Worry?

How many of us spend the day worrying about problems instead of enjoying the day? There is a song sung by Bobby McFerrin entitled, “Don’t worry, be happy”. We should be singing this song when we are faced with a problem to help us cheer up.
But what does the Bible says about worrying? In Matthew 6:25-33 Jesus reminds his disciples people are more valuable than birds of the air and lilies in the fields. He then asked them this question, “Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?” or, in other words, can all your worries add a single moment to your life? The reality is that no amount of worrying can lengthen your life or add anything to your physical person. Instead, worrying robs you of sleep, health and many good years. In fact, it is only when you are worry-free that God’s anointing flows freely in you, strengthening, healing, restoring and adding to you.

John 14:27 declares that Jesus has given us peace beyond the world’s so-called peace. We can choose to live in peace. It will be a struggle to have a restful mind but Jesus ask us to guard our hearts and he will take care of what’s outside. When the devil stole our peace in the Garden of Eden, Jesus came and restored it back in full by dying on the cross. Jeff A. Benner defines peace in the Hebrew language this way: “When we hear the word peace we usually associate this to mean an absence of war or strife but, the Hebrew meaning of the word shalom has a very different meaning. The verb form of the root word is shalam and is usually used in the context of making restitution. When a person has caused another to become deficient in some way, such as a loss of livestock, it is the responsibility of the person who created the deficiency to restore what has been taken, lost or stolen. The verb shalam literally means to make whole or complete. The noun shalom has the more literal meaning of being in a state of wholeness or with no deficiency. The common phrase shalu shalom yerushalayim (pray for the peace of Jerusalem) is not speaking about an absence of war (though that is part of it) but that Jerusalem (and by extension all of Israel) is complete and whole and goes far beyond the idea of peace”. Therefore peace means wholeness or feeling complete.
We must learn to let go and trust God in our situations. But how do we let go? Focusing on other things can make you lose interest in that problem. For example, if you have worries on finances then perhaps do something else that does not involve you in spending money, like playing football with the kids or going for a walk. If you have friends talk openly about your problems and you will have comfort from one another. Reading the Bible will also help but avoid reading Bibles that are complicated to understand like King James Bibles with “thy” words.
Worrying just gives the devil a chance to pursue other things in our life. We can easily believe his lies and think that he has power over us. But when we choose not to worry, we are putting our faith in God. It shows that we have more confidence in God’s love and power working in us than in the devil’s ability to harm us. When we refuse to worry, but choose to rest in the finished work of Christ, we will see the manifestation of our blessing.

Proverbs 24:3-6
Through wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established; By knowledge the rooms are filled, with all precious and pleasant riches.
A wise man is strong, yes a man of knowledge increases strength; For by wise counsel you will wage your own war, And in the multitude of counselors there is safety.

East Coast Park - Singapore

Took the pictures this morning. It's a beautiful day here in Singapore. The beach is so beautiful!

A few years ago, I dreamt of seeing a lion roaring among a group of people, but the people were not afraid of it; however, the lion continued looking for something that I could not work out. I then woke up from the dream, and was reminded of a scripture in 1 Peter 5:8. It states “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.”
This scripture is interesting as the lion is roaring and seeking whom he may devour, yet the devil cannot just walk up to you and snatch away your peace, joy, health and happiness. He is roaring to instil fear in the life of people who are not sure who they are in Christ; step by step, he brings all sorts of discouragement until they feel unable to continue, and then he will devour them.
But some people are not intimidated because they know who the true Lion of Judah is - Jesus Christ (Revelation 5:5) - who has already come and overcome the devil, taking back the power of death. The Bible further declares in Hebrews 2:14 that: “Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood (the body of Jesus Christ and his blood, referring to the partaking of Holy Communion). He himself likewise shared in the same that through death He might destroy him who has the power of death, that is, the devil.”
If you know the Lord, be encouraged that the devil won’t devour you because you are God’s child and He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world (i.e. the devil)(John 4:4). Since the Lion of Judah resides in you, He has given you rights, authority and power; he bought you back with His blood. When you cover yourself with His blood you are protected from the devil. If you are concerned about the safety of your children, accidents, sickness and disease, pray over the situation or your children with the blood of Jesus. The devil will flee when he sees the blood (I mean applying the blood spiritually)
I suffered from a stomach ulcer for 5 years but continued to believe in the word of God and speak it over my life. I watched my diet and continued to pray over the situation. The devil brought thoughts like, “Yeah, you’re going to get cancer now, you won’t get better! How come God is not answering your prayers?” However, last October the pain totally disappeared from my stomach. I stopped eating spices for 3 years, so I tested out my healing by eating them again, but the pain never returned. You see, the devil has left me alone on this now - he will not come back again.
So my encouragement to you is: don’t allow fear to overwhelm you, keep standing, and be bold and courageous. When the devil knows that you know who you are in Christ, he will leave you alone.

1 John 1:7
But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.
Are you one of those people going around feeling so unworthy to go into the presence of God? Do you have thoughts that say you cannot go into God’s presence because you have not been reading your Bible and going to church? Or sometimes you feel guilty because of the sins you committed.
The devil will always make you feel condemned or disqualify you but the truth is that regardless of how you feel and what you have done, the blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all sin.
In Greek text, the tense for the word “cleanses” denotes a present continuous action. This means that once you are a believer, the blood of Jesus Christ keeps on cleansing you from every sin.
So you can rest knowing that you are always forgiven in this continuous wash cycle of Jesus blood. Because you are continually cleansed, you are always in the light. You may fail from time to time, but you are still in the light because the blood is continuously washing you. Sin is the simplest form would be missing the mark. (God’s law and His commands which come from his nature are the mark or standard that we aim at and miss.)
In Revelation chapter 12:11 declares that we have overcome the devil by the blood of the lamb. If you have sinned, remind yourself that Jesus’ blood is continuously cleansing you from every sin every day. Jesus Christ paid the penalty once and for all.
The eternal blood of Jesus Christ offers you eternal redemption and everlasting righteousness. Accept the payment of His blood as the final, perfect and only sacrifice you will ever need. He loves you very much

PROBLEMS?

Jeremiah 29: 11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me in earnest, you will find me when you seek me. I will be found by you,” says the Lord.
Every day we make decisions that are either good or bad. The good decisions always give us satisfaction, whereas the bad ones do upsets us and we get into a lot of turmoil. During those moments we think we have totally messed up and it will take a lot of hard work to get out. That is true in some ways but that process of getting out will make you what you should really be. Your character will develop to enable you to achieve in life. The hardship will help us to be wise and propel us to fulfil the goals with style.
The Bible says that Jesus gives peace and therefore we should learn to surrender the situation to Him by prayer. (Prayer is just talking to God) (John 14: 27) God wants to take care of every area of your life, even the smallest detail. We are so valuable to Him. Since He knows the plans for us, that are good, He will direct us.
In Psalms 37:4 says, “Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart.” Our desires originate from God. Remember that God has placed His desires for you within your heart. He put the plans for your life within you when you were born and they have never left you. No matter what happens in life, you’ll never get away from what God has put in your heart to do.
My friend, our heavenly Father cares for us in the same way as He lays out His plans for us. We are on His heart all the time as He carefully considers and makes plans for every aspect of life, both big and small. And the very thought of you puts a smile on His face because He knows that the plans He has for you are plans to bless you.
So no matter what problems you are facing right now, you can rest in His love for you. There is no problem that is too big for Him to handle. He is not just a God Almighty; He is also your heavenly Father who loves you!

To the person who may feel hopeless. I want to say that you matter to God. He calls you by name. He knows exactly what you are going through and where you are hurting. He sees you and cares for you. beloved, Jesus came a long way from heaven for you. You certainly matter to Him. He came to give you life more abundantly (John 10:10). You are not a face in a crowd or a number. He knows you by name and has a personal love for you. And in spite of the messs which you might be in, He want to meet your very need and make your life BEAUTIFUL!

Give Him (Jesus) the year 2010. He'll help you.

May God bless and prosper you.

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU ALL. MAY 2010 BRING YOU JOY, HAPPINESS AND GOOD HEALTH.

Family dog in Norfolk, UK