"Weights Become Wings" - Streams in the Desert - Jan. 12

"They shall mount up with wings as eagles" (Isa. 40:31).

There is a fable about the way the birds got their wings at the beginning. They were first made without wings. Then God made the wings and put them down before the wingless birds and said to them, "Come, take up these burdens and bear them."

The birds had lovely plumage and sweet voices; they could sing, and their feathers gleamed in the sunshine, but they could not soar in the air. They hesitated at first when bidden to take up the burdens that lay at their feet, but soon they obeyed, and taking up the wings in their beaks, laid them on their shoulders to carry them.

For a little while the load seemed heavy and hard to bear, but presently, as they went on carrying the burdens, folding them over their hearts, the wings grew fast to their little bodies, and soon they discovered how to use them, and were lifted by them up into the air--the weights became wings.

It is a parable. We are the wingless birds, and our duties and tasks are the pinions God has made to lift us up and carry us heavenward. We look at our burdens and heavy loads, and shrink from them; but as we lift them and bind them about our hearts, they become wings, and on them we rise and soar toward God.

There is no burden which, if we lift it cheerfully and bear it with love in our hearts, will not become a blessing to us. God means our tasks to be our helpers; to refuse to bend our shoulders to receive a load, is to decline a new opportunity for growth. --J. R. Miller

Blessed is any weight, however overwhelming, which God has been so good as to fasten with His own hand upon our shoulders. --F. W. Faber

A Message for Prodigals

Psalm 37:23-24

The steps of a man are established by the LORD, and He delights in his way. When he falls, he will not be hurled headlong, because the LORD is the One who holds his hand.

Maria and her daughter Christina lived in a small hut in a Brazilian village. Christina's father had died when she was just an infant, and her courageous mother had done her best for the child. Maria made her living by cleaning houses, though it provided very little income. The day came when Christina was finally old enough to earn her own way.

Instead of finding a small job in the village where she had grown up, she dreamed of going to the great city, Rio de Janeiro, and seeking an opportunity there. But when she told her mother of her desires to leave the village, a look of fear came into Maria's eyes and she said, "The streets are cruel, Christina. There's nothing for you there."

Maria knew that if her daughter went to the city, the only work she would find at her age would lead to prostitution. That's the reason Maria's heart was broken the morning she found her daughter's pallet empty. She knew where Christina had gone, and she feared she may never see her again.

Maria immediately gathered some clothing and boarded a bus for the city. When she arrived in Rio De Janeiro, she went to a small drug store, stepped into a photography booth, and made as many pictures of herself as she could afford. Armed with her bag of clothing and a purse full of little black and white photographs, she headed for the back streets, entering bars, hotels, and nightclubs—anywhere prostitutes gathered. She taped her picture to walls, mirrors, bulletin boards, and bathroom stalls, in hopes that her daughter may see one of them and read the message written on the back.

Tired and broken hearted, out of money and photos, Maria gave up the search and rode the rickety bus back to her village without ever finding Christina. The mother wept for her lost daughter.

Months later, Christina glanced across the lobby of a hotel to see a familiar face taped to a mirror. Recognizing it, she quickly ran to the mirror and pulled the picture off. It was indeed her mother. With trembling hands she held it, staring at her mother's face. Turning the photo over, she noticed the writing on the back. When she read the words, her throat burned and tears began to stream down her face. The note said, "Wherever you are, whatever you have become, I will forgive you. Please come home."

So... Christina did.

What a beautiful picture of true mercy; yet this is merely a glimpse of the mercy which God shows to us. Regardless of all the thousands of times we sin, the thousands of choices we make which are contrary to His Word—He continually pursues us and loves us.

Even when we run away, He searches for us, leaving a message that never changes: "Wherever you are, whatever you have become, I will forgive you." And you can count on it... He will!

Prayer Point: Thank the Lord that no matter how many times you have failed—and will fail—Him, He never stops forgiving and loving you. Pray that He will help you to love others with that same kind of love.

Extra Refreshment: Read Luke 15—an incredible illustration of God's mercy toward His children.

Listen to his small still voice

God loves you.. this simple line can mean differently to different ppl. what it mean speak to me, may not speak to you. i guess the most impt thing is to allow God to speak to you personally. this is revelational knowledge. knowing God loves you because you know it yourself. and not knowing by just hearing the experience of others. < 3

Thanks Xue!

One Day at a Time

This devotional was written by Jim Liebelt

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. —Matthew 6:34

It has been said that there are two days that people worry most about but should actually worry least about: Yesterday and Tomorrow. We worry about yesterday - the mistakes we've made and what we would like to do over or differently. Yet, there is nothing we can do to change yesterday. Our worries are wasted. We also worry about tomorrow - the problems it may bring and the challenges we may face. Yet, we cannot control tomorrow. It is out of our grasp. So again, our worries are wasted.

When we do not waste our worries on yesterday or tomorrow, it frees us to live in the present - today. Today, we are able to make decisions about our life. Today, we can set our course, set off in a direction or alter our course, if necessary. Sure, we will still make our share of mistakes. And, we will still have worries. Each day brings enough to be concerned about. Still, seldom are life's concerns unbearable today. Our worries become unbearable when we add the wasted worries of yesterday and tomorrow.

Jesus instructs us to live one day at a time. He knew that so much of what we worry about is out of our control. He wanted us to understand that God gives us today. And, as we live our lives seeking Him, we are in a safe place. Jesus promises that our heavenly Father will provide us with everything we need.

When I'm tempted to worry about any of life's concerns, I find that it helps to remind myself of the many times I've given in to worry - and how things never came to pass as I had feared - which is actually the vast majority of the time!

So, today as we wrap up 2010 and head courageously into 2011, make it one of your resolutions to live your days - just one day at a time! And, when you find yourself tempted to worry, remind yourself of Jesus' words, "Your heavenly Father knows all your needs, and he will give you all you need from day to day if you live for him and make the Kingdom of God your primary concern." (Matthew 6:32-33, NLT.)

Blessed 2011, everyone! =)

Steven Curtis Chapman - The Invitation

In The Palace In The Land Of Mercy
The King Looked Out From His Throne
He Saw The Sick And The Homeless And Hungry
He Saw Me Lost And Without Hope
And Moved With Compassion
He Sent Out His Only Son
With The Invitation To Come

This Is Your Invitation
Come Just The Way You Are
Come Find What Your Soul Has Been Longing For
Come Find Your Peace
Come Join The Feast
Come In This Is Your Invitation

So I Stood Outside The Gates And Trembled
In My Rags Of Unworthiness
Afraid To Even Stand At A Distance
In The Presence Of Holiness
But Just As I Turned To Go
The Gates Swung Open Wide
And The King And His Only Son
They Invited Me Inside

So Now Will You Come With Me
To Where The Gates Swing Open Wide
The King And His Only Son
Are Inviting Us Inside

This Is Our Invitation
Come Sinner As You Are
Come Find What Your Soul Has Been Longing For
Come Find Your Peace
Come Join The Feast
Come In This Is Your Invitation
This Is Our Invitation
This Is The Invitation


This Christmas...
For the lost, may they be found again in Jesus
For the weak, may they receive healing from God
For the poor, may they be blessed abundantly by God
For the discouraged, may they find strength in the Lord

We may be struggling but don't let our struggles sink us down! We may not be swimming strongly but we know we have a God that we can hold on to. He is our lifebuoy. Float by faith today. Trust in the Lord.

Blessed Christmas, everyone! =D

Finally, a break for me!

A break at last!!! It has been a real roller coaster ride for me for the past few months. Starting work initially was filled with much excitement and stress at the same time. Then sickness struck and my health hasn't been good since then. I really hope with this break, I can have much rest away from the childcare environment and also build up my immune system with the help of supplements. To think that I have to eat supplements....All in all, I still want to thank God for all that I have gone through these past months, both the good and the bad. Coming back from the trip, it will be a whole new year for me in school already. I am taking the K1 class with many talkative children. I really hope I can do a good job in managing the children and also to educate them.

Alright, put these worries aside, I want to enjoy my trip! Please keep me in prayers =D

Finally, a break for me!

A break at last!!! It has been a real roller coaster ride for me for the past few months. Starting work initially was filled with much excitement and stress at the same time. Then sickness struck and my health hasn't been good since then. I really hope with this break, I can have much rest away from the childcare environment and also build up my immune system with the help of supplements. To think that I have to eat supplements....All in all, I still want to thank God for all that I have gone through these past months, both the good and the bad. Coming back from the trip, it will be a whole new year for me in school already. I am taking the K1 class with many talkative children. I really hope I do a good job in managing the children and also to educate them.

Alright, put these worries aside, I want to enjoy my trip! Please keep me in prayers =D