A BETTER YEAR 2022

during CNY, ppl wish "gong xi fa cai" instead of happy new year... meaning hope you get rich! not happiness

God's better could be different from ours

is the path we are taking heading to the right direction? sometimes, God will allow is to go through difficulty to bring us to more beautiful destination

-the children of Israel is too busy building their own house on the outside, that they forgot to match it with the building of God's house on the inside

-God has no problem with us building our career... our inner life must match with our exterior

if God is not strong on the inside of us, when storm comes, it will surely crumble

-following Jesus means being involved in doing His work; but also doing it His way

   -alot of ppl are busy doing God's work, accordingly to their own way / feeling

what is the way God wants us to work

1. in our busyness, dont forget to enjoy God

-God wants us to be busy with His work and at the same time delight also in the Lord

   -make sure we still enjoy obeying God's word

if we dont have a relationship with God, ministry will become very difficult

Mary is using prayer and worship simply to enjoy God

2. in pursuit of our desires, learn to be content in God

-contentment is the ability to bring expectations and desires down.. 

-if we are contented, we will see life differently... everything is a blessing

-enjoy God and not use Him for blessing

-learn to be contented

 

PRAYER

Jesus is always praying

Jesus spent His last breath praying

1. do not despise small beginnings

a journey of a thousand miles began with a single step

get started and let it grow

consistency is the key

2. the Holy Spirit prays for us

the Holy Spirit residing in us know exactly our needs... helps in our weakness

3. God answer prayers

-our prayers trigger answers from God

-no prayer, no power.. when we pray, we have access to heavenly power

4. prayer is interaction with God

-interaction... active exchange between 2 parties.. 

   -in the process of interaction, transformation happens!

something happens when we interact with Jesus

Moses was transformed at the place of prayer.. where he honestly interacting with God

5. prayer is intimacy with God

when Jesus was praying, He was enveloped by the presence of God

   -prayer is being in the presence of God and being in communion with him

BUILD TO LAST

everyone needs to have a vision

-it is the way they build the houses... its their obedience towards Jesus

how and where to build our foundation in life

1. build before the storm

-its not whether the storm will come, but when...

-when the storm comes, we dont have time to build.. at tt time, we will be seeking shelter from what we have built

   -we build shelter not to avoid storm but be prepared for the storm

-there are times of frustration, times of doubts

2. build below the surface

-before building the top, we must first dig and remove the dirt before pouring in the right foundation

   -let God remove what is not right... God is not trying to shame us, but pour in what is necessary

-dont think of what to build on the top

3. build beyond the present

-if we are building for eternity, how do we want to build our foundation?

-Jesus is interested in what we build in life

be grounded and rooted to God that nothing can shake

let God set the direction and pace in our life