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Those who know me personally will know that I rarely make purchases for myself.

This shall be an exception.

Mmm.

(:

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"He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him." - 2 Corinthians 5:21

Logan is a 13 year-old boy who lives on a ranch in a very small town in Nebraska. Logan listens to Christian Radio station 89.3FM KSBJ which broadcasts from Houston, TX. Logan called the radio station distraught because he had to take down a calf . His words have wisdom beyond his years.

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"The kingdom of God is a kingdom of Paradox, where through the ugly defeat of a cross, a holy God is utterly glorified. Victory comes through defeat; healing through brokenness; finding self through losing self." - Charles Colson

"God will never plant the seed of his life upon the soil of a hard, unbroken spirit. He will only plant that seed where the conviction of his spirit has brought brokenness, where the soil has been watered with the tears of repentance as well as the tears of joy." - Alan Redpath

"[Freedom] can come to us only by the defeat of our old life. Safety and peace come only after we have been forced to our knees. God rescues us by breaking us, by shattering our strength and wiping out our resistance". - A. W. Tozer

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Who God Is...

1. Exodus 32:7-14: God listens to and answers prayers of intercession. "And the LORD relented from the disaster that he had spoken of bringing on his people." I'm reminded that Jesus is seated on the right hand engaging in constant intercession for me. This passage also reminds me of how Abraham pleaded with God with regards to the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah... how it makes a difference, that God does listen. He is God of mercy.

   Application: 2 Chronicles 7:14. Although I know that nothing much can be done with them whom I do not know well and most probably will not get a chance to reach out to them unless He wills, I know I can stand in the gap and intercede on their behalf, that His grace and mercy shall fall upon them, that they'll come to know Him in His timing. I do wonder... if there were people interceding for me and my family way before we entered the Kingdom. Haha...



2. Psalm 33:6-9: He is God the Creator. "For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm." As we look around, it is really easy to forget that every plant, tree, animal, landscape, etc... is His work.

   Application: I must learn to open my eyes and look at my surroundings... and give thanks.

How We Ought To Live The Christian Life

1. Exodus 32:1-6: Do not live a self-gratified Christianity / Christian life. The Israelites acknowledge the presence of a higher being, but they were more concerned that their "gods... go before us..." "And the people sat down to eat and drink and rose up to play." And it still happens today, that many do not engage in the life-transforming personal relationship one can have with God but merely see Him as a God who blesses and answers prayers of desires. The "what's in it for me" attitude is still very much alive today.

   Application: Matthew 6:33. It is so easy for me to be engaged in ministry, attend church, be involved in relationships for personal desires... and I'm reminded and challenged to seek Him first in all things and wait upon Him, even if nothing seems to be happening.



2. Exodus 33:13-17: "Please show me now your ways, that I may know you in order to find favor in your sight" "If your presence will not go with me, do not bring us up from here..." We can only worship in a manner pleasing to the Lord as we know Him better through His Word. Also, in all the things we do, we have to see Him going before us and that He is with us.

   Application: I am called to wait upon Him, know Him better, and move as He moves.

What God Has Done / Will Do (Promises)

1. Psalm 33:11: "The counsel of the LORD stands forever, the plans of his heart to all generations." It is a promise that His will and plans will definitely come to pass... not my will but His be done.

   Application: I can have many plans... and even in my inability to discern which are of Him, I am assured that ultimately His plans will stand... and that His glory will fall. All I ask is the ability to wait and discern, so that I touch His heart, and that I may know Him better.

Main Deposit For The Day

Intercede on their behalf.

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Decided to reproduce parts of my written reflections here not knowing if they'll actually be used to speak into lives... but should they ever, it's for His glory and purpose.

Reflections are as such - I have to confess that I don't possess a mind that's entirely yielded to Christ and as such my thoughts can be incomplete and fallible. Still, I hope it will be of some sort of an encouragement to spur you on in your journey with Him.

That we may run and finish this race well. :)

Who God Is...

1. Exodus 30:17-38: God is HOLY, set apart. Like a piece of white paper, entirely spotless. It is not in His nature or attribute to withstand the tiniest speck of dust. Though instructions given were long and eleborated, I can see that God really desired His people to draw near to Him. It is not that He wants to make things difficult for His people... but that it is necessary so that they may draw near.

   Application: John 3:16. God knows that I cannot make it by myself to set myself apart and keep His commandments fully. He loves me so much that He gave His own Son - that I may draw near and know Him!! In trying to keeping the commandments and withstanding temptations, I must remember that the primary reason is drawing near!



2. Exodus 31:1-6: God gives us talents and gifts primarily for His usage.

   Application: Be it in encouragement, design, writing, songwriting... I must constantly be mindful of the exercising of these gifts for His Kingdom purposes. Thankful for the chat with Seby over MSN regarding some burdens He laid upon my heart... things are getting clearer as to how the gifts can be combined to work out something in that direction.

How We Ought To Live The Christian Life

1. Matthew 26:53-54: Live a life trusting that God knows best in all circumstances, that He is in total control of all situations... knowing that His will shall be done. "Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels? But how then should the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must be so?"

   Application: I will trust in His love, will and sovereignty... that even though the road ahead is uncertain, not knowing if Dori, dad and mom will ever be fully healed physically, not knowing if we'll be able to get by, not knowing if I ever will be fully healed, that the thorns in my life will be taken away... I will trust that God knows best. He gives and takes away... blessed be the name of the Lord.



2. Matthew 26:61-63: "But Jesus remained silent." In the midst of opposition and false testimonies, there is a place for us to keep silent, especially if we discern that hearts are hardened and that opposition comes as an outright "slamming". I wonder how Jesus felt as he looked at the two men bearing those false testimonies against him... knowing that it is also for them that he is dying.

   Application: See as He sees. Yesterday, I came across a young person's blog posting his opinion with regards to intelligent design. Am prompted to keep him in prayer... sensing God's deep compassion for him.

What God Has Done / Will Do (Promises)

1. Psalm 32:1: My transgression is forgiven... my sin is covered... I am blessed. I am blessed because He has provided me the way to draw near to Him - the pardon for iniquity and sin is but the means to draw near to Him, to be reconciled to a personal and intimate relationship with Him.

   Application: PLEASE LET ME NOT TAKE ALL THESE FOR GRANTED.

2. Psalm 32:8: God will be my path and guide. "I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go, I will counsel you with my eye upon you."

   Application: I must confess that sometimes I really hope that He'll speak forth clear instructions, step by step, to me with regards to the vision and burdens laid upon my heart. With so many possible directions to make, it is hard to discern and choose... but I will trust that His eye is upon me as I embark on this journey to do His will... and that He will constantly teach and instruct me by His Word (2 Timothy 3:16).

Main Deposit For The Day

See as God sees... Pray as God prays... Do as God says.

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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.

Hope in the Lord... hope in the Lord people.

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"If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compasssion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasp, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and become obedient to death - even death on a cross!

Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, for the glory of God the Father." - Philippians 2:1-11

(myriad)

I was confronted with the question today while reading through the youth edition of "Experiencing God"... if I could observe the greatest commandment of loving Him with all my heart, soul and mind.

I don't know if this is what brokenness looks like... and as though as He's prepping me for this confrontation, the song which I wrote entitled "I Love You" came forth in my player this morning on the way to work, where the chorus loops an endless "I love You"s...

Because I know I've lost the innocence like that of a new born child when I was born again five years ago.

And yet at the same time, the depths of His grace seem to deepen year after year, revelation upon revelation as I come to know how utterly undeserving I am as a fallible being to be adopted once again to be His child.

I had the opportunity to go through the online version of the four spiritual laws with a youth the day before... and he got stuck at the point where he had to choose between leading a self-directed life or a God-directed life.

The knowledge that he may not be able to be in charge of his own life anymore seem a little bit too confounding and overwhelming.

But if he believes that he has a God who loves him and is for him and will direct his ways in the best of ways, then I guess it wouldn't be too hard of a decision to make.

There lies the dilemma... to know that experiencing God brings about the conviction and yearning to follow Him, and yet one requires obedience to Him first and foremost for that experience to occur.

And this morning when I walked to take the bus... it dawned upon me again at how much grace He's lavished upon me for the very fact that it didn't take too much of a trouble for me to believe in Him in the beginning.

Had a good chat with my ex-chemistry teacher... she read about my family's journey through the past years and talked briefly about hers... and in the end she said that it's good that I didn't walk out on God.

And all I can think of is... how can I ever... for what He's given so freely?

"Everything in your Christian life, everything about knowing and experiencing God, everything about knowing His will, depends on the quality of your love relationship with Him. If that is not right, nothing in your life will be right." - Henry Blackaby in Experiencing God (youth edition)

And all I know... is that I can't love Him with all my heart, soul and mind as long as I'm here... but I want to... and that He can.

And I know He holds my hand.

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Credo in Deum Patrem omnipotentem,
I believe in God the Father Almighty,

Creatorem caeli et terrae.
Maker of heaven and earth.

Et in Iesum Christum, Filium Eius unicum, Dominum nostrum,
And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord;

qui conceptus est de Spiritu Sancto,
who was conceived by the Holy Ghost,

natus ex Maria Virgine,
born of the Virgin Mary,

passus sub Pontio Pilato,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,

crucifixus, mortuus, et sepultus,
dead, and buried;

descendit ad ínferos,
he descended into hell;

tertia die resurrexit a mortuis,
the third day he rose again from the dead;

ascendit ad caelos,
he ascended into heaven,

sedet ad dexteram Dei Patris omnipotentis,
and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty;

inde venturus est iudicare vivos et mortuos.
from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.

Credo in Spiritum Sanctum,
I believe in the Holy Ghost;

sanctam Ecclesiam catholicam,
the holy catholic Church;

sanctorum communionem,
the communion of saints;

remissionem peccatorum,
the forgiveness of sins;

carnis resurrectionem,
the resurrection of the body;

vitam aeternam. Amen.
and the life everlasting. AMEN.

(passing thought)

A person can be a Methodist but not a Christian... a Baptist, a Presbyterian, an Anglican... or someone from any other denomination... a Roman Catholic... but not a Christian.

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I must go on boasting. Although there is nothing to be gained, I will go on to visions and revelations from the Lord. I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven. Whether it was in the body or out of the body I do not know-God knows. And I know that this man-whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, but God knows- was caught up to paradise. He heard inexpressible things, things that man is not permitted to tell. I will boast about a man like that, but I will not boast about myself, except about my weaknesses. Even if I should choose to boast, I would not be a fool, because I would be speaking the truth. But I refrain, so no one will think more of me than is warranted by what I do or say.

To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

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 1 I love the LORD, for he heard my voice;
       he heard my cry for mercy.

 2 Because he turned his ear to me,
       I will call on him as long as I live.

 3 The cords of death entangled me,
       the anguish of the grave ^[a] came upon me;
       I was overcome by trouble and sorrow.

 4 Then I called on the name of the LORD :
       "O LORD, save me!"

 5 The LORD is gracious and righteous;
       our God is full of compassion.

 6 The LORD protects the simplehearted;
       when I was in great need, he saved me.

 7 Be at rest once more, O my soul,
       for the LORD has been good to you.

 8 For you, O LORD, have delivered my soul from death,
       my eyes from tears,
       my feet from stumbling,

 9 that I may walk before the LORD
       in the land of the living.

 10 I believed; therefore ^[b] I said,
       "I am greatly afflicted."

 11 And in my dismay I said,
       "All men are liars."

 12 How can I repay the LORD
       for all his goodness to me?

 13 I will lift up the cup of salvation
       and call on the name of the LORD.

 14 I will fulfill my vows to the LORD
       in the presence of all his people.

 15 Precious in the sight of the LORD
       is the death of his saints.

 16 O LORD, truly I am your servant;
       I am your servant, the son of your maidservant ^[c] ;
       you have freed me from my chains.

 17 I will sacrifice a thank offering to you
       and call on the name of the LORD.

 18 I will fulfill my vows to the LORD
       in the presence of all his people,

 19 in the courts of the house of the LORD—
       in your midst, O Jerusalem.
       Praise the LORD. ^[d]

Footnotes:

1. Psalm 116:3 Hebrew Sheol


2. Psalm 116:10 Or believed even when


3. Psalm 116:16 Or servant, your faithful son


4. Psalm 116:19 Hebrew Hallelu Yah

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"Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us." - Romans 5:1-5

You see... it takes someone who is suffering to know exactly what it is to rejoice in suffering. David wrote these when he was running away from Saul:

"My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast; I will sing and make music. Awake, my soul! Awake, harp and lyre! I will awaken the dawn. I will praise you, O Lord, among the nations; I will sing of you among the peoples. For great is your love, reaching to the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies. Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your glory be over all the earth." - Psalm 57:7-11

Could he have actually praised with sadness? NO... Even though David was running away from his pursuers, he continued to rejoice in God.

Do you see yourself in any form of suffering right now?

Rejoice!

:)

"Be joyful always; pray continually. Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus" - 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

If you've been wondering how I've made it through these turbulent times... you've caught a glimpse. :P

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Ridin' by His grace at the moment... with joy. Ah. Please, don't let this season pass so soon... Hur hur hur.

From Oswald Chamber's "My Utmost For His Highest"

"In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us..." - Romans 8:37

Paul was speaking here of the things that might seem likely to separate a saint from the love of God. But the remarkable thing is that nothing can come between the love of God and a saint. The things Paul mentioned in this passage can and do disrupt the close fellowship of our soul with God and separate our natural life from Him. But none of them is able to come between the love of God and the soul of a saint on the spiritual level. The underlying foundation of the Christian faith is the undeserved, limitless miracle of the love of God that was exhibited on the Cross of Calvary; a love that is not earned and can never be. Paul said this is the reason that "in all these things we are more than conquerors." We are super-victors with a joy that comes from experiencing the very things which look as if they are going to overwhelm us.

Huge waves that would frighten an ordinary swimmer produce a tremendous thrill for the surfer who has ridden them. Let’s apply that to our own circumstances. The things we try to avoid and fight against— tribulation, suffering, and persecution— are the very things that produce abundant joy in us. "We are more than conquerors through Him" "in all these things"; not in spite of them, but in the midst of them. A saint doesn’t know the joy of the Lord in spite of tribulation, but because of it. Paul said, "I am exceedingly joyful in all our tribulation" ( 2 Corinthians 7:4 ).

The undiminished radiance, which is the result of abundant joy, is not built on anything passing, but on the love of God that nothing can change. And the experiences of life, whether they are everyday events or terrifying ones, are powerless to "separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord" ( Romans 8:39 ).

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Excerpt from "A Slice of Infinity", Ravi Zacharias International Ministries, entry written by Betsy Childs:

One of the verses I heard most often growing up in the church was Romans 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."

Christians quote this verse in response to all manner of trials, from the relatively trivial crisis of not making the cheerleading squad to the devastating loss of a child or spouse. Although the frequency with which we quote Romans 8:28 may have made it seem cliche or trite in some circles, I know of no more profound and hopeful promise in all of the Scriptures.

I regret that the familiarity of this promise can make those who hear it fail to probe its meaning. We stop listening midway through the verse, only able to retain the thought that God is working all things for good for those who love him. Yet this verse also tells us tells us what kind of good He is working: purposeful good. For not all good is purposeful. Ice cream is good, but it is not a purposeful good in the way that exercise is good. Sleep is a purposeful good, as is parenting. And those who love God have been called to a purpose.

Aren't you curious to know what that purpose might be? If we stopped reading at verse twenty-eight, we would only have half of the story and only be able to guess at the purpose revealed to us in verse twenty-nine: "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." This is our purpose unveiled: to become more like Christ. (If you've ever wondered why God put you on this earth, now you know.)

Sometimes we can see an obvious reason God steers us away from the course we had intended to take. I can think of several examples of this in my own life. But other times, I can't see any point to the detour. I feel like a driver craning her neck, hoping desperately to see work going on, hoping that the disappointment has a purpose. If we believe Romans 8:28-29, we can rest in the knowledge that every joy and sorrow in the life of a Christian is purposeful, and the purpose is to conform us to the likeness of Jesus. God takes sanctification seriously. He is resourceful enough to use anything to make us more like Jesus, even those experiences that seem to us like a complete waste.

Corrie Ten Boom (a woman who was no stranger to suffering) writes, "God has plans—not problems—for our lives." His plan is to make us look like our brother, his "firstborn" (v. 29). The transformation may be painful, but it is purposeful, and the result will be glorious for all to see.

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It's a tad long... but please. Read it. Source is unknown.

"Shalom my friends. My name is Yeshua ben Yosef. I am from the ancient land of Palestine and I’m a shepherd by trade. It is an honour for a man of my occupation to be allowed to stand here and speak with you today. You see in my nation shepherding is not looked upon with favour. For most of my countrymen it is a job to be avoided rather than sought. The hours are long. The work is dirty and backbreaking. You should see the thick calluses on my feet. And the pay ... well let's just say you'll never get rich tending sheep for a living. I learned the trade from my father and I continue the family tradition.

You pastor thought it would be helpful for me to come and speak with you today about my lowly occupation. I'm not really sure what a humble man such as I could teach you, but I'll tell you everything that I know.

Did you know that in the Bible you read, God refers to his people, you and me, as sheep nearly two hundred times? You may have never considered the significance of that comparison but I have because I work with sheep day and night. Let me tell you it's not a compliment to be called a sheep. Why not rather eagles - majestic, swift and beautiful? No, God calls us his sheep. Why not lions - strong, fearless, terrifying? No, instead, God calls us his sheep. Oh they're unique, but to be compared to one is nearly an insult. A sheep is perhaps the stupidest animal on the face of the earth. Have you ever seen a trained sheep in the circus? You'll see elephants, horses, bears, seals even hippos, but not sheep. They're too stupid to train. Sheep are also quite filthy. The wool that you see in clothing has been cleaned thoroughly. The fluffy white sheep that you view on your television sets didn't get that way on their own. Sheep will not and cannot clean themselves. The shepherd or his hired hands must do it for them. Not only are they dumb and dirty, sheep are utterly defenceless. They have no claws, no fangs, no wings. They can't run fast or scare an enemy off with a loud roar or spray a predator with a noxious scent. All they can do is bleat.

Sheep are completely reliant on their shepherds. Their lives and well-being depend on the person who oversees them each day. If God calls us his sheep I wonder just what he's trying to say?

Maybe you would understand God a little better if you spent a day with me. Come with me on a journey shepherding sheep.

The day begins early, before dawn. It is my job to provide food and water for my sheep. This is not an easy task. You see in my country the land is parched and dry. We have nothing like the vast green pasture lands that your sheep and cattle enjoy here. You can just turn your animals loose and they have all the food they need. But not in my country. Oh no. Grass can be found only in narrow strips separated by long stretches of rock and dust. Except during the rainy season, water is provided by natural springs or wells spread out here and there. I sometimes have to lead my sheep miles just for a few yards of grass or a quick drink of water. It is for that reason that we arise early. It takes all day to find the nourishment my sheep need.

I know the area like the back of my hand. I've walked every square foot of it many times. This is how I'm able to lead my sheep. You may have imagined that shepherding is like those old Westerns you've seen where the cowboys, riding their horses behind the herd, drive the cattle forward. Shepherding is somewhat different. I walk in front of the herd and they follow me. Wherever I go they go. If I were unfamiliar with the land or the sheep were left on their own they'd starve to death. But I lead them. I know where the grass is. I've been there beforehand.

We spend the entire morning travelling from pasture to pasture. By mid-day the sheep are exhausted and thirsty. They need refreshing or they will die. Along the route I know the location of several oasis. These places have shade and lush pasture for the sheep to rest. I make they lie down and drink. Speaking of which, did you know that sheep won't drink from just any water source. Oh no. They will only drink from quiet still pools. They have a natural fear of fast moving water and for good reason. If a sheep should slip into a river or stream its wool would soon soak up the water and become completely saturated. Sheep are poor swimmers anyway, but the weight of the water in their wool would cause them to sink and drown. That's why the waters must be gentle and still. If I can't find a pool I have to create one by diverting water from a stream. Now you're beginning to understand what hard work shepherding is.

My sheep will be fine and have everything that they need as long as they follow me. I lead them along well-worn paths where I know we will find food and water. They need my guidance.

My sheep also need my protection. The land where we travel is fraught with dangers. Predators like lions and bears stalk the herds. There's the occasional pack of wild dogs. Some harmless looking plants, though tasty, prove to be poisonous. A sheep might easily stumble over a cliff or fall into a ravine and die. But my sheep have no need to fear. I watch out for them. If they begin to wander off in the wrong direction I have my trusty shepherd's staff to prod them back in the right direction. If they should fall into a pit or a ravine I use the other end of my staff to reach down and lift them to safety. I carry two sticks, though. One is a staff, but the other is a club. The staff is for my sheep, but the club is for predators. My sheep may be dumb, but I'm quite attached to them. I'll fight tooth and nail for their lives. Some of the hirelings and other shepherds I'm acquainted with have seen me battle a few of those big carnivores. They laugh and joke and tell me that some day one of those lions or bears will have me for lunch. That may be true, but I can tell you that I won't look the other way or run the other way like those cowards. No, that's the difference between a good and a bad shepherd. A good shepherd will lay down his life for his sheep.

As long as they follow me I guide and protect my sheep. It's tough work, but I always make sure my sheep have food to eat. I always check out the fields before I allow them to graze. If there are poisonous plants in the area and go through and weed out everyone by hand. I also check the ground for snake holes. I told you it's dangerous in my land. We have tiny little vipers that live underground in some of the pasturelands. When they sense the sheep grazing, they pop their ugly heads out of the ground and bite the sheep on the nose. The infection or venom from the bite could kill them. But I have a remedy for those viscous little enemies. I walk off the entire area looking for snake holes. When I find them I pour a little olive oil into the entrance of the hole. Then I anoint the head and nose of each sheep with the same oil and allow them to graze. The oil prevents the slick bodies of the snakes from crawling out of their holes. They're powerless to harm my sheep. It makes me laugh to watch my little lambs have a picnic in the very presence of their enemies.

By evening we return to the sheepfold. One by one I examine each of them. If I find any cuts or scraps on their bodies I apply healing ointment to their wounds. I make sure they have water to drink. If I find one nearly overcome with thirst I have a special cup-shaped bucket and let him drink by himself. Sometimes those sheep are so thirsty that they stick their heads in too fast and too far and the water overflows and wets their heads.

Before bedding down for the night I always count my flock. Occasionally one of the lambs will stray, and there's nothing more vulnerable than a sheep without it's shepherd. I go immediately to find it and bring it back to the sheepfold.

Every once in a while one of my lambs will develop a habit of straying. I remember one little fellow. I named him Jake. He came from a fine family. His grandfather was one of my very first sheep. I called him Old Abe. Jake's father was Isaac. Both Old Abe and Isaac faithfully followed me and stayed on the path, but not that little rascal Jake. He turned up missing more times than I could count. Sometimes he was in search of greener pastures while at other times I found him chasing butterflies. He never realized the danger he in, but I understood it clearly.

Something had to be done. We shepherds have developed a technique guaranteed to prevent straying. It is used only as a last resort -- when a sheep refuses to stay with the flock. The last time I caught him straying I used it on little Jake. No doubt you will think that it's cruel, but it saves the life of my sheep. At the end of the day I found little Jake wandering dangerously toward a steep gorge. I picked him up, put him on my shoulders and carried him back to the sheepfold. He didn't struggle. Jake just looked at me with only trust in his eyes. I sat him down and quickly placed his right front leg across my staff. With one swift motion I pulled down of the long bone of his leg and broke it. Wild-eyed, Jake struggled to get away. He immediately fell to the ground in pain. He couldn't understand. The one who provided for him and rescued him, the one who he trusted was inflicting the most excruciating suffering he'd ever endured. I didn't want to, but I had to do it to save his life.

Over the next few days, little Jake could barely get up. As the flocks moved from pasture to pasture I carried him every step of the way. I held him close in those days. He was suffering with that broken leg, but all the while I carried him close to my heart. I sat him down to eat and drink. Gradually he was able to walk again, but the smallest hill looked like a mountain to him and the shallowest stream like a mile-wide river. Whenever he encountered and obstacle all he could do was stop and look to me. Then I'd pick him up and help him over. Jake learned to trust and to follow. I had to break him to save his life. It worked. Jake is still with me today and one of my most loyal sheep.

Well that's a day in the life of a shepherd. It's not glamorous, but it's a living.
As undignified as my profession is it still amazes me that God compares himself to a shepherd and his people to sheep. I can see the truth in it though. After all he meets our needs by providing the necessities of life, by guiding us each day and by protecting us. I guess we would be as content and at peace as my sheep if we'd just learn to trust and follow him. Even if we don't understand where he's leading or what he's doing in our lives, if we'd just trust him and follow him we'd be satisfied.

Thank you for listening. I've got to get back to work. This shepherding is a never-ending job if you know what I mean?"

PSALM 23
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:
he leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul:
he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness
for his name's sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil: for thou art with me;
thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me in the
presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil;
my cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life:
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

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Question from sMonSter: What does it mean to you when the bible refers to CLEAN HANDS? What is the significance of the hand that it has to be clean before God? Why not clean... eyes or mind or feet or nose or fingers or hair or Belly Buttons?

We often associate our hands with the things we do: we use our hands to write, type on the keyboard, play sports, put food into our mouth, etc. The palms of the hands especially... are the significant portions (plus the fingers) which will usually make the first contact with an object when we try to touch or hold it. Surely we can touch or hold things with other parts of the body, but we're fashioned in His likeness to do these things with our hands.

Having clean (pure, holy) hands is therefore essential as we associate with a Holy God. In the literal sense of climbing the mountain of the Lord (Psalm 24), imagine touching the mountain (first point of contact) with a pair of unclean hands. Be it in thought (heart) or in action (hand), we all have to be clean if we are to associate with an absolutely Holy, pure and pristine God.

Be it in giving or receiving, the hands as the primary point of contact has to be pure and holy. As we're called to lift up holy hands in prayer (1 Tim 2:8), the picture I get is that of the words being borne in the hands before being lifted up to the heavens as an offering (Rev 5:8). We can say all we want in our prayers, but if our thoughts (heart) and actions (hands) aren't pure before God, the offerings that we lift up will be defiled, displeasing to Him.

Also... imagine strecthing out a pair of unclean hands to receive His blessings.

Therefore... clean hands, not eyes, nor minds... and definitely not belly buttons.

It brings us back to His mercy and grace... to know that it is absolutely impossible for Man himself to lift up a pair of clean hands.

Cleansed... by the blood of the Lamb. It's only when we realise how impossible it is for us to reconcile to God by our own means... that we realise how immensely huge that sacrifice was.

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Samuel said to Saul, "I am the one the LORD sent to anoint you king over his people Israel; so listen now to the message from the LORD. This is what the LORD Almighty says: 'I will punish the Amalekites for what they did to Israel when they waylaid them as they came up from Egypt. Now go, attack the Amalekites and totally destroy everything that belongs to them. Do not spare them; put to death men and women, children and infants, cattle and sheep, camels and donkeys.' "

So Saul summoned the men and mustered them at Telaim-two hundred thousand foot soldiers and ten thousand men from Judah. Saul went to the city of Amalek and set an ambush in the ravine. Then he said to the Kenites, "Go away, leave the Amalekites so that I do not destroy you along with them; for you showed kindness to all the Israelites when they came up out of Egypt." So the Kenites moved away from the Amalekites.

Then Saul attacked the Amalekites all the way from Havilah to Shur, to the east of Egypt. He took Agag king of the Amalekites alive, and all his people he totally destroyed with the sword. But Saul and the army spared Agag and the best of the sheep and cattle, the fat calves and lambs-everything that was good. These they were unwilling to destroy completely, but everything that was despised and weak they totally destroyed.

Then the word of the LORD came to Samuel: "I am grieved that I have made Saul king, because he has turned away from me and has not carried out my instructions." Samuel was troubled, and he cried out to the LORD all that night.

Early in the morning Samuel got up and went to meet Saul, but he was told, "Saul has gone to Carmel. There he has set up a monument in his own honor and has turned and gone on down to Gilgal."

When Samuel reached him, Saul said, "The LORD bless you! I have carried out the LORD's instructions."

But Samuel said, "What then is this bleating of sheep in my ears? What is this lowing of cattle that I hear?"

Saul answered, "The soldiers brought them from the Amalekites; they spared the best of the sheep and cattle to sacrifice to the LORD your God, but we totally destroyed the rest."

"Stop!" Samuel said to Saul. "Let me tell you what the LORD said to me last night."

"Tell me," Saul replied.

Samuel said, "Although you were once small in your own eyes, did you not become the head of the tribes of Israel? The LORD anointed you king over Israel. And he sent you on a mission, saying, 'Go and completely destroy those wicked people, the Amalekites; make war on them until you have wiped them out.' Why did you not obey the LORD ? Why did you pounce on the plunder and do evil in the eyes of the LORD ?"

"But I did obey the LORD," Saul said. "I went on the mission the LORD assigned me. I completely destroyed the Amalekites and brought back Agag their king. The soldiers took sheep and cattle from the plunder, the best of what was devoted to God, in order to sacrifice them to the LORD your God at Gilgal."

But Samuel replied:

"Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices
as much as in obeying the voice of the LORD?
To obey is better than sacrifice,
and to heed is better than the fat of rams.

For rebellion is like the sin of divination,
and arrogance like the evil of idolatry.
Because you have rejected the word of the LORD,
he has rejected you as king."

Then Saul said to Samuel, "I have sinned. I violated the LORD's command and your instructions. I was afraid of the people and so I gave in to them. Now I beg you, forgive my sin and come back with me, so that I may worship the LORD."

Cause me to see the plank in my own eye first and foremost. I don't want this to be a response to other people's actions... but let me truly learn how to walk in the fear of the Lord and seek first Your Kingdom and Your Righteousness.

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From Matilde (from tagboard): If God is so good why would he let people die? Why would he let war and world hunger happen? They didn't make themselves do it. The children born into an unwealthy family don't choose to live like that. They try and change it but it doesn't. Why would God do such horrible things?

Hi Matilde,

Firstly... I attest to you that my family has gone through quite a bit, my sister down with leukemia, my dad with diabetes and my mom currently in a semi-conscious state in the hospital striken with a rare brain disease. Sometimes I do wonder myself if the things I'm holding on to right now will change should the afflictions come my way personally... guess what. I guess I'm foolish enough to hope that they may come... so that I may personally testify as well, just as how my dad and sis are doing so... and I'm sure my mom will too.

God is good... if not we'll not be existing at all. He created the heavens and the earth... created humankind for His pleasure. Man sinned and fell short of His glory... if not for His love, grace and mercy, mankind would have long perished.

"What if God, choosing to show his wrath and make his power known, bore with great patience the objects of his wrath - prepared for destruction? What if he did this to make the riches of his glory known to the objects of his mercy, whom he prepared in advance for glory - even us, whom he also called, not only from the Jews but also from the Gentiles?" - Romans 9:22-24

Suffering is a result of the fallen world and the sinful nature... It is not something that's "bestowed" by Him. We have done nothing to deserve to be redeemed but in His mercy and love, He gave His Son Jesus Christ as the ultimate sacrifice, that whosoever believe in Him shall not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16).

The bodily suffering that we see in this world right now will pale so much in comparison when compared to the eternal suffering one goes through in hell. Hell wasn't meant for people... the Cross stands before it, bekoning each person to make a choice. You're not coerced into hell... neither are you coerced into heaven. You're given a choice.

For many, the last breath on this side of eternal life in heaven signifies the beginning of the first breath on the other side... I hope you'll breathe yours in a place filled with magnificent light.

It's not so much of different set of beliefs... it doesn't make any sense for any need for vindication... for by then, all would have been too late... too late.

Just my two cents' worth. There're multitudes of references written covering over the topic of suffering... you may want to check out works by Philip Yancey. Thanks for giving me an avenue to write about this topic in this manner... though short as it is, I hope that the main gist of it has been brought across clearly.

More Info:

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Assurance of SALVATION:

"And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life." - 1 John 5:11-12

Assurance of ANSWERED PRAYER:

"Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete." - John 16:24

Assurance of FORGIVENESS:

"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." - 1 John 1:9

Assurance of VICTORY:

"No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it." - 1 Corinthians 10:13

Assurance of GUIDANCE:

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." - Proverbs 3:5-6

Putting Christ First:

"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." - Matthew 6:33

His Strength:

"I can do everything through him who gives me strength." - Philippians 4:13

God's Word:

"How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word... I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you." - Psalm 119:9,11

Love:

"A new commandment I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. All men will know that you are my disciples if you love one another." - John 13:34-35

Giving:

"Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." - 2 Corinthians 9:7

The Church:

"I rejoiced with those who said to me, 'Let us go to the house of the Lord.'" - Psalm 122:1

Good Works:

"For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." - Ephesians 2:10

Witnessing:

"Go home to your family and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you." - Mark 5:19

From Navigator's Growing in Christ Follow-up Series

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Invitations of Wisdom and of Folly

1 Wisdom has built her house;
she has hewn out its seven pillars.

2 She has prepared her meat and mixed her wine;
she has also set her table.

3 She has sent out her maids, and she calls
from the highest point of the city.

4 "Let all who are simple come in here!"
she says to those who lack judgment.

5 "Come, eat my food
and drink the wine I have mixed.

6 Leave your simple ways and you will live;
walk in the way of understanding.

7 "Whoever corrects a mocker invites insult;
whoever rebukes a wicked man incurs abuse.

8 Do not rebuke a mocker or he will hate you;
rebuke a wise man and he will love you.

9 Instruct a wise man and he will be wiser still;
teach a righteous man and he will add to his learning.

10 "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom,
and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

11 For through me your days will be many,
and years will be added to your life.

12 If you are wise, your wisdom will reward you;
if you are a mocker, you alone will suffer."

13 The woman Folly is loud;
she is undisciplined and without knowledge.

14 She sits at the door of her house,
on a seat at the highest point of the city,

15 calling out to those who pass by,
who go straight on their way.

16 "Let all who are simple come in here!"
she says to those who lack judgment.

17 "Stolen water is sweet;
food eaten in secret is delicious!"

18 But little do they know that the dead are there,
that her guests are in the depths of the grave.

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It irks me sometimes... I do get bogged down quite a bit by the perfectionist streak in me. I ask a lot of rhetorical questions... like how can I see certain people embrace Him fully and have their anchors anchored upon His love... how one day I will see certain ones choose Him over all other passions in life... to see that everything else is an outflow of the relationship that one has with Him. Rhetorical... because I'm not asking for an answer... because the answer is obvious. I can't do it... it's not me.

2 CHRONICLES 20:1-29
Jehoshaphat Defeats Moab and Ammon

After this, the Moabites and Ammonites with some of the Meunites came to make war on Jehoshaphat.

Some men came and told Jehoshaphat, "A vast army is coming against you from Edom, from the other side of the Sea. It is already in Hazazon Tamar" (that is, En Gedi). Alarmed, Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the LORD , and he proclaimed a fast for all Judah. The people of Judah came together to seek help from the LORD ; indeed, they came from every town in Judah to seek him.

Then Jehoshaphat stood up in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem at the temple of the LORD in the front of the new courtyard and said:

"O LORD , God of our fathers, are you not the God who is in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. Power and might are in your hand, and no one can withstand you. O our God, did you not drive out the inhabitants of this land before your people Israel and give it forever to the descendants of Abraham your friend? They have lived in it and have built in it a sanctuary for your Name, saying, 'If calamity comes upon us, whether the sword of judgment, or plague or famine, we will stand in your presence before this temple that bears your Name and will cry out to you in our distress, and you will hear us and save us.'

"But now here are men from Ammon, Moab and Mount Seir, whose territory you would not allow Israel to invade when they came from Egypt; so they turned away from them and did not destroy them. See how they are repaying us by coming to drive us out of the possession you gave us as an inheritance. O our God, will you not judge them? For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you."

All the men of Judah, with their wives and children and little ones, stood there before the LORD .

Then the Spirit of the LORD came upon Jahaziel son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, a Levite and descendant of Asaph, as he stood in the assembly.

He said: "Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the LORD says to you: 'Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God's. Tomorrow march down against them. They will be climbing up by the Pass of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the gorge in the Desert of Jeruel. You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the LORD will give you, O Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the LORD will be with you.' "

Jehoshaphat bowed with his face to the ground, and all the people of Judah and Jerusalem fell down in worship before the LORD . Then some Levites from the Kohathites and Korahites stood up and praised the LORD , the God of Israel, with very loud voice.

Early in the morning they left for the Desert of Tekoa. As they set out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, "Listen to me, Judah and people of Jerusalem! Have faith in the LORD your God and you will be upheld; have faith in his prophets and you will be successful." After consulting the people, Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the LORD and to praise him for the splendor of his holiness as they went out at the head of the army, saying:

"Give thanks to the LORD ,
for his love endures forever."

As they began to sing and praise, the LORD set ambushes against the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir who were invading Judah, and they were defeated. The men of Ammon and Moab rose up against the men from Mount Seir to destroy and annihilate them. After they finished slaughtering the men from Seir, they helped to destroy one another.

When the men of Judah came to the place that overlooks the desert and looked toward the vast army, they saw only dead bodies lying on the ground; no one had escaped. So Jehoshaphat and his men went to carry off their plunder, and they found among them a great amount of equipment and clothing and also articles of value-more than they could take away. There was so much plunder that it took three days to collect it. On the fourth day they assembled in the Valley of Beracah, where they praised the LORD . This is why it is called the Valley of Beracah to this day.

Then, led by Jehoshaphat, all the men of Judah and Jerusalem returned joyfully to Jerusalem, for the LORD had given them cause to rejoice over their enemies. They entered Jerusalem and went to the temple of the LORD with harps and lutes and trumpets.

The fear of God came upon all the kingdoms of the countries when they heard how the LORD had fought against the enemies of Israel. And the kingdom of Jehoshaphat was at peace, for his God had given him rest on every side.

Recipe:

God never fails... we're not called to sail in the open seas with perfect weather conditions... we're called to sail through thunderous storms knowing that we're sailing on a ship that'll never sink... that'll definitely reach its destination.

At the end of it... we'll all be given a stamp on our hands... : Tried and tested. Hahahaha... Sorry sorry... I think I'm ranting... :P

Perhaps that's why many people are deluded with the faith... that God always protects and nothing bad will ever happen. That statement is eternally true actually... it's just how the world relates to good and bad situations... according to man's understanding. Ah well.

I shall go back asking all those rhetorical questions... hahaha.

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Quoting Ps Ed:

There was a blind girl who lived in an apartment on the fourth storey of a building in the States. A day came when the entire building caught fire and all the people in the building had to be evacuated. It so happened that the girl was all alone at home. Because of the structural unstability of the building, the firefighters were unable to barge into her apartment to rescue her.

They laid out the canvas on the ground floor and asked her to jump.

She was scared stiff... all the more because she couldn't see where she's going to jump. She clung unto the window, crying.

Her father came into the scene from the office where he was working at. His familiar voice met her ears... the same thing was said - jump my girl.

"But daddy... I'm scared... and I can't see you."

"BUT I CAN SEE YOU... and that's all it matters."

"I have set the Lord continually before me; because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken." - Psalm 16:8

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart." - Hebrews 12:1-3

First spoken of during this morning's sermon... then read on Gpp's site... who happened to write these set of verses for his kiddo (hmmmm)... and the highlighted portion being Biblegateway's verse of the day...

Okay Papa... I get it... but it's a tad long? My brain a little fried these days... :( But it's okay... will take it as a challenge! :P

(pain in the neck)

Literally. First time having such kind of a pain... made worse when I try to turn my head to the sides. Sob... :|

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"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." - 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Shared with RayXz my first life verse today... and how it brought me through and through... even now.

I'm keeping this entry short... however the Lord wants to speak to you through the verses, may your ears be attuned.

None of us in this world is void of struggles... and as you yearn to walk closer to Him, you'll realise that you're giving satan every reason to attack you harder... especially at your weaknesses. Be vigilant and know your weaknesses... be willing to surrender them to Him time and again and grow in your devotion unto Him.

My life as a Christian for the past three years... it's been a mess undernearth the facade. I would say that my walk with Him didn't really take off till a couple of months ago. I'm left amazed time and again how temptations were fended off... I could really identify with what Paul said in his letter to the Romans:

"I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do–this I keep on doing." - Romans 7:18-19

At times it became really bad... but His grace is sufficient. And why I'm amazed... it's because I know that it's definitely not by my own strength that I'm able to overcome.

And this is one thing that I'll reiterate time and again... I won't know where I'll be four years from then if I had not known and accepted Him into my life.

Your timing couldn't be any better. :)

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"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." - Matthew 6:33

Looking in context, the verse speaks about provision. Not that I'm taking it out of context now... but this verse pops out as I pondered upon the issue of tackling with problems... all sorts of problems.

We may see in others many ugly traits which we would really want them to do away with. Everyone of us struggle... some struggle with attitude problems, some with confidence issues, some with angst issues... a lot times, we do not really know how to respond to situations but instead we react. We feel lost... we get angry... there're two extremes - either we wallow in self pity or we resort to violent destruction.

Often we would look at these problems and pray against it. We focus so much on asking God for strength to carry on... for the power to withstand temptations... for this... for that...

There's one thing we all should be praying for for everything else to fall into place. That is for everyone of us to grow in our devotion unto Him. As we grow more and more to love our Heavenly Father in a more intimate way... as we understand more of His will and hear Him speak through the Scriptures, things will fall into place - people will learn how to respond more than react... they will know what it means to be holy because His is holy...

The perceived problem... is usually not the problem in itself. THE problem... is that people aren't engaging in a deep level of devotion with Him. Seek Him first... His Kingdom and righteousness... and all other issues will fall in their rightful places.

There're people whom I go out with... where it's a natural thing to bring up scriptures amidst the conversation... to talk about our walk and ministry... you'll feel a little burning sensation deep within... perhaps that is what is called kindered heartedness? I get that everytime I meet up with Frieda and now Wongli when we meet to go through discipleship materials and talk about our walk and ministry... I get that with some of the youths when we hanged out and chit chat... people like Onionman, Jan... I got that when Derrick and I met a couple of days ago when we started talking about our respective youth ministries... and just a few moments ago, I got that when I had a hearty and lengthy talk with my sis.

My mei mei has grown up loh. :P

In actual fact, I'll like to think that all my meis meis have grown! All the brothers really must buck up... sigh. Haha.

But seriously. Let us all grow in deep devotion... to realise that this is something that He's left for us to choose. There're many things which we have to take that step ahead before we'll realise the consequences... and this invitation to taste the consequences of a deep devotion to God... you really don't want to miss it.

Come.

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"I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked men, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary. Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love." - Revelation 2:2-4

What are the things in life that you feel excited and passionate about? We can get so caught up in the doing of things that we forget the very basis of the faith - that is to grow in this personal relationship that each of us have in Him. Some of us may be so caught up in ministry, doing the same things week in and out to the point that it becomes a routine. Some of us hold such critical views of people that it irks us when we see others not coming right before Him. Some of us may be anchored to other loves in life in the very first place... and never once considered the personal relationship with Him as the first and most important.

God addresses the church of Ephesus in His revelation to John in Revelation 2:2-4. The church in Ephesus had worked hard and persevered for His Namesake... but still, God held something against them - through all the doing, they have forsaken their first love - that is their own personal walk with Him.

He's ever calling us to a closer walk with Himself first and foremost... everything else is secondary. It will be meaningless if we do not serve cheerfully and joyfully out of the abundant life that we're enjoying from this growing relationship... and so, if anything, strive to grow and nurture this One relationship with Him above all else. Read the Word regularly, for this is the way that God will be able to speak - through the Scriptures. Pray regularly, for this is the way for you to speak to Him. And never forget... that as with any other relationship building, it is a process which will take time... but it is definitely worth it. Because He will never leave or forsake you... no one can separate you from His love... and you will have eternity long to enjoy His presence.

Why start later...?

Start now.

Never forsake your first love... but firstly, make sure that your first love... is Him.

When you have nothing left by God, then for the first time, you become aware that God is enough. - Anges Maude Royden

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Whoa... this is one of those rare days... I woke up at TWELVE NOON! Hahaha... but considering that I should be sleeping fourteen hours to compensate my lack of sleep... :P

I'm gonna work on the "local Christian youth magazine" today... will post it here once it's done. :)

Do you know that this world is meant to be a loving and caring world?

Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.

This is the one who came by water and blood–Jesus Christ. He did not come by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth. For there are three that testify: the Spirit, the water and the blood; and the three are in agreement. 9We accept man's testimony, but God's testimony is greater because it is the testimony of God, which he has given about his Son. Anyone who believes in the Son of God has this testimony in his heart. Anyone who does not believe God has made him out to be a liar, because he has not believed the testimony God has given about his Son. And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.
- 1 John 4:7 - 5:12

Let us all work towards it, yea? Thumbs up? :)

(not surprised. heh)

NEIGHBOURLY LOVE
Our Daily Bread
15 March 2005

Love your neighbor as yourself. - Matthew 22:39

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. - Ephesians 4:29-32

The Carnegie Foundation discovered that to be successful on the job, relational skills are far more important than knowledge. Its research found that only 15 percent of a person's success is determined by job knowledge and technical skills. Eighty-five percent is determined by an individual's attitude and ability to relate to other people.

Scripture commands us to "be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you" (Ephesians 4:32). In fact, it tells us to love our "neighbor" as we love ourselves (Matthew 22:39). And a neighbor is not only someone who lives near us or works next to us, but anyone we meet on life's journey—especially those in need.

So having an attitude of courtesy, care, and concern for others is a basic spiritual principle. It is also the most important guideline for congenial and happy relationships. Indeed, it is even the golden key to vocational success.

Our purpose for modeling a Christlike spirit of neighborly love, though, is that we want to obey God, not just to achieve success at work. After all, our supreme vocation as believers is to embody and practice the neighbor-loving character of our Lord. — Vernon Grounds

Who measures how we've done in life
And judges our success?
Our God, who gives rewards to those
Who live in righteousness. —Branon

Those who love God will love their neighbor.

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Amazed at how He reveals... reminds... reaffirms.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. - Proverbs 3:5-6

Was just using Proverbs 3:5-6 to encourage my didi yesterday... then I realised that it's the exact same verse that he should be doing for his homework this week. Then I started meditating on it... remembered the song I wrote which I never got to record and started singing it here and there:

TRUST IN THE LORD

Verse
Greater love has no one than this,
that he lay down his life for his friends, for his friends
Jesus Christ He came down for me,
how he laid down his life on the cross, on the cross

Pre-chorus
"I am the vine; you are the branches.
If a man remains in me and I in him,
he will bear much fruit, he will bear much fruit;
apart from me you can do nothing."

Chorus x 2
Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make your paths straight.

The Pre-chorus' from John 15:5... and when I was on the bus today, I took out of the now-torn-and-tattered issue of DJ and did some reading on spiritual disciplines... and the article used this as the basis of the explanation on seasonal disciplines. Flipped a couple of pages down and read the article in Luke 15 regarding the parable of the prodigal son, with emphasis on the other brother who became angry when he "received nothing" from the father.

And Matt shared that passage at PUSH UP in the evening.

Tian AH.

But I like. Thank You Papa. :P

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"To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life... glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. For God does not show favoritism."
- Romans 2:7,10-11

WAY ONE: GOOD WORKS?
Is it possible for one to attain immortal life... go to heaven... through good works? Definitely... God deems it as one of the acceptable ways. Question is, how good can one be? How good is good? Can one ever achieve the level of goodness that God has set as His standard? You can be the world's best and strongest swimmer and swim a thousand laps in the pool without breaking a sweat... but can you swim from the arctic to the antartica?

"All who sin apart from the law will also perish apart from the law, and all who sin under the law will be judged by the law. For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God's sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous. "
- Romans 2:12-13

WAY TWO: THE LAW?
How about getting there by obeying the Law? It seems that it's a pretty much acceptable way... by living a life in obedience to what is set out in the Ten Commandments. Question is, will anyone of us be able to keep all the laws?

"If you are convinced that you are a guide for the blind, a light for those who are in the dark, an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of infants, because you have in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth– you, then, who teach others, do you not teach yourself? You who preach against stealing, do you steal? You who say that people should not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? You who brag about the law, do you dishonor God by breaking the law?"
- Romans 2:19-23

""Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."
- John 14:6

WAY THREE: JESUS CHRIST
Because God knows that we cannot match up to His level of goodness... because He knows that we will not be able to keep to all the laws... because He knows that nothing can save us from this eternal separation from Him unless He intervenes. And He did. He sent His one and only Son, Jesus Christ, to die for us.

"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."
- Romans 5:8

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."
- John 3:16

"The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,” that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming: That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. As the Scripture says, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame.” For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile–the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”"
- Romans 10:8-13

Will you... call upon His Name?

FOREVER GRATEFUL
by Mark Altrogge

You did not wait for me to draw near to You,
But You clothed Yourself with frail humanity.
You did not wait for me to cry out to You,
But You let me hear Your voice calling me.

And I’m forever grateful to You.
I’m forever grateful for the cross;
I’m forever grateful to You
That You came to seek and save the lost.

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It's so real...and sometimes I really ask myself why people are so adamant... Dad was sharing with me certain things that he overheard...

We as humans are so caught up in the act of doing... especially the older generation... that the word "faith" speaks nothing to them.

But come to think of it... wouldn't they need faith to believe that all the idols they're praying to are real and that the deities would bless them?

Blessing from God our Maker does not come in the form of how much you receive in accordance to how much you worship and do. It is God's desire to bless as our Creator... and not by an accumulation of the good that we do. It all boils down to the debate between faith and works no? Well... It is the faith.. the love that one has for God... that leads to works that one does willingly as a form of worship... and not do things for the hope of His blessings to fall.

What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction? As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.
- James 2:14-26

And... He left it as a choice for us... to believe.

"I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die..." Jesus said (John 11:25-26(a)).

He didn't end there when He was speaking to Martha...

"Do you believe this?"

Her response?

“Yes, Lord,” she told him, “I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world.” (John 11:27)

What is your response?

(Immanuel)

Hah... nice meeting you man! Say... since we live in such close proximity, we can meet up for a cuppa one of these days ya? Thanks for dropping by the wake... and for praying!

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Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not selfseeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
- 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

It's no surprise how apt the devotionals are coming straight at the face lately... yesterday's ODB talked about the verses above. How these verses are phrased... translates to the fact that it is a choice... and there is the choice to be impatient... to be unkind... to be envious of the things and people around you... to boast... to be proud, to be rude... to be self seeking... to be easily angered... to keep a record of wrongs... to delight in evil and not rejoice with the truth. There is an avenue for hurting if not there's no need for protection. There is an avenue for betrayal... if not there's no need for trust. There is an avenue for hopelessness in trials and tribulations... if not there's no need for hope and perseverence.

Read down one verse.

Love never fails.

The choice is left to us to mirror that kind of love that He's given us.

Just read today's ODB about "The Levititicus Reminder":

I am the LORD your God. You shall therefore consecrate yourselves, and you shall be holy; for I am holy.
- Leviticus 11:44

And I rememebered a few days ago the theme Ah Kel's threading upon for this afternoon's youth service praise and worship.

Wow.

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OMIGOSH!!! John Piper's books are available online for download... for free! Imagine the excitement when I came across the link from Aaron's site! Hahaha... John Piper's one of my favouritest authors apart from Max Lucado... who's in a different league of writing altogether anyways. Heh. His writings can be quite cheemology (takes time to digest) but I'm buying into many of his propositions... which he intersperses throughout his writings... and personally for me, the one that gets rooted in my heart goes by the fact... that missions exist... because worship doesn't. If all the peoples of the world are worshippers... then there isn't any need for missions. We must always be mindful to know the purpose behind every missions trip... though caring for the poor, feeding them, etc are very much the things we're to do... the ultimate purpose is to see the nations worship... for His glory. And He's one author who places tremendous emphasis in that... that God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him. That is why I try my very best to live a life of contentment and satisfaction... to know that His grace is sufficient... so that the life I live may be lifted up for His glorification... Learning to be satisfied each day... as what Apostle Paul wrote to the church of Philippi when he was in jail. And as many of us shake our heads and go how is it possible to be joyful always when there're so many things going on in life... so much clutter... so much stress... I say, life's a choice. You can be the busiest man on earth running around all the while and yet be rested in Papa. :) But ya... I think I'm really looking forward to next tuesday still... when I can finally take some time off to sleep... rest physically. :P

Yup... go read some of his books!!!