Praying in Tongues Boosts Immune System

I recently came across an article that says our bodies release 2 chemical secretions that can boost our immune system. And according to this article, these secretions are triggered only when we pray in tongues. You can read more about it here.

It is very interesting to know that God in his wisdom has hidden within our bodies a mechanism that only unlocks when we respond in faith in obedience to his word.

Praying in tongues really require some faith on our parts. We do not know what we are praying about or even whether we are doing it right. For those who do not understand it might even look foolish. We just have to rely on the Holy Spirit and trust that He will lead us to pray the perfect prayer. We are actually exercising our faith when we pray in tongues.

This is like a "side-benefit" for praying in tongues. For me, I wanted to pray in tongues more because I wanted to be more "connected" with God and have the Holy Spirit guiding my every day decisions. I felt that I needed his guidance more desperately following an incident that happened sometime end of last year.

One day, I was approached by a lady while walking on the street. She told me some sob stories about how she had lost her money and needed some money for food and to rent a place to stay for the night before she gets some money from her boss who is coming in the next day. And she promised the money will be returned the next day.

Sounds like a typical con-artist, but in my mind I kept thinking, "What if it is real?" So after some thinking I agreed to give her some RM10 for food. They sounded really sad, (by that time there were 2 of them) so I gave her RM100 instead, which was about all I had at that time. They even tried to persuade me to go to the ATM to get more...

On my way home, I kept thinking whether I did wrong. We were supposed to help people, but what about con artists? How do we know whether it was a real case that needed help? I myself have been in a situation like that, and Alisha had also experienced being without a single cent in town, alone and after midnight, where she also asked for help from strangers. So I can't say we should just ignore all pleas for help from strangers.

In situations like this I need help from the Holy Spirit. I thought it would be good if I can know which one is genuine, and which one is scam. Is it even possible? Well, I'll let you know the next time it happens.

To conclude the story, i think that particular one was a scam. When I reached home, at nearly midnight, I tried calling the handphone number they gave me, just to see if they had found a place to stay. Some how the line was connected but they were not aware of it. I overheard they were still on the street asking for money. Seems like they were still 'working'. Later, they ignored my calls and the line was even terminated.

The Measure of Wisdom

I have been reading, memorizing and meditating on the book of Proverbs for some time, and quite regularly for about 2 years now.

I particularly like Proverbs because I seek to have more wisdom in my life. Okay, I'm interested in the benefits of having wisdom, because "Long life is in her right hand, in her left hand are riches and honor." (Proverbs 3:16)

After some time meditating Proverbs, I should have improved by some measure. I wondered, "but by how much? Can I consider myself a wise person now? How much progress have I made?"

Then this verse came to mind:

"15Look carefully then how you walk! Live purposefully and worthily and accurately, not as the unwise and witless, but as wise (sensible, intelligent people),
16Making the very most of the time [buying up each opportunity], because the days are evil."
Ephesians 5:15-16 (Amplified Bible)

Actually there is a way to find out the measure of our wisdom.

This passage tells us that if we are wise, we will:

1. Live purposefully and worthily and accurately.
2. Make the very most of our time.

So, if we want to know how wise we are, one way is that we can start by checking how we are spending our time. How much of our time is spent purposefully, worthily and accurately, or are we wasting time?

As for myself, this is a particularly important lesson. Lack of discipline in this area is a great concern for me personally. In this year of 2008, one of my major areas that I hope to improve is my management of my time.

I have set it one of my main goals in my resolution. However, I do not want to make it as if it is by my self-effort. I know I can't achieve it on my own. (I know, I've tried) My approach this time is that my year 2008 resolution will be my declared intention, but I will rely on the Holy Spirit to guide me to it.

Hosanna - (Saviour King) Hillsong United LIVE

This is a song that I really like.

Comments from the songwriter Brooke Fraser




This is how it is played:

Sound The Jubilee

The theme this year for Renewal Lutheran Church (my new church) is "Sound the Jubilee". The verse for this theme is taken from Luke 4:19, "To proclaim the year of the Lord's favor."

The Jubilee is part of the old testament law where on every 50th year the land must be rested from all agricultural activities. The other significant facts about the Jubilee are:

• all the debts owing until that day will be cancelled or written off
• any Israelite that has been sold on slavery must be set free
• all the land that has been sold during the 49 years must be returned to its original owner

For us Christians, we believe that we have entered into a perpetual Jubilee from the moment Jesus died on the cross, where all our sin-debts has been cancelled and all those who are bound as a slave to sin has been set free once and for all, and we are to return to our inheritance as children of God.

However, our Jubilee, just like any other promises of God in the bible, it doesn't happen automatically. We have to firstly be aware that we have that promise, secondly ask God for it and thirdly believe that we have it.

That is why Ps. Joshua, having received the word from God, has proclaimed that year 2008 shall be a year of Jubilee for the whole church.

Quite amazingly, with just a mere few weeks into year 2008, the church has already experienced its manifestation of the Jubilee. The following testimony was shared in today's church service:

There is this anonymous church member who for the past one year had this secret desire to help paying off the church building debt (incurred for the purchase of the church building some 10 years ago), so he prayed to God to provide the money. Some time ago recently, the Lord has blessed this brother tremendously, that he was able to issue a cheque to pay off completely the church building debt, which amounted to more than RM2 million!

Wow! Talk about leadership by example! The pastor and the church leadership proclaimed the Jubilee by faith, taught the church about it, and God has blessed the ministry by the miraculous cancellation of debt.

God is with RLC, and he did not let the words of the pastor to fall to the ground! (1 Samuel 3:19).

The Jubilee has been proclaimed for this year. The church as a whole is already experiencing it. Now it is up to the individual member of the church to claim it for himself personally.

I thank God for this blessing. I am so excited for this year. I believe that this is going to be a year of breakthroughs! I am believing God for it, and claiming it for myself in Jesus' name.

Audio Bible

I found a website that provides "Audio Bible" service. (provided by BibleGateway.com)

Now I can use turn it on and listen to bible verses being read as I do my other work. I am quite excited about it, as now I can have one more way to saturate my mind with God's word.

If you have read my earlier blog on the benefits of being united with God's word, you would find out why this so excites me. CLICK HERE TO READ. I am now using it to listen to my favourite "Proverbs".

Along the way I have also put up a link to the web page beside my blog for your easy reference. Oh.. and also a bible verse quick search, just in case you need it.

"Do not be conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - his good, pleasing and perfect will." (Romans 12:2)

Every time when I hear of preachers telling us how God spoke to them, and led them and guided them to make some decisions, I wondered how they did it. Why God leads them in such a way, but it doesn't happen to me? When I asked God for advice on which decision to make, why is it that I don't have answers from God saying, "do this" or "don't take the offer"?

This verse gives me an answer to my question. The Greek word for "test and approve" in this verse ("dokimazo") can also be translated as "discern". So, this verse can also be translated as such:

If our minds are renewed (by God's word), we will be able to discern what God's will is.

No wonder those preachers are so closely led by God! They have spent so much time reading God's word that their minds are so renewed by it. Hey, they don't simply go up there to preach unless they have read up quite a bit...

(In case you are wondering, I don't know Greek, but a software called "e-Sword" can come in quite handy if you want to do some research.)

My 'Joseph' Moment

Last night I went out and had supper with some friends to discuss some matters. At midnight when I was driving on my way back, I received an unexpected phone call. It was from someone whom I got to know through another friend, when I handled his matters sometime back. He asked whether I will be free to meet up the next day, which I agreed. Then moments later he called again and asked if we can meet up immediately. I agreed, since I'm already driving on the way.

This friend wanted to engage me to handle a matter for him, which needs urgent attention. He is planning to make a bid to takeover a company, and is seeking my advice over some difficulties because some of the preliminary steps were not taken. He wanted to engage me to conduct the takeover exercise.

I was so overjoyed at the opportunity! This friend wants me to handle this multi-million dollar deal, which normally is being handled by large legal firms, all the while knowing that I run only a small firm and had just newly set-up. I am not a well-known lawyer and don't not have a track record to show. Humanly speaking, there is no way I can land up in these kind of deals. There is only one explanation for this: God's favour!

If I can solve the problem of this friend and successfully carried out the takeover exercise, that would mean a financial breakthrough for me... and not forgetting the other major jobs that will follow from a happy client. The result would be an abundant prosperity!

My situation now reminds me of Joseph before the Pharoah. He was in such a distressing state for a long time, humanly speaking, until a moment when God provided him with an opportunity. The Pharoah had a problem which needed Joseph's help. Joseph looked to God for the answer and said, "I cannot do it, but God will give Pharoah the answer he desires." (Genesis 41:16)

He provided the solution and Pharoah decided to raise him up to a position to be able to carry out the solution. All in it just took less than an hour for Joseph to experience his breakthrough.

One moment of God's favour is able to release a tremendous breakthrough!

Lord Jesus, I ask that you will give me the wisdom and knowledge to handle this matter. I can't do it on my own... please give me the ability to do a good job for your glory. I need your grace and favour!

Attitude Behind the Testimony

I was listening to a sermon by Joyce Meyer on the internet last night. Just want to share something that have caught my attention.

(Joyce Meyer's slot was right before Ps. Prince's slot which is at midnight, so sometimes if I was early I will listen to her message also, which I thought was very good and relevant and interesting)

She shared about this incident where she was having some problems (with her pantyhose that keep tearing up!). While she was in the toilet with a Christian friend, it happened again, for the fourth time that week. Out of frustration she just gave a sigh. Her friend said, "You know, I have prayed over my pantyhose and it didn't tear up, I've been using it for the past 6 months".

She felt discouraged after hearing that, it didn't occur to her that she needs to pray over her pantyhose. But the interesting thing is that sometime later this friend shared with her that almost immediately after she gave this "testimony", her pantyhose tore up! She decided to ask God why do these things happen so often... there are many times where we are experiencing victories in a certain area, but the moment we share it out, that victory stopped.

I thought that was interesting too... come to think of it, this "phenomenon" has also occured to me many times, just that i thought it was purely a coincidence and brushed it aside. Was it because God has decided to stop that blessing for a certain reason? What was the reason?

Wait a minute... aren't we suppose to share our testimonies to encourage and edify the church? Aren't the enemy defeated by the blood of Christ and the words of our testimony? So, why do sometimes when we hear other's testimony we feel discouraged and small instead of being encouraged and edified?

This was the answer given to Joyce Meyer:

The reason is because sometimes the motive behind the testimony is not to encourage others. Our motive is sometimes to show that we are slightly better than them.

Wow! I have learnt something important today. We should share out our testimonies to give God the glory, but the attitude behind the testimony is all so important because if we were not careful, we might end up getting the glory for ourselves... "God blessed me because I'm a good Christian, I did this and that...."

So, before we share out our testimonies, don't just blurt it out... apply some wisdom. Do some quick check:

1. What is our motive? Is it to give glory to God and to encourage our listeners? Does our testimony point to Jesus, or to ourselves?
2. Is this the right time to share it? We must also be sensitive to the situation of our hearers. An advice by Joyce Meyer: If someone is going through a tough time struggling in this area, don't share it at that moment... be sensitive!

Haha! I know it is quite a challenge... most of the time when we had a victory we are too excited to share it out, we will be too excited to think through what's the motive behind, whether it is the right time, etc... but growing in wisdom is also part of growing in our spiritual lives. Like the book of Proverbs say:

"A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver." (Proverbs 25:11)

A testimony aptly given can really encourage and edify your listener. He will say, "Ahh... God is REAL! I want that victory in my life!"

Man + Word Unite!

The other day I was watching this Chinese drama serial. One of the characters jovially explained to his friends that the reason why he was so good in his golf was because he will sleep hugging his golf clubs every night... and therefore resulting in his "man-and-golf club united as one" state!

I thought that was funny and didn't think much about it, until last night when I was just smiling to myself while thinking over that joke. I suddenly began to think, what would happen if we Christians can reach a state of "Man-and-Word-united-as-One"? That would be interesting, I thought to myself.

So, I decided to do some research into that thought. The first passage that came to mind is the passage where God gave Joshua a "briefing" on how to do well in leading the people of Israel into the Promised Land:

"Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful." (Joshua 1:8)

The next passage that has something similar to say:

"...But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers." (Psalm 1:2-3)

Very interesting! Two different passages talking about what happens if you meditate on God's word day and nighthow: you will be successful and prosperous in "whatever we do" .

Imagine with me, how wonderful would it be if we can be successful and prosperous in whatever we do? We practically don't have to think much or worry about which course to take, which job to take, etc, because it really doesn't matter because whichever path you take will lead you to success. We will just enjoy life, worship God, literally walk into successes after successes without much worrying or struggling.

All this is very exciting for me. Since early this year I have been memorizing the book of Proverbs (18 verses so far), and that was exactly what I have been doing... meditating on it day and night. My aim is to memorize it at least once through chapter by chapter. Doing it together with Alisha makes it all the more fun, since we can recite it to each other and encourage each other. (Thank God for a girlfriend who shares your passion for Jesus!)

I am very excited to see how all these will turn out... I don't know how, but I know deep inside that 2008 is going to be a great year. For me, this year is going to be "The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not be in lack... surely goodness and love will pursue me all the days of my life".