But just my thoughts for today and these past days I’ve been back here in the Philippines.

I once again am seeing the REAL need here. The real need for just everyday physical things – money, food, shelter; everyday ‘inside’ things – security, love, hope, a reason for living. The real need for JESUS – a real, experiential relationship with Him.

I can’t believe I’ve been so caught up in my own personal problems thinking they were so big. Why was I not aware that there has been this bigger picture of people in REAL need. In REAL need. In REAL need.

God help me keep faithful with what You’ve trusted me now. Help me see what more I can do. Help always see the bigger picture – help me live my life in a way that really helps fulfil what You intend for it.

I pray Lord for my family, friends and the strangers I’ve met here in the Philippines – reveal Your desire to be in a relationship with them. Meet them where they’re at. Meet them and give according to their REAL needs. Lord this I pray in Your mighty, saving Name. Amen.

But even more, I’ve come to find even greater joy in doing a different kind of word-involving activity – ‘composing with friends’. I personally have so much fun and feel so fulfilled in being able to show off GOD by declaring who He is and singing of His Word promises.

I would like to share these three songs with you today.

Heavenward by Flo and Al

Verse 1:

I have not yet attained

I am not yet perfected

But reach to what lies ahead

My mind is set on Heaven

Pre-Chorus:

And I press on, to make it my own

You have made me Yours

Chorus:

And I press on, I push forward

Forgetting what’s behind

I run toward, and I’ll reach the goal

You’ve called me Heavenward

Verse 2:

You are beckoning me onward

You’ve called to me so wondrously

And I reach forward not turning back

My heart is set on Heaven

Bridge:

My eyes are set on just one thing

As a child of the Heavenly King

Called me by my name

Now I see, a glimpse, into eternity

_____________________________________

To You by Nat, Yokho and Al

Verse 1:

With the little that I have

I lift it up into Your hands

To the Author of my faith

I raise it up to You today

Pre-Chorus:

I desire more of You

And less of who I am

Chorus:

Show me Your life

Show me Your heart

Show me Your mercy

Show me Your love

Show me Your ways

Show me Your truth, Your grace

Verse 2:

With all You’ve given me

Lord, I use it for Your glory

Perfecter of my faith

My life points to You always

_____________________________________________

You Know by Lydia, Petunia, Nat and Al (Allan cover)

Verse 1:

When I’m troubled, weary, scared

You pull me out, give me peace, You care

When I’m lost and can’t find the light

You are the guide that brightly shines

Chorus:

You know, what You have in store for me

and if I look to You I know I’ll carry on

You know, where You’re brining me

So I’ll never have to worry, ’cause You’re faithful

Hope, fills me up (fills me up)

Verse 2:

When I can’t fix the pieces of my heart

In love, You come and mend every part

When the pain seems too much to bear

You are the strength that helps me overcome

______________________________________

I certainly look forward to more times of being able to come with new songs for the glory of God and no one else, especially us.

*Main verses for songs:

Heavenward – Philippians 3:12-14

To You – Hebrews 12:2

You Know – Jeremiah 29:11, Romans 8:28

I bow to You in my brokenness

And no other King could have so humbly come

To save my soul and heal my heart

I have nothing more than all You offer me

There is nothing else that’s of worth to me

I love You Lord

You rescued me

You are all that I want

You’re all that I need

I pray to You, God of peace

I rest in You, my cares released

I have nothing more than all You offer me

There is nothing else that’s of worth to me

I love You Lord

You rescued me

You are all that I want

You’re all that I need

In Your freedom I will live

In Your freedom I will live

I offer devotion, I offer devotion

This is my life. I would want it in so many other ways. But this is my life.

Do what You want with it, ‘coz I know – YOU KNOW (Jeremiah 29:11).

All I ask is that You stay close ‘coz I need You now more than ever.

I can’t help but feel so blessed by God.

Our Hope Oceania Family of churches gathered during the Easter break at Phillip Island, Melbourne. It was for our annual church convention where we got the chance to learn more about preparing for the coming harvest (the theme of this year’s convention), fellowship with old and new friends, refresh and renew ourselves with 4 days just dedicated to Jesus, and to just enjoy and immerse ourselves in the presence of God.

Indeed this year’s OC, like my friend has mentioned on Facebook, was just completely out of my expectation! In a good way, of course.

I came to OC with 5 expectations in mind: (1) God to speak to and touch me about something personal, (2) refreshing and renewal, (3) great fellowship, (4) gain something strong and deep that I would really carry away with me from OC, (5) something out of my expectations. And wow! God not only met all my expectations but exceeded them immensely! God is so gracious. I don’t actually deserve it but I praise Him for it.

3 things that stood out to me the most: Surrender, Consecration, Pursuit of Holiness.

Surrender. God wants me to be wholehearted to Him. God wants me to empty myself out to make room for just only Him. God wants me to surrender my whole life, every single part of it. He wants me to surrender 100% to Him. My life has been bought with a price and my life is no longer my own. It’s His.

One thing that encourage so much, is one thing that someone shared during the OC. He said, ‘One tip: if u surrender a 100% to God, u won’t struggle so much when God ask u to give up or surrender something to Him. [Ur response would be] God I’ve already give that to You, take it.’

Complete surrender is something I’ve decided to do – and may it by the grace of God that I do it daily.

Consecration. God wants u. Will u rise up to the call. Being set apart for God and His purposes. I came to OC not having any expectations in regards to my personal vision in God. I felt a bit guilty after this year’s OC, as I looked through my past OC notes and found that I always had in mid God’s calling for me in the future.

What God spoke this time is, that He has a purpose for me at this time. He has called me here at this time. For what reason? To help build the church to fit the head. The church is still growing in order to magnify God for who He really is but we are not yet the ‘glorious’ church that He so desires. I choose to believe in the power of Disciple-making. Not ‘coz there’s a need for spiritual mentors in our church. Not ‘coz mentoring gives me significance. Not ‘coz mentoring grows me. But simply ‘coz this is what God is calling me to do now – and I want to obey that call. I know this plays a part in where and what He is calling me to the future.

May it by God’s grace that I remain faithful and Spirit-filled and empowered to fulfill this call.

Pursuit of Holiness. I am hosting the Holy Spirit in me. I should not give my body for unrighteousness. I should long for Jesus, to know Him and be more like Him. It’s so clear, God wants me to be holy as He is holy – this is what I should pursue for the rest of my life.

My pursuit of holiness is not a pursuit that will lead to boredom or strict legalism. It’s a pursuit that will lead to excitement, thrill, enjoyment – it will lead to life where I can really say ‘I am really living the life’.

I’m definitely not there yet. But what gives me joy is I am already living out God’s calling for my life. Where I am headed to and when I get there – is up to God. What I should do is look to now so that I don’t miss out on any opportunities to grow closer to God and be more like Him. To find the deepest and greatest satisfaction for my life in Him.

May it be by God’s grace that I’ll always hunger for His Word to understand it and live by it; that I’ll always pray His heart out with faith, authority and power; that I’ll always live my love out for Him in every single thing I do, in every single moment, everywhere I go; that I’ll always have a passion to reach out to those who are lost; that I’ll always actively do something for fellowship to grow; and most of all, to always just LONG for more of Him.

After writing all this – they’re all actually connected to one another. Surrender leads to setting yourself apart for His plans an purposes; and consecration leads to being more like God – it leads to pursuing holiness.

God thank You for blessing me. I guess now is the actual test of faith. Help me respond in the way that will most glorify You ^^. I love You Lord. May that love never die out, never.

I want to surrender things I imagine of and dream of.

I imagine my family, truly whole, without secrets, without lies. I imagine my family willing to take a risk to change what they are used to. I dream of my family serving God with me. This I surrender to Him.

I dream of shining in my workplace. Having an attitude, speech, thought and behaviour that is different from everyone else. Having confidence and a conviction to not just go with the flow but to obey God’s Word above all. This I surrender to Him.

I imagine the D2 guys opening their lives to one another more – not just spiritual mentor and mentee, but all the guys trusting one another and having a willingness to help one another out. I imagine each one of them taking care of their own sheep – loving them, caring for them and teaching them about God and Christianity. I dream of them leading. I dream of them putting God first above ALL other things. This I surrender to Him.

I imagine Daniel 2 growing deeper in God’s ways. In their relationship vertically and horizontally, their willingness and passion to serve God and others, courage and confidence to do things for God, knowing and practising God’s Word, genuinely loving each other more, willingness to deal with conflict and misunderstandings – and having a resolve of keeping the harmony and peace in our group.

I dream of him growing in all aspects both weaknesses and strengths that he may be an even greater leader.

I can imagine her shining more for Him, that people will catch the same trust and same strong convictions she has for God.

I can see her passing on the tranquil fire of wanting more and more of God and never stopping at just here and now.

I look forward to seeing her being her true and full self, just as God has made her to be.

I dream of him causing more God-willed impact in the many lives around him.

I imagine him putting himself aside more to make room for him to become the man that God’s called him to be.

I see her becoming complete in her attitude and giftings, at the same time keeping own personality of how God’s made her to be.

I see her understanding more of God and wanting to use what she has for Him and finding direction in Him.

I see him putting his childish ways behind him and take on the responsibility that God has been beckoning to him.

I see him putting his struggles and thoughts in second place and responding to God’s call of commitment.

I see him growing in the ways of the Lord and quickly rising up to help others too.

I see her realising God’s compassion for all, and having the same compassion for others. I look forward to seeing her breaking free of many things that breakthrough may come to her then through her.

I see her achieving the goal she has set with the help of God – a goal which will bring more lives to Him.

I dream of her being a stronghold for the Lord – someone people can depend on as she grows in the knowledge of Him.

I see her making a decision to commit and serve with us and experiencing great growth from that decision.

I imagine her hearing from God for her direction in what God wants to do in this season of time.

I dream of her finding lasting confidence in Him that will cause her to step out in courage.

I see her growing in the areas she desires and seeing her gain a new fresh sweetness in the way she lives her life for Him.

I look forward to seeing her grow greatly as God provides for her her needs that a willingness to serve Him more will come about.

I see her experiencing God to the point of her wanting to know more and grow more to serve Him with her life.

I imagine him doing less and concentrating on what really is important to God and seeing fruits come about for his life and the lives God’s planned for Him to impact through him.

I dream of him taking back with him what he’s learned and gained from the Lord and seeing him continually grow and impact others despite whatever circumstance he might find himself in.

I see him not letting things get the better of him, but by trusting in God, God will bring growth to his life and problems will fade in the light of His promises and hope.

I see him rising up soon and gaining a heart and a need to serve Him more, honour Him more and love Him more.

I see him going through a tough time that will make him realise that he’s in dire need of God.

I see all of them being saved by the Lord and all of them staying with Him to honour Him and to love Him.

This I surrender to Him.

I see myself breaking free from the many things going on now. And seeing God finally bring me and the people around into a new season. I see myself growing to be the man that God has called me to be, and seeing growth especially in the knowledge and application of His Word. I dream of myself being able to push forward towards the goals God has set in my heart and at the same time address all the other issues happening around me. I dream of me receiving the promises of God and praising Him daily despite whatever ups and downs. I dream of going on a mission trip and being well prepared for it and seeing God move even in smallest of ways. I dream of more lives coming to know of Him and receiving Him through me. I dream of the fire and the light being passed on to many people around me. I dream of making a difference in this world for Him.

This I surrender to Him.

Verse 1:
I need you to soften my heart
To break me apart
I need you to open my eyes
To see that You’re shaping my life

Pre-Chorus:
All I am, I surrender

Chorus:
Give me faith to trust what you say
That you’re good and your love is great
I’m broken inside, I give you my life

Verse 2:
I need you to soften my heart
To break me apart
I need you pierce through the dark
And cleanse every part of me

Bridge:
I may be weak
But your Spirit’s strong in me
My flesh may fail
My God you never will

It was said to me yet again. But what was different this time around was that it said like this – ‘Cast your net first, then you will see the fish’. God wants me to take an active step to respond to Him. I have been doing what I think is my best to reach out to many different people that don’t know Jesus yet, but am I doing enough?

He told me, ‘Not just 1 or 2 salvations, but many’.

God I’ll make an effort to make wise use of the time You’ve given me and do what You’ve called me to do. I want put this anointing to the test and see the extent of the power You’ve imparted to me. I too O Lord, filled with Your Spirit once again, want to reach out to those who are lost, those You love so much.

Cast the net.

Indeed O Lord it is here and now.

Matthew 4:19, “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.”

Jesus has really revealed to me more this year of His plan for my life.

What I thought before was just a whim of the moment drawing – has now turned into a picture that had become so much clearer. Though I don’t know the complete specifics yet, I know more on what I need to do here and now.

Growing my heart for people, understanding more of His general purpose for all lives, taking me back to a servanthood heart, teaching me to do what I don’t think I can do, growing me in skills that I’ve neglected to improve in, allowing me to experience trials of many kinds from small ones to overwhelming ones, teaching me to let go and pass on, encouraging to make a decision to surrender my all – it’s all falling into place more now. I see more of what God is doing in this season of time… and I praise Him all the MORE for it.

Honestly, I have a bit of fear in me of what’s to come, but it’s coupled with excitement, joy and anticipation of what God’s planning to do in the near future.

God’s calling me and I don’t want to delay what He wants to do in my life. So I ask of you LORD to help me be always faithful to You. To stand strong in my faith and commitment to You. No matter what situation I may find myself in, or whatever feelings may prop up in my heart, or thoughts in my mind – may You remind me of the truth of Word always, ‘coz that’s what I live by. Jesus my life belongs to You, do what You want with it.

Mark 12:30, “Love the LORD your GOD with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.”

Daniels Flashback 2009.

We have truly been blessed in 2009. And so far in 2010 – God has poured out more than expected (well at least to me personally ^^).

Ephesians 3:20-21, “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.”

Praise GOD and all glory to Him.

I’m sure this is only the start – GOD has alot more in store for us.