Start paddling! The time is now.

These words have been in my spirit, “Start paddling for a wave is coming. The time is now.”

It was the 25th of Feb that I was tossing and turning in bed. My physical body was dead tired from a long day but my spirit was so alive and alert, I couldn’t get to sleep! Every time I shut those eyes, I see pictures of masses of young people being baptized and becoming disciples of Christ, I see a generation going out onto the streets, schools, homes, and public places bringing the fire of God and seeing the supernatural happen.

2am, I became agitated and so I prayed “God, You grant Your beloved rest right? I thank You that I’m Your beloved, so please give me some rest. Amen.” The weirdest thing happened. I became even more awake and it was as if I felt His excitement and heard Him say, “I want to share my exciting plans with you!” And that was when I decided to get up and seek my Lord. It was the most refreshing time in His presence. I couldn’t believe I was wide awake at 3am in the morning seeking Him and loving on Him. It was supernatural.

God started sharing with me some of His exciting plans. These were the main points that I received from the Holy Spirit and as you read through these points, may your spirit be refreshed and may He grip your heart as He did with mine….

• I saw a bush on fire and then another bush caught the fire and another, and another, until a whole jungle of bushes were on fire. He said, “See the fire spread. It will spread like a wild fire. LIke how the fire spreads from one bush to another, the fire of God, the fire of revival will spread from one continent to another, from one nation to another.”

• God is going to raise up a generation of disciples and they will march the streets and nations with the glory and anointing of the Lord. Things will happen because of the glory that they will carry on them. Sick people healed, demons cast out, orphans and widows are healed and have a new song to sing. A revival movement.

• Yes, an inter-generational revival is going to take place, but especially so among the children and the young people. The older generation has a vital role to play and that is the role of spiritual parenting. Without one or the other, the revival will not sustain.

• A work of acceleration. God is going to move quickly. Masses are going to be swept into His kingdom and church buildings/houses will not be able to contain the people.

The rest are personal so I won’t share them here. A spiritual wave is coming and it’s coming soon. A surfer will know that he/she will need to start paddling when the wave is afar off. It’s foolishness for a surfer to only start paddling when the wave gets nearer and expect to ride it. A spiritual wave is coming and we need to start paddling now! 

There will only be two outcomes: Start paddling now and ride the wave when it comes, or be in slumber and complacency now and drown when the wave comes. Choose to start paddling now!

Paddling along with you,
Sabrina

The “COM” in your passion.

We had a staff meeting with Ps Nicky Raibode and brother Jim Reily 2 Thursdays ago and it was a power packed day. Ps Nicky started off the meeting sharing some thoughts and one of which was on the topic of compassion. I was weeping in my seat and my spirit was crying out, “God, I want that! I want that love revival with You and I want that compassion to spill out of my life.”

Moments later, brother Jim Reily prayed and prophesied over every single staff present. He came to me and everything he said was spot on! I remember smiling at him and nodding my head in agreement initially, all until he said, “And this year, God wants me to tell you that He’s going to combine that passion with compassion and it’s going to release power in your ministry.”  Something in me broke and I wept and I wept and I wept. He went on to say several other things that were on my heart and everything was so accurate. God is so good. Good is an understatement, really.

I yearn to see and I dream of a generation of cross bearing disciples, laid down lovers who will not love their lives even unto death, being in that place of abiding in His presence and being so wrecked by the Father’s love, that we will bring a revival in the places we step feet into.

Compassion = Splagchnizomai (Greek) = To be moved in the bowels.

So, what does compassion do to you? The COM in your passion:

1) Cost. Compassion will cost you.

Luke 10:25-37
(v35) “On the next day, when he departed, he took out two denarii, gave then to the innkeeper and said to him, “Take care of him, and whatever more you spend, when I come again, I will repay you.”

Compassion cost the Samaritan his finances and convenience. Compassion will cost you something. Pride, ego, finances, convenience, sleep, comfort, etc.

2) Opens up the supernatural realm. 

Matthew 14:14 “And when Jesus went out, He saw a great multitude and He was moved with compassion for them, and He healed their sick.”

Matthew 15 32-38 – Jesus having compassion on the multitude and He multiplied the loaves and fishes and fed them.

3) Moves you into action.

Luke 10:34 “So he went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine, and he set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn and took care of him.”

Jesus saw the wounded and He rushed to their aid. Jesus’ splagchnizomai compelled Him to reach out. He healed, He taught, He provided food, He forgave.

Passion without compassion will only lead to a spirit of anger. Passion combined with compassion will release the power of God in and through you. Compassion is a Person. May you be possessed by Compassion Himself and have compassion spill out of your life everywhere you go.

Desperate for Compassion Himself,
Sabrina

This is crazy! And it’s only been 20 days into the New Year!

Remember how I said 2012 was going to be a wild year? We’re only 20 days into the New Year and it’s been an extremely WILD journey already! It’s been one event after another, one prophecy after another, one miracle after another. I shall keep everything exciting that have happened to myself (because it really is one after another and it’ll be too loooooong to share everything here) but I’ll share with you one event that happened today.

And so, I was praying this morning and seeking God intensely in my room. I was specifically praying for a certain direction in my life and I said “Ok God, if this Your will for my life right now, then show me a very clear sign”, and with that, I made a really ridiculous deal with Him as a sign of a confirmation. I said “God, I’m going to have lunch at Tampines Mall (like as if He didn’t know), have a person appear before me along the stretch where Nando’s is and that individual has to have a problem with the knee. He/she has to be either on crutches or on bandage, etc. Direct me to that person and I’ll pray for him/her. And You must heal that individual completely.” With that, I left my home and headed to Tamp Mall for lunch.

I was queueing at this ATM machine near the Nando’s stretch to withdraw some cash when a mother and her daughter walked past me. The mother was holding on to her daughter who was limping really badly and she had a bandage around her left knee. I immediately knew that was ‘her’! That was my catch! But…I was super nervous and I didn’t approach her. I gave the lame excuse that I was in a queue at the ATM and it wasn’t convenient to step out of it. I was already the next person in a long line of people. And so, I withdrew the money and walked to Nando’s where I was going to have lunch at. I looked around for that lady and to my huge relief, she was nowhere to be found. I was like “phew!” But then, I mumbled something stupid under my breath. I went “God, if You really want me to pray for her, then let our paths cross again.”

We had lunch and then headed to Starbucks. I sat there for about an hour when suddenly, the same mother and daughter walked straight up to us and sat in front of me! I was like “WHAT!! This is SO NOT happening!” Of all places, she had to sit right in front of my eyes. I couldn’t take my eyes off her knee, my heart was racing and beating hard in my chest, I was shaking all over and in a nervous wreck! I knew it was God speaking and nudging me, but what! At Starbucks? Where everyone around us were seated really closely? They are going to think I’m nuts! After 25 minutes of struggling, battling, wrestling, shaking, hitting my head on the wall (yes, like literally) beside me, I decided to go. I mean, my very first sermon preached this year on the first day  of 2012 was “A little less conversation, a little more action please!” Surely, I had to walk my talk!

With my nerves all entangled up inside me, I walked up to them, sat down and started speaking. We made small talk and then I told her Jesus loves her and wanted to heal her knee. Her name is Jen and she just had a surgery on her knee this morning. And so, I laid my hands on her knee and started praying a simple prayer of healing. When I opened my eyes after praying, I found her tearing. I was like “Wow, this ain’t that bad after all!” Got her to test it out the first time and she stood up to bend her knee. She looked at me with tears in her eyes and said, “It’s a lot better. Thank You.” I told her I wasn’t satisfied with that answer and I believe in a God who heals completely. So I prayed a second time, and got her to test it out again. This time, there was a shock expression on her face and she cried even more. She looked at both her mother and me and said “It’s good now! It’s ok now!” She gave me a big hug. Her mother was crying as well, stood up and gave me another hug. I stood there shocked. Like, did we just witness a miracle in Starbucks??

That’s Jen I’m hugging and her mother who hugged me after that. (Courtesy of Cheryl Lek who secretly took a picture of this.)

I went back to my seat, still shaking and with hands as cold as ice, and I couldn’t believe what just happened. There was such a sense of release in my spirit and I was so glad I stepped out in faith and obedience. I’m telling you my friends, this year is a year of promises. God is moving everywhere and the Church needs to arise out of her shell!

Catch the wave and ride it! Don’t miss the move of God! A spiritual tsunami is coming and I can feel it!

Catching the wave,
Sabrina

2012 – A WILD year awaits us.

2012 is going to be a wild year. No, I don’t say this because it’s what everyone says at the start of every new year. It’s not a positive and optimistic confession at the start of a year, but a deep conviction that resonates within.

It was in the year 1972 that the Christmatic revival broke out in Singapore. The work of the Holy Spirit was tremendous in this nation. Souls were swept into His kingdom, people were baptized in the Holy Ghost, sign and wonders were happening and churches were birthed out of this revival. Fast forward 40 years later, it brings us all to year 2012. The number 40 represents a generation. One generation has passed, i think it’s time for God to raise up a new breed of revivalists like the world has never seen before.

I recall the vision I saw in February 2011 about the “pink agar agar jelly crosses” which you can check it out more in detail in my previous post. That vision has since gripped my heart and has changed the whole course of my life and the way I live. The words from the Holy Spirit, “Disciples who will lay down their lives and will take up their crosses. Laid down lovers. This is how we are going to win the end time war” still ring so vividly in my spirit. In fact, my heart is pounding in my chest as I recall His words and as I’m typing them out here now. I give my life for this cause, here in my nation and in the nations of the world.

Friends, it’s not time to lay up treasures on earth for ourselves. It’s not time to sit in our comfort chairs eating our comfort food and wasting our seconds away. It is time for the church and a generation of revivalists to awaken from their sleep and slumber. May the Spirit of alertness be upon the church in this time.

“It is no use taking refuge in abstract discussion, or trying to make excuses, so let us get back to the Scriptures, to the Word and call of Jesus Christ Himself. Let us try to get away from the poverty and pettiness of our own little convictions and problems, and seek the wealth and splendor which are vouchsafed to us in Jesus Christ.”   -Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Sold out,
Sabrina

What a Youth Ministry is not….

I’m currently reading a book by one of my favourite communicators of the Gospel, Christine Caine, entitled “Principles for the 21st Century Youth Ministry”. Christine Caine is one the youth ministry gurus in the world. There are very few good books with solid content on youth ministries out there in the bookshelves and the one I’m reading is one of the best. Thus, I thought to share this particular section with you.

To all the youth leaders out there, continue doing what you’re doing because you are changing the world, one life at a time! This post is for you and may it bless you as it did to me.

What a Youth Ministry is NOT:

1) Youth Ministry is not a maintenance program

Some people have the opinion that youth ministry is only about providing wholesome social activities for the youth in their church to ensure they have something to do on a Friday or Saturday night. The whole mentality behind this is one of maintenance. God did not call us to maintain programs, to facilitate a social calendar or run an adolescent babysitting service. Our mandate is to build disciples of Christ.

If we fall into a trap of maintaining a youth program or social event, young people will soon become bored and seek alternatives. The youth ministry becomes merely one of the many options, and they will only attend if they do not have a better offer.

A YOUTH MINISTRY SHOULD: GROW, BUILD AND REPRODUCE.

2) Youth Ministry is not mere entertainment

Let’s face it, none of our ministries have the resources or skills to compete with the entertainment programs that are offered by the world. God has not called us to be entertainers of young people. He has called us to take the Gospel into ALL the world and make disciples. Our goal should be to see young people develop an authentic relationship with Jesus Christ. Our youth ministries are vehicles to help facilitate this.

I do not believe there is anything wrong with using mordern methods to be more relevant and relatable to this generation. In fact, I urge you to use technology and communication tools available to you to reach this generation. Be creative and innovative in order to capture their attention. However, if the method becomes our ultimate goal, then we missed our purpose. Our ministries need to be built on the fundamental belief that the Gospel can, and does transform lives.

A person has never been saved by a great sound system or lighting. It is the Gospel that is the power of God unto salvation. I am not suggesting that we do not aim to have excellent programs and production, but we cannot allow ourselves to place our trust in these things. Only Jesus can transform a young person’s life.

A program may help draw a crowd, but people will only stay committed to the youth ministry if they have encountered Jesus. The program is simply the tool we use to provide an environment to connect people to Christ. With enough money and resources, anyone can put on a good event. With the right advertising and ‘hooks’, anyone can draw a crowd. Conversely, it takes depth and years of hard work to make disciples.

YOUTH MINISTRY SHOULD: PROMOTE AN AUTHENTIC RELATIONSHIP WITH JESUS CHRIST

3) Youth Ministry is not a stepping stone

Some youth leaders are involved in youth ministry because they are waiting for their break into ‘real’ ministry. They see youth ministry as a stepping stone, or something that must be endured until they can do what they are really ‘called’ to do.

I believe there are seasons in our journey and for some of us, youth ministry will not be forever. However, if God has placed you in a youth ministry for this season of your life, commit with your whole heart that you will faithfully serve your young people for as long as God has you there. We need to view youth ministry as an end in itself, not a means to an end.

Young people are human beings with real needs. This generation needs leaders who believe in them and are committed to walk with them for the long haul.

YOUTH MINISTRY SHOULD: BE A PLACE OF FAITHFUL AND COMMITTED SERVICE

4) Youth Ministry is not a profession

Some hold the view that youth ministry is a profession in which you should not be involved unless you are suitably trained. They believe you can damage young people if you try to get involved in their lives as fellow travelers on the journey, and not recognized scholars.

I am committed to ongoing training and development and believe we should all be equipped to do what we are called to do. There is, however, a danger in trying to institutionalize youth ministry as a profession.

Some of the greatest world changers were not professionals. The greatest of these was Jesus, a carpenter by trade. He turned the world on its head. None of the disciples were academically trained to be ‘fishes of men’. No university degrees existed to teach them how to effectively reach the lost and turn the world upside down.

I would much rather work alongside a passionate, teachable, untrained person than an inflexible, cynical professional who thinks a strategy or idea cannot work because it has never been done before.

We need to release a generation of passionate revolutionaries that have had an encounter with Jesus, are fueled by the Holy Spirit and the Word of God and desperately want to take His message to a lost and dying world.

YOUTH MINISTRY SHOULD: BE A CALLING

5) Youth Ministry is not formalized, inflexible and unchanging

The dynamic nature of youth ministry means that we cannot spend our lives treasuring memories of the past or trying to institutionalize methods. Youth ministry, like young people, should be growing, exciting and flexible.

When a youth ministry or movement starts, the original visionary has a high degree of faith and zeal. They develop creative ways to make things happen and to raise and spend money. As it grows, principles of organizational management are needed to ensure continued growth and effectiveness.

However, a balance exists between good management of a God opportunity and stifling the very dynamic that made the ministry fruitful. These are some of the pitfalls of formalization.

I acknowledge that our youth ministries have to have a consistency about them. I also recognize that some youth ministries experience incredible success using a particular activity, event, or facility. The danger comes only when we begin to think of the procedure or the method as the essence of the ministry rather than a flexible means to an end. We may lose sight of the original goal and continue to use these methods even when they are no longer effective.

We cannot become so focused on formulas and strategies that we overlook building real relationships with real young people, and forget to provide them with real answers to real needs. After all, this is what God had called us to do. We can learn from the past, but we must not become so locked into systems and methods that we forget to actually pursue the heart of God for this generation.

A YOUTH MINISTRY SHOULD: BE RELATIONAL, DYNAMIC, FLEXIBLE

Over half of the world’s 6 billion people are 25 years of age or younger. We cannot afford to ignore half the world!

Youth leaders, you are doing a fantastic job! Keep winning souls, being role models, and investing into this generation of young people. May our ceiling be their floor.

Loving and believing in young people,
Sabrina

Move us into action!

After hearing messages from people like Pst Bill Wilson, how can one not be moved into action? I teared the whole time I was listening to him at service yesterday. He asked the congregation a question: “Why is it that some Christians have reflex actions and others don’t?” He asked this in the context of a story he told about a martyr, Williams, who was being chased by a man who was going to arrest him for his faith and how while chasing, the man fell into icy water and was drowning. There were only 2 people present at that situation, Williams and the man dying in the icy water. What would you have done? Picture this, you’re going to get killed for your faith in Christ and you witness the one chasing to arrest you dying in icy waters. Williams turned around, ran towards the man who was after his life, pulled him out of the waters and saved his life.

Of course, he was arrested, brought back to the city, tied to a pole and was burned to death for his faith in Jesus. Before he died, someone shouted from the crowd: “Sir! Why did you save the man whom you know was going to kill you?” Williams replied, “It was a reflex.” A reflex?

Pst Bill Wilson shared his life story of how a Christian man, then a complete stranger to him, picked him up from a train station where he was left for 3 days and nights without food and water by his mother who abandoned him and never returned to pick him up, brought him back, clothed and fed him. That man had a son who was dying of cancer in the hospital and like any other Christian, could have minded his own business, be consumed by his own problems, and walk past a little abandoned boy at a train station without stopping for him. But he stopped for a boy, who would find Jesus because of him, and is today, the founder of Metro Ministries, making a huge impact in the world with children of the same plight.

Bill Wilson gave the answer to his question. He quoted from the verse below:

2 Corinthians 5:14 “For the love of Christ constraineth us….” (KJV)

The word “Constraineth” has 3 meanings:

1. To be forced to do something unnatural (like picking up an abandoned boy from a train station, saving the life of the one after your life, etc)
2. To be restrained or kept away from something (eg, keeping away from the ploys of the enemy who seeks to stop you from finishing your race)
3. To be kept in something (Being kept in Christ, abiding in Him all the days of our lives)

Once you’re connected to the Power Source, how can one not do anything? When the 120 in the upper room were empowered by the Holy Spirit and had a tongue of fire on their heads, did they have a prayer meeting? Did they invite Hillsongs to lead them into worship to build an atmosphere that will help them get into the ‘mood’ to do something? NO! They went! The tongue of fire on their heads translated into their natural tongues and they went and preach the Gospel, with signs, wonders and miracles!

I get excited and am inspired by the lives of these people. People who didn’t just talk but who DID something, whether big or small. Heidi Baker, Mother Theresa, Bill Wilson, John Wesley, Charles Finney, Wilberforce, William Brainerd, Lester Sumrall, and the list goes on. And then, God always points it back to my life, as if asking me what I’m going to do with this little life of mine. I want my life to count, to leave a legacy, to bring Him alone glory. I will go.

Even before Nike came out with their slogan………

“Don’t talk. Just do.”  -Mother Theresa

Here am I, send me,
Sabrina

The Church and the World

Below is a poem that depicts how compromise has sipped and can sip into the Church. Very convicting and compelling poem, adapted by Winkie Pratney. As you read this, allow God to speak to you with regards to any compromise in your own lives.

“The Church and the World walked far apart on the changing shores of time.
And the World was singing a charts rock tune, but the Church a hymn sublime.
“Come, give me your hand” called the laid-back world “and dance with me this day”.
But the love cleansed Church hid her blood bought hand and solemnly said, “No way”,
“You way is the way of Eternal Death and your words are all untrue”.
“Ah, walk with me! Just a little way” said the World with insistent air,
“The space I’m at is a pleasant place, and the night life is magic there.
You’ve been battling with me for far too long, and let’s face it, you’ve been so alone.
Don’t you think it high time that we called a truce and you found some place here for a home?
Your life is so narrow and thorny and tough’ see how mine runs so easy and smooth.
Why be be so repressive and out of it? In the finest of circles I move…
My way, you see, is a fun, fast one, and my gate is so broad and so wide,
There is room enough for you and me to travel it side by side.”

Half shyly the Church approached the world and gave him her hand of snow.
And the fake world grasped it and drew her close, and whispered in accents low,
“Your dress is too simple to please my taste. I’ve got all of things you can wear.
See these silks and chiffons and synthetics stones and this dazzling disco gear?”
The Church looked down at her plain white robes, and then at the glittering world.
And blushed as she saw his superstar style and his smile contemptuous curled.
“I can change my dress” she said to him, “After all, I am under grace.”
And her pure white garments were stripped away, and the World gave her wealth in their place.
“Now your house is passe” said the proud grey World, “Let me build you a place like mine.
With a barbecue pit for the parties we’ll throw and a mirrow-tiled bedroom so fine.”
So the parties began and the dancing went on in the place that was once made for prayer.
And the Church felt relief that the battle was over and that she at last has no care.

But an angel of mercy flew over the Church and whispered, “I know thy sin…”
Then the Church looked up and anxiously tried to gather her children in.
But some were drinking in gay night bars, so she quietly went her way.
Then the sly world gallantly said to her, “Your children mean no harm.
Just having some fun” he said and he smiled, so she took his proffered arm.
And smiled, and went back to gathering flowers, as she chattered and walked with the World.
While millions and millions of precious souls to the horrible pit were hurled.

“There are preachers you have that bother me” said the world with a contemporary sneer.
“It seems they are trying to frighten my kids with tales that I don’t want them to hear.
They talk about sinning and breaking God’s heart and this horror of endless night.
And the awful rude way they reject my suggestions is terribly impolite.
Now I have some men of a much better breed, contemporary, brilliant and fast,
Who can show us all how we can live as we like and go to Nirvana at last.
The infinite spirit is within us all and is peaceful, enlightened and kind.
Do you think it would take one child to itself and leave any other behind?
Go train up your speakers to fit with the times, adopt to the relevant way.
Everyone likes entertaiment today, and it’s only the good shows that pay.”

So she called for those of the swift repartee’, and the gifted, flamboyant and learned.
While plain good men who had preached the cross were out of their pulpits turned.
Then the Church sat down in her ease and said “I am rich and in goods increased.
I have nothing I need and nothing to do but to laugh and to dance and to feast.”
And the sly World heard her and laughed within, and mockingly said aside,
“The Church has fallen, the beautiful Church, and her shame is her boast and her pride.”

And an angel drew near the mercy seat, and whispered in sighs her name.
And the saints their anthems of rapture hushed, and covered their heads with shame.
And a voice came down from the hush of Heaven, from Him who sat on the throne,
“I know your works and what you have said and I know that you have not known
You are poor and blind and naked and sick, with pride and ruin enthralled.
The expectant Bride of heavenly Groom, now the hooker of all the world.
You have ceased to watch for your Saviour’s return and have fallen from zeal and grace.
So now, in tears, I must cast you out and blot out your name from its place.”"

May we guard our hearts in holiness and purity and not compromise in our ways with the world. We’re called to be in the world but not of it.

John 17:13-19 (Message Translation)

“Now I’m returning to you.
   I’m saying these things in the world’s hearing
   So my people can experience
   My joy completed in them.
   I gave them your word;
   The godless world hated them because of it,
   Because they didn’t join the world’s ways,
   Just as I didn’t join the world’s ways.
   I’m not asking that you take them out of the world
   But that you guard them from the Evil One.
   They are no more defined by the world
   Than I am defined by the world.
   Make them holy—consecrated—with the truth;
   Your word is consecrating truth.
   In the same way that you gave me a mission in the world,
   I give them a mission in the world.
   I’m consecrating myself for their sakes
   So they’ll be truth-consecrated in their mission. “

Standing in/for purity,
Sabby