Fruit of the Spirit: Patience

Patience

Jesus' Patience - Isaiah 53:27 'He was oppressed and afflicted, yet He did not open his mouth'

- An attitude of forbearance under provocation, entertaining no thoughts of actions when wrongfully treated

- An attitude of courageous endurance under difficult circumstances, without murmuring, complaining, or quitting BUT waiting in hope

History of the word
Greek word for patience is macrothumia - macro: long, thumos: temper
- idea of anger taking very long to build before it is expressed
- if and when expressed, it is under control.

Divine order: Love, joy, peace, patience... Has first 3, we will have patience.
(Mirabel emphasised the importance of knowing the Fruit of the Spirit in the order Paul wrote in the Bible cos' it implies a divine order)

God is patient with us.
Read Nehemiah 9:6-9, 11-13, 15-17, 19, 21, 25, 28, 30-31.

v.30-31 For many years You were patient with them. By Your Spirit You admonished them through Your prophets. Yet they paid no attention, so you handed them over to the neighbouring peoples. But in Your great mercy You did not put an end to them or abandon them, for You are a gracious and merciful God.

Do you have God's kind of patience? Rate 1-5.

What block patience? (2 main things)

i. Impatience often comes because of faulty or inappropriate goals
> perfectionist?

ii. Holding on to rights
- Do you dare to leave things totally in God's hands?
- Do you dare to be out-of-control, and to admit you are?

Lack of patience WILL cause us to disobey God.
- Read Numbers 20:10-12 - Moses was angry with the Israelites for their disobedience and was unwilling to surrender his anger to God even while carrying out God's work.

-Result: Moses could not enter the promised land.

How is patience developed?***

i. See (others) through Jesus' eyes

In the scenarios below, Jesus' thoughts are marked in italic:

We may wonder:
Why are they acting the way they are? It could be because of tremendous pain or loss in their lives.
Why do they seem so arrogant, distant or unwilling to develop a friendship? It could be that they are protecting themselves from rejection.
Why does their heart seem so hard towards the things of God? It could be that they have had an incredible loss and they are blaming God. (very easy for anyone to do so)

Our patience and understanding can be used by the Holy Spirit to help others.

ii. Imitate Christ who is our example;
stay close in your relationship with God and His character

- 1 Peter 2:20b-23
But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in His steps.
"He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in His mouth."

When they hurled their insults at Him, He did not retaliate; when He suffered, He made no threats. Instead, He entrusted himself to Him (God) who judges justly.

- Remember the character of our patient God in Nehemiah 9:30-31.

My beautiful friend on my China trip

Gotta post a nice photo to 'counter' the funny photos in the previous post. Ha.

This is the 70+ year old lady whom i told some of you about. She has a childlike spirit that i am really drawn to. I also prayed for her to encounter Jesus again in her life! :)

God on msn

As my MSN logged on tonight, i thought God spoke to me these.

Many are fond of or even hooked on using MSN because they can choose when or even whether to reply to messages that came on.

God says,"I have given every man and woman a choice too. Most of them have had heard My call of love in their hearts, but they are choosing when or whether to respond to Me".

* * *

How many of us remember moments or opportunities that were lost because of our delayed responses... Don't miss out on God's call anymore; you may be missing out the greatest opportunity in your life.

Heaven Rejoices over Nicolette and Jamie's Baptism!

Jamie's Baptism Testimony

I come from a good family background, where my parents are also Christians and have no marriage problems, and from young I saw my dad doing quiet time every morning. I really felt that I was carefully brought up in God’s hands, and He taught me what is right and wrong. When I was young I was scared of going to church and scared of the Bible because there’s this “devil” thing that I saw in a short skit in a church during the adult service, in which i did not understand their sermons at all. I did not go to the children's service because I tended to stick to my mum and cry if she left me to other people. (Laughs).

Recently when I started learning piano from a Christian teacher, I somehow got close to God again. She started praying for God to stir my heart, and He really did. I became more conscious about the loneliness in my heart - I had a lot of friends but only little close ones to go to, and often felt very down without a particular guy friend's sms for no good reason. As time passed, I felt very down and could hardly joke around or be happy wholeheartedly.

I did not know who to turn to, then God came to my mind. Looking at the calendar, which showed that 25th November 2007 (which was also my birthday) was a Sunday, I then decided to approach one of my friends in FCBC to tell him that I wanted to go church on that Sunday. Upon making that decision, I felt this Hand pushing me behind telling me “Just go, take that first step, and just go, don’t have to think too much anymore”. ha-ha I guess it was really God calling, and the good thing is I obeyed. :)

After coming back to God, of course things changed - there is now more security in me, and I started not caring much about what I wear to school everyday. I had cleared my doubts in God and can easily trust God and account to Him in times of trouble. I began spending time reading the Bible and soaking in God’s presence. All I can say is it is amazing. There is more happiness and joy in my life which help me to care for others more and also to bring happiness into their lives, beginning from the people around me (family, friends, and new cell sisters).

My cell leader’s care is real; each and every little step I take, she cares. She is always asking me “How are you feeling?” or “Are you ok?”. I can easily account to her my “progress” with God. I also ask her questions to clear my doubts, and became more stable in Christ, now being able to recognise that things that happen are all part of God’s plans, never coincidental. If I have not gone to church for spiritual nourishment, I would be spiritually dead. He gives power to the weak and to them who have no might, He increases strength. He said to me, "My Grace is sufficient for you, for My Strength is made perfect in weakness". God is R-E-A-L to me!

Jamie

Hi Warrior Princesses,

How are you doing for 100K?

Let's run the full race for Jesus here.

1. We start by believing God for 20 persons first
If we begin the race believing ourselves to only finish half of the race, we will not reach the end. Start with the finishing line in mind!

2. Take the first step
All of us have done this! Well done!

3. Rely on God to direct your steps (to who to bless) and lean on His love and compassion
Sometimes we feel so ON, especially after blessing someone. Other times, we cower in fear. Yes, the race may get tiring; we start wondering why we started in the first place.

BUT God never ran half-way for us! God can continually top us up in His faith, compassion and love, when we ask Him. Many people out there need simply a listening ear, a touch of care, a little attention.

4. Support one another
Yes, partner one another to go out bless people. Ask me to do with you.
Be faithful to pray for one another in your 3x3 prayer groups.

Even if you stumble in the race, we will pick you up. =)



This Fri i had an answered prayer.

May it encourage you. God encourages me largely as I serve Him. To date I had blessed 22 persons (3 didn't leave their contacts).

Yes i had met my target, but I am starting on another round of the race. I will not be complacent and stop blessing. That will defeat the entire purpose of this 100K Blessings. I want to grow continually in faith!


luv,
mirabel

Babysitter + Updates from Novie

Photo from YC: Amanda the Babysitter!

To Amanda: You looked really quite tired after babysitting Anna and Elsie during Leaders' Meeting. Thank you for serving. God must have been grinning to Himself watching the three of you play. =)

* * *

Updates from Novie in Indonesia:

"Thank you for praying for my mother and me!

My mum says 'thanks!' for your birthday wishes to her too. =)

She can bathe, walk up and down the stairs by herself now, though she is still not involved in our shop cos' she needs to rest.

There are so many conferences this summer (referring to Ed Silvoso's), but I am missing all of them. =( Life somehow feels different for me nowadays, like it's just a passing time. There's nothing much to do, now that my mum has limitations. We used to do a lot of stuff at home alone. I guess I have adapted better. Anyway time passes fast, and I won't feel this way for long. =p "

We are looking forward to seeing you again soon, Novie! =)

"Hello Police, I want to go to jail"

I heard this on Class95 one morning:

There's a serious problem in India (i think in New Delhi) - the prisons are terribly overcrowded.

People are choosing to commit crimes to get or stay in jail because of the good food they serve the prisoners. Much better than the poor out there can afford!

I didn't know what to feel after hearing this. These people actually choose to be in bondage. What happened to their dreams?? Have they lost hope in life because of poverty?

I suspect some of us are in fact like them. We choose to be in comfort zones and stop wondering what our dreams are for. Would you see beyond your 'prisons' today, unto the hint of light that seeps through a crack in the wall?

Don't deny it. Hope and freedom are what your heart truly longs for.

Many times Mr S.A.Tan entices us to stay put and not fight for the freedom that was intended for us, through seemingly good things. Like for the Indian prisoners, good food. But are you sure you live just to enjoy food? Isn't your heart crying out to find that greater purpose for your life?

Thus do not be deceived. God intended for us better things. He always intends the BEST for us. Beyond just food, shelter and money. 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.'. The Bible is filled with instances which show that God is One who desires to bless us abundantly. Most importantly, 'the grace of our Lord' can be 'poured out on us abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus' (1 Timothy 1:15).

Don't deny it, what your heart truly wants is Love... a love that is real and eternal.

He wants to set us free. Choose to be.

I pray that the Indian prisoners see the Light beyond the walls. You too.

Are you afraid to let your light shine? Hear what Nelson Mandela says (click).

Hosanna in the Highest

The past two weekends we had been singing Hillsong United's Hosanna in our youth services.

It is an awesome song, stirring us deep, both its music composition and lyrics. I love it. There was a certain stillness in the air whenever we sang it.

But let me be honest with you, family. For the past two months since I knew this song, there are always certain parts in the bridge which, at times, I did not dare to sing. Some words got choked in my throat, and my voice hung in silence, in fear and trembling.

Heal my heart and make it clean

Open up my eyes to the things unseen

Show me how to love like You have loved me

Break my heart for what breaks Yours

Everything I am for Your kingdom's cause

As I walk from earth into eternity

I could imagine Jesus excruciatingly saying the words above to the Father before His road to Calvary.

Do you really dare to ask the Lord to break your heart for what breaks His?

Are you really ready to give up everything of yourself for His kingdom?

A dear brother prepared me gently when I told him I really want to learn to love like Jesus does, "...that is going to be really painful.." I actually had to be reminded (again).

Now I am not asking you to treat this song like one for the saints. But may I call us all not to sing it flippantly. 'Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart' (1 Samuel 16:7b).

It is perfectly fine if we find that we need to walk a journey before we can mean every word with our heart. More importantly is whether we are consistently willing for the Lord to break us bit by bit, more and more, and mould us increasingly into His likeness.

I know the Lord is pleased with me even when I sing the bridge in a small and even trembling voice, so afraid that I do not mean each word. Each time my heart shudders and pains when I sing the word 'break', I give thanks to Jesus that even though I am not fully broken, I am still willing enough for Him to continue doing so...

till I can truly give everything I am for His Kingdom's cause..

... till Hosanna is in the highest.

Are we willing to step out of ourselves into situations whereby we know we can be broken, ie. the 100K Blessings? Hear this:

If my life is broken when given to Jesus, it is because pieces will feed a multitude, while a loaf will satisfy only a little lad. ~ Ruth Stull

Mirabel

When your walk goes dry

i sought Amanda's permission to copy her post 'When your walk goes dry' from her minisermons blog (just added to blogroll). Go check out her treasures at that blog!

When i first read her 'secret' blog, i teared. Every word there showed me her heartfelt desire to grow in the Lord in and through all circumstances. She struggled, but clung on and grew deeper in Him. That is a true woman of God's strength.

Hard to believe she is only 15+ of age, and a 3-yr old Christian. Well praise God for transforming our lives! Aman dear, i am ultra supra dupra proud of you! =)

Mirabel

***

When your walk goes dry

15th May 2007

Recently i was very dry in my relationship with God that i soon gave up and let things be. I was only brought back as i confronted the problems i was having. And this blog too birthed out as i did not want to go back into the state of “dryness” and that i wanted to fully commit myself to God.

So far, this blog has been ‘forcing’ (i willingly let myself be forced) me to look onto God for revelations and to ask God and look unto Him for directions.

Many times we will experience dry parts of our life in seeking God and so be too caught up with everything around us too busy to look unto God and thinking that it doesn’t matter.

When i was in that state, i never pray. I just thought let me be, i can settle it myself don’t have to bother God. I’m too small for Him, too worthless. Why should he cares? Prayer have got no use to me at that time.

But of course that was totally off course. Of course He cares and He will answer the prayer i prayed as seen from Luke 18:1-8

1Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. 2He said: “In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared about men. 3And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, ‘Grant me justice against my adversary.’

4“For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, ‘Even though I don’t fear God or care about men, 5yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won’t eventually wear me out with her coming!’ “

6And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. 7And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? 8I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?”

From this passage, the word that came to my mind was, persevere.

Even through everything that happened to me in my life, i still attended church and i really thank God for that. And through this, i was also brought back to God the creator.

When you are in a rough patch of your life, would you still continue praying and thanking God for everything? Would you continue to trust God when you’re down?

I thank God that He never let let me go as He had promised.

Deut 31:6-Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”

This song really ministered to me and i pray that even for people who may be reading this, i pray that you can persevere and experience the goodness of God.


Through it All
http://youtube.com/watch?v=MDg2Fnr6KRE

Amanda

When your path becomes dry, keep your focus on the Sun (Son).

So that you would come.

Yay! I'm back to post.

Exams has just ended and i'm getting my results very soon. Today, as my friends compared with the answers that my teachers gave, as he continue shouting over which he has got correct, i can't help feeling a sense of inferiority as i know i have not done well for maths.

I was brought back to Jackie Pullinger's sermon on how we are judged based on performance at such a early age. God's love for us will not change and varies for different grades that you've achieved. In the song 'So you would come', it also states that nothing you can do, could make him close the door.

Also, i was also reminded to surrender everything into His hands and trust Him for my results.

God loves me the way i am! I did my best, God the rest i surrender unto you! (=

Dina's takeaway from Jackie Pullinger's sermon

"I learnt that although we are too small to do anything, the least we can
do is to pray and hope for a better change. It is better than doing nothing.
Every act of kindness is significant and important. It may change a person's
life. :) "

Mirabel's up and mighty again!

Today, after one entire week of MC and of feeling groggy from medication,

I am up, bouncing strong and on fire again!

Yes i feel it so in my Spirit; i am already thinking of the people i want to invite for service this Sunday (heehee) and this morning i had an amazing time of worship with Jesus, declaring His victory over my family, ministry, etc.

i was especially moved to tears at one moment during worship, when i realised how close Jesus has really been for the past week. Once again i bow at how deeply HE really knows my heart - i wanted to structure my time of MC to spend quality time with Jesus, but the non-high-D and groggy me just could not and did not.

Nonetheless, Jesus initiated (as He always does). Arising out of this period of rest, i am so sure that i have fallen even more deeply in love with Jesus... through the random book-, bible-reading, praying etc.

But hey, nothing is random in God's sense. He is a God of order (Romans 13:5, The Message Bible). =)

I'm singing.... for the glory of the Risen King!!!

i cannot wait to share with you gals what Jesus has done for me, especially after being absent from church for a week.

My heart was so warmed and so proud of you, to hear of you all coming together yourselves for a really good time of cell and processing before and after service ( i have my spies ok, haha). Amanda, i heard that you did a very good job for Going Deep in Colossians 3! Well done!

We are growing strong together, in the Lord! =) Praise Him!

God is Enlarging our Influence.

I cannot describe how excited i am, gals, for what God has in store for us.

Presently i just cannot thank God enough that He has clearly placed greater faith in each of us. Walking in the Spirit and partnering with the Holy Spirit is really exciting!

Meiqi also had the opportunity to share Christ with 2 of her colleagues yesterday! She also blessed one of them with the book 'A Purpose Driven Life'. In the name of Jesus, we declare that these 2 souls will come to lead Passion Driven lives in Jesus soon!

Thanks gals for praying for my time with Xianglin last night, and also my diarrhoea. Last night i tossed in bed for hours, didnt know why i was unable to sleep. I spent time praying instead, and God kept my spirit strong in Him.

I must share this amazing testimony.

3+ years ago, after i conducted Thumbs-up for a class in Bukit Panjang Govt High, i bonded with a bunch of girls from the class like never before. I knew God wants to use me in the relationships here, so i declared in Jesus' name that i want every of the girls in this clique to be saved.

Here were what then happened:

1. Within one year, Patricia accepted the Lord at a Thumbs-up camp.

2. One year later, after much persuasion by the Holy Spirit, Belinda said the Sinners' Prayer in the living room of her home.

3. Yet another year after that, Kah Li came to FCBC, received Christ and is now in a cell group in the adult network.

4. Last night Xianglin felt a touch of God like never before in her life.


God is awesomely faithful - faithful to hear our prayers, faithful to answer. Even through the years. As long as we are patient in Him, as long as we believe.

Last night i also cried (the mother's pain was so real) to the Lord for Patricia and Belinda to come back to the Lord. Pray with me!

Novie, i am still asking the Lord for a verse for Fanny. Will tell you when i hear! =) Want to affirm you for your heart for Fion too. Let's continue to show her Jesus through our lives!

A testimony from my life

Hee click on the image below to read the story behind my picture.

"May you be blessed by my testimony!" =)

Lovely Steamy Night

::You can now view/upload the photos at Flickr::





Happy Birthday, our dear Qi. =)
May your life continue to be a shining testimony for Christ, a light that fights to burn even when the winds hit. For Jesus will cover you under His wings all the time.


* * *

This is actually the first time our cell group had steamboat for our CNY reunion dinner. It had been a really beautiful time; my heart is touched by each of you who tried to make it for the dinner, and of course those of you who wanted but couldn't because of various reasons.

I see God's hand strongly upon us, and each of our lives. This i am so grateful. Let's keep our faces to the Lord together all the time, loving Jesus and one another more and more. =)

Mirabel

P.S. Thanks dear sis Stella and bro Anthony and cell for gracing the occasion. =p

Everything in God's purpose

As i came back home it was the usual
go where?
why so late?

I was with my usual answer church la..

I have always questioned myself(and God) why? Why am i born to the parents i have now? Why born me with this two *ahem* irritating parents?

I know deep down its their way of showing concern for me but i just couldn't stop grumbling. Then God spoke to me.

If you are not with them, who shall be the one to show them the way to me? Who shall be the one to show them the light and guide them to me?

God was actually using me, me as a daughter to bring my parents to the light, to him. Of course my intial reaction was like no la, not possible right where got sense. Daughter show parents? Thought should be the other way round?

Then slowly the truth began to work in me. God placed me in this family, this school, this class for a specfic reason. Its is not like express class no more space put you in NA class ar... NO i am there for a reason.

Do i know the reason? No la i am not God what how i know.

But STOP grumbling. Ask God what to do in everything and obey. And God help us to obey you even when its so hard to. Indeed you will never put us through things that we cannot handle. And God help us to be reminded daily that you gave us your shield of victory and that your right hand will sustains us (psalms 18:35).

(=

Date with Ah Ber!

Belinda, myself and our Life Coachees (taken in May 2006)

I had another wonderful dinner last night with another beautiful gal Belinda aka Ah Ber or Ber ah. We were counting the years i have known her, and it came to a startling figure - 3! Time just flies huh. =)

We talked so much that we forgot we wanted to take a photo together. On the left is a photo taken 2 years ago when she told us she did not know how to smile when taking pictures. Then i always remember her telling me a while after she received Christ, that she has found herself smiling more naturally (and sweetly!), and i praise God because i know she has found joy and identity in Jesus. =)

* * *

By the way, Ber has an encouragement for those of us who feel stressed in their studies:

"Our brains need ample rest; a tired mind cannot absorb information. Even if you manage to cramp information in your head, you cannot remember what you have revised and write the answer out. You won't even have the energy to do the exams."

Belinda is speaking from her own experience in her secondary school, when she allowed fear to tell her she could never finish studying or do well and thus didn't give herself proper rest.

Dear gals, always paint the picture of victory in your minds, and claim it in the name of Jesus! Then darkness will fall away. And you will find that you are fighting from victory, not for victory, because by faith the victory has already been won. =) I am claiming the pictures of victory together with each of you! -mirabel

Use me

Won't You Lord
Take a look at my hands
Everything I have
Use it for Your plan
Won't You Lord
Take a look at my heart
Mold it, refine it
As You set me part

I want to run to the altar
And catch the fire
To stand in the gap
Between the living and the dead
Give us a heart of compassion
For a world without vision
We will make a difference
Bringing hope to our land

We will answer the call
To build this church without walls
Let Your glory be shown
Bring salvation to the lost
To the lost

This song never fails to encourage me. Today as i hear of my friend backsliding and not wanting to go church, i was so discouraged. I just had a thousands question in my mind waiting to ask them.
Why don't want go church?
Got any problems?

But God just told me. Actions will definitely speaks louder then words.

Yes Lord. Use me. I avail myself for you, work through them using me Lord. Help me to shine in school and that not only them but the whole school can see it's You working through me.

1 Tim 4:16 Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both ourself and your hearers.

Lord help me to hang on till the end.

Control the wheel of my car.

I thank God for giving me the chance to teach Chee Foon pre-encounter. Of course it was a great experience for me to learn how to go through pre-enc and for Chee Foon hopefully(?) to learn what her salvation is all about.

But of course it wasn't easy stepping out of my comfort zone to do that. I had all the doubts and fears when mummy mirabel asked me to do it.
"Will she understands what i am teaching?"
"Why i teach?"
"wah why the question i don't even know how to answer one?"

So even after i finished session 1 with her, i was still wondering does she really understand?? And as my week went, i was too caught with my things in life it soon became pushed to the back of my mind.

But on sunday, while we were singing Holy Spirit, the part where
Come Holy Spirit,
come pour out your oil anointing.

God gave me a vision. It was me in the position which i was worshipping in. And i just see the anointing that flows so freely on my head but i just couldn't resist asking this question. "so what is this anointing for?" That question was answered for. I saw the anointing dripping from my hand.

*tekgong on my head* anoint others la!! And it was so qiao that Pastor Eugene started talking that indeed it was no accident for everything you are doing or in now. God has placed us there for a reason. And do not be afraid for the Lord your God is with you.

And there God said to me "daughter, yes were called to help/bless your sister but why do you worry so much? If i am in charge, do you have to worry?" .

Indeed God have called us to bless others but will He let you do it alone? The answer is a obvious NO. He will guide us but will you let Him to guide you today?