First Fruit Gathering: 4-6 June

Sabah is known to be the land below the wind. I love Sabah. I thank God for putting me here. I always know that the birthplace of everyone is never a coincidence. (If things are coincidence, then our existence is a mistake. Coincidence means something that is not planned. Then, we are actually saying that God is a mistake!) No, God is SUPREME AND JUST. To begin to understand God fully is like trying to fit in the whole oceans into a small hole. Its impossible. Yet, this same God created us and called us His Precious! His thoughts toward us are so vast and mind-blowing. David said that in the book of Psalm : "How precious are your thoughts about me, O God! They are innumerable! I can't even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand!"

Our God is intentional when He decided to create you and me. So that He can love us unconditionally. We are not an accident. Isn't that awesome? If I were to have children, I would make sure they know this foundation truth! I am thankful for a mother who intentionally told me about this truth as I was growing up.

So, all of us are placed on earth for a purpose and calling. Last month we have the second Malaysia Gathering in KL. The theme was First Fruit. During the pre-gathering, I felt an unspeakable excitement and burning in me because I know for sure God is going to do something that we have not expected. True enough, we entered into realm after realm that we have not entered before. The first day of the gathering, the first people of the land (Anak Negeri & Orang Asli) was presented before the Lord. Its amazing to see a lot of brothers and sisters in Christ among the Orang Asli, Chinese and Indians turned up. Its a family reunion! :)

The gathering starts on 4 June night, and it falls exactly on Pentecost! The leaders didn't know about this when they decided on the date. Holy Spirit came and swept us away for the next three days. Papa David shared about be careful when the enemy is trying to put us in a neutral zone, where we don't slip black nor move forward. This is what its called as the attack of dullness. I was reminded in Revelation 3:15 "I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish you were one or the other!" Nothing is more worse than being lukewarm. Also, there is an ancient sound in the land that the enemy has forgotten. This ancient sound is the voice of the Orang Asli and the Anak Negeri. Now is the time for this sound to rise up and take authority in the spiritual realm. The enemy fear this sound. We also offered up our first fruit offering which is our worship and praise as we consecrate ourselves before the Lord simply because He is worthy of all the praise!

On the second day of the gathering, spiritual groaning took place during worship. At first there was an intense silence but the moment the flute came in, people started to weep, travail, and groan in the spirit. Romans 8:26 says " We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans." It was unexpected but Holy Spirit knows best. I personally also felt that the atmosphere of the convention centre is almost similar to a labor room. Something was birthed that day. 
There was a Scripture passage given to the people in Sabah, Sarawak and Peninsular Malaysia for 3 times. The leaders felt that if God is speaking about it for 3 times, it means something. This passage was Isaiah 54. Hence, all the leaders did a prophetic act of enlarging the tent, stretching the tent curtains wide, lengthening the cords, and strengthening the stakes. It speaks to the spiritual and spiritual realm that the land is no longer barren but it will be fruitful!

On the last day, 6 June 2014, it is a new day. It is a new season. The Lord has been leading us is an unusual way. We have not walked this way before. Papa David mentioned that we are in a season where many prophets are speaking of. This new thing, or season, is not only for Malaysia but for nations. However, because of Malaysia's role for nations, this is a pivotal and critical moment for Malaysia to enter into her destiny. We need to positioned ourselves before the Lord, like an army positioned themselves until their commander gives the command. As an army of God, we reported for duty. And because the things that we do speaks loudly in the spiritual realm, we need to make a sacrifice of faith that says "We believe!" When people of God began to see and hear with their spiritual eyes and ears, there will be a substance that will cause them to move forward.

"Behold! The bride of Malaysia is marching to the nations, following the Lion of Judah!"

Indeed, the gathering birthed something new in Malaysia. And whenever there's a new season, there's joy and wisdom, but there's also resistance. Therefore, the most important thing is to keep on track with God, fix our eyes upon Him and constantly be in fellowship with the Holy Spirit.

Lord, I report for duty.

Your servant.

p.s.- 6 June was also my baptism(or I prefer wedding) day. I was reminded of this only after the gathering.

Expresso

I love reading. But I hate writing. The memories of copying nearly whole book when I was in elementary school until my hand could take no more and my tears come out (Well, that's a bit exaggerated) comes to my mind when it comes to writing. Yet, something changed when I enter high school during my junior year. I began to love writing. Writing stories, to be frank. 

I was young and free. Not wild and an avid reader. So you kind of can picture me with book and thick glasses and two ponytails. Well, yeah, but except, I repeat, EXCEPT - the two ponytails. I've not a good sense of fashion at that time. But all is good. Sun is still shining down on me. Hahaha. Ok wait. That's not the point. Thing is - all the story books that I read and read and read prompt me to write, well, a story.

So I did. Using my school exercise book, I began writing a love story. (Hit the Tailored Swan song!)
I know. I can't believe it too. But that was my first genre of a story. I finished writing it and my friends started to read it. (They didn't know it was a story since it was a school exercise book.) In short, good comments. Moving on, to my next project of writing - again, a love story. Different characters and different plot. My cousin Debbie read it and she suggested that I make money out of it. I asked, "Err.. How?" And she said by promoting to people to read it by paying me first and lending them the book. Interesting! But no, I didn't have the gut to do it then. Ha... [Fast forward...] Unfortunately, the books disappeared when my friend, who had finished reading, passed it to her sister and misplaced it somewhere-no-one-knows.

After that, I never write a love story anymore. Too tired to think I guess. But years and years after that, after all the high school years, I started personal journaling. And then I realized - I felt so passionate whenever I write. Its like my brain in action. And then I realize something more - its a passion, its a gift!

Now I understand that I express best in writing & every person alive has a different way of expressing themselves. I found mine. How do you best expresso - I mean - express yourself? :)

Blessings,
Athena

Beyond words (Part 1)

The title sums up what life has been the past 5 months and a half (and yeah, I haven't updated my blog THAT long). Some people say life is a roller coaster. Well, I say, the past few months had been a roller coaster already for me. 

After Tung Ling, I have braced myself for what's coming in the 'real' world. (Don't be scared, its not that bad) God has been faithful. To report here on what I've been doing the past months will take an hour (or more) just to read up [or maybe I'm just exaggerating :p] but I'll just highlight things that I've learned.

To be aligned with Him. Like a car without proper alignment, it will go to different direction even by a degree of error. We need to be aligned with His purpose and His will. Sometimes we might find it difficult to do so, but as we pray and ask the Lord to align us, He will graciously pull out His hands and help us to fix it. For me, personally, the word "alignment" was prophecied+prayed over me for three significant times that I remembered. By then, I know that God is speaking something really serious when He is saying it for 3 times! 

Shift and shed. This is one of the things we've learned in one of our classes in WLI. When God told Joshua that he'll lead the Israelites as Moses was dead, He is telling Joshua to shift to the new things that God is about to do through Joshua and to shed the old wineskin. Nobody likes changes. At least I am one of those people, since temperamentally, I am a high S. I don't like changes, especially when I'm already comfortable with it. Yet God has a different plan for me. It wasn't easy. I struggled a lot. Like, a lotttt. In the way that I think, the way I see things, the way I act. Slowly, I felt that God is telling me to TRUST HIM because actually, the reason why people find it hard to shift is the lack of trust. There was a moment where this is a huge blow for me in the face when I realized the root of the struggle. The more I learn to trust Him (in a new way), the more I found it easier to live and move and SHED. I've to admit, the "shedding" part has got a lot to do with the way I think. To put it clearly in other words - to put off the old wineskin, old thinking.

True humility. Humility is a word that once meant to me something that is very kind, gentle at ALL time. True humility isn't found through the posture of how you stand or walk or talk or even act! It starts all from the heart. For instance, I have a friend that had more than once complimented me on my talents that I have been using to serve in ministry. My natural reaction was to say "No lah.. Its all glory to God bah.." My friend straightforwardly told me that that was a false humility. I was taken aback. That was the first time someone ever dare to say that to me. I couldn't accept it until some time when I ponder and ask God about it. This is what God revealed - See, it has nothing to do with the words that I have said. But the attitude of my heart wasn't right. Definitely the talents are gifts from God but nothing wrong to acknowledge the compliment. I realized this as well - the 'natural reaction' I gave to my friend has blinded me into believing that I was saying it out of humility when reality was that, my heart wasn't truly humbled when I've suppressed my feelings from acknowledging the compliment (I think you will know this, the feeling of refusing to say "thank you" when someone compliments you yet you feel proud of it deep inside). I thank God for revealing this to me. This is only a small example of false humility. God wants to teach His children the truth (His truth) that will truly set you free so always have a teachable heart!

I hope this entry will find its way to encourage and bless you in any way that it could.

Thanks for reading.

Nethy@Athena.

God is still in control.

Life in Subang. Its 2 weeks more to go and we welcomed our new housemate Jacquelina! She decided to move in with us due to the long distance from her place. Things are going well here. Everyone is quite busy and handful with the practices and preparation for the graduation next week. Lessons are getting more interesting and intense. I can't be grateful enough for everything that God has done for all these times. Helped me a lot to think and see things through different perspectives. Today we learned about the book of Amos. Talks about the injustice of the heathen and non-heathen nations and God's judgement over them. 

Moving on......

GE13. Recently there's a lot of buzz about the nation's 13th general election. Be it before, during or after. Being a first time voter, I am really proud to be able to cast my vote. It is an exciting moment and unforgettable moment. Among our line on the polling day are all the young voters as well. The atmosphere that day was, of course, very HOT, but its quite exciting! Waiting the result at night was exciting as well. Opened all sources of information (that is, honest information). It was a long night that I literally fell sleep while waiting. Waking up in the middle of the night, the result was already out by then. Well, we all know it. I shall not write it down again as it was all around Facebook and Twitter and ETC.. I could post a long essay on GE13 but I would hold it until here. 

No matter what, God is still in control!
And its just amazing when you pause and ponder, that God is omniscient. That means He knows what is to come. Lets keep praying and rise up for the kingdom of God is near!


Nethy.

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

Life.

Life's not fair. That is one of the most favorite phrase people love to say.

But if life is fair, then it is not life anymore. As much as we get frustrated with life, God has much much to offer us, IF we only take heed of His Words. Everything was broken since the major incident in garden of Eden. So basically, its not a surprise that we have this so-called 'unfair' life.

Some of us are born rich, some poor and some average. Some were born with a genius mind, etc. But all of us were created in God's image. So you have totally NO SAY or be PROUD of what you have. Not even lucky! God planned it all. But here's the interesting part, you see... Every obstacle in life, consider it an opportunity for a greater JOY! The problems or difficulties that you are facing with right now is actually an opportunity for you to grow. After that problem is solved, then it will become a blessing to those who hears it. 

The topic we had earlier today in class is one topic that you don't get often. It reveals what your heart's content is. And yes, it opens up my eyes in a new light. After understanding it, you can't even comprehend the depth, the length, the height and the width of Father's heart for His children. After learning and taste a bit of the Father's heart, life makes more sense in knowing that His love is unconditional, strengthens you and brings tremendous healing!

These days...

These past few days, including the day before our plane took off for KL, I've witnessed the goodness of the LORD without stop. I feel Him closer than ever. Like, seriously!

Went to Kuala Lipis for FJM and boyyyy, more revelation there! Until now I'm still unable to find the RIGHT words to explain the things that He showed me (us). Part of me feels like this is too much for someone like me. Yet, most part of me is excited (and I feel like running) for the things that He is ABOUT to do in this nation! On the last day, we watched a video of worship during the homecoming in Hong Kong last year. It was a long video, about 40 minutes. We watched and worshiped. Its the first video (apart from testimony clips, movies, dramas) that made me cry so badly till my eye is swollen. Like other worship videos, there's nothing super-extraordinary about it. But, the atmosphere of everything kinda just blown out of the screen and hit the atmosphere on our side. Something that is so powerful and anointed! The warmth and the flow of  God's love is indescribable.

Today's class had been wonderful. I already know that my time there would be a memorable and fruitful one.  Thank God for this opportunity.

Thinking of Sabah. The news about the gunshots broke last week when we were still in Kuala Lipis. I have been praying for Sabah and I couldn't help feeling sad and worried. Mom just called and also texted saying that the situation there has indeed become worse. She apparently have to take turns with the night shift. Part of me wish I'm there right now. But I know this is where God wants me to be now. Let's keep praying for God's will to be done is Sabah, as well as His protection over the land! Our God is bigger than this! He is able!


Athena.