Waiting for the Lord

By Os Hillman, July 31, 2009

Powered By Marketplace Leaders

Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord. - Psalm 27:14

Hearing and doing God's will are two important steps that often get confused as one step. However, these are two distinct processes. When we hear God's voice, this is only 50 percent of the process. The next important step is to know when to move. It is one thing to hear; it is another to know when to act.

There was a time when the Lord showed me I was to write. This was a major change in my life from what I was doing. As I began to write, I attempted to find a publisher for my work. This became a real frustration. I encountered many false starts, and many well-intentioned people wanted to assist but their efforts resulted in further delays.

Finally, my wife asked me, "Os, have you completed the book you are working on?"

"No," I replied.

"When you complete the book, God will provide a publisher if He has called you to write. You need to complete the book."

A few months later I was in discussions with a publisher about my work. They were going to be in my city and wanted to meet with me. The day we met they offered me a contract on my book. It also was the exact day that I had completed the book. I thought back to the words my wife had said.

Corrie ten Boom was a prisoner in the German Holocaust who lost her sister in the concentration camps. She tells a story about her father taking her on trains. She always wanted to get the ticket from her father ahead of time. He never gave her the ticket until she was about to get onto the train.

God is always on time. He is never late, and He is seldom early. Ask God for the wisdom to discern His will and His timing for the events in your life.

James 1:2-4

James 1:2-4 (NLT)
Dear brothers and sisters,when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.
For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.
So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.


There's a limit to everything. Cant believe that i actually break down after bearing it for a week plus. I was trying to control my tears during class on tuesday, but once it's time for lunch break, tears just kept welling up my eyes,leaving big drop of warm tears trickling down my cheeks as i ate the noodles. ohwells. How long more do i have to face all these?

Today, i woke up late, heart was still feeling heavy. I was praying hard that I wont be late for class and the chef wont pick on me again. Listening to my mp3 on my way to school, the moment the song "I need Thee every hour" was played, tears started forming again. It was good to depend upon God every moment. The bus came late and i was looking at the time anxiously every minute it goes by. In my heart, i was like, why?? Do i really have to be late today and face the music later in class? One of my classmates texted me and told me that the rest were already in the lab, i was the last to reach. I was praying so hard that i can make it in class by 11am. 10.50am was the time that i alighted from the stop. By the time i reached school, it was already 10.53am. I rushed like mad. Ran to the locker, changed into my uniform, and rushed into the lab. Just when i was about to the enter the lab, i heard my chef told one of my classmates to close the door. Phew. I was just on time! When i looked at the clock, it was exactly 11am. Apologize to the chef and he asked me why i was late. Told him my reason, and surprisingly, he let me off. woahh, throughout this whole process, i can feel God's grace upon it! and wow, the chef didnt really do anything to me today. hahah.. and i choose to believe that it's really the protection from God :) really thankful to God for seeing me through my lab today!

Everyday is like a battle for me and i need to depend upon God every moment. Will continue to surrender the rest of this week unto my gracious Lord! Though along the way, it really hurts me a lot, i will continue to press on and keep trusting Him. Everything happened for a reason, His perfect plan, to God be the glory!

The Path to Blessing

"To him will I give the land that he hath trodden upon because he hath wholly followed the Lord" (Deut. 1:36).

Every hard duty that lies in your path, that you would rather not do, that it will cost you pain and struggle or sore effort to do, has a blessing in it. Not to do it, at whatever cost, is to miss the blessing.

Every hard piece of road on which you see the Master's shoe-prints and along which He bids you follow Him, surely leads to blessing, which you cannot get if you cannot go over the steep, thorny path.

Every point of battle to which you come, where you must draw your sword and fight the enemy, has a possible victory which will prove a rich blessing to your life. Every heavy load that you are called to lift hides in itself some strange secret of strength. --J. R. Miller

"I cannot do it alone;
The waves run fast and high,
And the fogs close all around,
The light goes out in the sky;
But I know that we two
Shall win in the end, Jesus and I.

"Coward and wayward and weak,
I change with the changing sky;
Today so eager and bright,
Tomorrow too weak to try;
But He never gives in,
So we two shall win, Jesus and I.

"I could not guide it myself,
My boat on life's wild sea;
There's One who sits by my side,
Who pulls and steers with me.
And I know that we two
Shall safe enter port,
Jesus and I."


-taken from Streams in the desert devotional

Strength Renew

Hmmm, i've got a lot to say. For the first time after so long, I was so looking forward for weekend to come. and now, in an hour time, here's another week for me to go. well well well..

Anyway, i'm very thankful for Saturday and Sunday. Thank God for Vibe, the sharing from Marcus, the prayer time, the people who serve and the people who came! Was actually still feeling quite down yesterday morning and the Lord used Marcus to gather the vibe kitchen team together for a time of prayer before we start and started sharing to us. After what Marcus shared, and also for Jia Hao and Ian, and the time of prayer in which we can have, it brought our focus and attention back to the Cross. Prayer brought me closer to God, and allowing me to leave everything that's troubling me aside, and serving Him with great joy :) thank God for the laborers serving in Vibe, the hard work that they put in, the Lord sees it all :D it's always encouraging to see the people serving selflessly and also seeing many newcomers coming! :)


Am really thankful to God for today as well. Really needed the rest in Him :) Thank God for the sermon today, for the time of fellowship, even for meeting up with my polymates and the peranakan chef for lunch (lol), surprise dinner for Jessie and attending of a wake. Thank God for Ruth who kept making me laugh today. HAHA! a time of stress relieve for me. heh. Thank God for the wake service. Witnessing how His people testify of His love, His mercy, His lovingkindness, His faithfulness and wonderful miracles in which He had done to the family! Thank God that the grandpa is in a wonderful place now. no more tears, no more sorrow. God makes no mistake! It was really a heartwarming one when each of them testified of God's grace upon the family! :) Thank God for Dawn's sharing on the way home as well!


Really, so many things to give thanks for! God is good!! Thank God for strength renew and to be ready to fight the battle for the week. haha..


one thing that i can remember clearly from the wake is,
ye shu ai wo, wo ai ye shu!!
(Jesus loves me, I loves Jesus!)


May we truly taste of God's goodness in our lives and LOVE Him even more each day!!



Lord, this coming week,
i surrender it all to You.

Crying Out to the Lord

by Os Hillman

"But when they cried out to the LORD,
he raised up for them a deliverer."  
(Judges 3:8-9).

I often receive requests to help
someone whose life is in a difficult
place. After a few questions I am able
to discern if the Lord has called
me to get involved. More often than not,
I am not to be involved.
Many times I find this person has not
experienced enough pain to want to do
anything about their situation.
Until they are really ready to cry out to
the Lord for a solution to their situation,
they will simply talk about desiring
change but never take the necessary steps
needed for change."

If you invest time into someone who has
not yet come to the place of wanting a
spiritual solution to their problem,
you will become emotionally exhausted.
The apostle Paul understood this principle
when he actually turned such people over to
Satan for the destruction of their flesh.
(I Cor. 5:5).

The people of Israel were finally in enough
pain to cry out to God for relief from their
oppression. Like so many times throughout the
scriptures, God answered by raising up a
deliverer.
"But when they cried out to the LORD,
he raised up for them a deliverer, Othniel son
of Kenaz, Caleb's younger brother, who saved them.
The Spirit of the LORD came upon him, so that he
became Israel's judge and went to war.
The LORD gave Cushan-Rishathaim king of Aram
into the hands of Othniel, who overpowered
him. So the land had peace for forty years,
until Othniel son of Kenaz died (Judges 3:8-11)."

Are you in a difficult place in your life?
Are you only talking about changing or
are you really ready to cry out to the Lord
for a solution?
Start now the process of changing your
situation for the better and asking
for help if needed.

When we are in the dark

In the famous lace shops of Brussels, there are certain rooms devoted to the spinning of the finest and most delicate patterns. These rooms are altogether darkened, save for a light from one very small window, which falls directly upon the pattern. There is only one spinner in the room, and he sits where the narrow stream of light falls upon the threads of his weaving.

"Thus," we are told by the guide, "do we secure our choicest products. Lace is always more delicately and beautifully woven when the worker himself is in the dark and only his pattern is in the light."

May it not be the same with us in our weaving? Sometimes it is very dark. We cannot understand what we are doing. We do not see the web we are weaving. We are not able to discover any beauty, any possible good in our experience. Yet if we are faithful and fail not and faint not, we shall some day know that the most exquisite work of all our life was done in those days when it was so dark.

If you are in the deep shadows because of some strange, mysterious providence, do not be afraid. Simply go on in faith and love, never doubting. God is watching, and He will bring good and beauty out of all your pain and tears. --J. R. Miller

The shuttles of His purpose move
To carry out His own design;
Seek not too soon to disapprove
His work, nor yet assign
Dark motives, when, with silent tread,
You view some sombre fold;
For lo, within each darker thread
There twines a thread of gold.

Spin cheerfully,
Not tearfully,
He knows the way you plod;
Spin carefully,
Spin prayerfully,
But leave the thread with God.
--Canadian Home Journal


- Streams in the Desert Devotional




Look to God first, press on, for His grace is sufficient!

press on?

the battle is getting stronger each day.
how long more can i tolerate?
it's been a down, down week for me. . .


PSALM 34: 17-19 (NLT)
The Lord hears his people when they call to him for help.
He rescues them from all their troubles.
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted;
he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.
The righteous person faces many troubles,
but the Lord comes to the rescue each time.

Expectations

By Os Hillman, July 21, 2009

Powered By Marketplace Leaders

I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. - Philippians 1:20

Have you ever had expectations that did not get fulfilled? Perhaps a coworker let you down. Perhaps you were trusting God for something in your life that never materialized. Perhaps you became devastated by an unmet expectation that you felt you were entitled to. Expectations can be a difficult trap for each of us if we are not fully committed to God's purposes in our lives.

Paul wrote this verse from prison to the people of Philippi. He had an expectation that his life would bring glory to God, whether through his continued ministry or his death. His joy in living was not based on his expectations getting fulfilled, but on remaining true to the purpose for which God made him.

When we react to circumstances with bitterness and resentment as a result of unmet expectations, we are saying that we know better than God, and that God has made a mistake in not meeting our expectations. The process of resolving unmet expectations may require full disclosure to the individual who was the source of the unmet expectation, and of how the unmet expectation made you feel. This is not to make the person feel obligated to meet the expectation, but simply to share your feelings about it. If God was the source, then it is important to share this with the Lord. However, once we have done this we must let go of the situation and allow God to work in our hearts the grace that is needed to walk in freedom from the pain of the unmet expectation. If we do not do this, we will allow the seed of bitterness and resentment to enter in. This seed of bitterness will create leanness in our soul and eventually will spread to others.

Ask yourself today if you have any unmet expectations. How have you responded to them? Have you processed this with the Lord and others who may be involved? These are the steps to freedom from unmet expectations.

Midnight Talks

Psalm 42:8 KJV:
Yet the LORD will command his lovingkindness in the day time, and in the night his song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life.

He woke me at midnight, and then He gently spoke. It´s not usual that I think about anything at that time of night. But God stirred my mind and I listened. And in the moments to follow-I prayed-I sang-and I simply worshipped Him. I did not know at that time why He woke me, but the next day was difficult, and it was my time I had spent with Him that truly got me through. Some people think Christianity is just another religion. But thank God it´s so much more; it´s a wonderful, everlasting relationship with our Creator. And that is something always worth exploring-especially in the darkest hours.

-taken from Daily Devotional

Above All

Had a bad day, but God is greater above all :)

The Works of the Flesh

By Os Hillman, July 14, 2009

Powered By Marketplace Leaders

You may say to yourself, "My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me." - Deuteronomy 8:17

We've all heard someone say, "He's a self-made man." What are they saying in this statement? Are they saying that this individual achieved success by his hard work and sweat? Many a person has achieved success through honest hard work. There is a danger for any of us who may have achieved significance through our work. That danger is the belief that we achieved it through our own efforts apart from God's grace and mercy. When we live in this belief, we assert that we are entitled to certain rights and privileges because of the position we have earned and feel we deserve.

The prodigal son's brother who refused to celebrate the wayward son's return was a man who felt he was entitled to certain rights. He saw himself as one who had been faithful to his responsibilities and deserving of more attention. He could not appreciate his brother's failure and the pain of falling into a sinful life because, in his mind, he had never failed. This pride kept him from experiencing God's real grace. This is how legalism develops in believers. It grows into a cold heart and an insensitive attitude toward others who may have stumbled in their lives. This same brother did not truly understand the love of his father apart from works; for he felt he gained acceptance only by doing his job.

Do you feel accepted by God, regardless of what you do? Have you wrongfully viewed your works as something you alone have achieved? These are the minefields of which each of us in business must be aware. God has gifted us to accomplish anything through His grace, not by our works.

time of madness again

heehee, managed to complete my ACP report last night before getting out of the house. headed to Malcolm and Jessie's place for the ton-ing. hahahah.. those who went over were Amelia, Abigail, Ruth, Michelle, Mimi, Nini and JQ. Insanity came upon us yesterday and we seriously had a great time together- laughing, supper, friendly 'fights'. LOL. i see another side of Jessie and Malcolm. heh heh.. not to mention the random slapping from Ruth (tsk tsk tsk..) as well. hahah.. thank God for a good chat with Michelle and JQ too, forsaking our sleep and forcing ourselves to go school the next day. hahah.. finally the clock strikes 4am, and we headed down to cab to budget terminal. the purpose of our ton-ing was to make it in time to send James off. haha.. Matt, Teresa, Xiu Ying and Wei Wen were already there when we reached. lol. Slowly more people came, and James must be honoured that he had so many girls to send him off. HAHA! well, have a safe trip over there James! :D

Here's some photos! :D

the ah balling stall from Bedok. SUPER NICE! :D

supper over at Jessie and Malcolm's place!

cool kitchen =D

i think most of them had their breakfast at mac over there. hahaha..
only Ruth is always ever ready for posing for camera. heh heh.

met up with mich at marine parade for breakfast at mac.
hahaha.. then headed school together and i was already half dead by then.
lol. and yay, the projection couldnt work and thus, presentation was cancelled.
heehee.. so just went school for lecture today and my group members stayed behind to complete our new assignment given to us. what a great accomplishment today :D after that had lunch with mich at subway. hahaha.. shop around and home sweet home (:

thank God for strength! :D

okay, till here for now.. my eyes are shutting down anytime. lol

Overlooking Offenses

By Os Hillman, July 13, 2009
A man's wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense. - Proverbs 19:11

I have a friend who tells a story of a lesson the Lord taught him through his wife. It seems that every time he and his wife would get in the car to travel somewhere, his wife had a strong need to direct his driving. She would tell him where to turn and when to turn, even in their own subdivision. It was such a horrible habit that it drove my friend crazy and became the source of many an argument. Finally, one day my friend concluded that the Lord was trying to teach him something through this experience. He decided he would let go of his need to be free from this correction. He began to affirm his wife and even thank her for her input. It was excruciatingly painful to do this from where he sat.

A few months passed. He let go of the entire situation and actually got to a place where it just didn't matter to him anymore. An interesting thing happened a few months later. One day his wife looked at him and said, "John, I just realized that I have been directing your driving all these years and now realize why I do that. It goes back to my childhood when I had to direct my younger brothers and sisters. I am so sorry I have been doing that." My friend nearly fell out of his seat!

Whenever we work close to another person, whether in an office or home, small offenses can become the source of great conflict. Resentment and irritability soon follow. God brings these "offenses" into our lives to develop character qualities in us. He uses individuals in our lives to accomplish his goal of making us more Christ-like. So the next time you complain or resist a habit or action from someone close to you, ask God if it has been placed there to develop some quality in you.

Pride is the root source of the need to change another person. A man's wisdom gives him patience-to let go of little offenses. This is where spiritual maturity is seen in the day-to-day activity of life. Is there someone close to you who has some habit you really want to change? Give up that desire to the Lord. Who knows, He may even change it after you let go of the need to change it.

Indian Cuisine and Baking!

Heh. Had indian cuisine last thursday :D the food was not that bad afterall. nice nice! :D













No school for me on Friday and i had a great time baking at home! heh. invited Ruth, Iris, Amelia and Christina over for baking. In the end none help out, except for Ruth :D hahaha..



see, Ruth at work! :D

banana cake!

cookies!

yum yum =p

the girls having high tea without the tea. HAHA.

yay. the cookies and cake turned up well!! =)

specially made cookies. hahaha.


Thank God for the ICE (In Christ Eternally) outing on Friday at Botanics. HAHA, it's funny how the charades were played. (cos the words are all planned by me! LOL) and i really gotten a taste of my own medicine! a lick and a promise actually means a superficial effort made without care or enthusiasm. anyway, i had a great time laughing at all their actions. HAHAHHA :D and yay, christina came :) the four of us ( Amelia, Christina, Ruth and me) bought pizza for dinner and had it at botanics :D

beautiful things in life

Here are some overdue photos! hahaha.. ENJOY :)

ROASTING WEEK in ASIAN CULINARY =D

















the pig look so cute!!!



while everyone is busy at work.. lol

RED WINE CHICKEN! :D

my mom's recipe. haahaha



i still love my mom's cooking best. lol












JAPANESE CUISINE!

Corinne's bday =D cake baked by her bestie, TSALI! :)

SASHIMI!





i had a great time in jap cuisine. heehee..

BELOW ARE PHOTOS WITH FRIENDS <3


JB TRIP!!

with my polymates for the first time =D

we had a great time at citysquare!! :D


JB TRIP with IRIS and CHRISTINA!



iris didnt wanna take photo, so only got the both of us. hahha.. it was quite a rush trip though. lol

MOVIE WITH MICHELLE :D

good time spent :) and we had a nice story to add after the movie. heehee

SLEEPOVER AT RUTH'S HOUSE!

IRIS, AMELIA, RUTH and ME! (:

see, ruth had so much fun with me around! =p

they seriously love me being there.. see evidence below.


THEIR CRAZY LAUGHTER! HAHHAHA!!
i made them laughed throughout the night till they cant get to sleep. HAHAHA!!

our breakfast the next day =D
heehee, enjoyed the time spent with them too! though it was kinda short!

SHOPPING + DINNER WITH BESTIE!

hahhaha, we finally meet up again after so long! :D

we always have something in common!





all the photos that we had taken are simply hilarious! :D
great time spent with her too :)


heehee, thank God for all these people in my life :)
a great blessing to me. heh.
love them =D