Wednesday, March 22, 2006
Monday, March 20, 2006
Be humbly, loyally accountable
1Peter5:5- Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."
In the ampilfied bible, 1Peter5:5- Likewise, you who are younger and of lesser rank, be subject to the elders (the ministers and spiritual guides of the church)--[giving them due respect and yielding to their counsel]. Clothe (apron) yourselves, all of you, with humility [as the garb of a servant, so that its covering cannot possibly be stripped from you, with freedom from pride and arrogance] toward one another. For God sets Himself against the proud (the insolent, the overbearing, the disdainful, the presumptuous, the boastful)--[and He opposes, frustrates, and defeats them], but gives grace (favor, blessing) to the humble.
In my reflection, i was asking the Lord what it means to give them due respect and yielding to their counsel? For i dont, God will resist me. At first, i got the word "ACCOUNTABILITY''. To be subject to the elders, what does it mean...
What does 'Be subject to' mean: 1. To make (as oneself) amenable to the discipline and control of a superior 2 : to make liable.
What does Amenable mean?
Definition: responsible
Synonyms: accountable, answerable, chargeable, judgeable, liable, subject..
So if we are not, then its Antonyms are true: Irresponsible, not responsible, unaccountable, unanswerable. This will add up to me being Proud. Oh no, but immediately asked God to forgive me. Yes, truely if you'r not accountable to your elders, God will resist you. Therefore we are not under the Grace He gives to the humble. Realising this, it convicts me to come under close accountability with my spiritual father. Before i didnt know, i'm being proud. I thought i was shy, no opportunity, i can handle it, not the right time, deal with God alone but the bible (In King james vrsion) says Submit yourselves unto the elder. This offended my mind, only to reveal my proud heart.
Second word was "LOYALTY". Submit yourself to the elder and be clothed with humility. This is tough if it doesnt come with loyalty.What if oneday you disagree with the elder, but will you choose to submit? Will you be clothed with humility? Satan's heart turned disloyal and God opposes him. Out of heaven, he went. Satan's pride caused him to fall. We must keep humble, and whatever cares we've to cast it upon the Lord. Its becaused the Lord cares.
The devil is preying, for one to devour. At the same time, God is looking for that one man who will go for Him. Being proud or humble- I've made my choice. How about you?
In the ampilfied bible, 1Peter5:5- Likewise, you who are younger and of lesser rank, be subject to the elders (the ministers and spiritual guides of the church)--[giving them due respect and yielding to their counsel]. Clothe (apron) yourselves, all of you, with humility [as the garb of a servant, so that its covering cannot possibly be stripped from you, with freedom from pride and arrogance] toward one another. For God sets Himself against the proud (the insolent, the overbearing, the disdainful, the presumptuous, the boastful)--[and He opposes, frustrates, and defeats them], but gives grace (favor, blessing) to the humble.
In my reflection, i was asking the Lord what it means to give them due respect and yielding to their counsel? For i dont, God will resist me. At first, i got the word "ACCOUNTABILITY''. To be subject to the elders, what does it mean...
What does 'Be subject to' mean: 1. To make (as oneself) amenable to the discipline and control of a superior 2 : to make liable.
What does Amenable mean?
Definition: responsible
Synonyms: accountable, answerable, chargeable, judgeable, liable, subject..
So if we are not, then its Antonyms are true: Irresponsible, not responsible, unaccountable, unanswerable. This will add up to me being Proud. Oh no, but immediately asked God to forgive me. Yes, truely if you'r not accountable to your elders, God will resist you. Therefore we are not under the Grace He gives to the humble. Realising this, it convicts me to come under close accountability with my spiritual father. Before i didnt know, i'm being proud. I thought i was shy, no opportunity, i can handle it, not the right time, deal with God alone but the bible (In King james vrsion) says Submit yourselves unto the elder. This offended my mind, only to reveal my proud heart.
Second word was "LOYALTY". Submit yourself to the elder and be clothed with humility. This is tough if it doesnt come with loyalty.What if oneday you disagree with the elder, but will you choose to submit? Will you be clothed with humility? Satan's heart turned disloyal and God opposes him. Out of heaven, he went. Satan's pride caused him to fall. We must keep humble, and whatever cares we've to cast it upon the Lord. Its becaused the Lord cares.
The devil is preying, for one to devour. At the same time, God is looking for that one man who will go for Him. Being proud or humble- I've made my choice. How about you?
Friday, March 17, 2006
Come From Behind Wins
As I prepared to pounce on some of those momentary lapses of athletic poise (not unlike some of my own lapses, of course), someone commented to me on the performance of the Swiss woman who had been in the number-two position in the snowboard race for the gold medal. I recalled that she was at least 50 meters back when the American athlete decided to "hot-dog" it (play to the crowd, as they say) and fell. The replay shows the Swiss snowboarder flying by to the finish line (and the gold) as the American frantically tries to get back on track.
Go back five seconds before the fall when the American was so far out in front. Why didn't the Swiss boarder relax and settle for the second place silver medal? What made her keep pushing so that she was in a position to capitalize on the sudden fall of the leader and take the gold? Character, I guess.
"We live our lives under the discipline of uncertainty," wrote Fred Mitchell, an English missionary leader of 60 years ago. "We never know what emergencies may be approaching, what (opportunities) may be ripening, what chances may be on the way, what temptations (may be lying in) ambush ready to spring unawares."
Mitchell's words came back to me as I reflected on the sudden reversal of fortunes that brought the gold rather than the silver to the Swiss snowboarder. By not letting down, by demanding the best of herself—even when she was in second place—she put herself in position to benefit from the surprise.
The perseverance of the athlete in second place who understood uncertainty is the better story, much better, I think, than the disappointing hubris of the one who'd been in first.
-by Gordon MacDonald
Something I've experienced in a race. There's nothing like a come from behind Wins. I will expound on my reflections.
1 Corinthians 9:24-27, "Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they [do it] to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: But I keep under my body, and bring [it] into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway."
Go back five seconds before the fall when the American was so far out in front. Why didn't the Swiss boarder relax and settle for the second place silver medal? What made her keep pushing so that she was in a position to capitalize on the sudden fall of the leader and take the gold? Character, I guess.
"We live our lives under the discipline of uncertainty," wrote Fred Mitchell, an English missionary leader of 60 years ago. "We never know what emergencies may be approaching, what (opportunities) may be ripening, what chances may be on the way, what temptations (may be lying in) ambush ready to spring unawares."
Mitchell's words came back to me as I reflected on the sudden reversal of fortunes that brought the gold rather than the silver to the Swiss snowboarder. By not letting down, by demanding the best of herself—even when she was in second place—she put herself in position to benefit from the surprise.
The perseverance of the athlete in second place who understood uncertainty is the better story, much better, I think, than the disappointing hubris of the one who'd been in first.
-by Gordon MacDonald
Something I've experienced in a race. There's nothing like a come from behind Wins. I will expound on my reflections.1 Corinthians 9:24-27, "Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they [do it] to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: But I keep under my body, and bring [it] into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway."
Sunday, March 05, 2006
Lord Move, Or Move Me.
Where Am I heading?What is my Calling?
God, what's your Destiny for me?
What am I doing?
What I'm doing does it count for eternity at all?
Faith is not simply Mental affirmations nor Positive experiences of God but as beliefs and feelings that lead to Response and obedience to the word of God.
Wednesday, March 01, 2006
No taxi but a Big Red Tractor!
Not a taxi but a Big Red tractor Stopped. It was rather a bad day at work. And was made to stay back. Yes, by that time i missed all the shutter services that brings me out of camp. Time was passing and was being bombarded by my Sgts. After all that, i was very late for the leaders meeting. I was so mentally drained. Truely speaking i was thinking Life is unfair, God is GOOD. As i was leaving the camp, I prayed for taxi. When a taxi appeared, my heart was filled with delight but it didnt last for long. Someone infront (my blindspot) stopped and took it. My heart sank. But i continued to pray. I started to walk. I was walking and reflecting on what my Sgt said and also finding for a taxi. Time was running. I was getting late.
I msged Joshua Teo- informing him i don't have much cash and should i even come as its taking so long! By that time, i was feeling even under. But i prayed, i'll submit Lord and i need a taxi. yES, taxis passed me but none stopped. That made things worst, but i still prayed. Then at 8.45pm, at the traffic light a big red tractor stopped. I thought what he is doing, so i looked up. There he was signalling me to come in. Huh? Me? Come In? Sure or not? Got to be kidding me? But anyway i got in fast, as there traffic lights go green. I was in the big red tractor.
The malay uncle asked where i was heading to and explained that taxis will not stop there. We talked little. One of the few questions he asked "Do you smoke?" Well i replied "No" and he said "Thats good!". After sometime he said he will drive me to Boon lay Mrt. I was overjoyed. It is because i can draw money and take taxi to rush down. Thanked God. Later what he told me came as a pleasant surprise: "I am goona pick my friend up and then i shall drive you to Bukit Merah." I was touched and immediaely Thanked him. Thats how i ended up at bukit merah without paying a single cent.
And still God provided a way through it all. Truely i THANK GOD. For He showed me, He is a God who gives over and abundant. More than that He is a God whose ALIVE, who answers our calls. Great is His Name.
I msged Joshua Teo- informing him i don't have much cash and should i even come as its taking so long! By that time, i was feeling even under. But i prayed, i'll submit Lord and i need a taxi. yES, taxis passed me but none stopped. That made things worst, but i still prayed. Then at 8.45pm, at the traffic light a big red tractor stopped. I thought what he is doing, so i looked up. There he was signalling me to come in. Huh? Me? Come In? Sure or not? Got to be kidding me? But anyway i got in fast, as there traffic lights go green. I was in the big red tractor.
The malay uncle asked where i was heading to and explained that taxis will not stop there. We talked little. One of the few questions he asked "Do you smoke?" Well i replied "No" and he said "Thats good!". After sometime he said he will drive me to Boon lay Mrt. I was overjoyed. It is because i can draw money and take taxi to rush down. Thanked God. Later what he told me came as a pleasant surprise: "I am goona pick my friend up and then i shall drive you to Bukit Merah." I was touched and immediaely Thanked him. Thats how i ended up at bukit merah without paying a single cent.And still God provided a way through it all. Truely i THANK GOD. For He showed me, He is a God who gives over and abundant. More than that He is a God whose ALIVE, who answers our calls. Great is His Name.
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