Ah living in Florence!.

What can i say.
Its a whole new experience :)

Truly is. Im constantly being kicked out of my comfort zone, as i move forward the challenge gets tougher. I guess thats how we build up in character in life.

Most of the people i know here are party animals, or drinkers, smokers, and you know part of the world while i am like the opposite. Sometimes i wonder why i am here in this position but i know only God has the answer :). and He will always provide for my needs.

One thing about being here is that, i feel really like stingy again. as in ready to save. because , well first of all, im studying again! and using my parents money, so i kinda really don't feel that great . And with the x4 currency rate! Its a little to get used to for me to be a little more relax with spending a little more.

Italy has this thing about it, its beauty that is genuine i guess. Real. and they know how to Love.

I've not met many italians yet, and i hope to. Most of all i hope to find a good church and christian friends :).

Anyway, im off to study some italian now :)! Bye.

this world

pollution.

Walking down the street here in malaysia and you see people litter right infront of your eyes. Even a man walked out of a big church and just threw rubbish on the grass before getting into his car and drive off without a concern. We can be ignorant, we can be selfish, we can continue to live like how we always continued to live. BUT i can't. I make the decision daily to always learn, and to be better than the day before.

You know,...I really dislike how so many things out there that is popular is so bad for the mind. Like tv programs, and movies and even advertisment that do actually affect and shape us. They are so many that are usually high in sexual content, violent, some disgusting just making fun of things that are bad and turning it into something funny or a joke even though it is not. Most of the time its about the fallen world trying to fix it self, or sometimes making fun of their own insecurities as they don't believe there is a Saviour, hence carrying on with life just doing anything that they think can fill the emptiness. I always want to run away from it, but its not easy when you are living in this world. And its not the way to live living as a hermit close out of the world. God did ask us to be the light of the world. and i guess to do that, is to be different. To not accept things even as they are in front of you. Not to condemn or insult anyone. But to just , i guess when sometimes you don't know what to do. Pray.

The only channel i like to watch on the telly is actually the food channel !the afc channel that they have here in malaysia!. I love watching people cook and make art that uses their many senses to taste, smell, feel, design and make beautiful, delicious, meals to share and feed hungry people :)

Anyway, today i decided to read on samson.

And i realized God use so many barren women to give birth to great man of God!. Its pretty amazing. God always chooses to use the humble. Maybe when we are humbled we usually have learn something about character thru patience. Jacob and Rachel, Samsons mum, Sarah who bore Isaac. Those women also prayed fervently for a son, and dedicate they son to God knowing its a Gift from God. God really is good :)

You know, samson. God gave him a great Gift of Strength but then he kinda always misuse this gift God gave him. And he always fall into sexual temptation and is always seduced by evil women that use him for their purpose. Makes me realize that all God gives me is a gift that i should use it all to glorify Him all the time, always !

And you know what, there is always so many things of the world that is bombarded at me each day that are not comforting, that disturbs the peace in me, you read evil bad sad things that happen in the news each day, etc. ( i actually really dislike reading/ watching the news too) But dad & grandpa always has the news channel on when im back home.  But then i always always remind myself that God is good. That all i see is what people with their own interperation of what they see Sees with their own eyes. But God looks at things differently. Only he knows the truth and i should never need to worry nor let the things people tell me that are scary or sad or bad affect me but be always reminded  that God is a good God, that will give me peace in times of trouble, will be my confidence and my protector. As much bad stuff as i hear about things around me that could make me afraid. I don't want it to bind me in a spirit of fear.

These verses have been speaking to me..

Proverbs 3:26 

For the Lord will be your confidence,

And will keep your foot from being caught.

2 timothy 1:7

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

2 timothy 3:17 

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctorine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

2 timothy4:17,18

But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that the message might be preached fully through me, and that all the Gentiles might hear. Also I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom. To Him be glory forever and ever. Amen!

I pray God, that your will be done. Sometimes its hard to even find words to put into prayer. Sometimes its even hard to ask for things. But somehow i'll just ask that i'll continue to trust You each day. That you'll always keep me and protect me as you have promised you will :) I have all the faith in the world that you will! Amen. 

the religious, the secular, the faithful

I was reading about the churches in Revelation an they were describing the different church types you can find even now. God  described 7 churches and like i put them into 3 groups.

The Religious. - Usually a large organized institution. the church that focus mainly on weekly sunday service, service to the church, works, labour, duty, degrees you obtain from Christian schools, studying of the Bible ( academically ), about intellects But has forgotten about RELATIONSHIP with God. An intimate relationship that goes on daily, based on trust, honesty and faithfulness and LOVE. Like getting to know a lover, that sort of intimate. Not studying another person thru analysation etc. But true fellowship.

The Church that has a name, reputation, maybe popular and have loud music, the whole vibe, flashy and all . But is in fact dead on the inside. Dry. and is infact covered in goodness, but inside it is infested with sin. God calls these churches to get back to Him. TO get back to the basics of Faith, TO read his word. To seek HIM first. Personally and Intimately.

The secular - This church looks exactly like the world. Its comfortable and wealthy and it mixes false secular doctorines with God's word making it ineffective. People of the world accepts these churches because they comprimise to their standards. They win salvation, they gather in worship. But sometimes they may be superficial. They also have people in the church that teaches sexual immorality, seduce and attract people to sin. Some also have people changing Gods word completely, attracting selfish people who wants to be higher and more supreme than other people because they have the social connection, money, or wealthy to get them that Which are in fact all wrong. God ask all these people to repent and seek first Gods righteousness and truth, Read his Word and Meditate on it daily lest they fall into the wide road that leads to death.

The faithful church - These are the people that has intimate relationshp with God, Meditates on his word daily, Rely on God as they are weak and trust in his Power and strength. They encorage each other in the word of God and are not flashy or big. But rather organic. They make it a point not to mix secular doctorine or religion into their walk with God, as they read Gods word daily God is able to guide then thru his holy spirit. Not by their own strength. These people also live a life of missionary, to spread the gospel. God says that he will keep this people from trail. Some people situated in environments that are more evil will recieve percesution and all that, but God calls them Rich. and as they persevere they will recieve the Crown of Life!

seasons

" tough times don't last, tough people do"

That is true hey. My friend tubu posted this on his status update on facebook today and i think i should remember this saying :)

Its about a week till i'll be in another country, in a totally different world!It is exciting, makes me feel a little nervous an a little brave !

You know when people ask me whether i am going alone or with my parents. I like to tell them i am going with God! :D Because its such an awesome reminder that He is truly with me everywhere i go! and is in everything! :) I feel brave and joyful, knowing that GOD the creator of Heaven and Earth is always watching over me, guiding me and loving me and always Here right beside me.

That i'll have nothing to fear, nothing to worry about. What i must have is faith!.

" Why do you fear, oh you little of faith?" Jesus always says that when his disciples become anxious or get scared of their circumstances or surrounding. It keeps reminding me of How he wants me to focus on Him all the way, and have faith in HIM! Amen. :)

-----------------------------

Matthew 14: 22-33

²² Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He sent the multitudes away. ²³ And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. Now when evening came, He was alone there. ²⁴ But the boat was now in the middle of the sea,^[a] tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary. 

 ²⁵ Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea. ²⁶ And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out for fear.

  ²⁷ But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.” ²⁸ And Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.”

²⁹ So He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. ³⁰ But when he saw that the wind was boisterous,^[b] he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!” 

³¹ And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” ³² And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. ³³ Then those who were in the boat came and^[c] worshiped Him, saying, “Truly You are the Son of God.”

Protector.

God is my shield .

" But whoever listens to me, will dwell safely, 
     And will be secure, without fear of evil. " Proverbs 1:33


" Do not be afraid of sudden terror,
     Nor of trouble from the wicked when it comes,
  For the Lord will be your confidence,
     And will keep your foot from being caught." Proverbs 3:25,26

I believe with all my heart. That God will never let evil harm me. The evil of the world. Because my God and Father is greater and bigger and mightier than any man and He is the light and it overcomes all darkness. and darkness is afraid of Him and He dwells in me. He is my protector and nothing is impossible for Him. He loves me with all His heart. He is my shield :)

" above all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one." Ephesians 6:16 

" Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good testimony. By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made by the things which are visible." Hebrews 11:1-3

"But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him" Hebrews 11:6

God is worthy to be praised every second of life!

:)

He is mighty to save.

He is LOVE.