Some people see miracles and others don't. It's not fate or luck. There are principles we have to follow to see His power manifest. 

You might be in a situation right now where you are facing an absolute disaster financially, physically, emotionally, or in your relationships. Maybe nothing seems to be working. When we are in the midst of the storm, there are two possible situations: either we are like Jonah (Johan 1-3) who ran from God and got into trouble due to his rebellion, or we are like Peter (Matthew 14:22-29) who followed the will of Jesus when the storm hit. You need a word from God. You need a inner witness from the Holy Spirit that what you are doing is what God told you to do.

When problem comes, you might feel condemned and think, "I brought this on myself. I deserve it." If you are there because of your own rebellion and disobedience to God, then you should repent, like Jonah did in the belly of the fish. God loves you and will set you free.  However, if you are doing what God told you to do, like Peter following Jesus on the sea, you need to stop doing anything according to your natural ability and only depend on God, trusting that God would keep you from sinking. That's how Peter was able to walk on the water. 

God intends for mankind to live in Him and through Him. A normal Christian life is for you to be drawing upon God's ability and power. 

     In life, one will go through many difficult times and situations. Sometimes, the situation is so bad they will ask themselves, "Why do I have to go through this? What did I do that deserved this?" And some Christians will ask, "God. If you're real, why did you let your faithful believer go through this?"  Anyway, the reason people usually question God is because Satan is quietly blaming everything on God in their ear, causing them to think that God was the reason to this terrible time. Here's the answer: we are living in a chaotic world but God's love for us never changes. As mentioned many times in the Bible, we are constantly in a spiritual warfare (just like Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden) and Satan is doing everything he can to damage us, and to cause us to question God. Also, in the Bible, the consummation of the world (and the 'end time') has already been clearly foretold. It is very challenging, yet absolutely worthwhile, to discern what comes from God and what comes from the enemy. May we keep beholding Jesus, our wonderful Savior and Friend, as we pass through this amazing journey together.  "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

We are living in an age in which God is still moving. He is working among the Jews and by the nations to perform His plan... 

Although we all were born in the human history, once we believe in Christ Jesus, we have been reborn, regenerated, into the divine history. As we read the Bible, we realize that the divine history didn't end with Abraham, Issac, Jacob, Joseph, Daniel, or even Peter and Paul. Great stories have occured, and this divine history continues on. 

As we can see, whatever is taking place in the world throughout the generations, among the nations or through worldly powers, is just like a tint of the background on a canvas for God's great stories to be portrayed. Let's fix our eyes on the stage of the most excellent director, the Author and Creator of the universe, who is now on the throne in the heavens. 

God's history from the eternal past involves us. He blessed us with the spiritual blessings in the heavenlies according to the good pleasure of His will (Eph. 1:5) to the praise of the glory of His grace.  He chose us to be His children so we could have His divine life and be holy as He is. 

As we embrace and live in this marvelous history, we realize that whatever He has done, whatever His is doing, and whatever He will do in His history are all for us to enjoy our Christian life with Him!

The Bible provides a record of the God's intention for the Cities of Refuge (Numbers 35:6-38;  Joshua 20:2-3).  When God divided the Promised Land between the tribes of Israel, He apportioned to each tribe vast tracts of real estate. It was in this land that God's people would dwell, and it was from this land that they would derive their livelihood. Out of the 48 cities, God instructed the Levites to set apart six cities that would be distinctly different from the other cities to serve a unique function. "Speak to the children of Israel," God told Joshua, "saying, Appoint out for you cities of refuge, whereof I spake unto you by the hand of Moses: That the slayer that killeth any person unawares and unwittingly may flee thither: and they shall be your refuge from the avenger of blood".

The 48 cities were to be scattered among Israel to be her marvelous available blessing. However,  there were 6 cities of refuge, three on each side of the Jordan River. The cities of refuge represent Jesus Christ as the redeeming God, into whom mistaken sinners can flee for refuge. Furthermore, the distribution of the 6 refuge cities in different places indicates that Jesus is near and available.  As indicated in Psalm 9:9, "The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble".

The cities of refuge were to be not only for the children of Israel but also for the strangers and sojouners among them. This reveals that Jesus, as the cities of refuge whom God has spread among men, to the very place where we are, for all those who make mistakes, is for all mankind.  

What a wonderful salvation to all the mistake-making mankind! 

Although Christ is taking care of us, we all have our own thought and feeling as to how He should care for us... However, often the Lord's way of caring for us is different from what we desire. We do not know what is good for us, but the Lord knows. He knows what is needed for our life on earth. One day we shall see Him and worship.

Regardless of our situations, the Lord's care of is always positive. Although we may not understand in the beginning, He will show us how precious and sufficient He is to us, enabling us to enjoy Him and all His riches.  May we all enjoy Christ as our High Priest who bears us on His shoulders and breast, and minister God to us. 

There's nothing in the world, whether it's the business, our performance, relationships, or even anything that is right or wrong, can shake us and touch our hearts like our Master. His response is all we care about. May He continue to appear to us each day. 

You lifted my high
I gained You as mine
No one, and nothing, can hinder my joy

Let's take this moment to celebrate
And rejoice
While my race is still on...

With You, 
I now have everything
My heart has come to rest
Completely satisfied

Offering of praises I present to you
Again, let me say
I love You!




 

It is often natural for us to feel overwhelmed with our everyday situations. When struggles and anxiety seem to become regular stages in your routine, it is important to focus on the Lord's aim for you: to experience Him. The Lord desires to be your everything, and may frequently raise your environment in order for you to turn to Him as your refuge. He is the unceasing sustenance and longs for you to just take Him as your source. Once you turn to Him, you will be able to see just how enjoyable and comforting He is. So remember, never lose heart in times of difficulty, but rather cast your anxieties and cares onto Him. It is in this way that He is able to grow within you. How wonderful is this?

In the Bible, the Lord spoke to Job out of the whirlwind (Job 38:1). Then Job said,"I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees You". What a joy it is to finally meet with the Lord and have such a personal conversation with Him!  What was your experience of finding the Lord, the Treasure of the greatest value in the universe?