Purpose Driven Life Day 25: Transformed by Trouble 

2 Corinthians 4:17
For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.

God has a purpose behind every problem. 
He uses circumstances to develop our character. In fact, He depends more on circumstances to make us like Jesus than He depends on our reading the Bible. No one is immune to pain or insulated from suffering and no one gets to skate through life problem-free.

1 Peter 1:12-13
Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you are participating in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when His glory is revealed.

God uses problems to draw us closer to Himself. 
Psalm 34:18
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in Spirit.

Your most profound and intimat experiences of worship will likely be in your darkest days - when your heart is broken, when you feel abandoned, when you're out of options, when the pain is great, and you turn to God alone. It is during suffering that we learn to pray our most authentic, heartfelt, honest-to-God prayers. When we're in pain, we don't have the energy for superficial prayers. We learn things about God in suffering that we cant learn any other way.

Problems force us to look to God and depend on Him instead of ourselves. You'll never know that God is all you need until God is all you've got. Regardless of the cause, none of your problems could happen without God's permission. Because God is sovereignly in control, accidents are jut accidents in God's good plan for you.

Romans 8:28
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.

Building Christlike Character
We are like jewels, shaped with hammer and chisel od adversity. If a jeweler's hammer isn't strong enough to chip off our rough edges, God will use a sledge hammer. If we're really stubborn, He uses a jackhammer.

Romans 5:3-5
Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us.

What happens actually in your life is not as important as what happens inside you. Your circumstances are temporary, But your character will last forever.

1 Peter 1:7
These have come so that your faith - of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire - may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.

When you've been refined by trials, people can see Jesus' reflection in you.

Since God intends to make you like Jesus, He will take you through the same experiences Jesus went through. That includes loneliness, temptation, stress, criticism, rejection and many others.

Romans 8:17
Now, if we are children, then we are heirs - heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in His sufferings in order that we also share in His glory.

Responding to problems as Jesus would. 
1. Remember that God's plan is good 
Jeremiah 29:11
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

It is vital that you stay focused on God's plan, not your plan or problem. That is how Jesus endured the pain of the cross and we are urged to follow His example.
Hebrews 12:2
Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

"If you look at the world, you'll be distressed.
If you look within, you'll be depressed.
But if you look at Christ, you'll be at rest!" -Corrie ten Boom-

Your focus will determine your feelings. The secret of endurance is to remember that your pain is temporary but your reward will be eternal. Dont give in to short-term thinking. Stay focused on the end result!

2. Rejoice and give thanks
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Be joyful always; pray continually. give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

Notice that God tells us to give thanks 'in all circumstances" not "for all circumstances". God doesnt expect us to be thankful for evil. for sin, for suffering, or for their painful consequences in the world. Instead, God wants us to thank Him that He will use our problems to fulfill His purposes.

Colossians 4:4
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!

No matter what happens. You can rejoice in God's love, care, wisdom, power and faithfulness. We can also rejoice in knowing that God is going through the pain with us. We do not serve a distant and detached God who sprouts encouraging cliches safely from the sideline. Instead, He enters into our sufferings.

3. Refuse to give up
Be patient and persistent.
James 1:2-4
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

Character building is a slow process. Whenever we try to avoid/escape the difficulties in life, we short-circuit the process, delay our growth and actually end up with a worse kind of pain - the worthless type that accompanies denial and avoidance.

When you grasp the eternal consequences of your character development, we'll pray fewer "comfort me" prayers (Help me feel good) and more "conform me" prayers (Use this to make me more like You.) You know you're maturing when you begin to see the hand of God in the random, baffling and seemingly pointless circumstances in life.

Don't ask "Why me?". Instead, ask "What do You want me to learn?" Then trust God and keep on doing what's right.

Hebrews 10:16
You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised.

Don't give up - grow up!

Points to Ponder: There is a purpose behind every problem.

Verse to remember: Romans 8:28
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.

Question to consider: What problem in my life has caused the greatest growth in me?
Peer pressure - the need to fit in, desire to be accepted.
Opens my eyes to realize that it's better to obey God and put a smile on His face than to be accepted by peers and sin against God!

The Lord is My Comforter

Received a shocking news today. Tian Yu was killed in a plane crash during training yesterday. Somehow, he took a part of my heart with him. He was always like a younger brother and despite not seen him for the past 10 years, he's death still made a big impact. It feels like my life has come to an end of another chapter.

I'm sure he's in a better place now but the people he left behind are the ones that are holding on to Jesis for comfort. I'm sure everything happens for the good of those who love Him and I'm sure God will see us through.

Sibu trip has come to an end. Somehow it feels like a gloomy weekend now. Praying that God will watch over me and comfort me and for Xiao Qing and the family and everyone else whom Tian Yu left his footprints in. We will truly miss him dearly.

Psalm 34:18
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in Spirit.

Psalm 147:3
He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.

Day 2 in Sibu - Mel & Dung's ROM

Praise God everything went smoothly. The earlier worries of no original birth cert was just a scare. Thank You Lord for making everything go smoothly. Mel is now Mrs. Kuang. Of course without the wedding ceremony, it still doesn't hit as strong. But Dung is obviously very nervous!

Met up with Ing Lee & Soon Chen. Didn't get to have a long talk. We played 'Life'. It was fun but I was a little disappointed as I was looking forward for a session of fellowship. Not sure if we'll be able to do that tonight.

I have to admit peer pressure is rising with all my friends getting married!! I have to keep reminding myself to trust God that He'll lead the godly man to me & He does not need my help to search for him. With my biological clock ticking everyday, I found myself thinking bout my future husband more!! And I constantly need to commit him to God!

Holiday is coming to an end. I need to enjoy every minute of it & not regret it later. Last but not least, thank You Lord for each new day.

Romans 12:3
For by grace given me I say to everyone of you. Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgement, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you.

New Year Resolution 

1. To allow God to satisfy my desires and not anyone else. 

2. To fix my eyes on Jesus. 

3. To invest into Paytons' lives. 

4. To invest into accountability group, especially with Ing Lee and Siow Jin. 

5. To look at the bigger picture and not what the naked eyes sees. 

6. To stop complaining and be content, grateful and thankful daily. 

7. To be bold and courageous, especially when it comes to the Gospel. 

8. To stay focused on God and His plans. 

9. Total surrender.

Seeing with Spiritual Eyes

Ever wonder how a person's perspective can be totally different from the other? This is what I've been discovering these few days. And the sad thing is, I had to agree with what Siow Jin pointed out: My perspective are very unbiblical. There's a lot of things that I used to think the tis no big deal and now I realized, it's super big deal!! Of course, I wanna thank God for opening my spiritual eyes and continues to do so. There's still gonna be a lot to work on and I'm gonna be cooperative this time.

I do need strength from God to talk and confront Mel of her sins. Not because I'm better but because I've experienced the peace and joy from God for doing what is pleasing in His eyes.

Thank You Abba Father for everything You've been showing me this last few weeks. I know You have more to work on and that You're gonna do it as much as I can take it so I pray that You'll continue to give me wisdom. I love You Lord!!

Hebrews 11:1
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.

Be Prepared!!

Mood depends on attitude. When I've decided to be discipline, I get done with preparation for class -> confident -> happy!! So, the lesson is... Always be prepared!!

That reminds me, we need to be prepared in all circumstances so that we would not be caught off guard. Be prepared with non-believers/believers' accusation, questions, doubts and we'll be able to answer them!!

The other important lesson today: Be bold and courageous and speak out when you see your brothers and sisters are in sin!! Do not procrastinate and do not give excuse!! Let them know the truth in love so that they may see Christ through us. Besides, we are supposed to encourage one another and build each other up!!

Thank You Abba Father for the day full of blessings. Teach me to count my blessings everyday that one day it'll become my character. Thank You and I love You, Lord!!

1 Thessalonians 5:11
Therefore, encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

Photo session!!

Uni magazine photo session day!! How time flies!! As photo session starts, graduation seens to be drawing nearer. Excitement. Fear. Stress. Mix feelings.

How nice to be able to just dress up and look good and pretty all the time!! But undeniable, looks without brain just aren't attractive. Only when there's character, wisdom with fear of the Lord and love for all mankind is a person attractive.

Thank You Abba Father for making me beautifully. Help me to focus on You instead of outward beauty. Help me to overcome my laziness but instead search for all knowledge to equip myself for Your purpose. Help me to practice the fruit of the Spirit and be more and more like You each day. Thank You Lord. I love You.

Proverbs 31:30
Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.