So Refreshed!
Today has been a very very fruitful day.
This morning at service, the first person I have a very heartening talk with was Stefan. I noticed the glory in his face as he conversed with me – he was smiling, and very outspoken. He shared with me about the things that God has worked in his life, and how he has overcame certain issues and thinking. I can almost feel the tangible Joy of God in him. He was very friendly, and had a great fellowship with our cell group members.
Today was supposed to be a long day - a very early morning Service at 9am, and another long prayer meeting in the afternoon. I am so proud of 6 persons:
Wanli – she was sick and not feeling well. Yet during the prayer meeting in the afternoon, she stood during the whole session and did not rest on her chair. She prayed strongly and courageously.
Calista – this girl had very little rest the whole of this week, got to wake up at 6.30am almost every morning and has tasks to do until late at night. Yet she stayed for prayer meeting and tried her very best to focus even though she’s feeling very tired.
Jacinta – very young in Christ, yet follow us for prayer meeting not once, but at least twice! Not “sulkily” but HAPPILY.
Jonathan – did not have water with him, was feeling very thirsty. But persevered with us throughout the whole prayer meeting. When it came to singing praise, he was jumping up and down with joy. So cute!
Yanlin and Xiangcen - Soul winning lambs, never fail to bring joy to this cell group, and always bring lots of wonderful friends.
After a prayer meeting, I went home feeling refreshed. I feel very happy. The power of prayer is indescribable. It really helps me to have:
· More self control in my character, personality, and spiritual walk
· More joy in my heart
· More patience in my words and deeds
· More love for my spiritual family, leaders, and God
Thank you Heavenly Father.Labels: Friends
Silence and Peace
“Be angry, and do not sin.
Meditate within your heart on your bed, and be still.
Offer the sacrifices of righteousness,
And put your trust in the LORD.”
Psalm 4: 4-5
And the high priest arose and said to Him, “Do You answer nothing? What is it these men testify against You?”
But Jesus kept silent.
Matt 26: 62-63
Now Jesus stood before the governor. And the governor asked Him, saying, “Are You the King of the Jews?” Jesus said to him, “It is as you say.”
Throughout my life as non-Christian, and then as a young Christian then, I have never stopped to argue or disagree with someone regarding any issues which I am deeply convicted about. Even when there were times when I was truly wrong, I would never compromise and argue my way through.
I thank God for His Grace and Mercy in my life. I thank God for loving me for whom I am, never judging me and forsaking me even when I have sinned so many times. If I have never given my heart to Jesus, I can never imagine where I would have been now. I may be wasting my time away, never truly experiencing the true purposes of life, and ultimately, will never be a blessing to the people around me.
I want my life to be a witness for God. From the moment I became a Christian, many things have changed. Just like the song we’ve always sang, “Now You’re near, everything is different….”
Holy Spirit has taught me so many things. There are many times where the Holy Spirit reminded me about certain issues in life, about my actions, my words, my thinking, my life, my spiritual walk, my work….. He is like my fatherly teacher, who is always with me, and speaking into my heart, through a small still voice… I can feel Him, and hear him.
One thing I really notice about God and His ways – Peace.
Our Father’s preferred method of doing things is Peace. This leads me to think about the things that I do, my actions and speech, and my reactions to others. Does what comes out of me contribute to Peace? If it is not of Peace, I must not do it.
"Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on YOU, live peaceably with ALL men."
Rom 12 : 17-18
No wonder Bible taught about “Sacrifice of Righteousness”. Sometimes I will have friends and colleagues speaking about the negative aspects of Christianity. They do not understand what is meant by “a relationship with God”. They do not understand what was written in the bible. They have never experience the still small voice of the Holy Spirit. They have never encountered the glorious visit of God in their comfortable bed room when they are shivering. They have never a testimony to share, nor a miracle to witness. They have never feel the warmth of having angels around when they pray, neither the comfort a Heavenly Father can give when they are in distress. They have never understood the Promises a Heavenly Father will give to His precious children.
When you’re faced with such cynical people, what is your reaction? When you’re faced with people who just want to argue with you, what do you do?
My leaders have taught me – Silence.
“Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.”
Gal 6: 1
Many times I feel that it is really useless to keep arguing with someone, and to insist the Truth upon certain people. No matter whether you’re discussing about Christianity, or other issues, if a person is not open or even adverse about a particular issue, it is really important that we remain silent. Sometimes we should just walk away, and not allow strife to grow, with our burning emotions. Bible tells us to “Flee away from all temptations”. When we are not careful to guard our heart, we can easily say words that offend people or hurt their feelings.
Jesus taught, “Not what goes into the mouth defiles a man; but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man.” Matt 15: 10-11
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control..” Gal 5: 22
To have peace, we need definitely need gentleness and self control.
Whenever people around me argue with me about certain issues, there are times when I just feel like standing up and shout at them. Especially when they criticize about my heavenly Father. But one thing the Holy Spirit has reminded me, even when Jesus was faced with persecution, He uttered not a word. He was gentle. He was silent. He was full of Love – He forgave us.
What wrong have I suffered? Is this wrong more than what Jesus has suffered? Yet in all these things, Jesus was not agitated. He was calm and gentle. He did not curse the people who mocked at Him.
Then Pilate said to Him, “Do You not hear how many things they testify against You?”
But He answered not him not one word, so that the governor marveled greatly.
Matt 27: 13-14
Pondering about these, there remains no spirit in me to fight back with those ignorant people. My God is real. I have known Him and I pray that nothing can separate my love for Him. Yet there are people who are blinded by a vicious veil. I feel so sorry for them.
“…..I would rather speak five words with my understanding, that I may teach others also, than ten thousand words in a tongue.” 1 Cor 14: 19
This is something I have yet to master. But I will not give up.
Beyond the silence, the best thing we can do next - PRAY.
Labels: Sermons and Revelatns
Placing Another's Agenda First in your Life
“The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.”
1 Peter 3: 9
Placing Another’s Agenda First in your life
“Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.”
Phil 2: 3-4
Each of us has a list of tasks to do every day of our lives. Some may be important, some may be not. Regardless of the order of importance, there is one common ground – those lists will always be seem more important than the lists of those around us, especially our loved ones.
You’ve to attend church at this time, you got to reach early before 9am, you got to help out in a volunteer work this afternoon, you got to meet up with friends by 6pm, you got to help somebody today, you got to use car tomorrow, you got to reach this place by 10.30am today, you got to participate in this performance, you got to teach this morning, you got to work overtime….……..
Its a Saturday morning, you’ve awaken at 9.30am. You’re tired but you’ve promised to have breakfast with your loved ones. They have a time to race against. Breakfast cannot start later than 10am. Its already 9.45am after all the brush up. How are you feeling at this time? Do you have the slightest sense of urgency?
“Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”
Gal 6: 2
There are many things we may find it hard to accept, or even understand. Certain issues at a particular season in life are very hard to comprehend and make them work. Holy Spirit reminds us gently a little at a time. Sometimes, it is better to remain silent and ponder about your words and deeds. At all times, it will be very good if we could just commit everything to God for He will sustain us. You will realize, the more you think about it, the more negative thoughts will fill your heart and mind.
Our lives are not everything. Our existence should be a blessing to others. We are occupied with many tasks. Everyday we may wake up with a sense of burden to complete the list of tasks we have been set or desire to do. Yet, in the back of our minds, let us reserve a space and a time, just for the people who may need. Even when this is used for a seemingly insignificant purpose, let this be done if this is precious in the sight of the person whom you’re reserving your resources for.
It does not matter if this is important to you. It does not matter if you understand the purposes of this usage of your space and time – Love bears all things. His or her agenda should be more important. In time to come, Holy Spirit will bring understanding and wisdom to you. Our role is to do the right thing, at the right time.
“And no one puts new wine into old wineskins; or else the new wine bursts the wineskins, the wine is spilled, and the wineskins are ruined. But new wine must be put into new wineskins.”
Mark 2:22
Bible encourages us to be renewed in our mindset. Only when our minds are renewed, then can we proceed to another stage in life, where glory is added upon glory, and faith upon faith. It is a journey we must never stop. No matter how many times we have failed, we do not bow down to temptation. We do not succumb to devils’ plan.
Let us put on the Whole Armour of God (Eph 6:10-20) , and be on our way to glory.Labels: Sermons and Revelatns
