Monday, June 21, 2004

Rescuded from evil clutches

It has been a huge weight on my shoulder ever since Mr Chua entered the army. As if the load on my little shoulders are not heavy enough, another bag-full is plonked on. Don't get me wrong, I don't resent having to do more work...It's just the additional stress and pressure, knowing that the whole youth movement is now resting on me and the council.

Last week, at youth council meeting, I was doing a short opening prayer. As I was preparing for this session, I had planned to use 1Cor12:12 for reflection - "As a body is one, though it has many parts, and all the parts of the body, though many are one body..."

But five minutes before council meeting, I just casually flipping through the bible and this passage struck me in more ways than one. Ephesians5:10-13 - "Grow strong in the Lord, with the strength of His power...For it is not against human enemies that we have to struggle, but against the principalities and ruling forces who are the masters of the darkness..."

I knew God was speaking to me, for once I heard this passage, a feeling of serenity and peace came over me - A reassurance that I'm not alone. That I'm not dealing against difficult situations or people, but the evil one...who is constantly thinking of new ways to attack the council and I.

So once again, I've been saved from the evil clutches of Satan, into the all-power, ever-loving hands of God.

Posted by Jo at 12:36 PM

Friday, June 18, 2004

Project freedom

In recent times, I've felt very bound up emotionally. Like someone has taken a very very long rope and wound it round and round me until I can't be myself anymore.

At times, I'm either stressed out or tired or uptight. Sometimes, I can't even remember when I last smiled or laughed. Even when I was out with friends, I couldn't loosen up and be myself. I had no idea why I'm felt that way; neither did I know how to shake off the negative vibes. And no, it's not PMS.

...Well obviously, those restraints are long gone, otherwise, I won't be writing this note in the past tense. In fact, I probably won't even be writing this note at all.

Anyway, I'm here once again to tell you how brilliant God is, in His own mysterious ways. When I went for Charismatic prayer meet last Friday, the moment I stepped into the basement chapel, I felt this overwhelming force that made me feel like crying.

I've heard it somewhere before, that sometimes, the Holy Spirit is trying to prompt & call us, which causes a lot of emotions to be stirred up in us although we may not know why at times...or like Matt Heng says - God is "trying to stir our coffee"...and because He is such a powerful and all-mighty being, the moment He simply holds the 'coffee cup', we're already filled to the brim with His love and peace.

And that was exactly how I felt at the basement chapel, that although the P&W hasn't started yet, I was already Spirit-filled. The feeling of being freed from all the bondages and 'ropes' that were tying me up was simply...it's beyond words.

So yes, thank you God for teaching me how to laugh again, to be myself...and most importantly, be freed from my bondages, whatever they may be.

Posted by Jo at 11:20 AM