A test requires an outcome. I think that is when true convictions are revealed.
I have witness too many contradictions rather than convictions.
I fear when I put to the test, I would also be contradictions.
Truly it is grace that keeps us.
Unless I tested, would I know that I have contrdictions rather than convictions.
It has been a month since I saw a contradiciton in someone life.
I have been tested on this before. I considered and prayed and decidely saturated my mind with scriptures and overcome it through the grace of God. Didnt make the right decision at the start but God's grace overcome the indifferent thinking I had.
I never saw a reason for God's love till I saw a reason for God's judgement.
When love and mercy meets, I know I can't take grace at love's expense.
Living right is because His righteousnes and nothing more.
I don't bargain for God's righteousness when He doesnt count my tresspasses towards Him. I was given. That must my attitude towards life. I dun ask for grace to sin. I sin not becuase grace was given.
Convictions and not contradictions.
I plead my soul to obey for obedience is better than sacrifice.
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Monday, March 22, 2010
Wish could abandon all and go
it seems so expedient...
to start everything again...
a desperate despair...
would there and could there be a restart?
to start everything again...
a desperate despair...
would there and could there be a restart?
Sunday, March 21, 2010
God moves..
God answers prayer. There is no doubt about that.
And He moves in mysterious way...divine providence.
I earnestly hope I see more of His hand moving. Sometimes I think I am guilty of prejury. And at times, I dun think I am thankful enough of the goodness that He has bestowed.
The Chinese girls bible study on Sunday has more new people. While Dinghui and Tianren has enrolled in the ID course and opted to go for 2nd service, God has brought in 2 other newcomers to join the bible study. There are finding the bible studies helpful. Thank God for that. Hope they will grow in the Lord. Yuyun has been a blessing. And I pray that the bible study will fortify their faith in God.
Wang Wei has been attending church for some time now. He is Yuyun's friend. He heard the gospel a couple of times but would want to take time to consider Christ as being the true God. Do pray for Him that God will dispel the doubt in him and that he will come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.
Jingbo has been coming to church on and off. His supervisor is very strict with his school hours. I do hope the couple of church coming and the one bible study he has attended will help him to ponder the reality of Christ and the need for divine forgiveness. Pray for him that God will move in his heart to desire to be saved.
Ken has professed Christ last wednesday. By providence, he was the only attendee for the YMCA guitar clasa as the rest were on term break and decided not to come. We had our lesson and after that supper. Ken enquire about the faith and we shared with him what Christianity is about. And at the end, he came to pray and accepted Christ as his Lord and Saviour. He is from a Buddhist family and has not been granted permission to come to church. Do pray for him that he would be able to come to church. We have agreed to have a short bible class after wednesday guitar class. Hope he grow in Christ and his faith be strenghtened under such trying circumstances.
My colleague has also attended the ID class. Quite concerned about her growth, and hopefully the class will help her. Also hope that she find a suitable fellowship group to be part of. My other 2 friends have also decided to join FABRICs. Changing times ahead indeed.
For campus, there are quite a few newcomers. That is good. I do hope among the newcomers, faithful ones will be raised. God always move in a few good men. I do hope that I see men or women with grace and faith being revealed. The Romans bible studies is a monumental book to study. And I hope by the grace of God, this book will be completed. It is going to be tremendous when this bible studies is complete. It is going to life-changing if God breathes power and draws heart towards Godly sorrow that leads to repetance. This book has depth and impart breath in the life of the believer. This is my prayer that God will raise people to respond to the message of the book of Romans. May campus be the preparation ground for us to do battle for God. This is what I hope to see. By the grace of God, it will be done.
My work is piling like crazy. I dunno how I could survive all of this. I echo the cries of Paul though he is always in want, in need. He says this assurance that he can do all things through Christ that strengthens me. He also said that his God shall supply my needs according to His riches. I do hope it come to pass that God will show Himself strong.
Life is not easy. But with Christ in the boat, as the song says, we can smile at the storm.
The tide is changing. God is moving. I am still praying for my future direction. I have an inkling what I like to do. And when God moves, I hope I also move.
God is good. He is. If you read this blog, I hope you join alongside and pray. Thanks.
And He moves in mysterious way...divine providence.
I earnestly hope I see more of His hand moving. Sometimes I think I am guilty of prejury. And at times, I dun think I am thankful enough of the goodness that He has bestowed.
The Chinese girls bible study on Sunday has more new people. While Dinghui and Tianren has enrolled in the ID course and opted to go for 2nd service, God has brought in 2 other newcomers to join the bible study. There are finding the bible studies helpful. Thank God for that. Hope they will grow in the Lord. Yuyun has been a blessing. And I pray that the bible study will fortify their faith in God.
Wang Wei has been attending church for some time now. He is Yuyun's friend. He heard the gospel a couple of times but would want to take time to consider Christ as being the true God. Do pray for Him that God will dispel the doubt in him and that he will come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.
Jingbo has been coming to church on and off. His supervisor is very strict with his school hours. I do hope the couple of church coming and the one bible study he has attended will help him to ponder the reality of Christ and the need for divine forgiveness. Pray for him that God will move in his heart to desire to be saved.
Ken has professed Christ last wednesday. By providence, he was the only attendee for the YMCA guitar clasa as the rest were on term break and decided not to come. We had our lesson and after that supper. Ken enquire about the faith and we shared with him what Christianity is about. And at the end, he came to pray and accepted Christ as his Lord and Saviour. He is from a Buddhist family and has not been granted permission to come to church. Do pray for him that he would be able to come to church. We have agreed to have a short bible class after wednesday guitar class. Hope he grow in Christ and his faith be strenghtened under such trying circumstances.
My colleague has also attended the ID class. Quite concerned about her growth, and hopefully the class will help her. Also hope that she find a suitable fellowship group to be part of. My other 2 friends have also decided to join FABRICs. Changing times ahead indeed.
For campus, there are quite a few newcomers. That is good. I do hope among the newcomers, faithful ones will be raised. God always move in a few good men. I do hope that I see men or women with grace and faith being revealed. The Romans bible studies is a monumental book to study. And I hope by the grace of God, this book will be completed. It is going to be tremendous when this bible studies is complete. It is going to life-changing if God breathes power and draws heart towards Godly sorrow that leads to repetance. This book has depth and impart breath in the life of the believer. This is my prayer that God will raise people to respond to the message of the book of Romans. May campus be the preparation ground for us to do battle for God. This is what I hope to see. By the grace of God, it will be done.
My work is piling like crazy. I dunno how I could survive all of this. I echo the cries of Paul though he is always in want, in need. He says this assurance that he can do all things through Christ that strengthens me. He also said that his God shall supply my needs according to His riches. I do hope it come to pass that God will show Himself strong.
Life is not easy. But with Christ in the boat, as the song says, we can smile at the storm.
The tide is changing. God is moving. I am still praying for my future direction. I have an inkling what I like to do. And when God moves, I hope I also move.
God is good. He is. If you read this blog, I hope you join alongside and pray. Thanks.
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Heart of the gospel
16 Thus says the LORD:
“ Stand in the ways and see,
And ask for the old paths, where the good way is,
And walk in it;
Then you will find rest for your souls.
But they said, ‘We will not walk in it.’
Jer 6:16
A reprobate generation needs an awakening of sobriety to realise the true gospel. Israel is of no exception for the God of mercy through His prophet warns ever repeatedly to remember the old path, the path of a faithful generation that obeyed truth and had the favor of God with them.
I have embarked again a journey of discovery. Reading the book of Romans have been refreshing, in preparing for the bible study. I have also studied a topic for months now on worship and is still searching the scriptures and reading. The conclusion i have made is clear. Men who loved the truth would testify that apart from truth there is no worship. Apart from the Spirit of truth, there cannot be worship. Worship doesn't produce truth neither the spirit of God. It is truth and the spirit of God that produces worship.
So I realise the centrality of Christianity (of course Christ is the centre) but with the bible as the source of divine revelation, truth, the word of God takes precedance over everything. This is why I beleive, apart from the bible, the right understanding of everything pertaining to God and consequently, life and godliness would not be proper.
What is the non-negotiables of a church? If Christ says He will build His church and the gates of hades will not prevail, then we have to put our attention to the call. Christ told Peter 2 important lessons. One on the church, the other being to feed the flock. I dun see a difference in tying the two because Paul told Timothy the same, that the church is to be "if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God's household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth." 1 Tim 3:16.
Woah. The church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of truth. I think its mandated. Paul often told Timothy, a pastor in the Ephesus church to be careful in rightly divide the Word. I think Paul knew the importance for it is the Word of God that is the engine of the church. How we worship, how we conduct ourselves, how we do ministry is formed by the Word. The core of the church, the blaze of the church, the witness of the church is through a deep and thoughtful preaching of the Word and it requires the man to be a Spriit-filled man, who is God-fearing, knowing he handles the Word of life. To be skilled in dividing the Word.
I don't know how many of us really takes a serious view of that. Acts 17 says the noble Bereans hearing Paul preached would search the scriptures to see whether they are so.
This generation is turning sensuous. It is not a generation of yesteryears. The magnitude and multitude of sins prevalent says that lawlessness is at work..and harder. The sins that we read of yesteryear are petty compared to what we read about today. The church regard for truth and a reverential and thoughtful understanding have been replaced by doctrines that tickles the ear. The counsel of God's truth have been constricted to texts that exponded plently of grace, love and mercy. When would be the last time, we heard of wrath, judgement, thirsting of righteousness and holiness? When do you hear the gospel of Christ when He healed the lame, the blind, the adulteress and telling them, "Go and sin no more." We have place believe on Christ and you are are forever saved kind of mentality. That is not the gospel. Christ healed 10 lepers and only one He said..turn to Christ to say a gratitude expression of Thanks was the only one that is truly saved.
Whoever wants to examine again the gospel? Whoever wants to examine the truth? Whoever wants to study true worship again? Don't just jump onto the bandwagon for the sake of doing so.
Examine the scriptures and see whether there is right doing. Truth is timeless. Culture changes. Truth still is timeless.
I think I have exhausted my mental anguish thinking of the decadence of how things are going. Perhaps battle weary but then I have done nothing.
I write this to hopefully to awake ourselves to what Jude says in verse 3 of contending for truth. This generation needs truth. We have turn sensusous. Godliness isn't the in thing. This is true. Think about your lifestyle, your thoughts, your pleasure and you know this thought of Godliness isn't something we endear.
I do hope that I will echo the answer God gave Elijah when he thought he is last faithful remnant that God said to Elijah that He has kept 7000 from bowing to Baal. God keeps the faithful simply God is faithful.
Let us then, discover truth, live out the truth for one sake. For God's sake. For only in this, He will be glorified. That is the truth.
“ Stand in the ways and see,
And ask for the old paths, where the good way is,
And walk in it;
Then you will find rest for your souls.
But they said, ‘We will not walk in it.’
Jer 6:16
A reprobate generation needs an awakening of sobriety to realise the true gospel. Israel is of no exception for the God of mercy through His prophet warns ever repeatedly to remember the old path, the path of a faithful generation that obeyed truth and had the favor of God with them.
I have embarked again a journey of discovery. Reading the book of Romans have been refreshing, in preparing for the bible study. I have also studied a topic for months now on worship and is still searching the scriptures and reading. The conclusion i have made is clear. Men who loved the truth would testify that apart from truth there is no worship. Apart from the Spirit of truth, there cannot be worship. Worship doesn't produce truth neither the spirit of God. It is truth and the spirit of God that produces worship.
So I realise the centrality of Christianity (of course Christ is the centre) but with the bible as the source of divine revelation, truth, the word of God takes precedance over everything. This is why I beleive, apart from the bible, the right understanding of everything pertaining to God and consequently, life and godliness would not be proper.
What is the non-negotiables of a church? If Christ says He will build His church and the gates of hades will not prevail, then we have to put our attention to the call. Christ told Peter 2 important lessons. One on the church, the other being to feed the flock. I dun see a difference in tying the two because Paul told Timothy the same, that the church is to be "if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God's household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth." 1 Tim 3:16.
Woah. The church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of truth. I think its mandated. Paul often told Timothy, a pastor in the Ephesus church to be careful in rightly divide the Word. I think Paul knew the importance for it is the Word of God that is the engine of the church. How we worship, how we conduct ourselves, how we do ministry is formed by the Word. The core of the church, the blaze of the church, the witness of the church is through a deep and thoughtful preaching of the Word and it requires the man to be a Spriit-filled man, who is God-fearing, knowing he handles the Word of life. To be skilled in dividing the Word.
I don't know how many of us really takes a serious view of that. Acts 17 says the noble Bereans hearing Paul preached would search the scriptures to see whether they are so.
This generation is turning sensuous. It is not a generation of yesteryears. The magnitude and multitude of sins prevalent says that lawlessness is at work..and harder. The sins that we read of yesteryear are petty compared to what we read about today. The church regard for truth and a reverential and thoughtful understanding have been replaced by doctrines that tickles the ear. The counsel of God's truth have been constricted to texts that exponded plently of grace, love and mercy. When would be the last time, we heard of wrath, judgement, thirsting of righteousness and holiness? When do you hear the gospel of Christ when He healed the lame, the blind, the adulteress and telling them, "Go and sin no more." We have place believe on Christ and you are are forever saved kind of mentality. That is not the gospel. Christ healed 10 lepers and only one He said..turn to Christ to say a gratitude expression of Thanks was the only one that is truly saved.
Whoever wants to examine again the gospel? Whoever wants to examine the truth? Whoever wants to study true worship again? Don't just jump onto the bandwagon for the sake of doing so.
Examine the scriptures and see whether there is right doing. Truth is timeless. Culture changes. Truth still is timeless.
I think I have exhausted my mental anguish thinking of the decadence of how things are going. Perhaps battle weary but then I have done nothing.
I write this to hopefully to awake ourselves to what Jude says in verse 3 of contending for truth. This generation needs truth. We have turn sensusous. Godliness isn't the in thing. This is true. Think about your lifestyle, your thoughts, your pleasure and you know this thought of Godliness isn't something we endear.
I do hope that I will echo the answer God gave Elijah when he thought he is last faithful remnant that God said to Elijah that He has kept 7000 from bowing to Baal. God keeps the faithful simply God is faithful.
Let us then, discover truth, live out the truth for one sake. For God's sake. For only in this, He will be glorified. That is the truth.
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Tired
been a tiring week...feeling worn..easily my eyes twitch...and I feel so drained..
been encouraged by a few things yet discouraged by even more things..
sometimes I wish i could go to Christ's bossom and end everything that is here..heaven is a far better place..definitely
i do realise that God's strength is ever so needful..for me to endure till ilfe's journey end, except for God as my strength..I dun think I can endure even one second.
the joy of the Lord be my strength...
been encouraged by a few things yet discouraged by even more things..
sometimes I wish i could go to Christ's bossom and end everything that is here..heaven is a far better place..definitely
i do realise that God's strength is ever so needful..for me to endure till ilfe's journey end, except for God as my strength..I dun think I can endure even one second.
the joy of the Lord be my strength...
Saturday, March 13, 2010
ECP Catch Report
hmm...not as good as last week but manage to witness someone (not me :() who caught a huge stingray...haha..though didnt manage to catch one myself..at least someone is happy..
manage to catch a rabbit fish though...this is a new year fish..usually abundant in Feburary in local waters so I am surprised to get one...dining size..so still very happy..
today it rained..though catch would be good..but just 10 over fish..not as good as last week, but nevertheless had fun..just got cold and miserable and drenched at one point..but glad i wore an adidas climate cool...dry in an instant when the sun was up.. :)
stacey and justin also come and try their hand at fishing..
on the whole, thank God for a good day of fishing. He is good.
My biggest catch for the day - a rabbit fish
A few good fish...enuf for dinner..
A huge sting ray - great for bbqing..haha
Huge ray..one day i must also try to catch one.. ;p
manage to catch a rabbit fish though...this is a new year fish..usually abundant in Feburary in local waters so I am surprised to get one...dining size..so still very happy..
today it rained..though catch would be good..but just 10 over fish..not as good as last week, but nevertheless had fun..just got cold and miserable and drenched at one point..but glad i wore an adidas climate cool...dry in an instant when the sun was up.. :)
stacey and justin also come and try their hand at fishing..
on the whole, thank God for a good day of fishing. He is good.
My biggest catch for the day - a rabbit fish
A few good fish...enuf for dinner..
A huge sting ray - great for bbqing..haha
Huge ray..one day i must also try to catch one.. ;p
Monday, March 8, 2010
Constricted and constrained
When the welling of tears is no longer on the eyes but in the heart...you know there is a depth of sadness that would be only untold.
It is a second wave of stress. Earthquake aftershocks are usually milder than the first. I do not seem to have any stretch of rest. Its taking its toll and toil.
When perpetual stress and discontinuos stress seizures come, it is worse than having an epilethic fits...the convulsions will stop, but not this when tsunami after tsunami keep coming.
I think the message is clear.
These strivings must cease or there can't be deliverance except that of delirium.
I must stoop not lower, but to make a stand to trust that the brook cherith has dried, and it is compelling, in this constricted and constrained environment, God has wanted me to leave.
It is untenable. Not a matter of endurance. When sanity hangs a thread, I need to swing to know that beyond a greener pasture, lies the stiller water.
I need peace and a longer one. I must have this rest for a season.
Not words. But just rest.
This mind expects deliverance. This mind expects fulfillment. Almost all, joy to delight.
And only one in my Lord would suffice.
I must go.
It is a second wave of stress. Earthquake aftershocks are usually milder than the first. I do not seem to have any stretch of rest. Its taking its toll and toil.
When perpetual stress and discontinuos stress seizures come, it is worse than having an epilethic fits...the convulsions will stop, but not this when tsunami after tsunami keep coming.
I think the message is clear.
These strivings must cease or there can't be deliverance except that of delirium.
I must stoop not lower, but to make a stand to trust that the brook cherith has dried, and it is compelling, in this constricted and constrained environment, God has wanted me to leave.
It is untenable. Not a matter of endurance. When sanity hangs a thread, I need to swing to know that beyond a greener pasture, lies the stiller water.
I need peace and a longer one. I must have this rest for a season.
Not words. But just rest.
This mind expects deliverance. This mind expects fulfillment. Almost all, joy to delight.
And only one in my Lord would suffice.
I must go.
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Fishing
finally, after years of withdrawal..a bumper catch..not too bad with 4 hrs of work...
oh tamban..u never left.. :p
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Alas
And so did Christ die in vain?
With bated breath and reflections a trough deeper, the thoughts that tenders in images of grace untold, puts me to shame that I haven't press for a life that is more consistently testfying the glory of my Lord.
I bade to say goodbye to self desires but yet it bade me not.
This verse I encountered today gave a cry, " But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. " 2 Cor 4:7
I say I cannot hide. Oh where is this heart beating unlesss a life story told that Christ is the treasure of my life.
Why live for self where there are glories of Christ still to be told?
With bated breath and reflections a trough deeper, the thoughts that tenders in images of grace untold, puts me to shame that I haven't press for a life that is more consistently testfying the glory of my Lord.
I bade to say goodbye to self desires but yet it bade me not.
This verse I encountered today gave a cry, " But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. " 2 Cor 4:7
I say I cannot hide. Oh where is this heart beating unlesss a life story told that Christ is the treasure of my life.
Why live for self where there are glories of Christ still to be told?
Romans
The just shall live by faith.
What a verse of simplicity and beauty. Assault this verse with sin and it beautifully echoes, the just shall live by faith. Try telling it about righteousness deeds for justification, and it smoother the thought away and rings again, the just shall live by faith.
This verse stays and echos.
Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words abide forever.
The just shall live by faith.
What a verse of simplicity and beauty. Assault this verse with sin and it beautifully echoes, the just shall live by faith. Try telling it about righteousness deeds for justification, and it smoother the thought away and rings again, the just shall live by faith.
This verse stays and echos.
Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words abide forever.
The just shall live by faith.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Is Godliness the exception and not the norm?
I think this is a good question. Coz if I may answer it, the answer to me is obvious.
Perhaps it gets clearer if I read the OT. How much of Israel history do we see faithfulness and revival?
Few.
How about the NT church age? I can say that Paul has epistles after epistles correcting errors. And Christ brings charges to the 7 churches in Asia of their errors?
I say Godliness of man comes with 2 right perspective of God. Fear of God and the grace of God.
Let me talk about fear.
I conclude that the fear of the Lord is almost non-existant in Christianity today when our attention is warped towards love and grace. In Luke 12, Jesus confronts the religious gurus of His day, the scribes and Pharisees. No doubt they wield great power and influence, Jesus pointed say to the thousands that are gathered on the real fear man must have. It is not towards man. He says to the masses, "Fear Him who is able to destroy both body and soul!"
Jesus pointed brings us what we all lack. The lack of fear for God. The fear for men is natural and its constantly a snare.
Every wonder why none of us pursue holiness and thirst for righteousness? The lack of fear, a reverence for Jehovah God.
How about grace?
John Piper says he approves of 2 man in the bible. Saul (Paul) approved Stephen of his stoning. Both are examples of grace. Stephen displayed courage to speak for God and hence stoned. Saul displayed murderous zeal and was converted by Jesus on the road of Dasmascus displayed God's deliverance of his murderous ways to become the most effective minister of the NT ever. Paul showed grace. Grace that God can transform any man to fear Him as a mark of grace.
I don't want to put fear in a negative light. Hence I want to describe that Stephen being bold fears God. Paul being bold fears God. They fear that they do not demonstrate what the grace of God has given to them that they live a life that demonstrates bestowed divine grace.
I shudder to think that if a person sees grace and not sees fear. The absence of one or the other brings licentiousness to sin as Jude writes in his short epistle. Fear without grace stops us from doing anything for God. Grace without fear stops us from doing anything "right" for God. Taken together they are important. What moves you?
I hope we see fear and grace together. I hope fear drives you from sin. To live holiness and righteousness and grace drives you to sinners to tell them of the fear of God and the grace that is available.
Is Godliness the exception and not the norm. Yes it is. Coz not many see fear and grace together.
I hope you do.
Perhaps it gets clearer if I read the OT. How much of Israel history do we see faithfulness and revival?
Few.
How about the NT church age? I can say that Paul has epistles after epistles correcting errors. And Christ brings charges to the 7 churches in Asia of their errors?
I say Godliness of man comes with 2 right perspective of God. Fear of God and the grace of God.
Let me talk about fear.
I conclude that the fear of the Lord is almost non-existant in Christianity today when our attention is warped towards love and grace. In Luke 12, Jesus confronts the religious gurus of His day, the scribes and Pharisees. No doubt they wield great power and influence, Jesus pointed say to the thousands that are gathered on the real fear man must have. It is not towards man. He says to the masses, "Fear Him who is able to destroy both body and soul!"
Jesus pointed brings us what we all lack. The lack of fear for God. The fear for men is natural and its constantly a snare.
Every wonder why none of us pursue holiness and thirst for righteousness? The lack of fear, a reverence for Jehovah God.
How about grace?
John Piper says he approves of 2 man in the bible. Saul (Paul) approved Stephen of his stoning. Both are examples of grace. Stephen displayed courage to speak for God and hence stoned. Saul displayed murderous zeal and was converted by Jesus on the road of Dasmascus displayed God's deliverance of his murderous ways to become the most effective minister of the NT ever. Paul showed grace. Grace that God can transform any man to fear Him as a mark of grace.
I don't want to put fear in a negative light. Hence I want to describe that Stephen being bold fears God. Paul being bold fears God. They fear that they do not demonstrate what the grace of God has given to them that they live a life that demonstrates bestowed divine grace.
I shudder to think that if a person sees grace and not sees fear. The absence of one or the other brings licentiousness to sin as Jude writes in his short epistle. Fear without grace stops us from doing anything for God. Grace without fear stops us from doing anything "right" for God. Taken together they are important. What moves you?
I hope we see fear and grace together. I hope fear drives you from sin. To live holiness and righteousness and grace drives you to sinners to tell them of the fear of God and the grace that is available.
Is Godliness the exception and not the norm. Yes it is. Coz not many see fear and grace together.
I hope you do.
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