_
PS 143:5 I remember the days of long ago;
I meditate on all your works
and consider what your hands have done.
PS 77:11 I will remember the deeds of the LORD;
yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.
Was again reminded today that I have a problem: A lack of thankfulness.
I tend to have a good memory of the things in my life that have not gone "right" for me; and these are the sources of my regular grumblings before God.
On the other hand, where the Lord has come through and blessed me abundantly, I am almost ashamed to acknowledge how easily I tend to forget them.
As I progress on in fatherhood, I believe God is using the experience to teach me a thing or two about gratefulness and thankfulness on the part of the children towards the father.
I get to experience first hand how my own kids throw their tantrums at me, get upset at me whenever I choose to deny them things for their own good; how my son sometimes in anger tell me: "I DUN LOVE PAPA!"
Strange how fast they forget all the other times I have showered love, time, blessings & expensive gifts on them....:)
I understand much more now how our Abba Father must have felt about our lack of gratefulness and thanksgiving. It doesn't make Him love us any less for sure, judging from my own feelings towards my own kids. But I know it isn't a pleasant feeling when you are on the receiving end...a mix of disappointment, resignation with a dash of pain and hurt...:(
Which is why I think I need to make it a point to have a regular time each day to just recall all the things that God has blessed me today, yesterday, last week, last month, last year and for as long as I can remember...and give thanks for them.
As I approach sanctification week...I think that is how I need to preapare my heart. I need to approach God with a spirit of thanksgiving.
_
Sunday, January 28, 2007
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
Meaningless Pursuits of the Corporate World
_
Spent this week trying to reconcile some thoughts at the back of my head while working hard at work.
Those who work long enough in the corporate world will probably identify with me, that sometimes, too much time and resources at work is spent on efforts and projects not for the real good of the company, but rather to help specific departments and their senior executives look good in front of their bosses, to put them one up over rival departments. Political stuff...but a regular feature of the corporate world.
Those who read the comic strip Dilbert will know what I mean.
The higher in hierarchy one goes up in the organisation, the closer one gets to the "political action".
Not something that I enjoy. But more and more, the expectations on my work now exceed beyond how well I can do my job. I tend to be measured by how "good" I can make my organisation look in front of the corporate HQ.
To the bosses, sometimes to look good also means wishing failures and catastrophes on rival organisation's key projects.
These are definitely not things I want to be engaged in. And yet, making my bosses look good IS part of my job isn't it? Afterall, As good workers, we should be serve our bosses well and be committed to their success.
Consider Ephesians 6:5:
EPH 6:5 Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. 6 Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but like slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. 7 Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men, 8 because you know that the Lord will reward everyone for whatever good he does, whether he is slave or free.
So how do I reconcile all these office politics with doing what is right in the eys of God? It is so easy to swing to either extreme: One will be to be totally disillusioned with these practices and leave the corporate world, to work in an environment where such politics do not exist. Yet I do not think it is possible. These "politics" originate from the fallen state of man, and thus, I believe, they will occur in ALL working environment, even in non-proft and possibly religious circles.
The other extreme will probably be to go with the flow and "do in Rome as what the Romans do". Yet compromising our values is surely not of God.
So is there a narrow middle path that keeps one in the corporate world and yet honors God?
ie to "be in the world but not of it?"
I believe there is. The Word of God pointed me to Psalms for guidance:
PR 3:3 Let love and faithfulness never leave you;
bind them around your neck,
write them on the tablet of your heart.
PR 3:4 Then you will win favor and a good name
in the sight of God and man.
PR 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
PR 3:6 in all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make your paths straight.
PR 2:6 For the LORD gives wisdom,
and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.
PR 2:7 He holds victory in store for the upright,
he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless,
PR 2:8 for he guards the course of the just
and protects the way of his faithful ones.
PR 2:9 Then you will understand what is right and just
and fair--every good path.
So the narrow path I shall attempt to tread, with the guidance of God in all situations.
To start off. I shall work hard to my bosses look very good, by the quality of the work of my hands; not through scheming or putting others down. I shall attempt to be the best surbodinate they will ever have, be a blessing to them, to contribute to their success and promotions and yet have them see that I can do so with wisdom and principles; and without engaging in the shady side of politics. I pray that they will indeed "see my good deeds and glorify my Father in heaven".
Part and parcel with rising up as a Warrior of Light, isn't it?
_
Spent this week trying to reconcile some thoughts at the back of my head while working hard at work.
Those who work long enough in the corporate world will probably identify with me, that sometimes, too much time and resources at work is spent on efforts and projects not for the real good of the company, but rather to help specific departments and their senior executives look good in front of their bosses, to put them one up over rival departments. Political stuff...but a regular feature of the corporate world.
Those who read the comic strip Dilbert will know what I mean.
The higher in hierarchy one goes up in the organisation, the closer one gets to the "political action".
Not something that I enjoy. But more and more, the expectations on my work now exceed beyond how well I can do my job. I tend to be measured by how "good" I can make my organisation look in front of the corporate HQ.
To the bosses, sometimes to look good also means wishing failures and catastrophes on rival organisation's key projects.
These are definitely not things I want to be engaged in. And yet, making my bosses look good IS part of my job isn't it? Afterall, As good workers, we should be serve our bosses well and be committed to their success.
Consider Ephesians 6:5:
EPH 6:5 Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. 6 Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but like slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. 7 Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men, 8 because you know that the Lord will reward everyone for whatever good he does, whether he is slave or free.
So how do I reconcile all these office politics with doing what is right in the eys of God? It is so easy to swing to either extreme: One will be to be totally disillusioned with these practices and leave the corporate world, to work in an environment where such politics do not exist. Yet I do not think it is possible. These "politics" originate from the fallen state of man, and thus, I believe, they will occur in ALL working environment, even in non-proft and possibly religious circles.
The other extreme will probably be to go with the flow and "do in Rome as what the Romans do". Yet compromising our values is surely not of God.
So is there a narrow middle path that keeps one in the corporate world and yet honors God?
ie to "be in the world but not of it?"
I believe there is. The Word of God pointed me to Psalms for guidance:
PR 3:3 Let love and faithfulness never leave you;
bind them around your neck,
write them on the tablet of your heart.
PR 3:4 Then you will win favor and a good name
in the sight of God and man.
PR 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
PR 3:6 in all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make your paths straight.
PR 2:6 For the LORD gives wisdom,
and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.
PR 2:7 He holds victory in store for the upright,
he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless,
PR 2:8 for he guards the course of the just
and protects the way of his faithful ones.
PR 2:9 Then you will understand what is right and just
and fair--every good path.
So the narrow path I shall attempt to tread, with the guidance of God in all situations.
To start off. I shall work hard to my bosses look very good, by the quality of the work of my hands; not through scheming or putting others down. I shall attempt to be the best surbodinate they will ever have, be a blessing to them, to contribute to their success and promotions and yet have them see that I can do so with wisdom and principles; and without engaging in the shady side of politics. I pray that they will indeed "see my good deeds and glorify my Father in heaven".
Part and parcel with rising up as a Warrior of Light, isn't it?
_
Sunday, January 21, 2007
ALL things work out for GOOD....
_
Pastor Melvin said it so aptly today that many of us know the love & promises of God, but unfortunately not all of us believe or know them in our hearts. That is the root of the problem for many of us, isn't it?
I was again brought back to Romans 4:20-21 about the life of Abraham:
Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.
"Wavering through unbelief that God indeed had power to do what He promised" must then be THE problem that plagues us.
That is so true, isn't it?
Consider these promises of God in the Book of Romans:
RO 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. 29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.
RO 8:31 What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all--how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 33 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died--more than that, who was raised to life--is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written:
"For your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered."
RO 8:37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Powerful promises. The truth is that if we really believe from our hearts that these promises will ring true regardless of what happens to us in this life, then surely our lives will always be victorious. How can we not be victorious? Not when THESE are the promises of God:
1. ALL things that happen in our lives (good, bad or even tragic) will eventually work out for our good
2. Through Christ we are more than conquerors
3. Most importantly, NOTHING will ever separate us from the love of God.
May the Lord help to engrave these promises into my heart, so that my life will always be lived out to manifest these victorious promises of God; and may I be increasingly unwavering in my faith and belief in God, that He has the power to deliver those promises ALL the time. Amen.
_
Pastor Melvin said it so aptly today that many of us know the love & promises of God, but unfortunately not all of us believe or know them in our hearts. That is the root of the problem for many of us, isn't it?
I was again brought back to Romans 4:20-21 about the life of Abraham:
Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.
"Wavering through unbelief that God indeed had power to do what He promised" must then be THE problem that plagues us.
That is so true, isn't it?
Consider these promises of God in the Book of Romans:
RO 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. 29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.
RO 8:31 What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all--how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 33 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died--more than that, who was raised to life--is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written:
"For your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered."
RO 8:37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Powerful promises. The truth is that if we really believe from our hearts that these promises will ring true regardless of what happens to us in this life, then surely our lives will always be victorious. How can we not be victorious? Not when THESE are the promises of God:
1. ALL things that happen in our lives (good, bad or even tragic) will eventually work out for our good
2. Through Christ we are more than conquerors
3. Most importantly, NOTHING will ever separate us from the love of God.
May the Lord help to engrave these promises into my heart, so that my life will always be lived out to manifest these victorious promises of God; and may I be increasingly unwavering in my faith and belief in God, that He has the power to deliver those promises ALL the time. Amen.
_
Saturday, January 20, 2007
From where does my help come?
_
Just finished an extremely tiring and stressful work week. It is one of those weeks that I had no choice but to work on saturday just to get work done...but God again came through for me, and I just have to blog this as a form of thanksgiving...
It was another 3 days of late night teleconferences followed by early morning ones. During the actual working hours, I was too busy helping my colleagues and bosses with pressing issues to have time for my own work....and my deadline is looming....It was pressurising.
Funny that the way I responded to such situations is usually not in line what I thought I should do as a Christian. Instead of pausing to ask God for help and guidance, my first instinct was disappointingly worldly and human: I responded by working harder & by using my own wisdom to plan, to strategise. Not that working hard and planning is bad in itself....but the truth is that, I did not seem to allow God into the picture. I seem to live as if it is only my own strength that I can count on to get myself out of tight situations.
So as usual, God had to re-teach me the lesson that in ALL situations, it is "not by power, not by might, but by His Spirit."
Needless to say, all my "wisdom" and hardwork did not get me far....I got more and more bogged down and the problem that seemed straightforward to solve is turning into a nightmare. All my training and expertise seemed totally inadequate to get the problem fixed...and my deadline is dependant on that. Suddenly, it dawned upon me that even if I were to work through the weekend, I will still not get it done!
So I did what I should have done in the first place...I took some time off my workstation to have some peace and quiet, and more importantly, to align myself with God once again, and PRAY. That immediately made me feel so much better.
When I got back to my work desk, an idea, a new approach suddenly dawned on me. It was as if enlightenment just came upon me. It was uncanny....and it has to be God.
It was a simple approach (which is why it had to be God...I tend to complicate things). I worked it into the workstation and IT WORKED!
That saved me hours, possibly days....and that is not all....new ideas kept continuously coming to my head on what might be the possible root causes of the other problems I was seeing...and when I tested them, they turned out to be 100% accurate in helping me identify the problems! Amazing! Incredible!
From being initially worried that I may not get my work completed in time, I was suddenly ahead of schedule, in the wink of the eye.
Wow...another real-life demonstration of the Word of God coming to life! God again re-confirms His omnipotence and omnipresence, but most importantly, His love, grace and faithfulness. And to me...an important lesson re-learnt.
PS 121:1 I lift up my eyes to the hills--
where does my help come from?
PS 121:2 My help comes from the LORD,
the Maker of heaven and earth.
PS 121:3 He will not let your foot slip--
he who watches over you will not slumber;
PS 121:4 indeed, he who watches over Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.
PS 121:5 The LORD watches over you--
the LORD is your shade at your right hand;
PS 121:6 the sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon by night.
PS 121:7 The LORD will keep you from all harm--
he will watch over your life;
PS 121:8 the LORD will watch over your coming and going
both now and forevermore.
but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.
Amen.
_
Just finished an extremely tiring and stressful work week. It is one of those weeks that I had no choice but to work on saturday just to get work done...but God again came through for me, and I just have to blog this as a form of thanksgiving...
It was another 3 days of late night teleconferences followed by early morning ones. During the actual working hours, I was too busy helping my colleagues and bosses with pressing issues to have time for my own work....and my deadline is looming....It was pressurising.
Funny that the way I responded to such situations is usually not in line what I thought I should do as a Christian. Instead of pausing to ask God for help and guidance, my first instinct was disappointingly worldly and human: I responded by working harder & by using my own wisdom to plan, to strategise. Not that working hard and planning is bad in itself....but the truth is that, I did not seem to allow God into the picture. I seem to live as if it is only my own strength that I can count on to get myself out of tight situations.
So as usual, God had to re-teach me the lesson that in ALL situations, it is "not by power, not by might, but by His Spirit."
Needless to say, all my "wisdom" and hardwork did not get me far....I got more and more bogged down and the problem that seemed straightforward to solve is turning into a nightmare. All my training and expertise seemed totally inadequate to get the problem fixed...and my deadline is dependant on that. Suddenly, it dawned upon me that even if I were to work through the weekend, I will still not get it done!
So I did what I should have done in the first place...I took some time off my workstation to have some peace and quiet, and more importantly, to align myself with God once again, and PRAY. That immediately made me feel so much better.
When I got back to my work desk, an idea, a new approach suddenly dawned on me. It was as if enlightenment just came upon me. It was uncanny....and it has to be God.
It was a simple approach (which is why it had to be God...I tend to complicate things). I worked it into the workstation and IT WORKED!
That saved me hours, possibly days....and that is not all....new ideas kept continuously coming to my head on what might be the possible root causes of the other problems I was seeing...and when I tested them, they turned out to be 100% accurate in helping me identify the problems! Amazing! Incredible!
From being initially worried that I may not get my work completed in time, I was suddenly ahead of schedule, in the wink of the eye.
Wow...another real-life demonstration of the Word of God coming to life! God again re-confirms His omnipotence and omnipresence, but most importantly, His love, grace and faithfulness. And to me...an important lesson re-learnt.
PS 121:1 I lift up my eyes to the hills--
where does my help come from?
PS 121:2 My help comes from the LORD,
the Maker of heaven and earth.
PS 121:3 He will not let your foot slip--
he who watches over you will not slumber;
PS 121:4 indeed, he who watches over Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.
PS 121:5 The LORD watches over you--
the LORD is your shade at your right hand;
PS 121:6 the sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon by night.
PS 121:7 The LORD will keep you from all harm--
he will watch over your life;
PS 121:8 the LORD will watch over your coming and going
both now and forevermore.
Praise the Lord. And may this be the motto of my life from now on:
PS 20:7 Some trust in chariots and some in horses,but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.
Amen.
_
Monday, January 15, 2007
Is Money Really never Enough?
_
Was reminded again today how easily discontentment can so easily well up in me when it comes to money.
It is that time of the year again when the company decides on the amount of salary increment for the employees. Not surprising, most of the conversations the past week in the office tend to revolve around the same topic. Of course, everyone thinks that they are underpaid by the company...:)
But honestly, my current pay even before this coming increment is not exactly low. God has been faithful in my 11 working years, and there is much to give thanks for, that I do have more than enough to provide for my family in relative comfort.
Yet, I suddenly find myself not at peace within....thinking of when I can make the next salary grade, when my pay can hit the next ceiling; and even worse, I find myself envious when I heard how some of my peers received large salary adjustments from their bosses...:(
But wait...I need to check myself before this goes too far....when it comes to money, when is "enough" ENOUGH? Why is contentment so elusive? Why does envy creep in so easily?
I need to be reminded again of God's warning in this area:
ECC 4:4 And I saw that all labor and all achievement spring from man's envy of his neighbor. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.
For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 9 People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. (1 Timothy 6:7-10)
Wow...this is indeed a slippery slope to go! God calls envy and the love of money a "meaningless chasing after the wind", that tempts men to "plunge into ruin and destruction".
So what is the answer? 1 Timothy 6:6 sums it up :
1TI 6:6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.
It goes on to remind us:
1TI 6:11 But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
In other words, I better remind myself again to get my perspective and priorities right. Ultimately, it is God who determines my rewards at work. So quit worrying about my salary and just concentrate on doing the best I can at work to serve my employers; as well as being the light for Him where He has positioned me. As encouragement, Paul showed that the elusive "godliness with contentment" can indeed be attained:
11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
(Philippians 4:11-12)
Was reminded again today how easily discontentment can so easily well up in me when it comes to money.
It is that time of the year again when the company decides on the amount of salary increment for the employees. Not surprising, most of the conversations the past week in the office tend to revolve around the same topic. Of course, everyone thinks that they are underpaid by the company...:)
But honestly, my current pay even before this coming increment is not exactly low. God has been faithful in my 11 working years, and there is much to give thanks for, that I do have more than enough to provide for my family in relative comfort.
Yet, I suddenly find myself not at peace within....thinking of when I can make the next salary grade, when my pay can hit the next ceiling; and even worse, I find myself envious when I heard how some of my peers received large salary adjustments from their bosses...:(
But wait...I need to check myself before this goes too far....when it comes to money, when is "enough" ENOUGH? Why is contentment so elusive? Why does envy creep in so easily?
I need to be reminded again of God's warning in this area:
ECC 4:4 And I saw that all labor and all achievement spring from man's envy of his neighbor. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.
For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 9 People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. (1 Timothy 6:7-10)
Wow...this is indeed a slippery slope to go! God calls envy and the love of money a "meaningless chasing after the wind", that tempts men to "plunge into ruin and destruction".
So what is the answer? 1 Timothy 6:6 sums it up :
1TI 6:6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.
It goes on to remind us:
1TI 6:11 But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
In other words, I better remind myself again to get my perspective and priorities right. Ultimately, it is God who determines my rewards at work. So quit worrying about my salary and just concentrate on doing the best I can at work to serve my employers; as well as being the light for Him where He has positioned me. As encouragement, Paul showed that the elusive "godliness with contentment" can indeed be attained:
11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
(Philippians 4:11-12)
Sunday, January 14, 2007
Enabling the Fruits of the Spirit
GAL 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control.
Lost count of the number of times that I have read the above verse and then prayed for God to manifest these fruits in my life.
This time, God reminded me that if I want to see fruitfulness in this area of my life, I need to "proactively enable" it. Not that I don't need to ask God for them anymore, but rather that I need to do my part by consciously behaving and responding to situations in life in ways that exhibit the qualities of the Spirit.
I need to alter my behaviour in areas that is contrary to the fruit of the Spirit, and I need to ask God to reveal to me even the blind spots in my life.
To start off, I thought these are the areas I need to work on:
Love - I need to love my family more; I need to love my wife and kids more. I need to remove the resentment grudging spirit in me that surfaces all too often when I think of the sacrifices I need to make for them...I mean, if God were to do the same, He wouldn't have sent Jesus to die for us, would He?
Joy - There needs to be more joy in my spirit. I need to give thanks more and have that attitude with me all day long. I need that perspective in my life that I am indeed blessed and that God loves me and is with me. I need to focus much less on the negatives in life.
Peace - I need to spend more time (that is a challenge) to inculcate the inner peace that is so often missing in the midst of screaming kids, crazy schedules and unending obligations. I need to replace that constant frustration with God's peace "that transcends all understanding".
Patience - I need to be more understanding and patient towards people at work who do not meet my expectations in terms of performance and competence. I need to lose my patience less with my kids. I need to see through God's eyes when my physical and spritual children do not behave the way I want them to. If God were to have more level of patience when dealing with me, I would have been consumed long ago.
Kindness - I need to be less consumed with my own affairs and open my eyes much more to the people around me. I need to be more responsive to the Spirit to situations that give me opportunities to do acts of kindness to my neighbours, colleagues or even to strangers.
Goodness - I need to practise much more of WWJD.... I need to mirror Him more often. I need to watch out for rage when driving. I need to shelf plans to put that baseball bat in my car....:)
Faithfulness - I need to regularly renew that commitment of faithfulness to my God, my wife, my family, my friends my church and my leaders. I need to be a good servant to all, to be dependable to those who count on me.
Gentleness - I need to suppress the urges to snap at people, even my own family. I definitely want to be more gentle in my relationship with my wife and kids.
Self Control - I need to watch my tongue. I need to be more wary of loose talk in my conversations with pre-believing friends. I need also more discpline in my life, in prayer, in studying and meditating on His Word, in maintaining a healthy diet and regular exercise; and in time management.
Lots to do, but I WILL do it...so help me Lord!
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
Generosity Encouraged
2CO 9:6 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7 Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.
As God continued to teach me with His Word in 2 Corinthians, He brought me back to these familiar verses on giving generously.
What is God's definition of generosity? The following verses seem to give me the answer:
2CO 8:1 And now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. 2 Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. 3 For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, 4 they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints. 5 And they did not do as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us in keeping with God's will.
It seems clear that the generosity valued most by God is not when we give out of our abundance, but rather when we are still willing to give when we are hard pressed, either financially or in terms of time. This seems very consistent with the story of the poor old widow giving her last 2 copper dimes to God.
As David has so famously said, "I will not give to the Lord anything that costs me nothing." (1 Chr 21:24 - paraphrase mine).
Indeed, as God leads me through the growing phases of life, when personal time gets more scarce and financial resourses at times seem so stretched as responsibilities and obligations increase, it is sometimes so easy to try to rationalise cutting back the giving of our time and resources to the Kingdom of God. But God's encouragement to me is clear:
2CO 9:10 Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. 11 You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.
2CO 9:12 This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God's people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. 13 Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. 14 And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. 15 Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!
Instead of cutting back, I believe God's will is that I continue to learn to give of myself to Him, because as I do so, it demonstrates quite a few things that pleases Him: thanksgiving, trust and faith in Him, as well as obedience that accompanies my confession of the gospel of Christ.
Yet God is gracious and patient; He does not want me to give grudgingly, but rather give what I have decided to give in my heart. But His Word and promises are so clear, and only serves to motivate me to continue to stretch to try to give more of myself for the glory of His Kingdom.
Because I recognise that if I do respond and obey God in this area more and more, the person who benefits most is not God, or even the people who will be helped and blessed by my giving.
It is I who will be most blessed; and above all, it brings glory to Him.
Sunday, January 7, 2007
Hard Pressed...But I will be Victorious!
__
The last 4 weeks have been total madness as I virtually got pulled apart by the incessant demands on my time, energy and attention by family, work, ministry and other unexpected issues of life, that unfortunately, always have the habit on arriving unannounced during the most busy times of my life.. I virtually had no time to think or rest as I darted from fulfilling one responsibility or obligation to another. Needless to say, for 4 whole weeks, I battled physical and emotional fatigue and stress. My devotional life fell apart, and needless to say, so did the state of my soul and my emotions.
As Christmas came and went in a blur, things nearly came to a boil. My fuse was already dangerously short and on many occasions I was within a hair's breadth of snapping at the kids and anyone around me. I was worn out, and frustrations were welling up within. Questions like "what in the world am I doing all these for? Why can't I live more for myself instead of always for others?", "Why must I always try to do the "right" thing?", "Is it worth it?" were flying fast and furious at me. I felt trapped in this life of mine, stuck for the rest of my life doing the right things, but honestly not really enjoying them. It felt really depressing....
Don't think I had an answer then. Things got so depressing on Christmas night that I could not sleep in spite of being totally zonked out. I was tossing around still at 3 am until I decided enough was enough. I sat in the hall then, in darkness and quietness, and began pouring out my complaints to God about my situation, about how drained I was, and asking Him why I can't have it a bit easier. Dun think God said that much to me that early morning, but that one thing He said stunned me. He said: "If hanging in there by faith and continuing to do the right thing is how I want you to glorify Me, are you willing?"
I stared into the darkness and felt resigned to my fate..I mean if God said that, then "bo pian" loh...must continue to "tahan". Sigh. Not an attractive proposition, but I grudgingly told God that for Him alone, I will do it. (can't repay Him for all He has done...so how to say no?) But I told Him that I needed help to survive this long term. I desperately need His help, or else I will not be able to make it.
God answered that prayer. Considering how prayerless I was in the midst of those 4 weeks, His faithfulness and grace never ceased to amaze me. My schedule did not get better..in fact it kinda got worse. I started 2007 with 3 consecutive nights of 11 pm - 1 pm teleconferences with the USA, followed by another the following morning at 8 am.
What changed instead was the perspective on the hectic schedules, the lack of rest, the frustration of having no personal space etc. Verses from 2 Corinthians kept coming back to my head:
2CO 1:3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. 5 For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows.
2CO 4:7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. 8 We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 10 We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.
2CO 4:16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
Amazing how the same verses that I have read dozens of time before suddenly became so apt, so relevant when it became the rehema word! They sure helped put things in their proper perspective.
What I failed to grasp over the last 4 weeks but suddenly came so clear:
I have often prayed for God to help me grow, yet I did not realise that going through this difficult period IS the process that He is using to help me do just that! (Very clueless, man.... sigh)
What better proof of spiritual growth than to see more and more of Jesus revealed in our lives? And what better way to build godly character than to subject me to difficulties that are hard to bear, so that when hard pressed, I will increasingly draw close to Him for comfort and strength to overcome?
Also, I am also reminded that I need to overcome and grow through this, so that God's power and comfort can overflow from my life to help those who will go through similar phases. How else can God use me to disciple those that he has entruted to me? How else can I help those walking the same paths who come after me?
Indeed, there is no better way to mold character than through the fires of adversity. I just needed to fix my eyes not on my immediate discomfort and hardship, but focus on how God wants me to respond. If I can do that, then the benefit to me will indeed be eternal.
What's more, if Paul can describe what he went through as "light and momentary troubles", in comparison I do begin to feel ashamed about complaining to God about the little discomforts in my life.
I thank God for His renewing presence in my life, for His patience and faithfulness in putting up with my rantings, with loving me by doing what is best for me. To those undergoing difficult phases in their lives, be encouraged as well -
JN 16:33 "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."
RO 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
2CO 2:14 But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him.
The last 4 weeks have been total madness as I virtually got pulled apart by the incessant demands on my time, energy and attention by family, work, ministry and other unexpected issues of life, that unfortunately, always have the habit on arriving unannounced during the most busy times of my life.. I virtually had no time to think or rest as I darted from fulfilling one responsibility or obligation to another. Needless to say, for 4 whole weeks, I battled physical and emotional fatigue and stress. My devotional life fell apart, and needless to say, so did the state of my soul and my emotions.
As Christmas came and went in a blur, things nearly came to a boil. My fuse was already dangerously short and on many occasions I was within a hair's breadth of snapping at the kids and anyone around me. I was worn out, and frustrations were welling up within. Questions like "what in the world am I doing all these for? Why can't I live more for myself instead of always for others?", "Why must I always try to do the "right" thing?", "Is it worth it?" were flying fast and furious at me. I felt trapped in this life of mine, stuck for the rest of my life doing the right things, but honestly not really enjoying them. It felt really depressing....
Don't think I had an answer then. Things got so depressing on Christmas night that I could not sleep in spite of being totally zonked out. I was tossing around still at 3 am until I decided enough was enough. I sat in the hall then, in darkness and quietness, and began pouring out my complaints to God about my situation, about how drained I was, and asking Him why I can't have it a bit easier. Dun think God said that much to me that early morning, but that one thing He said stunned me. He said: "If hanging in there by faith and continuing to do the right thing is how I want you to glorify Me, are you willing?"
I stared into the darkness and felt resigned to my fate..I mean if God said that, then "bo pian" loh...must continue to "tahan". Sigh. Not an attractive proposition, but I grudgingly told God that for Him alone, I will do it. (can't repay Him for all He has done...so how to say no?) But I told Him that I needed help to survive this long term. I desperately need His help, or else I will not be able to make it.
God answered that prayer. Considering how prayerless I was in the midst of those 4 weeks, His faithfulness and grace never ceased to amaze me. My schedule did not get better..in fact it kinda got worse. I started 2007 with 3 consecutive nights of 11 pm - 1 pm teleconferences with the USA, followed by another the following morning at 8 am.
What changed instead was the perspective on the hectic schedules, the lack of rest, the frustration of having no personal space etc. Verses from 2 Corinthians kept coming back to my head:
2CO 1:3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. 5 For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows.
2CO 4:7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. 8 We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 10 We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.
2CO 4:16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
Amazing how the same verses that I have read dozens of time before suddenly became so apt, so relevant when it became the rehema word! They sure helped put things in their proper perspective.
What I failed to grasp over the last 4 weeks but suddenly came so clear:
I have often prayed for God to help me grow, yet I did not realise that going through this difficult period IS the process that He is using to help me do just that! (Very clueless, man.... sigh)
What better proof of spiritual growth than to see more and more of Jesus revealed in our lives? And what better way to build godly character than to subject me to difficulties that are hard to bear, so that when hard pressed, I will increasingly draw close to Him for comfort and strength to overcome?
Also, I am also reminded that I need to overcome and grow through this, so that God's power and comfort can overflow from my life to help those who will go through similar phases. How else can God use me to disciple those that he has entruted to me? How else can I help those walking the same paths who come after me?
Indeed, there is no better way to mold character than through the fires of adversity. I just needed to fix my eyes not on my immediate discomfort and hardship, but focus on how God wants me to respond. If I can do that, then the benefit to me will indeed be eternal.
What's more, if Paul can describe what he went through as "light and momentary troubles", in comparison I do begin to feel ashamed about complaining to God about the little discomforts in my life.
I thank God for His renewing presence in my life, for His patience and faithfulness in putting up with my rantings, with loving me by doing what is best for me. To those undergoing difficult phases in their lives, be encouraged as well -
JN 16:33 "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."
RO 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
2CO 2:14 But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him.
Yes, things in life may not get easier, but i am convinced that as long as I hang on to Him, I will overcome! So let's claim the promise of a victorious 2007!
Saturday, January 6, 2007
Curtain Raiser
Finally! my first blog! my first post!
Always thought that I should start a blog almost 2 years back, just that procrastination always got the better of me. Always wanted to use a personal blog as a journal and an edification tool for my guys. Thought it will serve well too as a form of accountability to the family on what I am going through, and what I have learnt as I walk with Him and meditate on His Word.
So when His inner voice in my heart continued to urge me to get this done, I finally decided that I should procrastinate no longer and get this started in 2007. Looks like I am a few days late, but at least my blog is finally taking off!
So here goes!
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