r L n -- really LOVE now! : July 2011

Sunday, July 24, 2011

Cyclone Tomas and THE WORD

In 2010, Cyclone Tomas did its best to destroy this Assembly of GOD church, shephered by Pastor Pauliasi Nuku -- located at New Town in Matei, Taveuni (Fiji). But GOD the Holy SPIRIT caused all things to work together for good for the pastor and his congregation -- for indeed they loved much the Son... CHRIST JESUS.

The structure was razed to the ground, but it was soon re-built -- this time with timber from Lagiloa (our bush farm area) -- even better and stronger than the previous building. The Bible verses i painted on the corrugated tin roofing survived the havoc wreaked by Cyclone Tomas. The Word of GOD -- Truth that He inspired -- cannot ever be destroyed, despite man's willful destruction of it... and not even Nature's seasonal birth pangs will ever lessen its almighty supernatural influence.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. (Proverbs 3:5-6)

Whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. (Galatians 6:7)

If you confess with your mouth the LORD JESUS and believe in your heart that GOD has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. (Romans 10:9)

I AM the Way, the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (John 14:6)

GOD is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all we could ask or think. (Ephesians 3:20)

Those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint. (Isaiah 40:31)

i can do all things through CHRIST who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:13)

The fruit of the SPIRIT is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23)

We know that GOD causes all things to work together for good to those who love GOD. (Romans 8:28)

This Assembly of GOD church, though humble in appearance and size, is where CHRIST is wonderfully magnified. Pastor Pauliasi's messages always point to JESUS as the only Way, the only Truth and the only Life. Pastor always magnifies our Father in Heaven as the One True GOD -- always speaks with passionate devotion to the Person of CHRIST, as emboldened by the Holy SPIRIT's supernatural anointing.

GOD bless this church!

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

ROMANS 8:28 -- My Personal REALITY

Lagiloa GODventureZ... Vanua Sautu... then --

And now. And if a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand. (Mark 3:25)

Even this rLn expression, GOD has blessed to someone else...

GOD has closed this door... and opened up another.

And i know that GOD causes everything to work together for the good of those who love GOD and are called according to His purpose for them. (Romans 8:28)

The new door GOD has opened -- GODventureZ, unlimited. Our leaky second-hand boat, with Ana tugging it to its new moorings, and Miri hangin' on for a free tow.

Four new lives (Miri, Kani, Jo, Leone) from Naselesele Village to touch with the WORD -- Who is the Bread of Life, the Light of the world, the Way of peace to the Father in Heaven -- the Redeemer of sinners... like me.

GOD knew me even before He created me -- that i would enjoy mangoes as my favorite food... and here i am... watching them ripen! GOD satisfies me with good things, so that my youth is renewed like the eagle's. (Psalm 103:5, paraphrased)

The talent GOD has given me is no longer buried in useless inferiority complex, but SPIRIT has provided much opportunities to magnify our LORD's name through the art work that He allows to flow through me. He gives the inspiration, He tempers me with patience to do His work, He opens up the windows and doors of Heaven so that blessings from above rains down wherever He places me. (Matthew 25:14-30, JESUS' parable about the talents)

GOD's timing is allWays perfect. Thirty years later, after the SPIRIT planted the seed of island living in my adventurouZ soul, GOD has wrought the dream into Reality... with much segways and detours along this blessed GODventureZ JESUS had created for me. Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, the days fashioned for me, when as yet there were none of them. (Psalm 139:16)

JESUS is my Way -- He is the Path of righteousness.
JESUS is my Truth -- He is the Word infallible.
JESUS is my Life -- He is the Fountain ever flowing.
JESUS is my LORD, my Master, my GOD.

He is the Shield who protects from the devil's assaults --The Rock on which true wisdom is built.
He is the King who reigns sovereign --The Shepherd whose tender care is faithful and true.
He is the Judge who sees the inner man --The Refuge during trials to whom we run.
He is the Fortress impregnable --The Avenger of the weak and oppressed.

He is the Creator of all things from no thing --The Deliverer of those who love and obey Him.
He is the Healer of the brokenhearted --The Protector of the humble and the meek.
He is the Provider of our daily bread --The Redeemer of the wretched lost.
He is the Alpha and the Omega --The Author and Finisher of our faith.

He is the Master Potter --The Artist Divine of each masterpiece.
He is the Father who knows best --The One we call Abba, Papa, because we are His own.
JESUS is the Bread of life --The abundant Nourisher of this child.
He is the Light of the world --The perfect Guide to this darkened soul.

JESUS is the Door of the sheepfold --The narrow Gate where this penitent entered.
He is the Good Shepherd --The Owner of this prodigal sheep.
JESUS is the Resurrection and the Life --The Promise Keeper in whom absolutely i trust.
He is the true Vine -- The eternal Source in whom i cling.

JESUS is the Way, the Truth and the Life --
He is my way, my truth and my life --
In all ways, always...
Forever and ever.

my Prayer For You

When i think of the wisdom and scope of GOD's plan, i fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. i pray that from His glorious, unlimited resources He will give you mighty inner strength through His Holy SPIRIT. i pray that CHRIST will be more and more at home in your heart as you trust in Him. May your roots go down deep into the soil of GOD's marvelous love.

And may you have the power to understand, as all GOD's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep His love really is. May you experience the love of CHRIST, though it is so great you will never fully understand it. Then you will be filled with the fullness of life and power that comes from GOD.

Now to Him Who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by CHRIST JESUS to all generations, forever and ever. AMEN!

(Ephesians 3:14-21)

The Great I AM

I AM the Bread of life. He who comes to Me will never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.
(John 6:35)

I AM the Light of the world. He who follows me shall not walk in darkness, but have the Light of life.
(John 8:12)

I AM the Door of the sheep. All who ever came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. I AM the Door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.
(John 10:7, 9)

I AM the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd gives His life for the sheep. I AM the Good Shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own.
(John 10:11, 14)

I AM the True Vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. I AM the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.
(John 15:1, 5)

I AM the Resurrection and the Life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.
(John 11:25)

I AM the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
(John 14:6)

Pilate therefore said to Him, "Are You a king then?" JESUS answered, You say rightly that I AM a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the Truth hears My voice.
(John 18:37)

LOVE is...

Though i speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, i have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal.

And though i have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though i have all faith, so that i could remove mountains, but have not love, i am nothing.

And though i bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though i give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.

Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up;

does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil;

does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth;

bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away.

For we know in part and we prophesy in part.

But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.

When i was a child, i spoke as a child, i understood as a child, i thought as a child; but when i became a man, i put away childish things.

For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now i know in part, but then i shall know just as i also am known.

And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

(I Corinthians 13)

Rejoice!

Rejoice in the LORD always. i will say it again: Rejoice!

Let your gentleness be evident to all. The LORD is near.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to GOD. And the peace of GOD, which transcends all understanding, will guard your heart and your mind in CHRIST JESUS.

Finally, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things.

(Philippians 4:4-8)

How Great Thou Art!

O LORD, my GOD! When i in awesome wonder consider all the works thy hands have made.
i see the stars, i hear the rolling thunder, Thy power throughout the universe displayed.

Then sings my soul, my Savior GOD to Thee: how great Thou art! How great Thou art!
Then sings my soul, my Savior GOD to Thee: how great Thou art! How great Thou art!

And when i think that GOD, His Son not sparing, sent Him to die, i scarce can take it in;
That on the cross, my burden gladly bearing, He bled and died to take away my sin.

Then sings my soul, my Savior GOD to Thee: how great Thou art! How great Thou art!
Then sings my soul, my Savior GOD to Thee: how great Thou art! How great Thou art!

When CHRIST shall come with shout of acclamation and take me home, what joy shall fill my heart!
Then i shall bow in humble adoration and there proclaim, my GOD, how great Thou art!

Then sings my soul, my Savior GOD to Thee: how great Thou art! How great Thou art!
Then sings my soul, my Savior GOD to Thee: how great Thou art! How great Thou art!

Amazing Grace

Amazing grace! How sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me! i once was lost, but now am found; was blind, but now i see.

'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, and grace my fears relieved; how precious did that grace appear the hour i first believed.

Through many dangers, toils and snares, i have already come; 'tis grace hath brought me safe thus far, and grace will lead me home.

The LORD has promised good to me, His word my hope secures; He will my shield and portion be, as long as life endures.

Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail, and mortal life shall cease, i shall possess, within the veil, a life of joy and peace.

The world shall soon dissolve like snow, the sun refuse to shine; but GOD, who called me here below, shall be forever mine.

When we've been there ten thousand years, bright shining as the sun; we've no less days to sing GOD's praise than when we'd first begun.

The Holy BIBLE -- The Word of GOD

The BIBLE contains the mind of GOD, the state of man, the way of salvation, the doom of sinners, and the happiness of believers. Its doctrines are holy, its precepts are binding, its histories are true, and its decisions are immutable. Read it to be wise, believe it to be safe, and practice it to be holy. It contains light to direct you, food to support you, and comfort to cheer you.

It is the traveler's map, the pilgrim's staff, the pilot's compass, the soldier's sword, and the CHRISTian's charter. Here is Paradise restored, Heaven opened, and the gates of hell disclosed.

CHRIST is its grand subject, our good the design, and the glory of GOD its end.

It should fill the memory, rule the heart, and guide the feet. Read it slowly, frequently, and prayerfully. It is a mine of wealth, a paradise of glory, and a river of pleasure. It is given you in life, will be opened at the judgment, and be remembered forever. It involves the highest responsibility, will reward the greatest labor, and will condemn all who trifle with its sacred contents.

(Foreword from The Gideons International)