tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30055096994932223652024-03-12T17:34:04.041-07:00Beyond the shore, into Your GraceJen Muliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11913698085454936567noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3005509699493222365.post-84027912102671495062018-05-06T09:24:00.000-07:002018-05-06T09:24:53.311-07:00What if God lets your problem to stay a little bit longer to teach you something? <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5fQupQYdvsmMGg6VbqAUo9C7yKxfyvDKkgqtSrqUGr-gOu6KEFoFMVOVwEbv5tYRyU1_XCC4t4Cga_7JOUkf_pBOSL9jQS-Bc40FOnVoYIo27gPIv_TIRGRxXc7xC6i0Ezs4-MHsxv9iT/s1600/33262-faith-move-mountains.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="1100" height="372" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5fQupQYdvsmMGg6VbqAUo9C7yKxfyvDKkgqtSrqUGr-gOu6KEFoFMVOVwEbv5tYRyU1_XCC4t4Cga_7JOUkf_pBOSL9jQS-Bc40FOnVoYIo27gPIv_TIRGRxXc7xC6i0Ezs4-MHsxv9iT/s640/33262-faith-move-mountains.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo Credit : <a href="https://www.crosscards.com/cards/scripture-cards/faith-can-move-mountains-matthew-17-20.html">https://www.crosscards.com/cards/scripture-cards/faith-can-move-mountains-matthew-17-20.html</a><br /><br /></td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Matthew 17 : 20</span></b></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"You don't have enough faith," Jesus told them. "I tell you the truth, if you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it would move. Nothing would be impossible."</span></b></span><br />
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This is a very well-known and often most-cited verse when it comes to the topic of faith and problems. We always look at our big problems as the mountain. </div>
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For example, one guy is trying very hard to find himself a decent job, but he has not been getting interview calls, and even when he did, he wasn't able to do the interview well, which in turns resulting in him being rejected by the company; and the cycle goes on. To him, acing the interview is his big mountain, and he thinks to himself maybe if he has a little bit more faith, pray more, then he will overcome this mountain and miraculously get a job he desires. Nothing wrong with having more faith and praying more asking for God's divine intervention, but what if, acing the interview is not the only mountain he needs to overcome, what if there are other mountains (for example his attitude towards his interviewers during interviews, or his skills that need to be polished) he fails to see but God wants him to overcome those other mountains first before the gigantic one. And what exactly do I mean by that... </div>
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Often times, we get fixated on our problem or the breakthrough that we want to achieve and blindly use this verse as a weapon or "blackmail" in our prayers, saying something like "Lord I have faith that I will overcome this problem, I believe it Lord, please let this problem go away, because I have faith that it will." But what if He lets this mountain to stay for a little bit longer so that He can teach us something or so that we can overcome other smaller mountains first, mountains that we overlooked thinking they are not a problem but little did we know, they can be a problem in the future if not addressed properly. For easier explanation I'm gonna use my story as an illustration :) </div>
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Okay so most of you know that I have a clothing line business, however at this point of time I cannot say that it is doing very well or it has reached a certain number of followers on the social media platform or that the monthly revenue is always mind-blowing throughout the year - and I'm fine with it, at least now, after I realised about this faith-and-mountain thing. Up until last month, I often found myself being overly sad if I feel that the business is not doing well, I would pray asking God for the breakthrough and I thought it was alright to be sad about it. But recently I realised something else. Yes I need a breakthrough and yes this thing is my mountain right now, but even though this mountain is still present, throughout these past few months that I've been feeling sad, actually I've been removing other smaller mountains like for example the ability to learn from mistakes, getting back up after feeling down, the ability to be humble and take in advices from others, to name a few. </div>
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I know that it is very easy for God to suddenly pour me with so much orders that I can't even handle it on my own, or for Him to suddenly multiply my business overnight. However, as much as I want an overnight success to happen, I ask myself again this question, am I ready for it now? Am I able to handle all those? What if He suddenly multiplies my business now because of my "faith" and because I ask in my prayers without myself knowing that I don't have any experience for the breakthrough? Then most likely, the success won't stay for long if I cannot manage it well. You see, our God is more interested in shaping our characters, preparing us for the good success that He has planned for us in the future, rather than just turning us into an overnight sensation or giving us sudden fame without any strong character or experiences as the foundation. More often than not He doesn't spoon-feed us. </div>
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So what I'm saying is, if you are in a situation faced with a big mountain that you always earnestly pray for it to be removed, but it is still there looking at you in the eye, try to take a step back and look at yourself or your surrounding. Maybe there is something that you need to address first, "smaller mountain" that you may not realise but need to be removed first before this big mountain that you are always focusing on. Remember that everything happens for a reason and everything stays for a reason too, even problems (ha!)</div>
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I hope this helps you to take a fresher and more wholesome perspective of your current situation if you find yourself facing your mountain again and again no matter how big of a faith you think you have ;) </div>
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God is good all the time, All the time God is good. Cheers!</div>
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Jen Muliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11913698085454936567noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3005509699493222365.post-55520924946332406912017-05-05T07:45:00.001-07:002017-05-05T07:46:40.162-07:00Green Pastures in Psalms 23, is it really green? <iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kdzhbv2eGxk" width="480"></iframe><br />
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Video from: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kdzhbv2eGxk">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kdzhbv2eGxk</a><br />
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<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; font-family: "arimo" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; text-align: justify;"><b><i><span style="color: #38761d;">Psalms 23 : 1 - 2a </span></i></b></span><br />
<b><i><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; font-family: "arimo" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; text-align: justify;">The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing. </span><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; font-family: "arimo" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; text-align: justify;">He makes me lie down in green pastures...</span></span></i></b><br />
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After watching the video, even though it changes our perception of 'green pastures' completely, it makes Psalms 23:1-2 become even more beautiful. Here's why...<br />
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I see a partnership here between the flock of sheep that depicts us in real life with their Shepherd who is the Lord.<br />
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I say partnership because the sheep are following Him, not being dragged around. For this to happen, they must be willing to follow the Shepherd and He in return must be willing to walk at the front and lead the flock.<br />
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<i><span style="color: #38761d;"><b>1. The Lord is my Shepherd, I lack nothing</b></span></i><br />
The key is the Lord being our Shepherd and when this happens, we lack nothing because all our needs are being provided for. We see the flock of sheep even though they are in the desert-like green pastures, as long as they follow their Shepherd, they will always find grass to eat. Everyday there will always be enough grass for them to eat. But can you imagine if there is only the flock of sheep roaming around without the Shepherd leading them? I doubt those sheep will ever be able to find the patches of grass hiding beneath the rocks. <span style="color: #6aa84f;">So the key is actually not the pastures, but the Shepherd leading. </span><br />
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<b><i><span style="color: #38761d;">2. He makes me lie down (in green pastures)</span></i></b><br />
Sheep are very prone to being eaten by predators. They are always on the lookout of their surrounding, to see if there is any danger around. For them to be able to lie down means they are at ease knowing that their Shepherd is doing his job of watching over them. Same as us, when we know the Lord is watching over us and have our best interest at heart, we don't need to worry, no matter the circumstances we are in, we can lie down peacefully and be at rest knowing that the Lord has got our backs.<br />
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<i><b><span style="color: #38761d;">3. (He makes me lie down) In green pastures</span></b></i><br />
I think that green pastures here depicts our lives and circumstances.<br />
Life is not always a bed of roses, like how 'green pastures' is not necessarily always green.<br />
No matter how bad or good our circumstances may seem like, as long as the Lord is our Shepherd, we will lack nothing and can be at rest.<br />
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It's interesting why the green pastures in Israel looks like this, because if it does look like what we have all first imagined it to be like (really green with lots of grass in sight) then I guess the flock of sheep don't really need any Shepherd around to lead them to find their daily food. The green pastures look like a desert for a purpose, to teach us that we don't focus on the circumstances, but focus on who is leading our lives.<br />
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Be blessed :)Jen Muliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11913698085454936567noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3005509699493222365.post-84257137520733157192017-01-20T20:25:00.001-08:002017-01-20T20:27:02.931-08:00Prayer-answering God<p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 15px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText';">Hello!</span></p>
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<p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 15px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText';">So, lately I have been busy working on my new clothing line and I am very happy and excited about it. Honestly when you are busy doing something that you love, you don't really have time to feel down, confused about what exactly are God's plans for your life and at loss of what to do in the future. Thus explains my absence from blogging recently (ugly naked truth huh!)</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 15px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: rgb(69, 69, 69); min-height: 19px;"><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText';"></span><br></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 15px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText';">But of course I am not saying I forget about being constantly in His presence and feeling grateful for all His goodness; which then leads me to this short story that I'm going to share with you all... </span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 15px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: rgb(69, 69, 69); min-height: 19px;"><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText';"></span><br></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 15px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText';">As some of you may have known, after all these years, I finally braved myself to embark on a new journey of being in the fashion industry, following what my heart really leans to. So I needed to hire a tailor, I was quite unsure of the fundamental characteristics that I should look for in a tailor, how to really spot a good one among so many skilled tailors in Jakarta. And where to find them. </span></p>
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<p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 15px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText';">Last year in October when I first started, I remember praying a prayer, asking God to guide me to a good tailor just like how Abraham's servant asked for guidance to find a good wife for Isaac, in Abraham's homeland. He prayed a specific prayer, with a specific request to help him be sure which woman was God-sent. As for my case, last year I didn't have that specific request yet when I prayed this prayer. Months went by, and finally this mid January I put an advertisement on local newspaper looking for a tailor. One day before the interview/test day, I had this small voice in my heart saying that I want a tailor who calls me by "non" (Indonesian for "miss"). </span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 15px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: rgb(69, 69, 69); min-height: 19px;"><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText';"></span><br></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 15px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText';">A lot of tailors applied for the job and I interviewed many before finally deciding to hire someone. We had a deal, I asked him to start immediately the next day, and also by then I had rejected a few other potential candidates too. But I guess God had a different person in mind to be my tailor. My newly hired employee texted me on the first day of work saying that he wished to start working the following week instead (wait, what! First day of work and you say this to your employer), and yes I was disappointed even before I start. I went to call an applicant whom I just rejected the night before, but turns out he wasn't that interested in the job offer either. I was scrolling down my list of applicants when a text suddenly came in saying "Good morning, I am on my way for the interview" (in Indonesian of course) I was surprised, being fully sure I didn't have anymore pending interviews that day, but I welcomed him anyway. Eventually I hired him and he's been working for a week now and so far things have been great, skills and attitude wise. And remember how I had a specific request in my heart saying that I want a tailor who calls me by "non"? Yep among so many applicants, he is the only person who calls me that. The rest called me "bu" or "ci" (Indonesian for "maam" or "sis"). </span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 15px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: rgb(69, 69, 69); min-height: 19px;"><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText';"></span><br></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 15px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText';">Last night I was praying, thanking God for a smooth first week when I was reminded of the Abraham's servant's prayer I once prayed last year. Amazing how God brings things into place. With this, I am all confident that I'm on the right track and I have only good things to expect. So friends, be confident of what you pray for because our God is a prayer-answering God, and He is serious about it. </span></p>
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<p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 15px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText';">Be abundantly blessed! </span></p>
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<p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 15px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText-Bold'; font-weight: bold;">Genesis 24: 12 </span><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText';">Then he prayed, “Lord, God of my master Abraham, make me successful today, and show kindness to my master Abraham. </span><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText-Bold'; font-weight: bold;">13 </span><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText';">See, I am standing beside this spring, and the daughters of the townspeople are coming out to draw water. </span><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText-Bold'; font-weight: bold;">14 </span><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText';">May it be that when I say to a young woman, ‘Please let down your jar that I may have a drink,’ and she says, ‘Drink, and I’ll water your camels too’—let her be the one you have chosen for your servant Isaac. By this I will know that you have shown kindness to my master.”</span></p>Jen Muliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11913698085454936567noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3005509699493222365.post-53707914291400459482016-12-13T03:50:00.000-08:002016-12-13T03:56:00.172-08:00First year in Jakarta <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYV5hFBGZJcAS_uJb7LLHsb0YRXxBf_3tnh-2NbGBhtJqeEGIDlUNQVpMqFQ5nUDfRijt8qG0Z_2Oen48O4WBuk8SiuBVa4lH7gE1HGJ_9zAYgzKbTETRC8ZRHEmZn4JE20OPoihr8RrMP/s1600/croppedImg_569057013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYV5hFBGZJcAS_uJb7LLHsb0YRXxBf_3tnh-2NbGBhtJqeEGIDlUNQVpMqFQ5nUDfRijt8qG0Z_2Oen48O4WBuk8SiuBVa4lH7gE1HGJ_9zAYgzKbTETRC8ZRHEmZn4JE20OPoihr8RrMP/s640/croppedImg_569057013.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo credit: <a href="http://www.akmanihotel.com/attraction.php?pages=attraction">http://www.akmanihotel.com/attraction.php?pages=attraction</a> (via google)</td></tr>
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Happy 1st anniversary to my blog! Even though I haven't posted anything in the past few months. Oops! But anyhow, it has been an interesting year for me. I started writing right after I moved back to Jakarta during my time of uncertainties, to uplift myself and boost my faith each time I feel down. <br />
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But truly God is good and He will not abandon His child. First few months of adaptation after being 11 years in Singapore, and finding out what I wanted to do here in Jakarta felt like I was in the ocean. I related a lot to <a href="https://youtu.be/dy9nwe9_xzw" target="_blank">Hillsong United's Oceans</a> song where the lyrics say "You call me out upon the waters, the great unknown where feet may fail, and there I find you in the mystery. In oceans deep, my faith will stand," but I love how the song also declares hope when it continues on saying "Your grace abounds in deepest waters, Your sovereign hand will be my guide." </div>
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I held on to His promise knowing that there is more in store for me in Jakarta, just that it hasn't been shown to me just yet. Well I'm not saying I have it all figured out now, but at least now I know where I am heading to (for those curious readers, I am working on my clothing line now). I realised that all I need is enough passion to keep me on track, continuing what I am doing; and a lot of grace to get me to my goal.<br />
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<b><i><span style="color: #e06666;">" Enough passion, a lot of Grace "</span></i></b></h2>
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I didn't say the opposite (a lot of passion and enough grace) because I don't want to lean on my own strength and effort. And when the time comes for me to look back to these times of my small beginnings, I want to be able to say: It is truly and only by His grace that has gotten me this far. I can't wait for that day.<br />
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Jen Muliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11913698085454936567noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3005509699493222365.post-9899831426293580862016-09-05T02:55:00.000-07:002016-09-05T02:55:26.750-07:00"But My love won't fail," says the LORDHi blessed readers, hope you are all well in Christ.<br />
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Something sweet happened to me some time last week and I want to write about it and share with you guys. So, last during my small group (we call it DATE in my home church, JPCC) session, we sang this beautiful song by JPCC Worship: More Than Enough. Even though this song was originally released a while ago, but I haven't really listened to the whole complete song yet, so it was kind of my first time hearing it last week and the song was captivating.<br />
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On Sunday that week in church, they played a praise song titled Kembali by JPCC Worship Youth before service started, and it was another song that I loved. So while listening to the song and waiting for service to start, I had just a slight thought in my mind that it would be great if the worship team decided to sing those two songs during service; it would be a perfect combination, I wished in my heart. <br />
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The praise and worship team members started to fill up the stage and the rest of us stood up, ready for a great service ahead and, lo and behold, we were all singing Kembali. I was beaming from ear to ear. After praise song, the worship leaders led us into time of worship and well to my another pleasant surprise, we were humming to the tune of More Than Enough. I didn't know what happened then, such a coincidence. When the music started playing, I found tears flowing down my cheeks uncontrollably.<br />
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I knew right there and then, my God is always by my side and He listens to the desires of my heart. Such a simple and trivial wish of singing two specific songs, He listened and answered my silent request. How much more will He pay attention to our lives, problems and desires. So if you ever think or question whether God is there to listen to your prayers, to notice your desires or not, don't worry because He does. And He only wants the best for you, His children.<br />
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Below are the links to those two beautiful songs, please enjoy<br />
More Than Enough: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=blA2JTewEqA">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=blA2JTewEqA</a><br />
Kembali: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2tXWz6iUMok" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2tXWz6iUMok</a><br />
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Jen Muliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11913698085454936567noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3005509699493222365.post-36313291268677124902016-06-05T20:57:00.001-07:002016-06-05T20:57:16.267-07:00Don't always give; Receive<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://best-wallpaper.net/Wooden-bridge-sunrise-sea_2560x1600.html">http://best-wallpaper.net/Wooden-bridge-sunrise-sea_2560x1600.html</a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Maybe the title has caught you off guard a little. Haven't we always been taught to always give?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I recently read a book by Francine Rivers, titled Bridge to Haven and thought about this little lesson that I am going to share to you guys.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Abra is a sweetheart who grew up in church, surrounded by people who loved her more than she imagined. However since young she struggled with self-identity and overwhelmed by feeling of rejection because her biological mother had abandoned her when she was just a newborn. Even though while growing up, she was loved dearly and genuinely by her adoptive family and friends, she couldn't shake off the feeling of being unwanted and an outcast. Until one day she decided to leave Haven, her home, in search for the life in which she can be someone everyone adores, the life she thought she didn't already have, the life she thought she wanted all these time. But things didn't work out as well as she had planned it to be, <span style="color: #073763;">Abra's story when she left home is similar to the story of Prodigal Son in the bible</span>. After realising her mistakes, she wanted to go home to her family, to everyone in Haven but couldn't because she thought everyone would have hated her for what she had done. Thus she built another wall around herself, made up of hurt pride and ego.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">After some time of fighting her ego, she gathered the courage to go back home. Abra finally <span style="color: #073763;">learnt to receive</span> the forgiveness, abundant grace and love being poured to herself unconditionally by her family and surrounding community. And the beautiful thing is, when she was overwhelmed with grace and love, it overflowed. Just when Abra thought her life was now perfect, one lady came up to her one day and confessed that she was actually her biological mother. <span style="color: #073763;">But because she was now full of grace and love</span>, she was able to look at her mother, through the eyes of grace instead of condemnation.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><b><i><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Learn to receive forgiveness, grace and love </span></i></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Don't let pride and ego stand in the way and prevent you from receiving God's grace and love. Nothing you did in the past can change God's provision of grace and love for you. Just like Abra's family in Haven and her, the Father in the story of Prodigal Son with his son, and the Lord with all of us. Learn to receive His grace and love, so that it is in you and overflows to others through you.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We cannot give what we do not have, thus learn to receive, so that we can give.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Be blessed always. </span></div>
Jen Muliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11913698085454936567noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3005509699493222365.post-75533543905102194692016-05-29T21:33:00.000-07:002016-05-29T23:48:25.611-07:00Miracles are born out of Rest<span style="color: #073763; font-family: "arial"; font-size: large;"><b>Joshua</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #073763;"><span class="text Josh-6-1" id="en-NET-5951" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span class="chapternum" style="bottom: -0.1em; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 24px; font-weight: bold; left: 0px; line-height: 0.8em; position: relative;">6 </span>Now Jericho was shut tightly because of the Israelites. No one was allowed to leave or enter. </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"></span><span class="text Josh-6-2" id="en-NET-5952" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">2 </span>The <span class="small-caps" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> told Joshua, “See, I am about to defeat Jericho for you, along with its king and its warriors. </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"></span><span class="text Josh-6-3" id="en-NET-5953" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">3 </span>Have all the warriors march around the city one time; do this for six days. </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"></span><span class="text Josh-6-4" id="en-NET-5954" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">4 </span>Have seven priests carry seven rams’ horns in front of the ark. On the seventh day march around the city seven times, while the priests blow the horns. </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"></span><span class="text Josh-6-5" id="en-NET-5955" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">5 </span>When you hear the signal from the ram’s horn, have the whole army give a loud battle cry. Then the city wall will collapse and the warriors should charge straight ahead.”</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Joshua was leading the children of Israel to enter the promised land Canaan but they had to first conquer the city of Jericho. Battle of Jericho, in my opinion, is a well-illustrated story of how </span><span style="color: #073763;">miracles are born out of rest</span>.</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">Now, resting doesn't mean no work. God still told Joshua and the Israelites to march around the city one time each day for six days while seven priests carrying the ark of the Covenant, and to march seven times on the seventh day, before He brings down the city wall for them.</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span><span style="color: #073763; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>God expects us to work, not to toil. </i></span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">Who would have thought to fight Jericho, the Israelites would only need to march, carry the ark of the Covenant and blow trumpets? To understand more about how thick and strong the wall of Jericho is, hop over to this website<a href="https://answersingenesis.org/archaeology/the-walls-of-jericho/" target="_blank"> </a><a href="https://answersingenesis.org/archaeology/the-walls-of-jericho/">https://answersingenesis.org/archaeology/the-walls-of-jericho/</a>, if you are too lazy to read the full-of-reasearches-and-explanations article about the wall, just know that archaeologist have verified that "humanly speaking, it was impossible for the Israelites to penetrate the impregnable bastion of Jericho."</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">But faith and rest in the Lord have resulted the children of Israel that miracle.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">Joshua and the Israelites camped along the river of Jordan before the siege and throughout their camping days, Joshua and the Israelites spent ample time with the Lord, constantly being in the Lord's presence and guidance on how they should enter the promised land of Canaan. It was recorded that Joshua sent two spies to spy on Jericho and when they returned, they told Joshua, "Surely the<span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"> </span><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> is handing over all the land to us! All who live in the land are cringing before us!" - Joshua 2:24</span></h3>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">They didn't overwhelm themselves in pity and being discouraged by the stronghold of Jericho, instead they were charged up and confident that the Lord is with them when they fight and they didn't toil in preparing themselves for the siege, instead they lingered in the Lord's rest and presence.</span></span></h3>
<span style="color: #073763;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">JOS</span><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">HUA 3:5 </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Joshua told the people, “Ritually consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the </span><span class="small-caps" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-variant: small-caps;">Lord </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">will perform miraculous deeds among you.”</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">Don't underestimate the power of resting in the Lord and lingering in His presence. Do your part of the work and let God do His part wondrously, while you rest in Him, being fully confident that He has taken care of it all.</span></h3>
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<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; font-family: "arimo" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #073763;">Psalms 127:1-2 </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; font-family: "arimo" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; text-align: justify;">Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor uselessly. Unless the LORD guards the city, its security forces keep watch uselessly. </span><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; font-family: "arimo" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; text-align: justify;">It is useless to get up early and to stay up late, eating the food of exhausting labor— truly he gives sleep to those he loves.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; font-family: "arimo" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small; font-weight: normal; text-align: justify;">Be blessed always. </span></h3>
Jen Muliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11913698085454936567noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3005509699493222365.post-85123789553466021392016-05-11T20:28:00.000-07:002016-06-12T23:54:53.544-07:00The Cross: Where it all started<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvipFrldmfCeE3h4MDmq3xnuJFwIsmtLoPBtGxTbcbvvKORhp79LGptMduQMGJaWev2LxqoRU5CAmwkli2W5kOBwokWlg6z8v9O33UkxTGhS2HSaWWMLEJ-D-z6QaU9ti1iaXDOWypYKbL/s1600/shutterstock_17042818.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvipFrldmfCeE3h4MDmq3xnuJFwIsmtLoPBtGxTbcbvvKORhp79LGptMduQMGJaWev2LxqoRU5CAmwkli2W5kOBwokWlg6z8v9O33UkxTGhS2HSaWWMLEJ-D-z6QaU9ti1iaXDOWypYKbL/s640/shutterstock_17042818.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #999999;">Cross on a Hill, Spectral-Design, Shutterstock.com</span></div>
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<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+27:15-26" target="_blank">Matthew 27:15-26</a> talks about moments before Jesus' crucifixion. Pilate asked the crowd to choose which one did they want to set free from the terrible punishment of crucifixion, Jesus the innocent Man or Barabbas the well-known prisoner.<br />
Have you ever wondered why Barabbas, a horrible criminal, was there side by side with Jesus moments before His crucifixion? And why did the crowd choose Barabbas instead of Jesus to be released from the crucifixion? And why did Jesus let Barabbas free, instead of saving Himself...<br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394;">Why did Barabbas worth the mention in the Bible? Wasn't he the prisoner who didn't even thank Jesus for sparing his life and dying on the cross instead of him? </span></h4>
The answer is found in this amazing 8-minute video by Ps Judah Smith which I received from my brother, he explained that actually the figure Barabbas depicts us, all of us. We are the undeserving group of people who have committed so many wrongs, we should be on the cross, but we are blinded by our ego, we think that we are better than the rest (Jesus in this case) and we deserve all the goodness of life because we earn it.<br />
But no, we didn't receive all the blessings in life because of our good works, but because of Jesus' perfect work on that Cross when He took our place. Even during His last hours here on Earth, Jesus made His love towards us clear and His main purpose of coming down to the world is to start a loving relationship with us and effectively to bring forth reconciliation between us and the Lord. He became Barabbas and received our punishment so that we can become Jesus and receive the Lord's love and blessings in this life.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/RwX_EpNR4CA/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/RwX_EpNR4CA?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394;">Why did the crowd choose Barabbas knowing that He was a criminal?</span></h4>
Few weeks ago I learned from my mentor this sad but true concept that our world is corrupted and we have to understand and accept this fact to understand the things that are happening here on earth. Immediately after Adam and Eve fell into sin and were cast out from Eden, the world is corrupted with sin. People are blinded by sin and ego, thus separated from the Lord. This is why Jesus came down to earth as a full human, to be able to connect personally with mankind and bring in restoration between us and the Lord. However, because the world was corrupted with sin, some didn't like the idea that they are not perfect and unable to save themselves, they didn't like having a full human yet without sin among them who was sent to deliver them (Matthew 27:18) hence the crowd chose Barabbas instead of Jesus. Someone whom they knew and were able to conform with, despite all his criminality.<br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394;">And the ultimate question is, why did Jesus let them do that? Why did He let the crowd have Barabbas? Why did He not safe Himself?</span></h4>
The Cross is a beautiful and powerful illustration of the Lord's love and compassion towards us, mankind. Many people say that the horizontal aspect of the cross is for us to love our neighbours just as how Jesus loves us, while the vertical aspect is our relationship with God. Jesus was all human capable of feeling all the emotions that we humans can feel, which means that when He was there at the crucifixion, I'm sure He felt sorrowful, hurt and painful too (Matthew 27:46) but He didn't lose focus of His main purpose here in this earth. He didn't let His human nature to get the better of Him. Jesus didn't suddenly decide that it was too painful and mankind was too arrogant to receive a Saviour and took a chance to save Himself. He didn't do that, but rather, again for the countless time, He showed His unconditional love to mankind. He showed us how to love our neighbours selflessly when He let Barabbas have that sweet-tasting escape from crucifixion despite him fully deserving it. Jesus died on the Cross leaving us the perfect demonstration of love and relationship, both with the Lord and with our fellow neighbours. <br />
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Truly nothing happens by accident. Someone whom we may think to be an insignificant figure in the Bible is not there for no reason. God can use anyone to communicate His love towards us, even someone like Barabbas.<br />
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Moving forward, each time we look to the Cross, remember not only the vertical aspect of relationship with God, but also the horizontal aspect of selfless love that we should pour on our neighbours just as how Jesus did it.<br />
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May you be blessed by the love of the Cross.Jen Muliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11913698085454936567noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3005509699493222365.post-36306572552046403572016-04-21T00:11:00.000-07:002016-04-21T00:33:47.034-07:00Promises of our Father<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<span style="color: #001320; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff;">We will find ourselves being in different seasons of life at one point or another. But remember that our Heavenly Father always has our backs. Here I am going to share some beautiful verses that I hope can help you when you are feeling a little bit blue. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; font-size: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1. When you are worried about how your future will turn out to be,</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-size: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Jeremiah 29:11 </b></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-size: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-size: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">2. When you feel hopeless about your current circumstances, </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-size: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Romans 8:28</b></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-size: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-size: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">3. When you feel alone and lonely, </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #001320; font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; font-size: 14px;"><b>1 Thessalonians 1:4</b></span></span></div>
<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-size: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>For we know, brothers and sisters loved by God, that he has chosen you. </b></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-size: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">4. When you are just starting your life (career or business) and are feeling inferior, </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-size: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Zechariah 4:10,</b></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-size: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Do not despise these small beginnings, for the LORD rejoices to see the work begin, to see the plumb line in Zerubbabel's hand.</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-size: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">5. When you are overwhelmed with anxiety, </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-size: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Philippians 4:6-7</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-size: 14px; text-align: justify;">Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. </span><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-size: 14px; text-align: justify;">And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.</span></b></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-size: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">6. When you are feeling afraid of the giants in your lives,</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-size: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Isaiah 41:10</b></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-size: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-size: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">7. When you are about to embark on a new adventure in life, </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-size: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Numbers 14:8</b></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-size: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>If the LORD is pleased with us, he will lead us into that land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and will give it to us.</b> </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-size: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">8. When you feel the world is against you,</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-size: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Romans 8:30-31</b></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-size: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>And having chosen them, he called them to come to him. And having called them, he gave them right standing with himself. And having given them right standing, he gave them his glory.</b></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-size: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us?</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-size: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">9. When you feel helpless,</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-size: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Psalms 121:1-2</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-size: 15px; text-align: justify;">I will lift up my eyes to the mountains;</span><br style="color: #001320; font-size: 15px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-size: 15px; text-align: justify;"> From where shall my help come?</span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-size: 15px; text-align: justify;">My help </span><span style="color: #001320; font-size: 15px; text-align: justify;">comes</span><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-size: 15px; text-align: justify;"> from the L</span><span style="color: #001320; font-size: xx-small; text-align: justify;">ORD</span><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-size: 15px; text-align: justify;">,</span><br style="color: #001320; font-size: 15px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-size: 15px; text-align: justify;"> Who made heaven and earth.</span></b></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-size: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">10. When you pray for blessings,</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-size: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Matthew 6:33</b></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-size: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #001320; font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; font-size: 14px;">Be blessed. </span></span></div>
Jen Muliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11913698085454936567noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3005509699493222365.post-88980954910414342016-04-18T02:36:00.001-07:002016-04-18T02:39:09.211-07:00Try again, this time with God.<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7CuP15nwy9zUc1lkD8g8L4vcGElg9b5xTE6_h1PPuGGYchKZ_KdTEtsxgZiZyofmEKg9mR4qGrGliJQmpUpYPJr6-1zowWR-fBKNw6H3rzVJVP5CcI4K6k5NYutIagZ8FtMhcR0AwzxiF/s640/blogger-image-831718565.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7CuP15nwy9zUc1lkD8g8L4vcGElg9b5xTE6_h1PPuGGYchKZ_KdTEtsxgZiZyofmEKg9mR4qGrGliJQmpUpYPJr6-1zowWR-fBKNw6H3rzVJVP5CcI4K6k5NYutIagZ8FtMhcR0AwzxiF/s400/blogger-image-831718565.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<a href="http://www.nehemiahministries.com/tryingagain.htm" target="_blank">Nehemiah Notes: When Trying Again Makes the Difference </a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">A really well-written piece of article that I came across, telling us not to give up prematurely. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">In case you are not convinced to click on the link after reading this post's title, I will include an excerpt from the article in this post too. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">After being faced with failures after failures, we become pessimistic and we find it hard to want to pick ourselves up again and give it another try. Or, we crack our heads to find what went wrong the first few unsuccessful times, and what can we do differently now to make things work. But sometimes, it doesn't have anything to do with what we did wrong, but rather, it is about God's timing. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">Like Peter and the other disciples when they were toiling one whole night without catching any fish, Jesus appeared the next morning and asked them to cast their net on the right side of the boat. But wait, wasn't it what exactly they were doing the whole night - casting nets at all the possible sides of their boat? But that morning, when they obeyed Jesus and did as what He said, they succeeded in catching a large number of fish. What did they do differently that one last time that caused them to succeed? Nothing. They didn't use a different fish net, they didn't row their boat anywhere else to change their fishing location, they didn't do anything differently, they simply did it again. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">But they had their missing element with them that made all the difference. They had Jesus with them. <span style="color: #e06666;"><b>They tried again, but this time with Jesus by their side. </b></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #0b5394; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">John 21: 6 </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #0b5394; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">He told them, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat, ..." </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="background-color: white;">" When failure offers obvious lessons, we need to learn them and move on. But sometimes a different dynamic is at work. Christ is speaking to you and me as he did with his disciples, telling us to cast the net on the right side. He’s saying, “Don’t do anything differently--simply </span><i>do it again;</i><span style="background-color: white;"> this time, because I’m telling you to do it, your efforts will be successful.” " (<a href="http://www.nehemiahministries.com/tryingagain.htm" target="_blank">Nehemiah Notes, 2009</a>) </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Do it again.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Try again, this time with God. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Be blessed. </span>Jen Muliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11913698085454936567noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3005509699493222365.post-33012723531850114912016-04-06T22:01:00.000-07:002016-05-24T21:35:54.524-07:00Faith vs Circumstances<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It is very easy to succumb to circumstances and be subject to worry all over again. After all, it is natural for us to worry. However, remember to keep your faith despite how your circumstances may look like.<br />
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We should pull our circumstances to the level of our faith, reminding ourselves that our circumstances don't own us, that God is bigger and above it.<br />
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Let's take a peek at the story of Peter walking on water. At that instant, Peter was so overwhelmed and he focused on Jesus, so much so that he was taken into the supernatural realm, doing the impossible, walking on water - <i><b>He was taking his circumstances, stormy night in the middle of the sea, to the level of his faith when He turned his eyes from his problems to Jesus.</b></i><br />
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However, as we all know, Peter didn't walk on water for long. After that brief miraculous moment, he lost focus, realised what he was doing and he shifted his attention from Jesus to the water that symbolises his problems during then - <b><i>He pushed his faith back to the level of his current circumstances and that was when he began to sink</i>.</b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But nonetheless, our God is one loving Heavenly Father, He stretched His hands to Peter to help him up again.</span><br />
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Yes we should keep our faith as it will keep us too, <span style="color: #660000;">but there are times when we are so preoccupied with the troubles and problems in our daily lives, that as much as we don't want to focus on our problems, they keep coming back threatening to cripple us.</span> After all, when life is hard, sometimes it is easier to whine and succumb to worry rather than being strong in faith. However, there is one good news to this. Just like how Peter lost focus and began to sink, but he didn't drown because Jesus stretched out His hands to his rescue, He will still do the same for us. I like how Ps Joseph Prince writes in His daily devotional article (<a href="http://www.josephprince.org/daily-grace/grace-inspirations/single/jesus-king-and-lord-over-the-storm/" target="_blank">Jesus- King and Lord over the storm</a>), even during the times we take our eyes off Jesus, He never takes His eyes off us. And when we have our hands in Jesus', the storms in our lives will come to a standstill.<br />
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<span class="exdous" style="border: 0px; display: block; font-family: "open sans" , "arial" , "century gothic" , sans-serif "important"; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><b><span style="color: #674ea7;">Isaiah 41:13</span></b></span><br />
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<b><span style="color: #674ea7;">"For I am the LORD your God, who upholds your right hand, Who says to you, 'Do not fear, I will help you.'</span></b></div>
Be blessed.Jen Muliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11913698085454936567noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3005509699493222365.post-62525108042224079182016-04-04T02:38:00.000-07:002016-04-05T23:50:14.852-07:00Redeeming Love: Taking Risks and being Courageous in Love<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
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<b><span style="color: #990000;">Redeeming Love</span></b> A bible-based romance novel, telling the love story of Hosea and Gomer from the bible (Both names are Michael and Angel in the novel). As some of us might have known about this love story in the bible, Hosea is a prophet who was waiting for the love of his life that God has promised him. But little did he know that his future wife was a very beautiful <i>harlot (prostitute)</i>. Their love story is no ordinary, it is full of taking risks and being courageous in love.<br />
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Reflecting back on my friend, Magnus' article <a href="http://www.magnusmulyadi.com/love/lovean-easter-story/" target="_blank">He Chose Risk, What About You?</a>, he says <i><span style="color: #e06666;">for</span> <span style="color: #e06666;">l</span><span style="color: #e06666;">ove to be love, it requires choices. If you don't give a person the choice to reject you, then it is not love, it is slavery</span></i><span style="color: #e06666;">.</span> Slavery was overwhelming Angel when she was being a harlot, it was difficult for her to believe any man has genuine feelings towards her without any intention to hurt her to satisfy their lust. Michael had to crack his brain to convey his genuine feelings towards Angel without hurting her, without breaking her fragile trust.<br />
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Michael eventually was able to rescue Angel out from her living hell and asked her to marry him despite her past. Michael was taking a very big risk in loving Angel because there was no guarantee that she would reciprocate his love and leave her past life altogether. At that time, for Angel, Michael was her only ticket out from her controlling pimp, she didn't agree to marry him out of love. Even after being married, Angel still couldn't bring herself to trust Michael completely. She always had a hidden agenda, constantly finding ways to escape from Michael, not because he treated her badly but because Angel was not used to being treated well, not being taken advantage of and most of all, she was afraid to fall in love. All her life, she was being mistreated by people around her, she has never felt loved by anyone. Her new life with Michael was so new that she didn't know what to feel and how to respond, all of us are afraid of the things we don't know, and that is what Angel felt during then. True enough, Angel did leave Michael, thrice. Michael went for her the first two times, but decided not to the third time.<br />
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Throughout their love story, Michael displayed a great deal of courage, each time he chose to love Angel for who she was. He was being very gracious and patient, waiting for Angel to be able to reciprocate his love. He went for her the first two times, even though he was furious when he realised that Angel couldn't understand his sincere love and chose to go back to her previous life, he rescued her yet again from it but never once did he condemn her. He gave her all the time she needed to absorb the overwhelming love that she had not known before. He gave her choices.<br />
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The third time Angel left, she was also taking a risk herself. She had known by then that Michael's feelings towards her were real and she had started to fall for him as well, she had come to a point whereby she wanted the best for him, and she didn't think "best for Michael" would be herself. She ran away again but this time she mustered the courage to resist the temptation to go back to her previous life to make a living, instead, she went somewhere else, trying to start a new life all by herself. She was away for three years and during those time God used her and her past to help and heal women who were like who she was once. After some time, words came to her that in all those three years of her absence, Michael was still waiting for her faithfully. Moved by his undying love and faithfulness, Angel decided to go back to Michael, this time to submit to him as a how a wife should do so towards her husband.<br />
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Michael and Angel's or rather, Hosea and Gomer's love story depicts the Lord's undying love towards the children of Israel and the rest of us too. The Lord gives us free will to love, and that includes the free will to or not to love Him, He wanted a genuine relationship with us even though we are His creations and He could have designed us to love Him and not have any other choice. But He didn't, He gave us choices. Children of Israel, though they turn to other gods and had grieved the Lord time and again, but the Lord still loves them forgivingly and accepts them lovingly when they came back to Him.<br />
<span style="color: #45818e;"><b>Hosea 14:1 "<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Return, O Israel, to the </span><span class="small-caps" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">your God..." </span></b></span><br />
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May you be blessed by the Lord's redeeming love.Jen Muliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11913698085454936567noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3005509699493222365.post-21823280959430289692016-03-31T03:37:00.000-07:002016-04-25T03:16:00.366-07:00GPS: God's Positioning System<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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GPS. I am sure almost if not everyone of us has ever used a GPS before in our lives. And do you realise how it works is almost the same and applicable to how God's guidance in our lives work?</div>
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How does a GPS work? You key in your preferred destination, and you diligently obey wherever it takes you to, even though it may seem like a never-ending series of unknown streets and small alleys that you wouldn't have imagined having to drive pass by, (and I speak from experience here, driving in Indonesia) but after driving pass all those, voila! you are back in the main road and your destination is right in front of you. That is not the only nerve-wracking experience that GPS offers. Do you realise that GPS doesn't communicate with us often? The only times they talk to us are when we have to make a turn. </div>
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I feel that this same idea is applicable to the spiritual GPS that is guiding our lives. God is looking at us from above and He is in control of everything that is happening in our lives. Don't lose heart, if you feel as though you are fighting alone and are not seeing anything miraculous happening, just remember that His help is never too late, nor too early. Just like when a GPS prompts you to make a turn just in time, God too will do the same, in wonderful ways you had not imagined before. And when our Heavenly GPS prompts us to make a shift in our lives, you will know in your heart that it is Him, you don't need to second-guess anymore. </div>
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When we don't see His hands, trust His heart </div>
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<span style="color: #e06666; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff;">Hebrews 13:5 <b>...For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." </b></span></span></div>
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Be blessed. </div>
Jen Muliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11913698085454936567noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3005509699493222365.post-91402070044376601372016-03-27T21:15:00.003-07:002016-03-27T21:40:05.590-07:00Folded Napkin<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIDVB22qP3kV_IJug8QdhxaDRGJc10m-11TmVRfubGZ_fE6MLZxxgKIrtt81JwKivBc1vapNVllgbs2-6-I-hTjFdN8jrz4le4AcaBWHStNQbHfa1iVOMSh07S7nOO-8IUiQm26A-tgAXM/s640/blogger-image-2073064022.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIDVB22qP3kV_IJug8QdhxaDRGJc10m-11TmVRfubGZ_fE6MLZxxgKIrtt81JwKivBc1vapNVllgbs2-6-I-hTjFdN8jrz4le4AcaBWHStNQbHfa1iVOMSh07S7nOO-8IUiQm26A-tgAXM/s400/blogger-image-2073064022.jpg" title="" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I came across this post a couple of weeks ago and I thought it is something good to share.</span><br />
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Do you know anything about the following Hebrew tradition?</div>
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John 20:7 tells us that the napkin that was placed over the face of Jesus was not just thrown aside like the grave clothes. The Bible takes an entire verse to tell us that the napkin was neatly folded, and was placed at the head of that stony coffin. Is that significant? Absolutely!</div>
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In order to understand the significance of the folded napkin, you have to understand a little bit about Hebrew tradition of that day. </div>
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The folded napkin had to do with the master and servant, and every Jewish boy knew this tradition.</div>
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When the servant set the dinner table for the master, he made sure that it was exactly the way the master wanted it. The table was furnished perfectly, and then the servant would wait, just out of sight, until the master had finished eating, and the servant would not dare touch that table until the master was finished. If the master was done eating, he would rise from the table, wipe his fingers, his mouth, and clean his beard, and would wad up that napkin and toss it onto the table. The servant would then know to clear the table. For in those days, the wadded napkin meant, “I’m done.”</div>
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But if the master got up from the table, folded his napkin, and laid it beside his plate, the servant would not dare touch the table because the servant knew that the folded napkin meant, “I’m not finished yet.” The folded napkin meant, “I’m coming back!”</div>
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He (the master, Jesus) is coming back! Hallelujah!</div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">While I know there will be people opposing this perspective, saying the original translation may not translate those critical words/phrases into "napkin" or "having been folded", and so on, I still find this such a sweet story to remind us of <i>His definite second coming</i>. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><b><span style="color: #3d85c6;">"He is not here, for He is rise, just as He said..." Matthew 28:6</span></b></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">Be blessed always. </span></div>
<br />Jen Muliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11913698085454936567noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3005509699493222365.post-29964505417820060742016-03-03T23:43:00.001-08:002016-03-03T23:47:04.017-08:00Be Like Flower <h3 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #e69138;"><img alt="field, meadow, flower" height="424" src="https://static.pexels.com/photos/3948/field-meadow-flower-pink-large.jpg" width="640" /></span></h3>
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<span style="color: #e69138;"><i>We are like flower seeds in the process of blossoming into a flower</i></span></h3>
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Process #1: </div>
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(You can also read my previous post titled "Bloom where you are planted" for more of this part")</div>
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<b>Soil</b>: The seeds are planted in soil which is smelly, ugly, unpleasant to the eyes.</div>
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Where we are right now, our current circumstances and situations are like our soil. Sure we may not like where we are right now, it is full of struggles and discomfort.</div>
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<b>Seed</b>: Like how the seeds don't choose to be bought, we don't choose to be where we are. We didn't choose where and into what kind of family/circumstances to be born into. But just as how a gardener knows where to plant what type of seeds, our Gardener knows where to put us in too.</div>
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We are not in the wrong soil, we are not in the wrong situation. How bad or hard it is right now, it is necessary for our growth. God sees the present from the future, He sees the flower we will bloom into and He knows what type of soil we need to be planted in right now for that to happen.</div>
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In the process of transition, from being a seed to blooming into a flower, we will face hardships, we won't be able to see the end product now, but it is important for us not to give up halfway. </div>
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<span style="color: #674ea7;"><b>2 Corinthians 4:8</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #674ea7;"><b> </b><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12px; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"><b>8 </b></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><b>We are hard pressed on every side,</b></span><span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-28868A" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-28868A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><b> but not crushed; perplexed,</b></span><span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-28868B" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-28868B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><b> but not in despair;</b></span></span></div>
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We may find ourselves being confused and worried about our future, but we will never find ourselves in hopelessness, because God is still in control over everything in our lives. Nothing 'occurs' to Him, nothing slips out of His plans. </div>
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Process #2:<br />
<b>Flower:</b> When the time comes, when the flower has blossomed, they can get separated from the soil, and they will. And the often be used to beautify others, be it to be wedding bouquets, table centerpieces or party decorations. </div>
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Us, when the time comes, our hardships will come to past and during then, we would have been fully grown into someone God has created us to be. <i>And the beauty doesn't just stop there,</i> like how flowers beautify others, <span style="color: #e06666;">we too will beautify others by being God's channels of blessing to them.</span></div>
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What we are going through right now if you think it is quite a pretty messed up situation, we are not in it because God is punishing us but we are in it so that we can grow through it and be His channel of blessings to someone who may be going through similar situations in the future. Our mess, He will turn into a message. Our tests into testimony. </div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79;"> </span><b><i><span style="color: #a64d79;">Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, present your request to God. And the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7</span></i></b></div>
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Be be-you-tifully blessed. </div>
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Jen Muliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11913698085454936567noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3005509699493222365.post-30800865315466586432016-02-17T21:07:00.003-08:002016-04-01T02:27:12.289-07:00Our Chief Gardener <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: #e06666; font-size: x-large;"><b style="background-color: #eeeeee;">BLOOM WHERE YOU ARE PLANTED</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The quote sounds nice because we immediately associate it with beautiful flowers, already blooming and becoming pretty. But we often forget about the process, about the ugly, smelly soil that their seeds were once planted it. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Once they have blossomed, flowers can get separated from the soil and still look beautiful on their own, but before they come to that stage, they cannot get separated from the smelly soil. They have to first take roots and grow with the support of the soil.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Same as our own personal growth, maybe we don't like where we are planted in now. Maybe we feel like we want to see the beauty, the results from all these growing now, we want to be beautiful on our own in an instant. But all those need time and a proper process. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Wherever you are right now, no matter how ugly your circumstances are, just remember that you are now a seed, and are being planted into a soil. Grow through your circumstances and you will emerge beautifully, when the time comes. And most importantly, our Chief Gardener is Jesus, and He sure plants us in the best soil possible for us, even when we don't understand it now yet, He sees the present from the future. He sees the flower we will bloom into and He knows it will be beautiful, just trust His time and bloom where you are planted. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Be beautifully blessed. </span></div>
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Jen Muliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11913698085454936567noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3005509699493222365.post-14106116737504287912016-01-20T08:43:00.001-08:002016-01-22T09:31:49.911-08:00We are perplexed, But not in despair <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtgL2GT6mRHINoicPJEwdbwNs-R6U1p_JITOMzqymmrC6FQW2sDxghETZDw1bxnyMw1gBzYgHLb8zOs5mGRw2mLu-8oLUUzAw6lp0ghIriPKt1SrB1zfYL8Z9-PQMPfOijRuBlpqEWB0kV/s1600/AvtMXf93HzlEVq4-80S1ZepSGlJ78cOQOmAdxzHHxnhc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtgL2GT6mRHINoicPJEwdbwNs-R6U1p_JITOMzqymmrC6FQW2sDxghETZDw1bxnyMw1gBzYgHLb8zOs5mGRw2mLu-8oLUUzAw6lp0ghIriPKt1SrB1zfYL8Z9-PQMPfOijRuBlpqEWB0kV/s400/AvtMXf93HzlEVq4-80S1ZepSGlJ78cOQOmAdxzHHxnhc.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: x-large;">"We are perplexed, but not in despair"</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="vk_ans" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif-light, sans-serif; font-weight: lighter !important; margin-bottom: 0px;">
<span data-dobid="hdw"><span style="font-size: large;">per·plex</span></span></div>
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<div class="lr_dct_ent_ph" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: large;">
<span class="lr_dct_ph">pərˈpleks/</span><br />
<i>verb</i></div>
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<div class="vk_gy" style="color: #878787; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;">
past tense: <b>perplexed</b>; past participle: <b>perplexed</b></div>
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<li style="border-image-outset: initial; border-image-repeat: initial; border-image-slice: initial; border-image-source: initial; border-image-width: initial; border: 0px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="lr_dct_sf_sen vk_txt" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif-light, sans-serif; font-weight: lighter !important; padding-top: 10px;">
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<div class="_Jig" style="margin-left: -20px;">
<div data-dobid="dfn" style="color: #222222; display: inline;">
(of something complicated or unaccountable) cause (someone) to feel completely baffled.</div>
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"she was perplexed by her husband's moodiness"</div>
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<table class="vk_tbl vk_gy" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(135, 135, 135) !important;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="lr_dct_nyms_ttl" style="font-style: italic; padding: 0px 3px 0px 0px; vertical-align: top; white-space: nowrap;">synonyms:</td><td style="padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #741b47;">confuse, worry</span></td></tr>
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<span data-dobid="hdw"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span>
<span data-dobid="hdw"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; font-weight: normal;">de·spair</span></span></div>
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<div class="lr_dct_ent_ph" style="color: #222222; font-size: large;">
<span class="lr_dct_ph">dəˈsper/</span><br />
<i>noun</i></div>
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<b></b><b></b></div>
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<strong>1</strong>.</div>
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<div data-dobid="dfn" style="color: #222222; display: inline; font-size: small; font-weight: lighter !important;">
the complete loss or absence of hope.</div>
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"<b>driven to despair</b>, he throws himself under a train"</div>
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<i style="color: #878787;">synonyms: </i><span style="color: #741b47;">hopelessness, discouragement, desperation, unhappiness</span></div>
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How much of a relief it is to read this verse, "We are perplexed, but not in despair."<br />
This verse means that God knows we as humans fall into worry and confusion about almost anything and everything in our daily lives very easily and He understands; but it doesn't just stop there. He gives us the reassurance that though we may be in worry and confusion, we will never find ourselves in hopelessness because He is with us. Whenever you find yourself being perplexed about your circumstances, future, etc, remember that God knows and is in control. And when He is in control, you can only expect the best outcome to happen - in His timing.<br />
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So friends, don't indulge yourself in a pity-party and remember that "this hope we have as an anchor of our soul, both sure and steadfast." (Hebrews 6:19)<br />
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Be blessed.</div>
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Jen Muliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11913698085454936567noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3005509699493222365.post-62303063935264768422016-01-07T09:20:00.002-08:002016-01-22T09:32:24.263-08:00So long, Singapore ❤️<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I feel that this verse speaks personally to people who are relocating or praying about doing so. And I happen to have a personal experience in that.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I have been living in Singapore for the past 10,5 years (almost half of my life now) and I'm about to move back to my hometown very soon. I have spent my growing up years in Singapore and so going back to Jakarta even if it is my hometown, somehow feels foreign. Sure I pray about it, a lot, and though I feel<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"> </span>really nervous, unsure and afraid to step out of my comfort zone in Singapore, but at the same time I feel peaceful about the decision too. God is never too late or too early, I have come across the above verse twice not too long ago but it didn't have any personal impact on me until just now when I was doing my night prayers that this verse suddenly popped in my mind again, reminding me that if the Lord goes before me, and if He has been with me in Singapore for the past 10,5 years then I can only expect my next phase of life to be even more blessed. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Thank you for the memories, Singapore, be blessed always. </span></div>
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Jen Muliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11913698085454936567noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3005509699493222365.post-34770237309966516012016-01-02T06:27:00.000-08:002016-01-22T09:32:48.236-08:00One sows, another reaps (Happy New Year!)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEb61HxhKineylUKSyxllU7pjdvqbqYz5RajjhJzk-8wXpFovI4lBSMPyJn4_-m7b7SD6ifW9nzlkjLxcy07J8fYU_y7FFBO849jCltqyJS4fcY9ScfTn8B2eUkhNZTBNgGL3E7CwnMvSD/s1600/20160102051538.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEb61HxhKineylUKSyxllU7pjdvqbqYz5RajjhJzk-8wXpFovI4lBSMPyJn4_-m7b7SD6ifW9nzlkjLxcy07J8fYU_y7FFBO849jCltqyJS4fcY9ScfTn8B2eUkhNZTBNgGL3E7CwnMvSD/s400/20160102051538.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #e06666; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">HAPPY NEW YEAR 2016 FRIENDS!</span></span></div>
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I was listening to Pst Joseph Prince's podcast titled <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iTmQub5lfRw" target="_blank">Expect a Harvest of Blessings</a> yesterday and he shared this amazing verse. It reminds us that God is not on the lookout for someone who has done good to bless, or someone who has done bad to punish. All of us as His children are entitled to His blessings and goodness, simply because He loves us. </div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; text-align: justify;">The wages of sin is death... (Romans 6:23), for all the sins that mankind had sowed, death as the wages has been reaped by Jesus on the cross. And at the same time on that cross, Jesus has sowed a seed of grace, reconciliation with the Lord and also blessings for us. Therefore we are now able to reap a harvest of blessings </span>despite our imperfections and shortfalls because Jesus on the cross has sowed the seed. And now if you think that something bad you did last year will come back to you and ruin you this year or in the future, do you actually think that 'something bad' whatever it is, is greater and more powerful than what Jesus did on the cross for you? God loves us and He wants to show His love, mercy and grace to us. Don't let the devil whisper you otherwise. Jesus has sowed, now we reap. </span></div>
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I pray and hope that 2016 will be the best you have ever had, full of beautiful moments with the Lord and your loved ones. Be blessed. </div>
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Jen Muliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11913698085454936567noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3005509699493222365.post-18910877923045326702015-12-24T06:49:00.001-08:002016-01-22T09:33:23.741-08:00Merry Christmas!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAlN3zky8zoiJ3WmVCnuxeskB9PFJMnSdvgw_A_0aWYYuPw2gUDJj1i6HlLLwkCCTK_akw-Ot7-nnLArEcC5x4fsGbMk9zfBLq-rLLzv1ZXxbJsRMPtVv0Mc7C6RQoSX68xtfFoJlohzkZ/s1600/20151220071942.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); font-size: 17px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAlN3zky8zoiJ3WmVCnuxeskB9PFJMnSdvgw_A_0aWYYuPw2gUDJj1i6HlLLwkCCTK_akw-Ot7-nnLArEcC5x4fsGbMk9zfBLq-rLLzv1ZXxbJsRMPtVv0Mc7C6RQoSX68xtfFoJlohzkZ/s640/20151220071942.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); font-size: 17px;">Hillsong Empires Concert, Jakarta, 10 December 2015</span></td></tr>
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“And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins.”</div>
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Matthew 1:21 NKJV</div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Merry Christmas,</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Happy Birthday Jesus!</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Christmas Day is probably one of the most celebrated day in the world. As you gather together with your family and loved ones to celebrate this glorious day, I pray that Christ's presence be among you and the warmth and joy of Christmas fill your hearts. </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Jesus is the reason for the season. Be blessed always. </span></div>
Jen Muliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11913698085454936567noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3005509699493222365.post-28248058252744031412015-12-14T01:44:00.002-08:002016-01-22T09:34:09.240-08:00"My Sheep listen to My voice" <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJqAVDBitc7Jlc9P3YzGAbHVQKwub6RYI2JUaLgjTozXbih3fyQrV_WQQHezIRCfLwbXik57BWVmX9JMDf0KdwdNFIv_MA4gr-vK7b6JLrjv_W-F4c1mya7JS_K_SclgktYUlz-VnGipvt/s1600/20151214005254.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJqAVDBitc7Jlc9P3YzGAbHVQKwub6RYI2JUaLgjTozXbih3fyQrV_WQQHezIRCfLwbXik57BWVmX9JMDf0KdwdNFIv_MA4gr-vK7b6JLrjv_W-F4c1mya7JS_K_SclgktYUlz-VnGipvt/s400/20151214005254.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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The popular beautiful saying about Faith is often:<br />
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<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>" Faith is taking the first step without seeing the whole staircase "</b></span></div>
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As wise as that may sound, I like this other quote better: </div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>" Faith does not know where it is being led to, but it knows Who is leading" </b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>- Unknown</b></span></div>
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You can be brave enough to take that first step without seeing the whole staircase, but if it is out of your own will, strength and capabilities, soon enough you will find yourself having no more stairs to step forward to. </div>
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Being convinced to take a step without seeing the whole staircase must be accompanied by a deep conviction that it is God who is leading you there. Once you are sure about this, not only a "staircase" that you can conquer, but you can even go to a completely foreign land without much clue let alone preparation, and still be prosperous there, just like Abraham. </div>
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And the golden question comes in, How do we know whether is it God saying something to us or is it only our own wishful thinking? My brother once gave me a simple answer to this yet I think so far it is the best answer I have ever gotten. Can you differentiate your dad's (or mum's) voice from the others? Imagine you got separated from your dad (or mum) in a shopping mall and are looking for one another, and then you hear someone calling your name, aren't you able to recognise your parent's voice almost instinctively. It works the same with our Heavenly Father, when you have that Father - Child relationship with Him, you just know it when He speaks to you. </div>
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<span style="color: #3d85c6;">John 10:27 New International Version (NIV)</span></div>
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<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span class="text John-10-27" id="en-NIV-26509" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">27 </span>My sheep listen to my voice; I know them,<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-26509A" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-26509A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> and they follow me.<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-26509B" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-26509B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> </span></span></div>
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Be blessed. </div>
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Jen Muliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11913698085454936567noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3005509699493222365.post-13528066514950401442015-12-08T20:32:00.000-08:002016-01-22T09:34:42.319-08:00Surround yourself with people of Faith<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdrStr3dk2y_Qlhws4RDoK_ZiHsZLSb-kVYBFm2CzVbPOoj1wc-teSqy-3QeFUsX7sAEPqBQ2wX5V9cQesmDcneAvCztfrf2hjDjQ1bSJoq0gj1hyphenhyphenmqpkm7ihyphenhyphenwnhUN0t-CYiQsQkwhy7A/s1600/20151208194859.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdrStr3dk2y_Qlhws4RDoK_ZiHsZLSb-kVYBFm2CzVbPOoj1wc-teSqy-3QeFUsX7sAEPqBQ2wX5V9cQesmDcneAvCztfrf2hjDjQ1bSJoq0gj1hyphenhyphenmqpkm7ihyphenhyphenwnhUN0t-CYiQsQkwhy7A/s640/20151208194859.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jakarta, 8 December 2015</td></tr>
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<h1 class="passage-display" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.1; margin: 0px 0px 20px;">
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-size: small;"><span class="passage-display-bcv" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline; margin: 0px; padding-right: 10px;">1 Corinthians 15:33</span><span class="passage-display-version" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline;">New International Version (NIV)</span></span></h1>
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<span class="text 1Cor-15-33" id="en-NIV-28752" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-size: small;"><sup class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">33 </sup><span style="line-height: 24px;">Do not be misled:</span><sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-28752A" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-28752A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></sup><span style="line-height: 24px;"> “Bad company corrupts good character.”</span></span></span></div>
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Your friends, your community, the people you mingle around with, matter; simply because they can either shape you or break you. </div>
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I am forever grateful for all the friends (not limited to only those in the photo) that I've got to know and still keep in touch with from my church back in Singapore, because not only we can talk about anything and everything under the sun and have fun together but the conversation always naturally goes back to how <b><span style="color: #c27ba0;">good and gracious our God is in our lives.</span></b> Even though we may not talk to each other 24/7 but I believe that the bond between friends in Christ is solid and any catch-up sessions will always be heartwarming. </div>
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Having said that, I miss my friends in Singapore too. Be Blessed. </div>
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Jen Muliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11913698085454936567noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3005509699493222365.post-81071780793636321192015-12-02T06:32:00.001-08:002016-01-22T09:35:28.643-08:00Fear not, God is with you<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Try reading this verse with a voice full of authority, and imagine it is God himself saying this directly to you. You can even add your own name at the end for that additional powerful impact!</div>
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Sometimes we forget about how great our God is and we focus on our problems and our incapabilities instead. But He says that He is with us and He will help us, and I'm pretty sure He meant it.</div>
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His words are irrevocable, so fear not for He is with you.</div>
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Be blessed.</div>
Jen Muliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11913698085454936567noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3005509699493222365.post-22416994210687116232015-12-01T08:45:00.000-08:002016-01-22T09:35:56.880-08:00<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: , "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 16px;">So I will let You draw me out beyond the shore, i</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: , "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 16px;">nto Your grace</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: , "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 16px;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">You make me brave</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: , "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 16px;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">You call me out beyond the shore into the waves</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times"; line-height: normal;">This beautiful phrase is taken from the song by </span><span style="color: #cfe2f3;"><a href="http://www.metrolyrics.com/you-make-me-brave-lyrics-bethel-music.html#ixzz3t5TW3HhD" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: proxnov-sbold, arial, sans-serif; outline: 0px; text-decoration: none; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">Bethel Music - You Make Me Brave Lyrics | MetroLyrics</a> </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: , "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 16px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">The shore represents our comfort zone, where everything seems to be under our control; </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: , "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 16px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">whereas </span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: , "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 16px;">The waves depict uncertainty of life. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: , "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 16px;">However, we are not going anywhere if we were to stay put on the shore, the same way as we are not going anywhere in life if we are always staying on our comfort zone, refusing to try anything new. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: , "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 16px;">Like how the song so beautifully sings, it is in the waves that we experience God's abundant grace. As uncertain as it may seem, remember that if God is with you, nothing can be against you. So wherever God is calling you to right now, take that one step out of your comfort zone and you will see God working in your life like never before. Be brave. </span></div>
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Jen Muliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11913698085454936567noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3005509699493222365.post-78597107506203197042015-12-01T07:44:00.001-08:002016-01-22T09:36:25.795-08:00"Good enough" is not good enough<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirj0gprawcOl08ZYpBUKdX14ne-x7noS35iV9VIXNBMweqKWBINlzEYgoiWf-UkYe4EbrYQuktBKRZ17RDDvmWMJh-gKK6wIjXUzlBQ6LJPr6afKIJqDLCb6RAu4RMi6HxsACRC5qu57k2/s1600/20151201074009.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirj0gprawcOl08ZYpBUKdX14ne-x7noS35iV9VIXNBMweqKWBINlzEYgoiWf-UkYe4EbrYQuktBKRZ17RDDvmWMJh-gKK6wIjXUzlBQ6LJPr6afKIJqDLCb6RAu4RMi6HxsACRC5qu57k2/s400/20151201074009.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Whose power is working in you right now, God's or yours? </div>
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As I read this verse, I was reminded that "good enough" is not really good enough. Sometimes when things get tough and the future seems unpredictable, it is easy for us to settle for what we think is good enough. But remember that God has planted seeds of greatness in us and we should not settle for the second best when He has prepared the best for us. Lean on Him and let His power work in your life wondrously. </div>
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Jen Muliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11913698085454936567noreply@blogger.com0