Iva Lai

Pastor, Spiritual Director, Worship Leader

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Don't judge yourself based on somebody's else measure

Steven Furtick

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#Happy Easter!!

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What is your manure?

In the Parable of the Barren Fig Tree, the owner wanted to cut down the tree because he found no fruits on it for 3 years.  Then the vinedresser said to him; “Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and put on manure. Then if it should bear fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.” (Luke 13: 8-9, ESV)

This made me think: when our spiritual life is not bearing fruits, we need to do something about it, and often we need to do something different than what we have been doing, to help “give it a boost”.  Here, the vinedresser said to dig around it and put on manure.  

To dig around it, means to loosen up the soil.  Sometimes, the soil of our hearts gets hardened by the burdens of life.  Or we keep a spiritual discipline, but just for the sake of crossing it off a To-Do list.  Our hearts becomes hardened for our Lord to make changes in us.  In order for the work of Jesus to flow through us, and moulding us to be ever more like Him, we need to loosen the soil of our hearts.  We need to open up to Him with authentic prayers, and keep a posture of expectant waiting, for Him to do His work in us, making us bear spiritual fruits.

Then, we need to put manure on.  Manure is something that is not glamorous or glorious at all, it even stinks.  But it is needed to boost our spiritual life and contains very good nutrients.  What is your manure that it stinks so badly, but is actually good for your life to continue to bear spiritual fruits?  Is it suffering or challenge that you are going through, but is good for forming that Christ-like character in you?  Or is it a failure that you went through, that is pivotal to your future success (if you learn from it)?  Or is it that spiritual discipline that you have had a hard time practising regularly?  

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We are made this way... made to connect with God. 

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Jesus knows each of us by name. He cares for and He leads us to where God is calling us to. #bibleverse #jesuslovesyou #godislove

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"You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart." (Jeremiah 29:13, ESV) #godisfaithful

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All who are followers of Christ are called to be #missional

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Treading unfamiliar grounds

When you are stepping into an unfamiliar place, an unfamiliar group of people, or an unfamiliar culture, with the mission to make Christ known, helping people reconcile with God, and teaching them to follow Jesus - you are a missionary.

I realized that this “missionary” role can look very different, in different context.  We may already be called to be a missionary in where we are right now, without us realizing it ourselves.   Yet,  Jesus has given all of us the call through the Great Commission.  I find God is telling me, “I have sent you on a mission, like a missionary”.

May God give us all missionaries the strength, courage, hope, wisdom and perseverance in this holy work of kingdom mission.

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You were made by God, for God, and, until you understand that, life will never make sense.

Rick Warren

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Lift up your hands, head and heart in prayer.

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Surrendering to God

Couple years ago, when I was studying in seminary, in contemplation I was led by the Holy Spirit to pray this prayer:  “more… and more”.  Going deeper, I asked, “More of what, my Lord?” … “Surrender”, He answered.  

To this day, I realize that I am still learning, in a different way, to surrender more and more to God.  Even though there are some things that I am very clear about, the prayer that I am led to pray these days is:  “not my will, Lord, but Your will.”  Amen.  

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Morning commute #backtoschooltraffic