Best timing.

I've come to realization that for all the years since I first decided to follow Him, His timing is always the best. It is no coincidence that now I am in Tung Ling Seminary, studying deeper of His Words. It always makes me so grateful, thinking back of how He prepare me before going off to Tung Ling. 

You see, I often have difficulty in expressing myself, my thoughts to people. Although I get it in my head, I can't really deliver it clearly (at times.) So i'm gonna try and express it by writing it down, since I know writing is one of the good things i can do. Apart from the financial situation that God had helped me through (and recently, a pleasant news that sustains me until now ^^), I felt that this 3 months are so intense and exciting that I find myself always looking forward to see what's next! Classes were fun and exciting. The lecturers were great teachers and comedians (this is true in every class.) Friends were great as well. We get along well and just knowing them is a blessing for me. But above all of what I've mentioned, there is something divine that is shifting and moving me into seeing a greater revelation (which I can't really explain clearly). Day by day, it just confirms what God has put in my heart all this years. The burden for the young people. Especially the natives in Sabah (to be specific). Even before I heard of Jubilee year and PAN, that burden was there. For a period of time, I thought it was gone and no longer there. But it has just gotten heavier and I often felt the tug in me to pray for them.

During FJM in Kuala Lipis, I was blown away at seeing how God moves. Tabitha and I were given the chance to share our hearts from the view of young people of Sabah & Sarawak. [You see, the reason why I'm posting this is because I've figured out that I cannot this matter linger in my head without telling people about it. And simply because I am CONVICTED.] To simplify what both of us shared, it is about yearning to see the young people to grasp the vision that the leaders have (which God has put in their heart) and not just wander/follow leaders without OWNING the vision. Its very easy to just follow and do what is told by people. But it is a very different thing to own the vision and do what God tells you to do (be it through leaders or personal conviction). I cannot imagine Jesus' 12 disciples simply followed Him, not having any vision or idea why they did. If they did, they wouldn't be delegated and change the world! Years after years will pass by. By then, some leaders might not be around anymore. Think about the next generation. Its not about positions or whatsoever, but the main thing is to do God's will and let His will alone be done. 

We need each other. I have so much to share but I'll just end here for now. Let's keep praying. And until Jesus come for the second time, let's live for Him and Him alone. And God's timing is the best. Always will. :)

Be blessed.

Athena

YL camp (8-10 July '11)

We went to this camp only on the second day. We couldn't make it on the 8th. But thank God for His goodness and perfect timing that we can join the camp! I learned so much through this camp.

I really wanna share it to all but couldn't find the time to blog this down. Yet, here I am now seated in front of this lappy, eager to share/bless y'all... =)

(Imma do it in point form so it might appear clearer.)

1. Beragama@Bertuhan? (Religious@Godly?)

Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. - John 3:6

The most important thing is not about denominations or religions, but its about having a personal relationship with God and truly knowing Him.

For God so loved the world that He gave His only son that whosoever believe in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life! - John 3:16

Through our faith in Jesus Christ, we have become children of God. Everlasting life is more than heaven. It starts when one receive Christ! Everlasting life does not starts in heaven, its about knowing God (truly knowing Him) here on earth! It doesn't matter how long we live on earth, what's most important is the quality of life we lived for Him. (Quality not quantity.)

"Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, 

the only true God and Jesus Christ, whom you sent."

- John 17:3

2. God is a loving God, He's not a dictator.

At the camp, pastor shared about his testimony upon meeting someone who said to him (face to face) that God is a cruel God. He justified his saying by stating - that unless we believe in Jesus, we are doomed for hell. How cruel is God for asking us to believe first in order not to go to hell. In other words, he is saying that God is simply a dictator.

But pastor answered him wisely that he is wrong and will always be wrong because he is thinking with his human, fleshly mind. This was his reply to the man accusing God of being cruel:

We are already placed under punishment, not because we don't believe in Jesus but because of sin! 

Since the fall of mankind into sin, all human beings are doomed for hell. Whether we like it or not, we are already under God's punishment (di bawah hukuman). So God sent His only Son to redeem us so that we will not perish but have everlasting life! To believe in Jesus is not a torture or a death sentence, it is the only way out!

This makes me think for a moment after hearing pastor said all this. How many people have fallen into Satan's lies? This priceless truth I hope everyone will catch it and keep it in their mind and our God is a loving God, not the other way round. In 2009 I have been born again. Never even once I ever regret it. All of us who is in Him are His children. Amen? (Amen...)

Galatians 3:26-29

3. Obey obey and obey...

Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee form you! 

James 4:7

Our mindset plays a vital role in directing the path we should take in life. We should want to live a healthy lifestyle, as God want us to live. Obedience to God makes us more mature in Him. The more we obey, the more we will get to know Him and the more we mature in Him. To obey God is to love Him. Many Christians have too much informations regarding the Word of God but there are very seldom fruits that one can see from that person's life. Impression without expression leads to depression! Too often we got ourselves impressed with the sermon by pastors and leaders but we do not put it into action. This will create depression within our inner man (Holy Spirit).

Apply the knowledges you gained and God will transform you and you will be submissive to His leading.

When we obey Him and His kingdom, we can fight the devil. Those who do not submit to God finds it very hard to fight the devil! Satan is powerless. He is a CREATED being and his power are lying and deception (penipuan). That's why he is called as "the father of all lies". We have the power given from God to fight against satan. But first we have to change our mindset that we are victorious & have the power to resist the devil. Stop living in defeat because its all been done by Jesus on that cross 2011 years ago! The devil is afraid of Jesus' blood.

When we realise that we're actually in a battlefield and not a playground, we will become more aware of our role in Christ! To fight against satan, we must know, understand and memorize God's Words.

4. Draw near to God...

"Come near to God and he will come near to you. 

Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded."

- James 4:8

Once we take the initiative to draw near to God, He will surely draw near to us. Wherever we go, always remember God. Talk to Him wherever you go. (pray without ceasing)

Also, in order to totally focus on God we must not let the desires of our hearts drown us and bind us in chains.

5. Live by faith, not by sight.

As the children of Israel goes out from Egypt and into the promised land (but first through the desert), they complain and murmur among themselves. As the result of their action of disobedience, they did not go into the promised land that God promised them. Only Caleb and Joshua entered the promised land because of their faith in God. Read Numbers 13-14.

Complaining is a silent killer that kills severely. And in this case, their complains kills and cancel out God's promise for them. This apply for us even today! Whether we notice it or not, we have the power to cancel out God's promises in our life. Gossip is the major disease that spreads so easily nowadays. God hates gossip and so should we as His children. So don't miss out and never take God for granted! We should want to see how God looks at us and not how people look at us because at the end of our life, it will all down to between you and God. 

Let's pray for God's protection upon us and continue strengthening us according to His ways!

Let's bless bless and continue to bless! Yeehaa~~ =)