A compassionate God and God of all comfort :)

'Praise be to the God and father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God' 2 Cor 1:3-4

This verse was one of the scriptures from the bible I read this week, and it really stood out to me. I've been able to go sit in St Patricks Square during my lunch breaks and just enjoy praying to God and reflect. It amazes me how fast the year is going, its almost the end of March!!

Just reflecting on where I was in my life at the beginning of the year, and where I am now and how I'm feeling. It amazes me how God has built me up within such a short period of time. I went from being depressed and sad that this year was going to be a horrible year to being really happy and loving this year, wanting to make the most of it. Having realised I might be going overseas to work next year, so I really want to make the most of this year and spend as much time with my family and friends, especially the friends that I haven't seen in ages! I thought it would take me ages to get through that period, but God is faithful & always there in times of trouble just as it says in the scripture.

The scripture is true for me, because God was there for me through that tough time and really was my comfort and was compassionate towards me. For me I feel so happy to be able to comfort and support my friends through their tough times, being a witness of Gods compassion and comfort.

Oh the pain!

After a very hectic weekend I woke up this morning to an aching body. Having done Round the Bays, played an indoor netball game and had an intense basketball practice. The whole day it hurt to sit, stand and walk lol...sigh

I'm planning to play in an Easter sports tournament with The New Zealand Chinese Association, which is held in Wellington. I've signed up to play basketball, indoor netball & netball :) Should be fun!

Guess last weekend was a bit of a snap shot of how Easter tourney will be like.... man I need to try get more fit :)

No pain no gain I guess....

You never know! Gods great Plan! :)

Last night I went to visit an old colleague who I hadn't caught up with in ages. She has been a huge encouragement to me, being christian and gone through so much, she is like a roll model to me :)

We had a great time just catching up with each other :) She said one really interesting thing that really encouraged me. Which was 3 years ago she would of never imagined she would be where she is today. Three years is a long time but in a way its a short time, within that time she had met her partner, married and had a little baby boy! she told me that when she looks back and reflects you really see how God has put everything together and how it all just fits together. But you don't realise it at the time, what happens to us is beyond our understanding. You never know what will happen!

This was really encouraging for me to be reminded, I've always known God has a great plan for me. He has a plan and purpose for each and every person on this Earth! :)

Jeremiah 29:11 'For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'

I place it all into your hands Lord

God has it all under control :)

Yesterday I got a call from my mum to tell me that my dad was in hospital! of course I thought of the worst when I heard this and got really worried and upset. His wrist had swollen up so much that it was causing him a lot of pain. So the family doctor told him he had to go to Auckland hospital to get blood tests and x-rays done, he had to stay over night for observation. As soon as I heard this I could only think of praying to God for healing and to give my dad strength, because he has been really weak lately :(

Not only this but two days before my mum told me that they almost had a fire at their house! luckily the neighbors saw the smoke and called the fire service. With these two major things so closely together I felt as though God might of been telling me to go back home to live so I could look after my parents, I emailed a couple of friends about this who advised me that I couldn't have done anything even if I was home, those things would of happened regardless. I cant help feeling bad that I'm not home looking after them, I have this fear of losing my parents :( But from this I have learnt that God answers prayers, because I went home today and my dad was walking around the house and his wrist was a bit better :) praise God!

Just like in the bible when Jesus says "I tell you the truth, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and it will be done. If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer." (Matt 21:21-23)

Now that doesn't mean that we can pray for anything and it will happen, but what it is emphasising is the importance of faith in prayer. It is easy enough to just pray but to truly believe that God can answer your prayer and in his own time requires faith.

Friends come friends go...the Lord is always Faithful

I've learnt the Lord puts people in your life at a particular time for a reason, but in the same way he takes people out of your life for a reason as well. When you reflect back on your life to where you are now, you will see how God has put all the pieces of the puzzle together without you even knowing and you'll see why you are where you are and who you are today.

'The Lord is fair in everything he does and full of kindness. He is close to all who call on him sincerely. He fulfills the desires of those who reverence and trust him, he hears their cries for help and rescues them. He protects all those who love him.' Psalm 145.

This Psalm was really close to my heart yesterday, because it reminded me that God will rescue me and is always looking out for me and will always protect me. He wants whats best for me, we probably cant see it through the hard truth at the time when a friend says or does something hurtful. But he really does want the best for us, for me I have to continue to remember this and consistently pray to him :)

He has shown me that he brings friends back into your life as well, when the time is right. Just recently a friend who used to be really close to me started communicating with me after half a year of non existent contact, I was like wow this is really awesome Lord! . On that same day another friend who I hadn't heard from since December txted me just to say that they were thinking of me lately so thought they would txt me, how encouraging is that! :) God really knows what hes doing, he does things in his own time so be patient with him only he knows when the right time is for you. Put your trust in God, he has a purpose for your life

Jer 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."