Shakers #2

Today was fabulous at Planetshakers once again. Just felt Jesus every step of the way and the night culminated in a very homely welcome by Elina’s Urbanlife group. I’m happy that she’s found a home for herself and that she’s so at home at energetic shakers.

Had nice not-so-nyonya-fish, and got a ride home from Ernest. Its great to have people offer to make my life easier because travelling home from the city to Boxhill isn’t fun when its at night. Thank you Jesus, may I serve others with the comfort and care i’ve received.

Today there’s a pastor from the U.S that came over to shakers to speak and it was awesome because one of the statements he spoke really really shocked and awed me and i thought i had to share it with all the readers over here.

20 Then Jacob made a vow, saying, “If God will be with me and will watch over me on this journey I am taking and will give me food to eat and clothes to wear 21 so that I return safely to my father’s house, then the LORD will be my God 22 and this stone that I have set up as a pillar will be God’s house, and of all that you give me I will give you a tenth.”

Genesis 28:20-22 (NIV)

THIS PASSAGE IS SO AWESOME! Ok, the context of this text is that Jacob was running from Esau who threatened to murder him because Jacob has slyly stolen Esau’s birthright and blessing. So after running from his brother, Jacob encountered God at Luz (means place of separation) and got changed there. Thus he renamed that place Bethel (House of God). Get it? No more separated, but being in the House of the most High.

In a nutshell, God looked out for Jacob even though he was a bad bad boy and promised to BLESS him so richly. God believes in the bad nuts!

So in response, Jacob said in Gen 28:22 that he will “give a tenth” if God would be with him, watch over him and provide for him.

So in short here’s the bomb!

Jacob tithed because he was aware of the grace and mercy and blessing of God over his life and therefore he felt compelled to “give a tenth”. No one told him that he needed to give a part of himself to the Lord, but he knew in his heart that he wanted to share in a deeper relationship with this Most High. He knew that he source was the Most High yea?

Thus, tithing was instituted far before the Law was given and therefore its not legalistic nor was it an obligation.

Tithing is not about legalism, its about REVELATION.

Its amazing because i believe this statement works both ways in my experience. Tithing is indeed about revelation, but on the other hand, the more you give the more you see God provide!

I speak for myself because i din’t have this revelation of how great God is in my need until i started making it a discipline to tithe because i loved Jesus and wanted to bless His kingdom with whatever i have. And interestingly after i gave i saw no lack.People kept blessing me with meal treats, transport home and angpaos and it was just wonderful to share in Jesus’s blessing.

But i safely say that i don’t give just because i want to seek the hands of God, but to share in a deeper relationship with Jesus. I want to give because i love to see His kingdom come, i love to see our resources bless people around us and bring greater glory to Jesus. What use is it if we are so tight fisted with whatever we have? Resources are meant to be used to bless right?

In short, tithing isn’t about legalism, its about REVELATION. Seek a greater revelation, and give to receive a greater revelation ya? Don’t be complainers like the world is, complaining about inflation and rising fuel prices and yadayada, learn to be transformed and not conformed. All glory to the One who provides for us.

Praise Jesus.

Planetshaking.

Sunday has been most fantastic. Woke up 7 plus wanting to stalk Moses at Richmond AOG but I suddenly felt that i should check out Planetshakers City Church. so i went to the trusty metlink site (a little like the discontinued streetdirectory.com) and found the way to Melbourne City. Service starts at 3p.m and 5p.m so I had some time to kill. Slept in a little more, cooked noodles and watched half a vcd with some fanatical naval pleeb storyline. Haha, some might think i miss military life. But honestly, watching the show brought some chills back.

Moses just got back from Sydney Hillsongs Conference so we arranged to meet up to go church together. He was kind to do so because he’s just got back and was so tired he dozed off during the sermon. Shhhh. hahaha.

Cherry Tree is a little inconvenient but eventually i still got on the tram heading towards Melbourne City.

feet made for walking

I was like swakoo. Trying to put coins inside the Metcard validating machine. Coming to Melbourne couple of times din’t make me some pro la, still got to relearn the basics. the basics, the basics, the basics.

Good thing about the hour long ride is that the crowd’s manageable and the skies are blue and beautiful so its really enjoyable even being in a long-ish tram ride.

love the scratches on the window

So eventually i met up with Moses after walking up and down Flinders Station 3 times because we both waited at different “Lord of the Fries”, a supposedly awesome place for fried potato with international sauces.

Was initially afraid that Planetshakers (P.S) would be too jumpy for me because i am seldom boisterous and expressive (really). But it turned out that it was an awesome experience because the way they worshipped was so sincere and annointed. Throughout the service tears just kept flowing as the presence wrapped around me and encouraged me. Really great to know that it doesn’t matter who we are, as long as we understand that its all about Jesus.

finally got to see Henry Seeley!

Today’s message was about family. Devoted to the Family of God. How apt now that i am away from the family. but seriously, even though it wasn’t exposition or literary excellence, it brought home couple of great points that would benefit us if we would just put those Truths of God into practise.

how often the family unit is targetted by the enemy and made useless by abuse, verbal/physical, hurt etc. think about it, would something absolutely useless be the target of so much attacks? whether its your blood related family or church family, we believers have obligation to keep the peace and live God’s Truths in our lives. If the world is going to believe, i guess they have to see that we Christians even care about our own families, no?

I will try to put together the sermon in point form for coherant reading, but for now, i need to go bathe and rest. Tomorrow is welcome day for n00bs. Im a n00b, for now. hahaha.

Lastly:

i sense a smile

After service. the sky pretty much wrapped up what i felt. Just wanna take a stroll, drink some tea and thank God for His Grace and beauty. Thankyou You.