I rest my head on His chest, tired and worn out, dirty and undeserving - He never fails to wrap His arms around me in ever-loving faithfulness. I hear the heartbeat of His heart through His chest, and His heart is beating an absolute love. His waves of grace and mercy wash over me as I grasp the robes He has clothed me with - His robes of righteousness and purity. My tears fall as I try to comprehend all He has done for me, and I realise that He has done everything for me. Jesus, the most beautiful name that I know.. You wipe my tears away and I feel Your tears drop on me - Why are you crying with me, Jesus? - just as You bled on the cross for me, You feel my hurt and you know my pain. Even when I cannot understand my heart and I depend on You through the storm, You know me and You are faithful.

And I rest my head on His chest - tired and worn out, dirty and undeserving - But His breath brings life to me.

He loves me..

He loves me.

The tongue that brings healing is a tree of life, but a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.

"The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit." (Proverbs 18:21)

God has clearly stated that the tongue has a certain amount of power to it - the power to bring life and the power to bring death.

Sometimes people don't think about what they're going to say before they say it - it just comes out of their mouths. And certain times it can be very hurtful even when they don't realise it. What they don't realise is that although the "tongue is a small part of the body - but it makes great boasts." It is compared to as a 'small spark that can set a whole forest on fire'.

As it is, the things we say have an impact on other peoples lives. We can use our tongue to bring the power of life and healing by encouraging people in Christ, and even small things like, "You look beautiful today.", or we can bring death and spark off a forest fire with our hardly-thought-of insults, judgments and discouraging comments ("I don't think you can do it", anyone?).

I have been hurt before by many careless comments by people who didn't think twice before saying something, and they did not think of the consequences of those words. I have seen hurt appear in peoples eyes when others throw an insult that they thought was seemingly funny, and that person just hid it with a smile. I have seen people take an insulting joke and throw it off with a laugh, only to turn around with an aching heart.

The thing is, the words you say could very well turn into a lifetime of hurt and grief for someone.

You might think it was just a funny comment, hardly an insult, oh you were 'just kidding', why'd she/he have to take it so seriously? But be reminded that God has given you this tongue to edify others and to build others up, for encouragement and for the glory of God.

"With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water."

(James 3:9-12)

You could choose to scar someone emotionally with the hurtful words you say - or you could choose to bring life & healing to souls and glorify God the Father that deserves more than what we could ever give.

Think before you say something. God, help me to think before I say something.

"He determines the number of the stars and calls them each by name.." (Psalms 147:4)

He placed the stars in the sky, He knows the exact number of stars there are, He calls each one by name. He is magnificent, His understanding has no limit, He is amazing, He is the sustainer, He is my strength, He is our Love.

Sometimes we feel as if we don’t understand ourselves – what we want, how we feel, what’s wrong with us, or what we should do about it. But God’s understanding has no limit, and therefore He understands us fully. If you feel troubled and don’t understand yourself - remember that God understands you perfectly.

The God that has placed each and every star in the sky and personally knows each one by their name - If He could care for a single star that much, imagine.. how much He really cares for you, a son and daughter of His.

Whats happening in New Zealand and Libya is now all over the news and the internet.
I don't know what to feel - Angry, guilty, terrified, sad? Here I am, enjoying the abundant blessings of all that God has given me.. A safe home, loving parents, a beautiful church, a nation where I am free to worship my God. And there are millions of people out there hurting and wondering if there is a God out there who cares.

Another earthquake has struck Christchurch just barely five months after the last. This is so devastating and a lot were killed and people who just moved on from the past calamity were then again put into danger. They need beds, the need medicine, they need anything we're willing to give. I mean, we cannot blame anyone here. It’s nature’s game. But once again, I'm reminded that God is in control.

"I am the LORD, and there is no other; apart from Me there is no God. I will strengthen you, though you have not acknowledged Me, so that from the rising of the sun to the place of its setting people may know there is none besides Me.

I am the LORD, and there is no other. I form the light and create darkness, I bring prosperity and create disaster; I, the LORD, do all these things." (Isaiah 45:5-7)

Libya - This issue is a lot more troubling. It’s too much for me to bear. Watching the videos, reading the live feeds, seeing images of the 5-inch bullets that are being used close-range on the people. Right now, at this very moment, there is a GENOCIDE going on in Libya. Soldiers are being burned for refusing to shoot protesters - Protesters are getting bombed down, lives lost, families broken. People with lost limbs and blown up bodies litter the streets, people around them wailing and screaming out to their god for help.

Don't know the reality of whats going on? Youtube. Google. Watch the sickening videos of people being operated on in the middle of the streets, of the bullets used to shoot down protesters which were meant for use on VEHICLES, people being literally shot down just for walking in the street and protesting.

On 20th February 2011, the death count in Libya is more than 500 and counting. The protests started on the 17th February 2011.

All they want is freedom. But seeing the lives lost, the blood shed and the people crying out in desperation - I just can't seem to comprehend this freedom they are searching for. Once again, my heart breaks a million times over and it seems like Satan has control in so many ways in this world.

But.

My Jesus is bigger, He is stronger, He is greater, in every way and every situation.

For no one is cast off by the Lord forever. Though He brings grief, He will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love. For He does not willingly bring affliction or grief to anyone. (Lamentations 3:31-33)

The bullets on the far left are the ones being used on the Libyan people. These bullets were designed to immobilize VEHICLES, and were never meant for HUMAN USE.

1. Clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

2. Bear with each other.

3. Forgive others if you have a grievance against them.

4. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

5. Above all, put on Love, because it binds all things together in perfect unity.

6. Allow the peace of Christ to rule in your hearts, because we as members of one body (The church, the believers) are called to peace.

7. Be thankful.

8. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and advice others earnestly with God-given wisdom through psalms, hymns and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.

9. Whatever you do, in word or actions, do it all in the name of Lord Jesus -

10. And remember to give thanks to God the Father through Him :)

//Colossians3:12-17

Everyone needs forgiveness, the kindness of a Saviour.

Othniel said something today - "Often times, we feel like we still haven't been forgiven- When the fact is, we've already been forgiven a long time ago."

Sometimes we still feel the need to say sorry over and over again to God, over something bad we did. We feel like our sorry is simply not enough and we have to keep reminding God that we're sorry and pray that we hope He forgives us..

When the fact is, He forgave us a long time ago. He forgave us the moment we repented and said sorry. He forgave us like He forgave the thief on the day He was crucified. God doesn't do forgiveness deals - 'Alright, if I forgive you, you have to go and talk to so-and-so about Christ. You have to memorise three chapters of the bible. Then I'll forgive you.' - No! He forgives us the moment we are sorry. Because He's our Father and He loves us.

He doesn't punish us for the sins we do - He teaches us. Lets accept His forgiveness :)

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. //1 John 1:9