Returning Home With A Harvest

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Jacob had to flee home because of Esau’s grudge against him. He threatened to kill Jacob after their father Isaac’s death.  But Jacob was sent out with his father’s blessing and command, to take a wife from his mother’s house in Paddan Aram (Gen.28:1,2).  On his way there he had an encounter with the Lord at Bethel and received some promises. God promised him that He will be with him, will watch over him, and will bring him back home (Gen.28:15).  Jacob was on the run with God’s promises and his father’s blessing and command. 

Jacob arrived in Paddan Aram and started to work for his uncle Laban for a wife (Rachel).  After 7 years of labor he was deceived into marrying Leah instead of Rachel.  He continued to work for 7 more years to marry Rachel, the one he loved.  Jacob was ready to go back home after he obeyed the command to take a wife from his maternal home.  The process of  returning starts when the commands are obeyed.  The greatest commandment: ♥♥♥ Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind and love your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:37-39). Laban agreed to give him all the spotted, speckled and dark-colored sheep and goats as wages.  But on the same day he tried to sabotage the wages by removing all the male and female goats that were speckled or spotted and dark-colored (Genesis 30:35).  But God was with Jacob and caused the animals to bear flocks that were spotted, specked, and dark-colored.  His flocks increased tremendously and Laban’s attitude towards him started to change.  Now he had to flee again because of the jealousy of his cousins over material blessings.  Jacob returns with a harvest – wives, children, servants, live stocks.

Spiritual blessings (Isaac’s blessings) and material blessings ( flocks) can cause us to step out of our comfort, our security, and our family for a season.   This is to bring us back to the Fathers home with a harvest.  Do we dare to pray, “Lord bless us?”  If so, then be prepared to be on the run, to obey His commands ( love God, love people), to work hard, , and to wrestle with God (renew our mind with the WORD).  

Lord, reveal the magnitude of your love to us so that we can love others the way you love.  Help us to return with a harvest we have been working for (by praying, caring, inviting, spending time, giving).  Release every soul that is held by “Laban” that belongs to you and every thing the enemy has held back from us.  Thank you for the harvest of answered prayers in the spiritual, physical, emotional and financial realms of our lives.

Boomerang

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When I hear the word “boomerang”  it reminds me of Australia and the Indigenous people (Aborigines), the original inhabitants of the Australian Continent and nearby islands.  The phrase “boomerang kids”  refers to adult children who return to live with parents after a period of living away from home.

A boomerang is usually thought of as a wooden device which returns.  A bent or angular throwing club typically flat on one side and rounded on the other so that it soars or curves in flight; especially : one designed to return near the thrower. There are two types of boomerangs, returning and non-returning.  Primarily the returning boomerangs are used for leisure or recreation and non-returning ones as weapons for hunting.

Humm……. wonder why I have boomerang on my mind. Oh! now I remember,  the boomerang we sent out in 2003 is on its way back.  Praise God, this boomerang has accomplished what it was sent out for, returning with two degrees and few years of working experience.

In Isaiah 55:11 the Lord says, “So is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.”

Lord, I commit all my children into your hands including the one added to our family earlier this year.  Thank you for designing and shaping them into unique works of art that find their way back to you.  I pray that they will accomplish what you desire for them and achieve the purpose for which you created them.  May they each be a “boomerang” that brings you pleasure and a seasoned weapon in your hand.

Staff from Milford Track

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'03 Milford Track

The Milford Track is a widely known tramping (hiking) route in New Zealand – located amidst mountains and temperate rain forest in Fiordland National Park in the southwest of the South Island.

My son had an opportunity while he was a Senior in high school to go on a trekking trip to the famous Milford Track.  He picked up a stick, removed the dead bark, and smoothened it to use it for support as he climbed the mountain. He brought the staff back to Singapore as a memento of that trip and it has made its way to the USA.

A staff can be defined as:

A long stick carried in the hand for support in walking

A rod carried as a symbol of office or authority

Staff is something that sustains or supports: bread is the staff of life. 

A  pole on which a flag is hung (Jehovah Nissi, the Lord is my banner)

A personnel who assist a Director in carrying out a task (Holy Spirit)

The system of horizontal lines grouped into sets of five upon which music is written. 

Moses also had a staff that he picked up while he was tending sheep in Midian.  God told Moses, who was leading the Israelites on their journey to complete freedom and abundance in Canaan, to raise his staff over the Red Sea that was in their way (Exodus 14:15,16).  In the book of Exodus you can see the different ways God used the staff that was in Moses’s hand.

God is asking me to raise my staff over a specific prayer for this month.  To raise the staff and stretch out my hand over the “red sea” that is in the way of receiving answer to the prayer.  A new song of praise is to be written on these lines or staffs (staves) and they are to be raised over the obstacles;  first, on the support staff of walking with God  second, on the staff of authority as a child of God,  third, on the staff of life which is the WORD of God,  fourth, on the staff of God’s presence and power – Jehovah Nissi, and finally, with my personal staff, the Holy Spirit who assists and directs me in all things.  I am raising the staff of praise, “a new song” that will open the way for the one to cross through the red sea into the promise.

Moses stood on top of the hill with the staff of God in his hands while Joshua and some of his men fought the Amalekites.  As long as Moses was able to hold his hands up they were winning, and when he grew tired and they were down they were loosing.   Aaron his brother and Hur held his hands up (Exodus 17:12) till they had the victory over the Amalekites.

Lord I pray that this will challenge and encourage your children to praise their way through the obstacles that are in the way of their promises.  May they be able to raise their staff, a new song, a hymn of praise to You.  Let the praise be so evident that others will fear God and put their trust in the Lord (Psalms 40:3).  

Uphold me in your prayers so that I will be able to keep my staff (praise) up until the enemy is defeated regarding what I am praying for which is coming with destructive power.

Eye of Hurricane Irene

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We are back home after spending a few days with our daughter and son-in-law in Boston.  Heeding to the warning of approaching hurricane Irene, we stayed home on Sunday.  Praise God, the hurricane lost its strength by the time it hit Boston.

We had our Sabbath at home, took time to reflect on Psalms 91, sang few songs of praise, and took turns to pray.  My son-in-law prayed from Psalms 29: 4,5 and saw the power and majesty of God in the storm that we were in.  I meditated on Psalm 29 and God encouraged me to look at the storms of life with the eye of the Lord (heavenly perspective) rather than the eye of Irene (destruction, fear).

Worship in the midst of the storm (Psalms 29:1-2)

Tall pine trees towering over 50 feet swayed back and forth by the powerful wind.  Weather forecasters, with the help of technology, measured and warned about the approaching hurricane but were unable to prevent or re-direct the path of the storm. We could only marvel while looking out the window and seeing the powerful wind bending the trees with ease.  “Ascribe glory and strength to the Lord, worship him in the splendor of his holiness,” instead of being fearful and defeated by the storm.

Cleansing in the midst of the storm (Psalms 29:3-10)

Violent wind broke dead and live branches and vines that were entangled between the branches and striped off leaves from the trees. There were no trees uprooted but heavy rain and wind can uproot even the tall trees. We saw and heard the sound of the storm. Psalmist David says the voice of the Lord is over the waters, powerful, majestic, breaks the cedars, strikes with flashes of lighting, shakes the desert, twists the oaks, and strips the forest bare.  His voice, the WORD, can do mighty things in life because it is powerful.  He uses the storms of our life to force us to stay home (His presence), strip away unwanted things, break off the dead and entangled things, and uproot things that are not of God.

Peace in the midst of the storm (Psalms 29:10,11)

The Lord sits enthroned over the flood; is enthroned over the hurricane, tornadoes, earthquakes, droughts, and all over his creations.  Everything is under his feet and he is in control of everything.  He gives strength to his people and blesses his people with peace.

Dear child of God, I encourage you to look at the storm that you are facing now with the “eye of worship” instead of  “eye of fear.”  See the majesty and power of God that is at work.  See the storm with the “eye of cleansing” instead of the  “eye of destruction.” See the hand of the Lord shaking to settle you, stripping to clothe you, breaking to mold you, and uprooting to plant you.  Allow Him to be the Lord over the storms of your life, enthrone Him to be the King forever over it.

Lord, I pray this child of yours will find peace and comfort and will be able to worship you in the storm that is threatening and coming with destructive power.

Unpacking

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Mama unpacking after the weekend retreat

“My Worship, My Walk, My Work” was the theme of the retreat I attended last weekend. We studied from Genesis chapters 1-9 about Abel and Cain’s worship, Enoch and Noah’s walk, and Adam and Noah’s work.  The phrase “he was blinded by pride” referring to Lucifer who was the angel of worship before his fall caught my attention. As I meditated on it, I came to a realization that pride in me blinded and hindered my worship.

Isaiah the prophet saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted, and the train of his robe filled the temple. He saw the seraphs, he heard them crying out holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of (saw) his glory.  He saw his Majesty, his Beauty, and his Power (Isaiah 6)

I have repacked and relabeled pride into different boxes. When I am shy to raise my hands in worship, it is because I am looking at myself [Box of shyness]. When I don’t want to be seen as so  religious or spiritual, the focus is on myself [box of false humility]. When I say I should have known better, I am looking at myself [Box of self-condemnation] instead of looking at the finished work of the Cross.

Our group leader shared with us from Psalm 19 in one of the sessions and I believe it was from the Holy Spirit.  Verse 8 says, “the commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes” and verse 12 says, “Who can discern his errors?  Forgive my hidden faults.”  God gave me discernment to know my errors and forgave my pride that I have repackaged into different things.

Focus on self prevents us from having a clear vision of the Lord, his mercy, grace, righteousness, and all that he has done for us. I believe things that have been brought to light has lost its hold on us.

I pray that this devotion will encourage you to do some unpacking too.  God will give you clear  vision to see the Lord high and lifted up.  Worship  Him with lifting up of hands, clapping, bowing, kneeling, shouting, singing, dancing, in stillness, with music or however the Lord leads you.  Enjoy His presence, His beauty and His majesty.

Nana bird

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My baby bird is getting ready to fly away. Where do I even begin?

A couple of days ago while I was cooking, she started kissing and hugging me, expressing her love for me. It reminded me of the way she expressed her love and affection as a young girl by calling me nanabird.  There are many memories that I think about and cherish in my heart as I get ready to let her go.

I could see the hand of God upon her life from a young age. As a child, her prayers were thoughtful, precise, and not repetitive. Once in elementary school she had a dream where her music teacher asked her a question and she answered correctly. The next day the teacher asked her that exact same question and she answered exactly as she dreamed. God’s promises from Joel that the young would dream dreams and see visions was evident.

She also used to tell us that she wanted to marry a rich pastor, and few months ago, she did! God granted her the desires of her heart and blessed her with a husband who is rich in faith, character, gentleness, and love for the Lord. God has called them both to be in the Father’s business, where a lifetime job is guaranteed.  In pursuing what He has for them, it is time for them to go where He is leading.

The reality of life is setting in as they are getting ready to move.

Susie bird is taking off for the next season in her life………………..

 Jeremiah 8:7 “ Even, the stork in the sky knows her appointed seasons, and the dove, the swift and the thrush observe the time of their migration.”

…………….and she is flying away with her life partner to her God ordained destination.

Dear birdees,

Mama will always love you and miss you.  I pray that the Beautiful Adventure will be smooth, enjoyable, and filled with love and memories that will take you to the destination that has been planned.  God’s OnStar that is in you will guide, lead, and direct you as needed.

Sunabird, we will miss your smile, your silliness, walks at the lake, movie nights in the backyard, and the times of worship and praise with your sister and I. You will always be my baby bird.  Superbird, I am glad you are her flying companion and I have peace knowing that you will take good care of her.

I love you both.

Nanabird.

God’s “OnStar”

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While on one of my home trips from overseas, I saw a commercial where I felt God’s presence and assurance.  Yes, God can talk to us while watching TV, even through the commercials!  I don’t remember the details of the commercial because I saw it only once, but basically, it was about a frightened young girl calling the emergency line, OnStar, for help.

Through my thoughts and imaginations God started speaking to me.  In my imagination I saw someone trying to break into a house where the young girl was alone at home.  I saw police cars speeding through the streets with sirens blaring, responding to the emergency call she made. A helicopter was hovering over the girl’s house with the searchlight focused on the house and its surroundings…..

She is on the phone telling the operator that she hears sounds of someone trying to break in.  The operator responds by telling her to stay on the line, police are on their way.  He updates her on the progress and encourages her to stay on the phone and not hang up. She is so fearful and wants to hide somewhere in the corner of the house.  The operator tells her not to go anywhere but to stay connected for further instruction.  He keeps in touch with both the police and the girl and informs her that the police have arrived at her house and will be knocking at the door shortly.  She is relived because help has arrived, but worryquickly sets in because she doesn’t know whether it will be the police or the intruder. The operator reassures her that the helicopter has the spotlight on what is happening and can see from above. They will come in and make sure everything is okay and that there is no one around the house.

“Built into more than 30 GM models, OnStar keeps you safely connected while in your vehicle. With OnStar, you’ll enjoy services like Automatic Crash Response, Navigation, Roadside Assistance and Hands-Free Calling.”

The Holy Spirit is the OnStar that is built-in to a believer and keeps us connected to our Father while we are in our vehicles (our bodies). With the Holy Spirit in us we will enjoy unlimited heavenly services day or night.

Do you feel like this young girl: lonely, frightened, in darkness, unable to do anything about the situation but call for help?

There may be darkness all around us and we may hear the footsteps of fear, panic, job loss, doctor’s report, worry, economic meltdown, natural disasters, or hatred that scares us.  Make a call to the emergency service (Jeremiah 33:3) where you will never hear an engaged tone, or have to hold for hours, or be transferred to other departments.  Call on Him and He will dispatch faith when fear and doubt tries to break in. He is watching from the heavenly helicopter and sees every move the enemy is making.  You will be safe as long as you can stay online with Him. He will direct you one step at a time.  His help is on the way and it is almost at the door.  Be still and listen to the Holy Spirit’s knock at the door.

Lord, for those who are not able to see the help that is on their way because of the darkness that is around, help them to hear the voice of assurance and let faith rise in them as they call on you. Open their eyes to have a helicopter view (eye of faith) on what is happening around them and not to panic or be fearful or retreat into a corner but to hang on to Your WORD.

Thank you Lord, that you won’t let the enemy steal their joy or rob their provisions or disturb their peace or kill their dream because they are hanging on to every word you have promised and spoken over them.

Yet, they [the enemy] could not find any way to do it [kill Jesus], because all the people hung on his words. (Luke 19:48 NIV).

Don’t hang up, HANG ON!

– Mama

 

In His Presence

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1 Kings 10:1-13 

Queen Sheba heard about a king who was famous, who had great wisdom and wealth and a relation to the name of the Lord.  Being a queen she was acquainted with many royalties but Solomon’s wisdom and relationship to God urged her to see him personally.  She came with large amounts of spices, gold, and precious stones to test him with hard questions.  She spent time with him asking all that was on her mind and Solomon answered all her questions, nothing was too hard for him.  She said to the king, “The report I heard in my country about your achievements and your wisdom is true.  But I did not believe these things until I came and saw with my own eyes.  Indeed, not even half was told me; in wisdom and wealth you have far exceeded the report I heard.” 

Romans 10:17 says that faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God.  Twice the word hearing is used in this verse.  Queen Sheba heard about the greatness of Solomon but only believed when she saw for herself (1 Kings 10:7). Last year I came across a phrase “the 18 inch drop” in a bible study I attended.  This 18-inch drop from head knowledge to heart knowledge will only happen in the presence of our Great King.

Go to the King with all that you are going through (questions, doubts, challenges, needs, ideas) because nothing is too hard for Him.  You will come out with faith from the royal bounty that will sustain you until He gives you what you need, desire, and ask for (1 Kings 10:13).

Lord, remove obstacles from the life of this reader so that he or she can have an intimate relationship with you.  Grant them wisdom to know what to do and faith to hold on until they receive an answer from you.