Friday, we sent our daughter to the children's ministry. We were left with a difficulty decision. The decision to go into the prayer meeting or go to a prayer house to pray by ourselves. What came to my mind was the picture of past prayer meeting: few people chat away for half hour and pray for each other for a little while. I often wonder, how come a church of this size only have few people to pray. There are too many prayless churches. We are so good at doing ministry, than depend on Him for a ministry that is compelled by love.
I had an issue with this kind of prayer meeting. However, I feel that nothing can be done to change. We paced back and forth, stayed in our car, just prayed in the spirit. Holy Spirit convicted my pride, and lack of love for my fellow Christians. We decided to walk into the prayer meeting after 15 minutes in the car.
Today, surprisingly, there are 5 couples there. A brother who has heart for the church revival led the prayer. He read something about the characteristic of revived church. Then he led us to a ACTS (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, and Supplication) prayer. Everyone opened their mouth to praise God, everyone confessed their sins in front of everyone, everyone has thanked God, the church, family,... of course, there are many supplications, especially on church revival. This is by far the best prayer meeting that I have ever attended in this church. Praise God for His amazing work. Maybe, God has heard our cry for revival and is doing something new here.
Monday, March 8, 2010
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Bridal Fast - Day 14 (March 3)
It must be a divine appointment! Today, A woman of God shared her testimony of miraculous healing with me. How amazing for me to hear His work in an ordinary day like this!
The speaker asked, any testimonies? It has been 5 minutes since someone shared a testimony. We marvelled when people in audience pop up like popcorn. We were so encouraged with the testimonies of Muslin people accepting Jesus through power encounters. This was at Bethel Church, Redding, California. We enjoyed a week 'Heaven invades Earth' last March. God is real and He is supernatural, and He is working in each and everyone of our lives. There is power in testifying His healing, His miracles, and His revelation. Samaritan woman at well shared her testimony of Jesus revealing her dirty laundry led the entire village to Christ. When was last time that you hear the testimonies of what God has done? When was the last time that I shared the testimony with others? It has been a while.
Here is my record of her testimony:
she is a talented pianist. She had three young kids while teaching student piano lessons. Her husband drifted away from the Lord ever since he started to work at airline industry as he was surrounded by nonbelievers. Money became very important. The husband did not allow her to hire babysitters. Each of them slept for about 4 hours a day, since the husband was working two jobs, and she is busy with teaching, playing at different Churches and concert. This way of life lasted for a very long time. Then one day, she passed out and was rushed to the hospital. She had severe colon bleeding. She laid in the hospital for an entire month. All she did was taking IV and sleep. She had no recollection of anything else. Then the doctors sent her home without IV, because there is nothing that they could do. Her weight dropped from 140lb to 90 lb. She was told that she will only live to the afternoon of next day.
About noon of next day, she woke up and managed to look around the house. She saw her dad was praying for her in the corner. She managed to say: why...did...they... send...me...home...no...IV? One word at a time, it took a lot of effort for every word. Then she heard her dad saying: they say that there is nothing that can be done. Her dad has always been honest with her. Her life is played out like movie in her mind. Hearing 'no hope' from the doctors, she remembered that she accepted Jesus's salvation. She said this in her heart: God, if you are real, please save me. Suddenly, she heard this: just like I have provided salvation to you, I have provided healing to you. will you accept it? She sensed God's presence, she knew that everything is going to be OK. She said to the Lord: yes, I accept your healing. She was at peace, even though there is no change in her body for a very long time. She did not die, she lived past the afternoon of next day. She is still living today. The complete healing did not come until 13 years later. During those 13 years, she would shout 'No' to the enemy when she felt 'pain', because she knew that Jesus has provided healing. It was supernatural deposit of faith in her during the 'last minute'. God has done it.
I cried as I listened, Holy Spirit was working in me. I said to Jesus in heart - I accept your healing for my _____.
The speaker asked, any testimonies? It has been 5 minutes since someone shared a testimony. We marvelled when people in audience pop up like popcorn. We were so encouraged with the testimonies of Muslin people accepting Jesus through power encounters. This was at Bethel Church, Redding, California. We enjoyed a week 'Heaven invades Earth' last March. God is real and He is supernatural, and He is working in each and everyone of our lives. There is power in testifying His healing, His miracles, and His revelation. Samaritan woman at well shared her testimony of Jesus revealing her dirty laundry led the entire village to Christ. When was last time that you hear the testimonies of what God has done? When was the last time that I shared the testimony with others? It has been a while.
Here is my record of her testimony:
she is a talented pianist. She had three young kids while teaching student piano lessons. Her husband drifted away from the Lord ever since he started to work at airline industry as he was surrounded by nonbelievers. Money became very important. The husband did not allow her to hire babysitters. Each of them slept for about 4 hours a day, since the husband was working two jobs, and she is busy with teaching, playing at different Churches and concert. This way of life lasted for a very long time. Then one day, she passed out and was rushed to the hospital. She had severe colon bleeding. She laid in the hospital for an entire month. All she did was taking IV and sleep. She had no recollection of anything else. Then the doctors sent her home without IV, because there is nothing that they could do. Her weight dropped from 140lb to 90 lb. She was told that she will only live to the afternoon of next day.
About noon of next day, she woke up and managed to look around the house. She saw her dad was praying for her in the corner. She managed to say: why...did...they... send...me...home...no...IV? One word at a time, it took a lot of effort for every word. Then she heard her dad saying: they say that there is nothing that can be done. Her dad has always been honest with her. Her life is played out like movie in her mind. Hearing 'no hope' from the doctors, she remembered that she accepted Jesus's salvation. She said this in her heart: God, if you are real, please save me. Suddenly, she heard this: just like I have provided salvation to you, I have provided healing to you. will you accept it? She sensed God's presence, she knew that everything is going to be OK. She said to the Lord: yes, I accept your healing. She was at peace, even though there is no change in her body for a very long time. She did not die, she lived past the afternoon of next day. She is still living today. The complete healing did not come until 13 years later. During those 13 years, she would shout 'No' to the enemy when she felt 'pain', because she knew that Jesus has provided healing. It was supernatural deposit of faith in her during the 'last minute'. God has done it.
I cried as I listened, Holy Spirit was working in me. I said to Jesus in heart - I accept your healing for my _____.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Bridal Fast - Day 9 (Feb. 26)
I am several days behind with my blog. Here is my record on last Friday.
What a day I had!
Today, a big deadline hang in front me! I have to finish the tax preparation. My husband did most of it last year. I took over to help him to focus on his work. It requires about 1 week's work, I jammed in in one day! The tasks include sorting documents, calculating numbers, making calls to get missing information, and input to computers. By noon, a huge headache is pounding constantly. I did make to the appointment with the CPA, but I left with CPA office with headache, exthaustion from lack of food, and irritable mood.
Oh, did I learn a good lesson on resting in God today?
I have done everything that I should not do in a day of fast:
1. did not spend quality time waiting on Him.
2. put Tax preparation before everything else.
3. did not pray about the tax prep before the day's work.
4. did not leave sufficient time to prepare for it.
Please do not do what I did. It is inevitable to do 'stressful things' during fast, but I need to do a better job planning and leave ample space to rest in Him.
What a day I had!
Today, a big deadline hang in front me! I have to finish the tax preparation. My husband did most of it last year. I took over to help him to focus on his work. It requires about 1 week's work, I jammed in in one day! The tasks include sorting documents, calculating numbers, making calls to get missing information, and input to computers. By noon, a huge headache is pounding constantly. I did make to the appointment with the CPA, but I left with CPA office with headache, exthaustion from lack of food, and irritable mood.
Oh, did I learn a good lesson on resting in God today?
I have done everything that I should not do in a day of fast:
1. did not spend quality time waiting on Him.
2. put Tax preparation before everything else.
3. did not pray about the tax prep before the day's work.
4. did not leave sufficient time to prepare for it.
Please do not do what I did. It is inevitable to do 'stressful things' during fast, but I need to do a better job planning and leave ample space to rest in Him.
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Bridal Fast - Day 8 (Feb. 25)
The prayer house is a wonderful place for me to meet with the Lord. I was there for 45 minutes after dropping my daughter off to school. Hello, Jesus! Tears streamed down my face as soon as I said it. He has been waiting.
My only request is to know God's heart for Israel as I prayed. The Lord showed series of movie scenes. At first, He showed me How Jesus was rejected by His own chosen people. He was rejected, mocked, hated, tortured, and put to death. He has loved Israel so much, yet, His love was not received, understood, appreciated, and returned. Then, He showed me that I was rejected, criticized by a person whom I loved dearly few years ago. It was very difficult period of my time. But, what I felt and went through would be so trivial compared to what Jesus had gone through. Then, He reminded me that my own brother has hardened his heart, even though He has been with Him through many life difficulties, and blessed him in many ways. I can not stop crying out to Jesus - save my brother, call him back to you, I will not stop crying out to you until he calls you Abba Father. Last, I kept hearing Rachel's wailing. Does Rachel's weeping represent God's heart for Israel? I did not understand and did some research...
Rachel died of giving birth to her second son (Benjamin) with Jacob. She was buried near Bethlehem (Genesis 35:16-24).
Rachel's weeping was quoted in two places (Jeremiah and Matthew) in the Bible:
Jeremiah 31:15 This is what the LORD says: "A voice is heard in Ramah, mourning and great weeping, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because her children are no more."
This passage appeared in the middle of God's promise of restoring Israel from captivity.
Matthew 2:16When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi. 17Then what was said through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled:
18"A voice is heard in Ramah,
weeping and great mourning,
Rachel weeping for her children
and refusing to be comforted,
because they are no more."[g]
Matthew 2:18 is to fulfill Jeremiah 3:15. The whole city must be filled with weeping and uncontrollable wailing when Herod ordered to kill all the boys under 2 in Bethlehem.
What is my role in restoring Israel? Am I called to weep for Israel?
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Bridal Fast - Day 7 (Feb. 24)
It has been a busy day. I miss the prayer house.
I have a Jewish calender. The coming Sunday February 28 is Purim and it calls people to pray for the children and youth in Israel, that they will receive the spirit of adoption from our Heavenly Father (Rom. 8:15), as Esther did from Mordechai (Esther 2:7).
Purim feast is this coming Sunday (February 28) is the Feast of Purim. Jerusalem, being a 'walled city' celebrates on "Shushan" Purim, the following day. Chronicled in the Book of Esther it relates the story of a time in Persia when the Jews came under an anti-Semitic plot to annihilate them, but Mordecai and Esther were used to bring deliverance. Afterwards an annual celebration was established on "the fourteenth and fifteenth days of the month of Adar, the days on which the Jews had rest from their enemies, the month which was turned from sorrow to joy for them, and from mourning to a holiday; that they should make them days of feasting and joy, of sending presents to one another and gifts to the poor" (Esther 9:21-22). Yet before the time of partying, comes a time of fasting (Esther 9:31). (Prayer Storm by James Goll)
It is time to pray for Israel. Please pray for Israel.
Please pray His guidance to me and revelation of His heart for Israel to His church.
I have a Jewish calender. The coming Sunday February 28 is Purim and it calls people to pray for the children and youth in Israel, that they will receive the spirit of adoption from our Heavenly Father (Rom. 8:15), as Esther did from Mordechai (Esther 2:7).
Purim feast is this coming Sunday (February 28) is the Feast of Purim. Jerusalem, being a 'walled city' celebrates on "Shushan" Purim, the following day. Chronicled in the Book of Esther it relates the story of a time in Persia when the Jews came under an anti-Semitic plot to annihilate them, but Mordecai and Esther were used to bring deliverance. Afterwards an annual celebration was established on "the fourteenth and fifteenth days of the month of Adar, the days on which the Jews had rest from their enemies, the month which was turned from sorrow to joy for them, and from mourning to a holiday; that they should make them days of feasting and joy, of sending presents to one another and gifts to the poor" (Esther 9:21-22). Yet before the time of partying, comes a time of fasting (Esther 9:31). (Prayer Storm by James Goll)
It is time to pray for Israel. Please pray for Israel.
Please pray His guidance to me and revelation of His heart for Israel to His church.
Bridal Fast Day 6 (Feb. 23)
I have been hearing two words: fearing God, and Humility. I was not sure if God is calling me to resume the study of the ‘Humility’ CD (from the forerunner church) again.
Today, I read Psalm 32-34. King David taught me to pray with
Psalm 32:8 Lord, instruct me and teach me in the way I should go;
counsel me and watch over me.
Psalm 33: 12 Lord, Blessed the nation of America and pray that this nation whose God is the LORD, and you will choose the people of this nation for your inheritance.
There are great benefits in fearing God from Psalm 33-34:
• Deliverance from death,
• Fed in famine,
• Watched over by angels, and
• Lack nothing.
33 18 But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him,
on those whose hope is in his unfailing love,
19 to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine.
34 7 The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him,
and he delivers them.
8 Taste and see that the LORD is good;
blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.
9 Fear the LORD, you his saints,
for those who fear him lack nothing.
10 The lions may grow weak and hungry,
but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.
God Himself is teaching those who have ears on fearing the Lord:
34 11 Come, my children, listen to me;
I will teach you the fear of the LORD.
13 keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies.
14 Turn from evil and do good;seek peace and pursue it.
James 3 on tongue came to me:
James 3 9With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse (judge) men, who have been made in God's likeness. 10Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be.
Fearing God is about the words came out of our mouth. What comes out of our mouth indicates the condition of our heart. Fearing God is to humble our heart and to be low and view others as better than ourselves. Once this heart condition is anchored, it is natural not to judge others who are created in God’s image. Fearing God is to turn away from evil and do good, because there is no evil in Him. Fearing God is to seek peace and pursue it. The true peace is from Jesus who is the prince of peace. Fearing God is to identify with Our Creator in heart, in action and in motives.
Application to me: I have learnt to guard my mouth from gossip, a lesson that I learnt with great price couple of years ago. But, do I judge? Some times. Do I always seek peace when I speak or act? Much prayer is needed and it is not a day or week. It is going to take some time. Thank you, Lord for your revelation and knowledge - these are pure like Gold to my soul.
Today, I read Psalm 32-34. King David taught me to pray with
Psalm 32:8 Lord, instruct me and teach me in the way I should go;
counsel me and watch over me.
Psalm 33: 12 Lord, Blessed the nation of America and pray that this nation whose God is the LORD, and you will choose the people of this nation for your inheritance.
There are great benefits in fearing God from Psalm 33-34:
• Deliverance from death,
• Fed in famine,
• Watched over by angels, and
• Lack nothing.
33 18 But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him,
on those whose hope is in his unfailing love,
19 to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine.
34 7 The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him,
and he delivers them.
8 Taste and see that the LORD is good;
blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.
9 Fear the LORD, you his saints,
for those who fear him lack nothing.
10 The lions may grow weak and hungry,
but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.
God Himself is teaching those who have ears on fearing the Lord:
34 11 Come, my children, listen to me;
I will teach you the fear of the LORD.
13 keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies.
14 Turn from evil and do good;seek peace and pursue it.
James 3 on tongue came to me:
James 3 9With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse (judge) men, who have been made in God's likeness. 10Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be.
Fearing God is about the words came out of our mouth. What comes out of our mouth indicates the condition of our heart. Fearing God is to humble our heart and to be low and view others as better than ourselves. Once this heart condition is anchored, it is natural not to judge others who are created in God’s image. Fearing God is to turn away from evil and do good, because there is no evil in Him. Fearing God is to seek peace and pursue it. The true peace is from Jesus who is the prince of peace. Fearing God is to identify with Our Creator in heart, in action and in motives.
Application to me: I have learnt to guard my mouth from gossip, a lesson that I learnt with great price couple of years ago. But, do I judge? Some times. Do I always seek peace when I speak or act? Much prayer is needed and it is not a day or week. It is going to take some time. Thank you, Lord for your revelation and knowledge - these are pure like Gold to my soul.
Monday, February 22, 2010
Bridal Fast - Day 5 (Feb. 22, 2010)
Bridal Fast – Day 5 (Feb. 22, 2010)
The Bible verses jumped out to me are Exodus 34:28 and Matthew 4:1-2. Moses fasted for 40 days and 40 nights without eating bread or drinking water. He was in the Lord’s presence for 40 days and 40 nights. Jesus fasted 40 days and 40 nights. According to my husband who knows medical facts well, a person can live without water for only 7 days. So what Moses and Jesus went through were miracles in human’s eyes.
Exodus 34
28 Moses was there with the LORD forty days and forty nights without eating bread or drinking water. And he wrote on the tablets the words of the covenant—the Ten Commandments.
Matthew 4 1Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. 2After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry.
I have regular appointments with a trainer for exercise 3 times a week. I cancelled last Friday’s training in order to preserve energy.
Psalm says that God is our strength. I prayed that God gave me strength for today’s training session. Praise God, He heard and answered – not only I finished the 30 minutes training, but also it was done with greater weight, plus another 30 minutes Elliptical exercise.
I had a dream today. For the 1st time, I dreamed about God. I am a dreamer, and almost dream every night, but it is the first time that I dream about God. The dream seems to be very short – maximum of 2 minutes. I went to sleep praising Him, suddenly, overwhelming joy and fear of knowing that He is ever present and He is with me always, at all times. It is revelation beyond mental knowledge. I said to myself – He is right here! I was in a private place, behind a door (a door like public bathroom room). He showed me a sign – A Cross appear on the door (a door made of wood and painted in white), and it is a cross with flaming blue and purple fire. Very soon (less than 2 second) the cross disappeared. I was so excited to see the sign and joyfully confident that He is right here with me! When I woke up, it was exactly one hour from the time I went to sleep. In His presence, the time passes so fast!
The time at the prayer room was so intimate – He spoke to me: I am pleased with your determination, I am worthy of your relentless pursuit!
Hearing what God says of me is so encouraging. There is no one says as God says, there is no one love us like God loves. I came to realize that we will not need to seek attention or praise from others if we hear what He sees and says of us, because we are secure in Him.
The Bible verses jumped out to me are Exodus 34:28 and Matthew 4:1-2. Moses fasted for 40 days and 40 nights without eating bread or drinking water. He was in the Lord’s presence for 40 days and 40 nights. Jesus fasted 40 days and 40 nights. According to my husband who knows medical facts well, a person can live without water for only 7 days. So what Moses and Jesus went through were miracles in human’s eyes.
Exodus 34
28 Moses was there with the LORD forty days and forty nights without eating bread or drinking water. And he wrote on the tablets the words of the covenant—the Ten Commandments.
Matthew 4 1Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. 2After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry.
I have regular appointments with a trainer for exercise 3 times a week. I cancelled last Friday’s training in order to preserve energy.
Psalm says that God is our strength. I prayed that God gave me strength for today’s training session. Praise God, He heard and answered – not only I finished the 30 minutes training, but also it was done with greater weight, plus another 30 minutes Elliptical exercise.
I had a dream today. For the 1st time, I dreamed about God. I am a dreamer, and almost dream every night, but it is the first time that I dream about God. The dream seems to be very short – maximum of 2 minutes. I went to sleep praising Him, suddenly, overwhelming joy and fear of knowing that He is ever present and He is with me always, at all times. It is revelation beyond mental knowledge. I said to myself – He is right here! I was in a private place, behind a door (a door like public bathroom room). He showed me a sign – A Cross appear on the door (a door made of wood and painted in white), and it is a cross with flaming blue and purple fire. Very soon (less than 2 second) the cross disappeared. I was so excited to see the sign and joyfully confident that He is right here with me! When I woke up, it was exactly one hour from the time I went to sleep. In His presence, the time passes so fast!
The time at the prayer room was so intimate – He spoke to me: I am pleased with your determination, I am worthy of your relentless pursuit!
Hearing what God says of me is so encouraging. There is no one says as God says, there is no one love us like God loves. I came to realize that we will not need to seek attention or praise from others if we hear what He sees and says of us, because we are secure in Him.
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