Tight Places by Marybeth Whalen

Tight Places

"Answer me when I call to you, O my righteous God. Give me relief from my distress; be merciful to me and hear my prayer."

Psalm 4:1 

Devotion:
Though I looked okay on the outside, inside I was screaming and flailing about.

I was stressed, anxious, worried and overwhelmed. I felt like something was pressing in on me, pushing me down emotionally and preventing me from escaping my situation. The more these feelings built up, the more I wanted to lash out, strike out, or push back against my burdens.

Outside I looked fine; inside I was a mess.

Do you ever feel this way? Stress comes at all of us every day, in a thousand different ways. Kid stress, job stress, money stress, house stress, and medical stress, relationship stress — the list goes on and on. Try as we might, we can't escape it in this broken world. We feel trapped and imprisoned by these things we cannot change, and they weigh heavily on us.

When I read our verse for today, I was struck by the explanation in my Bible for the word, "relief." It literally means, "make room for me in tight places." Wow. I can totally identify with that idea!

I know what it feels like to want someone to come along and make room for me in my tight places. To remove the boundaries and burdens which threaten to smother me with their nearness.

My stress level mounts, my blood pumps in my ears, and my hope takes flight. Whether it is the little irritations in life like being trapped in a car with a screaming toddler, or the big burdens of wondering about the future of my husband's job, I know those tight places all too intimately.

We all do.

I love that Psalm 4:1 reminds us there is Someone who can come and offer relief. So many times, we try to make our own space in our tight places — handling things independently and attempting to solve problems without ever calling on the One who best knows how to make room for us.

God is faithful to give us emotional elbow room, easing our burdens and offering us His wisdom. He shows us mercy when we call on Him, hearing our prayers and rescuing us from tight places.

The next time you feel stressed, anxious, worried or overwhelmed, call out to God, and let Him find you in your tight place, making room where you thought there was none.

Dear Lord, thank You for being the God who is near. When my tight places press in on me, Your presence is what I need. Thank You for offering me relief no matter what my circumstances. Help me remember to call on You in my tight places. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Rules- Breaker?

Are you a rule breaker?

Honestly I don't like rules and because of that I break many rules before apuu...

I don't like long paints that is why most long paints that I have is jeans and yeah I love jeans compared to others.

During my secondary school I seldom wear long paints in my hostel-I break the rule

During Pre-practicum in school I paint my finger nail and highlight my hair-again I break the rule

In class i wear jeans and round collar T-shirt even many times my lectures told us that NO jeans and No round collar T-shirt -see i break the rule kan

My favorite-I wear jeans during exam since my diploma-ALWAYS break this rule

The reason why i break all these rules because I think its okey to break them since many people do that and no action taken to punish those who break the rules...so that is why I proudly break that rule....

But last week someone asked me-

"kamu pakai jeans pigi exam?"

and well proudly i answered-

"alahhh..exam ja pun.banyak juga pakai"

Night after my exam another friend found out that i wear jeans during exam and she told that I have the spirit of rebellion in me that is why I always break the rules.

OUCH!!!sakitnya...

and I started to think and reflect how many rules that i broke before..countless huh?

After that I ask forgiveness from DADDY because I allowed my self to break the rules.and I was reminded of this verse;

Romans 12:2

And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.  

I am living where mostly I am with non believers and because of that I allowed them to influence my lifestyle.

Thank You DADDY for telling me and open my eyes for this  thing.

Seriously..its maybe simple things but does God ever allowed to compromise even in small things?

sin is sin!there is no such things small or big sin.

So today I remind my self again

-DARE TO BE DIFFERENT-

So friends...

no matter what rules do we faced , remind ourself- dare to different but not as a rule-breaker ya hahahha

Thank You for Your salvation!

Hai ppl:) As I listen to this song again and again today..it brought me to reflect back on how much God has loved each one of us even until this moment. Easter is coming and for me its a good time to take time just to thank Him for the salvation He has given us.

THANK YOU
by Hillsong Live

Thank You for Your kindness
Thank You for Your mercy
Thank You for the cross
Thank You for the price You paid


Thank You for salvation
Thank You for unending grace
Thank You for Your hope
Thank You for this life You gave


There is no one like You
There is no one like You God
All my hope
Is in You
Jesus Jesus


To Your name
We give all the glory
To Your name
We give all the praise
You’re alive
Our God everlasting
Let Your face
Shine on us


Thank You for Your promise
Thank You for Your favour
Thank You for Your love
Everything You’ve done for me

positive answers

I read this note from my friend's fb and i am so blessed with that. so i feel i want to share them here too heheh.

For all the negative things we have to say to ourselves, God has a

positive answer for it :

You say: "It's impossible"

God says: All things are possible (Luke 18:27)

You say: "I'm too tired"

God says: I will give you rest (Matthew 1:28-30)

You say: "Nobody really loves me"

God says: I love you (John 3:16 & John 13:34)

You say: "I can't go on"

God says: My grace is sufficient

(II Corinthians 12:9 & Psalm 91:15)

You say: "I can't figure things out"

God says: I will direct your steps

(Proverbs 3:5-6)

You say: "I can't do it"

God says: You can do all things (Philippians 4:13)

You say: "I'm not able"

God says: I am able (II Corinthians 9:8)

You say: "It's not worth it"

God says: It will be worth it. (Roman 8:28)

You say: "I can't forgive myself"

God says: I FORGIVE YOU (I John 1:9 & Romans 8:1)

You say: "I can't manage"

God says: I will supply all your needs

(Philippians 4:19)

You say: "I'm afraid"

God says: I have not given you a spirit of fear

(II Timothy1:7)

You say: "I'm always worried and frustrated"

God says: Cast all your cares on ME (I Peter 5:7)

You say: "I don't have enough faith"

God says: I've given everyone a measure of faith

(Romans 12:3)

You say: "I'm not smart enough"

God says: I give you wisdom (I Corinthians 1:30)

You say: "I feel all alone"

God says: I will never leave you or forsake you

(Hebrews13:5)


so friends..no matter how many negative answer and thoughts you have GOD is  always has the positive answers. what will you choose today? the negative or positive?
Jesus loves you all:)

+++++time

Hi ppl:)))
pretty busy this few weeks to get my assignments done..and thank God i done 70% of my assignments hehehe. a lot things to share but sometimes so hard to get online with the internet problem in my college this few days...which i will say this.."i dont really like that" hahah
O ya..WHY? I also not sure why WHY? hahah there is something bothering my mind..i can say since last month..i realize that my responsibility become more and more and honestly i got tired super tired physically and spiritually too! i feel sleepy during my devotion and i didn't give quality time with God..
yet I thank God not letting me alone through out that "dry-dying journey".The Holy Spirit is always be my side to lift me up and strengthen me with my friends around..thank you mandak! my godly sister told me this..when the time your responsibility become more and more it means i myself need to increase my quality time with God too!its very true.my normal time that I use to spend with God now is not enough..I need more time with God. I love myself so much because God created me in this way and strengthen me all the time.
So friends..i might don't know what is your situation right now..what struggle you face and what problem you have but as for me, I will continue to look upon God for His strength..


DADDY SAYS;

"Come to Me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light." 
(Matthew 11:28-30)

"Marilah kepada-Ku, semua yang letih lesu dan berbeban berat, Aku akan memberi kelegaan kepadamu. Pikullah kuk yang Kupasang dan belajarlah pada-Ku, karena Aku lemah lembut dan rendah hati dan jiwamu akan mendapat ketenangan. Sebab kuk yang Kupasang itu enak dan beban-Kupun ringan." 
(Matius 11:28-30)

walking in LOVE

Love is not a feeling
It’s a decision
It needs effort to love someone
It does not depends on any situation to love
It’s not selfish

If we love based on our feeling we wouldn’t be able to love others especially our enemy. But God asks us to love everyone including our enemy. But it sounds impossible right? How come you can love someone who hates you? How can you love someone who rejected you and never appreciate you?
I have one clear answer = Because God first loved us-each one of us with His unconditional love so I must love others like Jesus. I know its not gonna be easy but if we walk with God impossible is nothing. As I read this verse this morning God really spoke to me about forgiving and truly love God and His people.
We cannot truly love God while neglecting to love those who are created in His image.

1 JOHN 4: 16-21
God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them.
As we live in God, our love grows more perfect.
We love each other as a result of His loving us first.
If someone says, "I love God," but hates a Christian brother or sister, that person is a liar; for if we don't love people we can see, how can we love God, whom we have not seen?
God Himself has commanded that we must love not only Him but our Christian brothers and sisters, too.

God's Love Changes Everything

As i read this devotion today..it really spoke to me how God loves us and He always forgive us.

"Go now and leave your life of sin."
John 8:11b

In the story of the adulteress woman found in John 8:1-11, we can see clearly that Christ's love is greater than sin.
It must have been an unruly scene until Jesus stepped into the situation. Caught in the very act by the Pharisees, the woman's fate hung in the balance. I imagine that the adulteress woman felt unbearable loneliness and fear as she lay naked in the streets at the mercy of those whose desire was to stone her to death.
Sin does that. It separates us from God, causing us to experience isolation and fear. This is a sure sign we need to search our souls and confess our sins so that we can have peace and enjoy Christ's sweet presence again.
On the other hand, it's not a sign that God's love is absent.
For years, I held on to my mixed bag of emotions blaming God and others for my troubles. I was alone, afraid, and angry, but not by my choice I reasoned. I was this way because others gave up on me, I insisted. And Christ—well, if He really cared then why didn't He free me from the pain that haunted me day and night?
Over time, I opened my eyes to the real problem. Instead of looking at myself, my eyes were always on someone else. When I finally did take a good long look at myself, I realized I was a child of God who had stomped my foot, crossed my arms, and turned my back on Him for not letting me have my way. Holding the Lord at arm's length only prolonged the healing of my wounds. In that honest moment with myself, I let go of my anger and fear and re-opened my heart to God.
Broken before the Lord, I asked for His forgiveness. I surrendered anew to His plan for my life. What was God's response? It was pure grace. I got up from my knees a new person. I was no longer afraid or angry—just filled with Christ's love and peace.
The adulteress woman also found indescribable love when she came face to face with her sin and her Savior. Publicly caught in the act of adultery, she must have felt shame and brokenness. But feeling broken is actually a good emotional place to be when we need to reach out for Christ's love and forgiveness.
All eyes were on Jesus as the Pharisees waited with rocks in hand to see if Christ would condemn and punish her. Jesus said, "Let any one of you that is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her" (vs. 7b). I picture the woman, hardly believing her ears, staring deep into the Savior's eyes. First with great terror, but then knowing by His gentle eyes that no matter what happened next, she could face it.
She must have felt relief when she heard the rocks drop to the ground and the scattering of feet. Then, "Jesus asked her, 'Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?' 'No one, sir,' she said. 'Then neither do I condemn you,' Jesus declared. 'Go now and leave your life of sin.'" (vs. 10-11)
Jesus gave this woman what every heart needs—love and forgiveness. Don't misunderstand. The woman was guilty and, according to the laws of the day, should have been put to death. However, instead of condemning her Jesus chose to save her.
He chose to save us all by dying on the cross as payment for our sins. Do you need forgiveness today? The Bible offers this promise: "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness" (1John 1:9).
Just look at me. I'm living proof.

So friends..what will be your respond today? I want to tell you that God loves you so much and He died for your sin-each one of us!

Dear Lord, I have felt so guilty. Today, as I look into Your eyes of love, I believe that You are reaching out and offering me forgiveness. I accept. Renew my spirit as I turn from my sin and run into the safety of Your embrace. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

you matter to God

You matter to God!
He made you
He knows what will fulfill you
He knows what vocation is best suited to your talents and abilities.
He knows if you should marry or remain single..
and if you marry He knows what marriage partner is best suited to you
He knows what church you can flourish in.

So this is what He says to you;

"My beloved,
I want to guide your life.
I know the path that will glorify Me and be productive for you
and I want to put You in it.
I will d that primarily through leading.
Listen to ME
Trust ME
Relax in MY LOVE"

YOUR DADDY-YOUR SAVIOUR-YOUR BESTFRIEND

Faith like Potatoes

woooha..Happy Chinese Year
i remembered when i wished my chinese buddy Gong Xi Fa Chai he replied me this;
no need to put "cai' because God is our provider! so he taught me this;
XIN NIAN MONG EARN=BLESSED NEW YEAR

hahah so Xin Nian Mong Earn everyone heheh
H e was right about God is our provider.and i got new christian movies from my church members..so excited to watch them haha. i watch one this evening-Faith like potatoes.

this movie inspired me to TRUST GOD MORE! for those who haven't watch it..go and watch..you will be blessed!

Gentle Reminder from Daddy

"When i feel that I am alone,God gentle reminds me of His unfailing love,my beloved family and yeah my sampat friends too hahah..then i told my self I am not alone lah"

"When I feel that I am so hopeless, again God reminds me of what He has done in my life where He never fails to fulfill His promises..and now i put back my trust in Him"

"When I feel so sad and super down and i can't feel God is with me..God strengthens me by putting those lovely people around me"

See when we choose to walk with our beloved Daddy..there is nothing can stop you to thank Him for His abundant love.
Comel lah Daddy ni hihihi