Day in, day out; we wake up, go to work, do the things that we do, sometimes blindly, sometimes not even knowing what we are doing or why we do the things that we do..
So, before I left for work today, I prayed to God, to help me see the purpose in the everyday of our lives; that I may live out each day with a purpose; that the Holy Spirit help me lead a purposeful life.
Then in the cab, I took out Running With Giants and began to read about Rebekah, the woman who generously offered not only the chief servant of Abraham a drink, but also all his camels. Indeed it was no small offer, for that simple gesture, she would have to take at least 2 hours to finish giving all the camels a drink!
The book talks about going the extra mile and in contrast to the world today, people are thinking about doing the least, expecting the most. Few desires to do more than they must. And this reminded me of my appraisal (form), where one is judged on how much he or she meets what is required. And of course, the highest (score) is awarded for frequently fulfilling beyond what is required, and taking the initiatives to do more to improve in the job. Sure sounds like they are looking for the 'Rebekah' amongst us.
As an ending to the chapter, Rebekah made this prayer for us:
Sovereign Lord,
I ask that you would give my friends the eyes to see opportunities in the everyday events of life, the hands to reach out and give more than is required or expected, and the heart to do so with that motives that are pure and not self-seeking.
Amen
"Yes Lord, I pray that You empower me to fulfil the purpose for which You have called me."
Friday, April 21, 2006
Wednesday, April 12, 2006
strengthen your leader
I haven’t quite agreed with the ways of my leader and recently the disagreement has become increasingly high but I tell myself that all authority has been given by God and I should walk in obedience.
Tonight God spoke to me through the book RUNNING WITH GIANTS
Jonathan (David’s good friend):
“I did not serve David because I lacked potential. I served him because he had greater potential. Remember, it takes a lot of king-makers to make a king! Every time you encounter people with a potential, you must make a choice. You can either hurt them or help them. As I helped my friend David, I knew that I was serving God, and whatever benefits the nation of Israel received came about in part thru my efforts. The same is true for you. You don’t have to be on the front lines to share in the rewards or to make a great impact. Strengthen your leader and you can help save your nation.”
Jesus has an answer for everything. If we seek Him with all our hearts, we can find Him while He may be found. I pray to God to continually change my heart. I must never be complacent. God, take away my elitist mindset. Jesus You are my shepherd and I love Your guidance. Amen.
Tonight God spoke to me through the book RUNNING WITH GIANTS
Jonathan (David’s good friend):
“I did not serve David because I lacked potential. I served him because he had greater potential. Remember, it takes a lot of king-makers to make a king! Every time you encounter people with a potential, you must make a choice. You can either hurt them or help them. As I helped my friend David, I knew that I was serving God, and whatever benefits the nation of Israel received came about in part thru my efforts. The same is true for you. You don’t have to be on the front lines to share in the rewards or to make a great impact. Strengthen your leader and you can help save your nation.”
Jesus has an answer for everything. If we seek Him with all our hearts, we can find Him while He may be found. I pray to God to continually change my heart. I must never be complacent. God, take away my elitist mindset. Jesus You are my shepherd and I love Your guidance. Amen.
Monday, April 10, 2006
Put on the armor of God
I had been feeling a little under the weather due to the many things that are happening around me. Then God gave me a word for my current season, and He wants me to meditate upon it day and night:
Eph 6:10-20 The Whole Armor of God
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.
Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness,
and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.
And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;
praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints
and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel,
for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
"Thank You Lord for Your encouragement."
Indeed, when we seek God, He is faithful to show up and speak to us in our situations.
Eph 6:10-20 The Whole Armor of God
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.
Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness,
and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.
And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;
praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints
and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel,
for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
"Thank You Lord for Your encouragement."
Indeed, when we seek God, He is faithful to show up and speak to us in our situations.
jogging with God
I learnt this while jogging...that running on a flat (non-slope) track can actually be the most tedious. As we all know, jogging on a descending slope is the easiest as gravity naturally pulls us down. Going up slope on the other hand, tho' arduous, it gives one the satisfaction and thrill of ascent.
So, I see the entire journey very much like a believer's spiritual/ prayer life. When we are going downhill in our life, it is very easy to backslide and go with the tide, hence we must always be very careful, or at the very least be conscious whenever we are travelling downslope.
When we are going uphill, every step has to be taken with greater effort in order to keep us going forward and that surge of strength from within will propel us further, like how every trial only makes us stronger at the end of it. And we can always look to Him for strength.
When there is nothing going on in our life, when things appear to be smooth sailing, we must never grow restless or complacent. In fact, it is during this part of the journey that we must remember to continue to keep focused so we do not lose our momentum and sidetrack.
"Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go." Joshua 1:7
"Lord, keep my feet on the track, on the path You have designed for me and lead me and guide me that I may obedient at every juncture and be dilligent to seek You always. God is my pacer, and Holy Spirit, help me keep my focus always. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.
So, I see the entire journey very much like a believer's spiritual/ prayer life. When we are going downhill in our life, it is very easy to backslide and go with the tide, hence we must always be very careful, or at the very least be conscious whenever we are travelling downslope.
When we are going uphill, every step has to be taken with greater effort in order to keep us going forward and that surge of strength from within will propel us further, like how every trial only makes us stronger at the end of it. And we can always look to Him for strength.
When there is nothing going on in our life, when things appear to be smooth sailing, we must never grow restless or complacent. In fact, it is during this part of the journey that we must remember to continue to keep focused so we do not lose our momentum and sidetrack.
"Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go." Joshua 1:7
"Lord, keep my feet on the track, on the path You have designed for me and lead me and guide me that I may obedient at every juncture and be dilligent to seek You always. God is my pacer, and Holy Spirit, help me keep my focus always. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.
How can we remain pure
The very next night, God shows me..
How can we remain pure?
He says, in Psalm 119:1-20:
' Aleph
1 [a] Blessed are they whose ways are blameless,
who walk according to the law of the LORD.
2 Blessed are they who keep his statutes
and seek him with all their heart.
3 They do nothing wrong;
they walk in his ways.
4 You have laid down precepts
that are to be fully obeyed.
5 Oh, that my ways were steadfast
in obeying your decrees!
6 Then I would not be put to shame
when I consider all your commands.
7 I will praise you with an upright heart
as I learn your righteous laws.
8 I will obey your decrees;
do not utterly forsake me.
b Beth
9 How can a young man keep his way pure?
By living according to your word.
10 I seek you with all my heart;
do not let me stray from your commands.
11 I have hidden your word in my heart
that I might not sin against you.
12 Praise be to you, O LORD;
teach me your decrees.
13 With my lips I recount
all the laws that come from your mouth.
14 I rejoice in following your statutes
as one rejoices in great riches.
15 I meditate on your precepts
and consider your ways.
16 I delight in your decrees;
I will not neglect your word.
g Gimel
17 Do good to your servant, and I will live;
I will obey your word.
18 Open my eyes that I may see
wonderful things in your law.
19 I am a stranger on earth;
do not hide your commands from me.
20 My soul is consumed with longing
for your laws at all times.
I thank God for following up on me. For His constant guidance.
God, I thank You for always speaking to me, thank You for Your faithfulness Lord, I love You.
How can we remain pure?
He says, in Psalm 119:1-20:
' Aleph
1 [a] Blessed are they whose ways are blameless,
who walk according to the law of the LORD.
2 Blessed are they who keep his statutes
and seek him with all their heart.
3 They do nothing wrong;
they walk in his ways.
4 You have laid down precepts
that are to be fully obeyed.
5 Oh, that my ways were steadfast
in obeying your decrees!
6 Then I would not be put to shame
when I consider all your commands.
7 I will praise you with an upright heart
as I learn your righteous laws.
8 I will obey your decrees;
do not utterly forsake me.
b Beth
9 How can a young man keep his way pure?
By living according to your word.
10 I seek you with all my heart;
do not let me stray from your commands.
11 I have hidden your word in my heart
that I might not sin against you.
12 Praise be to you, O LORD;
teach me your decrees.
13 With my lips I recount
all the laws that come from your mouth.
14 I rejoice in following your statutes
as one rejoices in great riches.
15 I meditate on your precepts
and consider your ways.
16 I delight in your decrees;
I will not neglect your word.
g Gimel
17 Do good to your servant, and I will live;
I will obey your word.
18 Open my eyes that I may see
wonderful things in your law.
19 I am a stranger on earth;
do not hide your commands from me.
20 My soul is consumed with longing
for your laws at all times.
I thank God for following up on me. For His constant guidance.
God, I thank You for always speaking to me, thank You for Your faithfulness Lord, I love You.
Tuesday, April 04, 2006
Pursue Him with a pure heart
I had been wondering for a while if it was alright to try to please God. Like if it was ok to do something out of your will just so God can see and be pleased with you. Not to win the approval of men really, but to win His favor. But in modern day lingo; to curry favor (my Father in heaven).
I had an answer for myself then.. I thought, of course dear, it is alright to want to please God.
So during my prayer time, I asked God. I said, "God is it alright to try to please You? In the things that I do.. like when I intentionally do things that You like, so that You would be pleased with me?" And His reply was,
"Pursue Him with a pure heart."
"The kingdom Jesus had come to establish was not a political regime, but a kingdom of the heart and of the Spirit."
Amen.
Thank You Jesus for speaking to me.
God is alive and He is still speaking very much to you and me today.
I had an answer for myself then.. I thought, of course dear, it is alright to want to please God.
So during my prayer time, I asked God. I said, "God is it alright to try to please You? In the things that I do.. like when I intentionally do things that You like, so that You would be pleased with me?" And His reply was,
"Pursue Him with a pure heart."
"The kingdom Jesus had come to establish was not a political regime, but a kingdom of the heart and of the Spirit."
Amen.
Thank You Jesus for speaking to me.
God is alive and He is still speaking very much to you and me today.
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