A Little Encouragement - April 20,2009

Anxiety

Whether we have been a Christian for 6 months or 60 years, we can experience anxiety. It helps to take a big breath of air, take one step back, and identify the factors causing fear or worry. We should take the matter to God, ask Him for wisdom to handle it, then thank Him for the answer. When we had seriously done that, we then release it into God's hands, and we will calm down.

God's Word says:

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." - Philippians 4:6,7 (New International Version)

A Little Encouragement - April 18,2009

Practical Christianity

It's right that we love God and give our tithes. We should also be merciful and fair to others; this is when our faith becomes practical. And, this is where the believer takes off his/her saintly gown and puts on work clothes. It requires humility, but our non-believing family members, relatives, and friends will see Christ shining through us. This attitude overcomes the language barrier.

God's Word says:

"But He's already made it plain how to live, what to do, what God is looking for in men and women. It's quite simple: Do what is fair and just to your neighbor, be compassionate and loyal in your love. And don't take yourself too seriously - take God seriously." - Micah 6:8 (The Message)

Outing to High Island at Sai Kung

High Island at Sai Kung

Our mission for today was only accomplished half, LUNCH! We were stopped by the weather for hiking, have to save it for next visit.

A Little Encouragement - April 17, 2009

Are you thirsty?

We all know what it's like to be thirsty. Summer is around the corner - on hot days, we would quench our thirst with a cool drink. Probably, some drink a can of refreshing fruit juice, while some long to drink a coconut, yet others simply sip on iced water. Our soul also thirsts. When we are in spiritual need, our soul thirst more. It's good to thirst spiritually, and drink "living water" that the world cannot offer. Let us thirst for God's presence, let us be very thirsty.

God's Word says:

"As a deer longs for a stream of cool water, so I long for you, O God." - Psalms 42:1 (Good News Translation)

A Little Encouragement - April 16, 2009

Little foxes

Often, it's the "little foxes" that spoil our blessing - the little word said to us or by us, or the little action taken. Whatever the case is, Satan uses the little things to annoy, or discourage us. These seemingly harmless matters take our mind and heart off our focus on God and our love for people. We should value our loved ones and friends over material things; a broken heart needs care more than a broken piece of treasured item. We need to be careful, lest the evil one uses the "little foxes" to rob us of our peace and joy. Let us concentrate on what really matters.

God's Word says:

"Catch for us the foxes, the little foxes that ruin the vineyards, our vineyards that are in bloom." - Song of Solomon 2:15 (New International Version)

A Little Encouragement - April 15, 2009

It's painful

Yes, much is happening in our world that is causing hardship and pain. But, we need to know that whatever is happening, and is going to happen - God is on our side, He is for us. Let us bear the pain, with patience.

God's Word says:

"Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus." - 2 Timothy 2:3 (New International Version)

A Little Encouragement - April 14, 2009

Believe it, and take it

The fact is that the Devil has lost the War. He knows he has lost it. The trouble is we don't know this for sure - we keep listening to his lies and allow him to manipulate our emotions. Let us acknowledge this truth. We must believe what God says, not whatever Satan whispers in our ears. The Lord Jesus defeated Satan for good. The Lord has done it - it's now our call to believe it, and take hold of the blessing that the evil one seeks to rob us of.

God's Word says:

"It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery." - Galatians 5:1 (New International Version)

A Little Encouragement - April 10,2009

Precious to the Lord

Whenever Satan causes us to doubt the goodness and faithfulness of God, let us look at the Cross. Consider the punishment that the Lord Jesus took on His body for us. It is true, the Lord loves each of us very, very, very much. In fact, He just can't get us out of His mind, and hands.

God's Word says:

"Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me." - Isaiah 49:15,16 (New International Version)

A Little Encouragement - April 9, 2009

Do we want more?

God is not after our money - after all, He owns all the wealth on this planet. What He wants is our heart. When God challenges us to give, it's because He wants to enlarge our heart, and pour a bigger measure of blessing into it. You see, God's intent is simple - He wants us to receive more, if that's what we also want. If we want God to release what is in His hands, we need to release what is in our hands - and, to give it cheerfully to Him.

God's Word says:

"Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." - Luke 6:38 (New International Version)

A Little Encouragement - April 8, 2009

Get it out of the way

If we are to allow God to develop us, and bring us to our destined blessing: sometimes, we need to "cut the anchor and throw the cargo overboard". We need to assess our life, and get rid of inappropriate values, principles, attitudes, or plain habits and associations. We need to align ourselves to God's purposes. God intends the very best for us - so, let us release that which hold us down, and sail on.

God's Word says:

"But rocky shoals prevented us from getting close. We only managed to avoid them by throwing out drift anchors. Next day, out on the high seas again and badly damaged now by the storm, we dumped the cargo overboard. The third day the sailors lightened the ship further by throwing off all the tackle and provisions." - Acts 27:17-19 (The Message)

A Little Encouragement - April 7, 2009

When a prophetic word has been spoken into our life, we need to nurture the word seed with the water of faith. If we do, we will see our prophetic journey unfold. If we don't, the word seed will not grow as intended, and we would have lost the opportunity of God's choice blessing for our life.

God's Word says:

We live by faith, not by sight." - 2 Corinthians 5:7 (New International Version)

A Little Encouragement - April 6,2009

A spiritually-refreshing weekend can renew our focus on God's Kingdom and His purposes. And, we enjoy such a time-out period. But, God wants to bless us beyond such "mountain-top" experience by taking us back down to the "valley". Because, it is in the "valley" that the rich soil of trials and testings is found. It is in the "valley" that the fruit of a Christ-like character is grown in those who pursued after their Lord on the "mountain-top". Let us be thankful to God for both the "mountain-top" and the "valley" of His choice.

God's Word says:

"But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives, he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Here there is no conflict with the law." - Galatians 5:22,23 (New Living Translation)