MY PRESENT HELPER

I had a pleasant afternoon at Glenelg beach in Adelaide with my friends and family. I have always wonderful memories every time I return to my hometown of Adelaide. I completed my secondary school and university studies in Adelaide. I also found Christ in Adelaide twenty one years ago at Paradise Community Church. Adelaide is also famous for its vineyards and wineries. Our family visited the McLaren Vale winery for some red wine tasting.


MY PRESENT HELPER

Currently, a big volcanic eruption in Iceland has filled the sky across Europe with ash and smoke. All the airlines had to cancel flights and passengers were left stranded at the airports and hotels with nowhere to go. Many businesses were affected because of this natural disaster. The world in which we live can be unpredictable. As I am writing this blog, there is a severe drought and earthquake happening at the same time in a particular country.

I found comfort reading these Bible verses during my devotion time this morning from Psalm 46.

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. Psalm 46:1-2

The Bible says that God is our refuge and strength and an ever-present help in trouble. God is with us in the midst of our troubles and He will give us the strength to walk through our troubles. God is always ready to help us in time of need. We should not fear our situations because God is with us. We need to keep our focus on God and not on our problems or challenges.

Our faith in God will weaken and fear will increase when we lose focus of God.

“Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth. The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.” Psalm 46:10

God wants us to be still and know that He is God and He is in control. The earth and the nations are under His dominion and influence. God knows everything before it happens. He has the answer for every situation. We need to surrender to God more each day and allow Him to lead us into His plans and purposes.

He is my present help for every trouble that I face today and tomorrow. God is all powerful and He can do all things.

IN HIS LOVING HANDS

I had a wonderful time with my family at Victor Harbor and Granite Island. The township of Victor Harbor has long been a favoured holiday destination. Situated 80km south of Adelaide with a southern ocean frontage, the township offers an enjoyable experience for everyone. The panoramic views of the rugged granite landmark bluff and the well known Granite Island are stunning. (See photos)



IN HIS LOVING HANDS

Life can be full of stresses. We face stresses when we experience something new or something that is out of our control. The common stresses that we faces; moving to a new location, starting a new job or looking for a new job, doing a new ministry in church, taking new responsibility at home or work and going through the different stages of life.

Recently, I was a bit stress when I had to move to a new location. But God reassured me that I am in His loving Hands and He is in control. As I reflected back on this moving experience, I can see the hands of God arranging events and people to assist me.

I would like to share three aspects of our heavenly Father that we can trust and depend in every situation.

A Father always with us

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6

The Bible describes God as our heavenly Father, not a temporal Father but an Everlasting Father. God is always with us. He is eternal. He is the same yesterday, today and forever. God never changes. He is everywhere at the same time. He is watching over His children. King David wrote is Psalm 23:4 “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil , for you are with me; your rod and your staff comfort me. King David knew about the presence of God with him in every situation including danger.

We can trust God because He is with us and will not leave or forsake us (Hebrew 13:5b).

A Father working in us

Yet, O LORD, you are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand. Isaiah 64:8

God is the potter and we are the clay. He is working in us to bring out the best in our lives. God will take all of your weaknesses and limitations and transform it into something beautiful. The bible says that we are God’s workmanship (Eph 2:10) which means we are “God work of art”. God does not make rubbish! God make things that reflect His image and glory. We are God’s handiwork! We will do many good works for God because He is working in our lives.

A Father knowing our needs

Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. Matthew 6:8

God know all our daily needs. The Bible says God knows what we need before we ask him. God is a personal, intimate and caring. He will not let us always suffer or endure hardship. We may face difficulties for a season but God will provide a way out or help us to go through it.

God will meet our needs the right time and season according to His love and wisdom.

CONNECTING WITH GOD

I spent the afternoon in Adelaide walking along the beach and enjoying the beautiful creation of God. I took some photos with my camera.



CONNECTING WITH GOD

Just like a plant needs water to develop and grow, we need to be connected with God to live an abundant life. When we are connected with God, we are energised, fulfilled, strengthened and empowered. Without God, we will not able to be function at our ultimate best. Even worse, we may even live in confusion, anxiety, fear and stress. King David wrote Psalm 63 about his desperation and longing to connect with God. He had a passion to draw close to God and stay in His presence.

Psalm 63:1-8 (New International Version)

1 O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water. 2 I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory. 3 Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. 4 I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands. 5 My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you. 6 On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night. 7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings. 8 My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me.

I would like to share three ways about how to get connected with God.

Connecting with God through worship

Over the years, I have learned to connect with God through worship. I set aside time each day to come into the presence of God. I give praise to God for His love, grace, mercy and blessing. It is through worship that we can focus and magnify God. Worship allows us to draw close to God and to hear His voice. I choose a worship album and begin to sing unto God songs of love and thanksgiving.

We can be refreshed and recharged by spending time worshipping God.

Connecting with God through the Word

The Word of God is necessary for a vibrant Christian life. Regular reading of the Word of God will strengthen our spiritual man. The Word of God is like spiritual bread to the soul; without it, we can become spiritually starved or malnourished. God speaks and gives instruction for living and ministry through His words.

Just as a driver needs a road map for directions, a Christian needs the Word of God for direction in life.

Connecting with God through prayer

Every relationship requires communication to prosper. We need communication with God on a daily basis. We can develop trust and obedience to God through prayer. Doubts and unbelief will come when there is no communication with God. Let's be connected with God through talking and listening to Him. God longs to hear our voices in all seasons of life.

Like a father who longs to hear the voices of his children, God love to hear the voices of His children too.

HIS DAILY PROVISION

I had a lovely time at the Gold Coast, Australia with my friends over the Easter weekend. I love the beautiful beaches in the Gold Coast. Below are some photos of the Gold Coast. I am flying off to Adelaide, Australia for a family reunion tonight.


HIS DAILY PROVISION

Sometimes, we go through life worrying about so many things, especially about meeting our daily needs. We worry about our children, our job, our ministry and our future. But God wants to remind us today that He is our provider in all things. We need to learn to trust in God at every stage and development of our lives. I am encouraged by this Bible story about how Jesus provided for Apostle Peter in a unique way: through finding money in a fish (Read Matthew 17:24-27)

Matthew 17:24-27 (New International Version)

After Jesus and his disciples arrived in Capernaum, the collectors of the two-drachma tax came to Peter and asked, "Doesn't your teacher pay the temple tax[a]?" "Yes, he does," he replied. When Peter came into the house, Jesus was the first to speak. "What do you think, Simon?" he asked. "From whom do the kings of the earth collect duty and taxes—from their own sons or from others?" "From others," Peter answered. "Then the sons are exempt," Jesus said to him. "But so that we may not offend them, go to the lake and throw out your line. Take the first fish you catch; open its mouth and you will find a four-drachma coin. Take it and give it to them for my tax and yours."

I like to share three things about God's provision:

God knows our needs before we ask

The Bible says that God knows everything about the past, present and future. He knows when we were born. He knows our favourite foods. He knows our desires, dreams and ambitions. He knows what we lack.

Apostle Peter did not have the money to pay the temple tax. He did not have the two drachmas required to enter the temple and worship God. Peter then approached Jesus explaining about his financial needs. Even before Apostle Peter open his mouth, Jesus explained to him that they needed to pay the tax. Jesus had foreknowledge about the situation.

Whatever situation you are facing in your life, God knows them full well and He has the answer for every situation.

God provides supernaturally

Apostle Peter was a fisherman. Jesus told him to go fishing and find the coin inside the fish to pay the tax. Jesus wanted Apostle Peter to know that He can provide in a supernatural way. We need to look to God to provide for our needs. Sometimes, we don't have all the solutions because we are limited in our resources or abilities. But when we look to God, He can provide in ways that are beyond our imagination. For the last 21 years of being a Christian, I have seen God provide for me in so many ways in my study, career and ministry.

We may have limited resources but God has unlimited resources. He is able to provide for us in supernatural ways.

God wants us to cooperate with Him

Why didn't Jesus make money on the spot even though He had the power to do so? I believe God wants us to partner with Him for our daily provision. We need to do our part and God will do His part. We cannot sit at home and do nothing. Jesus wanted Apostle Peter to go fishing and find the coin inside the fish. When we cooperate with God in life, we will see His miraculous provision.

We need to be obedient to God for His leading and prompting so we can receive His provision for our lives.

POWER PRAYER (PART 2)

I am celebrating Easter in Brisbane, Australia. Easter is a wonderful time to remember what Jesus has done for us at the cross. I will be in the Gold Coast, Australia for Easter with my friends from Australia and New Zealand. Below are recent photos of my time in Asia. I hope you will be inspired by a message I wrote called "Power Prayer".

POWER PRAYER

I believe no one wants a powerless prayer! We don’t want our prayers to fall to the ground or vanish into thin air. We want our prayers to make an impact in our lives, family, community and the nations. God is looking for people who can partner with Him to change heaven and earth through prayer. Read James 5:16-18 & 1 King 18:41-45

James 5:16-18 (New International Version)

Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops.

1 Kings 18:41-45 (New International Version)

And Elijah said to Ahab, "Go, eat and drink, for there is the sound of a heavy rain." 42 So Ahab went off to eat and drink, but Elijah climbed to the top of Carmel, bent down to the ground and put his face between his knees. "Go and look toward the sea," he told his servant. And he went up and looked. "There is nothing there," he said. Seven times Elijah said, "Go back." The seventh time the servant reported, "A cloud as small as a man's hand is rising from the sea." So Elijah said, "Go and tell Ahab, 'Hitch up your chariot and go down before the rain stops you.' " Meanwhile, the sky grew black with clouds, the wind rose, a heavy rain came on and Ahab rode off to Jezreel.

I like to share some three principles for Power Prayers

Power prayer involves having a righteous heart

Our prayers become powerful and effective when we maintain a consistent relationship with God. We need to walk closely with God through prayer, bible reading and worship so we can know what the things that please and displease God are. Our sins, wrong attitudes or incorrect motives can block us from receiving the blessings of God. We need to confess our sins to God so the channel of communication with God can flow freely.

God is a holy and sin will separate us from God. The prayer of a righteous person will prevail.

Power prayer involves having faith

Elijah was an ordinary man like us but he had exceptional trust in God’s love and power. He had an intimate relationship with God. Elijah believed in the words of God that famine and rain will come at the appointed time. When it was God’s time to send the rain, Elijah believed and prayed for a miracle. Sometimes, it is difficult to believe in God’s blessings when you experience a drought for a long time. Our past or present experiences can cause us to doubt God’s ability to provide or bless us.

Elijah believed God could do all things and we need to have the same attitude of faith in God as well.

Power prayers involves having persistence

Don’t give up! How often have we wanted to give up praying when we didn’t receive an instant answer from God? Elijah had to pray seven times for the rain to come. Imagine what would have happened if Elijah gave up praying on the sixth attempt? The land would have continued to be drought-stricken and the people will have continued to suffer. Rather, Elijah kept praying on his knees until God answered his prayer. He trusted for God’s timing to answer his prayer.

God is looking for people who will continue and persist in prayer for miracles, breakthroughs and blessings.

THE FINISH LINE

I had a relaxing afternoon with my brother in Perth, Australia. He took some photos of me on Swan River Foreshore. Perth is a beautiful city with nice scenery. This is my second time visiting Perth. I beginning to fall in love with this city. The Chinese restaurants in Perth are very good too.


THE FINISH LINE

We all have a God-given race to run and finish in this life on earth. Read Philippians 3:12-14. We need to run with an eye on crossing the finish line and receiving the prize from God.

Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Phil 3:12-14

I would like to share three ways to cross the finish line for God;

Cross the finish line with Christ

How do we define our success in life? Is it through our status, popularity or wealth? Life is more than just becoming successful and prosperous. It is about knowing and experiencing God. Apostle Paul was a successful person in life. He had accomplished many great things as a Pharisee and later became the founder of many churches. In spite of all his achievements, his main purpose was to know Christ. He ran the race of life with an objective of knowing God more intimately. Don’t neglect God because He wants to assist us in the race.

Cross the finish line looking forward

We cannot drive a vehicle and look back at the same time; otherwise we will have an accident. We need to forget the things of the past that would act as a stumbling block to our future. Apostle Paul had his past: he was a persecutor of the church. He even approved the murder of Stephen in the book of Acts. He went around arresting and putting Christians in prisons. However, once he had an encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus, he decided to leave his past behind and serve God.

After I accepted Christ, I had to ask God to help take away my fears and insecurities. I was afraid of many things in life: fear of failures, fear of people, and fear of the future. I was also an insecure person because I did not know my gifting and self-identity. God slowly began to change my thinking and attitudes about myself through the Bible. I did not allow fear and insecurity to stop me from being a new creation in Christ.

Every day, I rely on the grace and power of God to remove my fears and insecurities. Instead, through him, I strive for a better future.

Cross the finish line with heaven rewards

Motivation is so important in life! We need godly motivation to give excitement and inspiration to live this life. Apostle Paul was motivated to serve God because he knew that there was heaven awaiting him after life on earth. Life on earth is short and what we done on earth for God and others will be greatly rewarded in heaven.

HERE IN YOUR PRESENCE

Busselton is really a beautiful coastal town in Western Australia. The beach in Busselton has the longest jetty in the southern hemisphere with almost two kilometers in length. I really enjoy swimming on the beach with Pastor Nigel's family. I took some photos of the scenery on the beach for memory. I love traveling in the country towns of Australia.

Every now and then you listen to a worship song that really touches your hearts and brings tears. I love this song by New Life Worship called "Here in your presence". This song really speaks about the blessings of coming into the presence of God. This song inspired me to draw closer to God for strength, joy and power. I can sing it for a very long time and allow God to refresh me. I pray that you will be inspired to draw closer to God through this song.

Psalm 27:4 (New International Version)

4 One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek:that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple.

HERE IN YOUR PRESENCE (Music Video)

HERE IN YOUR PRESENCE (Lyric)

Found in Your hands, fullness of joy
Every fear suddenly wiped away here in Your presence
All of my gains now fade away
Every crown no longer on display, here in Your presence
Heaven in trembling in awe of Your wonders
the kings and their kingdom are standing amazed

Chorus:
Here in Your presence, we are undone
Here in Your presence, Heaven and Earth become one
Here in Your presence, all things are new
Here in Your presence, everything bows before You

Bridge:
Wonderful, beautiful, glorious, matchless in every way
Wonderful, beautiful, glorious, matchless in every way
Wonderful, beautiful, glorious, matchless in every way
Wonderful, beautiful, glorious, matchless in every way

Chorus:
Here in Your presence, we are undone
Here in Your presence, Heaven and Earth become one
Here in Your presence, all things are new
Here in Your presence, everything bows before You

Here in Your presence, we are undone
Here in Your presence, Heaven and Earth become one
Here in Your presence, all things are new
Here in Your presence, everything bows before You