若是能不顧一切，又不會犯規那該有多好！
可若是如此，還珍貴，還懂得珍惜麼？
現在，等待對我而言，是苦。
但若有果，等待就有所值。
若等空，也無能再挽回時間與青春。
I wish things were still as simple as 123. Sigh.
Poverty = Piety?!
To convince Christians to believe the lie that piety equals poverty, the spirit of poverty would have to convince us that Jesus, our role model, was poor. Amazingly, this demon has had tremendous success in doing that. We usually think of His being born in a manger or at one point saying that He had no place to lay His head as evidence. Larry Hutch sums up this false mind-set: "We have religiously and traditionally taught that Jesus was poor, so Christians should be poor."
Hutch goes on to point out that Mary and Joseph first went to the inn to get a room. That means they must have had money to pay for the room.
Regarding the wise men and the gifts they brought to Jesus, Hutch writes, "God was not the only priceless gift they offered Christ. Frankincense and myrrh are also precious substances. Furthermore, according to Matthew 2:1, there could have been many wise men. These gifts could have ensured that Jesus and His family lived in comfort." Why shouldn't we see that as a supernatural transference of wealth?
Consider the fact that Joseph later took his family on an unexpected two-year trip to Egypt. That certainly required substantial costs for which he had not previously budgeted. And when Jesus was ministering later on, He had a treasury that financed His ministry team.
No, the idea that Jesus was poor is a myth. He was prosperous and yet He was pious! This is not good news to the spirit of poverty.
The rest of the Bible affirms the same thing, as Chuck Pierce and Robert Heidler point out:
Hutch goes on to point out that Mary and Joseph first went to the inn to get a room. That means they must have had money to pay for the room.
Regarding the wise men and the gifts they brought to Jesus, Hutch writes, "God was not the only priceless gift they offered Christ. Frankincense and myrrh are also precious substances. Furthermore, according to Matthew 2:1, there could have been many wise men. These gifts could have ensured that Jesus and His family lived in comfort." Why shouldn't we see that as a supernatural transference of wealth?
Consider the fact that Joseph later took his family on an unexpected two-year trip to Egypt. That certainly required substantial costs for which he had not previously budgeted. And when Jesus was ministering later on, He had a treasury that financed His ministry team.
No, the idea that Jesus was poor is a myth. He was prosperous and yet He was pious! This is not good news to the spirit of poverty.
The rest of the Bible affirms the same thing, as Chuck Pierce and Robert Heidler point out:
The Bible teaches in no uncertain terms that poverty is a curse, and the Father does not want His children walking under a curse.
There is a lot of crazy thinking in the Church about this! Let me make this clear. Poverty does not make us holy. Most of the holy men in the Bible were not poor. Abraham was rich. Apart from one brief period of adversity, Job lived his life in incredible abundance. David was a king who enjoyed tremendous wealth. Paul had tremendous success as a church planter. He started many churches and saw many of them grow to thousands of members. All along he boasted that he had all the supplies he needed.
C. Peter Wagner, The Church in the Workplace
Rest Stop
Sometimes when things get so overwhelming, I really wish I can just get a big bearly hug.
Sometimes it just feels as if I have nowhere to unload what have been piling up inside of me.
#suffocating
But I know, there is a Well, a Well of Living Water, where I can drink and be revived again.
When His presence cannot be felt, it's time to put our faith to test.
I will pass this test with victory.
Sometimes it just feels as if I have nowhere to unload what have been piling up inside of me.
#suffocating
But I know, there is a Well, a Well of Living Water, where I can drink and be revived again.
When His presence cannot be felt, it's time to put our faith to test.
I will pass this test with victory.
Forgiveness
Introducing TobyMac. :)
And the greatest forgiveness comes from the shedding of the blood of Jesus Christ on the cross for us.
Yes, forgiveness doesn't come by easily. But knowing your identity in Christ will enable you to do so. Freely He came and gave it all. We who were made in the likeness of His, likewise, have the power and ability to do the same.
:)
Double Fourteens and Deliverance
by Ron and Teddy Sawka
Arise 5 Weekly Update: April 14, 2014 / Nissan 14, 5774
Double Fourteens and Deliverance
As I began to write this, I noticed today's date has two “14s” in it (April 14, 2014). The number 14 is linked with deliverance. In Exodus 12, we read that they celebrated the first Passover on the fourteenth day of the month. They were to kill the lamb, sprinkle its blood on the mantel and doorposts, and roast and eat it that evening. The judgment of the Lord would then pass over them. He would strike the firstborn of Egypt, but not in a house that was covered by the blood of the lamb. This resulted in being set free from slavery. Not only were they liberated, but the Lord also began to lead them out. They crossed over into a new life. Since then, Passover has always been associated with deliverance. Note that in Acts 12, Peter was set free from prison during Passover.
The Feast of Unleavened Bread: Getting Rid of Wrong Things
“Therefore purge out the old leaven, that you may be a new lump, since you truly are unleavened. For indeed Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us. Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth” (1 Cor. 5:7–8).
Passover took place on the fourteenth day of Nissan. The week-long Feast of Unleavened Bread followed. For that week, the people were to make sure they rid their homes of all leaven, which represents sin or our sin nature. One of the ways of celebrating Passover week is to expectantly ask the Lord to search and remove the weaknesses, bad habits, and sins that trouble you.
In verse 8 above, leaven is tied to malice and wickedness. Ask the Lord to show you any areas of malice (any feeling of bitterness or ill will) or wickedness (twisted or rebellious places). That leaven must be removed. Not even a trace of it should be in us. Exodus 13:7 states that leaven shouldn't even be within the borders.
Lord, we ask You to help us be aware of, and to remove, any of the old leaven. The more we get rid of wrong things, the more we can walk in sincerity and truth and can walk closer with You!
Thanks for praying.
Ron and Teddy Sawka
Blessings at Passover
Below are several blessings we can expect during Passover:
As I began to write this, I noticed today's date has two “14s” in it (April 14, 2014). The number 14 is linked with deliverance. In Exodus 12, we read that they celebrated the first Passover on the fourteenth day of the month. They were to kill the lamb, sprinkle its blood on the mantel and doorposts, and roast and eat it that evening. The judgment of the Lord would then pass over them. He would strike the firstborn of Egypt, but not in a house that was covered by the blood of the lamb. This resulted in being set free from slavery. Not only were they liberated, but the Lord also began to lead them out. They crossed over into a new life. Since then, Passover has always been associated with deliverance. Note that in Acts 12, Peter was set free from prison during Passover.
The Feast of Unleavened Bread: Getting Rid of Wrong Things
“Therefore purge out the old leaven, that you may be a new lump, since you truly are unleavened. For indeed Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us. Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth” (1 Cor. 5:7–8).
Passover took place on the fourteenth day of Nissan. The week-long Feast of Unleavened Bread followed. For that week, the people were to make sure they rid their homes of all leaven, which represents sin or our sin nature. One of the ways of celebrating Passover week is to expectantly ask the Lord to search and remove the weaknesses, bad habits, and sins that trouble you.
In verse 8 above, leaven is tied to malice and wickedness. Ask the Lord to show you any areas of malice (any feeling of bitterness or ill will) or wickedness (twisted or rebellious places). That leaven must be removed. Not even a trace of it should be in us. Exodus 13:7 states that leaven shouldn't even be within the borders.
Lord, we ask You to help us be aware of, and to remove, any of the old leaven. The more we get rid of wrong things, the more we can walk in sincerity and truth and can walk closer with You!
Thanks for praying.
Ron and Teddy Sawka
Blessings at Passover
Below are several blessings we can expect during Passover:
- Deliverance. Remember where we came from. Say, “Lord, Thank You for this year; thank You for how you delivered me in the past, and for the many ways You will deliver me this year.” Every Passover, expect new a level of deliverance. Peter was set free from prison in Acts 12. Is anything (e.g., a bad habit) holding you back? Believe for deliverance.
- Passover is a time of crossing over (e.g., the Red Sea, the Jordan River in Joshua 4–5). Realize that you are crossing into something new. Here in Japan, we are definitely crossing into a brand new season.
- Reproach is being rolled away (Josh. 5:9). Any old sense of failure that is still a part of our identities that is allowed to remain will hinder us. Jesus wants to roll that off of us.
- New provision (Exod. 12:34–36; Josh. 5:10–12). Each Passover is a time when the Lord wants to bless us with new provision. Look for it; expect it!
- New intimacy with the Lord, and new strategy.
I am free!
Silence the voice of the enemy, not God's.
For the enemy comes to steal, kill and destroy.
BUT God comes to bring life and life abundantly!
Therefore, we don't have to listen to the voice that repeatedly speaks death into our lives.
One small word can fail the enemy because we serve a God who is alive and powerful!
You're free to shout and laugh for joy!
You're meant to rejoice in God always!
ROAR!
For the enemy comes to steal, kill and destroy.
BUT God comes to bring life and life abundantly!
Therefore, we don't have to listen to the voice that repeatedly speaks death into our lives.
One small word can fail the enemy because we serve a God who is alive and powerful!
You're free to shout and laugh for joy!
You're meant to rejoice in God always!
ROAR!
Wowlentine Day
Such fun posing for photos within a time limit (5 seconds interval).
The middle photo in the right column is the result of the rest not being able to get the props and back on time. *Laugh* But such miracle for it to turn out so nice! Woots! *Amazed* And by the way, the quality is superb. Totally satisfied! :D
A free event organised by Wow Photobooth at Publika on Saturday 22.2.2014.
All thanks to http://www.wowphotobooth.com.my/
The middle photo in the right column is the result of the rest not being able to get the props and back on time. *Laugh* But such miracle for it to turn out so nice! Woots! *Amazed* And by the way, the quality is superb. Totally satisfied! :D
A free event organised by Wow Photobooth at Publika on Saturday 22.2.2014.
All thanks to http://www.wowphotobooth.com.my/
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Do you want to build a snowman?
While watching Frozen with my friends the other day, I was quite annoyed by the little girl who falls in love SO EASILY. Very annoyed. Then while re-watching the video clip of the song "Do You Want to Build a Snowman" (Yes I love that song a lot :D), I suddenly realised it's because the girl has had a very lonely and I would say, quite love-less childhood. Hence, she is easily touched by whoever treats her nicely and thinks it's true love. Sadly and unfortunately, this is what most modern day children are facing.
Another thing is that parents need to learn to educate their children righteously and wisely. Concealment of truth and suppression are never the best ways to teach children.
Another thing is that parents need to learn to educate their children righteously and wisely. Concealment of truth and suppression are never the best ways to teach children.
Parents ARE important.
Don't neglect your children.
They are the hope of the future.
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