Devotional Reflections

Prayer Page 2010

2011-02-18T11:34:00.008+11:00

A prayer page to keep track of how God has kept His promises!

~~9/02/2010 - my job~~
~~9/02/2010 - what do You want me to do with buying a car?~~
~~15/02/2010 - What is love? Baby don't hurt me~~
~~15/02/2010 - 3 C's 1 P~~
~~18/02/2010 - Jwalking 7am Quiet Time group~~
26/02/2010 - CCF's servants
26/02/2010 - Jackson's work plans, servings and the keeping of his Sabbath.
~~13/04/2010 - May our Lord bless you guys for lunch =)~~
4/05/2010 - my sis in HK
~~6/05/2010 - Gangster, hope you're okay~~
~~15/05/2010 - Dad~~
~~21/08/2010 - Internships!!!~~
19/09/2010 - Uni crunch time

New Years Resolution 2010

2010-12-29T09:35:00.006+11:00

- Keep my room clean for the entire year
- Actually listen in lectures and do tut work
- Distinction Term WAM
- Save up for a car
- Eat out less ($10- for lunch, $20- for dinner)
- Keep a personal budget (no splurging)
- Reread the Bible cover to cover
- Get up 1 hour earlier every morning
- Sleep before 1am

Jan Review
Feb Review
Mar Review
Apr Review
July Review

Acts 12 - The Miraculous Release

2010-12-12T23:24:00.000+11:00

I love how sometimes we read a passage and go "HA! As if!"

So there's a bunch of people who gathered at a house for a special prayer meeting, specifically for Peter's release from prison, and he gets released with the help of an angel but they don't believe it when he's free. It makes all the prayer meetings we do seem like a joke. But I guess it's only when really personal things happen that's when we don't believe. For big things, like if we prayed for church expansion and something miraculous happened and we acquired a new building out of nowhere, that's more believable than if I prayed for my foot and tomorrow it's healed.

I wonder how many times Peter rolled his eyes that night.

2nd week of work life

2010-12-06T10:38:00.000+11:00

Okay, sorry to all of those people who had to endure my constant ranting about how exciting work is. And how passionate and hardworking I've been. I've come back to work today, first day of the 2nd week, and the novelty has officially wore off. I just want to go home and sleep and bludge all day and be a couch potato.

Before this vaccie program started, everybody I knew told me about the temptations that I'd be getting. Even a friend of a friend who I've only met once, she told me to be careful not to let work takeover my life. I politely said I'd pay attention to be careful to every single one of them, but really, inside of me I was just thinking, "yeah right, as if I'll be ambitious and let work takeover. get real."

But it only took one week for me to fall. At the end of last week, after our Friday work drinks, we planned for drinks for the week after as well. That means it would clash with my youthgroup commitments. It took me only 1 second to decide, "Oh, I'll have to give youthgroup a miss."

Luckily, at church one of my mentors kept me accountable and asked, "Do you believe that God needs you to attend all the social functions in order for Him to give you the job? If it's any other commitments, then vaccies drinks should come first, but definitely not youthgroup. I guarantee that you won't get the job if you skip youthgroup to attend a work function. That's my Theology." Then it finally hit me that I already subconciously changed my priority and my faith is already different.

We've also been getting sermons on Ruth at the moment, and we saw how Elimelech didn't trust in God and used his own wisdom to take care of his family. By doing that, he had to go to Moab and his children died there with him. In the end they didn't really get what they needed, it was until God provided for Ruth BACK at where they were from, that's when they prospered. I need to keep that in mind. Lets see how this week goes!

Internships

2010-09-19T16:45:00.000+10:00

I'm one of the less academic Business students in Sydney. In my penultimate year, I did what every elite kid did, apply for summer vacation employment amongst all the big firms. What these vacation programs will do for us is, hopefully after 6 weeks of work with the company, they will decide that our work is alright, and they'll offer us a Graduate Position with them next year which means we can continue the final year of university without having to worry about graduating jobless. And I do believe that graduating jobless is one of the most common phobias for students in good universities.

So after failing two subjects, and my average not being very high at all, I gave it a shot without much expectation. Not only do I not have a strong application, I also missed a lot of the deadlines of the big companies. In the end, I got interviews to PwC (1st), WHK Horwath (5th) and BDO (6th) which was a miracle already. Out of the 3, I really wanted to go for BDO, because their company culture was way awesome. Everyone seemed mad to work with, and their partners were really chill. And I guess, because PwC is the world's biggest accounting firm, a little big inside of me kind of wanted to get that too, but I knew that was way too out of reach for someone dumb like me.

After going through all the long stages of different interviews and assessment centres, I wasn't confident that I'd get any of the 3 at all. I didn't do bad, but I didn't stand out either. But I was praying with my entire being that I get BDO, because I do believe they would hire me as a Grad afterwards.

The night after my PwC interview, they called me to give me an offer, I was shocked and REALLY happy. But also sad, because BDO and WHK didn't call me to offer me anything and it had been a day or two already. After consulting with parents and relatives, they convinced me to send the PwC contract back to them ASAP so I can take my mind off internships and focus on uni work.

I know for sure that God's the one who's in control of what I'll get. Because with my transcript, nobody would want me. I'm one of the weaker candidates in the commercial world.

Unfortunately, 30minutes after putting the contract into the mail, BDO called me to offer me. WHK also offered me soon after. I felt so bad knowing that I have to reject BDO and WHK, because I've already committed myself to PwC, and I know that at PwC people are a lot more competitive and I probably won't be offered a graduate position.

But at least I'm settled for this summer, whatever happens - whether I get an offer or not, I know that God planned the series of events to happen in that order, so that I'd be led to take up PwC. Let's see how things go from there.

But thank You for listening to my prayer, I really don't deserve what You've given me. There are a million other people who are more worthy to get what I've received, but I know there must be a purpose behind it all.

Acts 7:51-8:1 - Jesus, the Master

2010-09-19T16:28:00.000+10:00

Stories like Stephen's always makes me scared for a lot of reasons... I'm scared because the way I call Him Lord is totally different to when Stephen says it. Whatever he's doing, it agrees with what he's saying, and even until the end you can see who his master is. I'm also scared because if I work on my weakness of not really placing God as my master in my life, and eventually I follow Him with all of me, I'll end up like Stephen.

There's huge cost and huge privileges to be a living sacrifice, and I don't know whether I'm seeing the privileges as clearly as I see the cost.

Acts 4:24-31 - Fearless Confidence

2010-09-09T10:42:00.000+10:00

I've always really admired the book of Acts, every story in there is inspirational and still applicable. Basically it's a bunch of traditionally "unqualified" people who are chosen and used by God for His works and to suffer for Him.

Once a story starts becoming not applicable, I think there's a problem. I've got a problem. I don't remember the last time I've suffered. I'm just living life in my comfort zone, never feeling the need to plea for fearless confidence to keep going, because life is such a breeze.

I just want some sort of fervor back...

Acts 1:1-11 - God's Redemptive Plan

2010-08-21T15:13:00.000+10:00

There's a lot of things that we know about, but we always just keep it in the back of our minds, until someone or something acts as triggers to retrieve it back. It's kind of like, I never doubted or I believe I will never doubt the return of Jesus, but such an amazing fact should take up the whole of my life.

I know that my Aunt's about to come and visit from HK, and I've already put it in my diary, I've worked hard to try and finish all my homework for the week and the next so I can spend time with her. Someone's return should change your life and your schedules.

"You Galileans! - why do you just stand here looking up at an empty sky? This very Jesus who was taken up from among you to heaven will come as certainly - and mysteriously - as he left."

It's time to get back into the game, take the risk. Being a spectator sometimes takes up enough of our attention, like when we watch sport rather than play sport, and it's stopping so many of us from being participants. Come on!

Acts

2010-08-21T15:09:00.004+10:00

Devotions on the Book of Acts

Acts 1:1-11 - God's Redemptive Plan
Acts 4:24-31 - Fearless Confidence
Acts 7:51-8:1 - Jesus, the Master
Acts 12 - The Miraculous Release

John 20:19-29 - Take your fingers and examine My hands

2010-07-29T20:08:00.000+10:00

Even better blessings are in store for those who believe without seeing.

Most disciples these days don't have problems with believing without seeing, it's not like we expect to see visions every day. But I guess the same concept of when Jesus breathed the Holy Spirit into the disciples, we have been breathed into. But we always doubt or disregard our identity and power. It's time to get ready to plunge back into fight mode, and not rely on myself to do my own things.

John 17:20-26 - One heart and mind

2010-07-26T23:50:00.000+10:00

So... Jesus was praying a prayer for us. Or us individually. He's praying that we'd be one heart and mind with Him and other followers, so that we'll be mature in this oneness so that we can be part of His revealing of who He is to the rest of the world.

God's love for Jesus is in us, because Jesus is in us. Which also means that we'll have His glory as well.

What a great deal we got here, I'm glad I'm on the right side.

Refuel - Doug Fields

2010-07-24T14:35:00.005+10:00

Name: Refuel
Tagline: An uncomplicated guide to connecting with God
Author: Doug Fields

I loved this book, it's like... every dying fire's rescue crew. I started reading this book in the beginning of June when I had to get the car serviced, and had 3 hours to kill in West Ryde. So like any bored Christian would do in that area, I naturally walked into Koorong and started reading different books and listening to any new CDs. That day, I bought a new slimline note taking Bible, a Sanctus Real CD, and of course, Refuel.

I only got through half the book at the time. The book was actually finished in mid June when I went to MQ Uni to catch up with some yearly reading plans.

Basically this is the summary of the book:

Everyone's a Spiritual Loser. At any one point in our walk, we'd be running on empty, even though it's really easy to act otherwise. Trust me, all your leaders know how to act Spiritually High, constantly.
Running on empty means the warning light is flashing, and these are signs like being easily frustrated, huge amounts of procrastination, stress, and losing control of life.
All newbie drivers don't realise how quickly a car needs to be refueled, likewise, we always think our regular sermons, bible studies, camps etc will keep us going for a while. Well, we're wrong.
We need to be charged daily. (I keep thinking about that Duracell ad, where the rabbits running low on batteries were dying in the race. Similarly, we're probably dying in the "race" talked about by Paul)
We are designed for greatness. So we need to Stop, Be quiet (or be still) and make a connection.

Well, if I have to say it in a one liner, I'll say that our lives need to be slowed down.

Thanks, Fields!

2010 7th Month Review

2010-07-24T13:54:00.000+10:00

So it's July already, and I've skipped on a few months of acting out on my resolutions. It's no wonder I failed LEGT2741. In these couple of months, a few things took over my life... Mainly sports related. Basketball, football and of course, NBA and the FIFA World Cup. I'm ridiculous.

Every single one of my goals, I've failed in. FML.

Midyear reset!! Let's go!

John 14:15-17 - The Friend

2010-07-24T13:49:00.000+10:00

It's such a shame that I had to miss out on going to MYC, the topic this year was on the Holy Spirit, the most neglected personhood of the Trinity. Whenever I think about the Spirit, I remember the sermon by I think Andrew Lim, 10 years ago, or more, about our conscience which is the evil persona, and the Holy Spirit which is the angel persona in our inner voices. Every time we listen to ourselves, I visualise the evil persona piercing the angelic persona, and the HP of the angelic persona diminishes, and His Voice starts to go weaker as well. But every time we listen to the angelic persona, our own voice dies and gets weaker and weaker. I actually believe that that's how it works, but too bad I can never act upon it.

I pray that I can begin to feel the presence stronger and stronger, and that as I drive, walk, work, study, interact with others etc, I will always call on the Spirit for guidance for the thoughts I think, the words I speak and the decisions I make. I remembered a dilemma I had a couple nights ago, which I forgot to ask about. No wonder I couldn't answer it!

22 Jul 2010

2010-07-22T16:20:00.001+10:00

Seems like it's been a while when I sat here in my room feeling like I have the time to reflect on life. It's definitely something that I should be doing more often... Be Still.

A lot has changed since the last God Encounter entry, that was after the Refueled book. I still think about that book, but I never had enough self discipline to live it out. I've discovered a new target, even though I'm not doing so well myself, I hope I can still help her through her quest for growth.

Going back to uni feels so different. Maybe because I'm bald now, but I felt so uncomfortable, until I went back to my familiar groups. Perhaps I'm running out of socialising skills, or maybe it's just my fear of losing control of something that I've been chasing previously. I pray that this new hair will keep reminding me to become a better person, it's a metaphor for shedding the excess luxuries, which I used grasp so tightly.

It's almost a year now since my last spiritual high. Must get my act together.

John 12:20-36 - Holding on to Life

2010-07-22T16:00:00.000+10:00

"Fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out." - Romans 12:2.

How appropriate. Just when I'm thinking that my focus has shifted... Jesus talks about when people hold onto life, we're actually blocking the growth that could come of it. Which is true, obviously. There's so many things that I'm chasing at the moment, and by the way I prioritise everything, I think it's pretty clear what's going on.

So... how have You been? Seems like we should catch up...

John 10:1-18 - Knowing the Good Shepherd

2010-07-22T15:40:00.000+10:00

I remember doing this about 3-4 weeks ago at the Bella Vista lake when the whole tribunal thing happened, but due to laziness it was never blogged.

A good shepherd is willing to lay down His own life, out of His own free will, to protect His flock.

I hate birds. When I was there, it was almost raining at around 4pm. All the birds in the area were flying back into their nest, and I was sitting there next to the lake freaking out. But in my fear, none of them dirtied me, or swooped me or anything. In the midst of the whole tribunal chaos, even though we spent so much effort trying to figure out every flaw in the case, in the end it was something unexpected that helped us through. Nothing's in our control, and we'll be safe in His arms always.

John 8:1-11 - No Condemnation

2010-07-22T15:19:00.003+10:00

This was the passage I did when I finished my exams, and went to MQUni to do some catch up reading.

Go on your way. From now on don't sin.

8 Jun 2010

2010-06-08T12:48:00.000+10:00

There's this book... Refueled. I read through half of it already, yeah, I need to be refueled. I've gone on turbo for far too long, and much too quickly. And now I'm running on empty, but not going into petrol stations. What the hell am I doing?

Thank You though, for randomly leading me into Koorong. Finding Refuel and Sanctus Real. I know exactly what I have to do to please You, but I also know what I want. And I don't know why You never, ever give it to me. I know I always forget to pray for the things that I'm supposed to, like now I've just neglected so, so much. But the one thing that has been consistent, why have You never healed me...

When I was listening to Sanctus Real in the car, I can hear You singing "I'll show you how to live" to me. I almost... You promised that it'd be better than this. Show me again!!!!

I heard the sound of your first breath
A brand new life on your mother’s chest
A beating heart, expectant eyes
On the first day of your life
I saw you take your first step
And I watched you run with no regret
To chase your dreams and find true love
And the best is yet to come

So come with Me
I’ll show you life
Even better than this
Come with Me
I’ll show you love
You didn’t know could exist
Better than your first crush
Better than your first kiss
I’ll show you how to live

Remember how you felt from across the room
When you realized someone had eyes for you
And the way your heart sang cuz you believed
You were worth something

So come with me
I’ll show you life
Even better than this
Come with me
I’ll show you love
You didn’t know could exist
Better than your first crush
Better than your first kiss
I’ll show you how to live
Oh, I’ll show you how to live

Cuz I created your heart
That makes you feel
I am the love that makes it real
Oh, I am the One, I’m the One, I’m the One
I am the One, I’m the One, I’m the One

So come with Me
I’ll show you life
Even better than this
Come with Me
I’ll show you love
You didn’t know could exist
Better than your first crush
Better than your first kiss
I’ll show you how to live

Cause I am the One, I’m the One, I’m the One
I am the one, I’m the One, I’m the One

John 5:1-9 - Do you want to get well?

2010-06-08T12:41:00.000+10:00

Sigh... I'm back. Guess we all know that I've fallen out, need time off. Here I am, sitting paralyzed at Bethesda but not wanting to get healed. I enjoy, actually, I loved not being spiritually healthy. I'm doing all that I want, this is the life that I've been missing for four years. Back to what it's like in highschool, just following my heart, no responsibility of setting a good example.

Oh, what am I doing... One more week. This Friday will be my first and last day off. Then I'll be back. Maybe.

John 3:1-21 - Trusting and Expectant

2010-05-25T10:51:00.000+10:00

This is a really famous story, we've all heard this a million times from Sunday School, and we always think that Nicodemus is kind of thick for not understanding the concept of "born from above" in the unworldly kind of way. But come to think of it, I'm even worse than Nicodemus.

It's one thing to know, but another to understand.

I think lately, my attention has been captured by many other things. Or one thing mainly. I know what it's like to be trusting and expectant, but I just need to shift the trust to the right place.

I'm at it again. I thought I've escaped from being bound by the last thing, and as soon as I'm free, comes a new one.

But anyone working and living in truth and reality welcomes God-light so the work can be seen for the God-work it is.

I can't take my mind off it. What's going on...

John 1:12-18 - Life-light

2010-05-14T23:59:00.000+10:00

I can't really concentrate today. This is definitely not where we're meant to be. It's not right.

No one has ever seen god, not so much as a glimpse.

John

2010-05-14T23:58:00.008+10:00

Devotions on the book of John

John 1:12-18 - Life-light
John 3:1-21 - Trusting and expectant
John 5:1-9 - Do you want to get well?
John 8:1-11 - No Condemnation
John 10:1-18 - Knowing the Good Shepherd
John 12:20-36 - Holding on to Life
John 14:15-17 - The Friend
John 17:20-26 - One heart and mind
John 20:19-29 - Take your finger and examine My hands

Luke 24:1-12 - Looking for the living one in a cemetary

2010-05-12T22:07:00.000+10:00

Who's Joanna?

Luke 22:47-53 - Healing the Enemy

2010-05-11T23:39:00.000+10:00

Jesus said, "Let them be. Even in this." Then, touching the servant's ear, he healed him.