Walking The Maze Of Promise

In my previous post I wrote that following God is like walking in a giant maze.There are a thousand different illustrations that you can easily find if you search,but this is my illustration.Now why do I say that Christianity is like walking in a giant maze?

Imagine with me.You're walking in a maze.Are you able to see the different paths available?Are you able to see the right path that ultimately leads to the prize?No.But God from above sees the overview of the maze.God from above sees the path you should take and the paths you should not.And God wants to guide you.

But you have to open your heart to Him.God doesn't force us.He simply taps gently at our heart,waiting for us to open the doors of our hearts and allowing Him to lead us. 'Whether you turn to the right or to the left,your ears will hear a voice behind you,saying,"This is th way,walk in it."'(Isaiah30:21)

God has prommised the Holy Spirit to be our guide.He wants to guide us,but friends unless we open our hearts to God,He cannot come in and guide us.The voices of this world come at us in full force.They tell you to swap your integrity for a new sale.To barter your convictions for an easy deal.To exchange your devotion for a quick thrill.They whisper.They woo.They taunt.They tantalize.They flirt.They flatter."Go ahead,it's ok,no one knows," they say.The voices of this world ram at your door.But Jesus taps at your heart.This world screams for your allegiance,but Jesus softly and tenderly requests it.This world promises flashy pleasure,but Jesus promises a quiet dinner,with God himself.This world tells you which path you'd wish you hadn't taken,Jesus points to you the path you'd be thankful for.Friends which voice would you listen to to complete the maze of Christianity?The Bible tells us that when you choose to follow the footsteps of Jesus,the maze would become one straight path(Proverbs3:5-6).

Friends you see,the path to salvation will never be easy,but God has promised that it'll be worth it.But God can't do it alone.It's gonna take you.God,by His grace,doesn't force you.He simply waits for you to turn your face to Him.And until you do that,you will not be able to see or hear from Him,because your face is tuned away.It's not that God isn't there.It's simply your face that is turned away.Friends I want to encourage you to turn back to God.

When God promised David the throne,God had to bring David into the desert,so that He could strip away everything David held close to Him.God had to strip away David's confidence in worldly things,God had to strip David's pride,God had to strip David's life,in a way David was dead to God,David had to die to his thinking and rights,and only then could God bring Him from a position of most wanted man to most celebrated man.

When you are down to nothing,it's only because God is up to something.

God and science

'Let me explain the problem science has with Jesus Christ.' The atheist
professor of philosophy pauses before his class and then asks one of his
new students to stand.

'You're a Christian, aren't you, son?'

'Yes sir,' the student says.

'So you believe in God?'

'Absolutely.'

'Is God good?'

'Sure! God's good.'

'Is God all-powerful? Can God do anything?'

'Yes.'

'Are you good or evil?'

'The Bible says I'm evil.'

The professor grins knowingly. 'Aha! The Bible!' He considers for a
moment.

'Here's one for you. Let's say there's a sick person over here and you
can cure him. You can do it. Would you help him? Would you try?'

'Yes sir, I would.'

'So you're good...!'

'I wouldn't say that.'

'But why not say that? You'd help a sick and maimed person if
you could. Most of us would if we could. But God doesn't.'

The student does not answer, so the professor continues. 'He
doesn't, does he? My brother was a Christian who died of cancer, even
though he prayed to Jesus to heal him How is this Jesus good? Hmmm? Can
you answer that one?'

The student remains silent.

'No, you can't, can you?' the professor says. He takes a sip of
water from a glass on his desk to give the student time to relax.

'Let's start again, young fella Is God good?'

'Er...yes,' the student says.

'Is Satan good?'

The student doesn't hesitate on this one. 'No.'

'Then where does Satan come from?'

The student : 'From...God...'

'That's right. God made Satan, didn't he? Tell me, son. Is there
evil in this world?'

'Yes, sir.'

'Evil's everywhere, isn't it? And God did make everything,
correct?'

'Yes.'

'So who created evil?' The professor continued, 'If God created
everything, then God created evil, since evil exists, and according to
the principle that our works define who we are, then God is evil.'

Without allowing the student to answer, the professor continues:
'Is there sickness? Immorality? Hatred? Ugliness? All these terrible
things, do they exist in this world?'

The student: 'Yes.'

'So who created them?'

The student does not answer again, so the professor repeats his
question. 'Who created them? There is still no answer. Suddenly the
lecturer breaks away to pace in front of the classroom. The class is
mesmerized.

'Tell me,' he continues onto another student. 'Do you believe in
Jesus Christ, son?'

The student's voice is confident: 'Yes, professor, I do.'

The old man stops pacing. 'Science says you have five senses you
use to identify and observe the world around you. Have you ever seen
Jesus?'

'No sir. I've never seen Him'

'Then tell us if you've ever heard your Jesus?'

'No, sir, I have not.'

'Have you ever actually felt your Jesus, tasted your Jesus or
smelt your Jesus? Have you ever had any sensory perception of Jesus
Christ, or God for that matter?'

'No, sir, I'm afraid I haven't.'

'Yet you still believe in him?'

'Yes.'

'According to the rules of empirical, testable, demonstrable
protocol, science says your God doesn't exist. What do you say to that,
son?'

'Nothing,' the student replies. 'I only have my faith.'

'Yes, faith,' the professor repeats. 'And that is the problem
science has with God. There is no evidence, only faith.'

The student stands quietly for a moment, before asking a
question of his own. 'Professor, is there such thing as heat?'

'Yes,' the professor replies. 'There's heat.'

'And is there such a thing as cold?'

'Yes, son, there's cold too.'

'No sir, there isn't.'

The professor turns to face the student, obviously interested.
The room suddenly becomes very quiet. The student begins to explain.

'You can have lots of heat, even more heat, super-heat,
mega-heat, unlimited heat, white heat, a little heat or no heat, but we
don't have anything called 'cold'. We can hit up to 458 degrees below
zero, which is no heat, but we can't go any further after that. There is
no such thing as cold; otherwise we would be able to go colder than the
lowest -458 degrees. Every body or object is susceptible to study when
it has or transmits energy, and heat is what makes a body or matter have
or transmit energy. Absolute zero (-458 F) is the total absence of heat.
You see, sir, cold is only a word we use to describe the absence of
heat. We cannot measure cold. Heat we can measure in thermal units
because heat is energy. Cold is not the opposite of heat, sir, just the
absence of it.'

Silence across the room. A pen drops somewhere in the classroom,
sounding like a hammer.

'What about darkness, professor. Is there such a thing as
darkness?'

'Yes,' the professor replies without hesitation. 'What is night
if it isn't darkness?'

'You're wrong again, sir. Darkness is not something; it is the
absence of something. You can have low light, normal light, bright
light, flashing light, but if you have no light constantly you have
Nothing and it's called darkness, isn't it? That's the meaning we use to
define the word. In reality, darkness isn't. If it were, you would be able
to make darkness darker, wouldn't you?'

The professor begins to smile at the student in front of him.
This will be a good semester. 'So what point are you making, young man?'

'Yes, professor. My point is, your philosophical premise is
flawed to start with, and so your conclusion must also be flawed.'

The professor's face cannot hide his surprise this time.
'Flawed? Can you explain how?'

'You are working on the premise of duality,' the student
explains. 'You argue that there is life and then there's death; a good
God and a bad God. You are viewing the concept of God as something
finite, something we can measure. Sir, science can't even explain a
thought. It uses electricity and magnetism, but has never seen, much
less fully understood either one. To view death as the opposite of life
is to be ignorant of the fact that death cannot exist as a substantive
thing. Death is not the opposite of life, just the absence of it.'

'Now tell me, professor. Do you teach your students that they
evolved from a monkey?'

'If you are referring to the natural evolutionary process, young
man, yes, of course I do'

'Have you ever observed evolution with your own eyes, sir?'

The professor begins to shake his head, still smiling, as he
realizes where the argument is going. A very good semester, indeed.

'Since no one has ever observed the process of evolution at work
and cannot even prove that this process is an on-going endeavor, are you
not teaching your opinion, sir? Are you now not a scientist, but a
preacher?'

The class is in uproar. The student remains silent until the
Commotion has subsided.

'To continue the point you were making earlier to the other
student, let me give you an example of what I mean.'

The student looks around the room. 'Is there anyone in the class
who has ever seen the professor's brain?' The class breaks out into
laughter.

'Is there anyone here who has ever heard the professor's brain,
felt the professor's brain, touched or smelled the professor's brain? No
one appears to have done so. So, according to the established rules of
empirical, stable, demonstrable protocol, science says that you have no
brain, with all due respect, sir. So if science says you have no brain,
how can we trust your lectures, sir?'

Now the room is silent. The professor just stares at the
student, his face unreadable.

Finally, after what seems an eternity, the old man answers. 'I
guess you'll have to take them on faith.'

'Now, you accept that there is faith, and, in fact, faith exists
with life,' the student continues. 'Now, sir, is there such a thing as
evil?'

Now uncertain, the professor responds, 'Of course, there is. We
see it everyday. It is in the daily example of man's inhumanity to man.
It is in the multitude of crime and violence everywhere in the world.
These manifestations are nothing else but evil.'

To this the student replied, 'Evil does not exist sir, or at
least it does not exist unto itself. Evil is simply the absence of God.
It is just like darkness and cold, a word that man has created to describe
the absence of God.

God did not create evil. Evil is the result of what happens when
man does not have God's love present in his heart. It's like the cold
that comes when there is no heat or the darkness that comes when there
is no light.'

The professor sat down.

I was sure by now,God, that You would have reached down
and wiped our tears away,
stepped in and saved the day.
But once again, I say amen
and it's still raining
as the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain,
"I'm with you"
and as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise
the God who gives and takes away.

And I'll praise you in this storm
and I will lift my hands
for You are who You are
no matter where I am
and every tear I've cried
You hold in your hand
You never left my side
and though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

I remember when I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry to You
and raised me up again
my strength is almost gone how can I carry on
if I can't find You
and as the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
and as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise
the God who gives and takes away

I lift my eyes onto the hills
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth
I lift my eyes onto the hills
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth

Following God can sometimes be like walking in a giant maze.Many times you think you have found the right path,you think you have found the right thing,you think you've reached the centre of the maze,but just then you realize,you're even more lost than you were before.Many times you think that perhaps God has given you something,and you hold on to tightly,you refuse to let go,and after some time,God says,'My child,give it to me',and then you say,'No!' You refuse to let go ,and then you start to question God,'God you said this was for me,why do you take it away now?!' It feels horrible,to treasure something so much,and then one day find out you have to let go of it,to find out you have to give it all away.It feels horrible.
And that's how I feel right now.In truth,this week has been horrible.Not because school just started again,but because God is calling me to let go of certain things.It hurts a lot,I've broken down many times,felt I was all alone,needed someone to talk to but everyone seems to be busy suddenly with school work.I don't blame anyone,everybody should be busy now.And it is in these moments that God teaches me.He breaks me down so he can piece me again.I struggle with him,and by his grace he does not insist,he gives me time,but he comes knocking again.And he says,'Adriel,my son,would you give it to me?' I continued to struggle,and it carried on.Until last night,God came again.And again he asked,'Adriel,my son,would you give it to me?' I knew I couldn't run away anymore.I stopped fighting.I stopped struggling.I let go of myself,and the next thing I knew I was on my knees and crying out to God.I surrendered.
God you've taken so much from me time and time again,this time you're taking away something that you gave me.I treasure it so much,and now you're taking it away.You promised,said it was mine,but you're taking it away now.I can't understand,but I'm going to surrender it to you anyway,because I know you're have a plan for me.You see my future,and you know what's best for me,so Lord I'm trusting you on this.It hurts big time,but I know if I don't give it to you it'll hurt even more.You hold my world in the palm of your hand,and I'm yours forever.Everything within me belongs to you.Take me and use me as you will.Lord I made a commitment,and I'm not buying out.No way.Not when you know my beginnning and end,not when you know my past and present and future,not when you know what's best for me,not when you know me inside out,not when you love me.Not when you made a bigger sacrifice 2000 years ago and my sacrifice now seems so small.No way.I'm not buying out.Lord because you love me I'll give it all to you.Everything.
It was painful,yes,it felt horrible,it felt like there's an emptiness deep inside,but somewhere deep inside I knew I was doing the right thing.Somewhere deep inside I knew that heaven was rejoicing.And somewhere deep inside I too,felt a joyful feeling,something different from everything else I had felt before.And I felt how that woman by that well felt when Jesus broke her to piece her up and restore her.I knew I had surrendered not in defeat,but in true victory.
Simply because he loves me.

"The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away;may the name of the LORD ever be praised" (Job1:21)


For all those times you stood by me
For all the truth that you made me see
For all the joy you brought to my life
For all the wrong that you made right
For every dream you made come true
For all the love I found in you
I'll be forever thankful
You're the one who held me up
Never let me fall
You're the one who saw me through through it all

You were my strength when I was weak
You were my voice when I couldn't speak
You were my eyes when I couldn't see
You saw the best there was in me
Lifted me up when I couldn't reach
You gave me faith 'coz you believed
I'm everything I am
Because you loved me

You gave me wings and made me fly
You touched my hand I could touch the sky
I lost my faith, you gave it back to me
You said no star was out of reach
You stood by me and I stood tall
I had your love I had it all
I'm grateful for each day you gave me
Maybe I don't know that much
But I know this much is true
I was blessed because I was loved by you

You were my strength when I was weak
You were my voice when I couldn't speak

You were my eyes when I couldn't see
You saw the best there was in me
Lifted me up when I couldn't reach
You gave me faith 'coz you believed
I'm everything I am
Because you loved me

You were always there for me
The tender wind that carried me
A light in the dark shining your love into my life
You've been my inspiration
Through the lies you were the truth
My world is a better place because of you

You were my strength when I was weak
You were my voice when I couldn't speak
You were my eyes when I couldn't see
You saw the best there was in me
Lifted me up when I couldn't reach
You gave me faith 'coz you believed
I'm everything I am
Because you loved me

You were my strength when I was weak
You were my voice when I couldn't speak
You were my eyes when I couldn't see
You saw the best there was in me
Lifted me up when I couldn't reach
You gave me faith 'coz you believed
I'm everything I am
Because you loved me

I'm everything I am
Because you loved me

It's Time

I came across these shocking stastics not too long ago.

25% of average believers never pray.
30% never read their bibles.
40% never give to the church.
20% never attend church.

50% of church members attend special services.
60% have never given to world missions.
25% never assume a position of leadership or devote their time to serve in any area of ministry in the church.
80% have never attended a midweek service.
95% have never led one person to the Lord in their lifetime.
97% have never tithed.

In other words,only 3% of the church are faithful devoters to God and his cause.Only 3% of the entire church community know what it means to be truly devoted to God and his cause!Effectively,God's army is made up of only 3% of the entire church population!And that honestly,is a depressing statistic.

This statistics are taken from America,I don't know about Singapore,but I don't think it is much different.People if we really want to advance God's kingdom,we have to learn to pick up our crosses!If we really want to take our generation by storm for God,we have to learn to walk in God's ways!

Matthew7:22-23'Many will say to me on that day,"Lord,Lord,did we not prophesy in your name,and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?" Then I will tell them plainly,"I never knew you.Away from me,you evildoers!"'

If there ever is a time that God needs an army of mature believers,it is NOW!If not now,when?If not you,then who?

Friends many are complaining of a lack of breakthroughs in their lives,but out of all these,only a few look at their lives and realize that the problem lies with them,not with God.Friends if you want to see breakthroughs in your life,you have to make a commitment with God.Not just a promise,but a commitment.A commitment to obey and submit to the King of kings,a commitment to be Christ-led,a commitment to be devoted and love him before everything else.Unless you make that commmitment,there is a wall around your heart that prevents God from coming in and doing a greater work in you.When you make that commitment,that wall is broken and God is able to come in and lead you according to his will.God is waiting for you.He is waiting for his people to start picking up their crosses and follow him through and through so he can enlist candidates for leadership in this strategic hour.He is waiting for mature christians to arise and take position in his army.He is waiting for commited soldiers to be equipped for his limitless outpouring of the Holy Spirit.

Friends now is the time.No more waiting.The time has come for us to stand for what we believe in.Let us as one committed army advance the kingdom of God.

Lord you have spoken
And I will heed your voice
Humbly returning back to you my Lord
You're calling me to your truth
So here I am running to you

Under the shadow of your wings
Under the shadow of your wings
Lord I hide myself
Safe in your arms
Your grace will be my covering
Under the shadow of your wings
Under the shadow of your wings
Lord I give myself
To your will I'll abide
Your grace will be my covering

I choose to stand for my generation

Your heart,not your skills

As I was asking God what he wanted me to post about today,he reminded me of a movie I watched not long ago,'Kung Fu Panda'.Maybe now you are like,'Huh?',yeah that was how I reacted too,but as I asked God further he began to reveal to me certain things.

I'd like to share from 2 characters from the movie,Po and Tai-Lung.
Po is the panda that does not have any kung-fu skills,but has a heart to learn and somehow,courtesy of an accident,he is appointed the dragon warrior by a martial arts master.In the movie,the dragon warrior is expected to be one who is an expert in kung fu and is going to fight off Tai-Lung,an evil character who is going to bring dstruction.Po did not fit any of the criterias set by the villagers and many doubted his ability.Po himself,at one point of time,doubted his credentials.But he believed in himself and trained hard and as the story goes,Po eventually defeats Tai-Lung.And this was achieved although Po did not have the skills required,but he had what many others did not,a heart of wanting to strive for the best.

Tai-Lung,on the other hand,was a martial arts expert.However,he was not appointed a dragon warrior because the martial arts mester saw that his heart was not right.And so although Tai-Lung met all the criterias the villagers set,the martial arts teacher did not appoint him simply because of his heart.

The villagers saw what was on the outside,the skills.But the martial arts teacher was looking at the inside.And although many doubted Po's ability as a dragon warrior,Master Wu-Gui said these two phrases continually,'There is no such thing as accident' and 'Believe'.He had relentless belief in Po.

Today I'm speaking to a few groups of people.
You are like Po.You have a heart that wants to serve God,that wants to give more to God,that wants to strive for the best for God,but because you think you do not have the skills required,you choose instead to lay low and prefer to stay where you are because you think that's the furthest you can go.If you are a person like this then I want to tell you today that it is not true.You might not have the skills,but God is not looking at your skills,God is looking at your heart,and God sees your heart.You want to serve,and God wants you to serve him.Friends you might not think God can use you because of certain reasons,that's what the enemy wants you to think,because it's not true.God wants to use you and can use you.God is not looking at your weaknesses,God is looking past your present into your future.Friends do not allow what you see as your weaknesses to hinder you from giving your best to God.With God your weaknesses will be turn around into strengths.

The second group of people I want to speak to is this.You are like Tai-Lung.You have the skills,you can serve God in the different ways very well.But somewhere deep down inside you,you know you're not doing it because you love God.You're doing it out of convenience,for pride,for recgonition,it's all simply for display.You have the skills,but your heart is not right.Friends if you know I'm talking about you then it's seriously time to ask yourself your motives for serving.I'm not askiing you to stop serving completely,rather I'm asking you to question your motives for serving.What kind of vision do you have when you are serving?You can do your assignments excellently,but all these is your hands,and God is not looking at your hands,God is looking at your heart.When your heart is right before God and your motives become aligned to God's will,your hands will automatically do things according to God's way and this is true serving.

The third group of people I'm speaking to is the leaders.You are leading a group of people,and this group of people may appear to be in a way,hopeless.They can't do things properly,their serving posture is wrong,their attitude stinks.But today God is saying to you,'Believe,there are no accidents'.Your people are where they are not by accident,but they have been strategically by God to be used mightily.As a leader you have to believe that one day,they will come to fulfill the vision you have for the ministry.You have to believe that they will grow and come to take ownership of the ministry and forcefully advance it.It's going to take time,but it's also going to take you to believe in each and every one of your people.Look at them through the eyes of Jesus.Dare to have relentless belief in your people.

Friends if currently you are not serving in any ministry,I want to encourage you to join one and start serving God.God wants to use you,he can use you and he will use you.If you are already serving in any particular ministry I want you to know that you are not where you are by accident.You have been strategically positioned by God where he can use you most mightily,but you must have a heart that wants to give God only the best.

Constantly live out the value of passionate honour even in your serving.

Manna Not (Good) Enough!

The rabble with them began to crave other food,and again the Israelites started wailing and said,"If only we had meat to eat!We remember the fish we ate in Egypt at no cost-also the cucumbers,melons,leeks,onions and garlic.But now we have lost our appetite;we never see anything but this manna!"
Numbers11:4-6

The Exodus led by Moses was a victorious sight-the mass escape from the slavery of Egypt and their deliverance to freedom!However,soon after the Israelites left the bondage of Egypt they began to crave for the food of Egypt.The provision that God gave them:manna-was not good enough.They were bored with it and began to look back and yearn for the tasty,delicious,attractiveness,sinful of their past.

Friends as Christians we have made a decision to follow Jesus.But following Jesus is a long journey.The manna God provides for this journey may taste good initially,but after some time do we begin to look back at our past and long for the "leeks,onions and garlic" of our past?God has broken us free from the bondages of our past,but do we still allow oiur past to dwell in us by longing to go back to it?Do we after a long time following Jesus,realize it a long and sacrificing and then start to long to go back to our past?

Friends today I want to encourage you never to return to the Egypt God delivered you from.You have made a commitment to follow Jesus,don't turn back.Feed on the manna,that is God's Word,it may sometimes seem boring,but let us press on to feed on it-to read listen and obey.It will give us the spiritual strength to take the next step,to go that bit further,to walk that one more step to fulfilling the destiny God has for our lives.God never said it was going to be easy,but he said it would be worth it.Your earthly sacrifices are nothing compared to your heavenly salvation.


I have decided to follow Jesus
I have decided to follow Jesus
I have decided to follow Jesus
No turning back,no turning back

Though none go with me,I still will follow
Though none go with me,I still will follow
Though none go with me,I still will follow
No turning back
No turning back

The world behind me,the cross before me
The world behind me,the cross before me
The world behind me,the cross before me
No turning back
No turning back

Will you decide now,to follow Jesus
Will you decide now,to follow Jesus
Will you decide now,to follow Jesus
No turning back
No turning back

My Testimony

Yesterday I posted about testimonies,so today I shall post my testimony here.I've pondered for a long time whether I should do this,because posting about this on public domain can get mixed receptions.After reading this some of you readers may start to look down on me,think twice about believing what I've written in this blog.Some of you may be "You got to be kidding me,the guy who wrote so much about God has such a past,tsk,what a rip-off".I don't know what your reaction may be after reading this,but I choose to testify here anyway because I believe God wants to use me,and the internet is the fastest way to get people connected.Whatever your reaction may be,I want you to lok beyond me,and instead focus on God,his love,his grace,his mercy,his reverence.

Two years ago,I was addicted to pornography and masturbation.I've never told this to anyone,not even my leaders or pastors.Pornography was so easily available on the internet,and almost everyday I would sit in front of the moniter and go through some videos.This continued for a few months,and mind you,I was a christian,but a rotten one.Until one service,I remember it was pastor Gerald,in camp,who suddenly called for prayer.Anyone who was caught in the chains of sexual sins,go up to their leaders and confess,and then get prayed for and be freed.I didn't go up,but that moment caught me.I knew there was something wrong with me.I knew I needed help.But I was afraid and ashamed of going up to my leaders,and so that night in my room I fell on my knees and cried out to God.God didn't respond the first night.I continued to fall reverent before God and tried hard to stop my activities everyday,and God didn't respond for a few nights.Until the day I finally got serious with God and completely stopped all my activities did God respond.He said to me,'Adriel,if I break your chains now,would you go and get yourself caught in it again?' My immediate response was,'No'.My life was a mess,and I desperately wanted to get out.God replied,'My son,be free.I've broken your chains.Now go,and live your life as a gift to me.' Today I can testify that I am free.Amazing grace caught hold of him,broke my chains,resored me and brought me to a place of submission.Today I can testify that I remember none of th pictures I saw for that few months.God had,in a way,brainwashed me.I was lost,but now I'm found.I was blind,but now I see.I was headed for destruction,but God wouldn't allow that to happen.His grace caught hold of me and brought me back into his embrace.

Like I said earlier,you the reader can choose to take this in a lot of ways.You can go,'Despicable!He has downgraded women!I'm never coming back to this blog.' Or you can go 'Tsk,whatever.' Or you can choose to look beyond me,my past,and choose to instead to focus on God's grace and mercy.Two years ago,I was a mess.Today I can testify that I have been redeemed by the blood of the Lamb and I am free.

Today I'm speaking to one group of people.You're caught up in sin.You know it's wrong but you cannot stop.You think you have too many wrongs in you that God cannot forgive you.You think you are so ruined that you cannot come close to God,because God will go away from you.You think that your life is so stained with sins that God cannot use you.I tell you,you cannot be more wrong.I was in a gang,tempted into drugs,very nearly went into smoking,got into fights,almost got busted by the police,but when God came,he stripped all of it away and today I can very thankfully and confidently say he's using me for his glory.Friends today God is saying to you today,'Come into my presence,come as you are.' God wants you to draw near to him,and he will draw near to you.God is saying to you,'You are my child,of course I forgive you.' God is saying to you today,'When I took that cross 2000 years ago,you were on mind,and I paid the price for you.' Friends today if you are caught up in sin,God wants to forgive you.But you have to confess and repent.Confession is not telling God what wrong you've done.God doesn't need you to tell him.He already knows.Confession is agreeing with him that you've done wrong and you need forgiveness.Friends today if you are serious with God,you get down on your knees and you confess.But don't just confess.You make a commitment with God to repent.God wants to use you.He can use you and will use you.
1Corinthians1:26-30 'Brothers, think of what you were when you were called.Not many of you were wise by human standards;not many were influential;not many were of noble birth.But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise;God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are,so that no one may boast before him.It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus,who has become for us wisdom from God—that is,our righteousness,holiness and redemption.' God can and will use you,but you need to come clean before God.

Second group of people I'm writing to today is those who know God has done something powerful in their life.If God has done something powerful in your lif and you know it,you testify.Just like the demon-possessed man who was healed by Jesus at Bethesda,God wants you to testify about him.Surely our all powerful God has done something wonderful in your life.Don't keep it to yourself,share it,be a blessing,impact others with your testimony.Your life is God's gift to you.Make it your gift to God.


Amazing grace
How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost, but now I'm found
Was blind, but now I see

'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear
And grace my fears relieved
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed

My chains are gone
I've been set free
My God, my Savior has ransomed me
And like a flood His mercy rains
Unending love, Amazing grace

The Lord has promised good to me
His word my hope secures
He will my shield and portion be
As long as life endures

The earth shall soon dissolve like snow
The sun forbid to shine
But God, Who called me here below
Will be forever mine
Will be forever mine
You are forever mine

Cardboard Testimonies

Friends as you look at the video,don't let it just fly past.God is serious about this.No matter where you've been,no matter what you've done,no matter what decisions you have made,no matter what you've been through,God can change your life.And God will change your life for the better.What if the people in the video are your welcoming committee in the kingdom of heaven?Want to be part of this committee?Then be serious about God.What would your testimony be?

Practice What You Preach

1Corinthians2:4-5 'My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words,but with a demonstration of of the Spirit's power,so that your faith might not rest on men's wisdom,but on God's power.'

Persuasion:To induce to undertake a course of action or embrace a point of view by means of argument,reasoning,or entreaty

Demonstration:The act of showing or making evident

Persuasion:Man's way
Deonstration:God's way

Friends today if you want to make an impact in your friends' lives,don't persuade.Yes,words are effective,but only to a very small extent.People today need to see,not to just hear.So people,if you truly want to make an impact in your friends' lives,you start setting an example,and when they see you practicing what you are preaching,they will begin to realize that you mean business,and they will soon follow.Initially they will not even care,but when they see you seriously living out the Word,they will be impacted.Jesus himself did not just use persuasive words to impact people.Yes,he used parables,but he had to live out the Word to impact.He was kind where he needed to.He was serious in the temple of God where he needed to be.He was compassionate to everybody he saw.He spent time with his heavenly Father and made sure his disciples did too.Jesus could have just came to earth,preach a few about his love for the people,and then go back to heaven,but he did not.Instead,he took the cross as a demonstration of his love.

Let's look at Apostl Paul.Many of his writings call for the people to be joyful even in affliction.Apostle Paul was a prisoner because of his faith.Yet he could write about his joy in his people even in prison.

These people constantly lived out the Word that God had put in their hearts.Surely God has put something in your heart.Don't just preach it,live it.The best testimony you can give is about yourself.


Everliving God
Maker of all the earth
Everlasting Prince
Our eternal praise
Belongs to you

All of the honour
All of the glory
To you

You are wonderful
Marvellous forever
Beautiful Prince of peace
Faithful one forever

Take the place of all honour
Take the place above all thrones
Take the place of all power
You are the one glorious

Come

God's favourite word.'Come'
"Come,let us talk about these things.Though your sins are like scarlet,they can be as white as snow."
"All you who are thirsty,come and drink."
"Come to me all,all you who are tired and have heavy loads,and I will give you rest."

Our God is a God who invites.He invited Mary to birth his Son,the disciples to fish for men,the adulteress woman to start over,and Thomas to touch his wounds.God is the King who prepares the palace,sets the table,and invites his subjects to come in.Isn't it amazing how the God of all the earth who invite us on a personal basis to commune with him?Isn't it amazing that the everlasting God would care to invite sinners to his embrace?Isn't it amazing that the mighty God we worship would invite us to his dwelling place?Indeed we serve an inviting God,a God who overlooks our past and sees our future,a God who,by all grace,will invite us to tap on his power.Praise be to him.



My life is not my own
A steward in this world
Looking into the mirror
I see the image of my King
Deserving not a gift
But He gave His Son for me
To set me free,to set me free

Oh the Father's heart amazed me
Beyond my wildest dreams
He said,"Come into My presence,come as you are."
Oh the Father's heart amazed me
Calling me His own
I may not see the reason why
But He's always by my side

Empty hands and heart
Nothing I can give
To Him who turned my life
Into a treasure in HIs sight
His love surrounded me
Like a precious creation
I'm captured by,His love for me

Test Your Faith Daily

I believe this picture speaks for itself.Test your faith daily.Not just weekly during service,but every day.When you face situations where you have to make an important decision,test your faith.When you know it's either God or friends,test your faith.When you have to choose between the computer and spending time with God,test your faith.When that begger comes to you and asks,test your faith.When you see someone who can benefit more from the money you are going to spend needlessly,test your faith.When you get the urge to shout back at your parents,test your faith.It may be difficult,but it's only then that you know where you stand with God.Test your faith daily.

What Should We Pray For?

Just last night I was asking the Lord what he thought of my prayer life.He pointed me to Philippians3-4,which reads,'I thank my God every time I remember you.In all my prayers for all of you,I always pray with joy.' When I read it,honestly,I was deeply disgusted and disappointed with myself.My prayer life pales in comparison to Apostle Paul's!As I examined Apostle Paul's prayer life,I began to notice something which was lacking in mine.And I believe it's lacking in many lives of christians today.You see,whether it's the book of Romans or the books of Corinthians or the book of Philippians or the books of Timonthy,Paul's prayer life is very evident.Every book that Apostle Paul wrote records that he prayed and he prayed and he prayed.Whatever circumstance he was in,wherever he was,he was praying.And Apostle Paul never prayed for a change of circumstance in any way.What he prayed for in everything was for a change of character.You see friends,many of us today are continually praying for a change of circumstance.'Lord,please help with the bills','Lord please send healing to this person','Lord please take away this trial and deliver me'.I believe Apostle Paul,in his lifetime,went through countless trials and what-nots,even when he was writing the books we read of in the bible.Yet the book of Philippians records for us that he prayed with joy!Why?Because he knew that whatever he was going through,it was to allow God to bring him to spiritual maturity,to bring him to completion.He believed that God was the author and finisher of his faith,and he was willing to allow God to mould him.(Philippians1:6 'Being confident of this,that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.')
Friends today as we pray,let our prayers be like the Apostle Paul's.Pray not for a change of circumstance,but for a change of character.And let us pray with joy,whatever situation we are in,because let us understand that God is always moulding us into completion,and let us will ourselves into his hands and into his will.Amen.


Oh Lord I give my life
As an offering to you
To be purified as gold
According to your will
Oh Lord
Make my life count for you
I'll go through the fire for you

The Lord's Baseball Game

THE LORD'S BASEBALL GAME

Adriel and the Lord stood by to observe a baseball game. The Lord's team was playing against Satan's team.

The Lord's team was at bat, the score was tied zero to zero, and it was the bottom of the 9th inning with two outs. They continued to watch as a batter stepped up to the plate named 'Love.'
Love swung at the first pitch and hit a single, because "Love never fails.".

The next batter was named Faith, who also got a single because Faith works with Love.

The next batter up was named Godly Wisdom. Satan wound up and threw the first pitch.

Godly Wisdom looked it over and let it pass: Ball one. Three more pitches and Godly Wisdom walked because he never swings at what Satan throws.


The bases were now loaded. The Lord then turned to Adriel and told him He was now going to bring in His starplayer.
Up to the plate stepped Grace. Adriel said, "He sure doesn't look like much!"
Satan's whole team relaxed when they saw Grace. Thinking he had won the game, Satan wound up and fired his first pitch.........

To the shock of everyone, Grace hit the ball harder than anyone had ever seen! But Satan was not worried; his center fielder let very few get by.
He went up for the ball, but it went right through his glove, hit him on the head and sent him crashing on the ground; the roaring crowds went wild as the ball continued over the fence ... for a home run!

The Lord's team won!

The Lord then asked Adriel if he knew why Love, Faith and Godly Wisdom could get on base but couldn't win the game.

Adriel answered that he didn't know why.

The Lord explained, "If your love, faith and wisdom had won the game, you would think you had done it by yourself. Love, Faith and Wisdom will get you on base but only My Grace can get you Home:
'For by Grace are you saved, it is a gift of God; not of works, lest any man should boast.' Ephesians 2:8-9
'For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord will give grace and glory; no good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly.' Psalm 84:11"


Lord I can only do so much
And I know it's not enough
I need you Lord
Bring me to completion

I give you my all
To you I surrender my life
Lord have your way in me now
Everything that I have
I offer to you
Lord only you can bring me home

It's not because of what I have
It's not because of what I've done
But it's by your grace Lord
That I see now
It's never been about me
What I do can only go so far
Only you Lord can bring me home

When God Says 'No'

When God says 'no',what do we do?What should we do?What can we do?Many times we take God for granted.We treat God as a genie.W think that as long as we pray,we will receive everything and anything we ask for.But friends,thjis is not true.Sometimes God says 'no'.Surprising as it may sound,God does refuse our petitions.Pray as we might,we will not receive it.But why would the good God we serve withold things from us.The same reason why you would,as a parent,withold certain things from your child.Can you imagine what would happen if a parent honours every request of each child during a trip?The children would inch their bloated bellies from one ice-cream store to the next.Can you imgaine what would happen if God is to indulge every request of ours?It's going to get chaotic.And that's certainly not what God wants for us. 'For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.'(1Thes5:9) God's ultimate plan for us?Salvation.God's overarching desire is that you reach that destiny.His itinerary includes stops that encourage your journey.He frowns on stops that deter you.When his sovereign plan and your earthly desires collide,a decision must be made.If God has to choose between your earthly satisfaction and your heavenly salvation,which do you hope he would choose?


Open my eyes Lord
I want to see your plan for me
To see the mission
With clearer vision
Restored the mark that waits for me

Open my ears Lord
All that you tell me I will do
To know your calling and without falling
I've set my eyes on you

Give me a heart like your heart
Beat for the lost
Give me a love like your love
No matter what the cost
Give me a road to travel
A race that I can't run
Give me a heart like your heart
To stand until you come
until you come

I will be waiting for you
I will be watching for you
I will be waiting for you
I will be watching for you

The storms came.You weren't there.The fires raged.You weren't there.The people came against me.You weren't there.But after all this,came a whisper.Simple words,"Because I love you".Lord now I realize where were you.You were there during the trials,you were there during the struggles,you were watching,standing firm,allowing them to overcome me.You stood firm,allowed them to overpower me,simply because you love me.Just like when they were mocking your Son,when they were crucifying him,you stood firm,allowed them to happen,simply because you love me.You allowed them to take place,simply because you wanted me to grow into maturity and completion.Lord your ways are difficult to accept,but Lord I surrender all to you,simply becuase your ways and thoughts are higher than mine.Simply because you love me.Simply because circumstances fade away when I look at your face.Simply because you are God of my life.

Jeremiah32:26-27 "Then the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah:'I am the Lord,God of all mankind.Is anything too hard for me?'"


Chains be broken
Lives be healed
Eyes be opened
Christ is revealed

I have decided
I have resolved
To wait upon you Lord
My rock and redeemer
Shield and reward
I'll wait upon you Lord

As surely as the sun will rise
You'll come to us
Certain as the dawn appears
You'll come
Let your glory fall
As you respond to us
Spirit rain
Flood into our thirsty hearts again
You'll come
You'll come