Dear....
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> 'For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps:...'
> 1 Peter 2:21
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> Peter was looking to walk on water like Christ. He managed a few decent steps, before the swirling waters lapping at his feet, and the howling winds caused him to turn away in fear from the waiting Christ, and unto his finite understanding. Peter literally would have drowned in his own understanding if not for the outstretched hands of Our Lord.
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> Leaving the watery grave for now, what about the soft sands of the desert? The only desert I have been to was Palm Springs, but a resort in the midst of the desert is only half an experience. But from knowledge culled from watching enough movies set in the desert, one is probably not far off to conclude that imprints of recent travelers who are ahead of us, are often swept clean by the shifting sands, leaving no trace for subsequent journeyman.
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> 'If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is,sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.'
> Colossians 3:1-2
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> "Look beyond one's difficult circumstance to the promise of God," the Spirit of God has reminded me lately. Yet like many, we often find it difficult to ignore, if not continue to struggle haplessly in the suffocating environs we find ourselves in. Would it help if God was not just more visible, but the route to Him was clearly marked out?
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> 'For innumerable evils have surrounded me. My iniquities have overtaken me, so I am not able to look up. They are more than the hairs of my head. Therefore my heart fails me.
> Be pleased , O Lord, to deliver me...'
> Psalm 40:12-13
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> Back in year 2008, God showed me His will and I willingly committed to follow. And He affirmed His message for me "to not to go back to Egypt" in a series of 3 dreams. Since then, I have never been more keenly aware of the relentless waves that has buffeted my very being, to shake me from my steadfastness. God is good. Storms He did not take me out of, but He shelters, He provides and without His grace, it would nay be possible for me to remain steadfast, even if I had wanted to. A thankful heart Our Lord blessed me with, and He has allowed me to look back, after every storm, with a grateful heart fully cognizance of how He has laid the next invisible plank for my next step of obedience even as the previous plank is swept off my feet.
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> 'I delight to do Your will, O my God. And Your law is within my heart.'
> Psalm 40:8
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> A common misconception amongst believers is this concern with 'did they hear God right?' We will know the will of God, if we take time to know Him. God is intentional and relational. These are two statements a dear friend shared with me. The clarity of God's will be revealed to us, leaving no room for doubt.
> If you were to feed diligently on the word of God, to take time to soak in His presence in prayer and praise, you will see the living word of God imbued upon your very being as you seek to honor God in His work. You will know the will of God when His Spirit impresses upon your heart.
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> 'And he believed in the Lord, and He accounted it to him for righteousness.'
> Genesis 15:6
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> But are we willing to have that righteous faith of Abraham who literally dropped everything and just followed, believing in the promise of God? And never doubting the command of God, even to point of almost killing off his only son , Isaac, the key to the fulfillment of multiple descendants as promised by God to Abraham?
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> 'You are my help and my deliverer....The Lord will deliver him in time of trouble..'
> Psalm 40:17, 41:1
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> Troubles in greater intensity I am experiencing, but I am not alone. It seems many more are also experiencing troubles of an unprecedented scale in their lives. I term my challenges "refiner's fire" but doubt many will look at it from such positive lens. God is Sovereign. Why not enjoy the time in the sauna, by honoring Him, rather than hounding Him for a conclusion, and God will take us out at His timing, His way. To try to deliver ourselves out of the boiling kettle could see one falling into the raging fire waiting below. And the heat will intensify in year 2012.
>
> 'So Abram departed as the Lord had spoken to him...'
> Genesis 12:4
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> God is bringing me into the next phase of my blessed life. The next 25 years of serving Him with my all. Like father Abraham, are we prepared to drop everything that defines one's present success and go where God calls? It is daunting. Would it not be nice if the steps ahead are not just clearly marked out before we obey, and the sailing will be smooth and the conclusion our way? And having ample provisions would be an extra comfort. But this is not the way of our Lord. It is the Provider that matters, not the provisions.
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> "It is time to start the preparation," that is what the Spirit of God has placed upon my heart this week. The near 4 years of staying in the boiling cauldron that I am in is coming to an end. Wait upon the Lord and He will lead and just in these two days, God has connected the first few key dots of the path He has set for me. Is it not wonderful this calling to be a holy and living sacrifice for our Lord? Like Peter, we will 'walk on water" come what may. But unlike Peter, we need not almost drown in the watery grave of our own fears, no matter the devil's delusions, if we stay focused upon Christ, the author and finisher of our faith.
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> 'The Lord your God Himself crosses over before you. He will destroy these nations from before you and you shall dispossess them...'
> Deuteronomy 31:3
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> Are you like me, about to enter the promise land, of milk and honey, where giants reside? But matters not, for God is Sovereign.
> What matters though is, are you like the Israelites of Moses time who disobeyed God's command to enter the promised land and ended up dead in the Sinai desert? Or are you the people of faith who followed Joshua boldly in to claim the promises of God?
>
> 'If the Lord delights in us, then He will bring us into this land and give it to us, a land which flows with milk and honey. Only do not rebel against the Lord, nor fear the people of the land, for they are our bread, their protection has departed from them, and the Lord is with us. Do not fear them.'
> Numbers 14:8-9
'In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.'
Genesis 22:18
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> God blesses
>
> Eng Hieang
> 17th Dec 2011
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