Okay. It's 3.03am now. Mmm. I really wonder why sometimes I sleep so late.

Well, how has the week been? Spotted a few of you at Day of His Power just now. And somehow, it's been a rather encouraging week. Not anything significant that happened or some mega or major revelation about things. It's more of a... day-to-day relationship with God that keeps me going. And of course, I do hope and pray that we will all have this day-to-day relationship with Him. Well, at least I know He desires it. Do you desire it as much?

Mmm. I sort of got weary during the week. A little lost. A little disoriented. A little discouraged. And a little disappointed. All these "a littles", I guess at the end of it if you keep focusing on it, it becomes quite a lot actually? That's the way humans are most of the time. So if you find yourself like that, don't worry, you're just human. But of course, don't stop at that. Know that God created us for so much more. So expect! Expect more of His power in your life! Expect more of the Holy Spirit's movement in your life! Expect more love, more power, more of Jesus in your life! And even as you expect, it will come to pass.

God will meet you, wherever you are this day. You're never too far from His grasp and grace. =)

So... here's something I read from Our Daily Bread yesterday and I found it really encouraging, and true of course. It made a lot of sense. I guess... many things we know, but at times, we just need a little reminder? So here's one for all of you!

"Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation—but it is not to the sinful nature, to live according to it. For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba,Father." The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory." - Romans 8:12-17


Lew Wallace’s book Ben-Hur tells the story of a Jewish aristocrat betrayed by his best friend and condemned to serve as a galley slave in the Roman navy. On a forced march to the ship, Judah Ben-Hur meets Jesus of Nazareth, whose compassion fills him with hope. Eventually, Ben-Hur saves the Roman commander during battle. In gratitude, the commander adopts Ben-Hur as his son, instantly elevating him from slave to heir.

That’s what happens to us when God adopts us into His family. But great privilege brings great responsibility. Paul said that we become “heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him” (Rom. 8:17). The gospel does not say, “Come to Jesus and live happily ever after.” God’s syllabus for His children’s education includes training through hardships.

Ben-Hur’s years of enduring hardship as a Roman slave strengthened him and increased his endurance. He eventually defeated his “friend-turned-enemy” in a chariot race.

As endurance and training were key to Ben-Hur’s victory, so are they vital to victory in the Christian’s war with sin and evil. The hard times we endure are God’s way to prepare us for greater service for His glory. — C. P. Hia

So send I you to hearts made hard by hatred,
To eyes made blind because they will not see,
To spend though it be blood—to spend and spare not—
So send I you to taste of Calvary. —Clarkson

We conquer by continuing.

- Adapted from Our Daily Bread: 7 August 2008; God's Training School.


Mmm. If you couldnt get yourself to read through the whole thing, at least read the last three paragraphs. I hope it inspires you to persevere on this race marked out for us.

And remember... you're never alone. Because we're all here for each other. We're a team. So don't give up! And keep each other in prayer. Because prayer changes things. And even as we pray, we find ourselves becoming more and more like Jesus.

Continue on, sons and daughters of the Lord Most High!