Testimony 29/08/05: If You Can

Mark 9: 21-24

21Jesus asked the boy's father, "How long has he been like this?"

"From childhood," he answered. 22"It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us."

23" 'If you can'?" said Jesus. "Everything is possible for him who believes."

24Immediately the boy's father exclaimed, "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!"

***

The evil spirit possessed the child since childhood. It threw him into convulsions and into the fire. The father had tried ever since to find a cure for his boy. He went everywhere. He tried everything. He was desperate. He was tired. He came to Jesus, pleaded, “If you can….”

Perhaps you too have been disappointed. Perhaps you have been struggling with a sickness for a long time. Perhaps your spouse walks away from you only to leave you with a broken heart. May be the same problem keeps coming up at work. Perhaps the same bullies approach you every morning at school. May be your family is not saved and you start losing hope. You tried every mean possible. You go everywhere. You are tired. You come to Jesus, desperate, pleading, “If you can, heal me!” “If you can, take this hurt away from me!” “If you can, solve this problem for me!” “If you can, help me!”

“If you can?” Jesus answers, “Everything is possible for him who believe.”

Indeed! There is healing in God. There is solution in Him. There is help. There is future. There is wholeness. There is power. There is hope in Jesus. Put your hope in Him! (Psalm 42:5)

May our prayer be, “Lord, I do believe. Help me overcome my unbelief.”

***

My hope is in the Name of the Lord
Where my help comes from
You’re my strength
My song

My trust is in the Name of the Lord
I will Your praise
You are faithful

Hillsong 2003, My Hope

Testimony 25/08/05: Full of Good Things

Last night I dreamt about my past. It was so real my heart beat faster. I felt uneasy even an hour after I woke up.

I prayed about it and God spoke to me through Darlene Zhech’s book, Kiss of Heaven. She said that the eye of the Father is looking for someone to bless, someone who is totally committed to God (2 Chronicles 16:9). How true that is! God is FULL of good things to give us! And God would not take something we desire unless He has something better for us. God said in Romans 8:28 that in everything, He is working for the good of those who love Him, who has been called according to His purpose.

So, first thing first. To be committed to God wholeheartedly. To love God. Then blessing. Then favour. Then goodness. He knows our deepest desires, and He will give us what is best according to His eternal knowledge, at the right time. Amen.

Testimony 24/08/05: Something Good

There have been forced closures of churches around Bandung by unauthorized people. Two weeks ago, our church was approached, but no action was done. Last week, one of our church branches was closed. My heart was burned with anger when I heard it.

We are believing that God would protect our church. On Sunday, we, young adults lifted our voice in prayer. In unity, the youth congregation prayed for these incidents around Bandung. We interceded for our nation and its leaders. I felt the love of God for this nation in my heart. It is deep. Very deep. He loves the very souls He has created, even though they are lost.

Today, just three days after we prayed, Kompas, reported that the news of the closures has reached our president, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono! God answers our prayer! Kompas is Jakarta’s main paper. It is the start of something good. I continue on praying that something will be done. Glory to God!

Testimony 23/08/05: When We Are Running Errands

We feel God is with us when miraculous things happen: when we pray and the sick got healed and the barren got pregnant. We feel the Spirit’s anointing when we do something big or significant: when we lead a cell group and people grow, when we evangelise and people accept Christ. We feel God surrounds us when things are going well: when the worship goes without technical problems and when our program goes as planned.

But where is God during the ordinary? When we are running errands, when we played the wrong key or when we sing the wrong tune? Where is God during our low times? When we are lonely and no one understands? When prayers seem left unanswered?

Well, God is right there with us. He is faithful. He is there during our high times and our low times. He is faithful even when we can’t feel Him. For He has promised that He would never leave us nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). Praise God for reminding me of this simple truth as I go through the mundane routine of my job. Max Lucado said, “When we cannot trace His hand, trust His heart.” That He is good, that He is faithful, that He is righteous, that He knows what He is doing. Amen!

Testimony 21/08/05: A Friend to Love

Loneliness. I realized before I went back from Melbourne that it would be my greatest enemy. And it is true. My friends who know me for the past 7 years are all overseas. When I am down, I have no one to talk to. My closest friend back here, Jane, has moved house earlier this year and she didn’t have a home phone. The demand of her new job makes it impossible to meet up at the moment. In my desperation I prayed that God would give me a friend. A friend to love… and a friend to love me.

I went to church yesterday. And guess what? I met Jane! She usually comes to the morning service. But yesterday she came to the evening service. And somehow she sat beside me! At the end of the service, she announced that she has just got a phone line! Amazing! The previous tenant waited for 9 years and didn’t get one! Praise God for the phone line! I can call her now.

And what more was that so many people greeted me at church! The friends I met during a retreat three years ago but never kept in touch. I didn’t realise that I know quite a few people.

Thank God for answering my prayer. Amen!

News 17/08/05: Amazon in My Own Backyard

My parents bought a land behind our house and extend the garden. We dug a big pond in it and an ecosystem grew around it. The birds find their home in the trees. Everyday the fishes swim and the lizards bask on the stones around the pond. Every night the frog band sings some songs. And every morning the dragonflies lay their eggs and new ray of light diffuses through the webs the spiders make.

We love our garden. And so do the butterflies!

Well… we don’t mind the butterflies really. But we mind the caterpillars! They love to lay their eggs in the thick lotus bush that grows around the pond. Every kind of butterflies. And guess what? Caterpillar invasion! Big and small, soft and horny, smooth and… hairy!! Hiyyy!!

Today is our independence day. And it’s a holiday. So I took a container and chopsticks and… started picking the caterpillars! A caterpillar collector! I got about 50 of them. When I have more time, I would collect more.

It might be a gross thing to do but I’m loving it. I enjoyed being in the nature. And I enjoyed just being in the Amazon in my own backyard. Well… it could be a highly paid job after all, picking caterpillars, ha ha!

Sermon 16/08/05: Let it go... by T. D. Jakes

There are people who can walk away from you; and hear me when I tell you this! When people can walk away from you: let them walk.

I don't want you to try to talk another person into staying with you, loving you, calling you, caring about you, coming to see you, staying attached to you. I mean hang up the phone.

When people can walk away from you let them walk. Your destiny is never tied to anybody that left. The Bible said that, they came out from us that it might be made manifest that they were not for us. For had they been of us, no doubt they would have continued with us. [1 John 2:19]

People leave you because they are not joined to you. And if they are not joined to you, you can't make them stay. Let them go. And it doesn't mean that they are a bad person it just means that their part in the story is over. And you've got to know when people's part in your story is over so that you don't keep trying to raise the dead. You've got to know when it's dead.

You've got to know when it's over. Let me tell you something. I've got the gift of good-bye. It's the tenth spiritual gift, I believe in good-bye. It's not that I'm hateful, it's that I'm faithful, and I know whatever God means for me to have He'll give it to me. And if it takes too much sweat I don't need it. Stop begging people to stay. Let them go!!

You've got to know when it's over. Let me tell you something. I've got the gift of good-bye. It's the tenth spiritual gift, I believe in good-bye. It's not that I'm hateful, it's that I'm faithful, and I know whatever God means for me to have He'll give it to me. And if it takes too much sweat I don't need it. Stop begging people to stay. Let them go!!

If you are holding on to something that doesn't belong to you and was never intended for your life, then you need to LET IT GO!!!

If you are holding on to past hurts and pains ...LET IT GO!!!

If someone can't treat you right, love you back, and see your worth ...LET IT GO!!!

If someone has angered you ... LET IT GO!!!

If you are holding on to some thoughts of evil and revenge, LET IT GO!!!

If you are involved in a wrong relationship or addiction ... LET IT GO!!!

If you are holding on to a job that no longer meets your needs or talents ... LET IT GO!!!

If you have a bad attitude ... LET IT GO!!!

If you keep judging others to make yourself feel better ... LET IT GO!!!

If you're stuck in the past and God is trying to take you to a new level in Him ... LET IT GO!!!

If you are struggling with the healing of a broken relationship.... LET IT GO!!!

If you keep trying to help someone who won't even try to help themselves ...LET IT GO!!!

If you're feeling depressed and stressed .... LET IT GO!!!

If there is a particular situation that you are so used to handling yourself and God is saying, "Take your hands off of it," then you need to ... LET IT GO!!!

Let the past be the past. Forget the former things. GOD is doing a new thing!!! LET IT GO!!! Get Right or Get Left. Think about it, and then LET IT GO!!!

"The Battle is the Lord's!"


***

You brought the sunshine in
And turned the night to day
And made the shadows flee away

You opened up my eyes
To a new a living way
The dawning of a brand new day

Hillsong 2005, His Love

Testimony 16/08/05: God’s Hand

Last week, on a business trip, my driver, my colleague and I were on a two-lane highway, running at 120 km/hour. We were on the fast right lane and front of us was a police car. Suddenly a car in front of the police car blew its tire! Jam break! At 120 km/hour! The police car nearly hit that car, and we barely miss the police car either. I looked back, and in horror I saw a big petrol tanker heading our way… in a very fast speed! The left lane was packed. I doubted that it could swerve to the other lane. My eyes grew wider as I saw that big monster getting closer. Then, somehow, in the last split second, it managed to change lane! We were saved! Praise God! God’s hand is upon me, protecting me.

***

Indonesia is very packed with motorcycles, especially in the past two years. They are everywhere, a lot of them driving very carelessly. Some not even wearing helmets! To make things worse, our roads are very narrow! Today, we were on a journey to the factory. This time, we were stuck on a traffic jam. Our car crawled the street. In the corner of my right eye, I saw a motorbike. Then, suddenly, as if it was swept away and it was gone! I just missed an accident in that split second! That motorbike was trying to overtake our car. Another motorbike from the opposite direction was doing the exact same thing! And they met in the middle, one running over the other! But we were saved. Thank God! God’s hand is really upon me, covering me.

Testimony 12/08/05: From Place to Place

God again spoke through photos. He wants me to know that He is the same from time to time, and He is the same from place to place.

I was worshipping God when I saw the photos I stuck on my wall. A photo of a friend on Ocean Beach, Sorrento. A photo of the Opera House in Sydney, surrounded by sea and covered by the sky. A photo of my car in the Great Ocean Road… I could sense God’s presence back there and then. And I could sense His very presence even right here and now in my room! And I could hear God gently whispered to my heart, “I am omnipresent.”

Yes! He is the same God there in Australia and here in Indonesia! Amen!

News 11/08/05: Till Next Spring

"Are you sure you wanna go? Do you know anyone there?"

"You've never been there before! How will you go around?"

"Man! You can't even speak!"

Normally, that's people reaction when I told them that I am going to Beijing for a year. They are genuinely worried because I can't communicate in Mandarin. Some insisted to teach me some basics before I leave to make sure I survive. But my main concern is the weather. It will be very cold at the end of the year, average -10 degress Celcius in November and December a website declares.

Man! I don't have "natural insulator"! I already feel cold in Melbourne, which does not even hit zero. I'm quite concerned I won't survive the weather! Sometimes I wonder if that was the reason why a lot of people wanted to dine with me before I left Melbourne. To pack up some fat! Haha!

I have decided to postpone my trip till next spring. I will go in February 2006... unless I am too attached to my current job here, which is pretty exciting!

Testimony 05/08/05: Photos God Took

I redecorated my room to make it more like home. I rearranged my photos in their frames and put it in sequence on the bench beside my bed.

At night as I sang songs for God, I saw the photos. On the left was my photo when I was just a toddler. The next photo was when I was just 12. Another one was a photo during my 3rd year in junior high. Still another, a photo of my graduation from that school. The next one was a photo of me on my 1st year of senior high, and the last one was my photo in the year of 2000.

Then God spoke to my heart,

"I saw you...
I was with you...
I am watching over you..."

I fell down with my face on the floor, worshipping Him, amazed on how God looked after me even since before I knew Him!

Then I saw in a vision, that as I bow down in my room, more and more photos fell on me from heaven. Photos I never knew I took. Photos that God took!

Photos of me jubilating. "I saw you," He said.

Photos of me soaking my bed with tears. "I was with you," He affirmed.

Photos of me in my secret place with God, photos of me in the open serving Him. "I was watching over you," He wisphered.

I was so touched, even more as God said that my story hasn't end yet. There are still empty frames that God is going to fill. He knows what the photos would be. And I know that God is watching over me... all the way. 'Cos Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:8).

Next to my bench is a cross. And it bears words so divine.

"The Lord will fulfill His purpose for me,
Your love, O Lord, endures forever..."
Psalm 138:8

***

So amazing You have named the stars of the deepest night
Still You love me
You have called my name
And I will follow You

Emmanuel
Jesus Christ, You'll never let me go
My Shperd King, You're watching over me
Emmanuel

~Hillsong 2005, Emmanuel~

News 04/08/05: Flashes of Light

It's a brand new morning after eye laser yesterday. I guess everything went well, ‘cos I can still see now, hahaha!! The story goes like this...

Went in the evening for eye check up. My complain was that of flashing light in my left vision since middle of June. I still remember how the doctor in Melbourne warned me that it might be a sign of retinal detachment which I am prone to because of my deep short sightedness. I checked in Melbourne, the doctor said it was okay and just beware if symptoms persist. But I was not sure, because the flashing light came everyday for a month that time and at the same spot. So here, I have a second opinion at Bandung Eye Centre (BEC). They took the photo of the back of my eye. They also brought me to a retina specialist. He checked on my eyes and, again, explained why there were flashes. While Australia might use a method of "observation", this doctor admitted that he's more aggressive. Because retinal detachment happens so fast, he doesn’t want to take any risk to "observe" then do the procedure when things get worse. What if I am not near any eye centre when it happens, he asked. He suggested laser procedure to reattach the portion of retina that has come off. So I just say yes.

This laser procedure is different from those that correct short sightedness. This one is to reattach the inmost layer of the eye back to the eyeball.

I took a pain killer and the whole thing took about 15 minutes. I had 284 laser shot the doctor said. I’m not sure what it exactly meant though. It was a slightly painful. I went home teary and all. But I felt better that something was done.

I think the detachment started because a ball hit my forehead when playing basketball sometime in June. I still remember people asked me if I was all right. I remember that I felt no pain. But the flashes started. I hope that now onwards, there’ll be no more flashes of light.

Testimony 02/08/05: Another Wow Moment

I had been away from home for 7 years. I was not sure how to live with a family after being away for so long. I was nervous. But God had His own way of reassuring me. The first sermon I heard at church here was about family. Yes! About family in the middle of a youth service! And it said that through the imperfection of a family, God wants to use it to build our faith, to shape our character and to experience the grace of God. Wow! What an encouragement!

I was reading the book of Mark when I bump into a passage about light. I am a light not to be hidden under a bowl! I am a light in my family. And just like a sower does not know how a seed grows, I don’t know how this seed of Salvation will grow. But God is the one that will make it grow in my parents’ hearts! Another wow moment. (Mark 4:21-29)

Another time was when I read the book by Reinhard Bonnke, “Even Greater”. He shared about how he felt coming home to non-Christian family after a crusade of 1.6 million people where 1 million accepted Christ! He was deeply saddened. But God is looking for the lost because He loves them so much! And God gave Reinhard a same dream to Jurgen, his brother. And because of that, Jurgen accepted Christ! I am convinced that this same God that loves and looks for Jurgen is loving and looking for my family, especially my parents! Amen!

Prayer Request 01/08/05: Warfare

Was down with fever and body ache on my first day at work. And I went home just a few hours after I arrived at work today! Been feeling restless since I touched down in Indonesia... and I can't explain why.

I didn't normally experience these when I go back home in the past. I was convinced that there is a spiritual warfare going around. Please cover me in prayers. Thanks!