The Blessings of Journalling
Dear friends,
Warmest greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ!
We are starting the DUMC blog to give an opportunity for members and friends of DUMC to interact with one another in a moderated manner which, I trust, will be helpful and edifying. Here, I want to appreciate Warren Tan who helped to set this up and will also administer it with the help of Ivan Yeh. Also, I have asked Pr Chris Kam to assist me to moderate this blog.
As we all know, 2009 is DUMC’s Year of Influence and a major part of our emphases is to journal what God has been speaking to us through His inspired Word, the Bible. I trust many of us are already doing our journalling each day or regularly and have found great blessings from it. For those of us who have not started, can I encourage and urge you to do so? You will possibly find this to be one of the best things that has ever happened to you and your walk with the Lord. And I believe that this is also probably one of the best and most important things that has ever happened in DUMC. When we take personal responsibility for our own spiritual growth in this manner rather than just depend on the weekend sermon only, I think we are in for a great ride with the Lord. Growth, of course, come through living out daily what God has been saying to us through His Word. Let me share with you my journal entry yesterday which the Lord spoke to me about.
Date: 18 February 2009
Title: Full-blooded discipleship
Scripture: Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword (Matthew 10:34).
Observation: Jesus Christ appears to bring division and disunity. But, if we know who Jesus is, the King, Master and Lord, then His statement and call is understandable. He says that He occupies the first priority in our lives and not even our parents and family members. We are to love Him more than anyone and anything else. Then He occupies primary purpose in our lives. We are here to serve Him and His cause above everything else. We are to be willing to carry the cross and expend our life for Christ’s sake. Finally, we are to portray the final product of Christlikeness. To be like Christ in our demeanor, attitude and character and to give our all to the world as Christ did.
Application: I want to follow and obey Christ in all its implications each day.
Response: Lord, help me to be a total and full-blooded disciple of Yours so that I may live it out to Your glory. Amen.
I would be very pleased to hear from you about your own journalling experience and how the Word of God is impacting your life each day as you live it out.
Shalom and richest blessings,
Pastor Daniel Ho
Dear Pr Daniel,
I am so delighted to know that DUMC has a blog..
Also, thank you for all the encouragements to journal over the years and I believe because of that, journalling has become part of me.. which I find it to be great and uplifting.. to write down what God has spoken through His Word.. and do more reflections..
Though I am not that discipline to keep it daily.. try to but I guess I just like to be spontaneous. However, I know the seed was planted in me and watered during the years I am in DUMC, hearing you share from your heart about journalling; year in, year out..
Personally, I am doing great in UK.. exciting to see what God is doing here, in the churches.. it is different from back home but I get to learn new ways of thinking, new ways of doing things..
Always be praying for DUMC, all the pastors, friends…..
Blessings,
Vivien
Dear Pastor Daniel
Thank you for sharing your journal with us all (18 February 2009 / Full-blooded discipleship), pls share more!
We are looking forward to have more….
It was an exceptional journal by Pr. Daniel, it impacted me. We are so privileged to have senior pastor’s sharing on the blog. Yes, i hope there’s more.
Dear Pastor Daniel, thank you for your sharing. I feel great after reading it. I am a new believer and i have lost my direction in life. I have been unemployed for quite some time. Two days ago, i went to SIBKL to attend the Global Day Of Prayer and I’ve felt existence of God in my heart for the very first time.
It is so wonderful. However, I am still very sad as i not yet find a job. I know and I understand that Jesus will arrange and prepare a wonderful job for me soon. But, i dunno how to calm down my heart. I have read Bible very frequently but my heart still very afraid.
Dear Pastor Daniel,
I beg for your kindness so that you will send someone to counsel me. I am totally lost.
God Bless You.
dear Pr Daniel
regarding the situations of foreign workers in Malaysia that you told us during the 13th MCCC, i think Lord Jesus has answered your prayer.
today the government has released a new legislation for foreign workers, all employers are required to give one day leave (per week) to foreign workers, otherwise they need to pay them OT.
Hopefully this can reduce cases of foreign workers being manipulated by our local employers (though this is merely for legal workers).
God bless.
Dear Pastor Daniel,
I was deeply encouraged by your message on the Myanmar people in our midst. I felt it was God telling me he has seen and not forgotten these people. As a paediatrician I have had the opportunity of caring for the Myanmar children and I testify that every word you said during your sermon is true. It is a burden to the heart to know of their sufferings. I pray that God will continue to stir our hearts to help the poor and needy in our midst.
Michelle
Dear Pastor Daniel,
It was a wonderful encounter with God in the Overnight Prayer 7/11/09 last night. God has blessed me a greater understanding of how to pursue our christian walk with Him in the mist of trials seem never come to an end. The Holy Spirit spoke into my spirit that we must desperately lean on Him, and we will be lost without Him, and our life storms are just the reminders that we need to draw near to Him, and He will draw near to us. The Lord Jesus has affirmed in my heart that all things end good with God, just look to Him, the Maker of Heavens and earth! With our worship and prayers and marching round the ‘walls of Jericho’ seven times and more in our praises to Him, the love of Christ has the power to break the chain of darkness! He is Mighty to Save! Amen!
Thank God for the Overnight Prayer! It is well with my soul! Hope to encourage one another in the Body of Christ!
(Thank you Pastor Daniel for leading us through the night. Do you consider the overnight prayer time from 12 am to 6 am? only a suggestion, thank you)
Tues 10/11/2009 Journalling today – It is well with my soul!
Title: God answered Prayer!
Scripture: Gen 24 v15 Before he had finished praying, Rebekah came out with her jar on her shoulder. She was the daughter of Bethuel son of Milcah, who was the wife of Abraham’s brother Nahor.
Observation: The servant prayed, and God answered prayer instantly. God is a prayer answering God.
Application: Our Lord is all knowing, all powerful and all presence. His ways are higher and His thoughts are greater than us. God sent Rebekah to draw water from the well where Abraham’s servant was standing there. This was a divine meeting arranged by the Lord, to fulfil His plan and His will be done. This is the same God we are serving now. He is the most high and a prayer answering God.
Prayer/Response: Dear Lord Jesus, teach me how to look to you whole heartedly, as I know, all things are in your control, Amen! Praise Your Name!
(christine Yik, Tues 10/11/09 9.25 am)
Dear Pastor Daniel Ho,
Thank you for welcoming me and Andrew Gilong during our visit to DUMC Saturday Worship Service on the 7th Nov. Thank you also for introducing us to the congregations.
Thank God for your great message. it really challenge and motivate me on how to live under the authority based on 1 Peter 2:13-25.
I would like also to say thank you for being part of our ministry team with Sabah Campus Crusade for Christ through your prayers and financial support.
I pray that God will continue to grant you wisdom, guidance and good health.
Be great for His glorify!
Sabtuh Diong & Family.
Tues 24/11/2009 Journalling – It is well with my soul
Title: God never Lie
Scripture: v35 Rachel said to her father, “Don’t be angry, my Lord, that I cannot stand up in your presence; I’m having my period.” So he searched but could not find the household gods.
Observation: Lies added lies from Rachel. And Jacob also lied to his father Isaac earlier beside his dying bed.
Application: As we look into the Old Testament, we see many instances: Abraham lied of Sarah as his sister in Egypt (Gen 12), Isaac also lied of Rebekah as his sister in Gerar(Gen 26). Jacob lied to his father Isaac that he was Esau in order to get his father’s blessings, and his mother Rebekah also lied as she loves Jacob (Gen 27). Rachel lied to his father Laban so to deny of stealing his household gods (Gen 31). Yet God is faithful, He forgives His people (Col 3 v13 ….. Forgive as the Lord forgave you).
Our God is the God who never lie (Numbers 23 v19 / Col 3 v9 / Heb 6 v18 / Titus 1 v2). Only men in our sinful nature choose to lie. I want to live a life of holiness and righteousness before God.
Prayer/Response: Dear Lord Jesus, I do not want to lie, teach me to be sincere and honest always to live a victorious life for you, Amen!
christine yik, Mon 23/11/09 11.50am
After my new birth, the Lord gave me a great passion and desire for knowing Him fully and truly through His word. I began to diligently study the bible. In addition to my studies, the teachings from Pastor Daniel Ho and others opened my eyes to the wonders and riches of the word of God. During my postgraduate study in Malaysia, the Lord led me into membership with a wonderful Damansara Utama Methodist Church, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The discipleship, training, and fellowship that I have received there has been an indispensable part of my spiritual growth until this day.
Tues 29/12/09 to Thurs 31/12/09 – Year end Journalling
Tues 29/12/09 Title: My chains are gone, thank you Jesus!
Scripture: Gal ch4 v31 Therefore, brothers, we are not children of the slave woman, but of the free woman.
Observation: The Lord reminded us that we are indeed free and redeemed by the blood of the Lamb – Jesus.
Application: We are the children of light, and no longer walk in darkness. We are indeed free and live in freedom of the Spirit. Therefore, we must live a holy and righteous life so that we have victories in Lord Jesus. We must always guard our hearts and do good works, pressing on with our quiet confidence in the Lord. God is faithful, He will never fail us when we seek Him earnestly with all our hearts, our minds and with all our strength. In Him we trust and obey, so that the devil will not have a foothold in our lives.
Prayer/Response: Dear Lord Jesus, thank you for setting us free, by the blood of the Lamb – Jesus, we have been set free! Amen!
………………………….
Wed 30/12/09 Title: Live by the Spirit
Scripture: Gal ch5 v24 to v26 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.
Observation: As Christians and saved by our Lord Jesus, we have been crucified on the cross with Jesus. We have laid down all our sinful nature at the foot of the cross. We live by the Spirit of the Lord. And we must walk in the Spirit. Let us not greed and proud, and not with a provoking and envying attitude.
Application: We must always on guard our hearts that though we live in this world, we are not belong to it. We live by the Spirit of the Lord. We ought to have a peaceful and loving attitude towards one another. To live a simple, contented and generous life, willing to serve others. The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control.
Prayer/Response: May the Lord Jesus bless me with the fruit of the Spirit, so that in Him I will be made complete! Thank you Lord, Amen!
…………………………..
Thurs 31/12/09 Title: I am a new creation, thank you Lord!
Scripture: Gal ch6 v14 to v15 May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what counts is a new creation.
Observation: The Lord reminded us that if we ever boast, we only boast about our Lord Jesus Christ. And what really counts – we are a new creation.
Application: As disciple for Jesus, I must always guard my heart and my desire to love and longing for the Lord Jesus. He is the centre of my life. Therefore, if I ever boast, I only boast about His Lordship and the love story of our Lord who died for all of us on the cross to redeem us, and He rose again from dead. Victory belongs to Him, all authority in heaven and on earth belongs to Him. I will never want to boast about myself, and for all good works in my hands, I want to give glory to Him.
Prayer/Response: Dear Lord Jesus, guard my heart to be forever grateful for the salvation that you have given me. My Lord, without you, I am nothing. Give praise to your name, Jesus! Amen!
It is well with my soul, THANK YOU LORD JESUS
for the year 2 0 0 9
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