Psalm 104

Psalm 104 (New American Standard Bible)

Psalm 104
The LORD'S Care over All His Works.
1(A)Bless the LORD, O my soul!
O LORD my God, You are very great;
You are (B)clothed with splendor and majesty,
2Covering Yourself with (C)light as with a cloak,
(D)Stretching out heaven like a tent curtain.
3[a]He (E)lays the beams of His upper chambers in the waters;
He makes the (F)clouds His chariot;
He walks upon the (G)wings of the wind;
4He makes [b](H)the winds His messengers,
[c]Flaming (I)fire His ministers.
5He (J)established the earth upon its foundations,
So that it will not [d]totter forever and ever.
6You (K)covered it with the deep as with a garment;
The waters were standing above the mountains.
7At Your (L)rebuke they fled,
At the (M)sound of Your thunder they hurried away.
8The mountains rose; the valleys sank down
To the (N)place which You established for them.
9You set a (O)boundary that they may not pass over,
So that they will not return to cover the earth.
10He sends forth (P)springs in the valleys;
They flow between the mountains;
11They (Q)give drink to every beast of the field;
The (R)wild donkeys quench their thirst.
12Beside them the birds of the heavens (S)dwell;
They lift up their voices among the branches.
13He (T)waters the mountains from His upper chambers;
(U)The earth is satisfied with the fruit of His works.
14He causes the (V)grass to grow for the cattle,
And (W)vegetation for the labor of man,
So that he may bring forth food (X)from the earth,
15And (Y)wine which makes man's heart glad,
(Z)So that he may make his face glisten with oil,
And food which (AA)sustains man's heart.
16The trees of the LORD drink their fill,
The cedars of Lebanon which He planted,
17Where the (AB)birds build their nests,
And the (AC)stork, whose home is the fir trees.
18The high mountains are for the (AD)wild goats;
The (AE)cliffs are a refuge for the (AF)shephanim.
19He made the moon (AG)for the seasons;
The (AH)sun knows the place of its setting.
20You (AI)appoint darkness and it becomes night,
In which all the (AJ)beasts of the forest prowl about.
21The (AK)young lions roar after their prey
And (AL)seek their food from God.
22When the sun rises they withdraw
And lie down in their (AM)dens.
23Man goes forth to (AN)his work
And to his labor until evening.
24O LORD, how (AO)many are Your works!
In (AP)wisdom You have made them all;
The (AQ)earth is full of Your [e]possessions.
25There is the (AR)sea, great and broad,
In which are swarms without number,
Animals both small and great.
26There the (AS)ships move along,
And [f](AT)Leviathan, which You have formed to sport in it.
27They all (AU)wait for You
To (AV)give them their food in [g]due season.
28You give to them, they gather it up;
You (AW)open Your hand, they are satisfied with good.
29You (AX)hide Your face, they are dismayed;
You (AY)take away their [h]spirit, they expire
And (AZ)return to their dust.
30You send forth Your [i](BA)Spirit, they are created;
And You renew the face of the ground.
31Let the (BB)glory of the LORD endure forever;
Let the LORD (BC)be glad in His works;
32He (BD)looks at the earth, and it (BE)trembles;
He (BF)touches the mountains, and they smoke.
33I will sing to the LORD (BG)as long as I live;
I will (BH)sing praise to my God while I have my being.
34Let my (BI)meditation be pleasing to Him;
As for me, I shall (BJ)be glad in the LORD.
35Let sinners be (BK)consumed from the earth
And let the (BL)wicked be no more
(BM)Bless the LORD, O my soul
(BN)Praise the LORD!

8Finally, brethren, (A)whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. Phil 4:8

Good praise with good thoughts are pleasing to God and is health to your soul.
Reading this Psalm convinced me one thing.

2 Songs

Composed these couple of songs several months ago. Thank God for Anne who arranged and sang. Thought I post it up. Hopefully it will encourage your heart just as it did for me. Indeed God's love is always so amazing. Thank God.

How Can I Deny

How can I deny - Anne Choo

Hanging on the Cross
Was my Redeemer
Cruel was the way He suffered
The anguish on His brow
The tears that He shed when the Father left Him all alone
Why bear such a burden
Why bear all my sins

Chorus
Oh how can I deny the Saviour’s love for me
It was on that cross He suffered and died for me
Oh how can I deny my Saviour’s love for me
It was by His blood that I know His love was true for me


Scourged and marred
The Son of God
Mocked, rejected and despised,
The cry He called out,
Father please forgive them for they know what they done
Why give such a pardon
Why pay such a price

Jesus, crucified
The Lamb of God
The crimson cross, the drops of blood
Hands held by the nails
He said It is finished and gave up His life
Why lay down your own life
Why you chose the cross

My Saviour's Song

My Saviors Song - Anne Choo

Christ alone, on cavalry hill
The noon day sun, was veiled away
The wrath of God was poured on Him
The anguish I can’t see

He suffered outside the gate
The Passover sacrifice
God’s love was Christ crucified
The lamb for my sins

Chorus

Christ came to this world He made
To redeem His very own
The Father’s heart was His chosen ones
Jesus came to save

The love of Christ so amazing
Sinners cleansed by His blood
God and I reconciled,
Christ ransomed me
Through His cross


Perfect righteousness in Christ,
Robed by His precious love
The glory of Christ my Lord
As Savior of the world

Heaven will be my eternal home
Angels will sing along
The dear face of Jesus Christ
Forever I’ll adore

Lifebook

Some things in life are normal and expected. Being a Christian doesn't change that reality.

But I think for myself and for many, being Christian make us distant towards that reality. We may gripe and be resent. In that aspect, I see non-believers more receptive to reality.

Being Christian I see is being the recepients of hope. This hope is unmovable and steadfast. It is the greatest gift for Christ Himself is the giver. To have the giver as your eternity is the assurance of having assail through this life yet none of the wounds will seperate us from the love of God. To find at the end of life, gain in abiding in the presence of God.

In a way, we often tell people God has promised good to you. God has a plan for you but we divert the attention not in the suffering or the trial but rather a focus on the outcome. Everyone loves a good story ending. None wants to be told about endurance. None wants to say God intended that pain and suffering for your eternal good. We excuse God and paint God as we intended He to be.

I see harshness as acceptable just as hope is acceptable. Because if the world promises hope, it is a lie. Only God, and in Christ alone has a hope that lasts forever.

This is the hope of the Christian and the life of the Christian. Paul told the Colossians and very aptly so, "Christ in you, the hope of glory."

Victory over Amalekites

Exodus 17:8-14

A battle with the Amalekites. Moses stood on the hill with the rod of God in his hand. Joshua fought the battle. Aaron and Hur held Moses tiring hand as he lifts the rod of God.

The battle was lost and won based on the lifting of hands.

When I read this text again. What really grip is the weaponary of our warfare. While Joshua fought, without the lifting of hands, there would be no victory.

Which is more important? The fighting or the lifting?

Without lifting, the fight is over.

We must pray for prayer is lifting the rod of God high. If our desire is for God's kingdom to advance, the spiritual means of prayer is to bloat the Amalek from genearation to generation. The Lord is our banner if only our battle for God's kingdom is first fought with the lifting of hands to ask of God to fight His battle by His servants.

I have seemingly lost sight a fair bit this few weeks. Thank God for this reminder again to lift His banner yet again.

Time's up

I have just finished my jog. After months of non-activity on the track.

Reached home and saw my handphone. My colleague's dad has passed away. She has left an sms on my handphone. Just a month ago, her dad was diagnosed with kidney cancer and the cancer has spread to the liver and bone. He had trusted Christ soon after. Last week he was baptised. Today he is in paradise, in heaven with our Lord Jesus Christ.

Seems so surreal but it is reality. The strivings of life. The endless struggles of life. The torrents and waves of laments after laments,difficulties, when a lifeless state enters our body, none of these shall be of any material importance.

As I read the sms, I replied my friend to take comfort, "He is in a far better place, with Christ our Lord" Peace.

Peace indeed. The endless strivings cease. Enter now into the joy of the Lord, Christ will say to every believer. I can't fanthom how much joy and delight I must be feeling if I hear these words from Christ. When time is up. But I know if I truly desire that deepest joy and delight, I must, I must redeem the time for the day's are evil. Redeem, O love to proclaim it, redeem by the blood of the lamb.

I came across this blog which I felt so relevant to my thoughts that I thought it is of utmost necessity to share with you all.


Today, I’d like you to reflect on the gift of Time. In the KJV, Ephesians 5:15 reads “See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,” and then verse 16 “Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” With the little time we have today, I’d like to hit a few high points in this last verse. Listen closely again to verse 16. The KJV translates the Greek literally here, as “Redeeming the time”. The NIV translates the same phrase as “Making the most of every opportunity”. The Greek word exagorazomenoi translated redeeming in the KJV is a compound word that combines ek(ex) “out of” with agora. The Agora was a public place where people gathered. At times, they even held trials there where it was possible that you could be plucked as a juror if you were nearby. Later, at the time of Paul’s writing, the Agora was known as the market place - a place to buy and sell, including slaves. Its connection to the buying of slaves is how this word can be translated “redeeming”. Therefore, the word in the New Testament basically means “out of the marketplace” or “to purchase out of the marketplace”. Paul is the only New Testament writer to use this word in connection with time. He uses it here in Ephesians 5:16 and also in Colossians 4:5. The Colossians verse reads, “Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.” You can see it is used in the same way and basically means making the most of every opportunity. (Note for you Septuagint gurus - this word is also combined with time and used in Daniel 2:8 where the magicians and astrologers are trying to buy, or gain, time from the King in order to interpret his dream and avoid his threat of death if they failed.)

Our time is precious. It is extremely precious. It is probably obvious, but here are four major reasons why our time is precious.

Counting down backwards:

4. Once time is past, it can not be recovered.

3. We are uncertain of its continuance.

2. Our time is very short - it is scarce - there never seems to be enough of it. And, most importantly,

1. Our eternity depends on how we use it.

So, paraphrased in verse 16, Paul basically says ‘Buy up that time out of the marketplace and make it yours.’ It sounds a lot like Jesus’ words in Matthew 6:19-20 of laying up treasures for heaven - because our eternity depends upon it.

Note that Paul does not use any of these 4 specific reasons in verse 16, but he says we should redeem the time - Why?, “Because the days are evil.” Obviously, the days aren’t evil. It is referring to what happens during those days if we don’t redeem the time. The word here is the same Greek word used in the Lord’s prayer when Jesus asks God to protect us from the evil one. So don’t take this phrase lightly. Paul is basically saying that if you don’t make wise choices, then the evil one will have won. We don’t have time to delve into this aspect, but I believe it ties in with what Jeff has been talking about on Sundays in First John and the worldly system run by Satan that opposes Christ. I’ll let you consider that on your own.

“Redeeming the time” - this theme is so prevalent in the Bible.

Remember the rich man in Luke 12 who built up huge barns to store his wealth. God said to him “You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’ “This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God.”

Or remember the Prodigal son (in Luke 15) he was the epitome of one who wasted his time.

As you read the Bible to get your Grapes this year, you are sure to see how often this theme is presented in Jesus’ parables and stories. In the stories of The Rich Man & Lazarus, the wise & foolish builders where one built on the rock and the other the sand, the parables of the talents and the 10 virgins, just to name a few more.

Paul also uses this word for Redeeming two other times, in Galations 3:13 and 4:4. These two verses are in reference to Jesus and his redeeming us from the curse of the law. Galations 4:4 reads, ”But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, 5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.” This Greek word often referred to the purchase of a slave out of the market place. I think here in Galations, Paul is trying to emphasize that we are no longer slaves and have been purchased with the blood of Christ.

Finally, as we finish up, here are three quick areas to focus on to help you with improving your time. I’m using the acronym son, S-O-N, to help you remember these three things.

S - Spiritual time: Ephesians 5:18-21 follows with Paul describing how we should be filled with spiritual things such as singing, praying and submitting to God. It should come as no surprise, as we know Jesus spent much of his time in solitude and in prayer to his Father.

O - Opportunities: Look for opportunities, make the most of your time. Ephesians 5:17 says to Understand what the Lord’s will is. Study, pray, meet with the saints. These will help you to make wise choices of your time. S - Spiritual time; O - Opportunities and

N - N stands for Now. There is no time like the present.

If any of you have delayed or are just hesitant to make a commitment to the Lord Jesus Christ, my dear brother or sister, Now is the time to act. If you have a need to ask God for forgiveness or to make better use of your time, or if you believe, and want to repent, confess and be buried in baptism, to be redeemed by Jesus’ precious blood and be God’s child forever - for all eternity, then please do not wait another moment. Buy up the time - today!

(Adapted from http://www.lcocebs.com/redeeming-the-time/)

Chronological study bible

Glad to pick up this bible. Heard about it from my friend before.

Glad to land a copy. It is a re-arranged study bible to log in the historical progress of the text of the bible. Suppose the Psalms that David wrote as his life unfolds from 1 and 2 Samuel and 1 Chronicles..with the Psalms he wrote..simply a delight to let you read the bible with a timeline.

Hope to find time to start reading. If you are interested..go to this link to read more: http://www.chronologicalstudybible.com/

God confidence.

For me to live is Christ and die is gain.

Can I say with the confidence that is true?

Paradox

I may walk a long time with happiness but I learn little. But I walked a day with sorrow, I learnt much.

I seek for joy but found none till I know who is the joy-giver.
I wanted to seek things that won't last but my heart turned me round and told me to not to seek things that will burn up. For I am only, alone is eternal. He told me He is eternal.

I sought to drink at the fountain that purge my thirst. But if I never want to thirst, I must drink at the fount that washes away all my sin and makes crimson stains white as snow.

And so again, I walk a day with sorrow, and I have learnt much yet again.

Listen to your father in law

Jethro said in Exodus 18:11 to Moses "Now I know that the LORD is greater than all other gods, for he did this to those who had treated Israel arrogantly."

Israel has just been led out from Eygpt. The land of bondage to Israel. Pharoh, the most powerful king on Earth in the days of Moses. Yet before God, no powers of this Earth can withstand an all mighty God.

The Eygptian hearts definitely waxed with fear for they knew they were fighting a God who would not be defeated for it is a battle of Yahweh. God's name.

This victory brought Moses' Father in law to a cocnlusion. God is great. God is real. God's favour is on His own people. Israel had suffered greatly under the hand of Israel but the hand of God that brought this complete delivery from Eygpt, stands true in every heart of every Israelite that day that witness the 10 plauges and the crossing of the Red Sea, my God is great. No heart can proclaim that unless the deliverer makes the deliverance great.

Life trouble, no matter how sinking deep it is cannot be more inviting towards God's rock solid foundation. On grace you stand. On love you stand. In Christ, you live.

That is the marvel of resurrection. You live Christ as Christ live in you. No earthly foe, setback and even death which the preultimate end of all men, can seperate you from a love that God has set upon you before the foundation of this world.

Listen to Jethro. Listen to this man's words and echo it through your life. Your God is great. God is with you. No enemies can win. Only God will. He is with you.

Milestone

Manage to overcome a major obstacle in my project yesterday. Was really elated.

Hopefully more progress on the road ahead.

Thank You Lord :)

The look of the Saviour

Marred, scourged and despised.

There were no beauty in His visage. Anguish, grave agonising pain He endured that no man ever felt.

The only comfort He seems to suggest a returning glory, "Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit" and there Jesus gave up His life.

It is in this death that gave life. Seemingly it looks hope is all buried and gone but that is not the case. Overwhelmed with grief, the disciples gazed. Yet that look of the Saviour was one that would arised with a glorious voice, "I am risen"

To see the resurrected Christ governs hope. The look of Christ, my Saviour, our Saviour is a victory of overcoming the world.

This world has no path to victory. This world has only end. Death is our end.

However, when you looked to the bronze serpent, when you look at the risen Christ, when you see the look of the Saviour, my friend there is no end, there is only life, the life with Christ, the new birth, the resurrection that says, death has lost its sting.

What a delight to commend your spirit to Christ, our Shepherd who first commend His spirit to God the Father.

We can also find rest through Christ in commending our soul, our lives to God.

Awake

Slept a fair bit in the afternoon.

Hardly could sleep now. Thank God today. Went to spurgeon website and read the old introduction of Spurgeon homepage for his sermons,

"I do not come into this pulpit hoping that perhaps somebody will of his own free will return to Christ. My hope lies in another quarter. I hope that my Master will lay hold of some of them and say, "You are mine, and you shall be mine. I claim you for myself." My hope arises from the freeness of grace, and not from the freedom of the will."
Charles Haddon Spurgeon

Spurgeon's conviction shaped his ministry. His belief on the absolute sovereignty of God. Few understand what I meant by this. God's foreknowledge predicates not on our freedom on will but by divine wisdom, every event of man's redemptive history will come to past because simply it is God's plan.

A load ease. Tough we must toil for the kingdom to advance, it is never the servant's work that can accomplish without the Master's decree.

I must understand I go about doing my Master's work and not mine. Only then, my hope lies on the freeness of grace. God's grace that is.

I am comforted by the quote from Surgeon.

Sin is Cruel

A sudden grip of thought. Sin is indeed cruelty to God.

How violent a death would God have endure for sin? Friday is coming. The day to remember what our Lord has done. The day that stays as a day that sin was to be conquered by a cruel death.

That cruelty was God to bear. To adhor sin is right. Because sin to God is adhorable, it is cruel. Sin slayed God, in flesh, in Christ.

Its gripping. How would you see sin? See it through God's heart. May we never lose our guard towards sin, neither ignore its effect, neither it subtlety.

The sinfulness of sin breeds its beginning from temptation.

The cruelty to God forbids that we should allow sin to speak its lies. May we guard our heart with all diligence since Christ took that cruelty upon Himself.

Sin indeed is cruelty to God.

But the amazing thing is....Christ brought that sting of death to be dead that we can be alive in Christ.

We can rejoice this Friday and say that it is Good Friday. Christ is good to us.

Grace renewed

The thought of renewed grace is strength renewed.

Who is the most important person on Earth?

Had a conversation with someone yesterday. Been knowing one another at least for 7 years I think. And thinking back and remembering the things we have gone through, it was sweet.

Comparing with the holidays I have been to, the physical beauty might be great, but if I ask myself, it is still the people that makes the memory fond.

I have been on holidays alone in US, seen the great heights and depths, felt particularly awe but these are so distant and in fact when I looked at the pics, it didn't really bring forth any smiles. But the places I have been, with the people I loved, it brought among the smiles with the fondest of memory.

Ultimately, I believe all of us are made for relationships. For kinships and friendships. Beacause that is sweetest.

Who then is the most important person on earth?

I know who is not definitely. It is not Barrak Obama. He is a man under law though powerful. It is not the economist, the militalists, the political, your school principal, your boss, your CEO, your Prime Minister, your President or even perhaps Bill Gates.

It is the one who brought you to Christ, the one who invited you to church that allows you to hear the gospel and be saved, the one who spoke to you in moments in times of discouragement, that made you strengthened again in God.

He or she who brings you into a loving relationship with Christ. This person is the most important person on earth.

Amazing isn't it? Simple but true.

Diary of 2 Otahs

Once there lived 2 Otahs. The older is called "Fish" and the younger is called "Prawn."

Both went through fire in the toaster oven and came out looking brighter then before and great to savour.

Notice their aroma and beauty. See the front bearing prawn and the back having a slice of fish meat sicking out.

Fantastic.

Thats the story of Otah Fish and Otah Prawn, 2 brothers that lived and was eaten side by side.