Rules for Living

Sunday, 13 March 2011

'His... power has given us everything we need for life...'2 Peter 1:3 NIV

Here are three rules for living. First, learn to control the climate around you. Negativity is contagious; look out for its 'carriers'. Love them, lift them, but don't let them infect you. Filter what people say to you through God's Word. '...God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power (ability and a can-do attitude) and of love (which always looks for the best) and of a sound mind (which is stable and consistent)' (2 Timothy1:7 NKJV).

Second, learn to laugh at yourself. A woman who'd been given a lovely plant took it home, watered it, fertilised it and set it in the sun. A year later she discovered it was silk - and she still laughs about it. When you're secure in God's love and approval you can laugh at yourself; it's a mark of spiritual maturity.

Third, learn to factor God in. Ever hear of the 90/10 rule? When 90 per cent of the circumstances are uncontrollable, focus on the 10 per cent you can do something about. Paul did that. '...We were troubled on every side; without were fightings, within were fears. Nevertheless God...' (2 Corinthians 7:5-6 KJV). Note the words 'Nevertheless God'. When you're facing a mountain always remember: God can move it, He can level it, He can tunnel through it, or He can help you climb it. All you have to do is factor Him in by seeking His face and consulting His Word. 'Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom...' (Colossians 3:16 KJV). Keep a rich deposit of Scripture within you and draw on it daily.


**** I know I need to be reminded of these things. By now I am beginning to be upbeat and positive again. I couldn't change the situation but I can always change my attitude. I just had a bad week. My robots kept on having a mind of its own. My workmate asked me, "How can you smile in this kind of situation?" I told him, "I couldn't fix it by being grumpy. Might as well give myself a break." Positive attitude really does pay off. You can work well, relate well and do better. Nothing beats a nice smile in a horrific situation.

Also in those times, I laugh. Yes, I could be really hard at myself but at the same time I can now fully accept that I can make mistakes, and its okay. We all do make mistakes. The thing is if I am secure on God's love that in whatever I do even if I fail He can still love me, why not as well just give credit to experience and laugh about it. God still loves me.

And Yes, what is the best thing to do in every situation? It is to involve God in everything you do. I keep it do a point to remember that I cannot change a lot of things. God has the power to settle a lot of my mistakes. BUT it is not an excuse not to do anything at all too. All these things give it to God and do the things I reckon I could change.God will do most of the things for me. This devotion taught me that 90% of my circumstances are uncontrollable, don't look at these things. Rather, focus on the remaining 10% and do something about it.

I am awed by the fact that I can do a good and happy life. I should just go for it, smile, laugh and give it all to God.

My Tears for the Land of the Rising Sun

Japan had a massive 8.9 magnitude earthquake yesterday March 12, 2011 at around 2:46 pm. It was centered near the east coast that could kill hundreds of people. This earthquake caused a huge tsunami to engulf the the towns and farmlands in inland Miyagi Perfecture. Buildings shook, heaved and collapsed by the score, and numerous fires ignited. Some trains were derailed, it tossed boats and cars like toys. Thousands of people want missing.

My heart was trampled like rubbish when I saw the video. It was devastating to see as if I am watching a movie only now it is real. I couldn't imagine how the people could run and be safe in that kind of situation. Deep in my heart I wish I could carry them and put them away from danger.

Japan has always been close to my heart. It is one of the places I wish to go and explore about. Not only because of it's beauty but also because of the culture in which I am most fascinated with. I wish to know the locals, take a bath in the hot springs, walk about the cherry blossoms, watch the fireworks by the Tokyo skyline, eat tasty food (like sushi's, donburi and yakisoba), walk the busy pedestrians, and shop till I drop in those awesome gadget stores, cute dress shops and anime hubs.

Japan is like home away from home.

It was terrible when I heard the news. I have great respect and love for the Japanese people. I hope that the people alive will be alright, those missing be found and those sadly that passed away be at peace.

I am praying that despite this tragedy Japan could get up from it's devastating state and rise again. Japan is the land of the rising sun afterall and by that it gives me hope that somewhow even if it takes a long time and it is hard Japan will get up and see the sun straight ahead.

You Must be Faithful

Saturday, 12 March 2011

'...He was faithful to God, who appointed him...'Hebrews 3:2 NLT

Faithfulness is more than just a nice concept; you must be faithful to something or someone. Actually, it's in making and keeping commitments to others that we demonstrate our faithfulness to God. '... And whatsoever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord...' (Colossians 3:17 NKJV). That means to be seen by Him, to bring glory to Him, and to be rewarded by Him.

If you don't love those around you, you don't really love God. Jesus put it this way: '...In as much as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me' (Matthew 25:40 NKJV). The Greek word for faithful means 'to be trustworthy and reliable'. When you give your word, can you be trusted to keep it? Many of us just aren't reliable. We can't be counted on to do what we say. It doesn't matter how gifted you are, if you're not trustworthy God cannot use you. And God will test you! How? By assigning you to do something for a period of time that you don't want to do, something that's not fun or exciting, something that may require you to submit to someone else's authority, something you chafe under. Then He will say to you, 'Just be faithful.' And faithfulness is not merely showing up day after day - it's showing up with a good attitude.

God rewards that kind of faithfulness. Jesus said, '...If you have not been trustworthy with someone else's property, who will give you property of your own?' (Luke 16:12 NIV). Simply stated, if you want to be successful, you must be faithful.


**** When I saw this devotion there is one thing in my mind "It could have been better if a certain someone reads this! It will show him what faithfulness is all about!"

BUT when I finished reading I recognized my lack of faithfulness. God's word is not ONLY for the people I am thinking about ONLY because they were unfaithful to me before. It is also an issue about me and my selfishness.

I know I have been unfaithful to God whenever I quit the responsibilities entrusted to me. I am no longer a person who can be trusted because of my past. But God gave me a second chance, His redeeming love made me realize where I got it wrong and honor whatever commitments I have today. What I have done to someone or to some commitments I have to do it for the Lord. I have to be trustworthy on what I have and what is entrusted to me. I have to keep my word and be faithful to everything that I say. I shouldn't commit into something I couldn't stand up for.

Faithfulness is about God and how well I could keep up with the words I say to Him and obeying him. A word not said is better than broken promises. I am praying to be faithful.

Finishing Strong

Thursday, 10 March 2011

'...I have finished my course...'2 Timothy 4:7 KJV

The course God sets before us is seldom easy. Running it takes commitment. James MacDonald says, 'I've lived long enough to know men and women whose lives were sold out to God a few years ago, but who've since walked off the track... gone AWOL... lost their longing for God. Fear of following in their footsteps haunts me... and it should you, too... The faithfulness of my walk with God depends on my willingness to stay in a relationship with Him. I never want to lose the grip His greatness has on my life and the privilege it is to... serve Him till the day I'm welcomed into His presence. That passion compels me. It keeps me honest and humble... the last thing I want to do is crawl across the finish line a defeated, derailed Christian, or worse - give up the race before my life's over. I want to break that tape with arms high, my face to the sun.'

Paul said, '...I have finished my course... Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown...' (2 Timothy 4:7-8 KJV). Notice, courage plus endurance plus faithfulness equals reward. Photographer Jacob Riis said, 'When nothing seems to help, I go look at a stonecutter hammering away at his rock, perhaps 100 times without as much as a crack showing in it. Yet at the 101st blow it will split in two, and I know it wasn't the last blow that did it, but all the blows that have gone before.'

God's Word is '...a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces...' (Jeremiah 23:29 NKJV). So, '[hold] fast the word of life, so that in the day of Christ [you'll] have reason to glory because [you] did not run in vain...' (Philippians 2:16 NAS).

*** I am praying to finish strong. Yes, I am weak in every aspect but it is God that is the strength in my weakness. I found this devotion interesting because I have had always wanted to quit into something but in the end if God permits me to have it He always has a way to give it back. God wants to test my endurance. He wants me to finish strong. He wants me to be better.

I am praying that the Lord will give back what I had lost - my self respect. I had trampled myself into something I was not proud of. I exchanged short uneventful bliss than being in the joy of the Lord. It was the regret that causes me pain. I do not want to look back rather move forward. Those in the past were the stepping stones of a better me "today" and eventually "tomorrow." God knows my future.

I remember a friend saying to me that faith is like carrying a flashlight inside a dark cave. You cannot see a lot ahead but enough to make another step ahead. I am taking another step and I believe God will let me finish strong.

Dear You

Dear you,

Today has been a day of unexpected calmness. Yes, I am thinking of you but at the same time I’m falling more in Love with Him, and it’s so beautiful. However, endless possibilities of what we can do together have conquered my mind. I want us to be spontaneous and try new things together. I want to leave you cute little post-it notes telling you how much I love you. I want to cook dinner and maybe we could put up candles and pretty glasswares for fun.I want to dance with you with the rhythm of our hearts. I want us to sing together, drive to various places and laugh all the time. I want us to be happy through it all, because we have hope in Christ, and we know that He is our overcomer. I’m so excited to spend days like these with you.

It's autumn and the air seems colder than the usual but it wouldn't take the simplicity of warm hearts that could be put together. The breeze is freezing but the sunshine bursts like little sparkles of hope. I want us to roam the streets of Hamilton, hand in hand, smiling until the moon hovers the skies. I want us to have picnic in the beautiful Rose garden and feed ducks by the lake.

People think that romance is overrated, and I am aware that love isn't always romantic. I am certain that love hurts, but I still believe romance is beautiful. Courtship is beautiful. A love blessed by God is beautiful.

The sun is shining brightly. So whatever we do in life, whether here, or elsewhere, I hope we can both embrace the beauty of life together, and smile every chance we get.

I am praying for you. There could be chance that this could happen soon or maybe it could take sometime. But for that cause I pledge to wait. My heart longs for you and at the same time I am at peace.


I love you and I'm falling more inlove with Him too. He is beautiful. My heart is truly captivated by Him and I know so are you.

See you soon.


- Me.

The Delay of Christmas

Sermon by Pastor Don
Gateway Church.
December 19, 2010

** Notes of an awed believer touched by God. My own version and understanding of the sermon **


God is a God of promise and keeps/fulfills His promises as well.

* God's questionable delay
Bible Text: Mark 5:22-43

22Then one of the synagogue rulers, named Jairus, came there. Seeing Jesus, he fell at his feet
23and implored Him earnestly, saying, "My little daughter is at the point of death; please come and lay Your hands on her, so that she will get well and live." 24 So Jesus went with him. A large crowd followed and pressed around him.
25 And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years. 26 She had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all she had, yet instead of getting better she grew worse. 27 When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, 28 because she thought, “If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed.” 29 Immediately her bleeding stopped and she felt in her body that she was freed from her suffering.

30 At once Jesus realized that power had gone out from him. He turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who touched my clothes?”

31 “You see the people crowding against you,” his disciples answered, “and yet you can ask, ‘Who touched me?’ ”

32 But Jesus kept looking around to see who had done it. 33 Then the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell at his feet and, trembling with fear, told him the whole truth. 34 He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.”

35 While Jesus was still speaking, some people came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue leader. “Your daughter is dead,” they said. “Why bother the teacher anymore?”

36 Overhearing[a] what they said, Jesus told him, “Don’t be afraid; just believe.”

37 He did not let anyone follow him except Peter, James and John the brother of James. 38 When they came to the home of the synagogue leader, Jesus saw a commotion, with people crying and wailing loudly. 39 He went in and said to them, “Why all this commotion and wailing? The child is not dead but asleep.” 40 But they laughed at him.

After he put them all out, he took the child’s father and mother and the disciples who were with him, and went in where the child was. 41 He took her by the hand and said to her, “Talitha koum!” (which means “Little girl, I say to you, get up!”). 42 Immediately the girl stood up and began to walk around (she was twelve years old). At this they were completely astonished. 43 He gave strict orders not to let anyone know about this, and told them to give her something to eat.

The first story is about a woman subject to bleeding for twelve years. She herself suffered long enough to finally redeemed herself and be healed but the main story of this subject is about Jairus and his daughter. (There would be another long good topic for the story of this woman but for now let us focus on Jairus).

Jairus came first to Jesus but because of the interruption of the woman the answer to his request came late.

Jesus was still speaking to the woman when people came to Jairus saying "It's too late, she's dead. Don't bother Jesus anymore" (vv.35) It is good as saying as "It's not worth it anymore. You cannot undo the irreversible. She's dead. No hope. No future."

I could fairly imagine how Jairus felt that time. Maybe I would ask: How could this happen? I came to him in time but there are so many things around that came up. Isn't the pain of losing my daughter too trivial that it should be set aside? What hope is there left when she's dead?

But still Jesus answered: "Do not be afraid. Just believe."

In the midst of failing hope God wants us to believe.

Why?

Why are there delays in our innermost requests?

1. IN GOD'S DELAYS HE TEACHES US WISDOM.
-Remember God see's what we don't. God is always one step ahead from us. He knows what is best.

2. DELAY TEACHES US THE GRACE OF GOD.
-God is not impressed. No one can earn God's favor - it's GRACE.
Delay EXPOSES/REVEALS our heart.
Never think that delay cause it rather it reveals it.

3. DELAY TEACHES US THAT HE IS UTTERLY TRUSTWORTHY.
-God is never late, but owes the opportunity of not getting early.

So what happened to Jairus?

Jesus came to the house held the little girls' hand and told him softly. “Talitha koum!” (which means “Little girl, I say to you, get up!”). She stood up began to walk and went to eat.

In my version it is the same as saying " Sweetheart, stand up. Walk. Build your strength."

Jesus has the POWER.

God always comes through. It is not over. Stand up!

Don't confuse your agenda for Him. He delayed not to frustrate but to save me because God knows my heart. He knows I'm not ready for it.

Wait in God.
Don't lose heart.
Don't Give up.

Surviving the First Few days

This is my story.

My struggle as I conquer my greatest fear.

It is being left alone and rejected.

It didn't came with a warning. It came suddenly like a whirlwind that crushed my spirit and left my soul broken and bare. I wish I knew better but I didn't.

I sensed something but my commonsense trusted words which in the end turned out to be empty and fabricated. It was like trusting an ally in a heated battle only to find out in the end that he is the one who will shoot you straight to your death.

So how did I survived the first few days?

1. I allowed God to Hold me - more than ever.

I came to God full of questions. My mind filled with "WHY"S". I entered in Gods presence honestly with my tears, my rage, my grief, and my most bitter disappointments. And I can relate to Job when he said:

17 “What is mankind that you make so much of them,
that you give them so much attention,
18 that you examine them every morning
and test them every moment?
19 Will you never look away from me,
or let me alone even for an instant?
20 If I have sinned, what have I done to you,
you who sees everything we do?
Why have you made me your target?
Have I become a burden to you?"

-Job 7:17-20 NIV
I questioned God but at the same time I trusted Him.In the midst of trouble God is the only hope I had. Even though I have no idea what was going on or what God plans to do, I held on to my faith.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."
- Matthew 11;28 NIV

2. I set aside a time to grieve.

Grieving is a dark valley. My pain was so chronic I had grown accustomed to it each passing day. I had pushed myself to positive response that I didn't allow myself to feel the pain. I tried too quickly to forgive and forget or rather felt that my suffering is too trivial. Numbing the pain didn't helped me.

So I cried. I cried like there was no tomorrow. The sorrow crept through me day and night and it consumed me like fire. It drowned me under the force of the storm. It was horrifying. The sight of me was unrecognizable . I allowed pain inside me and at the same time I also acknowledged Gods presence to hold me tight in my deepest agony. I realized that grieving honors what I've lost and professes what I never had.

"Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted." - Matthew 5:4

3. I took deep breaths.

Going though difficult times I recognized I am most often taking shorter, shallow breaths. Sometimes I even caught myself holding my breath. It is painful not only because of the pain but most especially physically when my body isn't getting enough oxygen it needs. I took a breather. I went to Hamilton lake alone and took in some fresh air.

I am stressed. I am depressed. I am brokenhearted. I am in pain.

But at the same time I am blessed. I am redeemed. I am favored. I am saved.

The truth is, it is still a lingering dispute inside my heart. The healing and moving on process is still an ongoing journey. The Lord is merciful and gracious. I trust God even if I am uncertain. There are a lot of things I need to learn about letting go and letting God. But for now I'll curl up into a tiny ball and cry my heart out while being in the loving embrace of my God. After that I'll try to take a breather and take care of myself. This pain won't go on forever. This pain will soon be over. This pain is now surrendered under the cross.

"He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds." -Psalm 147:3


December,2010