Bible Study: Day One - Philippians 1

Philippians 1

May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation—the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ —for this will bring much glory and praise to God. (‭Philippians ‭1‬:‭11‬ NLT)

Was at choir practice last night, and our choir director - Wendy, has encouraged us to read the book of Philippians, so I think, why not? 

The book of Phillipans is written by the apostle Paul to the brothers and sisters in Philippi. 

In this chapter one, Paul was expressing his gratitude to the people in Philippi while he was imprisoned, not sure where was his prison, but that doesn't matter now. (I shall checked on wikipedia later)

I read and read and noticed that even though he is in prison, his heart is so full of thankagiving, to our Lord Jesus Christ, to the people who are supporting him and even to those who are against him. 

I am like, can I ever be in such thanksgiving spirit? Even for those who speaks against him, but is preaching the Good News to the world. He has such a big heart. He is so secured in Christ. Yes, secured is the word. 

Many people are doing things to hurt or bring other people down, simply because they are insecured. They do not have Jesus in their life. And even those who has Jesus, who know Jesus is for them, but they have never really trust in the Good News, or they haven been believing wrong all the time because of the wrong doctrine or preaching they received from some angry leaders/ pastors. They don't know that God's love is unconditional. And Jesus died for the the ungodly. 

Pastor has always emphasized that it is for God SO loved the world, that He sent His Son Jesus Christ to die for us, the sinners. And Jesus loves and obeyed His Father and He came and died for us willingly, so that we can all be made righteous by His shed blood. His blood was shed to wash us clean, whiter than snow. Hallelujah! And if we believe in His finished work for us, we will have the security in life and we will live right. 

And being thanksgiving is part of the living right lifestyle. Give thanks in everything! Seriously, not an easy task. But thanks be to God the Father, and Jesus Christ, His beloved Son. I believe that when I put my focus on Christ, nothing else really matter. He is always with me, to minister to me, to comfort me, to accompany me, to heal me, to guide me, to lead me, to teach me and to feed me. Spiritually and physically. 

Give thanks! I am learning to give thanks and also to give the benefit of doubts towards people whom I feel they have done me wrong. If Paul being in the prison can still be so thankful, then me, the free one should give even more thanks for my life. 

Paul said, to live is to live for Christ, and dying is even better, coz to die means he will be with Jesus forevermore, so dying is of course a better deal. I also have the same struggle sometimes. To live or to die? Well, I guess this is not something I can control. My life is fully control by my Lord. So, while I am living, let me continue to live for Him, to receive His abundance of grace for me and to serve Him back out of the overflow that He has blessed me with. 

Thank You Lord Jesus! I know I won't be here if it's not for Your sake. Let me continue to live a thanksgiving life that is full of Your Hased, Your Grace and Truth, Your loving kindness and tender mercies, Your protection in Psalm 91, Your healing promises, Your unearned, undeserved and unmerited favour for me.  Thank You Abba for so loved me and sent Your one and only beloved Son Jesus Christ to die my death and take away all my sins, and made me the righteousness of God in Christ! 

All this in Jesus' most precious and wonderful name. Amen and amen! 

Elf's: Lunch with JR

Hmmm... our 2nd meet up in this week.

He is having a weekend break, and so, we met up for lunch, and yes, he is still craving for STEAK! 

So, we decided to try out the steak from Aston Specialties @ CSM as I read some review online that Aston is famous with their steak.

To my surprise, there was no queue as what it usually does. So, we placed our order and get a table for two to sit down in less than 10 minutes.

We ordered the same food and drinks with different side order for the fibre, I have opted for coleslaw while he had garden salad, which appeared to be a better choice in term of photography as well as taste. 

We both had order the same for our rib-eye steak to be medium-well done, he ordered for xtra cut while i am having the normal serving.

The appearance of our steak is nothing to compare with the one he had at iSteaks. Our steaks appeared a little bit dry, instead of juicy that I have been expecting. I would say the steak was overdone, perhaps, I should order medium raw instead as I really found the texture of the steak a little bit too hard and dry. 

JR's comment is - The steak is a compromise. Not coming back for it again. Or just stick to chicken. I can't help but agree with him.

And this make my desire to try out the steak at iSteak grow stronger. And I would like to try it with no one else but JR. 

Our drink of the day is IBC Root Beer! So cooling and refreshing.... Love it! Yes, we both find fulfillment in this drink, sadly, not our main course. Lol~!

After the quick lunch, JR sent me to a bus stop nearby to take bus back to office. Initially, I was planning to take a cab, but, not sure what is the occasional, the cab queue was extremely long, so, he said I can get a bus back to office and he is willing to accompany me to the bus stop, and even waited with me for bus 67. 

Thanks JR! There is never a dull moment spent when you are with me. I truly appreciate the precious moment we had, and thank you for being my friend. 

Hope we can make it for iSteaks soon! 

Elf's: Supper with JR

We met up last night for supper after my late dinner at Crystal Jade @ Holland Village.

JR was craving for steak, yes, steak @ 11pm..... Yes, 11.00pm, 2300...

And to our surprise, we did manage to find a steaks' place at this hour. 

iSteaks Grillhouse is the place! It is actually located in the Holland Village Hawker Center and JR discovered this place while I was withdrawing $ from the ATM nearby.

I now know, not that he never told me before, but I see with my eyes now, he really loves steaks. And how he can behave like a child when he is craving for his favourite food!

After getting a table, he quickly join in the queue to order his 250gm rib eyes steak ($19.50) and he likes it medium. 

Look at the steak, so thick & juicy... I was sooooo tempted to ask for a bite from him, but alas, I stopped myself. He doesn't like to share food, or I should say taste other people's food, but he doesn't mind if other will be trying his. So, I thought I should respect him by not tasting his food too, to be fair... :)

And he wallowed up all the food on the plate in less than 20 minutes... and he looked so satisfied after finished up the food. A satisfy man is a happy man! Lol~! And I am happy and satisfy too to see how happy and satisfied he was.

After he was fully satisfies, straight away we headed to hunt for a place to have a drink. Actually, I was asking if he wants to have beer at the hawker centre, but he did not allow me to do so... So, we finally decided to go to XinWang located at Lorong Mambong for our drink. He ordered a watermelon ice-blended without sugar while I had my usual hot drink - lemon honey.

We spent our time there, listening to the korean, mandarin & cantonese songs played loudly in the background, chit-chatting with each other, playing bowl with friends on our phone, and chit-chatting... 

This meet up was good. I truly enjoy having a friend like JR. 

And maybe we both know that I am leaving Sg for good soon, we somehow treasure this time together very much, I am not sure about him, but me, definitely! However, I can sense it from him. 

It's so hard to bid farewell... But baby goodbye, doesn't mean forever.. reminded me of a song I once like it very much - Goodbye Girl by Bread.

Well, till we meet again, hopefully soon, and hopefully we can do it often before I return to KL for good. 

Elf's: Fearful

Yes, fearful, the very strong negative feeling I have ever since my dad was admitted to hospital on last Father's day.

Still, am feeling it, but not as strong as it first appeared when the bad news hit me. God is good and faithful in keeping me. He has constantly spoke to me in this verse:

For the Lord your God is living among you.

    He is a mighty savior.

He will take delight in you with gladness.

    With his love, he will calm all your fears.[a]

    He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.

Zephaniah 3:17

Zephaniah 3:17, with His love, He will calm all my fears.. how beautiful can my God be, right? It immediately calm myself, knowing that my God loves me so much, and point me to this verse. Frankly, I  don't even know there a book called Zephaniah in my bible. (I have yet to finish my OT reading.. long overdue reading plan)

Anyway, God is a good, faithful and loving God, even if I have not finish reading the OT, He is too mighty to even show me this verse that I have never hear/ read before. And what's more? Since then, this verse has been appearing everywhere in my reading, the sermon that I listened, FB, Instagram... everywhere... 

This truly shows that my God is real, and He cares and loves me SO much! 

Not that I have doubted that my God is real, but when I am in need, in need of His presence, He appears. I just feel so loved and so close to Jesus. Psalm 46: 1 says:

God is our refuge and strength,

A very present help in trouble.

Psalm 46:1

Thank You Jesus! You are truly the best, my very present help in trouble. 

I am confident that my dad is the healed of the Lord. Read a e-newsletter from Pastor Joseph Prince, and once again, You have used the resources around me to speak to me again, that healing is for me and my family, I just need to believe and receive. Period.

There is nothing for me to do or undo to receive the gift of healing You have for me and my family. IT IS FINISHED! 2000 years ago. 

Thank You Lord! Thank You for Your promises and blessings towards Your Beloved - that's me, and my family included. 

May I always remember that You will never leave me nor forsake me, in every plan that I need to execute now and in the future. In Jesus' name. Amen, and amen.

Elf's: Sunday with JR and his family

Spent my Sunday evening with JR and his family for dinner and coffee.

Maybe the love I have for him is already too deep, and I actually want to love his wife and his daughter too. Or maybe the love I have for him is just love for a brother, a family member? 

Confused, yes. Yet not so confused, because I know who has gone before me to fight this winning battle. And I also know who is in me. 

It was a night full of laughters and fun until his wife asking him to meet up for lunch on Monday, which is today, after his appointment. I never thought that he would reject her and even told her that he might be meeting me for lunch. 

I was like, Oh my! Can't he just say yes to his wife? And moreover, I only asked him to meet up as I need to pass him things that I bought for him, not asking to have lunch together. Why is he rejecting his wife's request? It was such an awkward situation and his wife just keep quiet and finally suggested to leave. 

Honestly, I felt bad. I even texted him to tell him to have lunch with his wife and I can meet him some other day. His reason is he has already promised to me first. And he is not sure what time he can finished his task. So, what can I say? 

I am trying my very best not to get involved in his family matters. Not that I wanted to forget that he is married, but I am just trying to make things simpler. He is not the type that will pour out his heart to the peole around him, so, its really better not to step in to his family matters. 

Today, we had lunch at nex's Ramen Play. It was a great catch up. Sometimes I really have a feeling that we are more than just friends. Maybe lovers? Maybe siblings? I don't know. He is like my family member, always the first person that I wanna share my life with. 

We both know very well that it's impossible. Good night.