heard the gentle voice of the Holy Spirit, encouraging me that when I walk through the dark moments in my life, the life of His Spirit and Presence is like the car lights that will shine through and lead the way so I can see the path and not stumble.

The cars in front is where the Presence of God that will go before me and prepares the way, leading me to the right path, and all I need to is to follow that Light.

The cars behind is like the Lord who watches over me, coming and going...watching and protecting areas in my life which I might have not pay attention much.

At that moment, I offered my praise, thanksgiving for the love of God, His faithfulness, grace and mercy..all over again,coming back to that simple place of worship, delighting in His presence.

I looked up, the night skies and the stars....I could hear them praising His Majesty and Greatness. Even the creations sings the songs of praise unto His name.

It was a beautiful night :)

freedom

I feel free...so much freedom...

freedom to be...

freedom to choose...

freedom to dream...

freedom to believe...

freedom to hope...

freedom to walk...

freedom to give,

freedom to receive...

freedom to love..

And I have chosen...

to love you...

2011.. a reflection

2011 has been so far interesting..with a lot of things that are happening around the world, I do believe that it is the year that we need to even go deeper into His presence.

As many things are being shaken...and sometimes even the things in our lives, our faith are being shaken, may we learn to stand firm upon His words and persevere to grab hold of His promises.

It's definitely a new year, a new season, where my hunger deepens for more of Him in my life. I have come to know Him in a new way...and He's still revealing more...there's just so much about Him that I'll never grow weary to pursue.

I find that when we learn to surrender our lives and everything into His hands, it brings you to a place of freedom and great joy! having nothing, but yet possessing all things...

There are things that sometimes we hold on so tight, sometimes..not being aware ourselves that we have become used to it, and how perhaps we build different things around our lives and have at some point, we have stopped seeking and pursuing the lover of our soul.

"Come away with me"...can you hear Him calling you back into the secret place? with such a yearn and the jealousy of His love beckoning every heart and soul to draw closer to Him, that He might make Himself known.

Such grace and love, that even in our darkest and difficult moments, He comes and wanting to make Himself known....and I pray that in those times we will seek His face, because that's where He will meet with you and answer your needs.

2011...a year where I want to be so hungry for His presence like never before!

right to the edge

Just having a thought...that at times the Lord waits until we are pushed right to the edge until we're about to fall...

then His hands would catch us and right there we see Him.

We then see His providence and saving hands...

I still believe... that those who hope in the Lord will not be disappointed.

I then say to my soul, why downcast O, my soul? put your hope in God...be still and know that He is God.

an battle-full day

My first class today! :) so excited! not too sure what to expect..and oh dear how God has a different things in mind about my day today. I thought that I would just leave the house, drive there and that's about it.

Started my day with God's promises and His presence :) not knowing that the moment there I had would help me throughout the day. Had a frantic afternoon running around to get something settled, anxiety almost creep in, but I was just praying throughout..the battle for my peace.

Then started driving to Maroochydore, where the class is (haha!), it was about 115kms away, and in the highway, had this crazy blind driver almost ran into my car...had a moment there..but praise God it didn't happen...fear almost creep in...and I was praying throughout...the battle for my peace.

I realized that everyday is a battle, where our attitude must be one where we would proclaim the truth in the face of challenges, taking hold of His promises of our inheritance. The Lord was teaching me, that if I stay passive, the enemy that tries to steal, kill and destroy our inheritance would actually succeed in that. He has given us all that we need to overcome, His words that's the sword of the Spirit, and to stand, putting on the whole armor of God. Passivity and complacency will leave us defeated and helpless, where His heart is for us to be victorious and to be conquerors in Him who gives us strength.

It was an awakening in my Spirit, it's time to take hold of the inheritance of God's promises, possessing the enemy's gates and walking into the promise land.

I know that the battle has been won, now I just need to declare the victory in the face of the enemy.

Pray unceasingly for all saints, for everything and anything, in this way we are paving the way for the Kingdom to come on earth, and to carry each other's burden. What a great responsibility and privilege!

Hmm, aside from that, I had a great class meeting!! Met a group of people who are passionate about what they want to do in life, and that they are actually doing it. Learning a lot. Time where something was sparked within me...who knows what He can do through this? But need to catch up on few weeks studies..hehe...Lord, help! :)

in the secret place

The journey of trust has been a difficult yet most wonderful experience in my walk with Him.

Recently had a major changes of things in my life, how I met crossroads, seeking the Lord for a fresh new direction ahead, etc..etc..u name it! :p

Looking back, I thank God for His presence with me...a lot times, the answers are not necessarily important, but knowing that He's with me, that's sometimes enough.

So even though I'm still left with many uncertainties with the decisions that I made, but never in my life that I felt so certain of what I'm doing.

It is through this journey where I was to give up everything to Him, I mean everything...but it's a choice that I make each time. The pain of dying to self, over and over again...that's taking up the cross to really follow His footsteps. I know what the cost is, and I guess, I have decided that whatever it takes, I would say 'Yes, Lord' to whatever He ask me to, because I know that through those things, He revealed Himself more, and I'm seeing Him more in my life.

It is through this difficult journey that I've discovered a secret place, a place where I can rest, fully assured and to dwell, filled with so much of His peace and joy.And in that secret place, there's so much more...

In that secret place,i'm never so desperate and hungry for more of Him in my life before, that the quest for His presence in my life, to know Him, to hear what He's saying, what His heart beats for..it means the world to me :) and the Lord is faithful, so good...that He never disappoint me.

My very heart desire is to come closer to Him, but yet I found that it's the most scariest experience that I have ever known. To hear His heart beat when He reveals Himself, the Holiness of who He is, this tiny and fragile heart that I have, sometimes it feels like it's going to explode to pieces, the intensity of His love..no one would be able to comprehend.

Sometimes I wonder if I could live through if I come to feel what He feels..

I realize that it's all by the grace, to approach His throne and come before Him.

In that secret place, there's the Father's heart, where I felt and heard a cry...a cry for the lost, the broken, the poor. It overwhelms me many times, for I find myself helpless and useless at times, asking myself, what can I do? what do You want me to do? then I fell on my knees, and begin to express the cries of the Father's heart for the people He brought into my heart. I am crying out for the Father's will to be done on earth as it is in Heaven, as how He purpose it to be.

Can you hear the cries of His heart? Enter the secret place...it's the place where He wants you to be..