Author: Tim Yap

“As for you, always be steady, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfil your ministry”        2 Timothy 4:5

What else can we do but endure what the Lord gave to us.  Sometimes we will be placed into things that make us uncomfortable.  Like Simon of Cyrene who was just watching in the crowd but then suddenly was carrying the Lord’s cross, which we all know he did not want to do it.  What we can imagine and picture is, although he was carrying a heavy cross, the Lord was right next to him carrying it with him.

We too must remember that our Lord is with us carrying our cross.  If the Lord’s plan for salvation was to bridge us right to our God, then we know that is the same mission that we are to take on each and every day.  This is the beauty of our community as it teaches us so much about mission and service and how fruitful it is.

@itsmetimmm

 

Sometimes we can really become occupied with only the work that is infront of us.  Our mind becomes narrow and we start to limit our thoughts and attitudes, you might wonder and even feel why no one else is helping or focused on the task.  We worry too much sometimes, I know I do, but I guess this is why we turn into Martha’s… Everyone know that story right?  Imagine if we threw a party for our friends but we were so focused on preparing all the meals and making sure everyone is catered we don’t even have time to enjoy their company.  It is one way for us to be occupied in the service that we do, but I guess the winner or the better part to do is to be focused on our Lord who has given us the service.  We can really see Mary is the winner because she knows that work can wait and there is always time for the Lord.  She knew at that moment He chose to enter her home she would listen to everything he says.  It must be that child like faith that she had in the Lord.

St. Benedict seems to have figured it out as his motto and rule is Ora et labora – work and prayer. What the? best of both worlds for some people.  I guess the best thing for us is to understand our priorities always placing Him first.  If the Lord wanted to build a relationship with Martha and Mary, then He wants to do the same for us.

@itsmetimmm

Receiving a gift is pretty awesome everyone always looks forward to special events like your birthday or christmas.  We get excited we create our own wish lists or give out hints to our friends and family what we might want to receive.  What happens when we receive a gift but it’s not what we wanted? I’m sure you’re like me and if its clothes, it might sit in my closet.  Our friends and family take the extra time to choose a gift for us because they think its something we might like and use.  Our Lord works the same way, He chooses what gift we need.  He wants to match us with the best gift at the best times.  And this gift we receive is for us to use and not to put away.

In our youth camp we ask our Lord what gift(s) we want to receive from Him, because we learn so much from Him that weekend we know the Lord will listen to us and deliver.  There are many gifts for us to choose but how do I know what to pick.  I find we should choose the ones we need in order to get closer to Him.  Also after choosing, we have to learn how to open that gift.  For example, if you pray for the gift of tongues, see what it means to have the gift of tongues; is it for special prayers to the Lord, is it to be able to speak in front of a crowd, or is it to evangelize to your neighbours or all three?  We should take the time to understand what each gift is and how it applies to our life.  The Holy Spirit decides what gifts to give and knows what is best for us.  Stay excited, because gifts from the Holy Spirit are never ending.

@itsmetimmm

We will always be a work in progress, always wanting to learn something new or in need of a change in order to make room for something better.  A few months ago I began really asking our Lord for more faith and this last youth camp in Saskatoon (by the way which was such a blessing) He continued answering.

What I found was faith existed in such a way that I can become blinded both ways by its awesomeness! and by over thinking too much.  I knew that our Lord was present in my one on ones because each and everyone of them gave me faith that I’ve been seeking.  “Even though I have so many things to do or worry so much, I am still able to come to YFC and be with my brothers and sisters to worship him.”  It just shows truly how much faith existed and how much greater it was than the things they faced.  Busy schedules or even means of travel would not stop them from being able to worship our Lord because they contain the faith to fully rely on him.

I’m still a work in progress as for now I’ve been revealed that faith involves asking, obedience, trust, and action.  What more will the Lord reveal?  This just means I have to keep running this race.

@itsmetimmm

 

I wanna share with you what points struck out during Mountain SFC Precon.  Before the session it started with worship.  I was reflecting on the readings to help me get a sense of what to exhort during afternoon worship.  It lead me to see the life of Peter and how his obedience and faith led to his escape in prison (well and other times of his trials).  Peter had many encounters with the Lord pushing his faith, through denying him and asking him if he loves.  Peter truly recognized the Lord and it was through his obedience and faith that led him closer to our Lord.

During the session it was said to us, “Obedience springs from faith and trust, to have faith requires us to love God” “Obedience comes from us surrendering our will to the will of his” “We are called to have a relationship with God” lastly, “How can I not say yes to the Lord’s call when he has given me many blessings in my life.”

The last thing he said really hit me, because now it just all makes sense, like Peter, how could he not say no to the Lord’s work for him when he has blessed him so much.  The Lord has done so many great things for me and at times I’ve failed to see that.  What he give to us he wants us to give to others.  Everyone is attracted to relationships that’s why we are always drawn to stay with the group and that’s what God wants is to stay with him.  Our faith makes us love, and we learn to abide in his love, and this is where he takes over, from us taking on his will.

@itsmetimmm

When you limit the Lord especially in prayer you are also limiting yourself from the special graces that he can give you.  Your prayer might have been, “Lord, I want you to do this.”  Well do you already see what is happening there?  He’s probably saying “haha or else what?”  Our prayer (at one point mine) became narrow that we’re forcing him to help us.  I don’t think he wants that.  He moves in his own time and we… move in His time.  A prayer should not be narrow, it should be specific.  The Lord wants to know details who, what, when, where, how, and why.  Thats why we should not be afraid to tell him what’s in our mind.  Through this prayer he is teaching us to be specific, accountable, and to initiate. He’s teaching us to be faithful and to rely on him.  He watches our humility grow because now we’re telling him everything.  What’s next?  We want to know what He wants!  His faithfulness to us returns as grace to move forward.  No longer limited to a limitless God.

@itsmetimmm

I think when your heart wanders then the rest of you follows.  I find that doubt and fear enter and you see a different picture, you start to feel what is infront of you is now larger than you.   Your vision becomes narrow.  Because of those things then your whole attitude changes, you become negative of yourself and surroundings.  When you realize it and you do, you see this wall is actually not as large as you thought, you begin to have more faith, you laugh at the doubt and fear you brought on yourself.  This challenge is now one that you accept and claim its victory.  You begin to hear the Lord saying “come back to me, look at no one else but me.”  Your obstacles remain but the direction is clear, you can see the path ahead of you and move through faith.  Like he says we live by faith and not by sight.  A wandering heart now becomes a heart centered on our Lord.  Only our faith can help us move forward.

@itsmetimmm