Friday, March 02, 2007
Finding the Heart to Encourage
I am presently on holiday spending time with family and friends. In the course of time together, a young person shared a burden of discouragement with me. Discouragement from harsh words with good intent to "improve" him. Discouragement from always being indirectly told that they are not good enough. Discouragement from the incessant silence of loving words that perhaps should be expressed more directly.When was the last time you were encouraged? When was the last time you encouraged someone?
Encouragement can be a powerful thing. This may be obvious and much talked about, but in practice, there is not that much of it really going around.
I am reminded of a time when I've been a receipient of such a blessing. Gazing back, I realised that the few words this person said to me carried with it the power to change the course of my life, and it did. Ironically, the words spoken to me more than 20 years ago, so instrumental in defining who I am -- is now coming back full circle. Why?
Well, the person who bestowed the blessing 20 years ago is the same person who is the parent to the young teenager now confiding in me about his disappointments. It's weird - I feel strangely compelled 'repay the debt'. What I have received then, now I want to give back because I am in a position to - because of what was given.
What I am learning:
- What goes around comes around. What you sow is what you reap.
- Encouragement begets encouragement. When one "gets it", then you will recognise how powerful it is (and can be).
- Sometimes we can be blind to giving it to the persons that need it most. People who are most "related to you" may be the ones that need it the most. But we can take it for granted that they do not yearn for it.
Labels: Christian Living, Encouragement, God's Love, Significance / Life Purpose
Continue to read "Finding the Heart to Encourage...."# posted by Sal : 9:00 a.m.
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Tuesday, October 03, 2006
My Prison Experience
I went to jail last Sunday. Instead of walking away in despair, I captured afresh a real and certain hope in the gospel of Jesus Christ that we often take for granted. It raised in me a few questions:- How deep can God's mercy extend to people who have sinned, even to the vilest of criminals?
- How much can the grace of God absorb when we think we have blown it and there is no way back from our mistakes?
- How can we see past the darkness of the "daily prison cells" that sometimes chracterizes our lives?
Phil, a brother in Christ, asked me a couple of weeks ago if I would mind accompanying him to visit an inmate named Donald. It was Phil's second visit since the last one three months ago together with a pastor. During the last visit, Donald shared that he still carried the guilt and remorse of the murder he committed in his twenties after 15 years in prison. With that, Phil and the pastor extended an invitation to Donald into a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.
Now, after a few months since that visit, Donald has found God - Jesus Christ has forgiven him and the priceless hope for change stands ahead of him. His past no longer haunts him and guilt no longer has its grip on his conscience. I liked Donald - he was candid and open. He was not very educated at the time he was jailed. Now, after many years, he says that he realises that he was "not as limited intellectually" as he thought he was when he was young. I personally thought that he was a very intelligent and streetwise person. At times, he would talk about his prison life. Other instances, he would share with us how sometimes, he felt lonely without anyone to share his thoughts with as English as not his first language - but he felt that he could open his heart to us. He would also bring up things about his wife and two kids, and his elder brother and his family - how he wanted to help them now and when he finishes his prison sentence in three years time.
Seeing Donald share his hopes and dreams - sometimes with a tinge of regret, other times with a tiny sparkle in his eyes. One wonders, compared to other people who are physically free outside but are trapped by the ugly claws of sin, and those who are slaves to relationships and things -- who are the ones that are really imprisoned? Donald has been stripped of all the normal privilleges we all take for granted. But the one portion that he's now found, will be something that I believe will set him on the road to freedom. I can sense it both in my spirit, as well as in his.
My prayer for him would be that he will cry out to the Lord as David did in his times of trouble and loneliness:Psalm 142:4-7
Look to my right and see; no one is concerned for me. I have no refuge; no one cares for my life. I cry to you, O Lord; I say, "You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living." Listen to my cry, for I am in desperate need; rescue me from those who pursue me, for they are too strong for me. Set me free from my prison, that I may praise your name. Then the righteous will gather about me because of your goodness to me.
Donald was touched by our visit and care. This was my first time visiting Donald, but I walked away from this visit sensing the Father's hand upon his life. God has found another prodigal son, and the Father has runned to embrace him even though the son may see himself as far away from home. Real hope and freedom are such rare commodities in a world that is often driven by greed, unrest and strive. But Donald has now found an authentic hope and I pray that he will find other believers that will come along side of him in his newfound journey. I also felt a burden to want to come back to visit this brother again. Maybe these are aspects of David's prayer in Psalm 142:7 - "Set me free from my prison, that I may praise your name. Then the righteous will gather about me because of your goodness to me."
All in all, as I mentioned at the beginning, this was an unexpected encounter - I started thinking that I had nothing whatsoever in common with Donald. But after this visit, I realise that I have more in common with him that I initially assumed. Fallen sons redeemed by a merciful God - there is no darkness so deep that His love cannot reach. The Father has started His redemptive work to free us from our prisons of shame, hurt and bondage, and He will complete it if we let Him. Donald's testimony and seeing what God is doing through his life gives me another vantage point where I am reminded of this fact. We all could do well to remember this when we are engulfed in the daily hardships of 'prison life'.
Labels: Christian Living, Encouragement, God's Love
Continue to read "My Prison Experience...."# posted by Sal : 2:54 p.m.
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Thursday, December 01, 2005
Connecting the Dots: Small things and glimpses of God's heart
I am writing about one of the two very special 'strangers' that God brought to our midst in London. Let me call one of them "Timothy" (who is the closest biblical character I am reminded of). This week the curtains closed on something that God started six months ago when Timothy and his sister Chae first came to London. I now feel I have the liberty to share what I did not feel was appropriate at that time. This was what I wrote in the early days when Timothy first arrived and God whispered something to me about him 6 months ago: - I have been wrestling with myself, whether if one feels that God has revealed something concerning another person, whether one should tell the person. What if I hear wrongly from the Lord? What if the person is not ready to hear it and it stumbles rather than builds up?
Well, I have grappled with the issue for a couple of days and I have decided that I would not mention it directly... not because I am afraid that I will be wrong or that it will 'damage' the person if it does not come to pass, but more that I think it would be more appropriate to show and guide the person without candid words. Let me explain...
Being from South Korea and here for a couple of months in London, Timothy was sharing about being directionless and lost, especially in terms of life and his job/career. I felt for him when he shared this with us during dinner and bible study at a friend's place.
On a train journey to Guildford the next day, I had some time to reflect. I was pondering on what Timothy lamented about feeling lost. I was just exploring in my mind what avenues that Timothy could explore.... at the same time considering the kind of person he was -- kind, tender-hearted but timid, and carries a lot of past experiences and burdens that has shaken his confidence. I felt for him when he shared this for the first time, and I still do. Thinking further on the train journey, I somehow could not really pull together what I could advise him on possible options to take if I was given a chance to, and so I felt a sense of 'hopelessness' for Timothy.
The train chugs along, as I gaze out the window for a moment. In the next instance, I encounter an unexpected but familiar voice. The Lord is whispering in His firm but quiet way,
"I am going to use him mightily in My Kingdom in the future... What man sees as weak, I will use. I have a plan for him...."
"You do your part."
I can't remember exactly what I thought after that, but I knew that God meant full-time service and I felt moved to a certain degree, of God's plan for him (even though he doesn't fully see or know it presently). My instinctive reaction was, "Lord, I may not get to see the final fruits, but I will do what I can to water and nurture the seeds that You are planting." I felt privileged. In that brief moment in time, I saw a fleeting glimpse of God's heart. Which sometimes God does when He opens up the curtains for us to have a peek.
I was given another opportunity to have another peek. During a recent dinner between a few of us, Timothy mentioned that he didn't have a bible, and I really felt at that time that I should buy him one.... So I went to a Christian bookstore a couple of days later, not sure of what sort of bible to get them. It "so happened" that there were two very appropriate New Living Translation bibles, one color / design for a girl, another for a guy, so I took those, having some peace in my heart that I made the right choice for both of them. Later, as I was waiting for the tube, I took the bibles out to have a browse. On one of the front publication copyright pages,I noticed: "Printed in South Korea", the country they are from. I smiled. It was as if God was saying, "You purchased correctly, well done". I smiled again.
The Lord has a sense of humour, hasn't He? He bothered with something this small (albeit significant).
Anyway, little stories aside, I am starting to see a chain of events and sensing the Lord connecting the dots for these two 'lost' strangers. Don't want to second guess what the Lord is doing, just want to see where He takes this. The word on my heart right this instant is "good steward" -- to take care of what God has laid on our hearts on a day-by-day basis, not to worry beyond that.
I am reminded that God will "console those who mourn, to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; That they may be called trees of righteousness, The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified." Isaiah 61:3
Reflecting on the past 6 months, I cannot help but marvel at God's power at work. The string of 'coincidences' and people the Lord used in this process moves me deeply; and in my mind, defies explanation. I cannot claim to have done anything... There were many times I was frustrated with the lack of progress, where my brotherly love for him wore thin, sometimes beyond what I could tolerate. But who really knows how God deals with the inner recesses of the heart. In this case, God changed him 'behind our backs'. In my own shortcomings, I just needed to obey and try to show hospitality and grace, sometimes with a resentful reluctance.
In many ways, I do feel like a dot; a dot that the Sovereign Hand has connected in some divine way, not just for Timothy, but also for the people who have had the privilege to be part of what God has done.
Oh, by the way - before Timothy left, he told me that God put a desire in him to take on a pastoral role one day - I nearly fell of my rockers! Gazing further, who knows how God in the coming days will water this tree that is Timothy's life. But this much I know: God's Word will go out and will not come back void. And for now, I am moved that the Lord has allowed me to see the small fruits out of what He is doing.
All in all, Timothy's life in London has reminded me again - that although God is awesome in power, He is also the God of small things. And it is indeed precious, those rare moments when God gives us to opportunity to sneak a glimpse into His heart, showing that He is indeed passionately mindful of the small affairs of our lives - the Mighty does indeed take time to connect the small.
Labels: God's Love, Spiritual Direction / Guidance, Supernatural
Continue to read "Connecting the Dots: Small things and glimpses of God's heart...."# posted by Sal : 12:15 a.m.
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Monday, November 07, 2005
Words are not enough
This morning, amongst sheets of papers interleaved within my bible, I found what I wrote three years ago when I lost my job and was in a desert place for more than 6 months. I am reminded how our Father God is faithful, even at times when the feelings overwhelm and words fail within us. These desert places, parched and forsaken, are diffcult places to journey through. In reading these old notes again, I see with new eyes the contrast between despair and hope, weakness and strength, fear and love during separate 'stopping points' through those trying periods.
This was where I was at one point:
And what I heard from God.
In both instances, words were not enough. The first where words were not enough to express own fears; the other where words cannot fully express the sense of God's love.
For some reason, I just sensed that I needed to share this. Having come out of that period, I now look back in thanksgiving at the tenacity of God's love contrasted with the frailty of our own hearts, and how, at the crunch times, when our souls and self-sufficiency crumbles, and every false prop we hang on to fails -- the Father's hand remains steadfast.
Perfect love drives out fear... our confidence lies not in our ability to hold on to God - on the contrary, it is in God's ability to hold on to us, even through the most ferocious storms. We need to rest in the fact that the Father's love covers us. Many a time, I know that even rest does not come easy. But it starts by allowing the the Father to come near. When will we learn?
This was where I was at one point:
- Feel a bit down right now. The best way to describe it is for me to use words that come to mind: trapped, bruised, broken, disciplined, fear... All these emotions, I give to You, Lord - and say in the deepest way - "You are my hope and my salvation, and my portion in this life, even when there is no other portion."
I cannot put on a veneer of spiritual bravado, because I am not. Nor do I feel like it. All I can do is trust that Lord, You ultimately know best and that all things work for the good of those who love and trust You. I feel that all the things that are dear to me, all the things that give me security (perhaps false security) You have taken away - achievements, career hopes & prospects, confidence in my own abilities, external spirituality, etc... These are my idols, I have made them my idols. I have used these idols and "adornments" to create an imposter and hide my true self.
And what I heard from God.
- Through the dark forests of the night, there is dawn
Through the pain of crucifixion, there is resurrection
Do not despair, hope in Me
Be still and know that I AM God
Look up to the heavens. Your help comes from the Lord,
The Lord of Heaven and earth
I AM near, and I love you.
In both instances, words were not enough. The first where words were not enough to express own fears; the other where words cannot fully express the sense of God's love.
For some reason, I just sensed that I needed to share this. Having come out of that period, I now look back in thanksgiving at the tenacity of God's love contrasted with the frailty of our own hearts, and how, at the crunch times, when our souls and self-sufficiency crumbles, and every false prop we hang on to fails -- the Father's hand remains steadfast.
Perfect love drives out fear... our confidence lies not in our ability to hold on to God - on the contrary, it is in God's ability to hold on to us, even through the most ferocious storms. We need to rest in the fact that the Father's love covers us. Many a time, I know that even rest does not come easy. But it starts by allowing the the Father to come near. When will we learn?
Labels: Change / Progress, God's Love, Spiritual Growth
Continue to read "Words are not enough...."# posted by Sal : 12:21 p.m.
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Friday, October 21, 2005
What does God require of our worship?
I have been writing about risks and going beyond what one is comfortable with a few stories back. Last Sunday, the Lord challenged me to do something totally out of what I would normally do. I have always been uncomfortable with the idea of what my personal response would be in relation to poverty and the problem of homelessness on the streets.
On a purely intellectual level, I am fine with the notion that as a Christian, we should help the homeless. But on a level of translating theory to action, I have never been able to put the pedal to the metal. Never engaged "them" in any way, never talked to "them" to understand their situation, and never offered to ask "them" if they needed food. I guess being a person from a middle-class background, where life's problems are never to do with the basics of shelter and food, it is easier to deal with the notion of people on the streets by turning a blind eye or justifying that it is their fault somehow that they are in that situation. So when the Lord put a finger on this, I struggled, trust me... I really struggled with this one.
The story, as short as I can make it (sorry), follows...
During morning worship, I was distracted by something foul, pungent enough for me to be curious. As I rolled my head round, I realised that it was emanating from a man sitting behind me, densely stubbled and with clothes that looked like it had not been washed in weeks. He literally stunk.
My first thoughts were that he was a vagabond. Although I do not remember exactly what my train of thoughts were thereafter. Reflecting on this now, I realise that my social filters kicked in and I just chose to blank out any thought of this homeless person. "A nuisance, but not a problem as long as he doesn't cause any issues", I reasoned. And I continued to worship.
Later, I notice him hanging around during the lunch time gathering. Again, I looked passed him and chose not to think about it.
During the evening service that same day, I sat in a different section. And there he was again, two rows behind me.
This time around, as we were singing, the Lord challenged me, "What does worship mean to you?"
Huh?
"Is it just singing?", He continued. "What does it really mean to you?"
I shifted uncomfortably where I stood. And I knew what the Lord was putting a finger on. It was the vagabond two rows behind me. What am I going to do about it? What does me confessing Jesus as Lord mean to that man behind me?
God then brought a verse:
What do I do? What do I say? Lord, what CAN I say to a person I have nothing in common with?
But I rarely ever walk up to strangers, especially the homeless.
I would just look stupid if I run out of things to say to him.
He probably does not need my help anyway. Someone else in the church will help him if he does.
The Lord continued, "Worship has to be manifest in works... Singing is but one way to worship Me. Because, worship is meeting another's needs and bringing them into My presence the way you are previleged to do. How can they if they are isolated and hungry?"
More verses came:
As you can imagine, I didn't get to worship much that night. This wrestling match went on throughout the songs - the words could come out of my mouth but it held very little meaning in the light of what God was asking me to do.
To cut the story short, I approached him during the drinks/refreshments time. After several false starts of trying to make a connection (he was hesitant to engage in conversation), I managed to strike up the courage to ask him if he wanted any food. He refused. But I would notice a couple of of times when he looked around for food, then grabbing coffee and biscuits. So I politely suggested again if I could go out and get him a sandwich. This time round, he asked what I had in mind.
The night ended with me running furiously (with a friend) to get food, hoping that the man would not have left and we were not too late. It was tiring, but exciting. Needless to say, God was faithful.
Epilogue: I manage to give our friend food. But the exchange was not one way. I was blessed with a perspective on worship from the Lord by obeying - something that is closer to His heart than we often realize: the helpless and downtrodden. True worship is living in a way that God is glorified through our lives. We worship in spirit and truth. And truth is truth whether we like it or not. Truth is truth whether we are comfortable with it or not. What matters is our response.
In the incident tonight, I have learned that not taking action means not showing mercy. And if I had ignored what the Spirit was saying, I would have worshipped God in a way that would have been convenient to me, but not in the way that God would have liked.
It is a sombre thought to ponder on how much our worship is pleasing to God. And how much of it is tied to our obedience to God's nudges. If we chose any other way but the Lord's will, we risk not embracing His best.
On a purely intellectual level, I am fine with the notion that as a Christian, we should help the homeless. But on a level of translating theory to action, I have never been able to put the pedal to the metal. Never engaged "them" in any way, never talked to "them" to understand their situation, and never offered to ask "them" if they needed food. I guess being a person from a middle-class background, where life's problems are never to do with the basics of shelter and food, it is easier to deal with the notion of people on the streets by turning a blind eye or justifying that it is their fault somehow that they are in that situation. So when the Lord put a finger on this, I struggled, trust me... I really struggled with this one.
The story, as short as I can make it (sorry), follows...
During morning worship, I was distracted by something foul, pungent enough for me to be curious. As I rolled my head round, I realised that it was emanating from a man sitting behind me, densely stubbled and with clothes that looked like it had not been washed in weeks. He literally stunk.
My first thoughts were that he was a vagabond. Although I do not remember exactly what my train of thoughts were thereafter. Reflecting on this now, I realise that my social filters kicked in and I just chose to blank out any thought of this homeless person. "A nuisance, but not a problem as long as he doesn't cause any issues", I reasoned. And I continued to worship.
Later, I notice him hanging around during the lunch time gathering. Again, I looked passed him and chose not to think about it.
During the evening service that same day, I sat in a different section. And there he was again, two rows behind me.
This time around, as we were singing, the Lord challenged me, "What does worship mean to you?"
Huh?
"Is it just singing?", He continued. "What does it really mean to you?"
I shifted uncomfortably where I stood. And I knew what the Lord was putting a finger on. It was the vagabond two rows behind me. What am I going to do about it? What does me confessing Jesus as Lord mean to that man behind me?
God then brought a verse:
- '...For I was hungry and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you took care of Me; I was in prison and you visited Me.' "Then the righteous will answer Him, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You something to drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or without clothes and clothe You? When did we see You sick, or in prison, and visit You?' "And the King will answer them, 'I assure you: Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of Mine, you did for Me.' [Matt 25:35-41]
What do I do? What do I say? Lord, what CAN I say to a person I have nothing in common with?
- You take the first step. I will tell you what to say and do next.
But I rarely ever walk up to strangers, especially the homeless.
- You take the first step. I will tell you what to say and do next.
I would just look stupid if I run out of things to say to him.
- You take the first step. I will tell you what to say and do next.
He probably does not need my help anyway. Someone else in the church will help him if he does.
- You take the first step. I will tell you what to say and do next.
The Lord continued, "Worship has to be manifest in works... Singing is but one way to worship Me. Because, worship is meeting another's needs and bringing them into My presence the way you are previleged to do. How can they if they are isolated and hungry?"
More verses came:
- "Let brotherly love continue. Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels. Remember the prisoners as if chained with them--those who are mistreated--since you yourselves are in the body also. For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect." [Heb 13:1-3, Matt 5:46-48]
As you can imagine, I didn't get to worship much that night. This wrestling match went on throughout the songs - the words could come out of my mouth but it held very little meaning in the light of what God was asking me to do.
To cut the story short, I approached him during the drinks/refreshments time. After several false starts of trying to make a connection (he was hesitant to engage in conversation), I managed to strike up the courage to ask him if he wanted any food. He refused. But I would notice a couple of of times when he looked around for food, then grabbing coffee and biscuits. So I politely suggested again if I could go out and get him a sandwich. This time round, he asked what I had in mind.
The night ended with me running furiously (with a friend) to get food, hoping that the man would not have left and we were not too late. It was tiring, but exciting. Needless to say, God was faithful.
Epilogue: I manage to give our friend food. But the exchange was not one way. I was blessed with a perspective on worship from the Lord by obeying - something that is closer to His heart than we often realize: the helpless and downtrodden. True worship is living in a way that God is glorified through our lives. We worship in spirit and truth. And truth is truth whether we like it or not. Truth is truth whether we are comfortable with it or not. What matters is our response.
In the incident tonight, I have learned that not taking action means not showing mercy. And if I had ignored what the Spirit was saying, I would have worshipped God in a way that would have been convenient to me, but not in the way that God would have liked.
It is a sombre thought to ponder on how much our worship is pleasing to God. And how much of it is tied to our obedience to God's nudges. If we chose any other way but the Lord's will, we risk not embracing His best.
Labels: Christian Living, Church Life, God's Love, Worship
Continue to read "What does God require of our worship?...."# posted by Sal : 12:05 a.m.
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Wednesday, September 21, 2005
Our soul's true anchor
Every Christian will say we are saved by grace - that we do not merit God's forgiveness and love; that in His mercy, He has embraced us into a relationship with Him.
Intellectually, we believe this statement, but how many of us truely have this fact rooted into our whole beings? Cause many a time, our behaviours betray what we profess.
If I am brutally honest with myself about the state of how I feel about God's love - a statement the speaker made during last Sunday's sermon pretty much sums it up: When I am good, God loves me. When I am bad, I feel He is disappointed.
Don't we feel like that? Somehow, something nags at us that God loves us less when we fall short. To what are we anchoring God's love on? Do we hold an unspoken belief that we have a splodge of "righteousness" in us that is deserving of God's love? And if we remove these "good works", does the voice of guilt suggest that God loves us less?
Even as I was pondering on this, I come to the realization, thankfulness and hope that God makes the effort to remove the layers of false foundations to do with what we perceive as reasons He loves us.
We often come to God through the lens of imperfect human relationships. God showed me a picture in my mind: of an incident with my mum when I was six, which involved my dentist trying to extract my teeth. Being terrified of needles, I kicked the dentist and after a few tries, he gave up and told my mum that he did not wish to treat me anymore. Without say, when we got home, my mother was incensed and threatened to perform the extraction herself using a pair of plyers. She actually took the plyers out in her rage and pinned me down to make a point! It was a terrifying incident through the eyes of a six year old. I remember crying my heart out, and my grandmother trying to hold my mum back. Into this picture, God whispered:
God does not love us because we are good, God loves us because He is good.
That is the only foundation truth that allows us to genuinely change to become like Christ. What is our soul's anchor, our goodness or His? I am asking the question afresh...
Intellectually, we believe this statement, but how many of us truely have this fact rooted into our whole beings? Cause many a time, our behaviours betray what we profess.
If I am brutally honest with myself about the state of how I feel about God's love - a statement the speaker made during last Sunday's sermon pretty much sums it up: When I am good, God loves me. When I am bad, I feel He is disappointed.
Don't we feel like that? Somehow, something nags at us that God loves us less when we fall short. To what are we anchoring God's love on? Do we hold an unspoken belief that we have a splodge of "righteousness" in us that is deserving of God's love? And if we remove these "good works", does the voice of guilt suggest that God loves us less?
Even as I was pondering on this, I come to the realization, thankfulness and hope that God makes the effort to remove the layers of false foundations to do with what we perceive as reasons He loves us.
We often come to God through the lens of imperfect human relationships. God showed me a picture in my mind: of an incident with my mum when I was six, which involved my dentist trying to extract my teeth. Being terrified of needles, I kicked the dentist and after a few tries, he gave up and told my mum that he did not wish to treat me anymore. Without say, when we got home, my mother was incensed and threatened to perform the extraction herself using a pair of plyers. She actually took the plyers out in her rage and pinned me down to make a point! It was a terrifying incident through the eyes of a six year old. I remember crying my heart out, and my grandmother trying to hold my mum back. Into this picture, God whispered:
- Child, I was holding you in the corner when anger was thrown at you, holding you when fear and separation prevailed. Every teardrop fell on Me. Through imperfect love, My love is perfect and complete.
- "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written: "For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter." Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8:28, NKJV)
- "... according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height-- to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen." (Eph 3:16-20, NKJV)
God does not love us because we are good, God loves us because He is good.
That is the only foundation truth that allows us to genuinely change to become like Christ. What is our soul's anchor, our goodness or His? I am asking the question afresh...
Labels: God's Love
Continue to read "Our soul's true anchor...."# posted by Sal : 9:58 p.m.
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Sunday, September 11, 2005
Mornings and new beginnings
"Your mercies are new every morning..."
I was worshipping this morning with a song looking through a window, gazing at haven of trees outside. The fresh and wispy morning, the cool and innocent embrace of the morning breeze reminded me of the night I gave my life to the Lord. Felt a strong call to return to my "first love". God, in His graciousness, was allowing me to see with new eyes this morning.
The Lord whispered in His fatherly voice, "My child, My love for you will always be MY first love; I am crazy for you - I have loved you with an everylasting love. You belong to Me."
It does not matter how much we have strayed, how badly we have fallen. The Father embraces us.
"So he got up and went to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him." (Luke 15:20)
The wonder and beauty of God's second (and third, and forth...) chances are unmeasurable. We love Him because He first loved us. I got a greater glimpse of it this morning, through eyes lined with tears.
I was worshipping this morning with a song looking through a window, gazing at haven of trees outside. The fresh and wispy morning, the cool and innocent embrace of the morning breeze reminded me of the night I gave my life to the Lord. Felt a strong call to return to my "first love". God, in His graciousness, was allowing me to see with new eyes this morning.
The Lord whispered in His fatherly voice, "My child, My love for you will always be MY first love; I am crazy for you - I have loved you with an everylasting love. You belong to Me."
It does not matter how much we have strayed, how badly we have fallen. The Father embraces us.
"So he got up and went to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him." (Luke 15:20)
The wonder and beauty of God's second (and third, and forth...) chances are unmeasurable. We love Him because He first loved us. I got a greater glimpse of it this morning, through eyes lined with tears.
Labels: Forgiveness, God's Love
Continue to read "Mornings and new beginnings...."# posted by Sal : 9:33 a.m.
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Tuesday, June 07, 2005
Chosing the better part
I have been pondering on something the Lord gave to me during Sunday worship this week. He whispered: "Let your devotion to ME be the strength in your hands, the spring in your step and the honey in your soul". Brings up the whole area of balancing devotion and works, which I often find a challenge. How about yourselves?
As I searched the scriptures to understand further, I was led to two related verses, which talks about finding joy in the God of My salvation and brings forth a reminder that the hope of the righteous will be gladness.
For me, over the past weeks, the Lord has been putting a finger on returning to my "first love" and as always, He is expanding (perhaps, to this slow sheep) what He means in this latest word on devotion.
Reflecting more, devotion represents to me, elements of faith, hope and love. The story of Mary and Martha gives us a picture of devotion and works - both important in keeping our walk in the Lord strong - but our works need to be fuelled by devotion, not the other way round. In this story, Jesus points out - "Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her" [for the full text, see Luke 10:38-42]. Works - it is too easy for us to get lost in spiritual sacraments, and fulfilling our duties in church activities. No wonder we feel weary.
During Sunday sermon this week, the pastor mentioned that the author of Ecclesiastes lamented, 'Everything is meaningless, what has been will be again' when he looked at all things UNDER the sun. Before this, I held a view that the book of Ecclesiastes is rather pessimistic. I have read it again since, and realized that the author is not really pointing to futility of everything per se. Rather, he is saying is that when we gaze upon everything other than the Lord himself, everything is futile. What is the real object of our devotions, under the sun, or to the One above? Going back to my first love means devotion first to the Saviour himself, not to the things of God. I'm coming back to the same truth, again.... when will I ever learn?
Labels: God's Love, Worship
Continue to read "Chosing the better part...."# posted by Sal : 12:22 p.m.
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Tuesday, May 10, 2005
Suffering, pain and sickness
Life's storms... there is no getting away.
When we feel beaten from every side or when all of what we hold dear is taken away -- there is no where to turn or run to, except to the One who is the all in all.
In these dark, wilderness times - if we let God be God - what we lose in terms of our things of security (or safety nets), we gain in increased clarity and treasures that is of the Lord Himself -- that is if we allow Him the liberty to work and shape us.
The real question is whether we truly believe God's way is worth trading for in exchange for the baggage that we desperately cling to. Often, letting go is not easy. Our way is one that feels right and makes sense:
I was made redundant a few years back. One may argue that is not necessarily the end of the world. But for a person whose very personhood is built on strong achievements all my life, being made redundant and six months of unemployment felt like the core of my identity was taken away from me. I can only speak from an exceedingly limited perspective of one person. But looking back at these wilderness moments in my own life, the cliche of God using circumstances to shape us for a bigger and more sovereign purpose stands absolutely true. Disappointment, fear, loss and sickness often bring us to the crossroad of going down diverging paths.
What sort of shelter do we hide under? How relentless do we trust Him when there does not seem to be a Plan B? This is often how the Lord works, there is no Plan B. It is either Him or nothing. Liberty awaits God's way, but often when the rubber meets the road, it is not as simple for us to let go. God says, "Be still and know that I AM God".
In the end, the final question really comes down to whether we chose God's way, rather than be a slave to 'other lesser gods', which often includes our stubborn, self-sufficient nature. And the Lord does indeed gives us the privilege, as well as consequences, of choosing a response.
When we feel beaten from every side or when all of what we hold dear is taken away -- there is no where to turn or run to, except to the One who is the all in all.
In these dark, wilderness times - if we let God be God - what we lose in terms of our things of security (or safety nets), we gain in increased clarity and treasures that is of the Lord Himself -- that is if we allow Him the liberty to work and shape us.
The real question is whether we truly believe God's way is worth trading for in exchange for the baggage that we desperately cling to. Often, letting go is not easy. Our way is one that feels right and makes sense:
- A cancer patient may not to let go of asking the question why he has been saddled with pain.
- A person who carries the baggages of past hurt may not want to venture out to risk being hurt again eventhough there are rewards.
- A person, mired in the compromise of sexual sin, quietly giving in and resigned to not try to be holy anymore.
- A suicidal person who ultimately decides that the obstacles are giants too large, even for God, to overcome.
Does God appear harsh sometimes? Yes.
Does that indicate a diminished love for us? No.I was made redundant a few years back. One may argue that is not necessarily the end of the world. But for a person whose very personhood is built on strong achievements all my life, being made redundant and six months of unemployment felt like the core of my identity was taken away from me. I can only speak from an exceedingly limited perspective of one person. But looking back at these wilderness moments in my own life, the cliche of God using circumstances to shape us for a bigger and more sovereign purpose stands absolutely true. Disappointment, fear, loss and sickness often bring us to the crossroad of going down diverging paths.
What sort of shelter do we hide under? How relentless do we trust Him when there does not seem to be a Plan B? This is often how the Lord works, there is no Plan B. It is either Him or nothing. Liberty awaits God's way, but often when the rubber meets the road, it is not as simple for us to let go. God says, "Be still and know that I AM God".
In the end, the final question really comes down to whether we chose God's way, rather than be a slave to 'other lesser gods', which often includes our stubborn, self-sufficient nature. And the Lord does indeed gives us the privilege, as well as consequences, of choosing a response.
Labels: God's Love, Hardship / Struggles / Pain
Continue to read "Suffering, pain and sickness...."# posted by Sal : 6:27 p.m.
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Wednesday, January 06, 1993
Poem - If Not For You
A heart that would never have felt so grateful
If not for the first glimpse of realization seen
In the glorious freedom within
That results from your abundant grace
A heart that would have never stood so faithful
If not for the first taste of your loyalty
That stems from seeking your face
A heart that would have never been given such purpose
If not for the sharing of Your will in unfolding Your plans
That lies in realizing God’s cost
Of redemption pain, Jesus, in Your nail-scarred hands
A heart that would never have felt such humility
If not for Your graciousness to a wretched soul
That stems from Your compassion for the needy
A heart that would have never felt a need to serve
If not for Your unconditional acceptance, to be the best we can be
That shines from Your very nature of love
A heart that would have never felt so compelled to forgive
If not for the first breath of new life in living
Of undeserving mercy so fully received
Had You not been so forgiving ...
In You, Lord, every day a heart is made anew
Where would I be, if not for You?
If not for the first glimpse of realization seen
In the glorious freedom within
That results from your abundant grace
A heart that would have never stood so faithful
If not for the first taste of your loyalty
That stems from seeking your face
A heart that would have never been given such purpose
If not for the sharing of Your will in unfolding Your plans
That lies in realizing God’s cost
Of redemption pain, Jesus, in Your nail-scarred hands
A heart that would never have felt such humility
If not for Your graciousness to a wretched soul
That stems from Your compassion for the needy
A heart that would have never felt a need to serve
If not for Your unconditional acceptance, to be the best we can be
That shines from Your very nature of love
A heart that would have never felt so compelled to forgive
If not for the first breath of new life in living
Of undeserving mercy so fully received
Had You not been so forgiving ...
In You, Lord, every day a heart is made anew
Where would I be, if not for You?
Labels: God's Love, Inspirations / Poem
Continue to read "Poem - If Not For You...."# posted by Sal : 5:20 p.m.
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