Becoming a Patient Woman By Rachel Olsen

I had been a little impatient these days due to building up pressure to bring some measurements down. All because someone else is not doing their job. Sometimes it makes me wonder why should I try so hard to do an even better job when others thought that I should be doing it and is part of my job. I have to work so extra hard so that someone else can continue with their irresponsibilities. But I guess, God has a reason for it - He wants me to learn to be even more patient. So can you, brother and sisters. =D

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Becoming a Patient Woman By Rachel Olsen

"We also pray that you will be strengthened with his glorious power so that you will have all the patience and endurance you need." Colossians 1:11

Devotion:
In a heart that values instant gratification like mine does, patience seems hard to come by.

In the last several weeks I've raced through a yellow light because I didn't want to wait at a red light. I've looked up my symptoms on the internet because I didn't want to sit in a doctor's waiting room. I've paid extra for an item off the internet because I didn't want to stand in line at the store. I've also eaten dessert first, because I didn't want to wait until it was "time" for dessert. (I think anytime is a good time for dessert!)
Though I can't recall a specific instance, odds are high that I lost my patience at some point and fussed at my kids.

We want stuff and we want it now. We want results and we want them now. Yet the Bible repeatedly says that patience should be a way of life for followers of Christ.

God is love and patience is part of His character. For you and I to love like God loves, patience will be required (1 Corinthians 13:4-7). Loving as God loves is the ultimate goal as we walk through this life seeking to please God and become like Him.

Patience could be defined as the ability to endure graciously. We all have to deal at times with people or circumstances that try our composure -- an ungrateful child, an inattentive waitress, a slow moving line at the cash register, a rude boss, a spouse taking our hard work around the house for granted. How graciously do we behave in these circumstances?

The Bible says God will be faithful to complete the good works He began in us (Philippians 1:6). That implies there's going to be some "in the meantime" when we're all less than perfect and less than easy to love. This is where patience comes in. The apostle Paul instructs us to "walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace" (Ephessians 4:1-3).

We also have to exercise patience towards God as we wait for His full plan to unfold.

At times we must wait for answers to prayers, for deliverance, for provision, or for Him to dispense justice or reveal His will. We really have no choice but to wait in these circumstances, but a woman developing patience will endure the wait graciously. It helps to remember how very patient God has to be with us on a daily basis (1 Timothy 1:16, 2 Peter 3:8-9).

Exercising patience isn't just an exercise of the human will. The kind of patience Paul is talking about is a fruit of the Spirit developed in a woman's soul in tandem with God. It's a virtue that grows from her confidence in the sovereignty of God and His ability to bring all things to completion, in His timing, in a way that benefits His children and glorifies Him.

This patience thing may take some time to develop, but I've decided to graciously endure the process. I started today by stopping, like I should, and waiting at a yellow light I'm certain I could've made it through safely. As I sat at the intersection, I thought about God and about developing patience. The light turned green a mere minute later, and I went on my way with a smile on my face, happy to be a woman who is embracing patience ... even if starting in a very small way.

Dear Lord, thank You for being so very patient with me. Help me to develop patience, and display that quality for Your glory. In Jesus' Name, Amen

Application Steps:
Pray for patience daily.

Keep the word "patience" in the forefront of your mind today and look for opportunities to be more patient.

Reflections:
Who in my life can benefit from me extending them more patience?

How would becoming more patient change my day, my outlook, my health, or my relationships?

Is my patience stronger than my temper? Or stronger than my longings?

Power Verses:
"Patience can persuade a prince, and soft speech can crush strong opposition." Proverbs 25:15

"Finishing is better than starting. Patience is better than pride." Ecclesiastes 7:8

"May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other -- each with the attitude of Christ Jesus toward the other." Romans 15:15

I Want You

1Peter 1:18-19

Came across this in one of the daily devotional newsletters.. Isn't it apt as we had done our first bible study overview of 1 Peter? =)

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VERSE:
For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. -- 1 Peter 1:18-19

THOUGHT:
A: "How much did it cost?" B: "What? This old thing? This sack of bones and blood and brain? This heart and mind and soul that live inside?" A: "Yeah! How much did it cost?" B: "It cost the greatest gift of heaven to redeem it and make me whole. That's how much God thinks of me. Incredible, isn't it?!"

PRAYER:
Father, I am bewildered, humbled, and thrilled to know that youvalue me so highly. Forgive me for cheapening myself with sin, fordwelling on things that are petty, and for chasing after things that are worthless. Thank you for loving me so. By your Spirit, please help me live up to the value you see in me and aspire to the lofty life you call me to live. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

A Foundation of Joy - Zoe Elmore

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds." James 1:2

Devotion:

I've struggled with dyslexia and ADD since childhood, and for the most part I don't allow myself to dwell in the land of defeat and discouragement as I try to concentrate and focus on my home and work responsibilities. However, one day last week everything I attempted was either backward or forgotten about altogether. That may not seem too distressing, but with three part time jobs its imperative I stay on task and do things correctly. It was a day of total frustration and embarrassment; the kind of day you pray that the floor will open up and swallow you whole. I left my office discouraged and defeated, wanting nothing more than to put this day and myself to bed.

After dinner I put on my pajamas, slid under the covers, and settled in for a little bedtime reading. I came across the most interesting story on Thomas Edison, a story that helped put an end to my pity-party. It reminded me that trying times are a normal part of this life, and they present an opportunity to strengthen my foundation of joy.

Thomas Edison invented over one thousand things in addition to the phonograph he is famous for. As amazing as his inventions are, I was particularly interested to discover that this man of genius and invention struggled with dyslexia. Despite this, he found ways to learn from his failures.

Did you know that in 1914 his laboratory caught fire and burned to the ground while eight fire companies watched helplessly? The next morning as he looked at the remaining rubble, Edison said, "There is great value in disaster. All our mistakes are burned up. Thank God we can start anew." What an incredible attitude! This man was able to see beyond the disaster before his very eyes to the potential ahead.

His words pierced me like a knife, as I thought about my defeated and discouraged attitude of the day. Where I had lost one day's work through a computer glitch, this man had lost a lifetime of inventions. Where I had chosen to see the remaining rubble of the day, this man chose to see the future that awaited him. When I longed to hide under the covers, this man took joy in the good that would come about from his loss. Thomas Edison's statement sums up the truth about spiritual growth perfectly: trials are the foundation of joy for spiritual maturity. We grow spiritually only from and through the trials that arrive on our doorstep.

If you're feeling frustrated, defeated and discouraged by the trials in your life today, I want to encourage you to look beyond the rubble to what lies ahead. It can be difficult to face our trials with the kind of spirit that sees great value in disaster, but that's what the Lord expects from us if we are to be women who walk on their foundation of joy. Here is a poem that reflects this attitude so well. While the author is unknown, the poet obviously knows the formula for the foundation of joy.

It's sometimes very difficult
for us to understand
the wisdom and the love behind
the things that God has planned.

But we wouldn't have the rainbow
If we didn't have the rain;
We wouldn't know the pleasure
If we never tasted pain.

We wouldn't love the sunrise
If we hadn't felt the night;
And we wouldn't know our weakness
If we hadn't sensed God's might.

We couldn't have the springtime
or the yellow daffodil
if we hadn't experienced
the winter's frosty chill.

And though the brilliant sunshine
is something God has made.
He knew too much could parch our souls
so He created shade.

So God's given us a balance:
Enough joys to keep us glad,
Enough tears to keep us humble,
Enough good to balance bad.

And if you'll trust in Him you'll see
Though yesterday brought sorrow,
The clouds will part and dawn will bring
A happier tomorrow.

Dear Lord, You are good and everything You bring into my life is for my good and Your glory. I thank You for burning away my mistakes and providing an opportunity to start anew each day, just as Your mercies are new each morning. Help me to see beyond the rubble and to You for the lessons necessary to grow my faith. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Application Steps:

Ask the Lord to reveal the lessons necessary to grow your faith. Write them in your journal.

Record your spiritual growth on a spiritual doorpost, just like you record your child's physical growth on a physical doorpost.

Reflections:

What rubble is holding you back? What keeps you from displaying a mature spirit?

Why are you focused on the rubble and not the revelation the Lord longs to share with you?

Power Verses:

"Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." Lamentations 3:22-23

"Lead me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; for You I wait all the day." Psalm 25:5

"For You are my rock and my fortress; for Your name's sake You will lead me and guide me." Psalm 31:3

God's Clinic

Got the below message in the form of a powerpoint from one of my colleagues. Though he always just mindlessly forwards things *which I delete like 90% of the time without even reading them*, this is one of the very few which I choose to take time & read. Hope it blesses you.

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I went to God's clinic to have my routine check-up and confirmed that I was ill:
-- when God took my blood pressure, He saw I was low in tenderness
-- when He read my temperature, the thermometer registered 40'C of anxiety
-- He ran an electrocardiogram & found that I needed several "love bypass" since my arteries were blocked with loneliness & could not provide for an empty heart
-- I went to orthopedics, because I could not walk by my brother's side & I could not hug my friends, since I had fractured myself when tripping with envy
-- He also found I was shortsighted, since I could not see beyond the shortcomings of my brothers & sisters
-- when I complained about deafness, His diagnosis was that I had stopped listening to God's voice talking to me on daily basis

For all of that, God gave me a free consultation thanks to His mercifulness. So my pledge is to, once I leave this clinic, only take the natural remedies He prescribed through His words of truth:
-- Every morning, take a full glass of gratitide
-- when getting to work, take one spoon of peace
-- every hour, take one pill of patience, one cup of brotherhood & one glass of humility
-- when getting home, take one dose of love
-- when getting to bed, take two tablets of clear conscience

Do not give in to sadness or desperation for what you are going through today.
God knows how you feel....
God knows exactly & with perfection what is being allowed to happen to you in your life at this precise moment.
God's purpose for you is simply perfect.
He wants to show you that only you can understand by living what you are living, & by being in the place you are now.

May God give you....
For every storm, a rainbow;
For every tear, a smile;
For every care, a promise;
And a blessing in each trial.
For every problem life sends,
A faithful friend to share,
For every sigh, a sweet song;
And an answer for each prayer.

Prayer Meeting - 05 Jan 08

Dear Akuou,

I just shared during our prayer meeting today that we will focus on the suffering church for this year in addition to our normal sharing updates. As we would be studying on 1 Peter which covers suffering as Christians, we can apply what we will be learning in prayer :)
**If there is any particular country / people group that you have a burden to pray for, you can tell me and we will arrange for one of the prayer meetings to focus on them.**

Here's what we can pray for one another about:

[Abby]
- her boss is giving his business 6 months more to pick else the company will downsize
- feeling lost (no direction yet about what to do)
- 1 new year resolution: to stay close to God
- desire to travel to Europe (with Chris & 2 others)
- hope to go for a mission trip in June/July when her parents will be away in Alaska
- during her recent prayer retreat, God showed her that He will bring her to places and deepen her relationship with Him -> this also means lots of cleaning up in her life needed

[Chris]
- for good health
- to be able to have good rest

[Denise]
- for wisdom as she starts serving as AYSGL in YM tomorrow

[Gladwin]
- very stressed like an ant under an elephant & tired because of many things to do & problems
- for God's strength, wisdom & joy

[Haoguang]
- thankful for being able to pull thru the many changes last year as he entered army & being less resistant to change
- looking forward to end of March when most of the major events will end (having tests next week)
- 1 new year resolution: to do more constructive things during his free time in & out of the camp

[Jason]
- quite uncertain about the new year (his army life)
- feeling sandwiched by many time-consuming tasks to be done within a short period & many conflicting instructions from his CSM (Jason wants to be present to help his men with the tasks but have to also complete his other tasks at the same time)
- thankful for small blessings- to be less jealous of others' better situations

[Joel]
- for wisdom for him & Deborah to work things out
- for wisdom on how to help his fren who is having a relationship issue

[Jolyn]
- for God to speak to her- for her relationship with God to be even more intimate & close
- for God to reveal so much to her
- for her mum to allow her to go for the missions trip in TRACKERS
- for her brother & Serene who have just received Christ, that the fire will not die off but they will hunger & thirst for God
- for her brother & Serene who have just received Christ, that the fire will not die off but they will hunger & thirst for God
- for her as she starts serving as AYSGL in YM tomorrow

[Keng & Sarah]
- wedding preparation for 6 Jul 2008: purchase of suit & evening gown in US
- Keng's parents who are going thru divorce
- enough rest for Sarah to adjust back to US timing as she has to wake up early daily to teach
- wisdom for Sarah as a teacher for the new school term
- for a closer bonding/fellowship with their BS group in US which consists of 4 regulars

[Kexin]
- for her brother's ROM tomorrow at Rasa Sentosa
- for good weather & timely arrival of guests including her
- for everyone, esp her brother& sis-in-law, to have a good time tomorrow

[Shashi & Jean]
- his 2 new year resolutions: to do his QT at 11pm daily, based on Oswald Chambers' Utmost for His Highest & to pray for his colleague & 2 youths in Australiato be nicer to his students (esp in CCA) as he wants to be a witness for Christ toward them, to help them be better people)
- having lots of work at school but enjoying it (coaching in CCA & Singapore schools, doing work for his boss efficiently)
- for fruitfulness as Jean leads a therapeutic group today & tomorrow
- for Jean's health as she has been coughing & waking up every night

[Shuying]
- for her job application to be a sub-editor at SPH magazine

[Viona]
- 1 new year resolution: to guard her QT with the Lord
- for her grandpa who does not know Christ as his condition is worsening week by week
- to know how to answer her boss if he wants her to do something unethical in her course of work next week

[Wanlin]
- happy about the new year, enjoying the TRACKERS training (will last for 2 months)
- 8 new year resolutions:
-->to be ready to serve her family
-->wants to serve in YM but is quite scared (probably as AYSGL)
-->to be more organised & stick to it
-->to exercise regularly
-->not to be late for appoinments
-->to memorise the Word
-->to focus more on God
-->to be a fisher of men
- for her & Joyln to encounter God intimately, applying what they learn
- not to worry about her A-level results

[Yvonne]
- for her brother, Dalton, to have a healthy & sound mind, a discerning heart so he won't be led astray by his fren, Eugene, who is still mentally ill & is inclined toward black magic and the dark side
- for good health for her sister, Joyce, as she is busy with school work and will be taking her A-levels this year

May we persevere in prayer for one another!

:)Viona

Blessed 2008!! =)

Blessed new year! Hope your new year day is good. No matter what had happened in 2007, it is over now! It is time to look forward to the new year - 2008 and make the best out of it. =) Akuou of course have a vision for year 2008 too!!

Akuou Focus 2008 - Foundations of Faith

*Akuou Vision*
Likewise to be strong Christians, our foundations matter. We will be embarking on a journey that focuses on establishing the foundations of faith in ourselves. As such, our small group will be looking into how we can incorporate the element of faith-building into our community time such as bible study, prayer and fellowship.

*Within the Small Group: Desire to grow in God ~ Inspiration & Discipline*
We want to continue to nurture and environment where everyone grows in desire to know God through inspiring one another and encouraging spiritual disciplines. (Examples of spiritual disciplines includes: discipline of silence & solitude, simplicity, submission, study, service etc) There will also be calls to commitment and a need to have more meat in bible study.(Why do we need to have calls to commitment & more meat in bible study? This is in accordance to Matthew 13:3-9 [speaking of the seeds that landed on 4 different soils] & Matthew 13:18-23 [explanation for the seeds & the ground]

*Outside the Small Group: Outreach to unchurched and backslidden ~ Lifestyle Evangelism*
One of the questions we asked is how small group can add a more evangelistic dimension so we can effectively reach out?
We agreed that in order to reach out effectively, we must build faith in the SG first, a faith that leads to transformed lives. We hope that with committed & faithful study of the Word and engagement in spiritual fellowship, we can be more empowered to reach out to our homes and workplace. (like lifestyle evangelism)

With the above in mind, we also have the following fellow akuouians taking up the roles in small group too. =)
Worship IC - Haoguang
Fellowship IC - Kexin, Huineng (Second IC)
Prayer IC - Viona
Treasurer - Jean
Birthday Coordinator - Jason
Blog IC - Chris

Please continue to keep all of the akuouians in prayer and may everyone be inspired to grow in truth & love! =)

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Here is a short article to share with all of you about leaving the past & living the kingdom by Paul Faulkner.
Hope it will help to change the way you look at life.

Leaving the Past, Living the Kingdom, by Paul Faulkner

As we get older, we have a tendency to look back, and if we aren’t careful, to give in to the selective eyesight that sees only the problems and failures of the past. It's too easy to look for someone in the past to blame or resent and way too easy to stumble around in bitterness and regret.

The best thing to do with the past is to learn from it, while keeping our eyes on today and looking forward to the days to come!

God wants us to live today!

Jesus talks about a man who "looks back" because he is not ready for service in the kingdom of God [Luke 9:62]. Now what that passage is telling us is that the past can be a distraction that keeps us from being what the Lord needs us to be today! The apostle Paul talks about "forgetting what is behind" and moving on toward the things that God has ahead [Philippians 3:13]. We've got to stay centered in today, seeking to honor God and living for his future. Remember what Jesus taught us to pray: "... your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven" [Matthew 6:10].

The best way to change the past is to live the way God wants us to live today, rooted in the moment and living for God -- in service to others and in service to the Kingdom.