Overcoming barriers to success - where is your focus?

The fields were parched and brown from lack of rain, and the crops lay wilting from thirst. People were anxious and irritable as they searched the sky for any sign of relief. Days turned into arid weeks. No rain came.

The ministers of the local churches called for an hour of prayer on the town square the following Saturday. They requested that everyone bring an object of faith for inspiration.

At high noon on the appointed Saturday the townspeople turned out en masse, filling the square with anxious faces and hopeful hearts. The ministers were touched to see the variety of objects clutched in prayerful hands - holy books, crosses, rosaries.

When the hour ended, as if on magical command, a soft rain began to fall. Cheers swept the crowd as they held their treasured objects high in gratitude and praise. From the middle of the crowd, one faith symbol seemed to overshadow all the others: A small nine-year old child had brought an umbrella.

Laverne W. Hall
From: Chicken Soup for the Christian Soul

Hi, my name is Jing Jing, and I’m currently studying architecture in UTM. As many of you may already know, architecture is well-known in UTM as a 6-year course that never sleeps. Take a walk around the campus throughout the semester, and chances are there are times when you will find the faculty's studio lights still switched on even though it’s already 3am, as students worked on their projects. Today I want to share about how God helped me breakthrough in the area of focusing on Him in overcoming my challenges.

Recently, I encountered a challenge in the form of my 1st major project. As the deadline drew closer, I don’t even have a direction for my project, no idea of what to come up with. I started getting worried and feeling lost. Therefore I prayed and asked God to give me direction, wisdom, strength and peace. I wanted to finish up my project as much as possible so that I can join the student group’s Eureka Camp. Eventually, I found an interesting topic and God gave me the concentration I have never experienced before, as well as a burning passion for my project. I keep focusing on God’s presence rather than negative feelings, worry and tiredness, His power rather than my ability, His promise rather than circumstances. As a result, peace and joy filled my heart (John 14:27 – Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.).

On Friday before the camp, I intended to submit my finished project. Upon looking through my project, my lecturer asked me whether I am clear about the objectives of my project. I explained my proposal to him, and little did I expect that he would drop a bombshell by saying that my design and its objectives were already flawed right from the beginning, thus he rejected it. That meant I have to start re-doing it all over again from zero. Submission is on Monday and I’m supposed to be joining the camp later that evening! I know I can’t miss Eureka camp, because it is a camp that can change my life. The word ‘Eureka’ itself means ‘I have discovered something’, and I wouldn’t want to miss the experience of learning more about the wonderful plan He has for me (Jeremiah 29:11 – For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.).

I prayed to God to guide me and give me strength so that I won’t be tired after the camp. By faith, I uphold my project into His hand and made the decision to go for the camp. By the time we returned home from camp, it was already Saturday evening, and next day we have Sunday service. After the camp, I continued with my work and God blessed me with people to help me too. His love sustained me through the entire process. It’s not easy but His presence comforts me.

After a gruelling weekend, I finally submitted my work on Monday. To my surprise, I was the only one who successfully submitted it on time, and this time my lecturer even praised me for my good work. All this is God’s work and blessing. His grace is always sufficient for me (2 Corinthians 12:9 – But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me). He is faithful as long as I choose to focus on Him and let Him lead me.

Lim Jing Jing
U2A

Decision time

Currently listening: Ana Laura - Completely

I know the situation may not be favourable from all angles at the moment, but I wanna uphold and believe for Your favour for today's decision making.

The Widow's Oil - 2 Kings 4:1-7
1 The wife of a man from the company of the prophets cried out to Elisha, "Your servant my husband is dead, and you know that he revered the LORD. But now his creditor is coming to take my two boys as his slaves." 2 Elisha replied to her, "How can I help you? Tell me, what do you have in your house?" "Your servant has nothing there at all," she said, "except a little oil."
3 Elisha said, "Go around and ask all your neighbors for empty jars. Don't ask for just a few. 4 Then go inside and shut the door behind you and your sons. Pour oil into all the jars, and as each is filled, put it to one side."
5 She left him and afterward shut the door behind her and her sons. They brought the jars to her and she kept pouring. 6 When all the jars were full, she said to her son, "Bring me another one." But he replied, "There is not a jar left." Then the oil stopped flowing.
7 She went and told the man of God, and he said, "Go, sell the oil and pay your debts. You and your sons can live on what is left."

Basically got reminded on how much am I willing to step out and believe when carrying out certain things, as reflected in the number of jars the widow collected - an indication of their faith. God's provision was as large as their faith and willingness to obey. Therefore, do not limit God's ability because He is able to do much more than we can ever imagine (Ephesians 3:20)

Mr Bridges: "Grant, I heard a story about 2 farmers who desperately needed rain, and both of them prayed for rain, but only one of them went out and prepared his fields to receive it.
Which one do you think trusted God to send the rain?"
Grant Taylor: "Well, the one who prepared his fields for it?"
Mr Bridges: "Which one are you? God will send the rain when He is ready. You need to prepare your field to receive it."
-from the movie 'Facing the Giants'-

Forever Strong - The key is the man

Synopsis
Rick Penning (Sean Faris) lives life just like he plays rugby: fast, hard-hitting and intense. When life on the edge lands him in jail, prison ward Marcus Tate (Sean Astin) offers him a chance to get back in the game by playing for longtime rival, Highland Rugby. Reluctantly Rick joins the team where he must adopt the grueling training schedule and unique code of conduct that Highland’s legendary coach (Gary Cole) demands. Egos clash and bitter competitors struggle to find the meaning of “team.”

As on-field battles rage, hearts are challenged and loyalties are tried. Rick Penning has to decide between the life he lived and a life that stands before him. With a national championship on the line, he will learn that the greatest victories are born in the heart.

"It's not about rugby, it's about young men. It's not about building a championship team. It's about building championship boys, boys who will be forever strong."
-Coach Larry Gelwix, Highland Rugby-

Random bits of humour