He who would be happy here must have friends; and he who would be happy hereafter, must above all things, find a friend in the world to come, in the person of God, the Father of His people.
True friendship can only be made between true men. Hearts are the soul of honor. There can be no lasting friendship between bad men. Bad men may pretend to love each other, but their friendship is a rope of sand, which shall be broken at any convenient season; but if a man have a sincere heart within him, and be true and noble, then we may confide in him.
Charles Spurgeon Daily Help
I am intrigued by the above devotion. It causes me to think. I believe I am happy because I have friends and most importantly, hereafter I have found in the world to come my Heavenly Father who will forever be mine!
However I was struck by the thought of true friendship and true men. True men and bad men. I truly belive that true friendship can only be made with men, as written by Charles Spurgeon above, who have sincere heart within them, and be true and noble. Truth cannot be tainted with lies which by far seems pretty common in this world.
I wonder how bad men pretend to love one another? Inwardly, I may well fall into this trap of 'pretending'.... I felt sad. Perhaps this is the only way to respond to bad men? Wisdom is definitely needed to discern between True men and Bad men. But I have seen bad men really well disguised and sincerely think they are true. The complications are there. How do I respond?
This verse comes into my mind as I ponder.
"The heart is hopelessly dark and deceitful, a puzzle that no one can figure out.
But I, God, search the heart and examine the mind. I get to the heart of the human. I get to the root of things. I treat them as they really are, not as they pretend to be."
Jeremiah 17:9-10 The Message
My security lies in the fact above. God searches my heart and examines my mind. He knows and He judges fairly.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Reflections before hitting the Big Four in 2012
One word to describe my current state of life - BLESSED!
One verse that still hits my heart when I gives thanks to all the blessings during my birthday - James 1:17 (my birth date)
There are so many good and perfect gifts in my life that I can always sing a new song unto God. I have a wonderful husband. I have two beautiful daughters. I have two loving and supportive extended families. I have many many loyal and faithful friends. I have an enjoyable work which I am passionate about. I have a BIG GOD who loves me dearly and can do absolutely anything! Truly, what can I ask for more in my life? Ah, Oh yes, my last entry - More Love, More Power in my life indeed! That's my prayer for 2011.
Perhaps some may lament that their husband, children, siblings, friends, work etc are not perfect.... Yes, it's true to most extent but more and more, I start to understand that we are all not perfect, depending on what perspective you are looking at. BUT God says in His Words that His gifts are good and perfect and if we know that whatever in our life given are gifts, then they will be PERFECT and GOOD as He says it is. So I am really grateful. I know everything He has given me is good and perfect.
IT IS.
Because I rest in His Words, I really am contented! We may have troubles and trials and temptations coming into our life, but these are opportunities for JOY isn't it? (James 1:2). I know I am indeed His choice possession out of all creation and I have His precious Word to mediate upon.
I am indeed so blessed even before I hit the big FOUR. I am not going to think about that just yet cos I have 365 days to enjoy being in my 30s. But somehow I am sure when I am there, I know the one word to describe my life then - BLESSED!
Thank you Jesus for 39 years of life! Every breath is a perfect and good gift to me! I love you Jesus for giving me my life and for your amazing grace that has sustained me the last 39 years.
James 1
9 Believers who are poor have something to boast about, for God has honored them. 10 And those who are rich should boast that God has humbled them. They will fade away like a little flower in the field. 11 The hot sun rises and the grass withers; the little flower droops and falls, and its beauty fades away. In the same way, the rich will fade away with all of their achievements.
12 God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. 13 And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, “God is tempting me.” God is never tempted to do wrong, and he never tempts anyone else. 14 Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. 15 These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death.
16 So don’t be misled, my dear brothers and sisters. 17 Whatever is good and perfect comes down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow. 18 He chose to give birth to us by giving us his true word. And we, out of all creation, became his prized possession.
One verse that still hits my heart when I gives thanks to all the blessings during my birthday - James 1:17 (my birth date)
There are so many good and perfect gifts in my life that I can always sing a new song unto God. I have a wonderful husband. I have two beautiful daughters. I have two loving and supportive extended families. I have many many loyal and faithful friends. I have an enjoyable work which I am passionate about. I have a BIG GOD who loves me dearly and can do absolutely anything! Truly, what can I ask for more in my life? Ah, Oh yes, my last entry - More Love, More Power in my life indeed! That's my prayer for 2011.
Perhaps some may lament that their husband, children, siblings, friends, work etc are not perfect.... Yes, it's true to most extent but more and more, I start to understand that we are all not perfect, depending on what perspective you are looking at. BUT God says in His Words that His gifts are good and perfect and if we know that whatever in our life given are gifts, then they will be PERFECT and GOOD as He says it is. So I am really grateful. I know everything He has given me is good and perfect.
IT IS.
Because I rest in His Words, I really am contented! We may have troubles and trials and temptations coming into our life, but these are opportunities for JOY isn't it? (James 1:2). I know I am indeed His choice possession out of all creation and I have His precious Word to mediate upon.
I am indeed so blessed even before I hit the big FOUR. I am not going to think about that just yet cos I have 365 days to enjoy being in my 30s. But somehow I am sure when I am there, I know the one word to describe my life then - BLESSED!
Thank you Jesus for 39 years of life! Every breath is a perfect and good gift to me! I love you Jesus for giving me my life and for your amazing grace that has sustained me the last 39 years.
James 1
9 Believers who are poor have something to boast about, for God has honored them. 10 And those who are rich should boast that God has humbled them. They will fade away like a little flower in the field. 11 The hot sun rises and the grass withers; the little flower droops and falls, and its beauty fades away. In the same way, the rich will fade away with all of their achievements.
12 God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. 13 And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, “God is tempting me.” God is never tempted to do wrong, and he never tempts anyone else. 14 Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. 15 These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death.
16 So don’t be misled, my dear brothers and sisters. 17 Whatever is good and perfect comes down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow. 18 He chose to give birth to us by giving us his true word. And we, out of all creation, became his prized possession.
Monday, January 10, 2011
Omnipotence IN LOVE
Omnipotence may build a thousand worlds, and fill them with bounties; Omnipotence may powder mountains into dust, and burn the sea, and consume the sky, but Omnipotence cannot do an unloving thing toward a believer. Oh! rest quite sure, Christian, a hard thing, an unloving thing from God toward one of his own people is quite impossible. He is as kind to you when he casts you into prison as when he takes you into a palace; He is as good when he sends famine into your, house as when he fills your barns with plenty. The only question is, Art thou his child? If so, he hath rebuked thee in affection, and there is love in his chastisement.
Charles Spurgeon - Daily Help
As I reflect on this devotion, it reminded me of the vision of POWER I received and the understanding of Ephesian 3 in depth on the understanding of LOVE.
Our God is Omnipotence! Powerful beyond imagination! He is also LOVE! May I understand your love and powder more and more.... as it is, a song long sung pop into my mind as I started to worship my Creator.
More Love, More Power Lyrics
Artist(Band):Michael W. Smith
More Love, More Power,
More of You in my life.
More Love, More Power,
More of You in my life.
I will worship You
with all of my heart.
I will worship You
with all of my mind.
I will worship You
with all of my strength.
For You are my Lord.
repeat 2 times
More Love, More Power,
More of You in my life.
repeat 10 times
Charles Spurgeon - Daily Help
As I reflect on this devotion, it reminded me of the vision of POWER I received and the understanding of Ephesian 3 in depth on the understanding of LOVE.
Our God is Omnipotence! Powerful beyond imagination! He is also LOVE! May I understand your love and powder more and more.... as it is, a song long sung pop into my mind as I started to worship my Creator.
More Love, More Power Lyrics
Artist(Band):Michael W. Smith
More Love, More Power,
More of You in my life.
More Love, More Power,
More of You in my life.
I will worship You
with all of my heart.
I will worship You
with all of my mind.
I will worship You
with all of my strength.
For You are my Lord.
repeat 2 times
More Love, More Power,
More of You in my life.
repeat 10 times
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Crossing Over to 2011 - Clues from Joshua 3
Like the Israelites have experienced, crossing over the Jordan River had its challenges.
Edwin preached the above sermon on the first Sunday of 2011 and I am determined to live this year with that three points focus. Trusting the Lord with all my heart, not leaning on my own understanding.
#1 - Fixed your eyes on GOD!
Joshua 3:3-4 (NIV) “When you see the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God, and the priests, who are Levites, carrying it, you are to move out from your positions and follow it. 4 Then you will know which way to go, since you have never been this way before.
start moving, follow it… and you’ll see clearly the route to take. You’ve never been on this road before. (Msg)
There is No mention of method – How to cross?
There is No negotiation of the moment – When to cross?
Only one command - START MOVING, FOLLOW (GOD), WE WILL SEE CLEARLY THE ROUTE...
Leave Behind Worldly Wisdom, LISTEN TO GOD'S INSTRUCTION, EVEN IT DOES NOT SOUND LOGICAL...
Joshua 5:1-3 (NIV) 1 Now when all the Amorite kings… heard how the Lord had dried up the Jordan before the Israelites…, their hearts melted and they no longer had the courage to face the Israelites. 2 At that time the Lord said to Joshua, “Make flint knives and circumcise the Israelites again.”
3 So Joshua made flint knives and circumcised the Israelites…
#2 - Expect a New Thing
Joshua 3:9-16 (NIV) Joshua said to the Israelites, “Come here and listen to the words of the Lord your God….13 set foot in the Jordan, its waters flowing downstream will be cut off and stand up in a heap.”
15 as soon as the priests who carried the ark reached the Jordan and their feet touched the water’s edge, 16 the water from upstream stopped flowing. It piled up in a heap a great distance away, at a town called Adam in the vicinity of Zarethan…
God is teaching the Israelites
- Cast away the old paradigm - God don't have to part the sea or river the same way we may have imagined
- Learn to walk by faith
#3 - God is with US! Leading, Accompanying, Protecting US
God is always Before Us – Leading Us
Joshua 3:6 (NIV) Joshua said to the priests, “Take up the ark of the covenant and
pass on ahead of the people.”
GOD Being With Us – Accompanying Us
Joshua 3:17 (NIV) The priests who carried the ark of the covenant of the Lord stood firm on dry ground in the middle of the Jordan, while all Israel passed by until the whole nation had completed the crossing on dry ground.
God Behind Us – Protecting Us
Joshua 4:10-11 (NIV) 10 Now the priests who carried the ark remained standing in the middle of the Jordan…The people hurried over, 11 and as soon as all of them had
crossed, the ark of the Lord and the priests came to the other side while the people watched.
How fleeting can life be?
I received news on 31st December 2010 during vacation in Phuket that a friend's husband whom I know of as well had drown in Bali. I was saddened and shocked by the news... What an end to the year?
We reached Singapore an hour before midnight and was informed that we would extend our help to conduct the funeral wake as the family believe he is a believer as he had attended church for a few years before marriage. At the same time, we were also invited to a new year eve countdown party near our home.
As people were celebrating and declaring Happy New Year, I felt torn with compassion and pain. Yes, I was wishing for a Happy New Year, but as far as I know, this new year would not be happy for the bereaved family.
We help in the wake for three days beginning on new year day. My friend husband was my age, had a beautiful wife, a two years old son and a baby girl due to arrive in April 2011. His parents and siblings adored him as youngest boy in the family. He also had a great career in the banking industry... Alas... Such a short journey on earth ...
I cannot imagine the griefs those who love him must have felt. No words can be expressed well enough as comfort.
Life is fleeting, like what the bible says, man's life is just but a mere breath. Indeed! When the breath is gone, you cease to exist in this earth!
I grieved with the family but I also have hope... Knowing without doubt that God must have His reason for bringing him home.
A non Christian friend asked me this question thereafter "Julie, how do you comfort the bereaved without bringing God in? What words to say if they are non religious?"
Silence... what I said to him really make no sense. I can make sense of it because I believe what Jesus promises.
Life is a journey be it fleeting, be it long. We are told to number our days.
My deepest condolence to the family. I pray Almighty God will reveal His purpose and provide the reason to the living. Amen.
We reached Singapore an hour before midnight and was informed that we would extend our help to conduct the funeral wake as the family believe he is a believer as he had attended church for a few years before marriage. At the same time, we were also invited to a new year eve countdown party near our home.
As people were celebrating and declaring Happy New Year, I felt torn with compassion and pain. Yes, I was wishing for a Happy New Year, but as far as I know, this new year would not be happy for the bereaved family.
We help in the wake for three days beginning on new year day. My friend husband was my age, had a beautiful wife, a two years old son and a baby girl due to arrive in April 2011. His parents and siblings adored him as youngest boy in the family. He also had a great career in the banking industry... Alas... Such a short journey on earth ...
I cannot imagine the griefs those who love him must have felt. No words can be expressed well enough as comfort.
Life is fleeting, like what the bible says, man's life is just but a mere breath. Indeed! When the breath is gone, you cease to exist in this earth!
I grieved with the family but I also have hope... Knowing without doubt that God must have His reason for bringing him home.
A non Christian friend asked me this question thereafter "Julie, how do you comfort the bereaved without bringing God in? What words to say if they are non religious?"
Silence... what I said to him really make no sense. I can make sense of it because I believe what Jesus promises.
Life is a journey be it fleeting, be it long. We are told to number our days.
My deepest condolence to the family. I pray Almighty God will reveal His purpose and provide the reason to the living. Amen.
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