Vera's Testimony / Encouragement

From: Vera Lim
Date: Fri, Apr 11, 2008 at 5:50 PM

Early last year, I was rearranging the furniture in my house to accomodate for a class I have been teaching every Fri afternoon when suddenly I heard an inner voice that said, "you could have a powerhouse here." Almost immediately I pushed the thought out of my mind. Some months later, the thought came again and again I blocked it out. I even consciously stopped myself from sharing with Connie about this as I feared she and Chandra would persuade me into service (they have a gift in that area too, amongst many other gifts ).

I conveniently went about my life as usual, until I was back in S'pore and being ministered by my church family back there. Just before I came back to Perth in January this year, quite a few of them purposefully sought the Lord for a word as a gift for me. (It was the most special present I've ever received!) Amongst them was a word from John 10: 1-30 about The Shepherd and His Flock. I actually went up to this brother and told him I wasn't sure what he was trying to tell me since it wasn't just a word, more like a chapter. Josh (the bro) said to me, "Basically, the Lord has something planned for you to do this year, do you have any idea what it is?" Right away the thought of Powerhouse came to mind. However, I went ho hum, er ahhh and answered, "well, maybe, but not sure." Also among many other words of assurance and encouragement, another one stood out. It was my Pastor's wife who distinctively gave me, "the aroma of Christ" and "the Fragrance of life".

I returned to Perth and started to ask the Lord to speak to me clearly. I didn't want, impressions, i didn't want to second guess through situations. I want to See His purpose and Hear His Voice so I can be clear about my obedience to Him. Throughout the weeks I kept hearing or reading messages that pointed to being available to God, all He requires is our willingness to avail ourselves, Jesus will equip those He calls.

Lo and Behold, Chandra comes to Albert and then to me (hear the voice!) about the need(see the purpose!) to open another home for Powerhouse. By then I knew my only response had to be "Yes Lord, and thank you, Lord for this opportunity."

To wrap this all up, the Lord gave me another message to seal it in my head that I am hearing Him. When Pastor Cara prayed for me last friday night, she used the words "shepherdess" and "fragrance" which were the words specially given to me some months ago in S'pore by Josh as well as my pastor's wife.

So this is how I am beginning another chapter of my walk with God. Though my legs feel wobbly, my heart pounding hard, I hear him say, "my yoke is easy, my burden is light".

with love,

-vera-