God's grace is over-whelming...
It is humbling to see how God is so willing to bless and give to us, and especially meaningful when we try our best to walk in the will of God and live out His love and principles...
I've tried hard to Seek first His Kingdom... and God has given me many things in which I am certain He has great plans for in the future. This has been the best birthday gift for me, and I really appreciate and thank God for His unfailing love and incomprehensible blessings...
2009 has been a tough year, especially the past 6 months... but I've really grown a lot in many facets, and pray that I'll continue to be able to do so...
Thank God for the Myanmar trip! It was very fruitful, and albeit the many challenges faced, overall it was a fun and meaningful trip. Many things left to resolve, and I just pray that God will give me strength to do so in the right time (:
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Saturday, November 28, 2009
"Taming the Tongue
1Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. 2We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check.
3When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. 4Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. 5Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. 6The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.
7All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, 8but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
9With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. 10Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. 11Can both fresh water and salt[a] water flow from the same spring? 12My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.
Two Kinds of Wisdom
13Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. 14But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. 15Such "wisdom" does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil. 16For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.
17But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. 18Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness." ~ James 3
What a nice passage! Rid me of my selfish ambitions Lord! And teach me to control my tongue...
1Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. 2We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check.
3When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. 4Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. 5Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. 6The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.
7All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, 8but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
9With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. 10Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. 11Can both fresh water and salt[a] water flow from the same spring? 12My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.
Two Kinds of Wisdom
13Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. 14But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. 15Such "wisdom" does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil. 16For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.
17But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. 18Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness." ~ James 3
What a nice passage! Rid me of my selfish ambitions Lord! And teach me to control my tongue...
I remember what you wore on the first day
You came into my life and I thought
"Hey, you know, this could be something"
'Cause everything you do and words you say
You know that it all takes my breath away
And now I'm left with nothing
'Cause maybe it's true
That I can't live without you
Maybe two is better than one
There's so much time
To figure out the rest of my life
And you thought that it got me coming undone
And I'm thinking two is better than one
I remember every look upon your face
The way you roll your eyes
The way you taste
You make it hard for breathing
'Cause when I close my eyes and drift away
I think of you and everything's okay
I'm finally now believing
That maybe it's true
That I can't live without you
Maybe two is better than one
[ Boys Like Girls Lyrics are found on www.songlyrics.com ]
There's so much time
To figure out the rest of my life
And you thought that it got me coming undone
And I'm thinking two is better than one
Yeah, yeah
I remember what you wore on the first day
You came into my life and I thought, "Hey,"
Maybe it's true
That I can't live without you
Maybe two is better than one
There's so much time
To figure out the rest of my life
And you thought that it got me coming undone
And I'm thinking
I can't live without you
'Cause, baby, two is better than one
There's so much time
To figure out the rest of my life
But I'll figure it out
When it's all said and done
Two is better than one
Two is better than one
You came into my life and I thought
"Hey, you know, this could be something"
'Cause everything you do and words you say
You know that it all takes my breath away
And now I'm left with nothing
'Cause maybe it's true
That I can't live without you
Maybe two is better than one
There's so much time
To figure out the rest of my life
And you thought that it got me coming undone
And I'm thinking two is better than one
I remember every look upon your face
The way you roll your eyes
The way you taste
You make it hard for breathing
'Cause when I close my eyes and drift away
I think of you and everything's okay
I'm finally now believing
That maybe it's true
That I can't live without you
Maybe two is better than one
[ Boys Like Girls Lyrics are found on www.songlyrics.com ]
There's so much time
To figure out the rest of my life
And you thought that it got me coming undone
And I'm thinking two is better than one
Yeah, yeah
I remember what you wore on the first day
You came into my life and I thought, "Hey,"
Maybe it's true
That I can't live without you
Maybe two is better than one
There's so much time
To figure out the rest of my life
And you thought that it got me coming undone
And I'm thinking
I can't live without you
'Cause, baby, two is better than one
There's so much time
To figure out the rest of my life
But I'll figure it out
When it's all said and done
Two is better than one
Two is better than one
Monday, November 23, 2009
Beholding is a way of becoming
2 Corinthians 3:18 " We all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being changed into his likeness from one degree of glory to another."
"The worth and excellency of a soul is to be measured by the object of his love" ~ Henry Scougal
"Beholding as a way of becoming" ~John Piper
The more we focus, behold the glory of God and his pleasures and love, the more we can be transformed to his likeness.
The beauty of an invisible heart is not assessed by what it thinks, as thought is beautiful in light of its affections, and not by what it wills, as there is half-hearted or whole hearted willing.
"You don't judge a soul by what it wills to do with lukewarm interest, or with mere teeth-gritting determination"
"the soul is measure by its flights,
some low and others high,
The heart is know by its delights,
And pleasures never lie"
I guess my love hasn't been well placed. Oh Lord, help me place my love and pleasures in you! Matthew 22:37 "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart"
"The worth and excellency of a soul is to be measured by the object of his love" ~ Henry Scougal
"Beholding as a way of becoming" ~John Piper
The more we focus, behold the glory of God and his pleasures and love, the more we can be transformed to his likeness.
The beauty of an invisible heart is not assessed by what it thinks, as thought is beautiful in light of its affections, and not by what it wills, as there is half-hearted or whole hearted willing.
"You don't judge a soul by what it wills to do with lukewarm interest, or with mere teeth-gritting determination"
"the soul is measure by its flights,
some low and others high,
The heart is know by its delights,
And pleasures never lie"
I guess my love hasn't been well placed. Oh Lord, help me place my love and pleasures in you! Matthew 22:37 "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart"
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Marriage
Okay... it's time to blog about... Marriage...
Nope... it's not that I am getting married soon, but I just went for a sermon regarding Marriage, and it broke some misconceptions I had of it. I am writing this to share some of my thoughts...
The pastor approached in from a myth busting angle... much like the Mythbusters show you see on discovery. He went through 3 myths, and debunked each one of them. I shall try to elaborate on all three...
Myth1: Marriage(Or relationships) is because of lust
God's Mythbuster: Sex is for Marriage
1 Cor 7:1-2 "1Now for the matters you wrote about: It is good for a man not to marry.[a] 2But since there is so much immorality, each man should have his own wife, and each woman her own husband."
Song of Songs 8:4-7
" Daughters of Jerusalem, I charge you:
Do not arouse or awaken love
until it so desires.
Friends
5 Who is this coming up from the desert
leaning on her lover?
Beloved
Under the apple tree I roused you;
there your mother conceived you,
there she who was in labor gave you birth.
6 Place me like a seal over your heart,
like a seal on your arm;
for love is as strong as death,
its jealousy [a] unyielding as the grave. [b]
It burns like blazing fire,
like a mighty flame. [c]
7 Many waters cannot quench love;
rivers cannot wash it away.
If one were to give
all the wealth of his house for love,
it [d] would be utterly scorned."
Love if very powerful... and we should not awaken love before the time... God's creation of sex and everything is beautiful... (Note: Sex includes the whole package... kissing, caressing, and everything else associated) but if we do it out of the context of marriage, then we are distorting His plans. He gave two quotes:
"Casual dating, where sexual exploration thrives, is God-angering"
"Serious courtship that strives for purity is God-glorifying"
Some may ask..."Is God a kill joy?" "Why postpone sex to marriage?" I guess the fact is that sex is meant to be enjoyed within a relationship of complete commitment to each other. For the power of the union of sex contradicts the notion of casualness and shortage of commitment in pre-marital sex. It's difficult to explain the fundamental notion of why was it created this way... but I guess this is something unique and special that God wants set aside for the gift of marriage...
Conclusion: Lust will not be satisfied if you pursue it outside of marriage, and marriage is not a cure for it. It should be dealt with even before marriage... seeking the help from God to overcome temptations and being strong in it...
Myth 2: Because of Loneliness
God's Mythbuster 2: Marriage is for God's Kingdom
A very HUGE erroneous thinking is the interpretation that Marriage is to cure loneliness because Genesis says so... the famous quote:
"The LORD God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him." Genesis 2:18
Many interpret this as Man and Woman marrying because God thinks it's not good for man to be lonely. However, the context is in Genesis 1: 26-28 "26 Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, [a] and over all the creatures that move along the ground."
27 So God created man in his own image,
in the image of God he created him;
male and female he created them.
28 God blessed them and said to them, "Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground."
The context for the creation of a helper is this: So that Man can rule over all the earth, and the method to do this is being fruitful and increasing in number....
Note in Malachi 2:15 " Has not the LORD made them one? In flesh and spirit they are his. And why one? Because he was seeking godly offspring. [a] So guard yourself in your spirit, and do not break faith with the wife of your youth."
He was seeking godly offspring... not PHYSICAL CHILDREN... but SPIRITUAL children... as such... for singles or married couples... the mission and the focus is the same... to grow the kingdom of God... This is John Piper's stand as well... in his book on Marriage...
Conclusion: Marriage is for Man and woman working together for the kingdom of God... to make disciples of all nations... to come together for that purpose... for the need of His kingdom's purposes... and not for our own loneliness...
He mentioned something that struck me deep and hard... LONELINESS is not solved through marriage... it is solved through a personal relationship with God... and relationship with Christian Community...
If you enter marriage with the hope of alleviating your loneliness... the relationship will be very INWARD LOOKING... because you only rely on each other for support... it leads to idolizing even... It is important to remember that the relationship is meant to be outward looking... not just how you can satisfy each other's needs alone....
Of cos, this doesn't mean that if your relationship cures some aspect of your loneliness then you've sinned. But this motivation should not be the fundamental of a marriage.
Lastly...
Myth 3: Because of LOVE
God's Mythbuster: Marriage is for Gospel Proclamation
As most of us are familiar... Marriage is the representation of the relationship between Christ and the Church...
Ephesians 5:31-32 "31"For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh."[a] 32This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church.
Marriage is but a pointer of things to come... Of the relationship between Christ and the Church. For we know that in Heaven... there is no longer marriage... Matthew 22:29-30 "Jesus replied, "You are in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God. 30At the resurrection people will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven"
It is important to understand the relationship between Christ and the Church... because that is exactly what your marriage should reflect... Marriage is an opportunity for the gospel to be preached...
When people see the sacrificial love of the husband for his wife, they see and understand the sacrificial love that Christ had for the church. When people see the complete submission of the wife to the husband, they see the complete submission of the church to Christ...
Hope that this sharing on marriage has helped you in one way or another...
In today's culture, it is too easy to want to pursue marriage recklessly, carelessly, and fully based on emotions. Emotions change, and marriage has its unique purpose in God's kingdom. If we don't understand all this, then we shouldn't be entering into a relationship... that could tarnish both parties if not handled wisely...
Let's pursue courtship (dating with an intent of marriage) with godly discernment and godly love...
Nope... it's not that I am getting married soon, but I just went for a sermon regarding Marriage, and it broke some misconceptions I had of it. I am writing this to share some of my thoughts...
The pastor approached in from a myth busting angle... much like the Mythbusters show you see on discovery. He went through 3 myths, and debunked each one of them. I shall try to elaborate on all three...
Myth1: Marriage(Or relationships) is because of lust
God's Mythbuster: Sex is for Marriage
1 Cor 7:1-2 "1Now for the matters you wrote about: It is good for a man not to marry.[a] 2But since there is so much immorality, each man should have his own wife, and each woman her own husband."
Song of Songs 8:4-7
" Daughters of Jerusalem, I charge you:
Do not arouse or awaken love
until it so desires.
Friends
5 Who is this coming up from the desert
leaning on her lover?
Beloved
Under the apple tree I roused you;
there your mother conceived you,
there she who was in labor gave you birth.
6 Place me like a seal over your heart,
like a seal on your arm;
for love is as strong as death,
its jealousy [a] unyielding as the grave. [b]
It burns like blazing fire,
like a mighty flame. [c]
7 Many waters cannot quench love;
rivers cannot wash it away.
If one were to give
all the wealth of his house for love,
it [d] would be utterly scorned."
Love if very powerful... and we should not awaken love before the time... God's creation of sex and everything is beautiful... (Note: Sex includes the whole package... kissing, caressing, and everything else associated) but if we do it out of the context of marriage, then we are distorting His plans. He gave two quotes:
"Casual dating, where sexual exploration thrives, is God-angering"
"Serious courtship that strives for purity is God-glorifying"
Some may ask..."Is God a kill joy?" "Why postpone sex to marriage?" I guess the fact is that sex is meant to be enjoyed within a relationship of complete commitment to each other. For the power of the union of sex contradicts the notion of casualness and shortage of commitment in pre-marital sex. It's difficult to explain the fundamental notion of why was it created this way... but I guess this is something unique and special that God wants set aside for the gift of marriage...
Conclusion: Lust will not be satisfied if you pursue it outside of marriage, and marriage is not a cure for it. It should be dealt with even before marriage... seeking the help from God to overcome temptations and being strong in it...
Myth 2: Because of Loneliness
God's Mythbuster 2: Marriage is for God's Kingdom
A very HUGE erroneous thinking is the interpretation that Marriage is to cure loneliness because Genesis says so... the famous quote:
"The LORD God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him." Genesis 2:18
Many interpret this as Man and Woman marrying because God thinks it's not good for man to be lonely. However, the context is in Genesis 1: 26-28 "26 Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, [a] and over all the creatures that move along the ground."
27 So God created man in his own image,
in the image of God he created him;
male and female he created them.
28 God blessed them and said to them, "Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground."
The context for the creation of a helper is this: So that Man can rule over all the earth, and the method to do this is being fruitful and increasing in number....
Note in Malachi 2:15 " Has not the LORD made them one? In flesh and spirit they are his. And why one? Because he was seeking godly offspring. [a] So guard yourself in your spirit, and do not break faith with the wife of your youth."
He was seeking godly offspring... not PHYSICAL CHILDREN... but SPIRITUAL children... as such... for singles or married couples... the mission and the focus is the same... to grow the kingdom of God... This is John Piper's stand as well... in his book on Marriage...
Conclusion: Marriage is for Man and woman working together for the kingdom of God... to make disciples of all nations... to come together for that purpose... for the need of His kingdom's purposes... and not for our own loneliness...
He mentioned something that struck me deep and hard... LONELINESS is not solved through marriage... it is solved through a personal relationship with God... and relationship with Christian Community...
If you enter marriage with the hope of alleviating your loneliness... the relationship will be very INWARD LOOKING... because you only rely on each other for support... it leads to idolizing even... It is important to remember that the relationship is meant to be outward looking... not just how you can satisfy each other's needs alone....
Of cos, this doesn't mean that if your relationship cures some aspect of your loneliness then you've sinned. But this motivation should not be the fundamental of a marriage.
Lastly...
Myth 3: Because of LOVE
God's Mythbuster: Marriage is for Gospel Proclamation
As most of us are familiar... Marriage is the representation of the relationship between Christ and the Church...
Ephesians 5:31-32 "31"For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh."[a] 32This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church.
Marriage is but a pointer of things to come... Of the relationship between Christ and the Church. For we know that in Heaven... there is no longer marriage... Matthew 22:29-30 "Jesus replied, "You are in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God. 30At the resurrection people will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven"
It is important to understand the relationship between Christ and the Church... because that is exactly what your marriage should reflect... Marriage is an opportunity for the gospel to be preached...
When people see the sacrificial love of the husband for his wife, they see and understand the sacrificial love that Christ had for the church. When people see the complete submission of the wife to the husband, they see the complete submission of the church to Christ...
Hope that this sharing on marriage has helped you in one way or another...
In today's culture, it is too easy to want to pursue marriage recklessly, carelessly, and fully based on emotions. Emotions change, and marriage has its unique purpose in God's kingdom. If we don't understand all this, then we shouldn't be entering into a relationship... that could tarnish both parties if not handled wisely...
Let's pursue courtship (dating with an intent of marriage) with godly discernment and godly love...
Monday, November 2, 2009
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
"Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful." Colossians 3:15
It seems that as Christians we often have a hard time living in the peace of Christ. Like the rest of the world we love to worry. We worry that we’ll lose our jobs, that we’ll lose someone we love, or we worry that there won’t be enough money to pay the mortgage this month. If we want to, we can find things to worry about each and every day of the week.
Instead of living with the angst and worry of day to day life, we need to be thankful for what we’ve been given, and allow Christ to influence our thoughts and behaviors, and live for Him. Today I want to live for Christ, and let His peace rule in my heart.
Adapted from biblemoneymatters.com
It seems that as Christians we often have a hard time living in the peace of Christ. Like the rest of the world we love to worry. We worry that we’ll lose our jobs, that we’ll lose someone we love, or we worry that there won’t be enough money to pay the mortgage this month. If we want to, we can find things to worry about each and every day of the week.
Instead of living with the angst and worry of day to day life, we need to be thankful for what we’ve been given, and allow Christ to influence our thoughts and behaviors, and live for Him. Today I want to live for Christ, and let His peace rule in my heart.
Adapted from biblemoneymatters.com
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
The Beauty of Creation
As much sin there is in the world, there is much beauty created by God...
The beauty of the deep blue ocean...
the beauty of the bright blue skies...
the beauty of the towering trees, scented flowers, green pastures...
the beauty of art...
the beauty of music...
the beauty of dance...
the beauty of photography...
the beauty of sports...
the beauty of emotions...
the beauty of logic...
the beauty of man...
All these were created for the glory of God... Praise God for what He has done... There is so much more...
The beauty of the deep blue ocean...
the beauty of the bright blue skies...
the beauty of the towering trees, scented flowers, green pastures...
the beauty of art...
the beauty of music...
the beauty of dance...
the beauty of photography...
the beauty of sports...
the beauty of emotions...
the beauty of logic...
the beauty of man...
All these were created for the glory of God... Praise God for what He has done... There is so much more...
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Thursday, October 15, 2009
What future are you aiming for...?
Where does your security lie...?
"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. " Matt 6 : 19-21
Where your treasure is... your heart is also... what you treasure is going to be what motivates you, what disappoints you.
Grades, wealth, prestige, comfort... some of the things that I crave for... No wonder I have all these disappointments... I pray for peace of heart, good relations, and the spreading of His Kingdom...
Fight...
Where does your security lie...?
"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. " Matt 6 : 19-21
Where your treasure is... your heart is also... what you treasure is going to be what motivates you, what disappoints you.
Grades, wealth, prestige, comfort... some of the things that I crave for... No wonder I have all these disappointments... I pray for peace of heart, good relations, and the spreading of His Kingdom...
Fight...
Monday, October 12, 2009
Monday, September 14, 2009
Monday, August 31, 2009
Sunday, August 30, 2009
6No one who lives in him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has either seen him or known him.
7Dear children, do not let anyone lead you astray. He who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous. 8He who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil's work. 9No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God's seed remains in him; he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born of God. 10This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not a child of God; nor is anyone who does not love his brother.
1 John 3: 6-10
1 John 1:8: “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves,
and the truth is not in us.” We! We born-again Christians.
In other words, don’t let the deception of these false teachers
work its way into your own self-deception. There are no sinless
Christians
1 John 2:1: “My little children, I am writing these
things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we
have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.” In
other words, John does not assume that if you sin, you are not
born again. He assumes that if you sin, you have an Advocate.
And only those who are born again have this Advocate.
1 John 5:16-17: “If anyone sees his brother committing
a sin not leading to death, he shall ask, and God will
give him life—to those who commit sins that do not lead to
death. There is sin that leads to death; I do not say that one
should pray for that. All wrongdoing is sin, but there is sin
that does not lead to death.”
Notice that last clause: “There is sin that does not lead to death.”
This is why you can see your brother committing sin. He is your
brother. He is born again. And he is sinning. How can this be?
Because there is sin that does not lead to death. I don’t think
John has particular kinds of sins in view, but rather degrees of
rootedness and habitual persistence. There is a point of confirmed
sinning which may take you over the line of no return and you
will be like Esau who sought repentance with tears and could
not find it (Heb. 12:16–17). He could not repent. If he could have,
there would have been forgiveness. But the heart can become so
hardened by sin that even its desires to repent are counterfeit
Adapted from "Finally Alive" by John Piper
7Dear children, do not let anyone lead you astray. He who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous. 8He who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil's work. 9No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God's seed remains in him; he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born of God. 10This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not a child of God; nor is anyone who does not love his brother.
1 John 3: 6-10
1 John 1:8: “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves,
and the truth is not in us.” We! We born-again Christians.
In other words, don’t let the deception of these false teachers
work its way into your own self-deception. There are no sinless
Christians
1 John 2:1: “My little children, I am writing these
things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we
have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.” In
other words, John does not assume that if you sin, you are not
born again. He assumes that if you sin, you have an Advocate.
And only those who are born again have this Advocate.
1 John 5:16-17: “If anyone sees his brother committing
a sin not leading to death, he shall ask, and God will
give him life—to those who commit sins that do not lead to
death. There is sin that leads to death; I do not say that one
should pray for that. All wrongdoing is sin, but there is sin
that does not lead to death.”
Notice that last clause: “There is sin that does not lead to death.”
This is why you can see your brother committing sin. He is your
brother. He is born again. And he is sinning. How can this be?
Because there is sin that does not lead to death. I don’t think
John has particular kinds of sins in view, but rather degrees of
rootedness and habitual persistence. There is a point of confirmed
sinning which may take you over the line of no return and you
will be like Esau who sought repentance with tears and could
not find it (Heb. 12:16–17). He could not repent. If he could have,
there would have been forgiveness. But the heart can become so
hardened by sin that even its desires to repent are counterfeit
Adapted from "Finally Alive" by John Piper
Ride of Life
The wheels of life are turnin’
I feel like I’m rollin’ down this track
And I know down deep inside my heart
I can’t look back
And though it’s hard discerning all of the fiction from the fact
You led me to this truth and we have made a pact
So as we go through highs and lows
And all those in between
It’s good to know I’m not alone
On this big scream machine...
'Cause it’s a rollercoaster ride of life
Lifts you up and lets you down
It’s a rollercoaster ride of life
Spins you ’round and ’round and ’round
Heaven knows wherever you go,
I’ll be right by your side,
On this rollercoaster, rollercoaster ride of life
Rollercoaster ride of life
So when I hear you callin’
’Cause you have hit your all-time low,
I will hold you to my side and I won’t let you go
And when it seems you’ve fallen
’Cause life has got you on a road
I will take the wheel and hit the brakes,
We’ll take it slow
And as we go through highs and lows
And all though in between
The Lord alone is in control
Of this big scream machine
The Lord is faithful,
He’ll be right by your side on this...
Rollercoaster ride
The wheels of life are turnin’
I feel like I’m rollin’ down this track
And I know down deep inside my heart
I can’t look back
And though it’s hard discerning all of the fiction from the fact
You led me to this truth and we have made a pact
So as we go through highs and lows
And all those in between
It’s good to know I’m not alone
On this big scream machine...
'Cause it’s a rollercoaster ride of life
Lifts you up and lets you down
It’s a rollercoaster ride of life
Spins you ’round and ’round and ’round
Heaven knows wherever you go,
I’ll be right by your side,
On this rollercoaster, rollercoaster ride of life
Rollercoaster ride of life
So when I hear you callin’
’Cause you have hit your all-time low,
I will hold you to my side and I won’t let you go
And when it seems you’ve fallen
’Cause life has got you on a road
I will take the wheel and hit the brakes,
We’ll take it slow
And as we go through highs and lows
And all though in between
The Lord alone is in control
Of this big scream machine
The Lord is faithful,
He’ll be right by your side on this...
Rollercoaster ride
Saturday, August 29, 2009
For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you," declares the LORD, "and will bring you back from captivity. [b] I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you," declares the LORD, "and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile." Jeremiah 29:11-14
17 The LORD your God is with you,
he is mighty to save.
He will take great delight in you,
he will quiet you with his love,
he will rejoice over you with singing."
18 "The sorrows for the appointed feasts
I will remove from you;
they are a burden and a reproach to you. [a]
19 At that time I will deal
with all who oppressed you;
I will rescue the lame
and gather those who have been scattered.
I will give them praise and honor
in every land where they were put to shame.
Zephaniah 3:17-19
There is no sin too great,
God cannot forgive it.
There is no loss,
He cannot restore.
There is no scar,
He cannot heal.
There is no distance you can go,
His grace cannot reach.
There is nothing—absolutely nothing—
to stop His love and mercy for you.
If there is breath in your being,
there is hope.
There is hope.
God cannot forgive it.
There is no loss,
He cannot restore.
There is no scar,
He cannot heal.
There is no distance you can go,
His grace cannot reach.
There is nothing—absolutely nothing—
to stop His love and mercy for you.
If there is breath in your being,
there is hope.
There is hope.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Lord... help me with the things that I don't know I don't know....
The Great Error That Must Be Exploded (John Piper, 1988)
The great error that I am trying to explode in these messages is the error that says, faith in God is one thing and the fight for holiness is another thing. Faith gets you to heaven and holiness gets you rewards. You get your justification by faith, and you get your sanctification by works. You start the Christian life in the power of the Spirit, you press on in the efforts of the flesh. This is the great evangelical error of our day. The battle for obedience is optional, they say, because only faith is necessary for salvation.
Our response: the battle for obedience is absolutely necessary for salvation because it IS the fight of faith.
adapted from desiringgod.org
The Great Error That Must Be Exploded (John Piper, 1988)
The great error that I am trying to explode in these messages is the error that says, faith in God is one thing and the fight for holiness is another thing. Faith gets you to heaven and holiness gets you rewards. You get your justification by faith, and you get your sanctification by works. You start the Christian life in the power of the Spirit, you press on in the efforts of the flesh. This is the great evangelical error of our day. The battle for obedience is optional, they say, because only faith is necessary for salvation.
Our response: the battle for obedience is absolutely necessary for salvation because it IS the fight of faith.
adapted from desiringgod.org
Monday, August 10, 2009
Back from Cambodia...
Wow... amazing how time flies at Cambodia...
I am still quite tired even after a good night's rest, thus I shall not elaborate too much on my OCIP trip to Cambodia.
In general, I have had many good memories in Cambodia, and forged a few good friends over there. I miss the children, and I will definitely be back to UNACAS, the orphanage, to visit the children. I realised I was not very prepared, and I will bring some gifts that can meet the needs of the children when I go back.
UNACAS is a christian orphanage, and I have gained some spiritual lessons as well. They are a very hospitable bunch, very friendly, and make complete strangers feel very welcomed in a matter of minutes. And their passion in singing songs of praise to God, as well as their desire to learn more Christian songs is inspiring. Through them I got to know this song by Casting Crowns - Who am I. I would like to share this song to many others, as I feel the lyrics are really beautiful and meanginful.
Who am I
Who am I?
That the Lord of all the earth,
Would care to know my name,
Would care to feel my hurt.
Who am I?
That the bright and morning star,
Would choose to light the way,
For my ever wondering heart.
Not because of who I am.
But because of what you've done.
Not because of what I've done.
But because of who you are.
Chorus:
I am a flower quickly fading,
Here today and gone tomorrow.
A wave tossed in the ocean,
A vapor in the wind.
Still you hear me when I'm calling,
Lord you catch me when I'm falling,
And you told me who I am.
I am yours.
I am yours.
Who am I?
That the eyes that see my sin
Would look on me with love
And watch me rise again
Who am I?
That the voice that calm the sea,
Would call out through the rain,
And calm the storm in me.
Not because of who I am.
But because what of youve done.
Not because of what I've done.
But because of who you are.
Chorus:
I am a flower quickly fading,
Here today and gone tomorrow.
A wave tossed in the ocean,
A vapor in the wind.
Still you hear me when I'm calling,
Lord you catch me when I'm falling,
And you told me who I am.
I am yours.
Not because of who I am.
But because of what you've done.
Not because of what I've done.
But because of who you are.
Chorus:
I am a flower quickly fading,
Here today and gone tomorrow.
A wave tossed in the ocean,
A vapor in the wind.
Still you hear me when I'm calling,
Lord you catch me when I'm falling,
You told me who I am.
I am yours.
I am yours.
Whom shall I fear?
Whom shall I fear?
'Cuz I am yours.
I am yours.
I shall blog about the rest of my trip another day, I hope. And I will try to post some photos as well...
Well, school's starting... and I don't think I'm ready for it yet... shall take the next few days to prepare my mood for school...
I am still quite tired even after a good night's rest, thus I shall not elaborate too much on my OCIP trip to Cambodia.
In general, I have had many good memories in Cambodia, and forged a few good friends over there. I miss the children, and I will definitely be back to UNACAS, the orphanage, to visit the children. I realised I was not very prepared, and I will bring some gifts that can meet the needs of the children when I go back.
UNACAS is a christian orphanage, and I have gained some spiritual lessons as well. They are a very hospitable bunch, very friendly, and make complete strangers feel very welcomed in a matter of minutes. And their passion in singing songs of praise to God, as well as their desire to learn more Christian songs is inspiring. Through them I got to know this song by Casting Crowns - Who am I. I would like to share this song to many others, as I feel the lyrics are really beautiful and meanginful.
Who am I
Who am I?
That the Lord of all the earth,
Would care to know my name,
Would care to feel my hurt.
Who am I?
That the bright and morning star,
Would choose to light the way,
For my ever wondering heart.
Not because of who I am.
But because of what you've done.
Not because of what I've done.
But because of who you are.
Chorus:
I am a flower quickly fading,
Here today and gone tomorrow.
A wave tossed in the ocean,
A vapor in the wind.
Still you hear me when I'm calling,
Lord you catch me when I'm falling,
And you told me who I am.
I am yours.
I am yours.
Who am I?
That the eyes that see my sin
Would look on me with love
And watch me rise again
Who am I?
That the voice that calm the sea,
Would call out through the rain,
And calm the storm in me.
Not because of who I am.
But because what of youve done.
Not because of what I've done.
But because of who you are.
Chorus:
I am a flower quickly fading,
Here today and gone tomorrow.
A wave tossed in the ocean,
A vapor in the wind.
Still you hear me when I'm calling,
Lord you catch me when I'm falling,
And you told me who I am.
I am yours.
Not because of who I am.
But because of what you've done.
Not because of what I've done.
But because of who you are.
Chorus:
I am a flower quickly fading,
Here today and gone tomorrow.
A wave tossed in the ocean,
A vapor in the wind.
Still you hear me when I'm calling,
Lord you catch me when I'm falling,
You told me who I am.
I am yours.
I am yours.
Whom shall I fear?
Whom shall I fear?
'Cuz I am yours.
I am yours.
I shall blog about the rest of my trip another day, I hope. And I will try to post some photos as well...
Well, school's starting... and I don't think I'm ready for it yet... shall take the next few days to prepare my mood for school...
Saturday, June 27, 2009
God has his time and place for everything...
I'm seeing His timing and His plan.. through the books, through the sermons, through people, through His Word, through prayers, through everything... God is in all...
Philippians 4: 6-7
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
Thank you Lord for giving me this peace of heart... I'll await your timing... and the person... whatever pleases you God...
I'm seeing His timing and His plan.. through the books, through the sermons, through people, through His Word, through prayers, through everything... God is in all...
Philippians 4: 6-7
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
Thank you Lord for giving me this peace of heart... I'll await your timing... and the person... whatever pleases you God...
when the music fades
all is stripped away
and i simply come
longing just to bring
something that's of worth
that will bless your heart
i'll bring you more than a song
for a song in itself
is not what you have required
you search much deeper within
through the way things appear
you're looking into my heart
chorus
I'm coming back to the heart of worship
and it's all about you
It's all about you, Jesus
I'm sorry Lord for the things i've made it
when it's all about you
it's all about you, Jesus
King of endless worth
no one could express
how much you deserve
though i'm weak and poor
all i have is yours
every single breath
I particularly love the 1st 2 sentences... "when the music fades, all is stripped away" After the emotions have died down, what is the thing that keeps us going on? We must be clear of why we serve God. It is not about our skills, not about the timing of our youth, but it is the attitude to want to follow Him all our life, and this attitude should keep us going.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Dear Lord... thank God for your work in our fellowship...
I've seen your hand working in each individual... to prepare their hearts for the challenge of commitment to you...
I'm really thankful for the whole fellowship, for the whole committee, and for your work in me as well...
Learnt a lot of lessons... to be serious about my sins... and to let God be the sole command and control in my life...
Also, in seeking God's will, I need to have a close relationship with God... not only that... to spend time listening to Him... Praying.. seeking through His words...
There are just too many things that God has showed that He is working throughout the whole camp... God is real... I believe each and every disciple in CYYAM have experienced and continue to believe it.
As Uncle James duly reminds... when we are serious about our faith... Satan will be worried and will start attacking us spiritually... let's be ready for the super tough battle ahead... but we're not alone... we have support, and we need to continue to carry our cross.. and follow God...
A Workman Approved by God
"14Keep reminding them of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen. 15Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. 16Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly. 17Their teaching will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, 18who have wandered away from the truth. They say that the resurrection has already taken place, and they destroy the faith of some. 19Nevertheless, God's solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: "The Lord knows those who are his,"[a] and, "Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness."
20In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for noble purposes and some for ignoble. 21If a man cleanses himself from the latter, he will be an instrument for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.
22Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 23Don't have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. 24And the Lord's servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. 25Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, 26and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will." 2 Timothy 2 : 14-26
God's words has always been heavy... I must flee from the evil desires of youth!!! and pursue more important things... just had a struggle to play games... but I must remember my covenant with God...
Also... in verse 20 it talks about that there is gold and silver, wood and clay... do we store up treasures in heaven? Do we give our best to God??? to receive the reward and receive His praises when we see Him again...?
Let's press on everybody!
I've seen your hand working in each individual... to prepare their hearts for the challenge of commitment to you...
I'm really thankful for the whole fellowship, for the whole committee, and for your work in me as well...
Learnt a lot of lessons... to be serious about my sins... and to let God be the sole command and control in my life...
Also, in seeking God's will, I need to have a close relationship with God... not only that... to spend time listening to Him... Praying.. seeking through His words...
There are just too many things that God has showed that He is working throughout the whole camp... God is real... I believe each and every disciple in CYYAM have experienced and continue to believe it.
As Uncle James duly reminds... when we are serious about our faith... Satan will be worried and will start attacking us spiritually... let's be ready for the super tough battle ahead... but we're not alone... we have support, and we need to continue to carry our cross.. and follow God...
A Workman Approved by God
"14Keep reminding them of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen. 15Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. 16Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly. 17Their teaching will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, 18who have wandered away from the truth. They say that the resurrection has already taken place, and they destroy the faith of some. 19Nevertheless, God's solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: "The Lord knows those who are his,"[a] and, "Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness."
20In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for noble purposes and some for ignoble. 21If a man cleanses himself from the latter, he will be an instrument for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.
22Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 23Don't have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. 24And the Lord's servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. 25Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, 26and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will." 2 Timothy 2 : 14-26
God's words has always been heavy... I must flee from the evil desires of youth!!! and pursue more important things... just had a struggle to play games... but I must remember my covenant with God...
Also... in verse 20 it talks about that there is gold and silver, wood and clay... do we store up treasures in heaven? Do we give our best to God??? to receive the reward and receive His praises when we see Him again...?
Let's press on everybody!
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Thursday, May 28, 2009
My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. 21Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. James 1: 19-21
Man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires...
When you feel angry, something is probably wrong and actions have to be taken...
Huge lesson.
Man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires...
When you feel angry, something is probably wrong and actions have to be taken...
Huge lesson.
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
haven't been feeling too good...
exams are okay so far...
other things have been hitting me left and right... and perhaps the largest blow is dealt by myself...
Do I deserve love? Probably not... perhaps that's why God's love is so great... that it's unconditional... even on the basis of my sinfulness... God still loves us... theoretically sound... but I can't feel it anymore...
Many things have happened. I'm the main cause of all these happenings, either in mistakes committed, or in feelings towards people in certain ways, or in analyzing people too much, or in putting myself down too much, or having too much pride, or being too rebellious to change, or being too pissed with many things happening, or being ashamed at my naive and prideful self, and so on and so forth.
Again, I find myself in this mess. My life is in a mess. Priorities haywire. Handle issues haywire. Thoughts haywire. Temptations all over the place. Wanting more and more to give in to temptations... Wanting more and more to rebel... more and more to a life of apathy... a life that is probably even worse than where I am now...
Straddled between two sides, neither can I let go
One to life and one to death, and yet I stumble
The road to life is arduous, the other also laborious
One a life of hope, the other a life of achievement
Wars are not fought to determine who is right, but to determine who is left...
Will I be Left or Will I be Right...?
exams are okay so far...
other things have been hitting me left and right... and perhaps the largest blow is dealt by myself...
Do I deserve love? Probably not... perhaps that's why God's love is so great... that it's unconditional... even on the basis of my sinfulness... God still loves us... theoretically sound... but I can't feel it anymore...
Many things have happened. I'm the main cause of all these happenings, either in mistakes committed, or in feelings towards people in certain ways, or in analyzing people too much, or in putting myself down too much, or having too much pride, or being too rebellious to change, or being too pissed with many things happening, or being ashamed at my naive and prideful self, and so on and so forth.
Again, I find myself in this mess. My life is in a mess. Priorities haywire. Handle issues haywire. Thoughts haywire. Temptations all over the place. Wanting more and more to give in to temptations... Wanting more and more to rebel... more and more to a life of apathy... a life that is probably even worse than where I am now...
Straddled between two sides, neither can I let go
One to life and one to death, and yet I stumble
The road to life is arduous, the other also laborious
One a life of hope, the other a life of achievement
Wars are not fought to determine who is right, but to determine who is left...
Will I be Left or Will I be Right...?
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Ambivalence
am⋅biv⋅a⋅lence
–noun
1. uncertainty or fluctuation, esp. when caused by inability to make a choice or by a simultaneous desire to say or do two opposite or conflicting things.
2. Psychology. the coexistence within an individual of positive and negative feelings toward the same person, object, or action, simultaneously drawing him or her in opposite directions.
This is my first blog post since a fairly long time ago. Well, exams are coming up, and things have not been exactly going too well for me recently.
I like it when Ailing laughs at me and consequently mentions softly... "You are so naive"
I used to think I know alot, or my method is most likely right because I have thought through certain things... but I realize that I am wrong in many instances
Applications vs theories ... how to reach a good balance for this tension. We need theories to apply, but if we focus too much on theories, we can't apply.
I understand more and more why certain things occured in certain ways in the past, and being a critique of the way things were led last time, I tried to change this methodology, but alas I am not that right either.
Love fulfills the law. Interesting phrase in the bible. Let no debt remain outstanding except the debt to love one another. Theories are but empty talk, application is tough... very tough...
Oh well... just something I've been pondering about... and will probably try to improve on in the future.
and yeah... the Lord constantly shows me all my flaws... and there are many many many... it's tough... life has been so tough... and it's getting even tougher...
Many thoughts running through my head... but yeah... holidays are coming... so... yup... guess things will improve once I take time off to think through all these issues... God will be busy when I start asking questions... =D (He plays cheat! already written the answers in the bible... haha... okay yes... there are still other ways that He will reveal...)
–noun
1. uncertainty or fluctuation, esp. when caused by inability to make a choice or by a simultaneous desire to say or do two opposite or conflicting things.
2. Psychology. the coexistence within an individual of positive and negative feelings toward the same person, object, or action, simultaneously drawing him or her in opposite directions.
This is my first blog post since a fairly long time ago. Well, exams are coming up, and things have not been exactly going too well for me recently.
I like it when Ailing laughs at me and consequently mentions softly... "You are so naive"
I used to think I know alot, or my method is most likely right because I have thought through certain things... but I realize that I am wrong in many instances
Applications vs theories ... how to reach a good balance for this tension. We need theories to apply, but if we focus too much on theories, we can't apply.
I understand more and more why certain things occured in certain ways in the past, and being a critique of the way things were led last time, I tried to change this methodology, but alas I am not that right either.
Love fulfills the law. Interesting phrase in the bible. Let no debt remain outstanding except the debt to love one another. Theories are but empty talk, application is tough... very tough...
Oh well... just something I've been pondering about... and will probably try to improve on in the future.
and yeah... the Lord constantly shows me all my flaws... and there are many many many... it's tough... life has been so tough... and it's getting even tougher...
Many thoughts running through my head... but yeah... holidays are coming... so... yup... guess things will improve once I take time off to think through all these issues... God will be busy when I start asking questions... =D (He plays cheat! already written the answers in the bible... haha... okay yes... there are still other ways that He will reveal...)
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
"18Do not deceive yourselves. If any one of you thinks he is wise by the standards of this age, he should become a "fool" so that he may become wise.
19For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God's sight. As it is written: "He catches the wise in their craftiness"[a]; 20and again, "The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile."[b]
21So then, no more boasting about men! All things are yours, 22whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas[c] or the world or life or death or the present or the future—all are yours, 23and you are of Christ, and Christ is of God." 1 Corinthians 3 : 18-23
I've been foolish.. I thought I was wise...The wisdom of this world is foolishness in God's sight. The only thing to boast is Christ Himself...
Time to live in God's way, and not mine...
19For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God's sight. As it is written: "He catches the wise in their craftiness"[a]; 20and again, "The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile."[b]
21So then, no more boasting about men! All things are yours, 22whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas[c] or the world or life or death or the present or the future—all are yours, 23and you are of Christ, and Christ is of God." 1 Corinthians 3 : 18-23
I've been foolish.. I thought I was wise...The wisdom of this world is foolishness in God's sight. The only thing to boast is Christ Himself...
Time to live in God's way, and not mine...
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Lord... I know my limitations... and humbled by so many things that have happened in school... I'm worried for my results... not results for results sake... but for my future...
Oh well... I guess... as long as I put in my effort... that God will pave the way for me. No one's perfect, not everyone can be excellent... We all have our ways in which we can give back to God and in which God has blessed us with.
I'll continue to press on, and not worry bout the future. (:
Oh well... I guess... as long as I put in my effort... that God will pave the way for me. No one's perfect, not everyone can be excellent... We all have our ways in which we can give back to God and in which God has blessed us with.
I'll continue to press on, and not worry bout the future. (:
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Sunday, March 8, 2009
An excerpt from Martin Luther:
" A Christian is at once a sinner and a saint; he is wicked and pious at the same time. For so far as our persons are concerned, we are in sins and are sinners in our own name. But Christ brings us another name, in which there is the forgiveness of sins, that for His sake sins are remitted and pardoned.
So both statements are true: There are sins, for the old Adam is not entirely dead as yet; yet the sins are not there. The reason is this: For Christ's sake God does not want to see them. I have my eyes on them. I feel and see them well enough. But there is Christ , commanding that I be told I should repent, that is, confess myself a sinner and believe the forgiveness of sins in His name.
For repentance, remorse, and knowledge of sin, though necessary, is not enough; faith in the forgiveness of sins in the name of Christ must be added. But where there is such a faith, God no longer sees any sins; for then you stand before God, not in your name but in Christ's name.
He adorns you with grace and righteousness, although in your own eyes and personally you are a poor sinner, full of weakness and unbelief."
" A Christian is at once a sinner and a saint; he is wicked and pious at the same time. For so far as our persons are concerned, we are in sins and are sinners in our own name. But Christ brings us another name, in which there is the forgiveness of sins, that for His sake sins are remitted and pardoned.
So both statements are true: There are sins, for the old Adam is not entirely dead as yet; yet the sins are not there. The reason is this: For Christ's sake God does not want to see them. I have my eyes on them. I feel and see them well enough. But there is Christ , commanding that I be told I should repent, that is, confess myself a sinner and believe the forgiveness of sins in His name.
For repentance, remorse, and knowledge of sin, though necessary, is not enough; faith in the forgiveness of sins in the name of Christ must be added. But where there is such a faith, God no longer sees any sins; for then you stand before God, not in your name but in Christ's name.
He adorns you with grace and righteousness, although in your own eyes and personally you are a poor sinner, full of weakness and unbelief."
Friday, March 6, 2009
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
wow. 3rd post.
"For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope - the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good." Titus 2:11-14
"For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope - the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good." Titus 2:11-14
Haha. 2 posts in a day. Rare. =X
I was reading the book by John Piper titled " When the darkness will not lift"
He answered this question that I think some of us struggle to contend with at times.
The question is, "Will you be a hypocrite if you obey without joy?"
His reply is as follows.
"No, you will not be a hypocrite, if you know that joy is your duty, and repent that you don't have it, and ask God earnestly to restore the joy even as you do the deed. That is not the way a hypocrite thinks. That is the way a true Christian thinks in the fight for joy."
I was reading the book by John Piper titled " When the darkness will not lift"
He answered this question that I think some of us struggle to contend with at times.
The question is, "Will you be a hypocrite if you obey without joy?"
His reply is as follows.
"No, you will not be a hypocrite, if you know that joy is your duty, and repent that you don't have it, and ask God earnestly to restore the joy even as you do the deed. That is not the way a hypocrite thinks. That is the way a true Christian thinks in the fight for joy."
Courage
In First Chronicles 28:20 we read:
David said to Solomon, "Be strong and of good courage, and do it; and don't fear or be dismayed, for the Lord your God - my God - will be with you. And He will not leave you or forsake you, until you have finished all the work for the service of the house of the Lord."
I can go everywhere He tells me to go. Do anything He tells me to do. Weather any storm. Remain standing after any battle. Whatever He asks me to do, I can do it. Why? Because it's Christ in me Who gives me that strength.
Once that truth really sinks in, you approach even the most uncertain or volatile of circumstances with an attitude that says: "Hey Lord, if You want me to do this, I'm Yours. I'm all in. In fact, there's nothing else I'd rather do."
Why? Because such a believer has only one valid fear—the fear of not being in the center of His will. For the Christian, that's the safest place on earth. If God has called you into a war zone, the truly dangerous place to be is on your couch watching Seinfeld reruns!
Courage! We need it in this hour. More than at any other time, a lost and deceived world needs us to rise up boldly and say, "God, in Your strength, I'll say what You ask me to say, do what You ask me to do, and be what You've called me to be."
Excerpts from Pastor Bob, http://theactiveword.org
Courage and faith in God's plans and strength and covenant to pull us through.
David said to Solomon, "Be strong and of good courage, and do it; and don't fear or be dismayed, for the Lord your God - my God - will be with you. And He will not leave you or forsake you, until you have finished all the work for the service of the house of the Lord."
I can go everywhere He tells me to go. Do anything He tells me to do. Weather any storm. Remain standing after any battle. Whatever He asks me to do, I can do it. Why? Because it's Christ in me Who gives me that strength.
Once that truth really sinks in, you approach even the most uncertain or volatile of circumstances with an attitude that says: "Hey Lord, if You want me to do this, I'm Yours. I'm all in. In fact, there's nothing else I'd rather do."
Why? Because such a believer has only one valid fear—the fear of not being in the center of His will. For the Christian, that's the safest place on earth. If God has called you into a war zone, the truly dangerous place to be is on your couch watching Seinfeld reruns!
Courage! We need it in this hour. More than at any other time, a lost and deceived world needs us to rise up boldly and say, "God, in Your strength, I'll say what You ask me to say, do what You ask me to do, and be what You've called me to be."
Excerpts from Pastor Bob, http://theactiveword.org
Courage and faith in God's plans and strength and covenant to pull us through.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Friday, January 30, 2009
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Another Chance
How often we wish for another chance
to make a fresh beginning.
A chance to blot out our mistakes
And change failure into winning.
It does not take a new day
To make a brand new start,
It only takes a deep desire
To try with all our heart.
To live a little better
And to always be forgiving
And to add a little sunshine
To the world in which we're living.
So never give up in despair
And think that you are through,
For there's always a tomorrow
And the hope of starting new.
Helen Steiner Rice
How often we wish for another chance
to make a fresh beginning.
A chance to blot out our mistakes
And change failure into winning.
It does not take a new day
To make a brand new start,
It only takes a deep desire
To try with all our heart.
To live a little better
And to always be forgiving
And to add a little sunshine
To the world in which we're living.
So never give up in despair
And think that you are through,
For there's always a tomorrow
And the hope of starting new.
Helen Steiner Rice
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Refreshed
Thank God for the past 2 weeks sermons... when i hear the sermon topic... I sorta knew it was going to be very useful for me already...
First sermon on Job... when I heard of the book... I immediately laughed to myself... Job led a tough life... and it was amazing how he managed to overcome his trial...
Second sermon today on removing the old and replacing with the new...
And I also heard a sermon on evangelism during the mid-week...
All 3 have been great encouragements and reminders and even scoldings...
From Job... like Vinc mentioned... through tough times... it is a test of our true relationship with God... and I can't help but think that... whether the relationship is true or not...
Also... it actually taught us to live life without explanations at times... because sometimes... knowing the reasons doesn't change the situation or circumstance we live in...
Tough times teach us that there is more to life than 'hearing' from God... we need to see him too... not literally... but rather not just stop the spiritual life at the early stage... but to mature and to see his works and truth more and more...
From the mid-week sermon... the preacher talked about Luke chapter 12... the parable of the rich fool...
18"Then he said, 'This is what I'll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. 19And I'll say to myself, "You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry." '
20"But God said to him, 'You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?'
21"This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God."
Here the rich man thought wise that he has already planned out his future... taking life easy... to eat, drink and be merry... However, God said to him "you fool" ... for who on earth can predict when he's going to die?
Therefore, life isn't just about the big plans we have... for our plans... might be foolish ones if we are not careful... It's not about being vexed about not having a girl... or being vexed about not having riches... or worrying about how to earn loads of money... or gain the praises of the world...
Life ... is more than that... It is important to find the right focus... things that have eternal value instead of temporial value... To me... now is about giving my best to God in school, in church, and to my family and friends... for life is a worship to God... and worship is to honour and glory God through offering our whole life for His usage...
And today's sermon... is really apt. I finally confirmed my hypothesis... That I actually enjoy this feeling of sianness... of emotional lows... and of complaints... A pessimistic attitude... one that does not allow for God's grace to be reflected through us because of our attitudes... just like pouring new wine into old wineskins... the wineskins will burst... and the new wine (symbolic of God's grace) will not be held within... We'll just continue to complain...
Throw away the sinful methods of solving problems... Pray for more optimism and blessings...
Forgo the old mindsets.... embrace the new... It's not downwards looking... but upwards... don't always feel down... dun wallow in the enjoyment of the negative emotions... but seek ways to go up... through God who gives us strength... learn from Paul's example...
and... to the most exciting point... forgetting the old grudges... I guess the emotional low... has been due to 2 factors : A lack of emotional support and the inability to overcome grudges built with other people...
Wallowing in these emotions of not being understood... and of unhappiness with life... seems like the concoction that led to this current state that I'm in... Life is more... Life is more than these...
It's time to be magnanimous... to let go these past hatred... dissent... unhappiness... to let go of pride... to learn to forgive... to learn to embrace... to learn to accept... to learn to love...
And as Paul mentioned in Colossians... to set our minds on heavenly things... to use His methods to solve problems...
Life is unfair ( I AGREE!) haha... thus we pray for more grace and mercy to embrace the unjust in life...
Continue meditating on God's words... today's sermon used the verse that I quoted the other time... Lamentations 3:23... His mercies are new every morning (: Every day is a new day... as in Romans 12... that we should transform ourselves by the renewing of our minds... (:
Continue to meditate on His words... We have been given a new life... and we have to strive for a new thinking... a new paradigm...
Anyway... there was this part that talked about Man's tendency towards covetousness, greed, lusts... The pastor said to be wary of not building on your greed... we've been taught to fight for what we think is good... but there is nothing good outside of God...
I nearly teared when I heard this statement again... Yeah... I've been fighting too hard... It's time to trust God... not to lean on my own understanding... to learn not to covet after another's heart... (:
Life goes on... (in a good way now)... Thank God...
And I'd like to take this time to thank everyone who has been there for me these weeks... who've shown their concern and love and care... be it directly or indirectly... and I thank God for His reminders through all these...
"Dont' give up"
I haven't... (:
First sermon on Job... when I heard of the book... I immediately laughed to myself... Job led a tough life... and it was amazing how he managed to overcome his trial...
Second sermon today on removing the old and replacing with the new...
And I also heard a sermon on evangelism during the mid-week...
All 3 have been great encouragements and reminders and even scoldings...
From Job... like Vinc mentioned... through tough times... it is a test of our true relationship with God... and I can't help but think that... whether the relationship is true or not...
Also... it actually taught us to live life without explanations at times... because sometimes... knowing the reasons doesn't change the situation or circumstance we live in...
Tough times teach us that there is more to life than 'hearing' from God... we need to see him too... not literally... but rather not just stop the spiritual life at the early stage... but to mature and to see his works and truth more and more...
From the mid-week sermon... the preacher talked about Luke chapter 12... the parable of the rich fool...
18"Then he said, 'This is what I'll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. 19And I'll say to myself, "You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry." '
20"But God said to him, 'You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?'
21"This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God."
Here the rich man thought wise that he has already planned out his future... taking life easy... to eat, drink and be merry... However, God said to him "you fool" ... for who on earth can predict when he's going to die?
Therefore, life isn't just about the big plans we have... for our plans... might be foolish ones if we are not careful... It's not about being vexed about not having a girl... or being vexed about not having riches... or worrying about how to earn loads of money... or gain the praises of the world...
Life ... is more than that... It is important to find the right focus... things that have eternal value instead of temporial value... To me... now is about giving my best to God in school, in church, and to my family and friends... for life is a worship to God... and worship is to honour and glory God through offering our whole life for His usage...
And today's sermon... is really apt. I finally confirmed my hypothesis... That I actually enjoy this feeling of sianness... of emotional lows... and of complaints... A pessimistic attitude... one that does not allow for God's grace to be reflected through us because of our attitudes... just like pouring new wine into old wineskins... the wineskins will burst... and the new wine (symbolic of God's grace) will not be held within... We'll just continue to complain...
Throw away the sinful methods of solving problems... Pray for more optimism and blessings...
Forgo the old mindsets.... embrace the new... It's not downwards looking... but upwards... don't always feel down... dun wallow in the enjoyment of the negative emotions... but seek ways to go up... through God who gives us strength... learn from Paul's example...
and... to the most exciting point... forgetting the old grudges... I guess the emotional low... has been due to 2 factors : A lack of emotional support and the inability to overcome grudges built with other people...
Wallowing in these emotions of not being understood... and of unhappiness with life... seems like the concoction that led to this current state that I'm in... Life is more... Life is more than these...
It's time to be magnanimous... to let go these past hatred... dissent... unhappiness... to let go of pride... to learn to forgive... to learn to embrace... to learn to accept... to learn to love...
And as Paul mentioned in Colossians... to set our minds on heavenly things... to use His methods to solve problems...
Life is unfair ( I AGREE!) haha... thus we pray for more grace and mercy to embrace the unjust in life...
Continue meditating on God's words... today's sermon used the verse that I quoted the other time... Lamentations 3:23... His mercies are new every morning (: Every day is a new day... as in Romans 12... that we should transform ourselves by the renewing of our minds... (:
Continue to meditate on His words... We have been given a new life... and we have to strive for a new thinking... a new paradigm...
Anyway... there was this part that talked about Man's tendency towards covetousness, greed, lusts... The pastor said to be wary of not building on your greed... we've been taught to fight for what we think is good... but there is nothing good outside of God...
I nearly teared when I heard this statement again... Yeah... I've been fighting too hard... It's time to trust God... not to lean on my own understanding... to learn not to covet after another's heart... (:
Life goes on... (in a good way now)... Thank God...
And I'd like to take this time to thank everyone who has been there for me these weeks... who've shown their concern and love and care... be it directly or indirectly... and I thank God for His reminders through all these...
"Dont' give up"
I haven't... (:
Monday, January 19, 2009
Monday, January 12, 2009
In life... there are 2 types of people...
One that complains about whatever they don't have control over... and does nothing about what they have control of....
And the other... who actually doesn't just sit around blaming circumstances... awaiting opportunities... but rather seek self-improvement... and be diligent in fulfilling his half of the equation...
I used to be the former in some issues... I hope to be more like the latter in time to come...
Oh Lord help me...
One that complains about whatever they don't have control over... and does nothing about what they have control of....
And the other... who actually doesn't just sit around blaming circumstances... awaiting opportunities... but rather seek self-improvement... and be diligent in fulfilling his half of the equation...
I used to be the former in some issues... I hope to be more like the latter in time to come...
Oh Lord help me...
It's funny how things can change so quickly... well... like the saying goes... the only constant is change...
Sometimes it's just kinda tough to comprehend the things that have unravelled are the best for me... Do we really have to look in retrospect before we can appreciate the goodness of things? Or is there some way we can appreciate the goodness whilst living through the apparent state of things...?
It seems tougher now... and somehow I feel the dangerous feeling again... that there isn't someone who really understands me... I guess it's a two-way street... is it? I don't know... maybe I'm just creating all these barriers that people don't really understand me anymore... Or am I so disillusioned with the the opinion that people are complicated that I've subconsciously indulged in creating a complicated being in myself?
I'm desperately tempted to use my favourite catch phrase, " Life goes on... " but I guess if I'm always so pessimistic and so passive about improving the status quo... then I'll just continue down this slippery slope... and will never get a release from what's troubling me...
I still haven't completely identified the factors that have led to this emotional low... I only know that I need to try to get out of it...
Seeking God for answers... I hope I don't depend on myself alone for answers cos I can't seem to find any anyway...
Sometimes it's just kinda tough to comprehend the things that have unravelled are the best for me... Do we really have to look in retrospect before we can appreciate the goodness of things? Or is there some way we can appreciate the goodness whilst living through the apparent state of things...?
It seems tougher now... and somehow I feel the dangerous feeling again... that there isn't someone who really understands me... I guess it's a two-way street... is it? I don't know... maybe I'm just creating all these barriers that people don't really understand me anymore... Or am I so disillusioned with the the opinion that people are complicated that I've subconsciously indulged in creating a complicated being in myself?
I'm desperately tempted to use my favourite catch phrase, " Life goes on... " but I guess if I'm always so pessimistic and so passive about improving the status quo... then I'll just continue down this slippery slope... and will never get a release from what's troubling me...
I still haven't completely identified the factors that have led to this emotional low... I only know that I need to try to get out of it...
Seeking God for answers... I hope I don't depend on myself alone for answers cos I can't seem to find any anyway...
Saturday, January 3, 2009
In this meaningless life of mine I have seen both of these:
a righteous man perishing in his righteousness,
and a wicked man living long in his wickedness.
16 Do not be overrighteous,
neither be overwise—
why destroy yourself?
17 Do not be overwicked,
and do not be a fool—
why die before your time?
18 It is good to grasp the one
and not let go of the other.
The man who fears God will avoid all extremes .
Ecclesiastes 7 : 15-18
a righteous man perishing in his righteousness,
and a wicked man living long in his wickedness.
16 Do not be overrighteous,
neither be overwise—
why destroy yourself?
17 Do not be overwicked,
and do not be a fool—
why die before your time?
18 It is good to grasp the one
and not let go of the other.
The man who fears God will avoid all extremes .
Ecclesiastes 7 : 15-18
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)