sayhitobel

[sayhitobel]

Catch me up in Your story

25 Aug 2019

"History is made up of a bunch fascinating stories... Oh, learning the past will help us plan the future better..." These are just some things I hear people say about the discipline of history. Well, they are true to some extent. But within the first week the professors debunked and played devil’s advocate against these ‘motherhood statements’.

In these two weeks I am already constantly drilled to not just look at the facts I am presented with but to also consider the narrative that can be concluded out of it. I stand in awe of the power that historians have in their hands. The job of historians is to put a start and end to mere events in order to tell a story. And these stories have the ability to shape the worldview of nations.

With so many voices and opinions to consider from the readings and lecture material, it can get confusing and overwhelming. But deep down I know only His opinion matters. Truth is truth and although we are taught that the past can change, I rejoice that I serve an unchanging God who is the same yesterday, today and forever. So may what is true be uncovered to be my reality.

There is a lottttt to read every week but I’ll get used to them soon. to remind myself that in all the various narratives presented to me, be it in Europe’s colonialization of Asia or Abraham Lincoln’s bid to abolish slavery, my purpose here is for God to open up my eyes to recognize His splendour and mighty hand at work through the ages, across the earth.

I’ll continue to pray for revelation and vision to see and know what a faithful God we he is. What an exciting major to be in, for such is the privilege of finding God in even the midst of war/unrest, learning how His story unfolds and encountering His grand plans for every tribe and tongue. Through my studies it does serve me well to bear in mind the chief end of man’s purpose on this earth: that He will be our God and we will be His people :’)

[sayhitobel]

Spirit and the Bride say “Come!”

30 Jul 2019

Written 1 October 2017:

Okay so IF the gentile church is indeed Israel in exile, I finally see why the Lord has enabled me to believe with all my heart that seeking the shalom of Singapore is so important. Jeremiah 29:7 "Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.” This is getting interesting.

-

And written 3 October 2017:

Yahweh divorced adulterous Israel (Jer 3:8), but not the house of Judah. How then should Israel be reunited with her Groom without having God break his own Law (Deu 24:4, Rom 7:1-3)? A cheating wife can only remarry if her husband dies!

Simple. He sent none other than His son to die on the cross and rise from the grave. No wonder Jesus said he came only for the lost sheep of Israel (matt 15:24). Thus our Lord shed the blood of the new covenant (matt 26:28).

This doesn't mean that Judah is free from sin. Both houses will need to be joined as one wife (eze 37:19). But where do we come in? The House of Israel is scattered through the nations (isa 49:6). So we gentiles are grafted in to Israel and there is no distinction between Jew or Greek (rom 10:12).

Now this, is true amazing grace. I look forward to the day where Judah and Israel become one and Yahweh comes for His pure and spotless Bride.

[sayhitobel]

When the Church of Singapore walks in the opposite spirit of self-preservation, then God will put His fire on the altar of sacrifice and the whole world will watch the Church in Singapore burning in holy passion for God. That fire will spread to the ends of the earth.

John Kim

[sayhitobel]

When man was perfectly fine in the utopia of Eden, God commissioned man to multiply and fill the earth. The Great Commission is not fire insurance.

Elijah Choi

[sayhitobel]

You’re either Burning or Burnt Out.

21 Jul 2019

Rekt. The past three days have been a tremendous blessing to me, and I believe also to the Body of Christ in Singapore. #BHconference2019 awakened many to the end goal of God's grand scheme of things and also to the eternal worthiness of our Lord.

Coming from a season where I was asking of the worthiness of this cause (and cost) of fulfilling the dream of His heart, I really needed a glimpse of His glory once more. Then I realised all that was needed was simply a reminder that He is coming back again and I have a part in this narrative. All that is needed is to begin to once again be still and behold the beauty and splendor of the Lamb. And let Him open my eyes to see Him rightly.

I appreciate so much the opportunity to stand with believers from all around Asia to seek His heart. Plus speakers who clearly have wasted years and seasons to spend time labouring in the hidden place of prayer and consuming the Word so that their lives become the very message they preach.

My prayer has always been that God will take what's true and make it real in our generation. Continue to show us Lord, what is it that the angels in heaven see that they never cease to cry 'holy!'? What did Mary see that made her break that alabaster jar at the feet of Jesus?

This journey just got started, and will not end till I see my Saviour face to face. There is only One found worthy, that incense will rise night and day from every nation, tribe and tongue. I give it all for the dream of Your heart:

"And I will walk among you and will be your God, and you shall be my people." Lev 26:12.

#untileverynationsings #burningheartssg

[sayhitobel]

The reason why we give ourselves to global missions is because we believe the cost matches the worth.

John Kim

[sayhitobel]

Sacrificial Surrender

26 May 2019

We hear many stories of people making big faith decisions in their journey of following God. They are powerful, and there are times when surrender looks like that. But sometimes breaking our alabaster jars does not mean big sacrifices. In the mundane, there is that fragrance of faithfulness that rises to heaven and ministers to His heart.

Most times it just looks like dying to self, or the countless unseen acts of service. Or willing ourselves to walk by faith even though we cannot see.

But the best part? It’s doing life together with Him. Side by side, hand in hand. It’s the sweetest thing.

[sayhitobel]

Anger is love in motion to deal with a threat to someone or something we truly care about. And in many ways, it can be right.

Jonathan Parnell

[sayhitobel]

What are those you’re holding so tightly in your hands? Lay down your Isaacs on the altar, just lay them all down.

[sayhitobel]

He measures by our faithfulness to release the very lump sum of everything He’s placed in our hands. I believe that there’s an invitation for our generation to stir up that kind of worship and abandonment again. An invitation to sit at His feet so long, gazing at His face, beholding His beauty that it causes you to surrender everything you hold most dear— that when we see Him face to face, even when He places a crown on our heads, our only response would be to cast that down before Him, too.

Courtney Collins

[sayhitobel]

Follow God. Host His Presence. Go on adventures.

If I could sum up 3 years of SHOP

[sayhitobel]

Worth it All

22 February 2019

I feel the call of the Lord to lay hold of the things on His heart, but I understand it cannot be done without first beholding.

To behold. To see and observe the beauty of the One whose eyes are like flames of fire. I keep wanting to jump into a frenzy of trying to accomplish things, but often it feels like I don't have the motivation to start at all. Big mistake.

Also for the Church as a whole, to be the pure Bride that, through cultivating that lifestyle of waiting on Him, is able to sincerly say that He is worth it all.

Ryan Kondo puts it well in his song "Dream of Your Heart": For the joy set before You there is nothing I won't do.

What is the worth of Jesus to us, that we will come to a point of total surrender, giving up our finances, resources, and our very lives to know Him?

[sayhitobel]

In uniting all things to Christ, we reveal the character of Christ.

Ronald JJ Wong

[sayhitobel]

In such a time as this, what would it take to see a generation give their lives to serve the purposes of Christ?

[sayhitobel]

SHOP things

18 Feb 2019

Last year my involvement level with the campus prayer stuff plummeted mainly cos of internship and the simple fact that the prayer group didn't meet up much when I was back in school. Felt like I lost touch and lacked the connections to keep up with what the juniors across this nation were up to.

It was (and still is) tempting to feel guilty about it but I had to acknowledge that it's purely because of seasons; last year just wasn't a season of investing as heavily in syatp/cpn. To add on, my brothers who toiled with me for the group back in 2017 are now in different life stages so it's evident that seasons have changed.

I do miss the 2016-2017 period of prayer group quite a fair bit and have been wondering when can we "go back to the good ol' days". But I've to look at the present and future- how God has grown me in other ways. With that said, I still hope for some kind of 'closure' to this chapter of life though!

[sayhitobel]

The truth is, there is something so magical and deeply profound about being found, and knowing someone is searching for us in the meantime. I’ve learned it starts with being real with God. He’s man enough to take it, and God enough to help you overcome anything - including your hiding places.

Jess Pisani

[sayhitobel]

It’s hard to wallow in self-pity about the size of your own platform if you’re busy building someone else’s.

Isaac Adams