"The Love of God" by Frederick M. Lehman (1868 - 1953)

For your contemplation on the magnitude of God's love, the third stanza of "The Love of God" is highlighted below:-

Could we with ink the ocean fill,
And were the skies of parchment made,
Were every stalk on earth a quill,
And every man a scribe by trade;
To write the love of God above
Would drain the ocean dry;
Nor could the scroll contain the whole,
Though stretched from sky to sky.

"And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which if they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. Amen." John 21:25 (NKJV)

Click on the following YouTube clip uploaded by Bob Marshall and be blessed as you listen to Shelley Jennings sing The Love of God:- 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l0Vp3XQ__-w

What is the Sign of Jonah?

When we think of Jonah, we can't help but associate him with a great fish that swallowed him and the closest plausible sea creature we have sighted would be a whale.

God had an assignment for prophet Jonah. “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry out against it; for their wickedness has come up before Me.”  But Jonah arose to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord. He went down to Joppa, and found a ship going to Tarshish; so he paid the fare, and went down into it, to go with them to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord. Jonah 1:2,3 (NKJV)"

As the ship set sail, the LORD sent a violent storm which threatened to shatter the ship. The crew cast lots to determine who may had caused this calamity and the lot fell on Jonah. Still, they rowed as hard as they could to bring the ship to shore, but the tempest worsened. They prayed for God's mercy to spare their lives and, as a last resort, threw Jonah into the sea, and then the storm ceased.

"Now the Lord had prepared a great fish to swallow Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights. Jonah 1:17 (NKJV)"

Fast forward to the New Testament, Jesus Christ was pressed for a sign of from heaven. "Then some of the scribes and Pharisees answered, saying, “Teacher, we want to see a sign from You.” But He answered and said to them, “An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. Matthew 12:39, 40 (NKJV)"

In 2010 a gray whale was spotted off Herzliya Marina, which is part of the Jaffa or Tel Aviv district as per the following report by BBC:-

Mediterranean gray whale appears 'back from the dead'

http://news.bbc.co.uk/earth/hi/earth_news/newsid_8672000/8672970.stm 

And, Joppa is modern day Jaffa or Tel Aviv and also known as Japho, Joppe, el-Qal'a, 'Yafa, Yafa el-'Atiqa, Yafo) as sourced from the following link:-

http://www.bibleplaces.com/joppa.htm

What do we make of all these? 

I would say that we have already seen the sign of Jonah when Jesus was crucified, dead and buried for three days and three night just as Jonah was in the belly of the fish for three days and three nights. 

As for  the sighting of the whale, scientists believe that it could be due to climatic changes and/or that the whales are retracing their ancient routes and returning to their former haunts across the Atlantic Ocean.

Still, it is exciting that the fish that swallowed Jonah has finally been transferred out of the pages of the Holy Bible and Sunday Schools onto newspapers, mass media and scientific journals, and into the public domain.

God is Almighty! He sent the storm, He sent the fish, and He sent His Son!!!

How Shall You Run Your Life?

One of the blessing of my life is the many fresh revelations that I have caught since attending City Harvest Church. As a church with close to 100% of members who tithe, I have experienced what is written in Malachi 3:10a (NKJV), "Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house,".

People need people is a common refrain. But, hey, we need spiritual food, too. God, our Creator, has furnished us with not just a body and soul, but also a spirit (inner man). God's instruction manual has made it clear for his "very good" creation that: “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’" (Matthew 4:4b; NKJV)

When we backslide, neglect or gloss over God's Word and relegate into carnal mindedness, it's time to sit up and seek for freshly baked bread to feed and stir up our spirit man. By honouring God's Word, we are honouring Him. What God has said, let it be settled in our mind, established in our heart and followed through in obedience by faith.

As we do so, our eyes will be opened to fresh revelations of spiritual truths such as "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." (Psalm 119:105; NKJV); “.. He Himself took our infirmities and bore our sicknesses.” (Matthew 8:17); and "All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it." (John 3-51:; NKJV)

Back to the question of "How shall you run your life?", I am reminded of what my cell group leader had shared on 27 March 2015 to run our lives in the following three manners:

1. Be like Jesus who has a clear Vision and Purpose.

2. Be like Jesus who has led a Disciplined Life.

3. Be like Jesus who has centred Himself around God the Father.

When we have a clear vision and purpose coupled with a disciplined life in Christ Jesus, we are running our life well. 

But, the clincher is to do the specific will or assignment that the Father has for us and glorify God the Father just as Jesus did.

"... nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.” (Luke 22:42; NKJV)

"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven." (Matthew 5:16; NKJV)

Let us therefore take heed of what God the Father is saying to us already in His Word as well as what the Holy Spirit is revealing to us.

As Jesus told His disciples, "But when He, the Spirit of Truth (the Truth-giving Spirit) comes, He will guide you into all the Truth (the whole, full Truth). For He will not speak His own message [on His own authority]; but He will tell whatever He hears [from the Father; He will give the message that has been given to Him], and He will announce and declare to you the things that are to come [that will happen in the future]." (John 16:13; Amp)

This is a shout-out that Jesus is Alive!

Feed and stengthen your spirit or inner man with Word of God, prayer, praise/worship songs and right associations with Spirit-anointed followers of Jesus Christ.

Click on the following YouTube clip to re-affirm that Jesus is Alive! within you by listening to "Alive" in this rendition by Sun Ho at City Harvest Church and be blessed:-

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DlL7kibH8lw

"I Remember" by CityWorship

May you be blessed as you listen to the following worship song just as I have been blessed listening to it while remembering who God is and all that He has done for us.

 I Remember
By CityWorship

Verse 1

I remember
How It feels when Your Spirit sets me free
Closer now than the very air I breathe
I know I belong to You

Verse 2

I remember
How it feels when Your speak into my 
you whisper that we will never be apart
I know I belong to You

Chorus

I won't forget how you called me by name
I won't forget how You covered my shame
When I am lost, You find me again
I remember, I remember You
I won't forget how You set me apart
I won't forget how You captured my heart
Every moment I live, I give to You
I remember, I remember You

Bridge

Even when the struggles come, I will remember
Your Word will never change
Nothing can take away Your hand on my heart
I will remember You


Click on the following YouTube broadcast of "I Remember" by City Harvest Church:-https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EwHlUGj7ziw

I Will Be Still and Know That You Are God

"Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!" --Psalm 46:10 (NKJV)

Be still in your heart. God, your Creator, knows everything about you -- His masterpiece! At such, it would be an exercise in futility to withdraw from Him or hide your innermost thoughts from Him. 

Why not let the Good Physician examine your heart today and set your heart aright? "Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my anxieties; and see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." (Psalm 139:23-34; NKJV)

Humble yourself before God, pray, seek His face and turn from your wicked ways (i.e., anything that offends Him) and see how God will answer your prayer and the more. When God appeared to Solomon a second time, He said to him,"When I shut up heaven and there is no rain, or command the locusts to devour the land, or send pestilence among My people, if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land." (2 Chronicles 7:13-14;NKJV)

Be still in your mind. Worrying is the way of this world and part of carnal-minded relapse of redeemed believers while pursuing the Way of Christ Jesus. 

As you put on the mind of Christ as Paul of Tarsus did, you would embrace this spiritual-minded stance and faith: "Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition (definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God. And God’s peace [shall be yours, that tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and being content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is, that peace] which transcends all understanding shall garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:6-7; AMP)

Let God be God (omnipotent, omnipresent and omniscient) and put your trust in Him rather than horses (natural strength; horsepower) or chariots (inanimate status symbols of strength promoted in a worldly system such as fast car, wealth and fame). He is a personal God who cares for you as only He can when nobody is around. 

Be still in your activities. Do not get so busy until you have no time for personal time with Him or weekly gathering unto Him in worship. Christ alone is the true vine (John 15:1); you need to stay connected to Him in close fellowship. “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing." (John 15:5; NKJV)

"If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples." (John 15:7-8; NKJV)

Click on the following link for a YouTube clip of "Still" written by Reuben Morgan with rendition by Hillsong https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zHkMHBxXJZ4

"Still"

Hide me now
Under Your wings
Cover me
Within Your mighty hand

When the oceans rise and thunders roar
I will soar with You above the storm
Father you are King over the flood
I will be still, know You are God

Find rest my soul
In Christ alone
Know His power
In quietness and trust

When the oceans rise and thunders roar
I will soar with You above the storm
Father You are king over the flood
I will be still, know You are God [x2]

Find rest my soul
In Christ alone
Know His power
In quietness and trust

When the oceans rise and thunders roar
I will soar with You above the storm
Father You are king over the flood
I will be still, know You are God [x2]

God Is Looking For A Volunteer

In his book "You Were Born for This" co-written with David Kopp,  Bruce Wilkinson posited, "If I were to ask you what you think is happening in Heaven at this very moment, what would you say?" 

From his experiences, "People mention angels, harps, God sitting on His throne, a lot of praise and worship. Others mention higher states of consciousness. But little involving action comes to mind."

He would then venture to ask questions such as: "Any committee meetings going on up there? Strategy planning sessions? Does Heaven have something like an agenda for the day?" People don't think so, apparently.

Now that he has the rapt attention of his target audience, he unveils this clincher, "But what if you discovered that the spiritual realm of Heaven and the material realm of earth are actively linked in billions of ways? What if you discovered God is intently at work right now on tasks that matter greatly to Him and that He's constantly looking for volunteers to help Him?"

When God calls and we put our complete trust in Him, He will provide us the power to get the commission done. If we would not respond, God could always look for another person or another way. 

Indeed, Scripture reveals to us that: "For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him." (2 Chronicles 16:9a; NKJV) 

"God is always on the alert, constantly on the lookout for people who are totally committed to him." (2 Chronicles 16:9a; MSG)

Make no mistake, God is not just sitting on His throne and listening to worship songs. He is also watching over His people intently. Will He see our faith in the seasons, times and circumstances of our life so that He can show Himself strong on our behalf?

I don't know about you, but this very thought of God watching over me intently is causing me to take a fresh look at how I run my life -- that how I apply faith in His Word and yield to His Spirit's leading in every day situations matter for a life of obedience that would please Him.

As we trust and obey Him, I think we would be ready for some volunteer work when God dispenses His assignments for the day. As Bruce Wilkinson proffers in "You Were Born for This", "What if ordinary people like you and me are invited to partner with God to deliver miracles to others?" 

Yes, we are the change agents of God, with the help of His Spirit in us and the angels as well as like-minded people around us. Oh, yes, we could well be God's answer to the prayers of people who are calling out for a miracle. Trust and obey God. Listen in to what good works is on God's mind. Get prepared. Get ready and be a volunteer today!

If you are interested, you can look up "You Were Born for This" by Bruce Wilkinson and David Kopp at:

http://www.mountzion.com.sg/

http://www.sksbooks.com/ 

http://www.amazon.com/