Ezekiel 34:1-10
Many things have been happening around me in this season of my life. I find that I've had to face difficult colleages, family tension, long - standing problems and learn how to face my worst fears. Even as I write this, my dad is unhappy with me because I'm still awake and deemed to be unable to 'run my own life'.
I'm learning how to cope and I'm always amazed at God's timing. How He manages to allow everything bad that can happen, to happen, all in one short time frame. But I think God is really good, and I'm really reminded not to dwell on my problems.
"... Woe to the shepherds of Israel who only take care of themselves! Should not shepherds take care of the flock?" - Ezekial 34: 2
Yup, life is full of it's ups and downs and there are always problems and urgent things we have to tend to. Ultimately, I know that God will provide and that He will bless but is my faith strong enough to believe that I can still love my people and actively do something about it? I pray for strength.
I really thank God for a particularly beautiful lady the lord has blessed me with. I truly believe that she's one of those shepherds who take care of the flock even when she should only be taking care of herself. So thank you, because I've learned what it means to love even when life is so unlovable.
To my fellow sheep mates, have you been thanking your shepherds?
Friday, March 30, 2007
Thursday, March 29, 2007
nuclear watchdog
I made my students stay back after class today. It was quite funny actually because none of them were taking my threats seriously. I told them that if they couldn't finish their work, they wouldn't be going home. And so I gave them half an hour to complete an essay. Guess what? These students just continued 'dili dali-ing' and one of them even had the audacity to fall asleep! AH! The angst of a teacher!
At the stroke of 4.20pm, which is the usual time to go home, I could sense that they were waiting in anticipation for me to give in and set the essay as homework. So I kept quiet and waited.
4.30pm They continued staring at the clock
*Tick Tick Tick*
4.50pm They finally got the idea and started doing their work.
So after one WHOLE hour, they FINALLY got the point!
Anyway, if you really wanted to know, they finally left at 5.30pm after completing their assignments.
So I was wondering what the lord was trying to say to me. Then I nearly fainted when I did my QT.
Pls read Ezekiel 33:1-6.
Especially Ezekiel 33: 6
"But if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet to warn the people and the sword comes and takes the life of one of them, that man will be taken away because of his sin, but I will hold the watchman accountable for his blood."
You see, the problem that I face is that I'm teaching in a private school. Customers are always right and students' opinions always comes before the lecturers. I know that by making them stay back, they could easily lodge a complaint against me. Ah yes! so please pray.
The difference here is that I know that God has called me to be their 'watchwoman'! And before the sword of 'failing' comes, I must warn them!
It's funny how God speaks to me sometimes. This not only serves as a reminder to be that watchman at work, but also that watchman for my girls. Even before the sword comes, do we as leaders sometimes hold back our warnings? Or applied in a different way, do we warn our friends and colleages when we know that what they are doing isn't right? (Gosh.. I'm talking to myself!! Oh God, stop playing tricks on me!!)
You guys get the point? or must I make you stay back till 5.30pm too?
At the stroke of 4.20pm, which is the usual time to go home, I could sense that they were waiting in anticipation for me to give in and set the essay as homework. So I kept quiet and waited.
4.30pm They continued staring at the clock
*Tick Tick Tick*
4.50pm They finally got the idea and started doing their work.
So after one WHOLE hour, they FINALLY got the point!
Anyway, if you really wanted to know, they finally left at 5.30pm after completing their assignments.
So I was wondering what the lord was trying to say to me. Then I nearly fainted when I did my QT.
Pls read Ezekiel 33:1-6.
Especially Ezekiel 33: 6
"But if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet to warn the people and the sword comes and takes the life of one of them, that man will be taken away because of his sin, but I will hold the watchman accountable for his blood."
You see, the problem that I face is that I'm teaching in a private school. Customers are always right and students' opinions always comes before the lecturers. I know that by making them stay back, they could easily lodge a complaint against me. Ah yes! so please pray.
The difference here is that I know that God has called me to be their 'watchwoman'! And before the sword of 'failing' comes, I must warn them!
It's funny how God speaks to me sometimes. This not only serves as a reminder to be that watchman at work, but also that watchman for my girls. Even before the sword comes, do we as leaders sometimes hold back our warnings? Or applied in a different way, do we warn our friends and colleages when we know that what they are doing isn't right? (Gosh.. I'm talking to myself!! Oh God, stop playing tricks on me!!)
You guys get the point? or must I make you stay back till 5.30pm too?
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
GLory not Gory!
As suggested by our spiritual grandmama, we will be looking at ACTS 5: 1-11 today.
It's the story about Ananias and Sapphira and how they decided to keep part of the money they were supposed to give to the lord.
Well, the strangest thing that the lord spoke to me about was not at all about tithing but about relationships. (Although I strongly recommend that you tithe!!!)
"Peter said to her, " How could you agree to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look! The feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also. " - Acts 5:9
Is your current relationship pleasing the lord? Do you find yourself constantly struggling with doing the right thing? Do you find that your partner and you have unknowingly agreed to do things that do not please the lord? Or are there friends of yours that you have unwittingly struck an agreement with?
Reading this serves as a great reminder to me. Remember, it wasn't Adam who first took a bite from the apple, but it was Eve who brought it to him. Have we as partners or friends become stumbling blocks to the people around us?
Don't worry, we're not going to die.. IF we repent!
The key is seeking the lord and pumping more Jesus petrol. Do you want a relationship that pleases the lord? It could be a friendship, courtship or even parent-child relationship.
So I urge all of you to join me as I sincerely seek and ask God ," Have i done anything wrong?"
It's the story about Ananias and Sapphira and how they decided to keep part of the money they were supposed to give to the lord.
Well, the strangest thing that the lord spoke to me about was not at all about tithing but about relationships. (Although I strongly recommend that you tithe!!!)
"Peter said to her, " How could you agree to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look! The feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also. " - Acts 5:9
Is your current relationship pleasing the lord? Do you find yourself constantly struggling with doing the right thing? Do you find that your partner and you have unknowingly agreed to do things that do not please the lord? Or are there friends of yours that you have unwittingly struck an agreement with?
Reading this serves as a great reminder to me. Remember, it wasn't Adam who first took a bite from the apple, but it was Eve who brought it to him. Have we as partners or friends become stumbling blocks to the people around us?
Don't worry, we're not going to die.. IF we repent!
The key is seeking the lord and pumping more Jesus petrol. Do you want a relationship that pleases the lord? It could be a friendship, courtship or even parent-child relationship.
So I urge all of you to join me as I sincerely seek and ask God ," Have i done anything wrong?"
Monday, March 26, 2007
one HuMuNGouS plaster!
"The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray." - 1 peter 4:7
How many of us can truly say that we can remain calm and 'clear minded' when 'the end is near'? How many of us actually manage to achieve this state of zen?
If you can, I truly applaud you. If you can't, join the club! ( I'm so tempted to sing that Michael Jackson song again... "you are not alone.. ")
Sometimes I go through life fuelled with so much fire and passion. I feel that I have all that energy and desire to achieve goals that seemed so unattainable. Along the way, I slog and I work and I find that my batteries start to grow weak, the fuel runs out and I get tired. Then finally it dawns upon me that I haven't been filling my tank with some good, old Jesus oil. Haha, you get the point. Have you been praying? Do you constantly seek God even when things are seemingly impossible? When people let you down, can you still remain 'self - controlled' ? Or do you start ranting and blaming them?
"Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins." - 1 Peter 4:8
Love. One of the simplest elements ,yet the hardest to attain. Maintenance is key. Is your love consistent? Does it remain even when you're annoyed? Remember that when Jesus died for you and me on the cross, his love covered a multitude of sin.
Many of us face difficult people at work and school. When we come home, we face caring yet annoying partners and family members (like my dad). Can we still choose to love them?
Love is the ultimate plaster that can heal and protect but always remember to fill up your tank at your friendly neighbourhood Jesus petrol station before you continue your journey.
How many of us can truly say that we can remain calm and 'clear minded' when 'the end is near'? How many of us actually manage to achieve this state of zen?
If you can, I truly applaud you. If you can't, join the club! ( I'm so tempted to sing that Michael Jackson song again... "you are not alone.. ")
Sometimes I go through life fuelled with so much fire and passion. I feel that I have all that energy and desire to achieve goals that seemed so unattainable. Along the way, I slog and I work and I find that my batteries start to grow weak, the fuel runs out and I get tired. Then finally it dawns upon me that I haven't been filling my tank with some good, old Jesus oil. Haha, you get the point. Have you been praying? Do you constantly seek God even when things are seemingly impossible? When people let you down, can you still remain 'self - controlled' ? Or do you start ranting and blaming them?
"Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins." - 1 Peter 4:8
Love. One of the simplest elements ,yet the hardest to attain. Maintenance is key. Is your love consistent? Does it remain even when you're annoyed? Remember that when Jesus died for you and me on the cross, his love covered a multitude of sin.
Many of us face difficult people at work and school. When we come home, we face caring yet annoying partners and family members (like my dad). Can we still choose to love them?
Love is the ultimate plaster that can heal and protect but always remember to fill up your tank at your friendly neighbourhood Jesus petrol station before you continue your journey.
The iRoNy of it all
I feel tired and frustrated with my dad.
As many of you know, my family is going through some tough times and sometimes I really do feel like throwing in the towel. If I had the chance, I think I'd probably take the opportunity to do something really drastic. I bet i'm not alone on this one. Are there times you simply cannot understand why your parents are being so difficult? Especially when you seem to be doing everything right? Do you feel that some of their advice and rules are just downright pointless?
Music please!
' You are not alone... I am here with you..' (Michael Jackson song)
OKay! Maybe it isn't all that bad. Maybe it's just that one time when you felt rage coursing through your bloodstream and hot air oozing out of every pore of your body or just once when you snapped.
*Piak*
Today's devotion is dedicated to all of us..
"Honour your father and your mother so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is givng you." - Exodus 20:12
Oh My GosH! Am I going to DIE?!
Well thank goodness I'm still alive and writing this post.. hallelujah! You're still reading this post.. double hallelujah!
The key thing here is to ask ourselves this question. Do we still love our parents? Does God love them? Having a relationship with our parents can be like a roller coaster ride. When things are progressing, they move slowly towards the peak. We can enjoy the view and relax but like all roller coasters, things can spiral down even more quickly. uP and DOwn it goes.
The common truth about rollercoasters and relationships is this. At the end of the exhilarating ride, we're still satisfied .(Though some may puke.)
I still love my dad and I still believe in him. I believe that God placed him in my life for a reason, one of which is so that I can be made.. hehehe.. At the end of the day, I've learnt that I must honour my dad. How? By honouring his request, his advice and his actions. By remembering that God placed him in my life. By knowing that at the end of the day, God will take care of my dad and I. Do you believe?
As many of you know, my family is going through some tough times and sometimes I really do feel like throwing in the towel. If I had the chance, I think I'd probably take the opportunity to do something really drastic. I bet i'm not alone on this one. Are there times you simply cannot understand why your parents are being so difficult? Especially when you seem to be doing everything right? Do you feel that some of their advice and rules are just downright pointless?
Music please!
' You are not alone... I am here with you..' (Michael Jackson song)
OKay! Maybe it isn't all that bad. Maybe it's just that one time when you felt rage coursing through your bloodstream and hot air oozing out of every pore of your body or just once when you snapped.
*Piak*
Today's devotion is dedicated to all of us..
"Honour your father and your mother so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is givng you." - Exodus 20:12
Oh My GosH! Am I going to DIE?!
Well thank goodness I'm still alive and writing this post.. hallelujah! You're still reading this post.. double hallelujah!
The key thing here is to ask ourselves this question. Do we still love our parents? Does God love them? Having a relationship with our parents can be like a roller coaster ride. When things are progressing, they move slowly towards the peak. We can enjoy the view and relax but like all roller coasters, things can spiral down even more quickly. uP and DOwn it goes.
The common truth about rollercoasters and relationships is this. At the end of the exhilarating ride, we're still satisfied .(Though some may puke.)
I still love my dad and I still believe in him. I believe that God placed him in my life for a reason, one of which is so that I can be made.. hehehe.. At the end of the day, I've learnt that I must honour my dad. How? By honouring his request, his advice and his actions. By remembering that God placed him in my life. By knowing that at the end of the day, God will take care of my dad and I. Do you believe?
Sunday, March 25, 2007
Live in style
Scripture Rreference: Philippians 4:8-9
Hi all! Today marked the last entry I would be writing for the blog.... Maybe a recap of what the Lord had spoken to us this week:-
- Monday - Believing in your people
- Tuesday - Taming of tongue - To edify/encourage
- Wednesday - Putting love into practice
- Thursday -Being God conscious - The approval of God to man
- Friday - Never cease praising - Praise looks good on you!
- Saturday - To submit - Out of reverence to the Lord.....
- Sunday -?????
Today's devo is an adaption to the daily bread..... As I was reading thr my QT with God.... this portion of the story kinda caught me attention... The author says:" .... After he preached the same sermon for the 3rd week in a row.. the leaders met with him to find out what was going on... The pastor assured them:" I know what I am doing. When you start living out this sermon, I'll go on to my next one." Woah! How true it is izznt it!?? Have we been a "doers" of the Word or merely a passerby??? Even as you read thr this wk's devotional... is it just a head knowledge to you??
Sometimes, we take the advices of our parents, leaders, authority too lightly.. more often than not.. we find the advices passe and naggy... and is the Lord's Word in the same league with the above?? In v8-9 "..........if anything is excellent or praiseworthy- think about such things...... put it into practice" Today let us not walk away this week or later after service with just simply nodding our heads and say "Yah.. today's message is so gd!!!! I love his preaching!!!" Lets put aside this "idolising" manner but go beyond the superficial and lets embrace His word and be His model daily!!
Food for thot: Practising His commands take discipline... Be accountable to someone (preferably a leader) who is interested in seeing victory in your life. Have a fun-filled journey with the Lord... Practise makes prefect!!!!
Saturday, March 24, 2007
Just 4 You!
Scripture Rreference: Eph 5:22-23
As I am typing today's devotion.... I just want to give praise thanks to the Lord... Why? Cos' in the morning, I was fliping through the bible when I chanced upon this passage.. without knowing that today's daily bread key passage was the same one I read this morning! Izzit amazing how the Lord wants to catch our attention by revealing things more than one time? Oh well... only God knows and He sure knows me well! I was quite upset with Roger as we made our way home yesterday.. so was pretty much pouting and sulking throughout the trip home... Even when I reached home and settled down... I was still upset. certain passages really speak volumes to me! v22 "Wives, submit to your husband as to the Lord... and v33b "....the wife must respect her husband." Indeed, if I am to "fight" all the way to prove that I am right... I think Roger will still "let me win" but is that what I want...? Of cos... not!!!! Like I mentioned in the earlier devo (i think.. hee).. its about the win-win situation and not a lobsided one!!! 2nd thing that spoke to me was.... in Eph 4:26 says "In your anger do not sin.. Do not let the sun goes down while you are still angry." I had a choice.. to ruin the day by pouting/throwing tantrums or to forgive and forget and end the day nicely... I must admit that I used to take a few days just to not harped on the matters.. (btw trival matters) which overtime.. it makes me look rather silly....!!!! But today... Praise be to God! I chose to forgive and forget.
Food for thot: Today, are you angry with your loved one and meanwhile even if you are attached or not... we still have people to submit to, have you been a humble servant...? I would end off with this: which path will you choose... ?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
