Eloquent in Speech????

Moses said to the Lord, "O Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue."     Exodus 4:10

Hm..many times we feel exactly just like Moses isn't it? Thinking that we are not very eloquent in our speech or words, yet knowing and understanding and seeing the need to share our faith and hope to those around us who are hurting. I too go through this similar struggle------what if my brains suddenly jam up and I do not know what to say? What if when I'm sharing, my friend do not respond and ridicule me instead? What if I'm not able to answer the questions that are being asked? What if sharing my faith and hope affects the way my friends and acquaintances view me? Hm.........but my heart ache when I see them going through life's challenges without having Jesus in their lives. After all, I've come to know by now that life is really different when I have the presence of the Almighty God who created heaven and earth walking with me.......

Friends, we are really living in very challenging times and very difficult moments as well. There seems to be so much of challenges that's coming one after another---and really it doesn't matter what status of life you have or what age you are in, challenges are everywhere. Many friends around us seems to have an air of hopelessness or despair around them. Let's be a messenger of hope n faith to them. It really doesn't matter how they respond....It really doesn't matter whether we are eloquent in our words or not.....It really doesn't matter whether we have all the answers to their questions or not....Because many times, what people really need is a listening ear first, a gesture of love, an assurance of hope that is beyond what any humans can offer but only what God can offer.

You and I may not be eloquent in our speech. But you know what? Moses was also not eloquent in his speech when God first called him to lead the people into the promise land. However, guess what? When Moses told God that he was not eloquent in speech and ask God to look for someone else; God's reply to Moses was this "Who gave man his mouth? Who makes him deaf or mute? Who gives him sight or makes him blind? Is it not I, the Lord? Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say." 

Incredible isn't it? Sometimes or can I say many times, we may not know what to say in whatever situations that our friends or love ones may be in...But God says, I'll be your mouth during those times...I'll help you to speak...Just open and speak when I put those words in your mouth...

I was reminded once again yesterday..."It's not with persuasive words of man that we speak, but it's with the demonstration of My spirit's power". These were the words of Paul to the Corinthian church in 1 Cor 2:4.

Each time when I meet with people and when I'm given the opportunity to share the word of God to others, I constantly remind myself and utter a simple prayer to the Lord --- "Let it not be persuasive words of man, but let Your power be demonstrated."

Whenever you struggle and have doubts on your own eloquence of speech, do remember it's not about how well we speak or even what we say...but it's about God wanting to bring His love and hope to the desperate friend or love one or just a mere acquaintance through you.

So, really just to be honest-----it has never been about you at all! =) 

It has never been about how well you can speak. But, the truth and the fact of the matter--------It's all about a loving God who's wanting to bring some words of hope, joy, faith, comfort and love to those hurting souls out there. You and I are just a vessel that He can flow through.

Will you be His messenger of Hope, Love, Faith & Peace?? 

Will you?? 

Investment...

"Are you majoring on the major OR majoring on the minor?"

This has been a question that I've been thinking about and at the same time reflecting on for this entire week. The reality of our daily life routine is this - we'll always be busy and we will always be on the move. But, what are we investing our time in every day? Have you ever STOP to sit, reflect on your life and evaluate if you are majoring on the majors in your life?

ONLY ONE LIFE - With limited number of days.

"Show me, O Lord, my life's end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting is my life."    Psalms 39:4

Some questions for us to ponder on:

1. Are you majoring on the majors in life?

2. What are you investing the bulk of your time in? Time=Life

3. Do you know what you are so busy about everyday?

4. You life investment - are they of temporal or eternal value?

Life can throw us many surprises - some that brings joy and laughter but some that brings grieve n tears. No matter what surprises they are, we will never ever feel that we are ready or prepared. But, I strongly believe that if we intentionally take time to STOP and evaluate the investment that we are making with our lives - be it the old investments or the new ones, we can then live a more purposeful and impactful life.

What you spend the most time in everyday is where your heart is. Where your heart is - there your treasure will be. As you invest your life in it, you'll also realize that there will be times that changes need to be implemented so that your life can be lived in a fruitful and purposeful manner.

Your life is your greatest investment. How are you managing this investment that was entrusted to you by God? Is your current investment resulting in eternal returns?

ONLY ONE LIFE... Invest it well!!

Truth has it's timing

Think about this statement - "Truth has its time. If you tell someone the truth before they are ready to hear it, you can push them further away no matter how well intentioned you might be."I was doing my normal reading and this phrase came up. It really got me thinking - especially the second part of the statement - no matter how well intentioned you might be. As leaders, teachers or even parents - many times we try our best to teach and coach the ones we love: to help them see the truth, but then it does not always bring about a positive result. Sometimes our well intentions may even be misunderstood. =(

But, the question will be - are we going to give up & let go OR are we going to continue to love and speak the truth?

Earning our rights to speak truth into others I believe is strongly needed - and that means taking the extra time and effort to build relationship and to really understand the people that God has brought and will continue to bring into our lives. True love can be felt - when we are truly concern for those that God brings and we want to share and tell them the truth, they will be able to feel our concerns. However, like what the above statement says - Truth will only be well accepted when the listener is ready and willing to listen. When they are not, even if we insist that it's time they hear about it - our actions are only pushing them further away from the truth and also from us.

So what should we do in times like that? How do we know they are ready to hear?

1. Be sensitive and really listen to them (do this continuously)
2. Pray for them as they share
3. Discern the timing and the leading of the H.Spirit
4. Present the truth well (do not force it down their throat)
5. Whatever their responses may be, continue to love them and show that you care (discover their love language - how they want to be love)

God always have a way in helping the ones that we are concern about know the truth. His ways are higher and His timing is always the best. When things seems to look and feel stormy, let's learn to rest and surrender those that we love to Him - Our Heavenly Father knows what's best.

In the mean time, are you ready to listen to the truth that others are wanting to tell you? Are you positioning yourself to be a willing student of the truth so that it can penetrate into your heart at anytime given time? Ponder about this......

A Time of Searching

We are always searching for something. The search never ends. Different seasons of our lives, brings us to a new journey of search. At this current point of your life, what are you really searching for? What is it that really brings that true satisfaction you are longing for?


We are in a season of prayer. Many Malaysians of all ages have come together to fast and pray for the next 40 days. As I begin to take time and join many other Malaysians in unity to pray and uphold my nation, I was reminded about this verse:

"In your anger do not sin; when you are on your beds, search your hearts and be silent." Psalms 4:4

I believe that in this season of prayer, it's also a very appropriate time for each and everyone of us to search our own hearts. Many of us are always searching for different things in our lives. But, there's a vital area that we are prone to neglect - our hearts.

We are constantly reminded by the Word to search our hearts, to allow and invite the H.Spirit to search us.. Yet Psalms 4:4 says search your hearts and be silent. I've been pondering on this verse

"Why is it that we are encouraged to search our hearts in the night and be silent?"

When all activities in our life ceases and come to an end, when we are in a relax mode and our entire being is wanting to rest - that's when the fears of our hearts and the different voices that we've been trying to run away from becomes loud and clear.

It takes lots of courage and boldness to welcome the H.Spirit and to invite him to search our inner most thoughts and what's really going on in our hearts. Is there any anger? Is there any pain? Is there any sin? Is there any struggle? Is there any unforgiveness? Is there any fears/condemnation? What is the H.Spirit wanting to tell me?

During moments like this, when the H.Spirit begins to examine our hearts and remind us of different situations and reveal our real heart condition to us - what is your first respond? Think about this.......

Is there a reason why the Word tells us to be silent when we allow the H. Spirit to search our hearts? Could it be that because when He reveals and shows us something, we are very quick to defend ourselves? Or could it be that we quickly tell Him not to touch those areas? Or do we quickly just move on to the next thing?

ONLY YOU YOURSELF KNOW THE ANSWER

However, the best search that you can ever have in your life - is to be courageous and allow the H.Spirit to search your heart. In those moments, let your heart be silent. Do not be too quick to respond and answer. Why? Because it's in listening then you'll be able to hear your inner most heart and thoughts and what the H.Spirit is wanting to say and do.

Growth awaits for those whose hearts are ready to hear what the Spirit of God is saying.

Change??

Change has been something that's on my mind for the past few months..Just felt so strongly that it's time for us as an individual and family of PCC Melaka to start reviewing our perspectives, the way we do things, the way we live our lives, the way we conduct ourselves and etc...

Why is change needed in our lives? Well for many reasons. Just a few food for thought:

1. Change brings growth
- we need to be constantly growing and expanding at different seasons and aspects of our lives. Staying stagnant will only cause us to be inward looking, which always results in lots of complaining.

2. Change brings excitement and anticipation
- Yes of course in the initial stages of change, we will feel very uncomfortable. In fact, we may not even like it. Every part of our being may be screaming - I DON'T WANT!!!!! I DON'T LIKE IT!!
- But, as we learn to welcome and accept and to make this little steps of changes, excitement and anticipation will begin to build up IF we start to look at the positive sides and to understand why changes are necessary.

3. Changes brings fresh blood and ideas
- There are lots of creativity, passion and ideas that resides in everyone of us. However, many times the reservoir is not tab into. Why don't we take a chance and tab into it?
- Fresh blood and ideas also mean enabling and empowering the next generation to be part of what God's wanting to do and move in our church and nation: after all, they will eventually be the next baton runner in this relay race.

4. Changes either build stronger or weaken our bonds
- Deep and strong bonds are many times formed when we go through and
walk through different seasons of life together. The closer our relationship is with one another, we start to discover the strength and weaknesses that we have among ourselves.
- But because, all of us are different and our response to situations are also different, naturally we experience inward changes with or without us realizing it.
- However, strong bonds can only be build if we learn to be responsible for our own emotions and response. Choose to respond positively for the glory of God and the unity of the body.

Accepting changes is really our personal choices. No one can force us to change. We need to however bear in mind that change is the only constant in our life. If we are able to comprehend that "The gap between where we are now and where we want to be is called change", maybe we will all start to view and accept changes in life differently and eventually want it.

Will you? I'm learning to embrace changes so that I can be all I'm meant to be. Let's take and walk this journey together as a family of PCC, Melaka.

Moving Ahead Together

Time has really flown by and we are into the 2nd half of year 2010. Much has been taught about "Moving Ahead Together". It's not just a theme but really the call of God over each and everyone of us..

The scriptures exalts us to love one another as Christ love us so that all men will know that we are His disciples (Jn 13:34-35). Love is the attribute of our Heavenly Father. As His chilren, we are to exhibit His attributes and nature so that others too will come to know Him and be embrace and filled with His love.

How can we do that?

Making connections by bonding. Bonding is the ability to relate to another on the deepest level, without the fear of being rejected.

Who should we bond with?

1. God
2. Others
3. Ourselves

Let's be reminded once again that the message of the Gospel is one of restoration of relationship.
"All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation." 2 Cor 5:18

Let's start bonding and reflecting God's nature today!!

Agape,
Ps Rachel

Breakthrough??!!

All of us are looking for breakthroughs in every aspects of our lives. I have been personally thinking about this matter for the past few months and was wondering how we can attain the breakthroughs that we are all dreaming of. Many questions came into my mind: Why are we not having the breakthroughs we want? What are the hindrances that is stopping us from achieving it? Is getting a breakthrough that difficult?

After pondering and reflecting on my own life, I came to a few conclusions. Everyone needs and wants a breakthrough in their lives. It can be in their career, families, relationships, studies, faith and walk in God and etc. In fact, many even fast and pray seeking God for breakthroughs in their life. Praying and seeking God for a breakthrough is certainly very important. However, other than God playing his role, we too need to play our own role.

What then is our role? The first thing that we need to ask ourself is: What specific area of breakthrough do I want? Many times, we are just being too general about it. We know we want a breakthrough, but we are not even sure what specific area we need a breakthrough in. We just want a breakthrough for the sake of wanting one. Identifying the specific area of breakthrough is indeed important. When you know what you want, then only will you be able to move on.

Breakthroughs many times involve us stepping out of our comfort zone. For us to experience any form of breakthroughs in life, leaving our comfort zone - the way we see things, the way we do things, the way we live our life is a must. Unless we are willing to leave our comfort zone, the breakthroughs we want will not become a reality.

Change....change....change......Is the only permanent element in our lives. But, it's also a very scary thing for many of us. Many people do not like changes. However, if we don't accept changes, how can we move ahead to attain the breakthroughs we want? Change is inevitable. We must learn to accept good changes and be willing to change. Change may not be as scary as you think it is. In fact, it's one of the keys to unlock the door that leads to the breakthrough you so desperately need.

Once you have identified the specific area of breakthrough, ready to step out of your comfort zone and make some changes, you need to be fearless. Scriptures tells us that God did not give us a spirit of fear..We need to receive God's boldness and courage to grab hold of our breakthroughs. Be fearless to analyze and accept the reason why you are not having a breakthrough in the specific area, spot the changes that is needed to be made. Take time to plan-the little steps that you can take to move towards making the breakthrough possible. Determine to take fearless steps and walk out of your comfort zone.

Having breakthroughs in life is possible. As long as we obey and seek God daily and be intentional about wanting the breakthrough, His grace is sufficient and He will surely make our footsteps as sure footed as the deer.

Let's be intentional, let's be specific, let's step out, let's change, let's be fearless, let's move ahead together and attain our breakthrough!