Acts 12:21-23
"21And upon a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat upon his throne, and made an oration unto them. 22And the people gave a shout, saying, It is the voice of a god, and not of a man. 23And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost."
The subtle rising of pride never warns us of it coming. Only when it came that we found ourselves in the ocean of it. To reach for the buoy that says humility takes great effort to reach. To bask in it, one would drown eventually.
Life has given me much experience and observation. The singular desire to be heard, seen and known is the motivation in many things we do. We often live for the applause of men rather than the approval of God. And the inevitable thing, we deny it.
Psalms 139:23 says ,"Search me, O God, and know my heart;Try me, and know my anxieties;" I read with intrigue how John Newton when prayed the prayer of spiritual growth was immediately ushered by God to face a period of emptiness and self revelation.
We will never pray for pain and suffering. We never pray for the exposure of the sins we do in the dark. Let alone if our nature of our temptest self to expose the deeds of the flesh.
I fear this, that serving God is not that your utmost desire. Rather to gain the approval of men. That your standing is acknowledged by the nods of men. We guised it as serving God but honestly deep within, it is the hypocrisy of serving self.
That is why the passage of John 22:15-19 is like a treasue for the soul of man.
15 So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah,[b] do you love Me more than these?”
He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.”
He said to him, “Feed My lambs.”
16 He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of Jonah,[c] do you love Me?”
He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.”
He said to him, “Tend My sheep.”
17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah,[d] do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?”
And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.”
Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep. 18 Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish.” 19 This He spoke, signifying by what death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, “Follow Me.”
The deftness of God's exposing of our pride should leave us speechless and prostate. Like Peter. Only when humility comes that pride is replaced by a genuine love for Christ.
It is only well with my soul if I am will with the Saviour.
May you and I seek and desire God change us and live singularly for His glory.
Amen
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Trip to Kukup
Decided to test out the new GPS system I got and to appease a curiosity of knowing what kukup is all about, decided to make a trip after just reading a few websites..got the general idea how to get there..and lo..just drove up.
Lazy afternoon ride. Miss the Malaysia bumpy, full of potholes roads, went through narrow lanes, towns and plantations but eventually reach an even more lazy town.
Tried the superb seafood. Very affordable. Very cheap. Spent RM139 for 6 dishes. Ordered Chilli Crabs, Asam Sea Bass, Deep Fried baby Squid, Sambal Kangkong, Cereal Prawn and Chilli Mussels. Here are the pics! :)
Well a nice getaway. After taman negara. The place is very laid back. Just sit back and watch the sea breeze come by..the view of the mangrove swamp. Very nice. The food is not too bad. Price is definitely very good.
Enjoy the pictures. Tells everything.
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Lessons from Disasters
As the body count in Sichuan reads 80,000 dead. It is not just a figure.
3 years ago, more than 250,000 perished in the Indian Asian Tsunami.
It shouldn't surprise us that there are disasters and suffering. Jesus said, in this world, there would be tribulation. (Matt 24:21; John 16:33)
But the horror of death is not isolated when mass number of people died. In fact, thousands are dying everyday with or without disasters. We are living in a world where wages of sin is death. The bible tells us in Eze 18:4, that the soul that sinneth, it shall surely die.
Death is an appointment we all must meet. (Heb 9:27) We shouldn't be strangers to death since it visits everyone.
Jesus makes this point very clear in Luke 13:1-5.
"There were present at that season some who told Him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And Jesus answered and said to them, “Do you suppose that these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans, because they suffered such things? I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish. Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them, do you think that they were worse sinners than all other men who dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.”
Dun be mistaken that Jesus isn't full compassion. In contrary, He is full of compassion. When Lazarus died, Jesus wept. When He saw Jerusalem not realising Him as the Shepherd, He wept with compassion. When He saw the lame, the blind, the sick, the broken hearted, He healed all of them.
We read in Luke 17:11-19, that there were 10 lepers that seek healing and all got their healing but the one that returned to the Lord to thank Him got saved. A thankful, truly regenerated man is more thankful to the giver than the gift.
And so in Luke 13, we know that the Lord is warning out of compassion the peril of the souls who enquire of the atrocities of the terrible death of the Galileans and the people under the tower. Yet it has no awakening to the reality of the souls of the enquirers. They came to Christ demanding Christ to give an account of the great atrocities that the Galileans have suffered. Christ rebuked their careless spirit and told them they should be amazed they are alive! We all live not knowing to be alive is a gift of grace itself.
Howe careless that we are when we have the gift of life, take life for granted. 80,000 may have perished. But unless that sobers us to the reality that life is nothing but a vapour and that we all, we all must realise how vulnerable we are to dying, Christ warning through Luke 13 has taken no effect.
We delight in the gift of salvation but had neglected to thank Christ the giver. The giver reason for coming to earth is to glorify the Father by redeeming that the Father has called. To thank the Giver is to live the Christ life as Paul puts it, "For me to live is Christ and to die is gain. That I count all things as loss that I may gain Christ." To gain Christ is to live the life of Christ. Chirst came to seek those that are lost. Paul made that his life call as well.
My friends, life is lost if we dun do exactly the call of Christ, to seek the lost. May your heart as you see the depth of suffering all around, awaken us to the reality of living and dying is all of Christ. Dun be called a fool, like in Luke 12, the man who only built security through wealth, but when God "rudely" interrupts his plans, he is called nothing but a fool. Don't be a fool. Be wise. Live for Christ. The crown of hearing Christ words,"Well done, thou and faithful servant." Isn't that the best gift in the whole world because if comes from the mouth of the Giver, Christ Himself.
I pray that you will live for the gospel.
Treasure Christ. Show that you love the Giver.
And all will be well with your soul and your Saviour.
Amen.
3 years ago, more than 250,000 perished in the Indian Asian Tsunami.
It shouldn't surprise us that there are disasters and suffering. Jesus said, in this world, there would be tribulation. (Matt 24:21; John 16:33)
But the horror of death is not isolated when mass number of people died. In fact, thousands are dying everyday with or without disasters. We are living in a world where wages of sin is death. The bible tells us in Eze 18:4, that the soul that sinneth, it shall surely die.
Death is an appointment we all must meet. (Heb 9:27) We shouldn't be strangers to death since it visits everyone.
Jesus makes this point very clear in Luke 13:1-5.
"There were present at that season some who told Him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And Jesus answered and said to them, “Do you suppose that these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans, because they suffered such things? I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish. Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them, do you think that they were worse sinners than all other men who dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.”
Dun be mistaken that Jesus isn't full compassion. In contrary, He is full of compassion. When Lazarus died, Jesus wept. When He saw Jerusalem not realising Him as the Shepherd, He wept with compassion. When He saw the lame, the blind, the sick, the broken hearted, He healed all of them.
We read in Luke 17:11-19, that there were 10 lepers that seek healing and all got their healing but the one that returned to the Lord to thank Him got saved. A thankful, truly regenerated man is more thankful to the giver than the gift.
And so in Luke 13, we know that the Lord is warning out of compassion the peril of the souls who enquire of the atrocities of the terrible death of the Galileans and the people under the tower. Yet it has no awakening to the reality of the souls of the enquirers. They came to Christ demanding Christ to give an account of the great atrocities that the Galileans have suffered. Christ rebuked their careless spirit and told them they should be amazed they are alive! We all live not knowing to be alive is a gift of grace itself.
Howe careless that we are when we have the gift of life, take life for granted. 80,000 may have perished. But unless that sobers us to the reality that life is nothing but a vapour and that we all, we all must realise how vulnerable we are to dying, Christ warning through Luke 13 has taken no effect.
We delight in the gift of salvation but had neglected to thank Christ the giver. The giver reason for coming to earth is to glorify the Father by redeeming that the Father has called. To thank the Giver is to live the Christ life as Paul puts it, "For me to live is Christ and to die is gain. That I count all things as loss that I may gain Christ." To gain Christ is to live the life of Christ. Chirst came to seek those that are lost. Paul made that his life call as well.
My friends, life is lost if we dun do exactly the call of Christ, to seek the lost. May your heart as you see the depth of suffering all around, awaken us to the reality of living and dying is all of Christ. Dun be called a fool, like in Luke 12, the man who only built security through wealth, but when God "rudely" interrupts his plans, he is called nothing but a fool. Don't be a fool. Be wise. Live for Christ. The crown of hearing Christ words,"Well done, thou and faithful servant." Isn't that the best gift in the whole world because if comes from the mouth of the Giver, Christ Himself.
I pray that you will live for the gospel.
Treasure Christ. Show that you love the Giver.
And all will be well with your soul and your Saviour.
Amen.
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Stupid
Can one be so foolish to say things to regret?
Or stupid to to just blurt?
Especially if i didn't say but text...
Wanted to pass a friend this book called "war of words" by paul tripp only to realise I need this book reminder as well...
never say things impulsively...the ear is dry but the tongue is wet...
slips all the time.
Learn from this...
Well, perhaps it is just one of the things u need to just gain some wisdom and take heart.
Lay it buried and learn.
Ya, I shd.
Or stupid to to just blurt?
Especially if i didn't say but text...
Wanted to pass a friend this book called "war of words" by paul tripp only to realise I need this book reminder as well...
never say things impulsively...the ear is dry but the tongue is wet...
slips all the time.
Learn from this...
Well, perhaps it is just one of the things u need to just gain some wisdom and take heart.
Lay it buried and learn.
Ya, I shd.
When the music stops
I heard a song that have lyrics like this and it says that I am coming back to the heart of worship.
I often just lift my guitar up and strike a few chords. Sometimes I strike a new tune that is nice. But most of the time, it was not during the time that I strike the guitar that I get a new tune. Contrary. It is when I am deep in thought on someone or some memories that the tune came.
There are times when you are quiet and in meditation. Going through the pages of lives. So to speak that you begin to think as well, what would you like to see to happen in the future.
There are many times, I felt God really wanted me to do something else and not what I am doing. But at this point I still do not know exactly what.
One thing I learnt that my life must not be consisted of the following:
a) live for the sake of avoiding sin
b) live for the glory of self and the applause of men
c) live aimlessly without purpose and with void
There are times, I felt I have found the resolve to do something, only for the thoughts of difficulties and uncertainties creeping in. There are times where convenience seems more appealing than difficulties and I have cringed.
Today, had a little setback but it was enough to put me back on the pedestal and ask God again for reason of the circumstances.
Joy with God is never constant as far as for me is concerned. I realised I have to fight for this joy, unceasingly, unendlessly. It takes the mind to meditate. It takes the heart to affirm these meditations.
I challenged myself many times that I must, I must, I must see a greater work of God in this life. I want to see a more glorious vision of what God will do in and through this life. I asked simply that I take simple steps of obedience and not let the thoughts of future crippled me but His future grace sustains me.
It is a struggle really.
But consider the marvel of God's handiwork in everything around, I give thanks. I hope this is real holy dissatisfaction.
If I may consider, I may consider His might and His majesty. There are vessels unto honour, there are vessels unto destructions. We are all earthern vessels but we carry the treasure of Christ if we are child of God.
I hope more will know this treasure and make them wholy theirs.
God, lead along life this journey way, that I may see Your Glory more each day.
It is like when your life stops, have you counted your life worthy for the Lord.
I only have one life. When the music stops, I may ponder. When my life stops...I can't...
I often just lift my guitar up and strike a few chords. Sometimes I strike a new tune that is nice. But most of the time, it was not during the time that I strike the guitar that I get a new tune. Contrary. It is when I am deep in thought on someone or some memories that the tune came.
There are times when you are quiet and in meditation. Going through the pages of lives. So to speak that you begin to think as well, what would you like to see to happen in the future.
There are many times, I felt God really wanted me to do something else and not what I am doing. But at this point I still do not know exactly what.
One thing I learnt that my life must not be consisted of the following:
a) live for the sake of avoiding sin
b) live for the glory of self and the applause of men
c) live aimlessly without purpose and with void
There are times, I felt I have found the resolve to do something, only for the thoughts of difficulties and uncertainties creeping in. There are times where convenience seems more appealing than difficulties and I have cringed.
Today, had a little setback but it was enough to put me back on the pedestal and ask God again for reason of the circumstances.
Joy with God is never constant as far as for me is concerned. I realised I have to fight for this joy, unceasingly, unendlessly. It takes the mind to meditate. It takes the heart to affirm these meditations.
I challenged myself many times that I must, I must, I must see a greater work of God in this life. I want to see a more glorious vision of what God will do in and through this life. I asked simply that I take simple steps of obedience and not let the thoughts of future crippled me but His future grace sustains me.
It is a struggle really.
But consider the marvel of God's handiwork in everything around, I give thanks. I hope this is real holy dissatisfaction.
If I may consider, I may consider His might and His majesty. There are vessels unto honour, there are vessels unto destructions. We are all earthern vessels but we carry the treasure of Christ if we are child of God.
I hope more will know this treasure and make them wholy theirs.
God, lead along life this journey way, that I may see Your Glory more each day.
It is like when your life stops, have you counted your life worthy for the Lord.
I only have one life. When the music stops, I may ponder. When my life stops...I can't...
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Monday, May 5, 2008
最珍贵的角落
最珍贵的角落
词：万美兰 曲：游智婷
谢谢你灿烂的笑容 照亮我的天空
谢谢你分享心情 把我放在你心中
夜里有时为寒冷 你我生根同暖土
友情是最亮的星 我的生命从此美丽
Chorus）
当你被花朵包围尽情欢欣 我带着春风使你舞其中
当你正走在坎坷路 我会伴你在左右
一起向蓝天欢呼 向白云招手 我们要一起笑一起哭
千万人中有个人懂我 你有最珍贵的角落
If you guys have watched Joc video to Geri, these lyrics would be familiar.
Literally enjoyed the song, the rich lyrics.
Thank God for friendship! Thank God for Geri and Joc :)
词：万美兰 曲：游智婷
谢谢你灿烂的笑容 照亮我的天空
谢谢你分享心情 把我放在你心中
夜里有时为寒冷 你我生根同暖土
友情是最亮的星 我的生命从此美丽
Chorus）
当你被花朵包围尽情欢欣 我带着春风使你舞其中
当你正走在坎坷路 我会伴你在左右
一起向蓝天欢呼 向白云招手 我们要一起笑一起哭
千万人中有个人懂我 你有最珍贵的角落
If you guys have watched Joc video to Geri, these lyrics would be familiar.
Literally enjoyed the song, the rich lyrics.
Thank God for friendship! Thank God for Geri and Joc :)
Saturday, May 3, 2008
Being Loved is making much of God
Beauty is in grandness. Beauty is in bigness and awe.
Walk into a room of mirrors and admire yourself or walk into the awe of the Swiss Alps.
Beauty resides in bigness and grandness.
Walk into the presence of God. Glorify God. You will know His love.
The precious corner of God's presence will let you experience His glorifying love for you.
Walk into a room of mirrors and admire yourself or walk into the awe of the Swiss Alps.
Beauty resides in bigness and grandness.
Walk into the presence of God. Glorify God. You will know His love.
The precious corner of God's presence will let you experience His glorifying love for you.
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Fair or not fair
Perhaps you have heard a small boy says, "not fair"
Perhaps you heard another man says "not right"
We all seems to have intrinsic in us moral values.
But we have also a fallen moral in that we are self-righteous.
We failed to see that we are fallen. At best that we are, none seeketh after God. And none can point a finger at God and say to Him, "God you are not fair, God you are not right."
I read in the bible this week that says God loves us. I wonder for a while. Not fair not right but God loves me. Does that all fit together?
Doesn't. God loves me. That's truth. Not fair and not right doesn't seem to be the truth. And I realise this - Not fit and not right, they are from the lips of men.
I realise what it means that truth sanctify us. Or truth set apart us. Knowing the love of God is what seperates us. Knowing God brings into the protection of His love. Guarded by His love. His love is in His wisdom. His love is in His design.
Much things again happen this week.
I pray with the knowledge of the love of the Father. I ask what I think is best for the situation.
God answers as well to the best of His knowledge and that is everything, I need to firm my faith in.
Perhaps you heard another man says "not right"
We all seems to have intrinsic in us moral values.
But we have also a fallen moral in that we are self-righteous.
We failed to see that we are fallen. At best that we are, none seeketh after God. And none can point a finger at God and say to Him, "God you are not fair, God you are not right."
I read in the bible this week that says God loves us. I wonder for a while. Not fair not right but God loves me. Does that all fit together?
Doesn't. God loves me. That's truth. Not fair and not right doesn't seem to be the truth. And I realise this - Not fit and not right, they are from the lips of men.
I realise what it means that truth sanctify us. Or truth set apart us. Knowing the love of God is what seperates us. Knowing God brings into the protection of His love. Guarded by His love. His love is in His wisdom. His love is in His design.
Much things again happen this week.
I pray with the knowledge of the love of the Father. I ask what I think is best for the situation.
God answers as well to the best of His knowledge and that is everything, I need to firm my faith in.
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