主啊，您的每一句，每一言我都没忘记。当我无奈的时候，当我疲乏软弱，您能围绕守候着我吗？
我会好好聆听您的教诲的。
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Living By Faith: As The Righteous Do
It is written in Hebrews 10:26-27, that:
"If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left,"
Very clearly, for those of us who are in full knowledge of the Gospel, we are to stay off the path of sin, to persevere. Faith, deeds of faith and perseverance should not be a thing of the past - it shouldn't be something we look back to (although that may be an encouragement), but it should always been something that we persevere in our present and daily lives.
If you read on, you'll see clearly that:
"But my righteous one will live by faith. And I take no pleasure in the one who shrinks back." - Hebrews 10:38
Yong Kiat, do you see anything at all now?
"If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left,"
Very clearly, for those of us who are in full knowledge of the Gospel, we are to stay off the path of sin, to persevere. Faith, deeds of faith and perseverance should not be a thing of the past - it shouldn't be something we look back to (although that may be an encouragement), but it should always been something that we persevere in our present and daily lives.
If you read on, you'll see clearly that:
"But my righteous one will live by faith. And I take no pleasure in the one who shrinks back." - Hebrews 10:38
Yong Kiat, do you see anything at all now?
I Remember: That September
So one September thereabouts, I recall speaking to this little girl about her future:
"Why are you so afraid? It's just a change of environment, and you must learn to trust God - He has a plan for you! It's a new school no doubt, but it sounds amazing!"
And now that little girl is telling me:
"God's here with you!"
I've been reading Christlike by Bill Hull, and here it speaks:
"When we become uncertain and weak, it is another Christ follower who is not confused, who is certain, and who strengthens us with God's Word in that moment."
Indeed, it is so. :)
I remember, I remember, that September.
"Why are you so afraid? It's just a change of environment, and you must learn to trust God - He has a plan for you! It's a new school no doubt, but it sounds amazing!"
And now that little girl is telling me:
"God's here with you!"
I've been reading Christlike by Bill Hull, and here it speaks:
"When we become uncertain and weak, it is another Christ follower who is not confused, who is certain, and who strengthens us with God's Word in that moment."
Indeed, it is so. :)
I remember, I remember, that September.
Winter Cold: Summer Warmth
When it gets too boring here in Oxford, sometimes it's good to just write, just like how I used to. :)
The young lad had not been prepared for a time like this, and all the silent soliloquies he entertained in his head were now all laid bare before his Father, with nothing but pure horror and shame flooding through his entire fibre of being.
"You know what I've done," and that came out like a whimper from the young man, a former shell of who he was in front of his Father.
"Oh yes, and I know that which you have not done as well my child," and as this came from the Father, the young man wept, summoning strength to stifle his tears.
And the indignance of the child began to flood: "But it's so hard to swallow, it really is! My faith, and my pride in You, did they not count for anything at all?"
"But my child, are you not humbled? Have you not learnt? Do you not see?"
To this the young man said, "I've no strength left, and I am spent. May I come in to rest again? I've no more courage to face the world, I know not what to think of myself, and I long to see You so much. Tears have been my food, shame has been my drink, and my cup is empty and I am dry!"
And he sang the only words he remembered, the song his mother taught him to sing in the dead of the night when fears crept in, where doubts seep in and where anxieties rushed in:
"O Father, this child is spent, this child is weary, how can he give when he is so weak?"
The young lad had not been prepared for a time like this, and all the silent soliloquies he entertained in his head were now all laid bare before his Father, with nothing but pure horror and shame flooding through his entire fibre of being.
"You know what I've done," and that came out like a whimper from the young man, a former shell of who he was in front of his Father.
"Oh yes, and I know that which you have not done as well my child," and as this came from the Father, the young man wept, summoning strength to stifle his tears.
And the indignance of the child began to flood: "But it's so hard to swallow, it really is! My faith, and my pride in You, did they not count for anything at all?"
"But my child, are you not humbled? Have you not learnt? Do you not see?"
To this the young man said, "I've no strength left, and I am spent. May I come in to rest again? I've no more courage to face the world, I know not what to think of myself, and I long to see You so much. Tears have been my food, shame has been my drink, and my cup is empty and I am dry!"
And he sang the only words he remembered, the song his mother taught him to sing in the dead of the night when fears crept in, where doubts seep in and where anxieties rushed in:
'Into my heart,
Into my heart,
Into my heart,
O Father!
Come in to stay,
Come in today,
Come into my heart,
Come in to stay,
Come in today,
Come into my heart,
O Father!'
"O Father, this child is spent, this child is weary, how can he give when he is so weak?"
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
A Whisper: He Misses Not
Some time ago, in early November, I was reading this blog of this lady - she was married to this man she loved deeply, but somehow differences between them kept them from having a complete marriage. The husband made no allowances for his wife, but the lady pressed on, knowing that a marriage called for commitment.
I saw her prayers, prayers filled with so much longing and hope and sadness. What an amazing lady, who drew strength from God every single day even as her marriage was falling apart. I read her profile, and I was amazed - a sinner saved by grace indeed. She recounted all of the mistakes of her youth, and how God still allowed her in His presence.
Most of the time, when I read stories of faith, I expect happy endings. But when I got to the end, I realised this lady had just very recently agreed to a divorce with her husband. I felt a pain in my heart when I read of her situation, and me being the very emotional person that I am, even contemplated writing her an email to encourage her.
And I wonder...
It says here:
"Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God hath prepared for those that love Him" - 1 Corinthians 2:9
It's really difficult sometimes to trust in the promises of God - and that is why faith is a gift. I went to pray for persecuted Christians in St. Ebbes, and what I heard astounded me:
The minute I heard these words, my inner world somehow crumbled - my goodness, you lost your family, and still you utter such words of faith? My lady, you're an amazing witness to me!
What was Jesus' response when he saw Lazarus dead? Jesus wept.
I remember stepping into the kitchen, and this lady was there:
And my heart was comforted.
I saw her prayers, prayers filled with so much longing and hope and sadness. What an amazing lady, who drew strength from God every single day even as her marriage was falling apart. I read her profile, and I was amazed - a sinner saved by grace indeed. She recounted all of the mistakes of her youth, and how God still allowed her in His presence.
Most of the time, when I read stories of faith, I expect happy endings. But when I got to the end, I realised this lady had just very recently agreed to a divorce with her husband. I felt a pain in my heart when I read of her situation, and me being the very emotional person that I am, even contemplated writing her an email to encourage her.
And I wonder...
-----------------------------------------------------
It says here:
"Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God hath prepared for those that love Him" - 1 Corinthians 2:9
It's really difficult sometimes to trust in the promises of God - and that is why faith is a gift. I went to pray for persecuted Christians in St. Ebbes, and what I heard astounded me:
"They took my husband and my children, and I never saw them again. But God has a plan for all of us."
The minute I heard these words, my inner world somehow crumbled - my goodness, you lost your family, and still you utter such words of faith? My lady, you're an amazing witness to me!
------------------------------------------------------
What was Jesus' response when he saw Lazarus dead? Jesus wept.
------------------------------------------------------
I remember stepping into the kitchen, and this lady was there:
"I'm absolutely tired... sigh. But we're doing this for the Lord!" - Wong Bi Min
And my heart was comforted.
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Coherent States: Classical Motion
Pardon the lack of updates, the last two weeks were spent in serious contemplation and reflection, and just taking a break from work and many issues just to think, pray and seek God with a humble heart. I know some of you are worried that I haven't been updating, but rest assured that nothing's wrong with me. :)
Well, I've photos and videos to upload, just that Blogger's out of space that's all - but what have I been up to the past two weeks? Well well, there's quite some things to talk about, but in a nutshell:
1) Celebrated Jed's birthday at the White Horse pub with a traditional English Hole-in-the-Toad.
2) Spent my time as a co-leader at iExplore's Bible Study with some Turkish new believers.
2) Spent my time as a co-leader at iExplore's Bible Study with some Turkish new believers.
3) Conversations with Franz and Matthew about certain faith issues.
4) Finished up all the holiday assignments my boss gave me to do.
5) Spending extended time with Jed.
6) Cooking for the Singaporeans at some house-party.
7) Got to know Jia Ming's cousin, Diane Lim.
8) Went for an extended lunch at Peppy's house, an 78-year old English lady who spent her youth in Nepal working in medical missions.
9) Taking walks around Oxford and just taking in the sights and sounds.
10) Spending extended time with God - really extended periods of prayer.
Well what can I say? These two weeks have been overwhelming: a period of self-realization, encouragement, waiting, serving, thinking and I'm just amazed at certain things.
I'm actually quite proud of one specific incident actually, where I thought I made a very wise decision. That which does not come from faith, is sin. And how true! Because when you rebel against God in your heart, is that not sin itself already?
I'm going off to the countryside this weekend for some more extended prayer time and perhaps bible study. :)
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