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!

Serving God is FUN!!!!!

Serving God is the greatest priviledge that we can ever have! You don't need to be called into full time ministry to serve the Lord. We just need to be available and be the bridge that will connect others to our Heavenly Father!

A few members and I had the opportunity to minister in Peace A/G Kluang on the 23rd Nov..It was a good experience for all of us.. Once again, we were able to see how God flow through us through songs, dance and the preaching of the word..

Throughout the entire service, we could feel the strong presence of God as He move to minister to everyone in the service including all of us from the Melaka team. Of course in our journey of serving God, there will also be moments of discouragement or the tendecies of wanting to take a break from serving God because of the pressure; but let us not give up. Let's press on!

Serving God is fun! Serving God is exciting! Serving God is fulfilling! Serving God opens the flood gates of heaven over us! Serving God helps us to mature in our walk with Him! Serving God bond us together with the rest of His children! Serving God is adventurous! Serving God brings joy and tears! Serving God causes us to enjoy a greater level of intimacy with Him! There are many pleasures that comes in serving the Lord and I can't finish stating them all! Why don't you try it? Taste it and you will love it!

As we serve God, let's bear this constantly in our minds -

"But, this precious treasure-this light and power that now shine within us - is held in perishable containers, that is in our weak bodies. So everyone can see that our glorious power is from God and is not our own. We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed and broken. We are perplexed, but we don't give up and quit. We are hunted down, but God never abandons us. We get knocked down, but we get up again and keep going. That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying our spirits are being renewed everyday."
2 Corinthians 4:7-9, 16

COME JOIN ME! As we give the prime time of our lives to serve the God who deserves nothing but our best!!!

Life????!!!

Phew..Life! What is life? How do you view your life? As I was pondering on the verse that Paul said in Philippians 4:12 "I've learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want..." I kept asking God - what was the secret that Paul had learned? How was this great apostle able to come to a state in his life where he can make such a statement? How then would this verse be relevant to us today? How then can I be able to come to this state in my life where I can say what Paul had said?

The more I pondered, the more I wandered..I then came to a very vital (at least to me it is) conclusion: How you and I view the reality of our lives is very important - Do you view life from Jesus' point of view or from the world's? I believe if we search deeply into our hearts and answer this question honestly, it will certainly change our attitude towards life.

What is life? Can I suggest a description about the reality of life to you - "Life is just like a glass of water: Half empty & Half full". If today, you are able to accept this definition then I sincerely believe that we are on the right and same track as apostle Paul - who learned the secret of being content in any and every situation; whether in plenty or in want. Without viewing our lives from Christ's perspective, our lives will really be in a big mess! Life is very complicated by itself and we need to learn to accept that we cannot have and will not have everything that we want in life.

With this understanding in mind, how then are we going to cope with this stress(of not being able to have everything I want/my way)? Let me suggest to you a few principles that I have picked up from Philippians 4:11-13..1.

1. Measure your life according to God's standard (v11)

• Notice Paul in verse 11 says that he learned how to be content in any and every situation.
• Content here means - satisfied to the point where I'm not disturbed or disquieted.
• Learning to be content in whatever state we are in is something that all of us will need to keep learning.
• There's only 1 way to learn this lesson - you need to go through and experience it.
• 2 ways to measure
  a) God's standard : it's no longer about me it's about living my life
  to glorify God
  b) World's standard : the wealth you own
• When we have chosen to live our lives on this earth by God's standard, only then will we be able to stay contented in every situation.

2. Be ready for all things (v13)

• When you say "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me". What do you mean by that?
• Can you get things done without preparation and just being spontaneous all the time?
• In order to be able to do all things, I believe that we need to play a continuous active role of equipping & increasing our knowledge on different issues that's surrounding us. (Of course not forgetting our knowledge of the word of God)
• As God's children, it's our responsibility to train ourselves for everything - including spiritual battles and stay connected to God in order to face every situation with God's grace & wisdom.

3. Stay connected to Jesus (v13b)

• Scriptures tell us that we can do all things through what? Our own strength? NO! Other people's strength? NO WAY! Only through Christ!
• It's Jesus who infusses inner strength into us so that we can face our life which is like a glass of water - half empty & half full. It's in the sufficiency of Christ that we find our self-sufficiency!
• By ourselves, we are limitted in our capacity, strength and wisdom..but when we are constantly connected to Christ - our source for everything, at any time; we need not fear about our own lacks.

In conclusion, there are many issues in your life that will cause you not to be able to get everything you want, but let's face this reality, accept it and deal with it - times of plenty & times of lack. Whatever situation we may be in, we can still be assured and hopeful that abundant life can be found in Jesus if we learn to live life from His perspective!