Updates and Sharing from Daniel

Hi everyone!! Hope you’re all doing fine! I’m doing great in Canada, and joined the Inter-Varsity Christian Fellowship, and it’s been a wonderful time with them!

I went with a retreat with the IVCF a while back at a beautiful Christian campsite! Over the IVCF weekend, I felt prompted by God to share an analogy that I encountered about a year or two ago, and that it was rather apt.

The question: which is stronger? The tree or grass?

Different people would have varied answers... When I posed this question to my group of wonderful amazing people, they each had their different answers. So imagine how surprised I was when there were members who quantified both and said both are equally strong.

Most of the people might say that trees are stronger. They're majestic, they're hard and sturdy. They reach up to the heavens, they get so much more light, and they are generally more useful than grass. I mean, let's face it. What can grass really do right?

Imagine one fine day, a hurricane, or a typhoon comes. Which would be the first to topple?

Well, needless to say, it'd be the tree. Amazing, isn't it? A majestic, strong tree, first to topple in a disaster. Surprisingly, it's the grass that would remain sturdy, more or less rooted in its place.

Why this story? Because it reflects about how God created us. Sometimes we think we're so high and mighty, it takes one disaster to bring us down. Other times, we feel so small and weak, but yet, we make it through a disaster the most intact. Conversely.. we are all made differently. Some of us are outspoken, more extroverted, but we have our moments of weakness. Similarly, some of us are really quite broken, we've been through so much, or we keep to ourselves, introverted, but in times of a crisis, we rise above and beyond ourselves to make things happen.

All these are because of the grace of God, and it's amazing to also see how God created each of us so much more differently than what we would even so much as expect of ourselves. If we think that we are so good that we subconsciously equate our capabilities to that of God's, God can bring across a situation to humble us at the foot of the cross once again. And if we feel that we are inadequate, then God will bring across a situation to make us rise up above ourselves and to realise that we are all capable with God.

But, all of us harmonise and live together as one community. The extroverted and introverted help each other out and live harmoniously together.. just like how the trees and grass live together. The leaves of the trees drop to the ground to become nutrients for the grass (who would take up majority of it), while the grass retains the soil, so that erosion does not occur.

God meant for us to live as a community, yet He made us so diverse and unique. So tell me... how great is our God? =)

Life With God is Like A Game of Chess - We Both Win

But in this chess set where I am "playing" with the Lord, it is slightly different. It is still the same where i make my move... and God made His. Each time i move, God sees and then he makes His moves and i sees.

But the Lord is not here to beat me in this "game". His moves are not to harm me but to give me a hope and a future.
Jeremiah 29:11 "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."

Whether i make a good move or a bad move on the chess set, the Lord moves in to protect and love me. When i make my move in the right direction, the Lord moves to opens His storehouse of blessings. When i make a wrong move, the Lord still moves in to love and pour His grace and mercy upon me so i can stand up again.

In this "game" of chess, there will eventually be 2 winners, God and myself. God wins when He moves to make me conform to His will and purpose, conforms into the likeness of His Son Jesus.

Beloved.... Isn't God good? The Lord moves to bless us... Our Lord is a good God. So rest assured that God moves for us to mould us and build us up and He does this to make us all Winners!

Glory to God!

GKidz Encounter Camp Testimony - Irwin

It was my first time serving in the children's encounter camp and I did not know what to expect from it. In my mind, I was thinking if the children understand what each session is teaching about. But I learnt that whenever there is the Holy Spirit present and anyone with a willing heart to learn, Jesus will speak in a unique way even if we are as young as children.

Being a guide, I prayed to God asking Him for wisdom and faith. The Lord showed me one day before the camp, when I attended the Cluster Meeting at TCT. Pastor Jeffery was sharing about us going by faith in the Holy Spirit. I could sense the Holy Spirit presence on me as He led me to pray for some children.

There was this structured experience for the children which touches my heart the most as it causes me to understand and appreciate the cross more. I felt overwhelmed by the extent that God could sacrifice His one and only Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, the sinless man to take up the sins of ours.

To sum up my thoughts for this encounter, I find that taking care of the children helps me understand the Father's heart better. Many a times, I asked God many questions.

But being an adult, I realised that I know what is harmful for the children even though children may not know. They will grumble though it will result is better things for them. As a mentor over them, I will have to patiently explain to them and show them so that they can understand the the outcome of things better.

God being a Father also shows us and teaches us patiently even though we may appear like children, with lesser understanding and knowledge of things.

Thank God for this wonderful encounter!

I Met My Friend Today - Nirelle Goh

As worship commenced, I saw the word "Welcome". In that instant, I understood it as a misspelt way of saying "We'l come". Then God made me understand, God the Father, Jesus the Son and the Holy Spirit promised to come, where we are gathered.

"I'll never know how much it cost, to see my sin upon that Cross"... as we sang this, God gave me a vision. I looked up and saw Jesus' feet, Jesus was nailed on the cross. And God was looking from heaven, both filled with sorrow as His only Son was dying for our sins, and joy because we are about to be reconciled with Him again. And I looked next to me and saw that the Holy Spirit was lifting me up to reach Jesus.

Pastor Jeff came to pray over me, and I remember his prayer was, I don't have to labour or score points, because God already chose to love me. And he prayed that I will receive His identity, I am God's daughter. He also prayed that the Holy Spirit will be my friend.

When we were asked if we had a word to pray for our friend, God placed in my mind Tim, an ol' friend from the States. In this vision, I saw an empty field. There is nothing and we wonder what we can do with it. But God says His provision will come, and as we work at the field with all our heart, it's as though like God is saying, the fruits that we will reap are from Him. It's not what we can do, but God has already provided.

At the end of Pastor Jeff's message, as if it wasn't enough to convince me, God used Esther Bong to release a rhema word. She shared from Galatians 6: 8 - 10

8 For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. 9Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary. 10 So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.

I just teared because it spoke of the exact plight I'm in. Been sharing with Josh recently how I feel lost, I don't know what God wants me to do, I'm not sure what I'm good at doing anymore. In an earlier blog entry, I shared that I felt like I lost my identity.

I made the decision to step forward to confess my need for the Holy Spirit.
THEN it all connected. The meeting started during worship with the Holy Spirit, He helped me to reach God. He reinstated my identity as a daughter of God. And this is IT. He brought me back to that same field. If you don't know by now, my name Nirelle means "fields of the Lord" in Hebrew. It's as though like I felt my life is so empty, I don't know what to do with it. But God provides the crops - plants that symbolizes my work, my ministry with my girls, girls brigade... And as I work at it, I see the crops begin to populate the field. And I'll know that God is the one who brought the growth, God is the one who blesses...

When the Holy Spirit connected the dots, I just burst out in tears because it all made sense to me now.
Then I felt someone wrap her arms around me. It was Esther Bong! I literally just crumbled and cried out "I've been looking for you to pray for me." Because I believe if God gave her the specific word, and I know God will also bestow her a prayer for me. "You don't deserve it, but God wants to give it to you. (grace) He really loves you alot." I have NEVER cried out in this manner to anyone, never been so desperate for anyone, but when she hugged me, I just held on and cried and cried.

Pastor Jeff posed this to us during his message, "do you see the Holy Spirit as real as the person next to you?" In this case, my friend Esther is like the Holy Spirit to me. I sought her out, and the word that she released is like how the Holy Spirit brings forth the truth of God and convicts our hearts, as it's written in Scripture.

I truly don't deserve it. But tonight my friend the Holy Spirit came and sought me out. He found me.

Tribe Sport Day

Love Your Neighbor Testimony - The God that Answers Our Prayers By Gideon

I have known my friend, Mr A from NUS. Our friendship grew and became good friends and we started to share our lives and problems with one another.

I loved him as a brother and knew that I had to do something to at least plant a seed of faith in him. However, I also knew I had to wait for the right time and let the Holy Spirit lead me to do His work. This has always been a challenge to me as I didn’t want to spoil our friendship if I reach out to him at the wrong time.

As we continue to fellowship, we grew in trust to one another and it just came naturally time and time again to share with him about God in my life. He was facing some problems financially and in studies this year, and I knew that my God is able to help him. So I prayed for him. In fact, I have been praying for him since last year. There has been many answered prayer for him since then.

However, the breakthrough came this year when he was facing big problems. He told me that he was so desperate once and a miracle came true for him. In short, an assignment he could not complete was due very soon. He knew at that point in time he needed some divine intervention. After he prayed the assignment was MIRACULOUSLY postponed!

Besides this, many of his desires were fulfilled. These were things I prayed for him (though I didn’t tell him I prayed for him). In addition, his grandfather unfortunately passed away this year. Though I was tight with time, I told myself that I had to love my neighbor and decided to be there for him as a friend.

The encouragement to me came one day when over the phone he said these words to me “Weiliang, thanks for everything”. He knew that I have been praying for him and he knew it is my God who has helped him.

One day, after a particular exam paper, he was very frustrated and stressed over how badly he had done it. Looking at how terribly messed up he was, I decided to spend time with him. It was a spirit lead time that day. Instead of just talking about exams, we began to talk about God. I did the 100K Blessing on him and what was of a greater encouragement was when he described to me how he supernaturally encountered God a few times other than the one mentioned above.

There was once, a stranger approached him and told him that he was going to get a miracle that day. 3 hours later, his father called and told him that they were selected for a catering tender which they were initially rejected. He told me he was totally shocked and incredulous of what a miracle had happen.

Indeed, I believe that these were my prayers answered by God! Loving my neighbor for me is simply being there and praying for them! And with that I give thanks to my Great God!

I Experienced A Miracle Today - U-jin

Today I experienced a miracle from God.

I came to service this morning with a pain on my right knee and could not stand up straight during worship. As there was no seat, I tried to lean on my left leg during the worship so that the pressure would be transferred to my left knee.

When the time come for us to partake the Lord supper, I was reminded by God's word that the bread was for the healing of my body. When the Lord gave me this word, I also felt that I have received at that moment an annointing of faith to believe in healing.

As i took the Lord supper, I began to delcare that by the finished of the cross of Jesus, i am rightfully healed and believed in it.

After eating the bread and drinking the cup, I was instantly healed!!The pain was totally gone! I leaned on my right knee and felt no pain at all. I realised that I just experienced a miracle! I didn't know what to say or who to tell as I just sat down to recollect what just happened.

Then I heard a voice telling me that the pain will come back later, but shrugging it off, I prayed and affirmed that my healing is complete and that when Jesus turned on the switch of healing, it will not be turned off. Jesus does not turn it on for 5 mins and swtich it off. Amen!

Praise the Lord who is our healer and who heals instantly!!

Glory to God!

With Thanks,
U-jin