Wednesday, September 27, 2006
God never fails!
"As for His failing you, never dream of it - hate the thought. He who has been sufficient until now, should be trusted to the end." - Charles Spurgeon
Tuesday, September 26, 2006
Real Strength
Real strength is not just a condition of one's muscle, but a tenderness in one's spirit.
-McCallister Dodds-
Those of us who are strong and able in the faith need to step in and lend a hand to those who falter, and not just do what is most convenient for us. Strength is for service, not status. Each one of us needs to look after the good of the people around us, asking ourselves, "How can I help?" Romans 15:1 The Message
Be assured that from the first day we heard of you, we haven't stopped praying for you, asking God to give you wise minds and spirits attuned to his will, and so acquire a thorough understanding of the ways in which God works. We pray that you'll live well for the Master, making him proud of you as you work hard in his orchard. As you learn more and more how God works, you will learn how to do your work. We pray that you'll have the strength to stick it out over the long haul—not the grim strength of gritting your teeth but the glory-strength God gives. It is strength that endures the unendurable and spills over into joy, thanking the Father who makes us strong enough to take part in everything bright and beautiful that he has for us. Colossians 1:9-12 The Message
Strength, it was never meant to be for ourselves. But the Lord grants it to us, so that He can work through us.
-McCallister Dodds-
Those of us who are strong and able in the faith need to step in and lend a hand to those who falter, and not just do what is most convenient for us. Strength is for service, not status. Each one of us needs to look after the good of the people around us, asking ourselves, "How can I help?" Romans 15:1 The Message
Be assured that from the first day we heard of you, we haven't stopped praying for you, asking God to give you wise minds and spirits attuned to his will, and so acquire a thorough understanding of the ways in which God works. We pray that you'll live well for the Master, making him proud of you as you work hard in his orchard. As you learn more and more how God works, you will learn how to do your work. We pray that you'll have the strength to stick it out over the long haul—not the grim strength of gritting your teeth but the glory-strength God gives. It is strength that endures the unendurable and spills over into joy, thanking the Father who makes us strong enough to take part in everything bright and beautiful that he has for us. Colossians 1:9-12 The Message
Strength, it was never meant to be for ourselves. But the Lord grants it to us, so that He can work through us.
Saturday, September 23, 2006
the spirituality of Choice
Blogging helps me clarify my thots and process what i need to, and yes...i realise that this is the way i journal. Introspectively, and so that i can grow. Challenging myself constantly. Acknowledging my weakness, the Lord's strength, and the countless trials that come unbidden.
Reading this book, 'Seizing your divine moment' by Erwin Raphael McManus and it is challenging me...
"The most important moments rarely come at a convenient time. Sometimes you wish that God would check your calendar first. The ironic part is that our schedules get packed with the mundane and ordinary, and we become irritated with God when he interrupts us with the miraculous and extraordinary. The bible is full of stories of people who were rudely interrupted by God. We read them and long to have the kind of adventure experienced by those men and women. Yet when God interrupts us, are we willing to respond at a moment's notice?"
Opportunity and dilemma, all in a single moment. The path is thick with mystery, danger, the unknown, but isn't that what an adventure is all about? =) The journey begins now - in this moment. That's the mystery of a single moment. It is small enough to ignore and big enough to change your life forever. Life is the sum total of what you do with the moments given you. The divine potential of a moment is unlocked by the choices we make. Each moment's personal, historic and eternal value is directly related to the choices we make. Choice unlocks the adventure. Somehow, the power of choice has been moved from the spiritual to the practical. We have a created a dichotomy between being spiritual and living everyday life, one that was never meant to be there! And we have forgotten that God created us with the power to CHOOSE, He has given us free will. This capacity is perhaps the greatest expression of being created in the image of God!
The most spiritual activity we will engage in today is making choices. All other things we do, worship, prayer, meditation...these are all done in context of choice. Did i choose to worship? Or am i worshipping only cuz it is "time to worship?" Am i choosing to worship or am i just standing and mouthing the words? It's all a choice. Do i feel angry and unable to worship? It is a choice, hold on to anger (or any other emotion) or release it and cling on to God.
"And whatever you do , don't underestimate what you may find, when you seize a divine moment, you instigate an atomic reaction. You become the human catalyst creating a divine impact! "
Lord, teach me to seize the moments boldly, making the most of them and temper my emotions so that i'll not be irritated when you interrupt my plans with your divine ones!
Reading this book, 'Seizing your divine moment' by Erwin Raphael McManus and it is challenging me...
"The most important moments rarely come at a convenient time. Sometimes you wish that God would check your calendar first. The ironic part is that our schedules get packed with the mundane and ordinary, and we become irritated with God when he interrupts us with the miraculous and extraordinary. The bible is full of stories of people who were rudely interrupted by God. We read them and long to have the kind of adventure experienced by those men and women. Yet when God interrupts us, are we willing to respond at a moment's notice?"
Opportunity and dilemma, all in a single moment. The path is thick with mystery, danger, the unknown, but isn't that what an adventure is all about? =) The journey begins now - in this moment. That's the mystery of a single moment. It is small enough to ignore and big enough to change your life forever. Life is the sum total of what you do with the moments given you. The divine potential of a moment is unlocked by the choices we make. Each moment's personal, historic and eternal value is directly related to the choices we make. Choice unlocks the adventure. Somehow, the power of choice has been moved from the spiritual to the practical. We have a created a dichotomy between being spiritual and living everyday life, one that was never meant to be there! And we have forgotten that God created us with the power to CHOOSE, He has given us free will. This capacity is perhaps the greatest expression of being created in the image of God!
The most spiritual activity we will engage in today is making choices. All other things we do, worship, prayer, meditation...these are all done in context of choice. Did i choose to worship? Or am i worshipping only cuz it is "time to worship?" Am i choosing to worship or am i just standing and mouthing the words? It's all a choice. Do i feel angry and unable to worship? It is a choice, hold on to anger (or any other emotion) or release it and cling on to God.
"And whatever you do , don't underestimate what you may find, when you seize a divine moment, you instigate an atomic reaction. You become the human catalyst creating a divine impact! "
Lord, teach me to seize the moments boldly, making the most of them and temper my emotions so that i'll not be irritated when you interrupt my plans with your divine ones!
Friday, September 22, 2006
Look beyond...
It never is easy to be refined by the Lord, but the refining is always for a purpose!
Who can fathom God's ways? Only by setting our eyes on the Lord, and at His eternal plan can all the momentary pain and troubles be seen in perspective.
Riches, beautiful clothes, a splendid house, a posh car...just things, they will never bring joy.
Looks, talents, skills, ability, all can be taken away in a blink of an eye.
Trials, challenges, pain...the stuff that God chooses to build character, to test what we have learnt, to see if our walk matches our talk when things get difficult.
After you have entered the refiner's fire, where all things that are not of God get burnt, charred, and painfully cleansed...what finally emerges? Will gold emerge? Will my response be complaining and whining without tangible change? Or will i willingly say..."if i perish, i perish?"
Daniel 3:16-18 Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to the king, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. 17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. 18 But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up."
Yups...no more yoke of slavery, may that be burnt up in the fire! I take up the yoke which is easy and light! I delight in painful fire for the i know it is searing my character in the right ways! and finally, for the things i may never understand...Lord, i entrust those into your hands. Trusting that to you because you are gentle and compassionate, abounding in Love!
Tuesday, September 19, 2006
Contentment
Be contented when you have got all you want. - Holbrook Jackson-
I've got Jesus!
One single grateful thought raised to heaven is the most perfect prayer.
- G. E. Lessing-
Saturday, September 16, 2006
No more Mr Christian Nice Guy!
yeah...you read it right! No more Mr Christian Nice Guy!
I'm gonna rant, i'm gonna rave!
Vent my anger, unleash the fury!
Scream out loud and curse when i need to!
Yeah! Gonna tear down those walls and crash through all obstacles!
Oh...and in yes...i'm gonna do all the above and more with the weapon of prayer, the weapon of the Holy Word, and the weapon of Praise and Worship!
No more Mr Nice Guy! Our battle is in the heavenlies, and the weapons we have are weapons meant to be wielded! Used for the purposes of tearing down strongholds and breaking the hold of principalities and powers! It's time to be bold and launch the attack! The Lord God of hosts is the one who fights the battle, it time to raise up the standard, release the battle cry!
Be Bold, be Strong, the battle is the Lord's, and the victory is the Lord's already! pray it through! There is no battle too difficult! press on, press on Soldier, the Lord's army is behind you all the way!
I'm gonna rant, i'm gonna rave!
Vent my anger, unleash the fury!
Scream out loud and curse when i need to!
Yeah! Gonna tear down those walls and crash through all obstacles!
Oh...and in yes...i'm gonna do all the above and more with the weapon of prayer, the weapon of the Holy Word, and the weapon of Praise and Worship!
No more Mr Nice Guy! Our battle is in the heavenlies, and the weapons we have are weapons meant to be wielded! Used for the purposes of tearing down strongholds and breaking the hold of principalities and powers! It's time to be bold and launch the attack! The Lord God of hosts is the one who fights the battle, it time to raise up the standard, release the battle cry!
Be Bold, be Strong, the battle is the Lord's, and the victory is the Lord's already! pray it through! There is no battle too difficult! press on, press on Soldier, the Lord's army is behind you all the way!
Friday, September 15, 2006
i hope i never forget to say...
I love you Lord!
It's been sung, it's been prayed,
countless times throughout time,
It's been said, a thousand ways,
by children and kings, poets and priests...
I'd like to say it again, just let me say it... once again...
"I Love You Lord!" I just wanna say "I LOVE YOU LORD!"
As simple it sounds, in you...my heart is found...I love you!
I Love you Lord, I love you!
It's been sung, it's been prayed,
countless times throughout time,
It's been said, a thousand ways,
by children and kings, poets and priests...
I'd like to say it again, just let me say it... once again...
"I Love You Lord!" I just wanna say "I LOVE YOU LORD!"
As simple it sounds, in you...my heart is found...I love you!
I Love you Lord, I love you!
Thursday, September 14, 2006
Where is your strength?
My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Psalm 73:26
Such a timely reminder! My flesh and my heart may run the range of emotions, joys and pain, mountain tops and time in the valley...yet, through it all, the unchangable I AM is still my Rock and my foundation!
The word says that we should not be anxious at all, but rather bring all our requests to God through prayer, with thanksgiving, and the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will keep our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:6-7). Those who know God’s name will trust in Him, because he has NEVER forsaken anyone who seeks Him (Psalm 9:10), If we cling to God, even in the midst of our worst, most unfathomable struggles, our faith becomes real! And that is a reward all by itself!
Do not grow weary in doing good, for at the proper time you will receive a harvest. Remember that all our struggles are for our own good, and for the testing and refining of our faith (James 1). Do not be discouraged or without hope when everything, including your heart, fails. You know it is faith when it is all you have.
It is in the testing of our Faith that the rubber hits the road, and we finally discover where our hearts truly are, where our assurance comes from, the Person we cling to, the promises we hold true to.
Fact, Faith, Feeling.
Fact - God Loves me, Jesus died for me, and He has a perfect plan for me!
Faith - In omnipotent Lord Jesus, Righteousness, Faithfulness and His promise of abundant life.
Feelings - Not swayed by mere emotions, but finding pure Joy in the Lord who never fails! No circumstance is bigger than my God! Feelings will be put under submission to the Lord's truth.
Such a timely reminder! My flesh and my heart may run the range of emotions, joys and pain, mountain tops and time in the valley...yet, through it all, the unchangable I AM is still my Rock and my foundation!
The word says that we should not be anxious at all, but rather bring all our requests to God through prayer, with thanksgiving, and the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will keep our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:6-7). Those who know God’s name will trust in Him, because he has NEVER forsaken anyone who seeks Him (Psalm 9:10), If we cling to God, even in the midst of our worst, most unfathomable struggles, our faith becomes real! And that is a reward all by itself!
Do not grow weary in doing good, for at the proper time you will receive a harvest. Remember that all our struggles are for our own good, and for the testing and refining of our faith (James 1). Do not be discouraged or without hope when everything, including your heart, fails. You know it is faith when it is all you have.
It is in the testing of our Faith that the rubber hits the road, and we finally discover where our hearts truly are, where our assurance comes from, the Person we cling to, the promises we hold true to.
Fact, Faith, Feeling.
Fact - God Loves me, Jesus died for me, and He has a perfect plan for me!
Faith - In omnipotent Lord Jesus, Righteousness, Faithfulness and His promise of abundant life.
Feelings - Not swayed by mere emotions, but finding pure Joy in the Lord who never fails! No circumstance is bigger than my God! Feelings will be put under submission to the Lord's truth.
Wednesday, September 06, 2006
Be a thinking, perceptive man of God!
"The unthinking Christian does not realize it, but he is dangerously absorbed into the culture about him. Because his mind is untrained and unfilled, it lacks the ability to produce the hard questions with which the world needs to be challenged. The challenge for the modern Christian in a secular society may be to ask prophetic questions before there is going to be an opportunity to provide Christ-oriented answers."
Gordon MacDonald
"Ordering your private world"
Prepare, prepare, prepare...is that why i'm such a big-picture person? ok...will process this thought when i have more time to think! =)
Ok...my thoughts, finally.
Imagine going on a road trip without a map, without money, without a destination. Just the car with its full tank and lots of dreams.
That is pretty much us if we do not bother to question the culture that we are in. Today, i heard something about culture that i never realised before. Culture is not a new thing, it has always been around, changing, evolving, always trying to differenciate itself...each culture constantly trying to be 'the best', trying to gain the upper hand. The most vivid example being the people at Babel, who wanted to reach God by constructing a tower that would reach heaven. God was so disgusted with them that he confused their language and spread them to all regions of the world!
The christian in the world has the anchor of truth, the firm foundation that is built on Jesus Christ, the Rock, and we therefore possess the only TRUE reference point. The only constant that will never change. So we HAVE TO...it is a moral duty, it is an act of Love, to point in the right direction! For us to be unquestioning of culture and to be moulded by the ideas, the hedonistic pursuits, the latest trends of fashion or gadgetry, would be forsaking a responsibility to point towards Christ. Let's not be charmed by the world, but be challenged by the Word! Growing daily as we are challenged!
Romans 12: 1-2 The Message Version
So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.
Gordon MacDonald
"Ordering your private world"
Prepare, prepare, prepare...is that why i'm such a big-picture person? ok...will process this thought when i have more time to think! =)
Ok...my thoughts, finally.
Imagine going on a road trip without a map, without money, without a destination. Just the car with its full tank and lots of dreams.
That is pretty much us if we do not bother to question the culture that we are in. Today, i heard something about culture that i never realised before. Culture is not a new thing, it has always been around, changing, evolving, always trying to differenciate itself...each culture constantly trying to be 'the best', trying to gain the upper hand. The most vivid example being the people at Babel, who wanted to reach God by constructing a tower that would reach heaven. God was so disgusted with them that he confused their language and spread them to all regions of the world!
The christian in the world has the anchor of truth, the firm foundation that is built on Jesus Christ, the Rock, and we therefore possess the only TRUE reference point. The only constant that will never change. So we HAVE TO...it is a moral duty, it is an act of Love, to point in the right direction! For us to be unquestioning of culture and to be moulded by the ideas, the hedonistic pursuits, the latest trends of fashion or gadgetry, would be forsaking a responsibility to point towards Christ. Let's not be charmed by the world, but be challenged by the Word! Growing daily as we are challenged!
Romans 12: 1-2 The Message Version
So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.
Tuesday, September 05, 2006
Walk the talk
Your walk talks
and your talk talks
But your walk talks more
than your talk talks.
Poignant moment, pregnant pause...sometimes, quotes just like this just strike me like a lightning bolt!
We are all called to the great commission and for me, it has always been through my lifestyle and making sure that i'm daily moulded by the Master. And yes, nowadays, i'm very comfortable not being the life of a party, i much prefer holding my tongue, observing and praying for understanding, i realise that that posture is not a common one, but yups...i'll persevere in it and see where God leads with that! It has certainly led me to uncommon times of sweetness and insight in Him!
As i undergo training now, i know it is going to be a challenge for me, i'll going to be tested....but i'm going by faith, trusting that His Love would compel me, and it would conquer any fear/trepidation that i have. I know the greatest Joy and i want to spread the word around about my Jesus, my saviour!
Walk the Talk! that's gonna be tested in street e and in my lifestyle, but yes...by faith, i know that perfect love casts out all fear! So...i'm gonna walk fearlessly! =)
and your talk talks
But your walk talks more
than your talk talks.
Poignant moment, pregnant pause...sometimes, quotes just like this just strike me like a lightning bolt!
We are all called to the great commission and for me, it has always been through my lifestyle and making sure that i'm daily moulded by the Master. And yes, nowadays, i'm very comfortable not being the life of a party, i much prefer holding my tongue, observing and praying for understanding, i realise that that posture is not a common one, but yups...i'll persevere in it and see where God leads with that! It has certainly led me to uncommon times of sweetness and insight in Him!
As i undergo training now, i know it is going to be a challenge for me, i'll going to be tested....but i'm going by faith, trusting that His Love would compel me, and it would conquer any fear/trepidation that i have. I know the greatest Joy and i want to spread the word around about my Jesus, my saviour!
Walk the Talk! that's gonna be tested in street e and in my lifestyle, but yes...by faith, i know that perfect love casts out all fear! So...i'm gonna walk fearlessly! =)
Monday, September 04, 2006
Capture me with grace...i will follow you! GLADLY!
Rescue - Acquire the fire conference
You are the source of life
I can't be left behind
No one else will do...
I will take hold of You!
I need You, Jesus, to come to my rescue
Where else can I go?
There's no other name
By which I am saved
Capture me with grace
I will follow You...
My heart is Yours...for life
I need Your hand...in mine
No one else will do
I put my trust in You
I will follow You...This world has nothing for me
I will follow You...This world has nothing for me
I need You Jesus
To come to my rescue
Where else can I go?
There's no other name
By which I am saved
Capture me with grace...Capture me with grace...
Capture me with GRACE
I will follow You
I will follow You...no turning back...No turning back...
NO TURNING BACK!
Jared Anderson© 2003 Vertical Worship Songs/ASCAP
Unlike in other times, i just simply cannot find the words to express myself today...except through this song...
I really need you Lord Jesus, come to my rescue! My heart is crying out for you...i know you see the pang, you feel the searing heat, that gnawing anguish that is just ravaging within...I WILL TAKE HOLD OF YOU! I want to be apprehended by your love, your majesty, your greatness, to be wholly consumed by your refiner's fire...i CHOOSE to respond in worship to you, even in the trials, ESPECIALLY in the long, arduous testings...because I KNOW i'm not turning back...
You are the source of life
I can't be left behind
No one else will do...
I will take hold of You!
I need You, Jesus, to come to my rescue
Where else can I go?
There's no other name
By which I am saved
Capture me with grace
I will follow You...
My heart is Yours...for life
I need Your hand...in mine
No one else will do
I put my trust in You
I will follow You...This world has nothing for me
I will follow You...This world has nothing for me
I need You Jesus
To come to my rescue
Where else can I go?
There's no other name
By which I am saved
Capture me with grace...Capture me with grace...
Capture me with GRACE
I will follow You
I will follow You...no turning back...No turning back...
NO TURNING BACK!
Jared Anderson© 2003 Vertical Worship Songs/ASCAP
Unlike in other times, i just simply cannot find the words to express myself today...except through this song...
I really need you Lord Jesus, come to my rescue! My heart is crying out for you...i know you see the pang, you feel the searing heat, that gnawing anguish that is just ravaging within...I WILL TAKE HOLD OF YOU! I want to be apprehended by your love, your majesty, your greatness, to be wholly consumed by your refiner's fire...i CHOOSE to respond in worship to you, even in the trials, ESPECIALLY in the long, arduous testings...because I KNOW i'm not turning back...
Saturday, September 02, 2006
child-like wonder...back...=)
Lovely statements! I like! =)
Dear God: I saw a kangaroo and a buffalo today at the zoo. I like the lion best. What is your favorite? I think the ostrich is funny looking - did you do that on purpose?
Dear God: We read Thomas Edison made light. But in Sunday School we learned that you did it. So I bet he stole your idea. Sincerely, Donna
Dear God: I didn't think orange went with purple until I saw the sunset you made on Tuesday. That was cool! Signed, Eugene
The joys of looking at things with child-like simplicity! =) More joy, more laughter, everything is enjoyable because it is you we delight in!
Lord, i'm glad that you give us the grace to be child-like in our trust and in our faith! I'll be foolishly naive and simple because of my hope in you! May your glory be my rearguard, and may your love guide the way! I love your outrageous love!
Dear God: I saw a kangaroo and a buffalo today at the zoo. I like the lion best. What is your favorite? I think the ostrich is funny looking - did you do that on purpose?
Dear God: We read Thomas Edison made light. But in Sunday School we learned that you did it. So I bet he stole your idea. Sincerely, Donna
Dear God: I didn't think orange went with purple until I saw the sunset you made on Tuesday. That was cool! Signed, Eugene
The joys of looking at things with child-like simplicity! =) More joy, more laughter, everything is enjoyable because it is you we delight in!
Lord, i'm glad that you give us the grace to be child-like in our trust and in our faith! I'll be foolishly naive and simple because of my hope in you! May your glory be my rearguard, and may your love guide the way! I love your outrageous love!
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