"Don't just live, change the world!"

Today as I was driving to work, God prompted me to turn on my radio to 99.5 KKLA. It was the beginning of a couple sharing about the husband's survival from the earthquake in Haiti. The husband (I'll call him Bob for now) shared about the moment during the earthquake while he was trapped in a collapsed hotel, electricity was totally out, it was pitch dark and his leg was bleeding from injury. In pain and darkness he felt alone and fear started to creep in. However, as Bob called out, he found out there are other survivors trapped near his position. He felt better, knowing he's not going through this moment alone. Bob started to pray to God, knowing his passion and fire for Him recently are not as strong as before,  One of the men was the manager of the hotel, who was a Haitian and is not really fluent with English. Long story short, Bob led everyone who were trapped in the hotel to Christ. Later he was rescued. Though this traumatic event left a huge scar on his leg, he has received the conviction to preach the message of "Don't just live, change the world!" to everyone he could reach out to.

Compressed Feb Revelations/Encounters/Testimonies

Alright if I don't blog I'm gonna have too much to catch up!!
Man... haven't blogged for like almost a month! -.-
Ok here it goes...

REVELATIONS

[Water balloon Vs. Air balloon - Recv. on 2/3/2011]
Bible Study w/ Irene & Ada on : John 1:14
"The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth."
It's interesting, the main word that jumped out to me was "full". Immediately I had a picture of a water balloon, packed and filled with water. God started downloading revelation as I started to share what I got w/ Irene and Ada, and as I shared He poured in more... Here are the bullet points for your convenience.
- Jesus is like a water balloon, full of God's grace and truth and all other aspects/characteristics of God.
- When Jesus died on the cross, the access to God in which only He had, was made available to all. The Jesus water balloon exploded and released God unto all those who believe and received.
- For those who received, we become little water balloons like Jesus, also filled with God's grace and truth and love and glory...etc, inside of us.
- People who don't have God is like air balloon, they may seem bigger than water balloons (that's the case most of the time), but they're completely empty inside. (Big air balloons: real rich and famous people, real beautiful/handsome people, real successful people, real intelligent/high educated people...etc)
- If you have never tasted water before, you will not know what "thirst" is. Even when you are feeling "thirst" you will not know that it means your body needs water. People need God, they just don't realize that craving for love and dissatisfaction they feel all the time are signaling that their spirit is in need of God.
- Once you give a drop of water to a super thirsty person, he/she will instantly realize that is exactly what they need that will satisfy them. Once people encounter God, it will click, and they will come to a realization that this is what they've been lacking, that this is the fountain where they can drink from and shall never thirst again.
- How do we let people encounter God outside of church? Throw water balloons at them! Let them get a taste of the "water"- all goodness, love, joy, hope, glory, healing...etc of God!! They'll realize their actual thirst/needs.
- How to turn an air balloon into a water balloon? (Ada: "POP IT!" lol!) We need to first untie the knot of the air balloon, let the air out, then fill it with water.
- Whose hands will be the ones untying the knots? (Irene: "God's hands!) Exactly!
- We cannot pop the air balloons and force the water in, it needs to be the air balloon's own willingness to let His hands untie their knot (the door to their heart), and let the air out (our past experiences, ideologies, pride, doubt...etc), and finally, let the water in (invite Jesus into their hearts and begin the transformation of these lives).

[ATM Vs. Bank - Recv. on 2/5/2011]
... will update when I have time...

[Battery Vs. Power cord - Recv. on 2/7/2011]
... will update when I have time...

ENCOUNTERS

"Turn back and go home now....." - 2/17/2011
... will update when I have time...

TESTIMONIES

[Raymond - Accepted Jesus on 2/16/2011]
After weeks of continuously encountering God speaking into His life/heart through events that took place, through people's blogs and through messages on the radio and at Ignite/IMPACT... Raymond started to pray randomly and one day he just could not get God out of his mind, so he texted me on 2/14/2011 morning....
Raymond - "Whatever reason I just needed to tell you. I can't get it off my mind since last night."
Me - "Get what off your mind?"
Raymond - "I started praying randomly after watching Jaeson Ma's interview and the topic just happens to be love which I have been listening to in the past few days and the entire morning my mind has been on GOD. But i think i need a little bit of help... I have been to Impact many times now but never did I have a feeling like this before..... I don't really know what to do... and this is very weird because i'm never like this..."
So I fwd this to MQ and Josh, who have been real close frd with Raymond and have been sharing Jesus w/ him for years!! I think since I know Raymond back in high school years i've been inviting him to cell group/church and share w/ him about Jesus countless times!! All four of us met up two days after for dinner, on Wednesday 2/16/2011, after listening to Raymond share about all his encounters and thoughts, we all shared w/ him about accepting Jesus and that night... Raymond accepted Jesus!!! Halleluah!!!! After years of praying and sowing... He did it! Praise the Lord!!!!! You are faithful!!!

[Queena - Accepted Jesus on 2/20/2011]
Me: "Why did you accept Jesus?"
Queena: "Because I knew so certainly in my heart that He is real and His Words are real, yet I don't know why I still did not make up my mind to follow Him. So I made my decision today to accept Him as my Lord and savior."
Little bg of Queena... she started to get interested about God when Ada, Anderson... and her were chatting on fb about God. She asked Anderson to let her borrow his bible at first, then soon it wasn't enough so she bought her own bible. Ada and Anderson and this other Korean frd were all "discipling" her atm, then Queena started coming to unplugged/impact and she encounter God, heaven and hell... God is no longer just a religion/spiritual thing, but God is now a big/huge part of Queena's life personally. God we thank You!!! Your love never fails, never gives up and never runs out for Queena, she is such a huge water balloon filled with LOVE!! C'mon, more Lord!!!

[Emily (co-worker's wife) - "I've been praying for a long time, but seemed like nothing was happening, and I really felt that maybe God has forgotten about me..." on 2/20/2011]
Sarah Yang's sharing on Psalm 13 really touched Emily, as she shared her heart with me she could not stop crying. Just like David, Emily felt God has forgotten about her, for she was praying a lot but nothing was happening. When I invited her to come back to the Father, she hesitated a bit and explained that no one in her family, including her husband, was a believer and so it's real hard for her. I told her, "Even when you can't come physically to a church or fellowship, because it is your personal relationship with God, He will go to wherever you're at, whatever environment/circumstances you're in." Prayed for her and hugged her. Lord you will not despise her weak desire to seek You, because she is real and true to You, God You will bless her and keep her. Amen.

[Wanda (supervisor) - "I've tried everything but something is still lacking inside... I need to go back to Him." on 2/21/2011]
I just told my supervisor that Arthur (my co-worker) and Emily came to church on Sunday and Emily got real touched by God... that's when Wanda started sharing her heart with me. She said her mother has always been taking her to church since she was little, and she loved going because if you have perfect attendance, you get a pin as your reward. She said,"I guess those times have always been real precious to me, even now I still kept that pin." (She's already 50sth yr old now) She shared how she has everything and is not lacking anything, and she's tried everything, but deep down inside there's still something lacking. She knew it was God that she was lacking and she's really going to commit in going to church again. She has such simple and pure heart... she said she doesn't even bother to wear make up going to church because she knew she's gonna cry. She also told me how she really want her 7yr old niece to start going to church regularly to learn about God and get closer with God. While she was sharing all these I was going... wow wow God... wow... in my heart. lol! This is so awesome/crazy/amazing!! All glory to You Lord!!!!! Touch more co-workers God! >.< I'm so excited!

God is so good, too good, how can I not give Him all my praise and worship!? Hallelujah!!! You reign!!!

-sala<3

Mona Lisa's Smile

Today at prayer room we were praying of holding unto God's promises and putting our trusts in Him, for He has overcame all of our iniquities and issues in life.

I was filled by the Holy Spirit and couldn't stop praying in tongues and shaking my hands.

At one point, I started seeing visions. First image that came up was the painting, Mona Lisa's Smile. I thought, "That's random..." Then God showed me something amazing... As all of you know, there's something special about how the artist drew Mona Lisa's eyes, so that no matter which angle you look at the painting, her eyes will always be looking at your direction. The face of Mona Lisa changed to our heavenly Father's loving and kind face, with such loving eyes and smile. I was wrapped by His love, like wrapped by a very big soft warm comforting blanket. I could feel His gaze upon me, His delight in me. That no matter where I turn to, where I run to, He will always be gazing upon me, He will always be smiling over me with loving kindness. It reminds me of this phrase: "His eyes are on the sparrow". He watches over me, protects me, He knows me, cares about me, and He loves me. It made me cry. So much Father's love showering over me... I love You daddy.

Matthew 10:29-31

²⁹ Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care.^[a] 30 And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered.³¹ So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

-sala<3

He and His Black Cat

Monday night after WBS, as I was heading home, I had the craving to go get snacks at the Asian convenient store on Santa Anita and Duarte. As I pulled into the parking lot, I noticed this homeless guy with a shopping cart filled with clothes, blankets and who knows what, standing right in front of the convenient store. Before I got out of the car, I saw him suspiciously peeking inside the store. However, when I saw his face, it was very kind and gentle. It actually reminds me of Jesus' face in Passion, maybe it was because he has similar hair style and face shape. Anyhow, we said hi as I walked into the store. Now, during the whole time I was in there, I was thinking about the possible actions the homeless guys might take, and if I should buy food for him. I didn't. I got my snack (銅鑼燒) and as I walked out of the store, I saw him embracing his black cat with such love and gentleness. Contentment. He must've felt awkward that I saw him doing that, because he quickly switched to just patting and massaging the cat instead of hugging it. In my heart, I felt super bad holding that snack in my hand, because I really didn't need to get it in the first place. It was out of the abundance that I started to spend more than I need. Lust. Gluttony. Sloth (spiritual or emotional apathy, neglecting what God has spoken, and being physically and emotionally inactive). (Wow, 3 out of the 7 deadly sins committed in one night.) I am struggling BIG TIME on the inside if I should still go get them some food or money. But, as I was battling in my mind, I was already driving slowly away at the same time. I could not explain this, but on the way home my heart started aching so badly, and I don't think it was toward how "poor" this guy is. I felt he is content, I thought maybe he's trying to get some food for his cat. While still battling with getting them some necessities, I didn't stop at any supermarket or drive-throughs. Sigh... Sloth. After I got home and parked my car, I was sitting in the car, reminiscing on the scenes back there... I started weeping, sobbing uncontrollably. Tears just kept falling and dripping and pouring out of my small Asian eyes. It felt like a billion heartbroken, which I don't really get what for... But I know one thing, I seriously do not want to waste extra money on extra food/drinks/snacks anymore. I used to struggle with that BIG BIG TIME. Any chance I get to buy a little something here and there, I would, even when I don't need it at all. I would be super full, and while driving, passing by this drink place or that drive-through, there's a big chance I'll drive up and get something. It's very horrible. In the car God revealed that in the state of contentment, I am way poorer than that homeless guy. He is probably more free than me on that part. I would constantly have the urge and lust for food/drinks because some inner parts of me are constantly unsatisfied and desperate to be filled. It's like when you're so full, but you still want to eat more and drink more and chew some more. (I think that's one punishment in hell. Never satisfied. Always hungry.) I don't know how long I've cried in the car, when I went home, I cried more in the shower, then after telling my mom what happened and how God changed my heart, I went in my bed and cried a whole lot more. It is His kindness that leads to repentance. My mom didn't really get what happened, she's just glad I've finally come to my senses of not wasting money on buying outside food/drinks. She said, "You should go to Africa then, see more of these hungry people." (As I'm typing and editing, I started crying again...) I think I've realized why I'm crying, because God has showed me where I'm chained up and how He wants to set me free. Just as we sang in the worship on Sunday (the day before this happened), "I've seen you in your captivity, I'll open up every prison door". I prayed for God to show us our chains, that He wants to break them all to set all of us free. He is faithful, and He did it. Thank you Jesus!!! I am free!!!!


-sala<3

Power of Transformation

A miracle just happened a couple of hours ago...


I've been without a cell phone for three weeks, because it was broken and it's time for us to renew our 2 year contract anyway, so we're just waiting for the cell phone store to prepare the paperwork and order in the phone we wanted. Today after I got home from Paul's End Time workshop, mom told me the cell phone store finally got the paperwork ready for us to sign. However, me and Amy got into a pretty big argument at the store....


To make the long story short, basically me and Amy are the only ones getting new phones, and due to price we picked the same model but different color. There's only two colors, purple and metallic, to pick from. I let Amy pick first and I'll take the other color, and at first she chose purple, but after we got home she wanted the metallic instead, so I took it that mine is the purple one. That was back at the first visit of the store last weekend. However, today when we were at the store, mom was asking us again what color we decided, and Amy said, "purple", I was surprised and quickly got real mad. I thought in my head, "What the xxxx??!! Who do you think you are that everything has to go YOUR way?? That you get to change your mind about things all the time, and the other people will just have to live with the leftovers???!!!" Seriously, I got super duper mad, I was at rage, at that moment I really wanted to slap her, punch her in the face, beat her up and I even wanted to kill her so badly. (Shocking eh?) All those crazy violent thoughts were going through my head, I thought of Cain and Abel, and how I can relate to Cain killing his brother. I had to control myself not to put my thoughts in action, so I put myself physically at a distance from her and not looking at her. 


At that moment.. God started to remind me of the Bible verses I read a couple days ago. Matthew 5:21, 22 “You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ ²² But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell." It was amazing... I think it was right after that, I felt all the rage and anger suddenly left my heart, all I could feel was this cleanness and lightness in my heart. Then, God filled the cleaned heart it with His love. At that moment, I had so much love for Amy I went up to her and hugged her. This huge heart transformation took place within just 10minutes!! 


In the car I started to tell them what God did back there, and my mom kept on saying, "it's really not easy to do that, good job Sarah". I told her, by myself I couldn't make this change happen, it was ALL God. By His grace and mercy I am set free from sinning against my sister, free from bitterness, and free from grudges. In the car I reach my hand to Amy, held it, told her, "I love you Amy! <3" 


According to the next verse in Matthew 5, verse 23 and 24, it says “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, ²⁴ leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift." Thank you Jesus!! Now I know I can boldly go before the alter to offer my gifts to my dear beloved Lord and Savior. Praise God!!


-sala<3