i wonder, what is the point of preparing for your role, and not being used in the end. It seems as though the effort put in is absolutely wasted and pointless in hindsight. What makes it even more depressing is the fact that all is done with an aim for God's purpose, and yet it is of no use in the end.
So, why do we do what we do? If everything we did goes down the drain, what is the point of doing what we do?
Looking at the prophets in the Old Testament, i believe that they spread God's message of repentance to the people with a hope that they might listen and repent for what they are doing. Yet not many prophets are able to see this hope being fulfilled, with an exception in Jonah. When opportunities diminishes, does our effort and faith diminish together as well? Do the prophets gave up and shut themselves in a convent, forever lamenting their unfavourable conditions, or simply keep it unto themselves?
I do gain much by preparing for my role. It is my first time preparing the teaching for a long long time, helping me to re-learn and revise some previous things taught to me. But what purpose does it achieve if it benefits me alone?
I still believe that i need to do what i do. But i need hope that wouldnt fail me to see it come to a past.
Wednesday, 30 September 2009
Monday, 28 September 2009
28.09.2009
We always pray that God will show us our blindspots, our hidden weaknesses or sins that plagues us unknowingly. Most of these blindspots can be found in our attitudes and our actions; embedding itself into our personality with each and every experience in life; experiences we have when we are young, what family background we come from, and past hurts or mistakes that we may still regret now. Other blindspots may come from our own set of rules or values that we hold, which may not be biblical yet we either ignored it or didnt look much into it.
When God shows our blindspots, what is our response to it? Some would respond in embarassment or guilt, probably for a hidden sin that lurks in our conscience. Others would respond in anger, putting the blame unto others for the bad experience that we suffer or go through. Still others would rue that things would not have turn out as it is if this or that happened during the process leading to the unhappy outcome.
Yet what is God's purpose for us to know our blindspots? Is it to rue over it, be angered by it, or be shamed? Neither. God wants us to change and acknowledge that blindspot, to accept it as a weakness, and to overcome it with His power and grace. People dislike changes, especially when the root of the issue is deeply implanted into our hearts, yet to live the life that Christ wants us to live is never easy.
When God shows our blindspots, what is our response to it? Some would respond in embarassment or guilt, probably for a hidden sin that lurks in our conscience. Others would respond in anger, putting the blame unto others for the bad experience that we suffer or go through. Still others would rue that things would not have turn out as it is if this or that happened during the process leading to the unhappy outcome.
Yet what is God's purpose for us to know our blindspots? Is it to rue over it, be angered by it, or be shamed? Neither. God wants us to change and acknowledge that blindspot, to accept it as a weakness, and to overcome it with His power and grace. People dislike changes, especially when the root of the issue is deeply implanted into our hearts, yet to live the life that Christ wants us to live is never easy.
Monday, 21 September 2009
21/09/2009
The futility of men is the sign of a needed dependency on God. Its already some time, and i have yet to see what is spoken, what is agreed upon, and what is prophesied. Therefore, should i throw in the towel and give up now? It would be foolish indeed.
I would say i didnt see much, as compared to some others. Of course, there are ups and downs, the pinnacle and the valley in life. But to give up at this critical point would be throwing away every chance and every hope, no matter how little it is.
No matter how many disappointments and near-misses accumulated thus far, we still have hope, we still have faith. How long it is going to last, i wont know. But what i know is, if there is unity and commitment in doing what we have agreed upon, then there will be fruits and blessings from the One who first called us.
But how long will this wait be? How long will this slumber continue?
Will it be another disappointment or another regret again? Just how long are we going to lament what is lost, and what would have been?
Its enough for me.
I would say i didnt see much, as compared to some others. Of course, there are ups and downs, the pinnacle and the valley in life. But to give up at this critical point would be throwing away every chance and every hope, no matter how little it is.
No matter how many disappointments and near-misses accumulated thus far, we still have hope, we still have faith. How long it is going to last, i wont know. But what i know is, if there is unity and commitment in doing what we have agreed upon, then there will be fruits and blessings from the One who first called us.
But how long will this wait be? How long will this slumber continue?
Will it be another disappointment or another regret again? Just how long are we going to lament what is lost, and what would have been?
Its enough for me.
Monday, 3 August 2009
02.August.2009
Certain things happened to me recently, that threatens my life's status quo. Somehow there is an intrusion upon my life that i am uncomfortable with, yet i am forced to take it up nonetheless. May the Lord help me with this discomfort that makes me go out of my own comfort zone to serve You. QT may no longer be shared with You in my room, but i pray that You will give me a good, quiet and private place for me to continue to live my life with You, God.
Places may change,
situations may be unfavourable,
emotions may be dull,
life may be dry,
Distractions may come,
But,
You are always the same,
Unchanging from generation to generation,
from the beginning to the end,
Your love never changes,
nor does it ever fail,
my Hope is in You.
Bring me closer,
and sustain my life,
for Your work and purpose
that You have planned for me.
Temptations may come, and it always comes stronger whenever its previous attempt failed. Guard my heart Lord; show me a way out of this. For it is written,
(1 Corinthians 10:13) (Amplifed Bible)
For no temptation (no trial regarded as enticing to sin), [no matter how it comes or where it leads] has overtaken you and laid hold on you that is not common to man [that is, no temptation or trial has come to you that is beyond human resistance and that is not [adjusted and] adapted and belonging to human experience, and such as man can bear]. But God is faithful [to His Word and to His compassionate nature], and He [can be trusted] not to let you be tempted and tried and assayed beyond your ability and strength of resistance and power to endure, but with the temptation He will [always] also provide the way out (the means of escape to a landing place), that you may be capable and strong and powerful to bear up under it patiently.
Being tempted is a good thing, because it means that the enemy sees you as a precious child of God, and temptations are traps that has the potential to make us fall away from the Lord if we respond to it unbiblically.
I love the amplified version! It makes things more clear. Haha.. time to get an amplified Bible ler!
Places may change,
situations may be unfavourable,
emotions may be dull,
life may be dry,
Distractions may come,
But,
You are always the same,
Unchanging from generation to generation,
from the beginning to the end,
Your love never changes,
nor does it ever fail,
my Hope is in You.
Bring me closer,
and sustain my life,
for Your work and purpose
that You have planned for me.
Temptations may come, and it always comes stronger whenever its previous attempt failed. Guard my heart Lord; show me a way out of this. For it is written,
(1 Corinthians 10:13) (Amplifed Bible)
For no temptation (no trial regarded as enticing to sin), [no matter how it comes or where it leads] has overtaken you and laid hold on you that is not common to man [that is, no temptation or trial has come to you that is beyond human resistance and that is not [adjusted and] adapted and belonging to human experience, and such as man can bear]. But God is faithful [to His Word and to His compassionate nature], and He [can be trusted] not to let you be tempted and tried and assayed beyond your ability and strength of resistance and power to endure, but with the temptation He will [always] also provide the way out (the means of escape to a landing place), that you may be capable and strong and powerful to bear up under it patiently.
Being tempted is a good thing, because it means that the enemy sees you as a precious child of God, and temptations are traps that has the potential to make us fall away from the Lord if we respond to it unbiblically.
I love the amplified version! It makes things more clear. Haha.. time to get an amplified Bible ler!
Wednesday, 29 July 2009
29/07/2009
I had a wierd dream last night....
I was shown 5 separate cities, each with their own sins written beside them. Each city has their own set of sin that is different from another, an evil unique to their own.
And within each city, there is a prophet, a man of God, chosen and anointed by God to lead their respective cities back to Him. There's one prophet for one city.
A gush of comfort fell upon me, knowing that God still plans to bring people back to Him no matter where they are, where they belong to.
And then i was shown another scene. I am introduced to a number of different torturing, lethal devices. I only remembered 2. The first looks like a large monsoon drain, with lower walls and narrower body, that had spikes protruding out towards the internal sides of the drain. And within the drain is a man trapped, looking miserable and seem to have all hope lost written over his face. He scribbles something on the wall, and when i went over to look at it, it was a lamentation of his misery.
Suddenly, I saw a name. The name is 'Parish'.
And the second device, which i didnt have a clear look (it looks like a wooden structure), has its name as well. The name is 'flangelling'.
Then i saw someone picking up something from the 'flangelling', and words come to me, ' Go, capture and whip the boy. ' I see myself starting to run from the person...........
And then my alarm clock ring.
I was shown 5 separate cities, each with their own sins written beside them. Each city has their own set of sin that is different from another, an evil unique to their own.
And within each city, there is a prophet, a man of God, chosen and anointed by God to lead their respective cities back to Him. There's one prophet for one city.
A gush of comfort fell upon me, knowing that God still plans to bring people back to Him no matter where they are, where they belong to.
And then i was shown another scene. I am introduced to a number of different torturing, lethal devices. I only remembered 2. The first looks like a large monsoon drain, with lower walls and narrower body, that had spikes protruding out towards the internal sides of the drain. And within the drain is a man trapped, looking miserable and seem to have all hope lost written over his face. He scribbles something on the wall, and when i went over to look at it, it was a lamentation of his misery.
Suddenly, I saw a name. The name is 'Parish'.
And the second device, which i didnt have a clear look (it looks like a wooden structure), has its name as well. The name is 'flangelling'.
Then i saw someone picking up something from the 'flangelling', and words come to me, ' Go, capture and whip the boy. ' I see myself starting to run from the person...........
And then my alarm clock ring.
Tuesday, 28 July 2009
28/07/2009
An Affirmation to Kiu!
Thank God for my CL and shepherd, who turns 7 years old in Christ on 23rd June! Kiu ah... its been a long time since i first know you, and you have really grown a lot in the Lord in recent years! You have grown a lot in your communication with people, your faith and love for your sheep. and your enduring faith for Jesus! Continue to lead with anointing and strength from God, and i believe our CG shall see our vision come to a past, within this coming 9 mths! May God bless you even more!
_____________________________________________________
Also wanna thank God for my work! God has blessed me so greatly in working the whole of last week, that i had very smooth days at work. I also enjoy the company of nice people in the workplace! They are all very helpful and supportive. I pray that the Lord will continue to bless me and my work!
With faith and blessings also come struggles and trials. May God strengthen my faith in Him through these testing times! I am not gonna let go of Your Hand, no matter how tempted i am in life. Help me to stay focus, and not turning to the left or the right. I wanna walk the straight path You have set before me.
_____________________________________________________
We want to see the lineage of SP continue, even when some of us will be leaving the land soon. We want to see replacements, generation of people who serve God with fervour and desire!
We want to see growth, and not decrease in numbers when we end our stage of life here.
More will come back to Christ! By His Grace it Can, it Will, and it Must be Done!
_____________________________________________________
[1 Corinthians 13:4-7] [MSG]
Love never gives up.
Love cares more for others than for self.
Love doesn't want what it doesn't have.
Love doesn't strut,
Doesn't have a swelled head,
Doesn't force itself on others,
Isn't always "me first,"
Doesn't fly off the handle,
Doesn't keep score of the sins of others,
Doesn't revel when others grovel,
Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth,
Puts up with anything,
Trusts God always,
Always looks for the best,
Never looks back,
But keeps going to the end.
That sums up love. Do you really love, or just use it as a byword or excuse to achieve your selfish aims? Its time to give careful thoughts to your ways.... if you are humble enough to do it.
Thank God for my CL and shepherd, who turns 7 years old in Christ on 23rd June! Kiu ah... its been a long time since i first know you, and you have really grown a lot in the Lord in recent years! You have grown a lot in your communication with people, your faith and love for your sheep. and your enduring faith for Jesus! Continue to lead with anointing and strength from God, and i believe our CG shall see our vision come to a past, within this coming 9 mths! May God bless you even more!
_____________________________________________________
Also wanna thank God for my work! God has blessed me so greatly in working the whole of last week, that i had very smooth days at work. I also enjoy the company of nice people in the workplace! They are all very helpful and supportive. I pray that the Lord will continue to bless me and my work!
With faith and blessings also come struggles and trials. May God strengthen my faith in Him through these testing times! I am not gonna let go of Your Hand, no matter how tempted i am in life. Help me to stay focus, and not turning to the left or the right. I wanna walk the straight path You have set before me.
_____________________________________________________
We want to see the lineage of SP continue, even when some of us will be leaving the land soon. We want to see replacements, generation of people who serve God with fervour and desire!
We want to see growth, and not decrease in numbers when we end our stage of life here.
More will come back to Christ! By His Grace it Can, it Will, and it Must be Done!
_____________________________________________________
[1 Corinthians 13:4-7] [MSG]
Love never gives up.
Love cares more for others than for self.
Love doesn't want what it doesn't have.
Love doesn't strut,
Doesn't have a swelled head,
Doesn't force itself on others,
Isn't always "me first,"
Doesn't fly off the handle,
Doesn't keep score of the sins of others,
Doesn't revel when others grovel,
Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth,
Puts up with anything,
Trusts God always,
Always looks for the best,
Never looks back,
But keeps going to the end.
That sums up love. Do you really love, or just use it as a byword or excuse to achieve your selfish aims? Its time to give careful thoughts to your ways.... if you are humble enough to do it.
Friday, 10 July 2009
10 July 2009
A Testimony to share!
Today went for an interview some where near Upper Paya Lebar... Dun really wish to go actually since i am already waiting for another job confirmation for another job... But since God gave me a second chance ( i missed the 1st interview for this one) so i felt i might as well take it...
I left home at 8 (the interview is at 9am) den i thot to myself i am gonna be late, cos i dun really know the place, and Paya lebar sounds very far from my home. But I managed to reach the destination within 30 minutes (with bus ok!) Hahaha. Somehow God blessed my travel and keep me from being late.
And den its the interview. This is the longest interview that i have ever experienced! But throughout the interview the boss was very engaging and friendly, sharing a lot of stuffs that relates to the job. And towards the end he just simply offer me the job directly.
I considered it for a while as i travel home... Den in the end i accept the job....
Well, God is simply amazing! He blessed me by keeping me from lateness, gave me a boss who is friendly and knows what he is doing, and He gives me a choice to choose out of 2 job offers!
The economy isnt good at all;
I am not a top student. More like a bad student.
I have no job experience other than the internship in SP.
Neither am i someone who can offer many different types of skills;
Or talented in any way that benefits my job finding;
I only have my God.
But His grace is sufficient for me
that i am able to make a choice between 2 jobs
work not 5, but 4 days a week
a workplace that isnt that far from my home
and leaving Saturday and Sunday free to serve!
Its not because i am good,
but because He loves me.
Praise Him!
(Isaiah 40:30-31)
Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
but those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.
Today went for an interview some where near Upper Paya Lebar... Dun really wish to go actually since i am already waiting for another job confirmation for another job... But since God gave me a second chance ( i missed the 1st interview for this one) so i felt i might as well take it...
I left home at 8 (the interview is at 9am) den i thot to myself i am gonna be late, cos i dun really know the place, and Paya lebar sounds very far from my home. But I managed to reach the destination within 30 minutes (with bus ok!) Hahaha. Somehow God blessed my travel and keep me from being late.
And den its the interview. This is the longest interview that i have ever experienced! But throughout the interview the boss was very engaging and friendly, sharing a lot of stuffs that relates to the job. And towards the end he just simply offer me the job directly.
I considered it for a while as i travel home... Den in the end i accept the job....
Well, God is simply amazing! He blessed me by keeping me from lateness, gave me a boss who is friendly and knows what he is doing, and He gives me a choice to choose out of 2 job offers!
The economy isnt good at all;
I am not a top student. More like a bad student.
I have no job experience other than the internship in SP.
Neither am i someone who can offer many different types of skills;
Or talented in any way that benefits my job finding;
I only have my God.
But His grace is sufficient for me
that i am able to make a choice between 2 jobs
work not 5, but 4 days a week
a workplace that isnt that far from my home
and leaving Saturday and Sunday free to serve!
Its not because i am good,
but because He loves me.
Praise Him!
(Isaiah 40:30-31)
Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
but those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.
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