Long long long long long post. =D

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You for blessing me with this wonderful book
through my brother Macneil. Indeed when I start sharing, I know alot more. I learn alot more. Father, I love You too.

Thank you.
With love from your son,
Ziqiang

Secondly I'd like to thank Mr Rick Warren for writing this wonderful book. Indeed your prayers is answered. Every single day, I am strengthening my spiritual muscles with your book. I am blessed to have this book with me.

Please let me share a part of your book and bring some blessing to my friend as well. And I will pray for you for new inspiration to write other books.

PURPOSE DRIVEN LIFE - RICK WARREN (Day 27) (Extract)

No one can run away from this word "TEMPTATION". It's a way of life to let us grow, we get tempted to do things that we know is not right to do. But the choice is still OUR's.

The way of life, is in the word of GOD. Have you ever ask yourself why is it the way of life, it is because it's the real way that GOD wants you to live.

Being confused and suspicious is not the right state of a believer's mind... It is time to set yourself free..

We humans are simple creatures that knows nothing but being proud about something that is not even ours. That's a fact to your face! Accept it as you are thinking that this guy is boasting! Believe me that, if you do not accept the things around you, you will never see the light coming any closer. It is by accepting yourself that you can change not vice versa. SAY I AM STUPID, SAY I AM LACKING UNDERSTAND, SAY I AM PROUD to GOD! Not the PERFECT prayer! Tell Him the truth and He will change you!

A little drifted away... SO back to the point as fellow Christians, we are equiped with the tools to fight the small wimpy devil. ALL you need to know is to use the right WORDS at the right time. Are you afraid to say, "YOU LITTLE DEVIL satan, I AM NOT AFRAID OF YOU!" I want to FIGHT you with my Father's words.

If you're afraid of the devil, how can you fight it! Logical?
A book reveals to me that YOU are fighting the devil everyday! If you're not, I believe you're defeated too many times. Are you one of them?

Word of GOD will set you free. Doesn't that sound familar? Are you attempting to fight the devil TODAY or are you going to procrastinate and wait till the time ripes? I can tell you that, the time will never ripe. Because the devil works in you. WHY NOT START TODAY?!

Before I start...

I'd really love to share with you a book by Rick Warren titled PURPOSE DRIVEN LIFE. Please read this book from skin front to skin back and follow the Day sequence. There is a total of 40 days. PLEASE GIVE A SACRIFICE TO GOD and HE will definately make you a better man in JUST 40 days. Imagine this, you can devote your whole lifetime to working BUT not even 40 days to GOD?

It is not 40 WHOLE days, it is 30 minutes a day. It is an hour a day. You may think, I CAN read the whole book in A week. BUT are you following the instruction of the AUTHOR who prayed for you before you even got your hands on the book? Are you being detailed in the things that you do. GOD is a detailed Father, He doesn't leave anything to yourself. He plans every single day of your life.

Giving Him 40 days to discover youself. Meditate over His words. Reveal it to yourself. How lovely can it be to be inside HIS presence forever. SO START NOW!

Run from everything that gives you the evil thoughts.. but
stay close to anything that makes you want to do right..

2 Timothy 2:22 (Living Bible)

Flee also youthful lust, but pursue righteousness, faith,
love, peace with those who call on the LORD out of a pure heart.

2 Timothy 2:22 (NKJV)

The Bible says,

People who lacks understanding fall into temptations easily.
(Proverbs 7:7,10,17,20,22)


People who reject this phrase and say that "we're all fallen creatures what~!" like the Bible says. They're the people who cannot accept the fact that they can change and they do not have the intention to change and people who don't want to change.

There are also people who think that it is through their wisdom that they can fight temptation. I agree to some sense that you might be able to fight temptations with willpower. But the fact is that, you can never win the fight over temptations with willpower alone. With willpower, you can only concentrate on some part of yourself at a time. You can never fully control all that you think.

If you can, congrats to you, because that makes you wiser then SOLOMEN, King David's son.

Laterally, a normal human can only concentrate on 1 thing at a time. Even if he can control 2-3 things at one time, that doesn't make much of a difference.In the mind, there are millions or billions of command that is set to function at one time. (Correct me if I'm wrong)
It will make him superhuman if he can control all that he thinks.


LEAN ON GOD's GRACE FOR HELP!

There are a few ways in which you may be able to take a step into getting your minds off temptations.

1) Refocusing you attention on something else.
2) Reveal your struggle to a godly friend or support group
3) Resist the devil
4) Realize your vulnerability


1) Refocusing you attention on something else.

Those people who tell themself, "I don't want to smoke anymore" will somehow smoke and they think to themselves, the Bible says, I must resist my temptation, but how come like not working.

Here's the answer. When you fight temptation, everytime you try to resist it, the more stronger the temptation becomes. The deeper it drives to you brain. Don't try to fight your thoughts, you must change you channel to focusing on something else.

For example smoking, if you only have 5 dollars in your pocket and 2 cigarette in your possession, your mind will channel to not buying extra cigarette and making the best out of your 2 cigarette.

When you think of cigarette, you may channel your mind to telling yourself that GOD loves me, so I must cherish my body for His purpose, you can focus more on His words and make the best out of it. 2 cigarette may be too little for you. Maybe put 5 in your pocket and slowly cut down the intake by cutting down the amount of cigarette you put into your cigarette case.

I know the temptations of this to hurt my body because I was an ex-smoker. I'm willing to share how I quit with anyone who comes to me.

Trust me, it will work a great deal in your life. Think of the good times you can spend with your family members. You will love it. And you will find yourself walking closer and closer to people whom you never thought would come close to you.

Job made a covenant to GOD say that he will not lust over women. (JOB 31:1) NIV

Are you determined to walk in the truth! The battle is win and lost in your mind. So choose one.

WALK TOWARDS VICTORY MY FRIENDS!

A friend taught me this.. 如果不在乎，为何浪费一寸精神来找麻烦.
It simply mean, why waste your time on something which is not worth wasting your time on. STOP wasting your time and devote your time to GOD.


THE POWER OF SUGGESTION

Have you ever heard someone yawn and you start Yawning to yourself?
(You could be yawning now) ;)

So you see, that is the power of suggestion. satan can only suggest things to you.

But there is power in the suggestion. The more you think about something, the stronger it takes hold of you. Those speaker who tells herself not to be NERVOUS while speaking will set herself up to be NERVOUS untill she shift her attention to something else. Ignoring the temptation is a far more effective.

Meaning simply walk out of the temptation zone. Laterally walking out. This is ONE time it is okay to run away.

The devil will most likely say "Hey you, don't walk out of your problem, comon, let's discuss about this temptation a little." Eventually he will outwit you to do what you're tempted to. For example, the temptation is to watch TV. You KNOW you've been watching far too long.

And while you're fighting with your temptation, you continue to watch, till your family member scold you, make a big issue out of it. Den you begin to realised, oh, it's actually the devil putting thoughts into me. I tell you, if you fight against satan, you will never outwit him.

Only word of God will win him. Sometimes, you must really plan what you will say to satan before he strike at you.

Like for example, GOD loves me, I want to share this love with my family too, that is why I switch off the TV to show respect to my parents. WE'RE COMMANDED TO LOVE OUR FAMILY. It is a sure win with the devil. PUT a FULLSTOP behind.

I agree there is different in opinion and difference in the way that people handle thing. But we serve a common GOD. We need to share our differences with others. So, why don't you share with your friends about this.. Feeling tired of reading this post. It's the devil's work. FIGHT IT!! Remember you can always defeat bad thoughts with GOOD ones.

"Keep your heart with all dilligence. For out
of it spring the issues of life." Proverbs 4:23 (NKJV)

"Finally brethrens, whatever things are
good and deserve praise,true, noble, just, pure, lovely and honourable. Phil 4:8 (NKJV)

Are you filling your mind with this values? It's never too late to.. ;)


2) Reveal your struggle to a godly friend or support group
*I reveal to 2 person only* xD

When you start to reveal the things that is happening in your life to these people, they will give you guidance and support that you need. I glad I found 2 of them which I can lean on them. And both of them possess this powerful book. (The Purpose Driven Life) and I'm glad it drives their life. I'm changing now.. It takes time, just like a butterfly. I want to be a butterfly.

The Bible says,

"Two are better than one, Because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, for he has no one to help him up."

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

Admit this: YOU WILL NOT GET BETTER ON YOUR OWN!
If you can help yourself with the temptations you're facing, you'd have already solved it and not looking forward already. Some temptations may only be cured by the help of a partner who will pray for you, encourage you and hold you accountable.

God says it is the only way that you're going to break free:
"Confess your sins to eacch other and pray for eacch other so thatyou may be healed."

It is written,

Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church and let them pray over him anointing him with oil in the name of the LORD. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the LORD will raise him up. And if he has committed any sins, he will be forgiven.

James 5:14-15

Don't repress it! CONFESS IT!
Of course, your choice of friend to share with must be of a certain maturity and is willing to help you.


Satan makes you think that your temptation is one of a kind and unique. BUT THE TRUTH IS, WE'RE ALL ON THE SAME BOAT. We all fight the same temptation all of US have sinned!!

We always want people to think that our lifes are under control, no matter what happen we can take it. But the inner struggle is "PRIDE". Who say people like pastors or elders don't get tempted. We all get tempted. Even Jesus too! But we must not let this temptation lead to sinning. Start confessing today, show GOD that you've humbled yourself down! But be wise and know your position of status. Don't ask untrusted friends for help. Because their mouth will be a snared to them. Ask those people whom you have confident in. Or simply, lean on GOD again. It's the only way if all others failed. Put GOD first and never last.

NEVER GIVE UP! BECAUSE YOU BELONG TO HEAVEN!

IF THERE IS NO ONE TO PRAY FOR YOU, I WANT TO PRAY FOR YOU, PUT UP POST AFTER POST ON MY CHATTERBOX! OR SEND TO MY EMAIL, HOTACID_1985@HOTMAIL.COM . TITLE the email "PRAYER REQUEST"


When 2 or more gather up in prayer, the presence of the LORD is there.

Personally I follow this steps:

First: Ask myself and evaluate the problem in DETAILS.
Second: Ask GOD for wisdom to solve the problem.
Third: Ask a trusted friend
Last: Ask GOD again.

And I always pray in this manner for my problems,

"Dear Heavenly Father,

PROBLEM IN DETAILS... But if it's your will that this problem happen, let it be done.

Thank YOU for the guidance, YOU deserve all the honour, glory and praises.

In Jesus' Name I pray
AMEN!



The Bible says,

No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.

Therefore my beloved, flee from idolatry.

1 Cor 10:13-14

START TODAY!

RESIST THE DEVIL
As believers, satan cannot force you to do anything. But he can only put suggestion in your mind.

When Jesus was tempted in the wilderness, He didn't argue with Satan. He didn't say, "I'm not hungry," when tempted to use his power to meet a personal need. He simply quoted Scripture from memory. We must do the same! There is power in God's Word, and Satan fears it!

Don't argue with the devil, you can never bluff your way out of his thousands of years of experience, but use the WORDS OF TRUTH to fight him. Which is why memorising Scriptures is so absolutely necessary. Without the WORDS OF TRUTH, it is equivilent to a Gun without bullet.

REALIZE YOUR VULNERABILITY

God warns us never to get cocky and overconfident; that is the recipe for disaster.
Jeremiah said, "The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure"

We're good at fooling ourselves. Given the right circumstances, any of us are capable of any sin. We must never let down our guard and think we're beyond temptation.

Don't carelessly put youself in tempting situations. AVOID THEM!

Even the laughter the heart may sorrow, And the end of mirth maybe
grief.

Proverbs 14:13

The heart is deceitful above all things, and DESPERATELY wicked; Who can know it?

Jeremiah 17:9

Therefore let him who thiks he stands take heed lest he fall.

1 Corinthians 10:13

MIRTH
amusement or laughter: He was unable to conceal his mirth.

Well folks.. That's all for defeating temptations..I really hope that it's a blessing to you who have read till so far, I prayed for you before you've came into this page.. I challenge you, to buy the book "PURPOSE DRIVEN LIFE by RICK WARREN" and start discovering yourself in 40 days. It's a book read by millions of people. BLESS to those who've got it and signed the covenant with the author.

THERE IS POWER INSIDE EVERYTHING YOU DO.
GOD IS WATCHING..

PART 2

Those people who look at blogs and don't accept other's difference. They will go around laughing at other people's blog but they never think to themselves,

"have you got a plunk in your own eye that is not removed that you want to remove your brother's dust?" In fact, everyone of you can change if he/she want to. If it is not within your ability to pick out your plunk, get help! Get someone to help you. After you help yourself,

PLEASE HELP OTHERS WITH THE WORD OF TRUTH!
SET THEM FREE! GET THEM SAVED! IT IS YOUR JOB!

You thinking yourself to be too perfect?
That you're always above others?

Have you think to yourself that you may need some correction at a certain point of time too. GOD is perfect and created us to be in His image. But the fact is, we can never be like GOD, not in this lifetime. BUT we must always try our best to be in His image to glorify Him and to please Him. We're created for Him. We're not created here to deplete resources. We're not created to exalt ourselves above GOD.

The key to freedom is to BE HUMBLE~! Humble down yourself. Make yourself someone that can always listen and only give comment when you think it is wise to. Make sure that your context does not contrast with what is GOD's instruction to your life.

I LOVE CHANGES, I LOVE TO BE HUMBLE, I LOVE TO CARE FOR OTHERS, I LOVE EVERYONE AROUND ME INCLUDING SICK, OLD, YOUNG. REGARDLESS OF RACE. I LOVE MY CHURCH, IT IS CITY HARVEST CHURCH, I LOVE MY WORK PLACE, WHICH IS SPH, STANDS FOR SINGAPORE PRESS HOLDINGS, MOST IMPORTANTLY, I LOVE GOD. WHO TAUGHT ME ALL THESE THINGS TO SHARE WITH YOU IN THE BLOG OUT OF LOVE! AND I LOVE ALL OF YOU WHO VIEW MY BLOG.

Humbling down yourself is not lip service. It comes in connection with prayers as well, if you pray a genuine prayer, will your prayer not be answered?

Humans are selfish, we usually pray for ourselves and not others. And most of our prayers are self-centered checklist. By GOD's grace, He might have grant you some of your wish. BUT, are you walking in GOD's purpose and making sure that all your steps are with accordance to it. YOU CANNOT PERFECTLY FIT INTO IT, BUT ARE YOU TRYING!

Are you thinking yourself to be someone perfect thus making you feel bad.

Have you been actively reaching out to the crowd?

Have you been loving while reaching out?

Have you been having wrong idea before reaching out and thus making your reach out a unsuccessful one?

Have you been asking GOD on who to reach out to?

Do you think failure is equals to GOD did not answer my prayer?

Have you been thinking what GOD wants may not be what you want?

Have the crowd been dispersed because of your selfish reach out?


The Bible warns us that, trees that does not bare fruits are trees that will be thrown into the fire. Are you the one that is going to reach out now or are you going to wait and stop and forget it?
All is created by HIM and for HIM. Not walking in HIS path equals to the ones that will be thrown into fire. I don't know about you, but guess this cast a GODLY FEAR in me.

You know friends, I'm telling you ALL this because this is me, what I've discovered and it's GOD's grace that HE revealed my weakness. Please let me know if there's anything that I've quoted wrongly.

With love and peace,
ziqiang