Victory Mindedness Sets Us Free - The Ever Miracle Working God

Introducing our baby Janick (pronounced Yanick) Alfred Weston born on 24th August 2019

By Josephine Lim Weston

I gave birth to our baby boy on 24th August 2019 while almost 32 weeks pregnant. He weighted just 910gm at birth, but he is long and has been putting on weight ever since so thank God. He's overall healthy but still in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. So you all can now understand why it has been 2 months since I last wrote on my blog as we have been busy traveling to hospital visiting baby Janick. A few weeks ago while reading Bible stories to baby Janick, as we usually do, we read also about the healing at the Pool of Bethesda. Jesus answered them, "My Father works (miracles and wonders) unceasingly, and so do I." (John 5:17). Straight after reading the reply of Jesus, my husband and I were so encouraged that our Ever-Miracle Working God has already working His wondrous works and healing grace on Janick. He will not fail us. 

When our faith is shaken it is important to ask ourselves what does God's word says because that triggers victory-mindedness in us and sets us free from unnecessary stress, anxiety and worries. It has not been easy for us being second time parents to hear concerning health reports about baby Janick in the first month after he was born as many tests were conducted on him but our God has proven Himself faithful to carry all of us through during this season; and we have been reminded again and again of Proverb 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your path straight. 

The Lord is teaching us during this season of our lives about trusting in Him with all our heart. It is not asking us to trust Him with our mind. It is not about trying to persuade our mind to believe, but instead we are to wholeheartedly trusting in the Lord then our mind will set its course for victory, becoming victory-minded.

We have also been thanking the Lord and praising Him for His faithfulness upon our lives and baby Janick. We can see how much he has grown and he is well and well looked after by all his nurses in the hospital. He has God's favour and well liked by his nurses and consultants. He is now able to be completely fed with a milk bottle, weighing just 1.6kg and yesterday got his tube in his nostril removed. We know God's healing grace is already at work.

Philippians 4:6-9 

Do not be anxious or worried about anything, but in everything [every circumstance and situation] by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, continue to make your [specific] requests known to God. 7 And the peace of God [that peace which reassures the heart, that peace] which transcends all understanding, [that peace which] stands guard over your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus [is yours].

8 Finally, [b]believers, whatever is true, whatever is honoUrable and worthy of respect, whatever is right and confirmed by God’s word, whatever is pure and wholesome, whatever is lovely and brings peace, whatever is admirable and of good repute; if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think continually on these things [centre your mind on them, and implant them in your heart]. 9 The things which you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things [in daily life], and the God [who is the source] of peace and well-being will be with you.

As of when Janick will be discharged from hospital and how will we be able to cope with looking after him and my eldest son when my mum and aunt return to Malaysia next month, we can only trust in the Lord with all our heart (Proverb 3:5), with God nothing is impossible (Matthew 19:26) and we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us (Philippians 4:13). 

2 Timothy 1:7

For God did not give us a spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

Yesterday while we were all at the till paying for our shopping, my husband was busy looking after our active and curious 3 year old son Jean-Luc. He decided to come out from the trolley and run around the supermarket while a £1 coin still in the insert of the trolley. I was having another trolley full of our paid shopping. After checking through our shopping receipt I found there was a mistake made by the cashier hence I walked up to him to resolve that as I was doing so since my husband got to chase after Jean-Luc, somebody who saw my husband’s trolley with a £1 coin still in the insert took our trolley away and of course took the £1 after putting back at the park trolley area. We got to know about this after checking with the security guard there. Of course I was furious as £1 coin is so useful and precious whenever you need 2 trolleys while shopping in a cashless society. But God reminded me of 1 Timothy 1:7 that God has given me a spirit of power, love and a sound mind so I should let this unpleasant situation go and trust in the Lord that all is well and don’t let this matter (whether big or small) to take away the peace and sound mind God has given us. 

Let's trust in the Lord wholeheartedly (no matter what circumstances and situations we are in right now or what's ahead) such that leads to victory-mindedness (setting us free from all forms of doubts and worry) for the glory of His Name, and our lives and our loved ones will be a testament of God's faithfulness because He is the ultimate ever-miracle working God who never fails.

Be blessed and encouraged by the songs below:

Everything That Has Breath

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iq_Q9Y6zDWs

Forever (Give Thanks to the Lord our God and King)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d6xxWGWpaUQ

What a Beautiful Name

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fEwDx8YJndU

Trust In Me - Said Jesus

By Josephine Lim Weston

When we pray for something we have just got to trust God with it, or I should say entrust God with our prayer requests. Because the foundation of every relationship begins with trust. In order to see our friendships or relationships flourish there must be the presence of trust. The same with our relationship with God. Without faith it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6).

Starting a month ago, my consultant has been keeping a close watch over my pregnancy and to the extent of now wanting to scan the baby's progress and development weekly. He started initially by saying that he thought might have to take the baby out at 29 weeks pregnancy but hoping for a better chance of baby's survival to be at 32 weeks. Now he said might be at 34 weeks if the baby is found to be in a complicated position. I'm currently into my 27 weeks of pregnancy and by the grace of God baby is moving, active and heartbeat is good. God has been faithful as He has been sending people to encourage me from time to time although I have been reading Supernatural Childbirth book by Jackie Mize many times over and over again declaring God's blessings and promises on me and the baby. One person that I met in the park who saw me pregnant asked me about my pregnancy as she's visiting her daughter's family. She's from Nigeria. Her daughter is one of my next road's neighbours whom I met at a nearby Children centre. I told her just a short summary about my pregnancy and she said to me, "What does God say? There shall none cast her young, nor be barren, in your land: the number of your days I will fulfill. (Exodus 23:26). All is well with your baby." I replied straightaway and said "Amen!" to all she said. My husband and I are trusting God for a full-term baby. 

From a few weeks ago, while reading our usual night time Bible story to my son, the phrase "Trust in Me" from the stories of Jesus' healing ministry and Peter tried walking on water has been playing repeatedly in my heart and mind ever since. I have attached the pictures here. What an encouragement as God keeps reminding us again and again to trust Him no matter what our circumstances are. 

Extracted from The Beginner's Bible: Timeless Children's Stories

Two weeks ago, my next door neighbour who is in her mid 80s and had been struggling with bruised legs for quite a long time got to the stage where it was so severe that blood was literally oozing out from her legs. Ambulances were called out twice within the gap of a few days and finally she had to be admitted to hospital and almost died due to tremendous loss of blood. She was given a blood transfusion at the hospital. My husband and I prayed for her during the time she was at the hospital as we couldn't visit her with our active boy. I told my husband that so long as she's on warfarin (a type of medication) the same problem will persist. She needs to come off that medication. All we could do was to pray and keep praying for her. Finally she was discharged after a week and I had the opportunity of visiting her last Sunday. She told me that when she was at the hospital and almost at the verge of dying she kept praying in her heart as that's the only thing she could do. (I was so happy to hear that as we weren't sure of her salvation as we have been encouraging her spiritually and even bought her a book "Health Food Devotions" by Kenneth Hagin and she has been reading it since.) She was told that the medication - warfarin that she had been taking as a result of her heart condition, was known as rat poison by the paramedics who attended to her. While she was at the hospital, a consultant told her that the condition of her legs had been wrongly diagnosed by the doctors and now she has been given a whole new set of medication minus warfarin and so is much happier and healthier and no more bloodied legs. She thanked God for a new lease of life. I was so happy to hear that and my husband too. The Bible says:

Do not be anxious or worried about anything, but in everything [every circumstance and situation] by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, continue to make your [specific] requests known to God. 7 And the peace of God [that peace which reassures the heart, that peace] which transcends all understanding, [that peace which] stands guard over your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus [is yours] - Philippians 4:6-7

Last week, my active almost-3 year old son who enjoys closing every door misjudged the length of his index finger which was perching by the frame of the bathroom door while his other hand trying to close the door. I saw it and told him to stop (before he closed the door) but it was too late as he was too fast and the next moment he cried holding on to his left index finger with tears streaming down his cheeks. I tried to peel his right fingers off his left to see the extent of the injury and I could see blood flowing out from his left index finger. I quickly grabbed hold of some toilet papers and pressed it gently against his index finger even though he tried to resist it and I quickly prayed over his finger that by Jesus' stripe he is healed, blood stop bleeding in Jesus' Name! I was hoping in my heart that his finger isn't broken as thoughts crossed my mind that I might have to get his daddy home from work and might need to bring him to the hospital if it's serious. I hoped not but just got to trust God to answer our prayers. I had another look at his finger and realised his finger finally stopped bleeding, and he had stopped crying and his finger still with blood on the side of his finger looked fine and not crooked. Praise the Lord! Three days later a piece of thick yellow skin came off his index finger. What a relief! Our God is faithful to answer our prayers. In fact on that very night of his injury he was so brave that he used his index finger like normal flipping pages on books. 

What God wants is for us to trust Him regardless of our circumstances. That's what Jesus had been emphasising throughout His ministry on earth. Don't let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God and trust also in Me (John 14:1). And indeed He is a God who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. (Ephesians 3:20-21)

Mark 5:36

And Jesus immediately, having heard the word that is spoken, saith to the chief of the synagogue, 'Be not afraid, only believe.'

Luke 8:50

and Jesus having heard, answered him, saying, 'Be not afraid, only believe, and she shall be saved/healed.'

Matthew 14

31 Immediately Jesus extended His hand and caught him (Peter), saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” 32 And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. 33 Then those in the boat worshiped Him [with awe-inspired reverence], saying, “Truly You are the Son of God!”

Always remember - "Trust in Me" Jesus is telling all of us. When face with doubts, problems and trials, ask ourselves what did God say in His word. That's what we live by and that's how we will see our prayers answered and miracles happened. God bless all of you!

Here are a few encouraging worship songs to share with all of you:

Through It All 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xvR7TixHNoA

Be Still

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7pJb49vVQY

Oceans

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HVAR85rorvU

Faith Builders

Faith: Believing It Has Been Answered and Accomplished By God (Even Before We See The Result)

By Josephine Lim Weston

Hebrews 11:6

But without faith it is impossible to [walk with God and] please Him, for whoever comes [near] to God must [necessarily] believe that God exists and that He rewards those who [earnestly and diligently] seek Him.

The past weeks God has been using not only friends that I know but also sending strangers my way to speak words of faith into my life and situation. 

A few weeks ago I brought my son to the nearby children centre for a stay and play session. When the session ended my son still continued playing with his new found friend outside at the playground. A staff-member came to me fully aware that I had been calling out for my son to come in so we could go home asked me, "Is he your only child?" I replied, "Yes, at the moment while the second is on the way. I have been praying that God will protect this baby," (in reference to my son who is so active that he will be careful and caring toward his younger sibling). She replied instantly full of confidence and faith, "God has already protected your baby and He is protecting your son too." Wow, what a woman of faith, I thought. It is so true what she said. 

Also the following week, I brought my son to the nearby park to play at the playground. A woman with two young children were there. I had never seen them before. Eventually they left the playground to head home but my son followed them as he was so eager, hoping that the two children would continue playing with him. Well because my son kept following them (trust me I already told him not to follow but he enjoys the company of people, especially other children) the woman decided to stop and turn around toward my son and asked me, "What is your son's name?" I replied, "Jean-Luc." Then she proceeded to say (while looking at my son and holding on to her two young children), "John, you will be like St John the Baptist, set apart by God to turn the hearts of men toward God. You will be used by God." I instantly responded, "Amen! Thank you!"

In fact these past months I am seeing more and more people of God speaking boldly and encouraging people around them blessing them with God's word. I believe God is sending forth more faith-builders to speak life and hope to people in their life and the world. 

I am very grateful for my connect group as at this moment I especially have sisters (friends) there that speak life and faith towards my unborn child. I would like to take this opportunity to thank these faith builders at this season in my life. A few months ago my husband and I received some not so encouraging news about my pregnancy and the baby so I shared briefly to my Connect Group members. Upon hearing this, three women in particular, namely Bukki (who is my connect group leader), Gracie and Moji, have been encouraging and speaking words of faith, life and hope unto me and our unborn baby. Bukki said to me, "Your baby is perfectly normal and growing normally. The baby is already perfect because he/she is made by God. The baby is perfect!" Gracie said to me, "You don't have to push hard for faith. Enjoy your pregnancy. God has done the work. Rest in Him and what His word says. All is well with your baby." While Moji introduced me to a wonderful book that I would totally recommend to anyone who is trying to conceive or is now pregnant, it's called "Supernatural Birth" by Jackie Mize. 

Sometimes there are words in our heart that we could just easily say out of anger, frustration, confusion, anxiety or just wanting to please another person without appearing spiritual that are not of faith - it is better we don't say anything at that moment. Honestly, I've made lots of mistakes myself in this regard and stand to regret afterwards hence I've learnt and still learning that if there's temptation for me to speak what is not so good or about someone else words that are not edifying, I would rather not say anything about it to anyone. Words that are not of truth (in line with God's word) and not of faith it is better we don't say it so that we will not regret afterwards as what we say do carry weight whether good or bad. Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it and indulge it will eat its fruit and bear the consequences of their words (Proverb 18:21). 

When we hear any bad or negative news, lets go straight to the Lord in prayer, look for answers in God's word and important to surround ourselves with faith-builders (family and friends who speak words of life, positivity, hope and faith in that situation). 

Lets choose to be faith builders ourselves and surround ourselves with faith-builders, especially when we're discouraged or when we receive negative reports. Believe and stand in agreement with God's Word in times of desperation. 

Matthew 9:29

Then He (Jesus) touched their eyes, saying, “According to your faith [your trust and confidence in My power and My ability to heal] it will be done to you.”

Hebrews 11:1

Now faith is the assurance (title deed, confirmation) of things hoped for (divinely guaranteed), and the evidence of things not seen [the conviction of their reality—faith comprehends as fact what cannot be experienced by the physical senses].

May I leave this blessed scripture with all of you in my closing:

Psalm 103:1-5

1 Bless and affectionately praise the Lord, O my soul,
And all that is [deep] within me, bless His holy name.
2 Bless and affectionately praise the Lord, O my soul,
And do not forget any of His benefits;
3 Who forgives all your sins,
Who heals all your diseases;
4 Who redeems your life from the pit,
Who crowns you [lavishly] with lovingkindness and tender mercy;
5 Who satisfies your years with good things,
So that your youth is renewed like the [soaring] eagle.

Sow Seeds of Faith In Our Hearts

Sow Seeds of Faith In Our Hearts

Trust in the Lord and His Word Regardless

By Josephine Lim Weston

Psalm 73:28

But as for me, it is good for me to draw near to God;

I have made the Lord God my refuge and placed my trust in Him,

That I may tell of all Your works.

It's so important to sow as many seeds of faith in our hearts as possible as we go along in life's journey as trials do come. We need as much support and assurance to keep us sane and strong in times of uncertainty. If we have been studying God's word daily and hold on in believing the promises in His word and listen again and again to faith-fuelling sermons that gives us absolute confidence on God's word we will have a higher ability to withstand any trials that come our way. If we have not and have been treating God's word lightly in wavering thoughts then when trials come we will be shaken. 

2 Corinthians 1:18-20

18 But [as surely as] God is faithful and means what He says, our message to you is not “Yes” and “No” [at the same time]. 19 For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us, by me, Silvanus, and Timothy, was not “Yes” and “No,” but has proved to be “Yes” in Him [true and faithful, the divine “Yes” affirming God’s promises]. 20 For as many as are the promises of God, in Christ they are [all answered] “Yes.” So through Him we say our “Amen” to the glory of God.

God's promises in His word through Christ Jesus are Yes and Amen. He will surely fulfil His promises to us hence let us choose to confidently trust Him by His word with unwavering faith regardless of what trials (how big or how small) we are facing right now. That's the confidence we have. We can use our strength and time to worry at this moment - but will it do us any good to our health and wellbeing? - or we can use the same strength and time choosing to trust God in His word and not worry as His word says (Psalm 23) "Even though I walk through the [sunless] valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You (Jesus) are with me."

I remember when I was at the last remaining weeks of my pregnancy with my son Jean-Luc, he was in a breech position and even after 4 attempts with ECV, he failed to turn the right way for natural birth that I had to undergo caesarean surgery to deliver him. I am someone who is afraid of injections and I had fainted in school when being administered the rubella jab, while some schoolmates of mine heard about it and laughed at me. Since then I have always disliked any kind of injection, but I still had to go through it if caesarean surgery was required. I decided not to worry and use the same strength and energy to trust confidently on God's word (Psalm 23) that He is with me and I shall not fear. He will deliver me and I will be saved throughout the procedure although I lost a lot of blood; and I could hear the conversations between surgeons and anaesthetist amounting to them having to request that my husband leave the operating theatre after Jean-Luc was safely delivered so as not to make my husband worried about me further with the next course of actions that they had to perform on me. I trusted in the Lord throughout and I remembered emerging from the operating theatre not being able to move my legs at all that frightened me but I kept calling on the name of Jesus to help me regain use and movement on my legs until I could move them and what a relief when it happened. Our God will never fail us so just trust Him regardless. 

As I look back on my life's journey thus far I can confidently say God has been faithful to His word and He has looked after me well through all the ups and downs in life. I thank God I'm in the fold of His family and that I know I can entrust Him confidently with my life completely knowing He will not fail me. Romans 10:11 11 For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes in Him (God) [whoever adheres to, trusts in, and relies on Him] will not be disappointed or ashamed [in his expectations].”

If anyone of us need healing at the moment, I would encourage you to to start gathering verses from the Bible that speaks on healing promises and meditate on it daily. If anyone of us need wisdom, deliverance, leadership abilities, career guidance or financial breakthough or family or any kind of relationship reconciliation and breakthroughs, look into the scriptures for God's promises on those areas and start confessing, meditating on them and put your faith into action if needed to until you see your miracles happen. That's the promise and hope we have from God.  Sow as many seeds of faith as possible in our hearts and minds right now so that when trials come we will not be moved. 

Keep listening to faith charged sermons as often as we can in building our faith muscles, meditate on His word daily especially those scripture verses that target our needs and situations right now, surround ourselves with people who speak life and faith into our situations, be humble to share our prayer requests with others and receive by faith with assured confidence of what the Bible promised us that God can do to our situations regardless of how severe our trials we face right now. Jeremiah 32:27 "I am the LORD, the God of all people. Nothing is too difficult for me.” Instead of worrying that does us no good, use the same strength, energy and time we have to trust God in His word. 

Psalm 16:8

I have set the Lord continually before me;

Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.

Psalm 62:6

He (God) only is my rock and my salvation;

My fortress and my defense, I will not be shaken or discouraged.

The Power of Giving Thanks

By Josephine Lim Weston

One evening I was reading a Bible story to my son as I usually do but this time the story of Jesus feeding the five thousand with the kind offer of a small boy's lunch of five loaves and two fish impressed deeply in my heart. After Jesus gave thanks to God for the five loaves and two fish in His hands, He distributed the food and fed 5,000 men, not counting the women and children, and gathered twelve basketfuls of leftovers (John 6:6-12). This story spoke to me and reminded me of the importance and power of thanksgiving to God with whatever (little) we have right now (before we see our miracles).

So after receiving the revelation of the story I started giving thanks to God for my son although he's very active and a handful to look after. He has tested our patience many times including during critical times but we still love him. Even with all the "unpolished diamond" that he is right now I give thanks to God for blessing my husband and I with this gift of life. I thank God everyday for my husband and the position and salary he receives as thus far I have not properly thank God enough. So ever since God impressed upon my heart of the power of thanksgiving I decided to write this article so as to encourage all of us. No matter how much we hope for a better career prospect, higher salary, income, better house, car, expansion in church ministry or business, or anything we wish for we need to thank God and appreciate what we have right now. Thank Him as often as we can and God will multiply and better the whatever little or imperfections we have right now and entrust us with more. Matthew 25:23 "His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.'

It's also important to thank God for our spouse no matter how imperfect they are or how much we hope they could be transformed. Because the more we thank God for our spouse and don't give up hope but pray and bless our spouse daily God will do the miraculous work. By praying for our spouse and blessing them daily before long we can see the fruit of our faithful prayers. Little by little more miracles of transformation will begin to show. Keep on praying for them and by doing so we are doing ourselves a favour as we're now two becoming one so you're in fact thanking God and praying for yourself too. God who is the God of transformation will work His wonders in our marriage and relationship. 

Of course it's important to thank God for our parents, children, siblings, employers, colleagues, employees, church leaders, our government and leaders, etc no matter how imperfect they are because if they are blessed with wisdom and they prosper we will be blessed too.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC)

18 Thank [God] in everything [no matter what the circumstances may be, be thankful and give thanks], for this is the will of God for you [who are] in Christ Jesus [the Revealer and Mediator of that will].

Last Sunday in church one leader shared briefly on the passage of Joshua 6 about the fall of the wall city of Jericho with the marching and the victory shout of the Israelites:

Joshua 6

15 On the seventh day they rose early at daybreak and marched around the city (of Jericho) as usual, only on that day they compassed the city [a]seven times.

16 And the seventh time, when the priests had blown the trumpets, Joshua said to the people, Shout! For the Lord has given you the city.

20 So the people shouted, and the trumpets were blown. When the people heard the sound of the trumpet, they raised a great shout, and [Jericho’s] wall fell down in its place, so that the [Israelites] went up into the city, every man straight before him, and they took the city.

"The loud shout in unison expressed an expectation of God’s action to fulfill His guaranteed promise (verses 2, 5, 16). At the command of Joshua, this entire mass of people shouted in victory (by faith). The trumpets of the priests were blowing. This had to be an enormous sound all at once." - Extracted from Discover Books of the Bible by Ken Cayce. 

The number seven: On the seventh day and marched around the city seven times, seven is the number of completion, perfection and rest so God is telling us if we want our "walls" to come down we need to first rest on His promises, trust in Him then declare His praise of victory (by faith) and we'll see the breakthrough(s) and miracles we are hoping and praying for. 

If you want healing then thank God for your health first (all parts of your body) and declare "This was to fulfill what was spoken through Isaiah the prophet: "He Himself (Jesus) took our infirmities and carried away our diseases" (Matthew 8:17) and by His stripes we are healed (Isaiah 53:5). p.s: One book in particular I would totally recommend if you are longing for a daily devotion to help you in your faith to receive healing is a book written by Kenneth Hagin entitled "Health Food Devotions". 

If it's relationship that needs to be restored, then thank God for the "particular people" in your life that you want reconciliation with by blessing him/her/them daily and begin declaring by faith the change and transformation you hope to see happen (as if God has done it) in terms of mutual treatment and change in theirs and your character, habit and behaviour. 

If you need help, guidance and improvement in your career, business, ministry, etc then thank God for the skills, talents and resources He has blessed you with and thank Him for the new ideas, resources, divine connections and businesses God is bringing your way. 

Above all "Seek First the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added unto you."(Matthew 6:33)

Deep Rooted Faith on His Love

As We Go Deeper (In Our Relationship with the Lord) We Grow Stronger 

By Josephine Lim Weston

A few weeks ago my 2 year old boy asked that we bring out the remote-controlled car for him. He loves cars, trains and trucks at the moment. We had the remote-controlled car before he was even born and it's meant for 8+. Well he insisted so we thought ok what harm can it caused. So we took out the car for him and just within a short period of time, the car doors on both side came loose while my husband was busy trying to fix the remote control because we left the batteries inside for years and have forgotten to remove them. So I told my husband don't worry about the remote control, Jean-Luc is happy enough just playing with the car without the remote control but my husband is very particular and a man of integrity that he wants to make sure that everything is right and in order. He tried his best to fix it regardless of whether Jean-Luc puts much thought about it or appreciates it, but on my husband's part he just want to do it right and give Jean-Luc the best of entertainment the toy car could offer. As this happened, I could see how much our Father God loves us although many times we are happy just to receive a trickle of blessing from Him but our God is a God who wants to give us the best because He is a God who is able and wants to do things right for us but sometimes we ruin it by being impatient or not going deeper enough in our faith to trust on His great love for us. 

A week ago, my body started to break out with itchy blister-like rashes. It started from my neck so I thought maybe taking a shower will cleanse that itch but it made it worse such that, within a short period of time, my body was covered with blister-like rashes. My hands and feet looked chubby and fuller and I was itchy all over that I felt like I was experiencing what Job had gone through perhaps 1% of his suffering which is torturing enough for me as I had to keep scratching my whole body (from my head to my legs) to provide that temporary relief which I knew I shouldn't as it would just aggravate it further. As it was already Friday late afternoon it was impossible for me to be looked at by a GP, and by the time I got there they would have been closed as they operate within normal working hours so we were advised by a pharmacist to go into Accident & Emergency in the hospital to seek emergency treatment as the pharmacist saw from the pictures that I sent to my husband how within 15 minutes a "non-threatening looking mosquito bite" can just spread becoming big patch of rashes that turns my skin puffy and very itchy and warm. My husband was prepared to take me to the hospital but after much consideration being my 2 year old boy only having slept less than an hour during the day I knew he would get cranky during the night while we're in the hospital. He needs to have an uninterrupted and comfortable good night sleep so I decided to go into A&E the next day. Middle of the night, I started vomiting and my whole body was itching away that I had to wake up every half an hour. My husband called for ambulance and then 111 as I was vomiting and I got booked in early to see a doctor the next morning. Well cut the story short throughout my ordeal no matter how I felt physically and emotionally, (as at the moment, I'm reading Kenneth Hagin's Health Food Devotions) I kept declaring by Jesus' stripes I am healed, Jesus Himself took my infirmities and bore my sicknesses (Matthew 8:17). I choose to believe in my heart of heart. I believe I am healed even though after taking medication my body started to develop allergies and my face began to swell up that I had to stop the medication and allowing my body heal naturally enduring further itching. God is faithful and within a few days the rash and itching was all gone. Thanks also to my Hillsong CG members who prayed for me on that Friday upon learning about my situation. My decision of delaying my visit to the A&E for treatment was because of my love for my son and how much more our Father will attend to our needs first. We just got to trust Him that He's handling it already though we might not see immediate results. 

In the above two scenarios, I have learnt the importance of trusting in our God who wants to do things right for us. We just got to be patient. We have got to take the time to go deeper in our relationship with Him so we can grow stronger in our faith muscles. Anchor on His great love and we will not be shaken by Brexit or any trials and circumstances we face because He cares and loves us much more than we could possibly comprehend. He is a God of the deep, wide, true and pure; and as the more we flow with Him and allowing Him to work through things in our life, patiently, and expecting good from Him, we shall see the fruits of our faith.

Psalm 27:3 & 14 Amplified Bible (AMP)
Though an army encamp against me,
My heart will not fear;
Though war arise against me,
Even in this I am confident.

Wait for and confidently expect the Lord;
Be strong and let your heart take courage;
Yes, wait for and confidently expect the Lord.

Psalm 28:7

The Lord is my strength and my [impenetrable] shield;
My heart trusts [with unwavering confidence] in Him, and I am helped;
Therefore my heart greatly rejoices,
And with my song I shall thank Him and praise Him.

Psalm 29:11

The Lord will give [unyielding and impenetrable] strength to His people;
The Lord will bless His people with peace.

Psalm 31:14

But as for me, I trust [confidently] in You and Your greatness, O Lord;
I said, “You are my God.”

Everything (Everyone) Has Its Usefulness Even When Broken

By Josephine Lim Weston

We returned home to London few days ago after a long Christmas and New Year break spent with my in-laws. Upon entering our house my husband tried switching on the light but it didn't come on and we soon realised there was no electricity supply hence no heating. Because we had been away, the house has its own electrical appliances that will require on-going electricity to keep going so the credit we paid earlier into our British Gas smart meter had all ran out and it automatically shut down.

My husband calmly said he had managed to top up the electricity and so what we had got to do is to restart both the electricity supply and gas boxes located in our entrance cabinet box room which we had been unable to access through the proper door outside as the keyhole had jammed tight even after plenty of oiling. So what we could do was to gain entry through the small square side-door. Somehow I managed to reboot the gas supply box located at the bottom of the box room but without rebooting the electric box the gas heating will not work either.

Unfortunately the electricity box is located very far right of the box room that no way I could ever climb in as there's a fixed plank of wood stopping me from climbing on top of it and also no way of seeing it either as it's on the side wall. Since I've got smaller hands and physically shorter than my husband only I can do it so my husband told me to try reaching for the buttons but the question is how I could reboot the unit if I can't see the electricity box and neither could I feel it at all. So I made a quick prayer and asked God for wisdom as usual when I face unsurmountable task. An idea came - "Yes, mirror is what we need" (apart from torchlight as it is a cold dark winter season at the moment and we arrived back home at 4.30pm which was already dark by then).

I used my compact mirror at first but it was too small to trace the electrical box at all. The other proper mirror we got was too long and big to fit though the gap so we need another mirror that could just nicely fit through the hole and give me just a nice view to locate the "invisible" electrical box. Another idea came - "my broken mirror would be just perfect". My son broke the mirror on my dressing table few months ago but since it's still usable I had forgotten to order a new one. So now the broken mirror hopefully will come in handy and be useful in emergency. I adjusted and readjusted several times both the broken mirror and the torch light until the electrical box and most importantly the tiny buttons are visibly reflected on the mirror; then I had to guess without being able to see but just by feeling with my fingers, trying to press the correct buttons on the electrical box with my husband's guidance via information on his iPad. Voila, finally I managed to press the 2 buttons of the electrical box needed to reboot our electricity, hence the lights came on followed by our heating- thanks to God and the "broken mirror". Then straightaway I received this prompting in my heart for the title of my next blog article - "Everything has its usefulness even when broken" (All of us are useful and still a blessing even when we think we're broken physically, emotionally or spiritually like the useful broken mirror that we thought should have been thrown away; yet it still serves its purpose and was able to even produce result during most critical moment).

We all have regrets, setbacks and disappointments in life. If we're given the opportunity to travel back in time I'm sure we would all be tempted to change lots of our past and straighten things up "a bit" and make everything better or perfect as much as we can. But, you know what: it's no point of us looking back in the past and feeling regret and sad and disappointed with ourselves as all these setbacks and disappointments are our learning curves. As someone said - "The thing that don't break us make us" but even a broken mirror has its usefulness and a blessing in times of emergency.  So how much more we who are created in God's image? Regardless of how many setbacks, failures, rejections and disappointments in life they will only make us stronger and more knowledgeable as we learn and discover more as we go along.

Even a jawbone of a dead donkey was used by Samson to set himself free from his captors. 

Judges 15:14-17

14 When he (Samson) came to Lehi, the Philistines came shouting to meet him. And the Spirit of the Lord came upon him mightily, and the ropes on his arms were like flax (linen) that had been burned, and his bonds [c]dropped off his hands. 15 He found a fresh jawbone of a donkey, so he reached out his hand and took it and killed a thousand men with it. 16 Then Samson said,

“With the jawbone of a donkey,

Heaps upon heaps,

With the jawbone of a donkey

I have struck down a thousand men.”

17 When he finished speaking, he threw the jawbone from his hand; and he named that place Ramath-lehi (hill of the jawbone).  

Be comforted with this:

Psalm 34:18

The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

So let us not give up on ourselves or on anyone who is feeling broken at the moment. As the Lord promised in Jeremiah 29:11-14a 11 For I know the plans and thoughts that I have for you,’ says the Lord, ‘plans for peace and well-being and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. 12 Then you will call on Me and you will come and pray to Me, and I will hear [your voice] and I will listen to you. 13 Then [with a deep longing] you will seek Me and require Me [as a vital necessity] and [you will] find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you,’ says the Lord, ‘and I will restore your fortunes and I will [free you...]

A beautiful song to share that I hope will encourage and lift your spirit:
Let Us Exalt His Name by Joseph Prince
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q2pMoCV_EwQ

Here's the picture of the useful broken mirror: