"But those who wait on the LORD
Shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint." Isaiah 40:31 (NKJ)
Wait on the Lord. What does it mean and how to do it? "Wait" in another bible translation (NIV) is "hope". A preacher once said we do not wait and do nothing but we hope in the Lord and do His will.
We can have hope in the Lord because our Lord Jesus said "in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulations; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." John 17:33.
As some friends who saw the article in Mind Your Body last Wed 04Jun issue, asked where did I find strength to go through what we had in the last 4 years as David battled with his pain and affliction. I pondered over this and came to the conclusion because we have hope in the Lord. Hope in Christ is absolute. We found (and are still finding) strength and comfort in Him and His words in the bible. Thought I just share this with you and may you find comfort and strength in Him too for He will meet you at your various points of need if you would allow Him to.
Doing His will. God has opened doors to interesting events and activities for us to share His love while David has suspended Shepherds' Point Church for the time being. The article in Mind Your Body enabled more people to know David's story and thanks too for all who visited our blog and encouraged us with your comments. We are glad that many are encouraged and hope more will be blessed to want to know and draw nearer to this loving God, who gave His only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.
David had also been busy making audio recording of the narration of his book "Talking the Walk" and it is our desire that more could be blessed in hearing his story especially for those who may be too tired to read. A Chinese translation of the book is also in the works.
Pray with us that we would continue to be used by the Lord to be instrumental to reach out to those who need Him.
We are thankful for all the exciting things God is doing and also very thankful that our family can go for a short break from tomorrow to 17Jun. Covet your prayers for safe journey.
Thanks & God bless,
Whee Ling
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Thursday, June 05, 2008
"I will be still and know You are God"
Dear all,
A few weeks ago, I had a dream. I dreamt that I was deep in worship singing the song, "Still". It is a very beautiful song by Reuben Morgan.
Here are the lyrics:
Hide me now under Your wings
Cover me within Your mighty hand
When the oceans rise and thunders roar
I will soar with You above the storm
Father You are King over the flood
I will be still and know You are God
Find rest my soul in Christ alone
Know His power in quietness and trust
When the oceans rise and thunders roar
I will soar with You above the storm
Father You are King over the flood
I will be still and know You are God
Beautiful words in a beautiful song indeed! That night, I woke & felt so rested in the Lord's sanctuary.
Some Medical Updates:
It was very disturbing initially when the MRI done in March showed new changes in my spine and right hip. It turned my world upside down again. Tough I tried to be as cool as I could like a duck that seems calm on the surface but is actually very anxious paddling under the water. Again, the Holy Spirit, who is our comfort and counsellor, always turns my heart to the maker of my life to place my complete confidence in Him.
Because of these changes, Dr. William Hwang was rather concerned and did everything he could to manage the problem in consultation with other specialist oncologists . Together they all discussed my situation at length to provide me with the best solution. Thank God for each of these christian doctor friends God put in their respective expertise to! Thank God that after all these discussions, they unanimously agreed that there is no need for chemotherapy or radiotherapy. You know, we believe God had placed the right doctors in our path and we comply with it as they are all christian doctors who recognise that ultimately, God is the main healer and they are just instruments of Dr. Jesus.
Luke was such a doctor in the Bible but He recognised that only God can heal. Beyond medical science and many alternative medicines that we have tried, we always go back to the basic of our faith - that God is in control and must be given the control. This "Relapse" was another call not to play God and pray god will shower more and more of His grace upon us to live for His glory each day - in sickness or in health.
On that night after I got up from the dream at 5am, the Lord turned my eyes to read Psalm 73 where Asaph, the Psalmist had many real life questions for those of us who constantly face the harsh realities in this life. But in Him, there is always a blessed assurance in knowing that He will never fail us nor forsake us. That night, He strengthened me particularly through verses 25-26 bringing to mind a very touching and moving chinese song that many of us would have sung again and again.
Psalm 73:25-26
"Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My heart and my flesh may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever."
Reading Psalm 73 as the song was ringing in my ears, the Lord encouraged me to enter His sanctuary often to renew my perspective, understanding and convictions even tough my circumstances have changed. Sometimes the circumstances can overwhelm me as I get emotionally tired of waiting. But there is a reason for waiting in the presence of the Lord. In waiting in His presence, He renews my strength like that of the eagle to soar again - to look at things through His eyes; To win the fight by focusing on Christ and declaring His reign over this sickness. He is Lord and has overcome everything - even the sting of death!
One night, Whee Ling asked me many questions for which I had no answers. In my heart, I know Jesus is in complete reign but I also asked her to enquire of the Lord. And she did. She fasted and she prayed for several days. Thereafter the Lord led her to read the book of James where James advised us to be patient in suffering like a farmer who patiently waits for the land to yield its valuable crop. (James 5:7-11). The Lord specifically told her to look the outcome of Job's perseverance and how this man of God stood firm and eventually saw what God brought about - that which is good. Praise the Lord!!! See, He does not ignore the prayers of His people but will answer when we ernestly wait upon Him and seek Him.
Through this, our great God gently reminded us that 'everything will work for good for those who love Him' (Romans 8:28) What's important for us is to stand firm, to keep the faith till the end and be found faithful - for He is always faithful and true.
Once I heard a sharing by Joni Eareckson, a paraplegic for 40 years now. Joni encouraged all in affliction of every kind to turn their hearts God-ward to find new strength in His presence.
Indeed, God is the strength of our hearts as we turn our feeble hearts to Him. Only He and He only can raise us up to stand on mountains and walk on stormy seas. By focusing on Jesus, Whee Ling, Josh and I did not sink into the water like Peter did because we learn again and again not to lift our eyes off Him.
Finally, we want to thank God for giving us the opportunity to share and testify of God's goodness and greatness in the Straits Times yesterday. All your sms-es, emails and comments in the blog have encouraged us to be overcomers in the name of the Most High God.
Thank you one and all!
May His name be greatly magnified!
David
A few weeks ago, I had a dream. I dreamt that I was deep in worship singing the song, "Still". It is a very beautiful song by Reuben Morgan.
Here are the lyrics:
Hide me now under Your wings
Cover me within Your mighty hand
When the oceans rise and thunders roar
I will soar with You above the storm
Father You are King over the flood
I will be still and know You are God
Find rest my soul in Christ alone
Know His power in quietness and trust
When the oceans rise and thunders roar
I will soar with You above the storm
Father You are King over the flood
I will be still and know You are God
Beautiful words in a beautiful song indeed! That night, I woke & felt so rested in the Lord's sanctuary.
Some Medical Updates:
It was very disturbing initially when the MRI done in March showed new changes in my spine and right hip. It turned my world upside down again. Tough I tried to be as cool as I could like a duck that seems calm on the surface but is actually very anxious paddling under the water. Again, the Holy Spirit, who is our comfort and counsellor, always turns my heart to the maker of my life to place my complete confidence in Him.
Because of these changes, Dr. William Hwang was rather concerned and did everything he could to manage the problem in consultation with other specialist oncologists . Together they all discussed my situation at length to provide me with the best solution. Thank God for each of these christian doctor friends God put in their respective expertise to! Thank God that after all these discussions, they unanimously agreed that there is no need for chemotherapy or radiotherapy. You know, we believe God had placed the right doctors in our path and we comply with it as they are all christian doctors who recognise that ultimately, God is the main healer and they are just instruments of Dr. Jesus.
Luke was such a doctor in the Bible but He recognised that only God can heal. Beyond medical science and many alternative medicines that we have tried, we always go back to the basic of our faith - that God is in control and must be given the control. This "Relapse" was another call not to play God and pray god will shower more and more of His grace upon us to live for His glory each day - in sickness or in health.
On that night after I got up from the dream at 5am, the Lord turned my eyes to read Psalm 73 where Asaph, the Psalmist had many real life questions for those of us who constantly face the harsh realities in this life. But in Him, there is always a blessed assurance in knowing that He will never fail us nor forsake us. That night, He strengthened me particularly through verses 25-26 bringing to mind a very touching and moving chinese song that many of us would have sung again and again.
Psalm 73:25-26
"Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My heart and my flesh may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever."
Reading Psalm 73 as the song was ringing in my ears, the Lord encouraged me to enter His sanctuary often to renew my perspective, understanding and convictions even tough my circumstances have changed. Sometimes the circumstances can overwhelm me as I get emotionally tired of waiting. But there is a reason for waiting in the presence of the Lord. In waiting in His presence, He renews my strength like that of the eagle to soar again - to look at things through His eyes; To win the fight by focusing on Christ and declaring His reign over this sickness. He is Lord and has overcome everything - even the sting of death!
One night, Whee Ling asked me many questions for which I had no answers. In my heart, I know Jesus is in complete reign but I also asked her to enquire of the Lord. And she did. She fasted and she prayed for several days. Thereafter the Lord led her to read the book of James where James advised us to be patient in suffering like a farmer who patiently waits for the land to yield its valuable crop. (James 5:7-11). The Lord specifically told her to look the outcome of Job's perseverance and how this man of God stood firm and eventually saw what God brought about - that which is good. Praise the Lord!!! See, He does not ignore the prayers of His people but will answer when we ernestly wait upon Him and seek Him.
Through this, our great God gently reminded us that 'everything will work for good for those who love Him' (Romans 8:28) What's important for us is to stand firm, to keep the faith till the end and be found faithful - for He is always faithful and true.
Once I heard a sharing by Joni Eareckson, a paraplegic for 40 years now. Joni encouraged all in affliction of every kind to turn their hearts God-ward to find new strength in His presence.
Indeed, God is the strength of our hearts as we turn our feeble hearts to Him. Only He and He only can raise us up to stand on mountains and walk on stormy seas. By focusing on Jesus, Whee Ling, Josh and I did not sink into the water like Peter did because we learn again and again not to lift our eyes off Him.
Finally, we want to thank God for giving us the opportunity to share and testify of God's goodness and greatness in the Straits Times yesterday. All your sms-es, emails and comments in the blog have encouraged us to be overcomers in the name of the Most High God.
Thank you one and all!
May His name be greatly magnified!
David
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