Omnipresent God

“The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.  Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged”- Deuteronomy 31:8

“Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name, you are mine.  When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.  When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned, the flames will not set you ablaze.”- Isaiah 42:1b-2

Father, thank you for reminding me of your presence, guidance and care that you show all the time.  Thank you for being the one who I can always rely on, the one who is the same anytime and anywhere. Thank you for walking alongside with me through trials and triumphs.

This is particularly encouraging to know when settling to a new place and adjusting to new community can get a little overwhelming.  I am glad to know that I can find stability in the Lord who is always available and His faithfulness is unchanging.  I am also grateful for knowing that God is journeying with me through the highs and lows, and in Him I can overcome with the victory that can be found in Him.

“Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today...The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still”- Exodus 14:13-14

Seder Dinner

This is the first time I had Seder dinner.  I was invited to join in with a family for it to begin the Easter weekend.  Passover is traditionally a Jewish holiday, but some Gentiles are discovering the significance of this and tying it to Easter.In the Passover Seder meal, one plate has 7 specific items...bitter herbs, an egg, kharoset (an apple/nut mixture), parsley springs, bowl of salt water, a lamb bone, and onion or horseradish root. And, at each place setting, a glass of wine (grape koolaid) helps in the ceremony, too. 
Meanings of the 7 specific items that all tasted: When in Egypt around 1500 B.C., the Jews were suffering slaves (bitter herbs and onion/horseradish root) that had to make bricks with mortar (kharoset). This time in Jewish history was hard and full of tears (parsley sprigs dipped in salt water).  The lamb bone signifies that blood from a lamb was put on the doorposts.
This blood told the angel of death to "Passover" that household. Only those that believed (by marking the doorposts) were saved. Then, the Jews were let go by the Egyptians to start a new life (egg).
Of course, the blood of the Lamb saved the Jews then.  Jesus, the Lamb of
God, saves those today that believe He is God and that he died to save us.
His death paid for our sins.  Alleluia, He is risen indeed!

First day of teaching

I completed the first day of teaching 2 days ago, I enter the school with a mix of excitement and a sense of uncertainty.  It was exciting to begin since I had waited for this for a while, but feeling slightly uncertain as I wonder how the class would work out. Before going to the class, I asked the Lord to guide me, let the class be pleasing to Him.  The Lord led me to the verse from 2 Corinthians 12:9, which said, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”  I was also reminded of Psalm 27 that was read during staff meeting the day before, it spoke to me about trusting in the Lord and find confident in Him.  Overall, I definitely experience God’s grace and guidance throughout this process, it was a blessing when God put a special moment through a kid who said, “thank you for teaching me” after the first time teaching that class.

Perfect Timing

I was invited to have lunch with Tammi, one for the teacher from the primary campus last Wednesday.  This meal with delicious Chinese food was made from scratch (even the spring roll skin).  It came at the perfect timing as I was having some craving for some Asian taste.  It reminds me of God’s perfect gift and perfect timing, just like James 1:17 said, "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows."

A picture of beautiful sunrise
It leads me to think about Psalm 136:4-8
⁴ to him who alone does great wonders,
His love endures forever.
⁵ who by his understanding made the heavens,
His love endures forever.
⁶ who spread out the earth upon the waters,
His love endures forever.
⁷ who made the great lights—
His love endures forever.
⁸ the sun to govern the day,
His love endures forever.

God's faithful promise

Throughout this time of change and transition, the Scripture is encouraging and provide peace of God's faithful promise.  Isaiah 55:9-12 speaks to me and lift me up through time of challenges, such as adjusting to the drastically different environment. It is rainy season in PNG and the nature reminds me of this verse that shows me the faithfulness of God.
⁹ “As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.
¹⁰ As the rain and the snow
come down from heaven,
and do not return to it
without watering the earth
and making it bud and flourish,
so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,
¹¹ so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire
and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.
¹² You will go out in joy
and be led forth in peace;
the mountains and hills
will burst into song before you,
and all the trees of the field
will clap their hands.

Holy Spirit the Counselor

As a have begun travelling toward Papua New Guinea and moving toward this new chapter of life that God has instored for me, there is a sense of excitement, also a sense of uncertainty that makes me feel a little anxious.  I have times of missing the familiarity of Canada as I am so far away from home.  However, the promise of Holy Spirit as counselor and God's presence is comforting and encouraging.  I have been dwelling on God's word to find peace at this time of transition, especially from John 14:16-18 and Psalm 139:7-10. 

"¹⁶ And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— ¹⁷ the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be^[a] in you. ¹⁸ I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you." -John 14:16-18

^"7 Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?
⁸ If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
⁹ If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,
¹⁰ even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast."
-Psalm 139: 7-10