FOR THE JOY OF THE LORD IS YOUR STRENGTH (Nehemiah 8:10) A Charismatic Prayer Group Word Sharing

The tugging feeling started at around 3.15p.m. this afternoon. The great need to attend the evening's Charismatic Praise and Worship at Our Lady of Lourdes Church Klang and the feelings persisted even when I reached home. I wanted to stay home; it had been a long day but no, the voice within kept on urging ...nagging go..you must go. And So, I said alright Lord, I will go and so I went. Just what could be so special that I am so drawn to attend, this evening's session, I wondered.

The membership has certainly grown and with active participation from some very dynamic and enthusiastic youths. Choice of hymns -fanastic! Powerful renditions; outpouring of healing grace, the essence of a Charismatic prayer and worship session. I was totally drawn into the Spirit as I joined in the thanksgiving- joyous voices rose in great gusto to praise and worship the Lord with sheer abandonment; just allowing the Spirit to lead and direct our motions and movements. Amazingly bonding, united, one with the Spirit!

The guest speaker for the night? Bro. Mervin Ratnasingam. He was there with his lovely wife and two beautiful young kids. I am a believer of the Charismatic movement but not yet a regular member..

Nothing prepared me for the God given talent in the speaker for the night - the raw passion, the clarity of his message , great innotation and diction! The makings of a great evangelist! A lesson delivered with clear knowledge and understanding of the Word of the Lord! An entirely new approach in delivering his topic of the day " For the Joy of the Lord is your Strength". Nahemiah 8:10 Presented with great conviction , passion and in a totally new perpective ! Very refreshing, exceptionally lively, funny yet intense. Even when, he had us in stitches and holding on to the sides of our stomachs, the intended message was not lost-the theme of the evening rings out loud and clear. We need to cultivate and create joy in our lives, focusing on the joy of the Lord-what brings joy to the Lord, what pleases the Lord and that will act as our strength,in carrying out the will of the Lord and drawing the inward flow of joy back into our lives.

Let me share some important pointers I learnt . CHARA ( meaning rejoice, be glad, full of joy ) and CHARIS (grace) Two soul inspiring words,. complementing Nahemiah 8:10 "For the Joy of the Lord is our Strength." Indeed to have joy, there must be grace. And "that my joy may be in you and your joy will be full" John 15:11. Joy cannot come to us unless we make a conscious effort to want, to invite and welcome it into our lives through carrying out the wishes and will of the Lord (His Commandments ) and emulating the goodness of the Lord. When you do good to someone, and witness the difference you have made in his life,does it not gladden your heart and make you feel at the top of the world?

The key word is to "CREATE and made aware the need to have Joy in our everyday lives, and then work towards making it a permanent fixture in our lives. Bro Mervin describes it as an" attitude" thing. Yes it certainly appears to be. There must be a determination to want joy in our lives, to choose joy over sadness. Once created it will flow out like a fountain of love , spreading round and around, filling our cups to the brim and we cannot have all this without drawing on the strength of the Lord. " I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in me and I in him, he , it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing." John 15: 5

A remarkable sharing indeed. Bro Mervin, you have certainly utilised the blessings of the Lord well. Praise the Lord! Like you brother, once upon a time, I too detested those who love to use the three words "Praise the Lord." on and on...I thought well perhaps, a little fanatical huh? Today, these three little words have become big time words in my life and it flows easily from my lips! Praise the Lord again ! Amen!

Thank you Brother, I thoroughly enjoyed the session, and yes, Thank you Lord, you know best!

Rise above the Need; Thank and Praise God More

I had been searching high and low , asking around if anyone has the lyrics to this beautiful hymn ' Higher Hands'. and had all but given up hope of ever getting it, when I was surprised by an angelic gesture of "giving" from a lovely lady.She had obviously gone to a lot of trouble typing out the lyrics for me; then when I was having my quiet moment with God, she had come into Church quietly, and left the beautifully typed hymn by my side and then disappeared before I could even thank her. Someone who gives without expecting anything in return not even grateful thanks. Thank you sister and God Bless You! Isn't it amazing how God sends "angels" into our lives when we least expect it? Let me share the words of this beautiful hymn with you:-

Though it seems I'm oft unnoticed and lost in time and space,

God above is watching over me, though I can not see his face

Chorus

Higher Hands are leading me, Higher hands are leading me

I am not alone I know., As I walk this world below

For Higher Hands are leading me

Oh How sweet to know He hears me,

When I go to Him in Prayer

And I tell all my troubles,

When my heart is bowed with care

There is a great eternal purpose

In the life of every one

And some day, we'll know its meaning

When our days on earth is done.

All my times are in His Keeping

He has numbered me my years

And some day, He will take me yonder

Where there will be no pain or tears.

Beautiful, meaningful words which never failed to bring tears to my eyes, each time the hymn is sung. Yes Indeed, with God in our lives, we will never be alone for He is watching over us and Leading us even though we cannot see His Face. A great source of comfort and great strengthening of faith. This beautiful hymn opens an instant link, bonding to the Higher Powers above. Friends, allow the promise it contains to fill your heart and you will surely be filled with the courage to discard your baggage, move forward positively, confident in the light and care of the Lord.

You will find that going before the Lord, praying and spending time with Him need not always be in moments of need, they could be happy times spent in thanksgiving, praise, glorifying and refreshing/renewing our spiritual ties with our God-Happy moments of togetherness. In moments like these, see Him not only as our God, but our Heavenly Father, filled with joy for us, and rejoicing because we, his children have been blessed with life's goodness. Trust me Friends, you will find an uplifting of your spirit,heart & soul. You will find yourself asking less but praising and glorifying more. Praise the Lord!