TOUGH TIMES--> FEAR or FAITH?

Financial crisis, global meltdowns, huge investment banks falling apart, countries like Iceland and a few others tumbling down, over 600 thousand folks got laid off, etc etc etc! Sounds pretty bad don't it? Pastor Clarine spoke a really good message bringing into perspective how to deal with such a tough time. Below is just a gist of what I can replicate:

In Psalm 23:

v1: "The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want." --> 'The Lord' denotes He is SUPREME!

Think about it, who made this UNIVERSE? Is it massive? How many planets are there? 8? (or formerly, 9 including Pluto). And which part of the universe are we living in? In this tiny little planet called 'earth', right? If the 'earth' is tiny relative to a massive universe, then how big (or small) are we? You and I? And how supreme, do you think is the Creator of the universe compared to this tough financial crisis?

In Isaiah 45:21-22:

"Tell and bring forth your case; Yes, let them take counsel together. Who has declared this from ancient time? Who has told it from that time? Have not I, the Lord? And there is no other God besides Me. A just God and a Savior; There is none besides Me.
Look to Me, and be saved, All you ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other."

--> 'My Shepherd' denotes His testimony.

Did you know that a shepherd has to get up at 3 in the morning everyday to feed his sheeps? Or perhaps more accurately, a GOOD shepherd will. Why? Well, that is a time when the grass is greenest, freshest, most moist and delicious to eat. A sheep eats very very very veeeeerrrryyyyyy slowwwwww~ They may even take HOURS just nibbling on the grass. A good shepherd watches as every sheep eats. As soon as the sheep is contented and full, they will lie on the grass and just rest. A hungry sheep will not lie down/ rest.

v2: "He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters."

Are you shaken/affected by the economic downturn? Do you really know rest? Deep within you, are you struggling? Worried? Helpless? Restless? Emotional? If you are following a good shepherd, you will find rest despite a restless surroundings.

--> 'I shall not want' denotes His glorious sufficiency!

I shall not want (i.e. not be in need) for:

1. Health (for by His stripes, we are healed!)
2. Prosperity (my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus)
3. Security (for God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind)
4. Power (for you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me...)
5. Peace (for You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You. Because he trusts in You)
6. Joy (for the joy of the Lord is your strength!)
7. Ability (I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me)
8. Blessings (Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessings in the heavenly places in Christ)

These promises are VALID only if Jesus is made VITAL in your life! God has proven to me in my own personal life, that He is faithful, not only providing me and my family with enough, but really MORE than ever enough. EVEN at a time such as this. I must admit I was at a verge of feeling really dry, restless, and really tired. But this msg really reminded me of the goodness of my God. I want YOU to experience it too. Try Him! ^_^

A song for you- Stand Firm (Chee Peng)

CONFIDENCE?

Have you ever come across anyone who never quits putting you down by making you feel you're not even worth a penny? Like every other day, they'll be reminding you how great they are, the no. of people attracted to them etc...but that's not the end! They will not forget to tell you what an impossibility it is if there was EVER anything good in you.

Do you sometimes wonder why these people do such things? Without you even speaking a word, they would naturally tell you 'this person likes me, that person is checking ME out (not you) and there is no way he/she is/will ever be interested in you', yada yada and the story never ends. Childish? ABSOLUTELY with a capital C!

There are countless people that thinks putting down another person will in someway or another, lift themselves up. This is a complete bulls***. If you've met anyone like this, remember that it is not YOU being the problem, it is simply THEM feeling insecure, or worse, feeling threatened by YOUR presence.

I don't even like the thought of me writing this in my blog! (Simply 'cause it's too minute a topic) But I honestly think I'm not the only one facing people like that, and it may be helpful if someone else reading this is going through the same rubbish and AFFECTED by it!

Confidence comes from within, NOT without. People CANNOT determine your self-esteem because only YOU have the ability to make yourself WORTHY (or WORTHLESS). You are NOT what you think you are, but WHAT YOU THINK, you are! The mind is the greatest gift God has given us but if used negatively, it could be our greatest defeat. Your surroundings (including pessimists) could well come up to you to remind you how terrible, weak, useless, unproductive, ugly, fat, or stupid you are. What's gonna sustain you?

In such a bad economy, with bad news revolving every other day and as if it's not bad enough, negative people.. what sustains you? What keeps you going? What holds your confidence? As a believer, without a doubt God is my greatest confidence 'cause even if all else fail, He never fails me! But if you aren't a believer, what keeps you going? The answer is YOURSELF.

Too good/easy to be true? NO! Hear me out because i'm speaking with great passion! If you wake up tomorrow with an inner voice saying "Gosh I'm such a failure, I look horrible, my work's not gonna get done, it's another nightmare at work/school", truth is, it will be! However, if you make everyday a CHOICE to believe in yourself, to know you are as good as you WANT it to be, eventually your actions will correlate with your thoughts! And the results? A good day with productivity and success right in the center of your palms.

Here are a few wise quotes to encourage those of you who needs them:

"Great minds have purposes; others have wishes. Little minds are subdued by misfortunes; but great minds rise above them"

"All great achievers are given multiple reasons to believe they are failures. But in spite of that, they persevere."

"What distinguishes winners from losers is that winners concentrate at all times on what they can do, not on what they can't do."

"No matter what happens to you, the important thing is what happens in you."

"A champion gets up one more time than he gets knocked down."

August 18s

Came across something which i think is pretty interesting. Some studies about August 18s babies. Why am i interested? Well 'cause i am one!

How do you love?

With your enthusiasm, your romantic inclinations, and your tender heart, finding true love probably ranks high (if not highest) on your list of important things to experience in life. August 18s tend to feel that forming a vital connection and keeping it sparkling with emotional electricity and attraction the passport to a good life.

And it is! August 18s know that by selecting wisely, they have a captive audience...permanently! Then you can focus on keeping your significant other fully entranced and asking for more. This should be easy, given your magnetic personality and your occasionally flamboyant antics.

But beware! Many an August 18 has fallen into the trap labeled 'self centeredness'. If you're always thinking of 'me me me' your loved one is bound to protest. Be sure to give what you hope to get, and you'll probably roar along love's highways and byways in elegant style!

And when you stop at those 'scenic overlooks', be sure to allow your tenderness (and even your vulnerability) to show. You are typically a mover and a shaker, but inside, you can sometimes feel like a lost child. A relationship gives August 18s a perfectly safe place to express that sensitivity without fear. Your hidden sweetness will shine forth, lighting the way into even more intimacy and a world of happiness, fulfillment and love with a capital L.

I can't believe i read those stuff! It was a book given by someone-all about August 18s! =)

Looking ahead

Passion, creativity, and a firm belief in your own ability to harvest the fruits of life -- these are the traits that propel typical August 18s. Set your goals, enjoy your achievements, and be sure to relax along the way. Remember, with your optimistic foundation, the odds of winning are automatically stacked in your favor!

How much do I agree with? Well i would say some of which are pretty true about myself, some of which aren't, but would like to adopt! Hehe just something i thought nice to put up! =P

This is such an amazing song:

Title: Grace is Enough
Artiste: Don Moen
Click here to listen

I guess God is the ONLY one that is able to show us such amazing grace. I'm eternally grateful that even as I am so unworthy, He is forever loving me.

I can boast to many works
Done out of insecurity
And credit many conversations
To my immaturity
And while I’m misunderstood
You are understanding me
And showing me
How grace is enough

For everything that I’ve done right
Seems like a thousand I’ve done wrong
And I keep on losing count
Of all the times my flesh has won
And when the light of Christ that’s in me
Is overshadowed by the fall
You’re showing me
How grace is enough

When I feel unworthy
And so undeserving

Chorus:
Still I can come, just as I am
For I find Your love
Is free of condition
So I will run to Your wide open arms
Where I am accepted
And I am forgiven
Grace is enough for me
Your grace is enough for me

I’ve been quick at passing judgment
When I’m worthy of conviction
And the times I’ve measured virtue
Only based on my religion
But theology it seems
It’s not the things that’s saving me
You are showing me
A grace that’s enough

When I feel unworthy
And so undeserving

(Chorus)

Bridge:
Though I was blind, now I see
Sweet is the sound
Of Your grace over me
You said it all on the Cross
Your grace goes beyond
All that I’ve done

When I feel unworthy
And so undeserving
You love me beyond
All my failing and hurting
It’s not who I am
But who I can be
And I know You are working
Your purpose in me

(Chorus)

Your grace is enough
More then enough
Your grace is enough for me