The Lord place upon my heart to read the book of Proverbs during this season!!! And Oh my goodness...only then did I realised that I had never read the whole proverbs before....usually it's in bits and pieces...so anyway..here it is...turn your bible to Proverbs 3:1-4 *haha...like in cell group meeting right*
Emmanuel my dear son often reminds me of favour that he finds. The chinese term meaning "ren yuan"! And I always wonder...hmmm...why is it that when others see him, most of the time...even strangers.....straight away...they take a liking to him....! As I seek deeper and read the word of the Lord...I finally understood.
A baby is very simple minded....and a baby is very "real"! So when a baby is happy, he will laugh, giggle and smile.....but when a baby is upset, the baby will cry & scream....a baby doesn't know how to "hide" things......a baby is very true to his / her feelings! And I was so reminded that often times........I complain and say God...why this why that....why why why.........and the bible says "let love and faithfulness never leave you" but how often times, that when I complain, I don't show love and am not "faithful" to that person that I complain about....and more importantly...I am not faithful to God....cos He knows everything....so everything that happens, He is in control! And when I complain......I'm actually in a way lamenting and blaming the Lord for what happens...
What truth this is........that we don't just have to have FLAVOUR along life's journey...but FAVOUR along life's journey.
Today, do you feel that things are not going your way and there's no favour with God & man? Then today, come before the Lord, repent and remember to keep all His commandmants upon your heart! Tie it around your neck and never let it leave you!
Monday, April 30, 2007
Sunday, April 29, 2007
Rest Day!
Genesis 2: 2-3
“By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. And God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.”
This being the seventh day of the week, has officially been declared rest day! God was one person that never forgot to rest. As he created his work, he had been busy all throughout the first six days of the week but he set aside a day to rest, to get his engine started again for the next week.
As this week is coming to a close, God wants us to be reminded that amidst the busy factor in our lives that we need to find rest in Him. Finding rest in Him would mean the literal rest where our agenda gets placed aside and where we simply get physical rest. It also means relying on God for strength and getting rest in His presence. I don’t know about all of you, but I find great rest and peace when I am in God’s house and when I sense His presence with me. A time where I can simply place everything under his feet and rest in His arms.
Have we been too busy or tight this week that we have forgotten to rest at the Lord’s feet? Have we become like Martha who was busy tending to many things that she forgot to rest in the Lord? Let us be like Mary today, to simply wait upon the Lord, enjoying his company and finding rest. As I was deciding on today’s entry, I felt prompted that there were many out there who were simply exhausted by many things and have forgotten to slow down and wait on God.
As I was giving tuition today, I was given a great opportunity to wait on the Lord and simply enjoy his company and presence. My tuition kid’s mum told me that my tuition kid had not finished his work and asked that I just time him and give him a paper to do. As she said that, she handed me newspapers to keep me occupied as I simply just invigilated and ensured he was not day dreaming and do his paper. Instead of turning to the newspapers, I took out a bible and decided on reading from the beginning of the bible. Genesis being a book that I thought I knew inside out suddenly became refreshingly interesting to me. If there was one word to describe how I was when I read the bible, it would be “addiction”. I was addicted to the bible and could not stop. I was enjoying soaking in God’s word. After tuition, I found myself, soaking in spending time with God by singing. I couldn’t help but sing “How great is our God, sing with me how great is our God” I felt in love with God again. Most importantly, though I initially had tons of things on my mind, I suddenly felt rested in His presence. Today, will you rest in Him? Let’s declare a rest day for the Lord=)
“By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. And God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.”
This being the seventh day of the week, has officially been declared rest day! God was one person that never forgot to rest. As he created his work, he had been busy all throughout the first six days of the week but he set aside a day to rest, to get his engine started again for the next week.
As this week is coming to a close, God wants us to be reminded that amidst the busy factor in our lives that we need to find rest in Him. Finding rest in Him would mean the literal rest where our agenda gets placed aside and where we simply get physical rest. It also means relying on God for strength and getting rest in His presence. I don’t know about all of you, but I find great rest and peace when I am in God’s house and when I sense His presence with me. A time where I can simply place everything under his feet and rest in His arms.
Have we been too busy or tight this week that we have forgotten to rest at the Lord’s feet? Have we become like Martha who was busy tending to many things that she forgot to rest in the Lord? Let us be like Mary today, to simply wait upon the Lord, enjoying his company and finding rest. As I was deciding on today’s entry, I felt prompted that there were many out there who were simply exhausted by many things and have forgotten to slow down and wait on God.
As I was giving tuition today, I was given a great opportunity to wait on the Lord and simply enjoy his company and presence. My tuition kid’s mum told me that my tuition kid had not finished his work and asked that I just time him and give him a paper to do. As she said that, she handed me newspapers to keep me occupied as I simply just invigilated and ensured he was not day dreaming and do his paper. Instead of turning to the newspapers, I took out a bible and decided on reading from the beginning of the bible. Genesis being a book that I thought I knew inside out suddenly became refreshingly interesting to me. If there was one word to describe how I was when I read the bible, it would be “addiction”. I was addicted to the bible and could not stop. I was enjoying soaking in God’s word. After tuition, I found myself, soaking in spending time with God by singing. I couldn’t help but sing “How great is our God, sing with me how great is our God” I felt in love with God again. Most importantly, though I initially had tons of things on my mind, I suddenly felt rested in His presence. Today, will you rest in Him? Let’s declare a rest day for the Lord=)
Saturday, April 28, 2007
Thank You Lord!
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
Today, I received an email from UBS that my application for an internship there has been rejected. Looking at the heading of my entry, many might think I actually got that internship. But as I got the news, I surprisingly felt rather ok and thankful. Weird eh! As much as this would have been a fantastic company to be placed on my resume, but yet this was not the job God intended for me to take.
Thinking back, on the day of my interview, I did not feel at peace at all. It was one of those days when you seek the Lord for favor and yet you found no peace in what you were doing. Though I must say, the Lord calmed me down enough to be able to answer the interviewer’s questions, but I didn’t feel God going before me and giving me that peace that surpasses all understanding. I could not find the comfort and certainty that God would have wanted me to work there. Till after the interview, I did not even know if it went well or not. As I went through this week of waiting for the news, I told the Lord that if this was his plan for me to work there, I will do it and will believe his presence will go with me, if not I seek that He will not place me there. I knew that if God were to give me this internship just because I wanted it and cos’ it would look good on my resume, his presence will not be with me; just as how I felt that his presence was not with me at the interview.
Though like any other, a little disappointment may have crept into my heart, however, I am thankful. Thankful that I was even given an opportunity to go for this interview. Thankful that God shows how real He is in my life. Thankful that I got Him to turn to. Thankful that I did not get that internship. In all circumstances, not just the good in my life, but the bad as well, I am thankful! This is going to be my prayer this coming week. To be joyful always (as the joy of the Lord is my strength), to pray continually (till something happens) and to give thanks in every (not just one or two) but every situation in my life. Is this your prayer today?
Is God’s presence going with you today? Did you have a rough week or rough time so far? Will you look at your circumstances and still give thanks, trusting that God is your provider and is in control? Or did you have a great week, but have yet to give thanks and praise to the Lord for what He has done. Let us give thanks today, cos’ our Lord is good and his mercies endures forever.
“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
Today, I received an email from UBS that my application for an internship there has been rejected. Looking at the heading of my entry, many might think I actually got that internship. But as I got the news, I surprisingly felt rather ok and thankful. Weird eh! As much as this would have been a fantastic company to be placed on my resume, but yet this was not the job God intended for me to take.
Thinking back, on the day of my interview, I did not feel at peace at all. It was one of those days when you seek the Lord for favor and yet you found no peace in what you were doing. Though I must say, the Lord calmed me down enough to be able to answer the interviewer’s questions, but I didn’t feel God going before me and giving me that peace that surpasses all understanding. I could not find the comfort and certainty that God would have wanted me to work there. Till after the interview, I did not even know if it went well or not. As I went through this week of waiting for the news, I told the Lord that if this was his plan for me to work there, I will do it and will believe his presence will go with me, if not I seek that He will not place me there. I knew that if God were to give me this internship just because I wanted it and cos’ it would look good on my resume, his presence will not be with me; just as how I felt that his presence was not with me at the interview.
Though like any other, a little disappointment may have crept into my heart, however, I am thankful. Thankful that I was even given an opportunity to go for this interview. Thankful that God shows how real He is in my life. Thankful that I got Him to turn to. Thankful that I did not get that internship. In all circumstances, not just the good in my life, but the bad as well, I am thankful! This is going to be my prayer this coming week. To be joyful always (as the joy of the Lord is my strength), to pray continually (till something happens) and to give thanks in every (not just one or two) but every situation in my life. Is this your prayer today?
Is God’s presence going with you today? Did you have a rough week or rough time so far? Will you look at your circumstances and still give thanks, trusting that God is your provider and is in control? Or did you have a great week, but have yet to give thanks and praise to the Lord for what He has done. Let us give thanks today, cos’ our Lord is good and his mercies endures forever.
Friday, April 27, 2007
Fear not, Be Still.
Genesis 14: 13-14
“Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”
Even though this is a year of victory, yet this year spells more battles than victories for many. In fact, some of us find ourselves facing a rougher year than ever in our lifetime. Me myself undeniably had several battles this year and even before the year of victory began. Sometimes we then ask the Lord, “where is my victory?” Despite the battles, I was reminded that there cannot be or will not have any victories till we undergo battles and win them! Think about it. How can there be victory when there is no battle for you to claim victory for? It is when we overcome the battles in our lives then we can come out victorious, shining as God’s light.
As I look at the verse, I found myself like the Israelites, being all afraid and sometimes wavering due to my own uncertainties in life. Today, God reminded me that amidst my fears, anxieties and struggles in life, He wanted me to be still before him. To be still and know that He is Lord over everything (and that includes my fears, anxieties, struggles and all). That He is a God who has gone before me and won the battles in my life. Sometimes, I find myself trying to outsmart God and spend half the time being swallowed by the battles I face. More than often we find it hard to even be still before the Lord and wait on Him to do His work. To us, we may feel that we cannot simply just watch and wait for things to happen. Today, let us not be anxious, know that we are not fighting alone or fighting against flesh and blood, but our battle is against the evil one. Let us stand firm today and not be shaken by our greatest enemy. The battle belongs to the Lord! Amen! Most importantly, let us simply be still and wait on our heavenly father, to do his work at his timing.
Do you fear something in your life today? Do you feel like you have been shaken and beaten by the battles in your life? If yes, let us be still in this coming weekend and allow God to deliver us from all our fears and to simply wait on Him.
“Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”
Even though this is a year of victory, yet this year spells more battles than victories for many. In fact, some of us find ourselves facing a rougher year than ever in our lifetime. Me myself undeniably had several battles this year and even before the year of victory began. Sometimes we then ask the Lord, “where is my victory?” Despite the battles, I was reminded that there cannot be or will not have any victories till we undergo battles and win them! Think about it. How can there be victory when there is no battle for you to claim victory for? It is when we overcome the battles in our lives then we can come out victorious, shining as God’s light.
As I look at the verse, I found myself like the Israelites, being all afraid and sometimes wavering due to my own uncertainties in life. Today, God reminded me that amidst my fears, anxieties and struggles in life, He wanted me to be still before him. To be still and know that He is Lord over everything (and that includes my fears, anxieties, struggles and all). That He is a God who has gone before me and won the battles in my life. Sometimes, I find myself trying to outsmart God and spend half the time being swallowed by the battles I face. More than often we find it hard to even be still before the Lord and wait on Him to do His work. To us, we may feel that we cannot simply just watch and wait for things to happen. Today, let us not be anxious, know that we are not fighting alone or fighting against flesh and blood, but our battle is against the evil one. Let us stand firm today and not be shaken by our greatest enemy. The battle belongs to the Lord! Amen! Most importantly, let us simply be still and wait on our heavenly father, to do his work at his timing.
Do you fear something in your life today? Do you feel like you have been shaken and beaten by the battles in your life? If yes, let us be still in this coming weekend and allow God to deliver us from all our fears and to simply wait on Him.
Thursday, April 26, 2007
Tell Him ANYTIME, ANYWHERE.
Jonah 2: 1-2
“From inside the fish Jonah prayed to the Lord his God. He said, in my distress I called to the Lord, and he answered me. From the depths of the grave I called for help, and you listened to my cry.”
This week my cell group has decided on doing on the book of Jonah. I believe Jonah and the story of how he has been swallowed by a big fish is known to many, including myself. But as I read this book again, a new truth came upon me.
Here was Jonah, who ran away from the Lord, as He ran, he tried means and ways to run further and further. In the first chapter, Jonah ran from one side to the other of the region, then went down to Joppa, then got on a ship and went down to the deck. To calm the storm, he got thrown down into the sea and then down the big fish’s stomach. Looking at how many times, I used the word “down”, clearly shows how far Jonah was from the Lord as he ran. He simply went further and further down to hide from the Lord. Yet when Jonah was at the furthest place possible, He cried out to the Lord and the Lord listened! When I realized this truth, it dawned upon me that I can be anywhere (Like Jonah down deep into the sea), at anytime (when he was in distress and in a fish’s stomach) and God will still listen to me. God not only listened, but He answered Jonah’s cries.
Today is there a deep cry in your heart? Are you wondering if God is there listening? If God listened to Jonah who was so far away from him, will He not listen to you? Yes he will! Or have some of you grown far from the Lord? Today, no matter how far you are, God will find you and God knows where you are and what you are going through, just as how He was with Jonah. Let us come back to the Lord and turn to Him in all circumstances. Cos’ we can be assured that when we cry out to Him, He will save us from any and all situations. So tell Him anytime and anywhere today. He will be listening!
“From inside the fish Jonah prayed to the Lord his God. He said, in my distress I called to the Lord, and he answered me. From the depths of the grave I called for help, and you listened to my cry.”
This week my cell group has decided on doing on the book of Jonah. I believe Jonah and the story of how he has been swallowed by a big fish is known to many, including myself. But as I read this book again, a new truth came upon me.
Here was Jonah, who ran away from the Lord, as He ran, he tried means and ways to run further and further. In the first chapter, Jonah ran from one side to the other of the region, then went down to Joppa, then got on a ship and went down to the deck. To calm the storm, he got thrown down into the sea and then down the big fish’s stomach. Looking at how many times, I used the word “down”, clearly shows how far Jonah was from the Lord as he ran. He simply went further and further down to hide from the Lord. Yet when Jonah was at the furthest place possible, He cried out to the Lord and the Lord listened! When I realized this truth, it dawned upon me that I can be anywhere (Like Jonah down deep into the sea), at anytime (when he was in distress and in a fish’s stomach) and God will still listen to me. God not only listened, but He answered Jonah’s cries.
Today is there a deep cry in your heart? Are you wondering if God is there listening? If God listened to Jonah who was so far away from him, will He not listen to you? Yes he will! Or have some of you grown far from the Lord? Today, no matter how far you are, God will find you and God knows where you are and what you are going through, just as how He was with Jonah. Let us come back to the Lord and turn to Him in all circumstances. Cos’ we can be assured that when we cry out to Him, He will save us from any and all situations. So tell Him anytime and anywhere today. He will be listening!
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
No more WHYS
Isaiah 55: 8-9
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways.
As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”
More than often, I cannot seem to understand WHY certain things happen in my life, WHY I meet certain people, WHY things don’t seem to go my way. Then I was reminded, not to ask why, but rather to know WHO my God is. The God, in whom we worship, is one who is greater than all our whys, a God who is in control, a God who jolly well knows what He is doing and what’s best for us. This verse caused me to realize how silly I am to question a God whose ways and thoughts are far greater than mine.
I got reminded of my past, when I was not accepted into any universities. Then I cried and asked the Lord “why?” I could not understand why people who got lousier grades got in and I did not. I could not understand what God was doing in my life. I had planned going to the university after my A levels, but that was not God’s plan for my life. It was only after one year that I got accepted into SMU. Within that year of waiting, God had better plans for me to do a diploma in mass com at MDIS and most importantly, do his work. A girl out there in MDIS was waiting for someone from FCBC to bring her back and God had planned to use me. At that moment when I got rejected from 3 unis, I could not understand why. It took me a year later, to see what God had intended. Indeed his plans were far greater than mine, higher than what I had intended or planned for. In fact, it was a better plan for me!
Sometimes, I find myself planning ahead of time what I want to do, according to what the world deems best for my life, or what I feel is best. Yet God reminded me, that my best or the world’s best may not be the best after all. God wanted me to trust in him, a God who wants the best for me and who has ways that are better and greater than what I can imagine or plan for.
Have we neglected God’s best in our lives? Have we neglected Him in our plans? Is God part of our decisions or plans today? If you are feeling discouraged, lost or confused, God wants to remind you today, that He’s ways and thoughts are higher than what we have, He is one who knows best. Let us trust in our God who knows best and quit asking “WHY”.
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways.
As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”
More than often, I cannot seem to understand WHY certain things happen in my life, WHY I meet certain people, WHY things don’t seem to go my way. Then I was reminded, not to ask why, but rather to know WHO my God is. The God, in whom we worship, is one who is greater than all our whys, a God who is in control, a God who jolly well knows what He is doing and what’s best for us. This verse caused me to realize how silly I am to question a God whose ways and thoughts are far greater than mine.
I got reminded of my past, when I was not accepted into any universities. Then I cried and asked the Lord “why?” I could not understand why people who got lousier grades got in and I did not. I could not understand what God was doing in my life. I had planned going to the university after my A levels, but that was not God’s plan for my life. It was only after one year that I got accepted into SMU. Within that year of waiting, God had better plans for me to do a diploma in mass com at MDIS and most importantly, do his work. A girl out there in MDIS was waiting for someone from FCBC to bring her back and God had planned to use me. At that moment when I got rejected from 3 unis, I could not understand why. It took me a year later, to see what God had intended. Indeed his plans were far greater than mine, higher than what I had intended or planned for. In fact, it was a better plan for me!
Sometimes, I find myself planning ahead of time what I want to do, according to what the world deems best for my life, or what I feel is best. Yet God reminded me, that my best or the world’s best may not be the best after all. God wanted me to trust in him, a God who wants the best for me and who has ways that are better and greater than what I can imagine or plan for.
Have we neglected God’s best in our lives? Have we neglected Him in our plans? Is God part of our decisions or plans today? If you are feeling discouraged, lost or confused, God wants to remind you today, that He’s ways and thoughts are higher than what we have, He is one who knows best. Let us trust in our God who knows best and quit asking “WHY”.
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
Looking through heaven’s eyes
Philippians 2: 4-5
“Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus.”
This is something that the Lord has been trying to teach me all day, or for days.
Just last night I accompanied Carolyn to 3 homes, homes that were broken. Though Carolyn and I were both physically and mentally tired, we went to hear out from the lives of the people living in these homes. Before I went, I was clueless as to what I was in for. Each home we stepped into, gave me a surprise (one that was not exactly pleasant, but shocking). Living in the comforts of my home, I never knew how many broken families there were out there. For once in my life, I felt that my worries and current problems were strangely small compared to people who were worried about having no place to stay, worried that they can’t pay their bills, pay for textbooks and for uniforms. These were simple things that I have obviously taken for granted. To me, these were given, something I never had to worry for. Yet here was I, fretting on whether I would get a $1000 internship, when people out there got about $1000 or even less to support their families. I felt ashamed of myself that I have thought so much of myself and not to others.
What does it mean to be Christ-like? One of it was compassion for the lost. The Lord we worshipped is one who came for the lost and the poor. Gradually over the years, I found myself becoming tired and busy with many things of the world and at the same time losing the heart and love for the people around me. Today was one day, where God has called me to stop, pause and take some time off for others. I never knew what great delight it could be, to bring a smile and glow to others, just by listening and being there. Looking at the faces of the lost and the people who were less off brimming with gratitude, made every single time spent worth it. (*Hehe* Though I must say, I and Carolyn were close to stoning when certain parts of the conversation got repetitive).
Due to the hustle and bustle we have cultivated in our daily lives, have we forgotten to pause, slow down and look at the people around us with God’s eyes? Be still today, pause, look around through heaven’s eyes and you might find your own problems gradually disappearing. Dear Lord Jesus I pray, may I open my eyes each day with your eyes and not mine.
“Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus.”
This is something that the Lord has been trying to teach me all day, or for days.
Just last night I accompanied Carolyn to 3 homes, homes that were broken. Though Carolyn and I were both physically and mentally tired, we went to hear out from the lives of the people living in these homes. Before I went, I was clueless as to what I was in for. Each home we stepped into, gave me a surprise (one that was not exactly pleasant, but shocking). Living in the comforts of my home, I never knew how many broken families there were out there. For once in my life, I felt that my worries and current problems were strangely small compared to people who were worried about having no place to stay, worried that they can’t pay their bills, pay for textbooks and for uniforms. These were simple things that I have obviously taken for granted. To me, these were given, something I never had to worry for. Yet here was I, fretting on whether I would get a $1000 internship, when people out there got about $1000 or even less to support their families. I felt ashamed of myself that I have thought so much of myself and not to others.
What does it mean to be Christ-like? One of it was compassion for the lost. The Lord we worshipped is one who came for the lost and the poor. Gradually over the years, I found myself becoming tired and busy with many things of the world and at the same time losing the heart and love for the people around me. Today was one day, where God has called me to stop, pause and take some time off for others. I never knew what great delight it could be, to bring a smile and glow to others, just by listening and being there. Looking at the faces of the lost and the people who were less off brimming with gratitude, made every single time spent worth it. (*Hehe* Though I must say, I and Carolyn were close to stoning when certain parts of the conversation got repetitive).
Due to the hustle and bustle we have cultivated in our daily lives, have we forgotten to pause, slow down and look at the people around us with God’s eyes? Be still today, pause, look around through heaven’s eyes and you might find your own problems gradually disappearing. Dear Lord Jesus I pray, may I open my eyes each day with your eyes and not mine.
Monday, April 23, 2007
Farewell Monday Blues!
Lamentations 3:22-23
“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”
As I awoke this morning with fear inside my heart, God gave me this word. Today was the day of my internship interview with UBS AG Bank. This being a highly coveted and prestigious internship was an interview I never thought I could get. The first thought to my mind, when I got a call from UBS to go down for an interview, was “Me? You sure, me?” My grades were not up to the expectation of the bank and many other applicants (like my friends) tried applying and did not even get an interview. So why me Lord? I felt truly blessed. Other than being blessed, God reminded me of his faithfulness. That I do not have to worry about how things are going to be, if I am getting the job or not and what my future encompasses. Cos’ I got a faithful God, one that will never fail me.
I walked out of my house, with fear and yet with an embrace for Monday. Monday never seemed better, as I am reminded that whatever comes this week, my God is faithful and his love and faithfulness will never end, they are new, NEW every morning! How marvelous is that! A new portion every day! I suddenly felt silly, having the worldly mindset of “Monday blues” in the past.
Let us embrace this week, with great joy today! Its not Monday blues with God in our lives, so why live each day on our past? Today, are we bothered by something? Are we burdened by our past? Or burdened by something? God wants to remind us that we serve a faithful God. Embrace a new beginning and day with the Lord today. Cos’ His mercies and faithfulness are new everyday, not just for me, but for you as well.
“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”
As I awoke this morning with fear inside my heart, God gave me this word. Today was the day of my internship interview with UBS AG Bank. This being a highly coveted and prestigious internship was an interview I never thought I could get. The first thought to my mind, when I got a call from UBS to go down for an interview, was “Me? You sure, me?” My grades were not up to the expectation of the bank and many other applicants (like my friends) tried applying and did not even get an interview. So why me Lord? I felt truly blessed. Other than being blessed, God reminded me of his faithfulness. That I do not have to worry about how things are going to be, if I am getting the job or not and what my future encompasses. Cos’ I got a faithful God, one that will never fail me.
I walked out of my house, with fear and yet with an embrace for Monday. Monday never seemed better, as I am reminded that whatever comes this week, my God is faithful and his love and faithfulness will never end, they are new, NEW every morning! How marvelous is that! A new portion every day! I suddenly felt silly, having the worldly mindset of “Monday blues” in the past.
Let us embrace this week, with great joy today! Its not Monday blues with God in our lives, so why live each day on our past? Today, are we bothered by something? Are we burdened by our past? Or burdened by something? God wants to remind us that we serve a faithful God. Embrace a new beginning and day with the Lord today. Cos’ His mercies and faithfulness are new everyday, not just for me, but for you as well.
Sunday, April 22, 2007
Fighting our Battle!!
Ephesians 6:10-12
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
Today’s devotion was especially apt for me! Sometimes I really feel beaten and defeated that I become so focused on the troubles instead of focusing on God. Satan uses doubt (just like he planted a seed of doubt in Eve’s mind); daily distractions like the TV, hp, computer and Internets, games, shopping, and whatsoever to change our focus from the Word to things with no eternal value; things to disable us from the Lord’s service like making us feel unappreciated and discouraged; and even to destroy us physically like attacking our bodies, planting sickness, addictions, stress, and even unhappiness with our own bodies to make us focus on our bodies, rather than spiritual things.
Whatever I’ve mentioned above, I can readily identify with… coz I’m weak… I fall into every area of weakness possible! Sigh…even today, when I woke up with my right eye the size of a ping pong ball, I felt weak and useless, and couldn’t bring myself to go out and meet the rest of the world. Things like discouragement and all, I feel it too!
The thing is, Satan wants to make us be useless in our daily battles, looking for ways to destroy us. But don’t let him! Let’s keep our spiritual eyes open so that we can help each other keep watch for the enemy’s skillful, devious attacks. Most importantly, place your dependence on God’s Spirit! =)
Ohana, let’s jia you k! Keeping all of you in prayer! =)
Pls pray for me too? I don’t like ping pongs… especially when it’s on my eye! Haa… thanks! =)
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
Today’s devotion was especially apt for me! Sometimes I really feel beaten and defeated that I become so focused on the troubles instead of focusing on God. Satan uses doubt (just like he planted a seed of doubt in Eve’s mind); daily distractions like the TV, hp, computer and Internets, games, shopping, and whatsoever to change our focus from the Word to things with no eternal value; things to disable us from the Lord’s service like making us feel unappreciated and discouraged; and even to destroy us physically like attacking our bodies, planting sickness, addictions, stress, and even unhappiness with our own bodies to make us focus on our bodies, rather than spiritual things.
Whatever I’ve mentioned above, I can readily identify with… coz I’m weak… I fall into every area of weakness possible! Sigh…even today, when I woke up with my right eye the size of a ping pong ball, I felt weak and useless, and couldn’t bring myself to go out and meet the rest of the world. Things like discouragement and all, I feel it too!
The thing is, Satan wants to make us be useless in our daily battles, looking for ways to destroy us. But don’t let him! Let’s keep our spiritual eyes open so that we can help each other keep watch for the enemy’s skillful, devious attacks. Most importantly, place your dependence on God’s Spirit! =)
Ohana, let’s jia you k! Keeping all of you in prayer! =)
Pls pray for me too? I don’t like ping pongs… especially when it’s on my eye! Haa… thanks! =)
Saturday, April 21, 2007
Fix Your Eyes on God!
Numbers 20:1-13
Sorry for not having shared my Friday’s devotion. I found the word a lil too hard to digest, hard to share. But still, I’ll share it for today ya?
Well, you can see that Moses was frustrated with the Hebrews people. They were so hard-hearted and weak in their faith that Moses lost his patience and was angry with them. And his frustration at the people made him commit the same sin as the people who blatantly disobeyed God’s instructions. When Moses shifted his focus away from God, it cost him the opportunity to enter the Promised Land as well. Moses had allowed his attention to shift to the behaviour of others rather than focusing on the activity of God.
Similarly, I felt that I had allowed myself to shift my focus to the behaviour of people, their weaknesses, disobedience, lack of faith, stubbornness that it had frustrated me so much. And in doing so, I have already committed the very sins I condemned. And i feel terrible that like Moses, it might cause the whole tribe to miss entering the Promised Land! =(
The only way is really.... to fix your eyes on the Lord!
Lord, help me fix my eyes on You– your gracious, forgiving, long-suffering, righteous and ever-loving self, that I may learn to grow to become more like You, because I know I am far from perfect! Help me to turn to you immediately each time I struggle, that I may seek to discern what You want to do in their lives rather than concentrating on the sins, so that I will be able to have the strength, wisdom, and patience I need to help people the way You desire!
Sorry for not having shared my Friday’s devotion. I found the word a lil too hard to digest, hard to share. But still, I’ll share it for today ya?
Well, you can see that Moses was frustrated with the Hebrews people. They were so hard-hearted and weak in their faith that Moses lost his patience and was angry with them. And his frustration at the people made him commit the same sin as the people who blatantly disobeyed God’s instructions. When Moses shifted his focus away from God, it cost him the opportunity to enter the Promised Land as well. Moses had allowed his attention to shift to the behaviour of others rather than focusing on the activity of God.
Similarly, I felt that I had allowed myself to shift my focus to the behaviour of people, their weaknesses, disobedience, lack of faith, stubbornness that it had frustrated me so much. And in doing so, I have already committed the very sins I condemned. And i feel terrible that like Moses, it might cause the whole tribe to miss entering the Promised Land! =(
The only way is really.... to fix your eyes on the Lord!
Lord, help me fix my eyes on You– your gracious, forgiving, long-suffering, righteous and ever-loving self, that I may learn to grow to become more like You, because I know I am far from perfect! Help me to turn to you immediately each time I struggle, that I may seek to discern what You want to do in their lives rather than concentrating on the sins, so that I will be able to have the strength, wisdom, and patience I need to help people the way You desire!
Thursday, April 19, 2007
Choosing God over Success!
15 Then Moses said to him, "If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here.
I envy Moses. Moses knew exactly what he wanted. He chose his relationship with God over accomplishments. In contrast, the Isrealites chose a different path. God offered an angel with them as they entered the Promised Land to ensure their success in every venture. No army or city wall could stop them, and everything that they ever dreamed of seemed to be theirs to take. Yet, the only thing missing was the presence of God. They were obstinate, and God said that he would not go with them when their hearts were far from him.
It really shows that victory and great accomplishments are not necessarily a sign of God’s presence. To me, it was really like new revelation. I always thought that these are like blessings in which reflects God’s blessings. But today, I learnt that people can still inadvertently choose success over their walk with God.
And Moses wisely put across that success, no matter how great, is not a substitute for fellowship with God. Worldly achievements, success, power, wealth can be attained and can be lost easily and quickly too. Security comes from our relationship with God, and not any substitutes.
Recently, I’ve been thinking a lot about my future, whether I can get a good job with good career prospects that pays well, and allow me to save up for you know, marriage, a car, and many others. And the more I dwell on it, I seem to have taken God out of the picture. I can only hear myself saying, ‘oh God, you know I need all these. Help me!’
It's really hard to be like Moses, coz it's so easy to lose focus on what you started out with initially. It may be with good intentions… but the chasing of these accomplishments has set my focus far from God’s plans. Today I learnt that valuing God’s presence is indeed far better than any of these achievements I can ever experience in this world! Lord, please place my focus back on you! Help me to choose only where your presence is!
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
My God of Second Chances!
Recently, I’ve been feeling a lot like a ‘Peter’. And I guess this I really God’s way of telling me that He is a God of Second Chances.
Does God give Second Chances for those who have failed Him? He certainly did so for Peter. Peter had proudly announced to everyone that he was Jesus’ most reliable disciple (Matt 26:33). But yet Peter not only fled with other disciples when Jesus was arrested, he also denied that he even knew Jesus 3 times! Just as Jesus has said Peter would! (Matt 26:34) Peter failed so miserably that he went out into the night and wept bitterly (Matt 26:75)
But Jesus didn’t turn his back on Peter! In Mark 16:7, the angel actually gave instructions to the women at the tomb to let Peter and other disciples know that He was risen. I remember that it was shown during the Barnabas skit on Easter, where Jesus actually showed himself to Peter even though Peter was still doubtful and sceptical if it was really Jesus who was right in front of him! Even still, Jesus still responded by giving him a hug!
That’s not all… Jesus also chose Peter as his primary spokesperson on the day of Pentacost, when 3000 ppl were added to the church.
Time and time again, I would tell God that I will only do things that please Him, and yet, everyday brings about new struggles, some of which have brought small victories, and others in which I know I have failed the Lord. But, He’s telling me not to give up! Just like Peter, I know that God is not done developing me as a disciple! i will learn to press on!!!
Do you feel like a ‘Peter’ at times too? Don’t despair! Let’s learn to rejoice in the fact that our Lord is thankfully a God of Second Chances!
Monday, April 16, 2007
JUST A LITTLE SHARING
Matthew 6: 25 - 34
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. - Matthew 6 : 33
This verse has been told/prayed over me for FOUR times within a week. God is reminding me a very important truth which i often forget. =T
Thank God, HE is always faithful and patient to me.
I went for the 1st service yesterday with Zhen. (i forgot to set my alarm clock... and was really amazed that HE woke me up at 0645am!!!! Thank God!!!!) But nothing can compare to how amazing when God speaks to you... Zhen is saved!!!! Hallelujah!!!! HE is really very good to me even when i have such little faith. HE is telling me that things in the world cannot bring me TRUE JOY... BUT focus on HIS EVERLASTING promises and gifts such as SALVATION of my loved ones.
Hmmm... yet i still struggle... just snapped at the new producer in my office. sigh~~~ i didn't want things to turn out like this... but i just too stressed up to repeat myself patiently for so many times and he simply don't get it.
Dear Lord, please help me.
Dear sisters, have a blessed week.
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. - Matthew 6 : 33
This verse has been told/prayed over me for FOUR times within a week. God is reminding me a very important truth which i often forget. =T
Thank God, HE is always faithful and patient to me.
I went for the 1st service yesterday with Zhen. (i forgot to set my alarm clock... and was really amazed that HE woke me up at 0645am!!!! Thank God!!!!) But nothing can compare to how amazing when God speaks to you... Zhen is saved!!!! Hallelujah!!!! HE is really very good to me even when i have such little faith. HE is telling me that things in the world cannot bring me TRUE JOY... BUT focus on HIS EVERLASTING promises and gifts such as SALVATION of my loved ones.
Hmmm... yet i still struggle... just snapped at the new producer in my office. sigh~~~ i didn't want things to turn out like this... but i just too stressed up to repeat myself patiently for so many times and he simply don't get it.
Dear Lord, please help me.
Dear sisters, have a blessed week.
Your plans or God’s plans?
Luke 9:51-56
When James and John discovered that a Samaritan village would not receive Jesus, they were fully prepared to call down fire to consume the entire community! (vs 54) Putting myself in James’ or John’s shoes, I thought they might have felt that by sacrificing the lives of these villagers, they could probably have further the cause of the gospel, through their show of power. Or then again, it could be that they felt that these people have rejected the gospel, and that they probably don’t deserve the mercy that we deserve.
In any case, Jesus rebuked them (of course! And if you read on in acts 8, the Samarians later responded to the gospel!) God’s purpose had not been to destroy the people but to save them! Can you imagine what probably went through James’ and John’s minds as they see these people whom they almost destroyed, coming to rejoice in their salvation?! Thankfully they did not do anything that would have prevented Jesus from carrying out his plans!
Well, can you identify with these feelings too? I can. In fact, God’s really reminding us that His plans are far greater than ours, and even the best plans that we have for ourselves are nothing compared to the plans God has for us. Have you been short-changing God by living out your own plans rather than the plans He has for you?
You know, just yesterday when I was studying with a friend, I was just going through this enormous struggle whereby I had to make a decision whether to follow my heart and do as I please, or whether to do what’s right. I was really really desperate then, so I pleaded with God, that if He really didn’t want me to do that thing, then He’ll give me a clear sign. Just let it rain so heavily that I know it’s Him! (and you must understand, it was raining very heavily prior to that, and had stopped, and the sun was shining so brightly, no one would ever expect another downpour!)
Barely 5 min later, it just started pouring! So heavily in fact, and it lasted more than an hour! As I stared out of the window, I could only stare in awe and say, Yes Lord, that is You allright. I could have chosen to say, maybe it’s a coincidence? But I thank God that He stood by my side that even as I decided that I would only do the thing that pleases Him, and not me, I felt this struggle and burden just lifted up, and my heart felt heavy no longer! I felt so relieved that I didn’t just do what I felt like doing and ignored God’s sign for me! And I’m thankful coz I know that He sees it, and He honours it.
Well, to all… I thought the struggle was a lil personal, but felt like it could also encourage everyone who’s going through mountains in your lives now.
If it is part of God’s plans for you, He will see you through it. =)
When James and John discovered that a Samaritan village would not receive Jesus, they were fully prepared to call down fire to consume the entire community! (vs 54) Putting myself in James’ or John’s shoes, I thought they might have felt that by sacrificing the lives of these villagers, they could probably have further the cause of the gospel, through their show of power. Or then again, it could be that they felt that these people have rejected the gospel, and that they probably don’t deserve the mercy that we deserve.
In any case, Jesus rebuked them (of course! And if you read on in acts 8, the Samarians later responded to the gospel!) God’s purpose had not been to destroy the people but to save them! Can you imagine what probably went through James’ and John’s minds as they see these people whom they almost destroyed, coming to rejoice in their salvation?! Thankfully they did not do anything that would have prevented Jesus from carrying out his plans!
Well, can you identify with these feelings too? I can. In fact, God’s really reminding us that His plans are far greater than ours, and even the best plans that we have for ourselves are nothing compared to the plans God has for us. Have you been short-changing God by living out your own plans rather than the plans He has for you?
You know, just yesterday when I was studying with a friend, I was just going through this enormous struggle whereby I had to make a decision whether to follow my heart and do as I please, or whether to do what’s right. I was really really desperate then, so I pleaded with God, that if He really didn’t want me to do that thing, then He’ll give me a clear sign. Just let it rain so heavily that I know it’s Him! (and you must understand, it was raining very heavily prior to that, and had stopped, and the sun was shining so brightly, no one would ever expect another downpour!)
Barely 5 min later, it just started pouring! So heavily in fact, and it lasted more than an hour! As I stared out of the window, I could only stare in awe and say, Yes Lord, that is You allright. I could have chosen to say, maybe it’s a coincidence? But I thank God that He stood by my side that even as I decided that I would only do the thing that pleases Him, and not me, I felt this struggle and burden just lifted up, and my heart felt heavy no longer! I felt so relieved that I didn’t just do what I felt like doing and ignored God’s sign for me! And I’m thankful coz I know that He sees it, and He honours it.
Well, to all… I thought the struggle was a lil personal, but felt like it could also encourage everyone who’s going through mountains in your lives now.
If it is part of God’s plans for you, He will see you through it. =)
Sunday, April 15, 2007
Not Giving Up - Not Today, Not Tomorrow, Not Until Jesus Comes!
2 Corinthians 4:8-16 (The Message)
If you only look at us, you might well miss the brightness. We carry this precious Message around in the unadorned clay pots of our ordinary lives. That's to prevent anyone from confusing God's incomparable power with us. As it is, there's not much chance of that. You know for yourselves that we're not much to look at. We've been surrounded and battered by troubles, but we're not demoralized; we're not sure what to do, but we know that God knows what to do; we've been spiritually terrorized, but God hasn't left our side; we've been thrown down, but we haven't broken. What they did to Jesus, they do to us—trial and torture, mockery and murder; what Jesus did among them, he does in us—he lives! Our lives are at constant risk for Jesus' sake, which makes Jesus' life all the more evident in us. While we're going through the worst, you're getting in on the best!
We're not keeping this quiet, not on your life. Just like the psalmist who wrote, "I believed it, so I said it," we say what we believe. And what we believe is that the One who raised up the Master Jesus will just as certainly raise us up with you, alive. Every detail works to your advantage and to God's glory: more and more grace, more and more people, more and more praise!
So we're not giving up. How could we! Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without his unfolding grace. These hard times are small potatoes compared to the coming good times, the lavish celebration prepared for us. There's far more here than meets the eye. The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. But the things we can't see now will last forever.
_______________________________________________________________________________________
As the week passed, I felt more and more what the above verse said - Pressed, Battered, Terrorized and i FELT LIKE GIVING UP! SO MANY TIMES!!!! I don't even know how to detail down what I am feeling. But, thank God for this verse, i feel much renewed now, and I am telling myself! DON'T GIVE UP! "THESE HARD TIMES ARE SMALL POTATOES COMPARED TO THE COMING GOOD TIMES!" Yes Lord, I proclaim this in my life and will not give up! :) Sisters, I just felt like sharing this word of encouragement to everyone... :) and as you meditate on the words, may you feel equally encouraged and renewed in the spirit!
Will you then sing with me?
I'm trading my sorrow
I'm trading my shame
I'm laying it down for the joy of the Lord
I'm trading my sickness
I'm trading my pain
I'm laying it down for the joy of the Lord
Chorus:
And we say yes Lord yes Lord yes yes Lord
Yes Lord yes Lord yes yes Lord
Yes Lord yes Lord yes yes Lord Amen
I'm pressed but not crushed persecuted not abandoned
Struck down but not destroyed
I'm blessed beyond the curse for his promise will endure
And his joy's gonna be my strength
Though the sorrow may last for the night
His joy comes with the morning
If you only look at us, you might well miss the brightness. We carry this precious Message around in the unadorned clay pots of our ordinary lives. That's to prevent anyone from confusing God's incomparable power with us. As it is, there's not much chance of that. You know for yourselves that we're not much to look at. We've been surrounded and battered by troubles, but we're not demoralized; we're not sure what to do, but we know that God knows what to do; we've been spiritually terrorized, but God hasn't left our side; we've been thrown down, but we haven't broken. What they did to Jesus, they do to us—trial and torture, mockery and murder; what Jesus did among them, he does in us—he lives! Our lives are at constant risk for Jesus' sake, which makes Jesus' life all the more evident in us. While we're going through the worst, you're getting in on the best!
We're not keeping this quiet, not on your life. Just like the psalmist who wrote, "I believed it, so I said it," we say what we believe. And what we believe is that the One who raised up the Master Jesus will just as certainly raise us up with you, alive. Every detail works to your advantage and to God's glory: more and more grace, more and more people, more and more praise!
So we're not giving up. How could we! Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without his unfolding grace. These hard times are small potatoes compared to the coming good times, the lavish celebration prepared for us. There's far more here than meets the eye. The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. But the things we can't see now will last forever.
_______________________________________________________________________________________
As the week passed, I felt more and more what the above verse said - Pressed, Battered, Terrorized and i FELT LIKE GIVING UP! SO MANY TIMES!!!! I don't even know how to detail down what I am feeling. But, thank God for this verse, i feel much renewed now, and I am telling myself! DON'T GIVE UP! "THESE HARD TIMES ARE SMALL POTATOES COMPARED TO THE COMING GOOD TIMES!" Yes Lord, I proclaim this in my life and will not give up! :) Sisters, I just felt like sharing this word of encouragement to everyone... :) and as you meditate on the words, may you feel equally encouraged and renewed in the spirit!
Will you then sing with me?
I'm trading my sorrow
I'm trading my shame
I'm laying it down for the joy of the Lord
I'm trading my sickness
I'm trading my pain
I'm laying it down for the joy of the Lord
Chorus:
And we say yes Lord yes Lord yes yes Lord
Yes Lord yes Lord yes yes Lord
Yes Lord yes Lord yes yes Lord Amen
I'm pressed but not crushed persecuted not abandoned
Struck down but not destroyed
I'm blessed beyond the curse for his promise will endure
And his joy's gonna be my strength
Though the sorrow may last for the night
His joy comes with the morning
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
FOR WHEN I AM WEAK, THEN I AM STRONG
2 Corinthians 12 : 9-10
As sat in front of the comp in my office this morning to prepare today's devotion, i feel extremely lonely. Something happened... It made me feel that i couldn't do it anymore... i have no energy... i am not worthy... i lost all hope... : (
i keep asking:" Father, why am i always alone?... ...." and the so-many-why(s) keep racing in my mind. i feel like i'm reacting like a wilful kid... But... sigh~~~
Yet God is good... really very good to me... when i flipped open my bible this morning... these 2 verses hit right in my face. *Ouch* heehee~~~
But he said to me," My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weakness, so that Christ's power may rest on me. - 2 Corinthians 12 : 9
i know HE wants me to hang in there.
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. - Hebrews 11: 1
Dear sisters, i pray that HE will renew your faith that you may find strength in HIM to continue the race. Hang in there with a living hope the HIS grace will sustain us. Who knows, we may find victory with another blow. *Pooffffffff* We are weak, BUT HE IS STRONG!!!! Boast our weakness gladly so that HIS power will magnify in our lives!!!! Amen!!!!
As sat in front of the comp in my office this morning to prepare today's devotion, i feel extremely lonely. Something happened... It made me feel that i couldn't do it anymore... i have no energy... i am not worthy... i lost all hope... : (
i keep asking:" Father, why am i always alone?... ...." and the so-many-why(s) keep racing in my mind. i feel like i'm reacting like a wilful kid... But... sigh~~~
Yet God is good... really very good to me... when i flipped open my bible this morning... these 2 verses hit right in my face. *Ouch* heehee~~~
But he said to me," My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weakness, so that Christ's power may rest on me. - 2 Corinthians 12 : 9
i know HE wants me to hang in there.
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. - Hebrews 11: 1
Dear sisters, i pray that HE will renew your faith that you may find strength in HIM to continue the race. Hang in there with a living hope the HIS grace will sustain us. Who knows, we may find victory with another blow. *Pooffffffff* We are weak, BUT HE IS STRONG!!!! Boast our weakness gladly so that HIS power will magnify in our lives!!!! Amen!!!!
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
HE WILL FIGHT FOR YOU
allo... tell you all something funny first... heehee~
i was telling God i don't have time to do devotion AGAIN!!!! It's only the second day of the week... ahhhh!!!! having to work late into night and little sleep... God, i really struggle... : (
Guess what happen????
haahaa~ nope... HE did not made my phone died on me this time... BUT...
HE made me FORGOT TO BRING MY PHONE OUT TOTALLY!!!! haahaa~ and thus i could focus to do my QT on my way to work just now... ("_)
HE is quite funny, right? ; )
Ok... back to today's devotion...
________________________________________________________
Daniel 6
When God draws me to today's passage, i kept thinking:" God, what do you want me to write for your people today?" As i read through the chapter over and over again, i feel that HE wants to speak to me first.
Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened towards Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before. - Daniel 6: 10
i think that Daniel knew that the situation is not favouring him, yet he was not affected by external factors, and continued to pray to the Lord. how many times have i been overwhelmed by unfavouring circumstances, and started to dwell in my own sorrows, except to KEEP LOOKING UNTO THE LORD IN PRAYERS? : ( But it's really very difficult, i struggle.
Then when i read further that Daniel was thrown into the lions' den... i feel that i'm being thrown into one too!!!! As some of you would have known that my job is really overpowering me... i feel that my bosses are like the lions whom are crushing and devouring me. i feel very helpless, unjustified, angry, and what not... at the end of the day, i left with no more energy to fight... : (
However, Daniel's approach to these lions was different.
... My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions. - Daniel 6: 21
... no wound was found on him, because he had trusted in his God. - Daniel 6: 23
Daniel TRUSTED in the Lord. He BELIEVED that God will deliver and protect him from all harm. He did not have to fight with the lions by himself.
It makes me think that:" yah... how can i fight with lions by my own strength? i really need to turn to God."
Dear sisters, are you fighting the lions in your life by your own strength? Don't!!!! It's a waste of energy!!!! Turn to God and HE will protect you. HE WILL FIGHT FOR YOU!!!! i know it's really not easy, because as i wrote this myself, i struggle very hard deep wthin me. i think my life is not a good testimony to write this for you all... : ( But i know God will continue to work in my life, and for yours too!!!! Let's jia you for God together!!!! : )
(ok.. i can't type more as i'm doing this in office... haahaa~ byeeeeeeeeee)
i was telling God i don't have time to do devotion AGAIN!!!! It's only the second day of the week... ahhhh!!!! having to work late into night and little sleep... God, i really struggle... : (
Guess what happen????
haahaa~ nope... HE did not made my phone died on me this time... BUT...
HE made me FORGOT TO BRING MY PHONE OUT TOTALLY!!!! haahaa~ and thus i could focus to do my QT on my way to work just now... ("_)
HE is quite funny, right? ; )
Ok... back to today's devotion...
________________________________________________________
Daniel 6
When God draws me to today's passage, i kept thinking:" God, what do you want me to write for your people today?" As i read through the chapter over and over again, i feel that HE wants to speak to me first.
Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened towards Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before. - Daniel 6: 10
i think that Daniel knew that the situation is not favouring him, yet he was not affected by external factors, and continued to pray to the Lord. how many times have i been overwhelmed by unfavouring circumstances, and started to dwell in my own sorrows, except to KEEP LOOKING UNTO THE LORD IN PRAYERS? : ( But it's really very difficult, i struggle.
Then when i read further that Daniel was thrown into the lions' den... i feel that i'm being thrown into one too!!!! As some of you would have known that my job is really overpowering me... i feel that my bosses are like the lions whom are crushing and devouring me. i feel very helpless, unjustified, angry, and what not... at the end of the day, i left with no more energy to fight... : (
However, Daniel's approach to these lions was different.
... My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions. - Daniel 6: 21
... no wound was found on him, because he had trusted in his God. - Daniel 6: 23
Daniel TRUSTED in the Lord. He BELIEVED that God will deliver and protect him from all harm. He did not have to fight with the lions by himself.
It makes me think that:" yah... how can i fight with lions by my own strength? i really need to turn to God."
Dear sisters, are you fighting the lions in your life by your own strength? Don't!!!! It's a waste of energy!!!! Turn to God and HE will protect you. HE WILL FIGHT FOR YOU!!!! i know it's really not easy, because as i wrote this myself, i struggle very hard deep wthin me. i think my life is not a good testimony to write this for you all... : ( But i know God will continue to work in my life, and for yours too!!!! Let's jia you for God together!!!! : )
(ok.. i can't type more as i'm doing this in office... haahaa~ byeeeeeeeeee)
Monday, April 9, 2007
I WILL NOT FORGET YOU
Deuteronomy 31: 8
I stared at my monitor for very long, not knowing what I should type. Oh gosh, I have not prepared word for a long… long… time, and now I have to prepare devotions for ONE WEEK!!!! Then I realized I have taken such a long~~~ break, and I literally forgot how to go about doing this! HOW??? *Gasp*
Yes! You’re right! The model answer is to PRAY!!!! And so I did. In fact, I started asking HIM what I should write ever since when I received the task (haha~ which was one week ago…)
Day 1:
No answer from the Lord.
Day 2:
Still, no answer from the Lord.
As the days went by, I heard nothing from HIM at all. Hmmm… and what made it worse was that everything that could go wrong for the week went wrong… sigh~~~
God, I think YOU have forgotten about me.
Ok… it sounded really silly… but I was so sure at the point of time… I almost wanted to give Del the “heart attack” by saying I cannot do it!!!!
Then tada!!!!
During yesterday’s service, I saw Donavan and Jeline up on stage again, sharing their testimonies on the flashcard.
The Lord said: “Girl, didn’t you ask me to change this boy into a Man of God? Look what’s written on his card now?” and HE continued: “You prayed that this girl will be brought back to the Kingdom of God. See, these are some prayers that you have made many years ago and perhaps you have even forgotten about it. BUT I REMEMBER.”
So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you…- Luke 11: 9
Yeah!!!! HE has not forgotten about me!!!! Although sometimes the way HE speaks to me is rather strange, HE remembers me and all my prayers, be it big or small. HE made my phone died on me so that I could focus on doing my QT and read my bible during my bus journey home just now ( because I told HIM I was soooooooooo busy that I don’t have time for QT). Haahaa~ see what I mean… ; )
Now that I have the assurance HE has not forgotten about me, I want to have the faith to believe that HE will answer ALL my prayers, in HIS time.
Dear sisters, just want to encourage all of you that our dear Heavenly Father has not forgotten about you too. All of you are dearly remembered by HIM. And if earthly things were to weigh you down once again, hang on to the promise that “… he will never leave you nor forsake you…” – Deuteronomy 31: 8
I stared at my monitor for very long, not knowing what I should type. Oh gosh, I have not prepared word for a long… long… time, and now I have to prepare devotions for ONE WEEK!!!! Then I realized I have taken such a long~~~ break, and I literally forgot how to go about doing this! HOW??? *Gasp*
Yes! You’re right! The model answer is to PRAY!!!! And so I did. In fact, I started asking HIM what I should write ever since when I received the task (haha~ which was one week ago…)
Day 1:
No answer from the Lord.
Day 2:
Still, no answer from the Lord.
As the days went by, I heard nothing from HIM at all. Hmmm… and what made it worse was that everything that could go wrong for the week went wrong… sigh~~~
God, I think YOU have forgotten about me.
Ok… it sounded really silly… but I was so sure at the point of time… I almost wanted to give Del the “heart attack” by saying I cannot do it!!!!
Then tada!!!!
During yesterday’s service, I saw Donavan and Jeline up on stage again, sharing their testimonies on the flashcard.
The Lord said: “Girl, didn’t you ask me to change this boy into a Man of God? Look what’s written on his card now?” and HE continued: “You prayed that this girl will be brought back to the Kingdom of God. See, these are some prayers that you have made many years ago and perhaps you have even forgotten about it. BUT I REMEMBER.”
So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you…- Luke 11: 9
Yeah!!!! HE has not forgotten about me!!!! Although sometimes the way HE speaks to me is rather strange, HE remembers me and all my prayers, be it big or small. HE made my phone died on me so that I could focus on doing my QT and read my bible during my bus journey home just now ( because I told HIM I was soooooooooo busy that I don’t have time for QT). Haahaa~ see what I mean… ; )
Now that I have the assurance HE has not forgotten about me, I want to have the faith to believe that HE will answer ALL my prayers, in HIS time.
Dear sisters, just want to encourage all of you that our dear Heavenly Father has not forgotten about you too. All of you are dearly remembered by HIM. And if earthly things were to weigh you down once again, hang on to the promise that “… he will never leave you nor forsake you…” – Deuteronomy 31: 8
Sunday, April 8, 2007
Celebrating His Empty Tomb!
John 20: 1-18
I’m feeling very blessed that my last devotion of the week happens to fall on Easter Day! This significant day doesn’t happen to be the day for us to celebrate bunnies and feast over Easter chocolate eggs, but to celebrate the fact that Jesus died and rose from the dead on this very day – just as He promised!
This passage brings us back to Mary Magdelene, who was actually the one whom Jesus delivered from her demonic bondage, and from that very day, she became His devoted follower. She followed him around and saw him heal the sick, and taught people about God’s love. Her life was transformed as she experienced the joy of being with Jesus! Then her world seemed to fall apart when Jesus was arrested and brutally murdered. And when she wanted to anoint Jesus at the tomb, she found out that His tomb was empty! Then the two angels asked her, Why are you crying?
What she didn’t know then was that she was standing before an empty tomb because Jesus has risen, just as He promised! Knowing that Jesus was alive seemed to put everything back into perspective for Mary, and she quickly ran back to share the good news with others!
You know, the Christian walk is not always easy too. There are joyful moments of walking with Jesus, but there are also times when nothing makes sense and you may be discouraged by all that is happening around you.
Before doing today’s quiet time, I was actually quite discouraged, partly with the fact that my close friends (including my sister) are mostly non-Christians or Christians who have back-sliden, and praying and asking them for services or stuff never seem to be enough. And I asked myself whether there would be indeed this day when I can rejoice with them for their salvation. But it is really at these times, when I need to peer into the empty tomb too; the tomb that will give us hope because it symbolises the life from our risen Lord and more importantly, it promises that nothing, not even death itself, can defeat the purposes of our Lord!
Indeed, I want to claim these promises, that there will be this day that we can rejoice over my entire household and dearest friends entering into the kingdom of God!!!
Have you been discouraged recently and weeping beside an empty tomb too? Lets press on and continue to pray!! =)
p/s - Thank you, dear family, for always being there!
I’m feeling very blessed that my last devotion of the week happens to fall on Easter Day! This significant day doesn’t happen to be the day for us to celebrate bunnies and feast over Easter chocolate eggs, but to celebrate the fact that Jesus died and rose from the dead on this very day – just as He promised!
This passage brings us back to Mary Magdelene, who was actually the one whom Jesus delivered from her demonic bondage, and from that very day, she became His devoted follower. She followed him around and saw him heal the sick, and taught people about God’s love. Her life was transformed as she experienced the joy of being with Jesus! Then her world seemed to fall apart when Jesus was arrested and brutally murdered. And when she wanted to anoint Jesus at the tomb, she found out that His tomb was empty! Then the two angels asked her, Why are you crying?
What she didn’t know then was that she was standing before an empty tomb because Jesus has risen, just as He promised! Knowing that Jesus was alive seemed to put everything back into perspective for Mary, and she quickly ran back to share the good news with others!
You know, the Christian walk is not always easy too. There are joyful moments of walking with Jesus, but there are also times when nothing makes sense and you may be discouraged by all that is happening around you.
Before doing today’s quiet time, I was actually quite discouraged, partly with the fact that my close friends (including my sister) are mostly non-Christians or Christians who have back-sliden, and praying and asking them for services or stuff never seem to be enough. And I asked myself whether there would be indeed this day when I can rejoice with them for their salvation. But it is really at these times, when I need to peer into the empty tomb too; the tomb that will give us hope because it symbolises the life from our risen Lord and more importantly, it promises that nothing, not even death itself, can defeat the purposes of our Lord!
Indeed, I want to claim these promises, that there will be this day that we can rejoice over my entire household and dearest friends entering into the kingdom of God!!!
Have you been discouraged recently and weeping beside an empty tomb too? Lets press on and continue to pray!! =)
p/s - Thank you, dear family, for always being there!
Saturday, April 7, 2007
Serving with Joy? Or Alongside Giants?
Hebrews 9:11-14
Hebrews 9:14
How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!
Something we can always give thanks for, that Christ died on the Cross for You and Me! When I think of the sacrifices He made, seriously, thanksgiving can never be enough to express how much I feel. Furthermore, there must be more worth and value that He sees in me, in us, that He chose to die for us even though He knew and saw how imperfect we are!
What I saw in vs 14 was really how much He lives in our heart… in the Past, the Present and Future! While God has forgiven our past sins, His purpose was so that we may serve the living God, and serving Him should be a joy indeed!
I asked myself, have I been serving the Lord with joy?
It is times when we find everything going against us, serving is no longer smooth-sailing, and obstacles and struggles start coming and piling in our various ministries that we may start to think of serving as a burden, or a responsibility that perhaps we might not be ready to take.
Today’s Good Friday session by Ps William brought us back to the story of giants in our lives. He said this, “When God tells you that you’re ready to be used, He goes around looking for a giant to put into your life, so that you will gain victory over it. If your faith is firmly built (on God’s foundation), you’ll not fear the giant.”
Today, is serving the Lord a continuous joy to you? Or has serving become a giant that you feel you have been struggling over and over again and that you cannot overcome and feel any sense of joy in doing things anymore? Then learn to lean on the Lord’s strength today, for only by His strength can we overcome! A year of victory! Let’s claim it for God’s kingdom! =)
On a side note, thank you Joanna, for sharing today! =)
Hebrews 9:14
How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!
Something we can always give thanks for, that Christ died on the Cross for You and Me! When I think of the sacrifices He made, seriously, thanksgiving can never be enough to express how much I feel. Furthermore, there must be more worth and value that He sees in me, in us, that He chose to die for us even though He knew and saw how imperfect we are!
What I saw in vs 14 was really how much He lives in our heart… in the Past, the Present and Future! While God has forgiven our past sins, His purpose was so that we may serve the living God, and serving Him should be a joy indeed!
I asked myself, have I been serving the Lord with joy?
It is times when we find everything going against us, serving is no longer smooth-sailing, and obstacles and struggles start coming and piling in our various ministries that we may start to think of serving as a burden, or a responsibility that perhaps we might not be ready to take.
Today’s Good Friday session by Ps William brought us back to the story of giants in our lives. He said this, “When God tells you that you’re ready to be used, He goes around looking for a giant to put into your life, so that you will gain victory over it. If your faith is firmly built (on God’s foundation), you’ll not fear the giant.”
Today, is serving the Lord a continuous joy to you? Or has serving become a giant that you feel you have been struggling over and over again and that you cannot overcome and feel any sense of joy in doing things anymore? Then learn to lean on the Lord’s strength today, for only by His strength can we overcome! A year of victory! Let’s claim it for God’s kingdom! =)
On a side note, thank you Joanna, for sharing today! =)
Thursday, April 5, 2007
Loving God is Never Cliché! =)
Romans 3:21-26
Somehow, I’m reminded of John 3:16, that God so loved us that he sent his One and Only Son to die for us, that we may live and have eternal life. Today’s passage served as a good reminder for me, because without the act that He did, we’re…. just sinners. Full stop. And that would probably have been the end of the story, because none of us can be declared righteous apart from Christ’s atoning death. Trying to do good or to live right won’t earn us the Lord’s favor. Everyone sins. And, we won’t be able to enter the presence of our holy God. As this passage emphasizes, His sacrifice illustrated how Jesus’s shed blood allowed believers to be cleansed of sin and have a relationship with the Creator.
For God to be just, He must remain true to His own principles. In Ezekiel 18:4, the Lord’s holiness dictated that “the soul who sins will die.” The penalty for sin—death—had to be paid in an acceptable way to God. In Leviticus 17:11, the Lord explains, through Moses, why He required a blood sacrifice: He says, “The life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you on the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood by reason of the life that makes atonement.” A life must be given so a life can be spared. So because of that, the heavenly Father provided a perfectly sinless sacrifice for everyone. God satisfied His justice and maintained His holiness when Jesus Christ took our guilt and sin and died in our place.
Writing this really took a lot of effort, because I thought it would sound real cliché initially. But I guess as Christians, we may have known this fact for as long as we have received salvation, but along the way, we probably start to think that it would sound funny to tell our non-Christian friends that, or to share the gospel to them. I dont know whether you did feel like that, but i did, not once, but many times, regretably. Like I often tell my Barnabas kids, they received Christ because they know there is a God who loves them and sacrificed His beloved Son for them, and they know that they’ll go to heaven. So we must share the gospel to our friends so that they will get to know God and go to Heaven too!
But somehow, somewhere, I think the adult in me must have arose, because I started to feel that only children would be able to share the gospel like that. While growing up, I must have lost my child-likeness, and start worrying how my friends will respond or think, whether they’ll laugh or walk away, etc, and in my heart, i started doubting or became skeptical about sharing Christ with my friends.
Today’s quiet time is really a timely reminder for me, that the only way is to trust God for everything, because trusting in anything else only ignores God’s holiness. More importantly, you know, sharing the Good News about what the Lord has done for us can never be cliché, because Our God rocks! (like literally… because He is our rock! haa...)
Somehow, I’m reminded of John 3:16, that God so loved us that he sent his One and Only Son to die for us, that we may live and have eternal life. Today’s passage served as a good reminder for me, because without the act that He did, we’re…. just sinners. Full stop. And that would probably have been the end of the story, because none of us can be declared righteous apart from Christ’s atoning death. Trying to do good or to live right won’t earn us the Lord’s favor. Everyone sins. And, we won’t be able to enter the presence of our holy God. As this passage emphasizes, His sacrifice illustrated how Jesus’s shed blood allowed believers to be cleansed of sin and have a relationship with the Creator.
For God to be just, He must remain true to His own principles. In Ezekiel 18:4, the Lord’s holiness dictated that “the soul who sins will die.” The penalty for sin—death—had to be paid in an acceptable way to God. In Leviticus 17:11, the Lord explains, through Moses, why He required a blood sacrifice: He says, “The life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you on the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood by reason of the life that makes atonement.” A life must be given so a life can be spared. So because of that, the heavenly Father provided a perfectly sinless sacrifice for everyone. God satisfied His justice and maintained His holiness when Jesus Christ took our guilt and sin and died in our place.
Writing this really took a lot of effort, because I thought it would sound real cliché initially. But I guess as Christians, we may have known this fact for as long as we have received salvation, but along the way, we probably start to think that it would sound funny to tell our non-Christian friends that, or to share the gospel to them. I dont know whether you did feel like that, but i did, not once, but many times, regretably. Like I often tell my Barnabas kids, they received Christ because they know there is a God who loves them and sacrificed His beloved Son for them, and they know that they’ll go to heaven. So we must share the gospel to our friends so that they will get to know God and go to Heaven too!
But somehow, somewhere, I think the adult in me must have arose, because I started to feel that only children would be able to share the gospel like that. While growing up, I must have lost my child-likeness, and start worrying how my friends will respond or think, whether they’ll laugh or walk away, etc, and in my heart, i started doubting or became skeptical about sharing Christ with my friends.
Today’s quiet time is really a timely reminder for me, that the only way is to trust God for everything, because trusting in anything else only ignores God’s holiness. More importantly, you know, sharing the Good News about what the Lord has done for us can never be cliché, because Our God rocks! (like literally… because He is our rock! haa...)
Receiving His Blessings Without Guilt!
Ephesians 1:3-14
The list of blessings in the passage makes things sound like everything’s too good to be true right? Oh well, it is actually! Hmm, then the question hit me, how come I still doubt God at times, for his presence, his provision, or even his promises?
Deep within my heart, I knew though…my constant struggle with guilt and shame makes me question God or even my salvation ALL the time. Will he still be able to love me for who I am? Would he still love me even though I keep sinning, confessing, and then fall back into sin again?
Sometimes, guilt makes me forget that our God is a God of grace and mercy. Sometimes, it makes me try even harder to want to gain his approval back, and I’ll do a lot of things thinking that it can atone for my shortcomings. And this is where I realise how destructive the power of guilt can be. It robs me from truly coming to know who my God is, and a deeper relationship with Him!
That is precisely why God provided biblical truth (His Word) to help us embrace His promises! When we’ve broken God’s commands, the only solution is repentance. More importantly, we learn to accept God’s forgiveness so that false guilt cannot be fabricated.
In this passage, I am reminded of these truths:
1) I am Special in His eyes!
God chose me (Yes, me!) to belong to Him and He is transforming me into Christ’s image! (vs 11, 14)
2) I am Loved by Him!
God’s love for me is unconditional, unchangeable, and unending! (vs 4-6)
3) I am forgiven!! Amen!!
Jesus paid the full price for my every sin! God has permanently forgiven me and adopted me into His family! (vs 7)
Indeed Lord, I thank you for the You who do not judge, who loves unceasingly, and the You who erases all our hurts, pains, and ugly pasts.
For everyone here, God’s promises are for you too! Would you come and embrace these truths into your lives too? =)
The list of blessings in the passage makes things sound like everything’s too good to be true right? Oh well, it is actually! Hmm, then the question hit me, how come I still doubt God at times, for his presence, his provision, or even his promises?
Deep within my heart, I knew though…my constant struggle with guilt and shame makes me question God or even my salvation ALL the time. Will he still be able to love me for who I am? Would he still love me even though I keep sinning, confessing, and then fall back into sin again?
Sometimes, guilt makes me forget that our God is a God of grace and mercy. Sometimes, it makes me try even harder to want to gain his approval back, and I’ll do a lot of things thinking that it can atone for my shortcomings. And this is where I realise how destructive the power of guilt can be. It robs me from truly coming to know who my God is, and a deeper relationship with Him!
That is precisely why God provided biblical truth (His Word) to help us embrace His promises! When we’ve broken God’s commands, the only solution is repentance. More importantly, we learn to accept God’s forgiveness so that false guilt cannot be fabricated.
In this passage, I am reminded of these truths:
1) I am Special in His eyes!
God chose me (Yes, me!) to belong to Him and He is transforming me into Christ’s image! (vs 11, 14)
2) I am Loved by Him!
God’s love for me is unconditional, unchangeable, and unending! (vs 4-6)
3) I am forgiven!! Amen!!
Jesus paid the full price for my every sin! God has permanently forgiven me and adopted me into His family! (vs 7)
Indeed Lord, I thank you for the You who do not judge, who loves unceasingly, and the You who erases all our hurts, pains, and ugly pasts.
For everyone here, God’s promises are for you too! Would you come and embrace these truths into your lives too? =)
Wednesday, April 4, 2007
Saying No to the Green-Eyed Monster!!!
Just thought it would be a good thing to share, you know yesterday’s devotion was about obedience right? I felt that God’s using the same point to drill into me today through leader’s meeting! You should have heard the testimonies being shared today! Their faith was the greatest thing impressed upon my heart, that they chose not to seek their own paths or plans, regardless of how attractive the offer was, but rather, they chose to obey. It wasn’t easy for them to obey too, but as they obeyed, they found favour and more blessings they flowed from it! Indeed, our God’s ways are way higher than ours! Amen!
Okay… let’s go back to today’s passage. =)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 Samuel 18:5-16
As I read this passage, my 1st thought was initially filled with disgust at Saul’s attitude. Then I asked myself, Hey, who am I to judge? Am I not guilty of such attitudes or behaviours at times too?
Especially for us women, I too cant help but seem to take notice of people around me, scrutinising their looks, career, wealth, figure, possessions, salary, etc…. and don’t we always just wish we had half of that?! (sounds familiar right? =) )We often attribute jealousy as a woman’s second nature, but honestly, jealousy is really something that can consume anybody who allows the green-eyed monster to grow in them.
King Saul’s jealousy actually caused him to distrust David, the same young warrior who had served him by defeating Goliath! David loved the king and risked his life to help the kingdom, but still, Saul’s judgement was so clouded by all that envy, suspicions, bitterness and hostility that he became irrational in his thinking and behaviour. Consequently, Saul went into a rant and hurled a spear at the young man (1 Samuel 18:11), and later, even removed David from his presence, sending his loyal servant to the battlefield. So David’s faithful service was “rewarded” with the king’s hatred, a severed relationship, and death threats, and was forced to flee in the end.
Our minds are also like Saul’s at times, in which we will tend to dwell on a person or situation we envy. Fuelled by all that jealousy within us, our suspicion, confusion, bitterness, and hostility will grow stronger if we continue to feed on it each time. Fear and resentment too, completes the picture of jealousy. Sometimes, we’re afraid that we’ll fail to achieve the wealth, career status, or privileges of someone else. We may even resent that person’s accomplishments or become nasty to that person. In time, we may look for reasons to avoid being around that individual, eventually choosing to break off the relationship entirely, and who knows what next? When one is overcome by jealousy, his/her thoughts have already become irrational that anything can happen!!! Scary isn’t it?
Have you realised, this jealousy monster is not an excuse for us women to possess! If our hearts are left unchecked, the monster will grow in us and influence our attitudes, conversations, and actions. Eventually, it will even do damage to the relationships we have and even inflict great pain on others.
I had to do some serious soul-searching myself and ask the Lord to examine my heart. “Dying” to my self and surrendering that green-eyed monster to the Lord is a difficult and constant battle, but the Lord reminds us that as we surrender, He will honour our prayers and replace our spirit of jealousy with one of love and thankfulness.
Lord, please teach me to keep my eyes upon you, and keep my heart filled with contentment and thanksgiving for all the things You’ve blessed me with!
Okay… let’s go back to today’s passage. =)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 Samuel 18:5-16
As I read this passage, my 1st thought was initially filled with disgust at Saul’s attitude. Then I asked myself, Hey, who am I to judge? Am I not guilty of such attitudes or behaviours at times too?
Especially for us women, I too cant help but seem to take notice of people around me, scrutinising their looks, career, wealth, figure, possessions, salary, etc…. and don’t we always just wish we had half of that?! (sounds familiar right? =) )We often attribute jealousy as a woman’s second nature, but honestly, jealousy is really something that can consume anybody who allows the green-eyed monster to grow in them.
King Saul’s jealousy actually caused him to distrust David, the same young warrior who had served him by defeating Goliath! David loved the king and risked his life to help the kingdom, but still, Saul’s judgement was so clouded by all that envy, suspicions, bitterness and hostility that he became irrational in his thinking and behaviour. Consequently, Saul went into a rant and hurled a spear at the young man (1 Samuel 18:11), and later, even removed David from his presence, sending his loyal servant to the battlefield. So David’s faithful service was “rewarded” with the king’s hatred, a severed relationship, and death threats, and was forced to flee in the end.
Our minds are also like Saul’s at times, in which we will tend to dwell on a person or situation we envy. Fuelled by all that jealousy within us, our suspicion, confusion, bitterness, and hostility will grow stronger if we continue to feed on it each time. Fear and resentment too, completes the picture of jealousy. Sometimes, we’re afraid that we’ll fail to achieve the wealth, career status, or privileges of someone else. We may even resent that person’s accomplishments or become nasty to that person. In time, we may look for reasons to avoid being around that individual, eventually choosing to break off the relationship entirely, and who knows what next? When one is overcome by jealousy, his/her thoughts have already become irrational that anything can happen!!! Scary isn’t it?
Have you realised, this jealousy monster is not an excuse for us women to possess! If our hearts are left unchecked, the monster will grow in us and influence our attitudes, conversations, and actions. Eventually, it will even do damage to the relationships we have and even inflict great pain on others.
I had to do some serious soul-searching myself and ask the Lord to examine my heart. “Dying” to my self and surrendering that green-eyed monster to the Lord is a difficult and constant battle, but the Lord reminds us that as we surrender, He will honour our prayers and replace our spirit of jealousy with one of love and thankfulness.
Lord, please teach me to keep my eyes upon you, and keep my heart filled with contentment and thanksgiving for all the things You’ve blessed me with!
Tuesday, April 3, 2007
Blessings of Obedience
Luke 5:1-5
You know, the thing that impressed me most here was really Simon Peter’s response. “Because you say so…”
Many a times, when we’ve received so much of God’s blessings, it really is so easy to place the “I love You” words on our lips. However, it becomes quite the opposite when we face trails and difficulties, and these three words simply changes to “Lord, how come?” or “Lord, why this?”
As I learnt, Obedience is also an expression of love toward God. It enables us to endure trials and difficulties. Also, God pours out His blessings on those who obey.
Look at Simon. He didn’t manage to catch any fish all night even though he worked so hard all night. He could have just told Jesus, “Are you sure?” Or “Nah, I’m too tired, or discouraged, you know”. But he didn’t. Instead, he said, “Because you say so, I will let down the nets." By doing so, he took a step into a life of obedience and blessing. You know, on the surface, it didn’t seem like a big deal whether he lets down the net or not. But still, God had a bigger purpose than that. He was going to make him a “fisher of men”!
Furthermore, when he let down the net again at Jesus’ request this time, his obedience also meant a big catch for the rest in the boat as well! Something which the passage just enlightened me, when we obey, God will bless those around us as well! And as we give testimonies of how God responds to our obedience with goodness, others may be motivated to seek after Jesus too!!!
Sometimes when we cannot see what our Lord has in mind, we may not be able to comprehend the importance of His requests. More than often, we’re just tempted to change it to fit our plans, to wait for a more convenient time, or to skip it all together. Sometimes God may even tell us to respond or act in ways that make little sense. Didn’t God tell Noah to build an ark, and instructed Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac on the altar instead of an animal? They too, agreed to God’s plan, even though it didn’t make sense at all! Their trust in God overruled any concerns and led to great reward.
Well, Good News to us All! God wants to do the same for us too! God has a plan for our eternal good, and it’s foolish not to obey Him. Like Peter, we have no idea what God will do in and through us if we commit to living a life of obedience. But today, will you lay aside all your own negativity or apprehension and simply, to obey? When the Holy Spirit prompts you, how will you respond?
You know, the thing that impressed me most here was really Simon Peter’s response. “Because you say so…”
Many a times, when we’ve received so much of God’s blessings, it really is so easy to place the “I love You” words on our lips. However, it becomes quite the opposite when we face trails and difficulties, and these three words simply changes to “Lord, how come?” or “Lord, why this?”
As I learnt, Obedience is also an expression of love toward God. It enables us to endure trials and difficulties. Also, God pours out His blessings on those who obey.
Look at Simon. He didn’t manage to catch any fish all night even though he worked so hard all night. He could have just told Jesus, “Are you sure?” Or “Nah, I’m too tired, or discouraged, you know”. But he didn’t. Instead, he said, “Because you say so, I will let down the nets." By doing so, he took a step into a life of obedience and blessing. You know, on the surface, it didn’t seem like a big deal whether he lets down the net or not. But still, God had a bigger purpose than that. He was going to make him a “fisher of men”!
Furthermore, when he let down the net again at Jesus’ request this time, his obedience also meant a big catch for the rest in the boat as well! Something which the passage just enlightened me, when we obey, God will bless those around us as well! And as we give testimonies of how God responds to our obedience with goodness, others may be motivated to seek after Jesus too!!!
Sometimes when we cannot see what our Lord has in mind, we may not be able to comprehend the importance of His requests. More than often, we’re just tempted to change it to fit our plans, to wait for a more convenient time, or to skip it all together. Sometimes God may even tell us to respond or act in ways that make little sense. Didn’t God tell Noah to build an ark, and instructed Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac on the altar instead of an animal? They too, agreed to God’s plan, even though it didn’t make sense at all! Their trust in God overruled any concerns and led to great reward.
Well, Good News to us All! God wants to do the same for us too! God has a plan for our eternal good, and it’s foolish not to obey Him. Like Peter, we have no idea what God will do in and through us if we commit to living a life of obedience. But today, will you lay aside all your own negativity or apprehension and simply, to obey? When the Holy Spirit prompts you, how will you respond?
Sunday, April 1, 2007
Our Ultimate Struggle With Temptation!
Ouch. If there’s one thing every man and woman alike has experienced, it’s temptation. I’ll be lying if I say that I haven’t given in to temptation before. And nope, it’s not just chocolates and junk food I’m talking about k!
The object of temptation can be almost anything and everything! It can be something that a friend has that we don’t. It can be materialistic stuff like a nice house, a new car, a new bag, and the list goes on. It can also be something physical, like the rush of a relationship, the effects of clubbing or alcohol, or it can also be emotional… like recognition for a job well-done or an incessant need for praises. And whatever the object of temptation is, it just makes us crave for us… that we must have it, and we must have it now!
As such, we also start to throw whatever concerns we have on our minds. Is it good for me? It doesn’t matter. Will it benefit me or my family? That’s not the issue. Could this hurt someone I love? Who cares?
However, note verses 14 and 15! Indeed, temptation knows no loyalty! It’s like a raging beast that, if left uncontrolled, can bring absolute destruction into your life. Desire itself may not be inherently wrong, but have you ever wondered why our leaders always ask us to check ourselves and to check our hearts? Simply because when these desires are left unchecked, it can be the starting point for all types of trouble.
My dear sisters, are you allowing a single desire to control your life? Are you continually going beyond the limits of God’s approval? If there is something that is not pleasing to the Lord, let us turn our hearts back to Jesus and break the hold of temptation today! Do thank God for the desires He placed on your heart, and ask Him to direct these desires to something that will please the Lord! =)
James 1:12
Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
the VaLLey of dRy BoNes
Ezekiel 37:1-14
"Then he said to me,'Prophesy to these bones and say to them,'Dry bones, hear the word of the lord! This what the Sovereign Lord says to these bones:I will make breath enter you and you will come to life. I will attach tendons to you and make flesh come upon you and cover you with skin; I will put breath in you and you will come to life. Then you will know that I am the lord." - Ezekiel 37: 4-6
How many times did the word 'prophesy' appear in this passage?
SEVEN!
I have a tendency to say that "it's impossible" and to make negative statements that pretty much seal my fate. Whenever I face a difficult situation, like when I look at my dad, I really like to say ,"I don' t know. Die already.." And that pretty much becomes the motto of my life.
Even as I was reading ezekiel, God really reminded me to be that prophet of hope! To bring the dry bones to life, all I have to do is to prophesy, believing that God can work miracles.
MuSic pls... " I believe in miracles, where you from.. you sexy thing!!" (ok that was out of point)
Recently I've been trying to say " God I believe that things will work out in my family. I believe that my dad will reconcile with my mum. " It really took a lot of effort and plenty of 'dying to myself' to reach this stage.
"Then he said to me, " Prophesy to the breath; prophesy, son of man.." - Ezekiel 37:9
So prophesy, daughters and sons, so that we might see the glory of the lord in our lives! Let the words that come out of our mouths, be a reflection of the abundunt blessings we know that God will provide.
"I will put my Spirit in you and you will live, and I will settle you in your own land. Then you will know that I the Lord have spoken and I have done it, declares the lord." - Ezekiel 37:14
"Then he said to me,'Prophesy to these bones and say to them,'Dry bones, hear the word of the lord! This what the Sovereign Lord says to these bones:I will make breath enter you and you will come to life. I will attach tendons to you and make flesh come upon you and cover you with skin; I will put breath in you and you will come to life. Then you will know that I am the lord." - Ezekiel 37: 4-6
How many times did the word 'prophesy' appear in this passage?
SEVEN!
I have a tendency to say that "it's impossible" and to make negative statements that pretty much seal my fate. Whenever I face a difficult situation, like when I look at my dad, I really like to say ,"I don' t know. Die already.." And that pretty much becomes the motto of my life.
Even as I was reading ezekiel, God really reminded me to be that prophet of hope! To bring the dry bones to life, all I have to do is to prophesy, believing that God can work miracles.
MuSic pls... " I believe in miracles, where you from.. you sexy thing!!" (ok that was out of point)
Recently I've been trying to say " God I believe that things will work out in my family. I believe that my dad will reconcile with my mum. " It really took a lot of effort and plenty of 'dying to myself' to reach this stage.
"Then he said to me, " Prophesy to the breath; prophesy, son of man.." - Ezekiel 37:9
So prophesy, daughters and sons, so that we might see the glory of the lord in our lives! Let the words that come out of our mouths, be a reflection of the abundunt blessings we know that God will provide.
"I will put my Spirit in you and you will live, and I will settle you in your own land. Then you will know that I the Lord have spoken and I have done it, declares the lord." - Ezekiel 37:14
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
