Food for Thought

A little nugget of truth...

The greatest handicap: FEAR

The best day: TODAY

Easiest thing to do: FIND A FAULT

Most useless asset: PRIDE

The greatest mistake: GIVING UP

Greatest stumbling block: EGOTISM

The greatest comfort: WORK WELL DONE

Most disagreeable person: THE COMPLAINER

Worst bankruptcy: LOSS OF ENTHUSIASM

Greatest need: COMMON SENSE

Meanest feeling: REGRET AT ANOTHER'S SUCCESS

Best gift: FORGIVENESS

The greatest moment: DEATH

Greatest knowledge: GOD

The greatest thing in the world: LOVE

- source unknown

Pride, I'm guilty of.

Forgiveness, I've received.

Death, I would not fear.

God, whom I adore.

Love, that fills me...

... so much that it overflows.

Was watching some videos.. and came across Jill McCloghry's testimony about the death of her newborn child. And through this trial, she wrote The Desert Song, a declaration of her faith in God and His plans for her. Even through her brokenness, she chose to worship and praise. It really shows how powerful the strength drawn from God is.

"... sometimes I don't feel like singing for God. But I know that my circumstance in this season doesn't change that God is still God. It doesn't change what God's called to me to be here, what He has called me to do. And He's still on the throne... and He still rules. And He's still bigger than everything that I'm facing..."

I cannot begin to imagine the pain that she went through.. and the bitterness she may have. I know I would. How she recovered and choose to continue singing 4 days after her baby's death, I would never know. But it's definitely by the grace of God that she stood by her faith and stomped out the evil schemes the devil have devised.

All of my life, in every season

You are still God

I have a reason to sing

I have a reason to worship

This is my prayer in the harvest, when favour and providence flow. I know I'm filled to be emptied again, the seed I receive I will sow.

Let there be a reason to sing and worship God every single day of our life, under any and every circumstance, that thanksgiving and praise be above our troubles.

In the midst of a storm

... what do you do?

We are all familiar with how Jesus walked on the sea towards His disciples when they were caught in a storm. One of Jesus's many miraculous signs and wonders... But we're so often more at awe by the fact that He could walk on water instead of how He actually delivered.

When Jesus appeared in the darkness and fog of the storm (walking on water, no less)... His disciples thought it was a ghost/evil spirit/bogeyman/etc. coming their way. Instead of believing that Jesus would be their protector and saviour always, and was on His way to save them, they let their human inhibitions and fear get the better of them. Right then, calling out to Jesus was the furthest thing from their mind. Hence, the fear, when they saw a conspicuous figure approaching.

How many times were we caught in the deepest trenches of despair due to certain circumstances, objections or obstacles and all we did were to mope in self-pity, sink into depression, complain and grumble?

Have we forgotten that Jesus, our one true saviour and redeemer sent by God to be hung on the cross, is always by our side?? Aren't we dismissing His awesome power when we fail to call out to Him in our hour of need, thus diminishing the value of God in our life? When we let unnecessary fear seep into our souls, it starts to eat away at our focus on God and what He is really capable of.

All we need to do it to "willingly receive Him into the boat, and immediately the boat (will be) at the land where WE are going"[John 6: 21] With the little faith that the disciples had, they let Jesus into the boat and take control over the storm and they were saved IMMEDIATELY.

Instead of relying on our own strength, seek God's today and put all your faith in Him.. no matter how little it may be. He will deliver. Trust God for His provision and presence, even in the darkest times when all hope seems lost.

P.S. Even though funds are being raised at a relatively rapid rate for the Haitian victims (George Clooney raised USD53 mil through Hope For Haiti Now alone and still going... plus other countless foundations) it will not be enough for a sustainable future for the nation. It is estimated that it would take at least a decade to rebuild and resettle the people. Just imagine starting from ground zero, a blank slate.. So give as much as you can.

If not effort, then funds. If not presence, then prayers.

Pray that the funds will be disseminated through the right organisations for the proper reconstruction of buildings and lives.

Pray that the spirit of peace be poured out onto the country and that looting stops.

Pray that volunteers be sent in unimaginable numbers and none will be left idle... let every pair of hands and feet be used for God's glory.

Hope is not lost in the present darkness.

Healing Haiti

On the 12th of January 2010, a 7.0 magnitude earthquake rocked the city of Port-au-Prince. One of the worse ever disasters in the western hemisphere leaves the Haitian capital in ruins. The death toll is estimated to be between 100 000 to 200 000. More than 600 000 people have been left homeless. Half the population of Haiti consists of youths aged 20 years and younger.





Relief workers are working around the clock tirelessly but are still struggling to get aid to Haitians in need. There remains a shortage of medical supplies flowing into the affected areas.



This is an emergency appeal to the compassion of your hearts to give to our brothers and sisters in Haiti. They need medical supplies, food, shelter, clean drinking water and rebuilding funds. The organisations we are going through will be either Compassion Australia (http://www.compassion.com.au/cmspage.php?intid=346&linkid=229)


Or Unicef International
(http://www.supportunicef.org/site/pp.asp?c=9fLEJSOALpE&b=1023561)



For donation and aid enquiries contact me at:
Gerald Liew
0421156712
gd_8801@hotmail.com
or at cell this Friday, or at service on Sunday.
Thank you, and do keep the people of Haiti in prayer.