That's my God

World top 5 most extreme ritual

People in the world are so hunger for peace, protection, provision and health. All sort of rituals take place in order to please their gods and some even hurt themselves in order to be accepted by their gods.

Thanks to Jehovah, the One and Only Living God. Jesus was sent to die so that we can be accepted by God again. He was crucified, which is the most cruel, disgusting and disgraceful form of death in the world. 

Jesus gave His life so that we can have abundant life. He loves us. All we need to do is to believe and ask. 

Cool ? Yeah! That's my God !

That's How God loves

The story of Abraham's sacrifice of his son in Genesis 22 always told by many it is a test of God. Even in the Bible, the subtitle also stated " Abraham Tested". Most of the people including myself also thought God wants to test the love and faith of Abraham toward Him. When God gives Abraham a long waited son, He wants to test him? Last time I always thought why God so kiasu. If God scare of losing Abraham's love and faith then why He gave him a son? This sacrifice test really mean. 

The song of "blessed be Your Name...He gives and take away.." Does God really so mean?  He gives us  Issac (blessing) and later on He takes away just to test us how much we love Him? I still remember how I respond this situation in those days. - God, if You plan to take away and just to test how much I love You or my faith, then don't bless me in the first place. Because I always fail to love You.

Thank God for the revelation of this context. This scripture are not talk about how kiasu is our God, it is about how much God loves us. The whole context is a picture of Jesus and the scarification of the Only Son of God.

Abraham offered his only son (Gen. 22:2, 12).  >> God offered his only Son (John 3:16).

Isaac carried the wood for the sacrifice (Gen. 22:5).  >>Jesus carried the cross for the sacrifice (John 19:17).

Isaac cried out to his father (Gen. 22:7). >> Jesus cried out to His Father (Mtt. 27:46; Mark 15:34).

Isaac escaped death after three days (Gen. 22:4). >> Jesus rose from the dead on the third day (Mtt. 16:21;   Mark 16:2-4; Luke 9:22).

Abraham indicated God will provide a lamb for the sacrifice (Gen. 22:8). >>God provided Jesus as The Lamb for the sacrifice (Isa. 53:7; John 1:29, 36; Rev. 5:6+; 7:17+).

God provided a ram, a male sheep, as a substitutionary sacrifice (Gen. 22:13). >>God provided a male, Jesus, as a substitutionary sacrifice

The ram was caught by its horns (head) in a thicket (thorns) (Gen. 22:13). >>Jesus wore a crown of thorns on his head (Mtt. 27:29), a symbol of the sin He bore (Gen. 3:18)

Sacrifice offered at specific location on Mount Moriah (Gen. 22:2, 9). >>For hundreds of years, sacrifices would be offered from the same spot inside Solomon’s Temple and the Second Temple (2Chr. 3:1). When Jesus is crucified outside the citywalls on the same mountain, the veil within the Temple is rent in two (Mark 15:38).

The ram was God’s provision (Gen. 22:13-14). >>Abraham prophetically named the place pointing to the crucifixion where God made the ultimate provision: the sacrifice of His Son for sin (Heb. 9:26-28).

God withholds Abraham from sacrifices his only beloved son but He never withholds His Only Son for us. That's the way God shows His love to mankind. 

Matthew 3: 1-12

The bread of Life

The Preaching of John the Baptist

1 Now in those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea, saying, 2"Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." 3 For this is the one referred to by Isaiah the prophet when he said, "THE VOICE OF ONE CRYING IN THE WILDERNESS, 'MAKE READY THE WAY OF THE LORD, MAKE HIS PATHS STRAIGHT !' " 4 Now John himself had a garment of camel's hair and a leather belt around his waist ; and his food was locusts and wild honey. 5 Then Jerusalem was going out to him, and all Judea and all the district around the Jordan ; 6 and they were being baptized by him in the Jordan River, as they confessed their sins. 7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism, he said to them, "You brood of vipers,who warned you to flee from the wrath to come ? 8 "Therefore bear fruit in keeping withrepentance ; 9 and do not suppose that you can say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham for our father '; for I say to you that from these stones God is able to raise up children to Abraham. 10"The axe is already laid at the root of the trees ; therefore every tree that does not bear good fruitis cut down and thrown into the fire. 11 "As for me, I baptize you with water for repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, and I am not fit to remove His sandals ; He will baptise you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 12 "His winnowing fork is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clear His threshing floor ; and He will gather His wheat into the barn, but He will burn up the chaff withunquenchable fire."

Summary

The first "Baptist" show in bible is at Matthew 3:1. Is Baptist a new ritual practice in New Testament? 

Refer to a few relevant contexts in New Testament , it shows that baptism did take place in Old testament. And from the finding, we can say Baptism = Circumcision. And we know that circumcision is actually a type of practise to represent the Covenant between God and Abraham. This means that once we were baptised via holy spirit and water, we do inherit the Covenant! The best contract in the world!  What a great news when I found out this. Every single word in Bible represent the promise and goodness of God. Lord, thanks for showing me this promise. 

Why the Gospels mention that John the baptist wearing camel's hair garment? Refer to 2 Kings 1:8 ,  this attire represent Elijah ( Malachi 4: 1-6), which shows the prophecy were fulfilled. But why John the Baptist denied himself as Elijah while actually Jesus said he is? Besides Jesus there too other verse in bible speaks that John the Baptist is the one who sent by God to prepare the hearts of men before Messiah. This is another long and deep discussion. Hmmm..


Any how, from the context again it confirm us the identity of Jesus. He is the long waited Messiah. My Saviour :)

The stone manger

We are probably familiar with the story of Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem. The Bible says that when the time had come, Mary “brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger”. (Luke 2:6–7) But have we ever wondered why the angel told the shepherds that the Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger was a “sign”?

Like most of us I grew up seeing Christmas cards of Jesus “asleep on the hay” in a wooden manger. Wooden legs in the shape of a large X with the bed a wooded-sided V. Is it possible Jesus’ manger was wooden? I think so. Is it likely? I think not.

Wood as a commodity for things like mangers, tables, etc. was rare in Galilee. The word teknon used for Joseph’s and Jesus’ occupation in Matthew 13:35 and Mark 6:3 is a matter of debate. (We get our word “technical” from this term.) Were these men “carpenters” or “stone masons”? Because the greater Nazareth area is not a forested area, but has many stone quarries, it is most likely Joseph and Jesus worked with stone, not with wood.

Stone mangers, troughs to feed animals, were common in Israel in the 1st century. When Mary wrapped her newborn son in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, he was in a solid, secure structure - a stone manger !

But why was that a sign? Because if we have seen the empty tomb of Jesus at a place called The Garden Tomb in Jerusalem, we would have noticed that the place where His body was laid, inside a tomb hewn out of rock, resembles a stone trough. The Bible says that after Jesus’ crucifixion and death, Joseph of Arimathea took Jesus’ body, wrapped it in linen and laid it in a tomb hewn out of a rock. (Mark 15:43–46)

Yea! There is the similarities, right? Wrapped in swaddling cloths and laid in a manger, baby Jesus would one day be wrapped in linen and laid in a tomb. That was the sign the angel was referring to. It pointed to Jesus’ death.

Jesus was the only child in all of humanity born to die. Once I realize that, I realize how much God loves me. Yahweh gave up His Son for that one purpose, and that His Son willingly came for that one purpose — to die for your sins and mine.

I can never imagine living a life knowing that I am just qualifying myself to die on the cross to save the world! How about you? And that was the life that Jesus lived. He lived to die, so that we might live and enjoy life abundantly today!

Quoted from Joseph Prince's daily devotion.

Abraham vs Lot 1

Un-intentionally I was exposed much in the differences between Abraham and Lot. All were happen within 2 weeks, be it Sunday sermon or devotion. Maybe this is something God wants to tell me?! I guess so because I feel like standing on the ground of Lot instead of Abraham.

Abraham and Lot, both were righteous in God's eye. However both of them had a huge different ending! In Genesis 13: 8-15 

"So Abram said to Lot, “Please let there be no strife between you and me, nor between my herdsmen and your herdsmen, for we are brothers. 9“Is not the whole land before you? Please separate from me; if to the left, then I will go to the right; or if to the right, then I will go to the left.” 10Lot lifted up his eyes and saw all the valley of the Jordan, that it was well watered everywhere—this was before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah—like the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt as you go to Zoar. 11So Lot chose for himself all the valley of the Jordan, and Lot journeyed eastward. Thus they separated from each other. 12Abram settled in the land of Canaan, while Lot settled in the cities of the valley, and moved his tents as far as Sodom. 13Now the men of Sodom were wicked exceedingly and sinners against the LORD." 

In the context, it shows how Abraham, the father of faith casting his trust in God. He knew God is with him and he knew his position in God's eye. Hence he can be so confident to ask Lot to choose the land. Only the man who is secure in God's love, able to be so confident to say so. He knew God is going to bless him regardless where he is. He trust God rather than his own eye or wisdom. 

The passage speaks to me that regardless which company i work with or my role as sales engineer, God is going to bless me because I'm His beloved daughter, which is my position in God's eye. 

No more sleepless night !

Psalm 127:2

2It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows; for so He gives His beloved sleep.

Are you one of those who have trouble sleeping at night? Perhaps just this morning you said, “I was up the whole night — my boy was running a high fever,” or “I slept for only two hours — I was awake polishing up my presentation,” or “I couldn’t sleep at all — I was worried about the bills that are piling up.”

God “gives His beloved sleep”. Who are His beloved? You and I! Because we are in Christ, we are His beloved. (Ephesians 1:6, 2 Thessalonians 2:13)

God says, “It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows…” In other words, it is pointless to worry and lose sleep because the truth is, “Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it; unless the Lord guards the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.” (Psalm 127:1)

So let God be the one who builds your career and watches over your financial investments. Let Him be the one who guards your health, marriage and children. Don’t worry and stay up late as if you are the source of the increase, or the one who has the power to make things happen and save the situation. No, God is the one and He says to you, “My beloved child, throw that care to Me and go to sleep.” And while you are sleeping, He is working on your situation. He, who neither slumbers nor sleeps (Psalm 121:3–4), works the night shift for you as you sleep!

But because we are such doers and performers, it is hard for us to let go and let God take over. But when we actually do, casting all our cares, anxieties and worries once and for all into His hands, we will see how He cares for us affectionately and watchfully. (1 Peter 5:7) We will see Him taking care of our problems and working things out for good. (Romans 8:28)

Beloved, trust your Father’s love for you. Cast your cares on Him and have no more sleepless nights!

Thank you for being the One who carry all my anxieties, worries, burdens even though I always failed You. In Your words, I found comfort and strength. From this moment onwards, I will surrender my future, career, financial, performance, sales target, relationship and family into Your mighty hand. I believe that You will not only take care all my anxieties nor fixed the situation, but also bring breakthrough in my career, financial, sales performance, relationship and family. 


My Lord is working on my problems and situation. 
I shall rest in Him and enjoy the effortless victory life.
That's what my name mean, Nichole: people of victory

Reign over death

Today scripture was taken from Romans 5:17

17For if by the one man’s offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ…

The one man's offense death is referred to Adam. The sin of Adam bring physical death and spiritual death. Besides physical and spiritual death, there are a few manifestation of death. These included weakness, powerless, tiredness, sickness and illness. 

By the promises of God, we as His children are no longer in the bondage of death. Instead we are called to reign. The more we believe in His grace, undeserved favor, and the more we believe we are righteous by His deeds and not by our good behaviour, the more we will reign over all forms of death.

Lord, thank you for establishing a new covenant with me. Under Your grace, I found no condemnation but full of Your love and righteousness. From this moment onwards, I will reign over all forms of death. This reign take place not because of my good deed but by Your blood. In You, I found righteousness. Hence all the good things will circulating in my life and victories will be at my side. Thank You for lifting me high. In Jesus' name. Amen !

Olive Oil

Prayer of olive oil
In the name of the Father, the Son Jesus Christ, and by the power of the Holy Spirit, I set this oil apart to be the holy anointing oil.
This oil is the holy anointing oil with the power to cast out demons and to heal the sick according to the Word in Mark 6:13 and James 5:14.
It sets us apart unto God and makes us more than conquerors and overcomers.
It honours God and man, and brings glory to Jesus Christ.
This anointing oil gives us gladness and empowers us for service unto God.
It speaks of the finished work of Christ and gives us protection from all evil.
This anointing oil blesses us and gives us complete victory in Jesus Christ.
Amen!

God Wants To Prosper Our Relationships

Jesus, Painter of my life

Without doubt, one of God's greatest blessings to us is the people that enrich our lives—our spouses, children, parents, friends and colleagues—and the relationships we enjoy with them.  It is God's heart to prosper our relationships. Wherever we may be in our life right now, whether we are searching for a life partner, newly married or raising children , God wants us to know that through the cross of Jesus, He has already redeemed us from painful relationships and blessed us with beautiful, loving relationships. (Galatians 3:13) Jesus not only took all of our sins at the cross, but He also took all the rejection and curse that we deserved. At the cross, He met every single need, physical and emotional, that we will ever have in this life. Carrying our sins, Jesus was rejected by God so that we, receiving His righteousness in exchange, can be accepted by God and enjoy wholeness in every area of our lives. 

There is a beautiful, prophetic psalm in the Bible that reveals how Jesus' affliction at the cross also covers the curse of broken relationships for us In Psalm 88:18, Jesus said, "Loved one and friend You have put far from me, and my acquaintances into darkness." Jesus lost His intimate relationship with His Father, and was separated from His family and close friends when He hung on the cross. He suffered all that so that we could receive the favor of God and prosper in all our relationships.
 

Today, wholeness in our relationships begins with the blood of Jesus first reconciling us with God. (Colossians 1:19–22) So when we begin to see how the blood has paid for us to enjoy blessed relationships, when we let go of our self-effort and rest in Jesus' finished work for wholeness in all our relationships, we will see the turnarounds and restoration we desire in this area of our life.

Dear friend, if your marriage is on the rocks, Jesus can give you wisdom to deal with the problems, and bring about healing and a resurrection of His love in your marriage. If you have a wayward child, you will find Him leading you by His peace to be the vessel through which He will minister His grace. If you are believing God for a life partner, know that you have the same unmerited favor that saw a poor, widowed Moabite girl go from poverty to wealth, widowhood to marriage, and from being childless to having a complete family! (Ruth 2–4)

Beloved, you don't have to struggle and rely on your self-efforts to prosper the relationships in your life. When you rest in the finished work of Jesus and see that He has paid for the healing and wholeness of your relationships, you will see God prosper them supernaturally!

Your blessing is on the way

Ya, Lord..my blessing is on the way. Thank you for showing me this acticles which based on your promises in bible. It brings encouragement and again you have shown me your love. Lord, You will prosper my relationship, be it family, friends, life partner and working partners..Thanks for your generous and overpayment.  In Jesus' name. Amen !

This is our God

 This song speak out who my God is.

The God who freely give all He has and guess what ?!

He is my God.

Lord, thank you for giving me the opportunity to serve in Esteem.

To all the people I met, places I have been, sales which were closed,

I give thank !

Law of Attraction Versus Bible

Couple days ago, Jack send me a movie named "The Secret". He told me this secret is compatible with ancient advanced Kung Fu. Once you understand it, there will be a breakthorugh in your life, be it to business, relationship, family etc. Wow. it sounds great ! 

Basically this movie divided into 3 parts, which are ask, believe and receive. 

Ask: After knowing what you want, ask the universe for it.

Believe: Feel it and believe it as if your desire is on its way

Receive: Align yourself with Universe and open yourself up to receiving.

By this three steps, your very wanted desire/things/dream will manifested. 

It sound so familiar to a christian! I can conclude that these are from bible. 

⁷"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. ⁸For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.   Matthew 7:7-8

²³"I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him.  Mark 11:23

Law of Attraction is just 2% of the bible! However, I would say that this Law of Attraction is not come from God but from Satan. I believe this practice will lead us to "success" but it did not lead us to God. The principle of living is correct but the fundamental of source of success is a big mistake. Law of Attraction leading people to ask from universe instead of God. I'm curious who and what is universe. In fact, God is the creator of the universe. By this point, I planned to share with Jack that the source of success is come from God. Well, we managed to have a short and merely discussion on this topic. According to Jack, as long as he success in having what he desire, he would not care the origin of the source. 

Man plants the seed, but if there is no sunlight and rain, can a man get the harvest ? Of course no ! Law of Attraction is leading people to believe that their succeed is come by their own effort and hard work. Besides that, I wonder the power of universe is come from God or satan. We have to be clear with.

According to Matthew 6:33, ³³But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Seek God kingdom means making God as our very first priority , acknowlegdge Him in every area of our life nnd His Righteousness refers to Jesus. We are righteousness in God's eye not by our own good work but by Jesus. Enlighten by Pastor Prince's sermon, we have to be Jesus' concious instead of sin concious. From the bible, all the good things happen to God's righteous man/ woman. Jesus concious will lead us to be concious of what He had paid for us. After knowing it, believe that we are righterous man/woman of God, act like it and believing that all the good things are circulating our life and it happens !  

God had already gave us His Son, Jesus. If we think that God is not going to give us health, wealth, a job..etc, it means that health, wealth...are more valuble than His Son. How could it be ?