Proverbs 19:21
Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails.
In an ideal life plan of mine, I would have gone to the UK to obtain my university education and probably never come back to Singapore to work or live. Perhaps, I'll occasionally drop by this little dot of a country for a period of 1 week or two on route to enjoy an asian holiday and perhaps to see what changes has occurred in my even littler church. But that dream to study overseas never materialised.
In an amended ideal life plan of mine, I would have gone for a 6 month overseas attachment during my second year of university, in order to escape what I considered to be a aweful university environment. Thereafter to acquire some overseas experience in my resume and find my way back overseas without having to slog in the rat race of our overly competitive local environment. But that plan too, never materialised.
In an even more amended ideal life plan of mine, I would have acquired a job that curtails regional and then international scope. Single and eager to see the world, I planned to clock many hours in different countries and much of my time would be spent flying about, handling issues over many different countries and exhausting myself, while earning copious amounts of money and experience. Somehow, this plan too, never materialised.
In my revised ideal life plan of mine, I'll get a job offer which curtails a pay increase of at least 15%, get annual bonuses of at least 2 months, do less work than what I do currently, have opportunities to handle regional work with occasional travels for work and training, while having opportunities to holiday after work. My leave will then be taken for holidays trips in further countries and for various camps. Yes, no surprise to anyone, but this current plan of mine has yet to materialise as well.
I truely believe that there are no harms to make plans for our lives. But as the proverb says, there needs to be a surrender to God's prevailing purposes.
I'm sure that many of us have great plans that revolve our dreams, aspirations and hopes of what we wish to do and achieve in the future. In fact, I've realised that the younger I was, the greater the plans. Many are the plans in my heart, but I have to constantly remind myself that they are plans of "I wish" and "I hope". Not that I don't work on them or aspire hard enough to see them come to fruition, but I've come to see the futility of pursuing my dreams on a solus mode. Simply because I want to see the purposes of God prevail in all the things of my life.
On low days, that humble perspective in the above statement changes into a sore feeling of a resigned loser because it seems that regardless of what I plan, the final call is made by God. Afterall, who can go against the plans of the almighty God? Might as well resign myself to plan my wishes but adopt a "come what may, I can't fight you" mentality.
1 Samuel 8 records that all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah and requested for a king to lead them because all the other nations have one. Samuel warns them of the results a human king would expect from them. Despite the warning, the people refused to listen to Samuel. "No!" they said. "We want a king over us. Then we will be like all the other nations, with a king to lead us and to go out before us and fight our battles." In spite of the best plans which God had for Israel, He relents and gives Israel what they demanded.
Sad to say, the warnings which God gave through Samuel all came to pass and everything goes downhill from the point Saul disobey's Samuel's instructions.
I've always remembered and always need to remember that even though God's plans for our lives are perfect, God gives us the free will to do what we wish as per the example in 1 Samuel 8. For a person who believes in the merits of autocracy, I often wonder why God gives us the free will to run amok and ruin our lives, when He clearly knows that our own decisions often leads to destructive consequences. Ironically, the concept of free will often doesn't end up in a better, blessed life. Instead, as per the many examples in the bible, only when we choose to follow God and submit, do we see the goodness of God in our lives and everything we do.
I struggled big time in my second year of university to submit the overseas attachement letter. Then, everyone in university then didn't want to go overseas as no one saw the value of having overseas exposure. I had the foresight to envisioned the boom of regionalisation and really wanted to forge ahead as a pioneer, because I predicted that it would bring in the big bucks. But as I earlier mentioned, I never submitted that application.
What happened? Each time I looked at the poster or in my QT moment, it was a monsterous struggle spent asking "can I God?", "I wish to..." but it seemed that deep inside me, the feeling of an answer was a "no". Still, I struggled on when I met with my weekly intercession pray group, I secretly hoped that someone would give me the answer I so wanted to hear. No one did, and faced with a blank wall, I continued to struggle to accept the personal "no" answer which I had received. There came a point of time when I realised that if I truely wanted to do it I could just submit the application. But I shouldn't be expecting God to show me any more answers through getting the application accepted or rejected because I'm was simply going to do as I desired. God's blessing was a bonus, but I rationalised to myself - if I don't do it, how was I to know God was going to not allow it? After all, we all learn this powerful excuse for our actions "If you don't try it, how would you know if it does or doesn't work?"
But Romans 12:2 states "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is-His good, pleasing and perfect will."
Some months later, I joined an essay competition sponsored by Japan Airlines (JAL) and was awarded one of the three scholarships for a 35 day all inclusive paid trip to stay and see Japan. That was the most fun, life changing trip/holiday which shaped my life. Not only did I see the beauty of a country I'll never expected to visit in my lifetime, I fell in love with the country and its food, made great friends which I still contact today and meet up in my travels around the region.
When I look back today, if I had gone ahead with the school's overseas attachement, when I graduated in 1999, I'm sure I would have secured a great job with even greater pay. Somehow, I never submitted that application because I recognised that I would be pushing the boundaries of God, and somehow it occurred to me that it was the same folly which people of Israel made. If God had placed such a convincing prompting in me, why stubbornly rationalise the things of God? Nonetheless, having surrendered my wishes, I recalled that I spend a good few weeks sulking big-time at God. But many, many weeks later when I was awarded the JAL scholarship, I don't recall sulking anymore, rather I was ecstatic beyond words and probably giving thanks.
How did this Japan scholarship blessing happen I've really no idea.
My rational mind tells me that as I willingly submit to surrender my plans, hopes and aspirations to God's purposes, He fulfilled my desire to go out to see the world. He didn't see the need to fulfil the aspirations to be career successful and wantonly rich through an overseas attachement, but He choosed to make me wealthy and happy through a brief, but still sufficiently long overseas experience.
For the many plans that you and I dream up for our lives, nothing beats what God's will is for our lives -His good, pleasing and perfect will. Even as we struggle big-time and half-heartedly choose to cast our crowns down while sulking in a grudging attitude, we must speak to ourselves that through submission, the purposes of God for our lives shall prevail! Simply because God will bring about a more blessed life than what we can ever desire and plan for.
Blessings,
M.
"If you forsake the LORD and serve foreign gods, he will turn and bring disaster on you and make an end of you, after he has been good to you." (Joshua 24:20)
29 November 2006
20 November 2006
"Here I am" - Finding Favour with God
Genesis 22:1-2
Some time later God tested Abraham. He said to him, "Abraham!".
"Here I am," he replied.
Then God said, "Take your son, your only son, Isaac, whom you love, and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about."
Isaiah 6:8
Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?"
And I said, "Here am I. Send me!"
I've learnt that these 3 words "Here I am" when spoken to God, are really 'dangerous' words to say. They allow for a binding covenant of commitment on our part as we avail ourselves fully to God's purpose, pleasure and programmes.
Early this year there was an opportunity for me to do a 14 day mission trip to Philippines with the graduating batch of Rangers. Unfortunately, it was also one of the worst times of my career as the company had undergone restructuring and people were leaving in droves resulting in my work portfolio expanding exponentially.
But, this was a mission trip which I knew I had to do, simply because it I envisioned a promise of how God would awesomely use the giftings and talents of each of those graduating Rangers. I'm never a sucker for hardships and the dirt, dust and grime of underdeveloped countries simply irks me to the bone. But beyond all these physical discomforts, it was simply too compelling to ignore that powerful vision of a generation which would go to Cebu to bless.
It didn't help that immediately after this mission trip, I had already committed, some 6 months ago, to attend a wedding in Japan and would result in me disappearing from work for some 3 1/2 weeks. What didn't help was the fact that I only had leave for 2 1/2 weeks and would require additional days of no-pay leave in order to do Cebu & Japan.
Even before I got my leave approved, I booked my return flight to Cebu and Japan, simply because the promotional fares was of a limited time period. To illustrate the crux I was in, I realised that there was only 1 last promotional seat for me to leave for Japan and if I didn't book it, I would be faced with a situation of dates clashing with the already paid mission trip and then having to also pay an exorbitant price to fly to Japan to attend the wedding.
The cherry on top of this overly dramatic situation was when my only colleague tendered her resignation, even before I could submit my leave form. This meant I was the only person left in office to deal with 5 people's work and the work pressure then was sheer madness. This clearly meant I couldn't be away for Mission and Japan and the entire Mission Trip would be doomed because you simply couldn't expect parents of the five 19 year olds permitting their children to go to Philippines without any adult supervision.
In the midst of all this melodrama, I stuck with my decision and told my boss that I would be taking leave & no-pay for that period, failing which I would have to tender my resignation because everything had been planned out and there was no turning back. It may sound high handed to issue out an "approve my leave or I quit" statement, but I assure you that it was also one of the most difficult decision which I struggled with. Having worked for a good 5 +years, I was due for my managerial promotion, without which, I would not be able to proceed on career-wise and quitting would simply result in an extreme loss-loss situation of no job, no money, no future. (never mind that my God fearing parents would simply freak out if I tell them the reason why I needed to quit and would never buy the fact that I was just following God's prompting to go Missions.) It reached a really despondent state where all I could do was to stare at a loser future brimming with unfairness because I was going against human logic just to bring 5 teens out for a mission trip.
The very day which I sent out my email informing of my intentions to submit a 3 1/2 week leave and no-pay leave, I recall sighing in loss and adopting a come-what-may attitude of resignation . Whatever the tsunamis of life brings: be it the poverty of being unemployed or having to apply for a lowly ranked job with a pay cut, I just knew there was nothing else I could have done differently. I awaited for a reply, but nothing came. The very next day, as I submitted the leave form, I awaited the bad news of rejection but it never came. Instead what I received was a gentle answer of approval by signature. The rest is history. (I went for an awesome trip to Cebu and even more incredible time in Mindanao, I returned and left the next day for Japan, witnessed Sakura's flowering in Tokyo and snow falling in Hokkaido. When I returned to work, I received my promotion. ((Note: When I returned to work, it was also the worst and most stressful and frustrating time of my life coupled with a nightmarish hair-loss condition))
Just when I thought life's melodrama was limited to myself, lo and behold, history would repeat itself because for the December's batch of Rangers who are leaving for their pioneering mission trip to Philippines, we also encountered a similiar crisis. Having booked the promotional fares, my fellow Rangers commander also required to take a combination of leave and no-pay leave, but because there was a major project submission dateline, and his fellow pregnant colleague was also due for her maternity leave, there was simply no way for his boss to approve his leave without having a dramatic situation of project submission - without anyone doing the job!
After talking with his boss, he realised that there was no way for his leave to be approved and his boss clearly told thim that the only available step was to resign in order to proceed with the mission trip. I was extremely concerned because the issue of the loss-loss situation of no job, no money, no future and his non-beliver's parents' going totally ballistic. With non-beliver parents, this sacrifice was even going to be more painful for him than it was for me.
The day he submitted his resignation, his boss surprised him by rejecting his letter and approving the absence from work, in spite of what the boss had stated earlier. I strongly believe that when the December batch of Rangers missionaries leaves for Philippines, it'll be an awesome trip for him and the rest, simply because of the obedience and willingness shown to make any sacrifice to see the tasks of God come to fruition.
When I reflect at the two verses above, I see that before the Almighty God, Abraham and Isaiah made a tough life-changing decision to avail themselves to the bidding and instructions of God. Abraham left everything in faith to enter a land he had not seen, and was now called to sacrifice his only son - Isaac. Likewise Isaiah who availed himself to be used as God's vocal piece. All his life, Isaiah lived dedicated to prophesy, plea and instruct the people of God that they may have hope in the Lord.
Neither of these bible characters had an easy life. After they confessed "Here I am", their willingness and obedience were taken to task. All that they encountered were not easy pickings, but here I realise that they willingly sacrifice without looking back because time and again, the grace of God always prevailed in their lives. When all else failed, God's favour flowed effortlessly and abundently.
I don't profess to be like either of these great men of the bible, nor would I really want to be in their position, but in all that I've encountered and witnessed this year, I learnt that when we avail ourselves to God to fulfil his bidding, we open ourselves to be thrown into God's creation hands and life just goes turbulent. It's not just a simple, cheap talk of "Here I am, use me".
It is a tough thing to undergo breaking and humility as we open ourselves to be at God's mercy. However, the moment we profess "Here I am" and God accepts our availing offering, inspite of whatever 'turmoil', 'suffering' and 'pain' that comes at you subsequently, the Favour of God is always found ever more richely and abundently in our lives. I can profess with my testimony that in 2006, I've never received more favour in the eyes of man and from God. All these came upon my life the moment I laid everything aside to heed His instructions and yield my plans to serve His.
I pray that the testimony of my heart speaks to you today because I sense a need for you to understand that the plans of God are perfect and for you, and not to harm you. May you elect to submit like Abraham & Isaiah as you too acknowledge before the Almighty, "Here I am, Lord" and I pray that you too may see how the favour of God would then enter your life, even as He moulds, uses and ordains the steps that you are to take.
blessings,
M.
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." (Jeremiah 29:11)
Some time later God tested Abraham. He said to him, "Abraham!".
"Here I am," he replied.
Then God said, "Take your son, your only son, Isaac, whom you love, and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about."
Isaiah 6:8
Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?"
And I said, "Here am I. Send me!"
I've learnt that these 3 words "Here I am" when spoken to God, are really 'dangerous' words to say. They allow for a binding covenant of commitment on our part as we avail ourselves fully to God's purpose, pleasure and programmes.
Early this year there was an opportunity for me to do a 14 day mission trip to Philippines with the graduating batch of Rangers. Unfortunately, it was also one of the worst times of my career as the company had undergone restructuring and people were leaving in droves resulting in my work portfolio expanding exponentially.
But, this was a mission trip which I knew I had to do, simply because it I envisioned a promise of how God would awesomely use the giftings and talents of each of those graduating Rangers. I'm never a sucker for hardships and the dirt, dust and grime of underdeveloped countries simply irks me to the bone. But beyond all these physical discomforts, it was simply too compelling to ignore that powerful vision of a generation which would go to Cebu to bless.
It didn't help that immediately after this mission trip, I had already committed, some 6 months ago, to attend a wedding in Japan and would result in me disappearing from work for some 3 1/2 weeks. What didn't help was the fact that I only had leave for 2 1/2 weeks and would require additional days of no-pay leave in order to do Cebu & Japan.
Even before I got my leave approved, I booked my return flight to Cebu and Japan, simply because the promotional fares was of a limited time period. To illustrate the crux I was in, I realised that there was only 1 last promotional seat for me to leave for Japan and if I didn't book it, I would be faced with a situation of dates clashing with the already paid mission trip and then having to also pay an exorbitant price to fly to Japan to attend the wedding.
The cherry on top of this overly dramatic situation was when my only colleague tendered her resignation, even before I could submit my leave form. This meant I was the only person left in office to deal with 5 people's work and the work pressure then was sheer madness. This clearly meant I couldn't be away for Mission and Japan and the entire Mission Trip would be doomed because you simply couldn't expect parents of the five 19 year olds permitting their children to go to Philippines without any adult supervision.
In the midst of all this melodrama, I stuck with my decision and told my boss that I would be taking leave & no-pay for that period, failing which I would have to tender my resignation because everything had been planned out and there was no turning back. It may sound high handed to issue out an "approve my leave or I quit" statement, but I assure you that it was also one of the most difficult decision which I struggled with. Having worked for a good 5 +years, I was due for my managerial promotion, without which, I would not be able to proceed on career-wise and quitting would simply result in an extreme loss-loss situation of no job, no money, no future. (never mind that my God fearing parents would simply freak out if I tell them the reason why I needed to quit and would never buy the fact that I was just following God's prompting to go Missions.) It reached a really despondent state where all I could do was to stare at a loser future brimming with unfairness because I was going against human logic just to bring 5 teens out for a mission trip.
The very day which I sent out my email informing of my intentions to submit a 3 1/2 week leave and no-pay leave, I recall sighing in loss and adopting a come-what-may attitude of resignation . Whatever the tsunamis of life brings: be it the poverty of being unemployed or having to apply for a lowly ranked job with a pay cut, I just knew there was nothing else I could have done differently. I awaited for a reply, but nothing came. The very next day, as I submitted the leave form, I awaited the bad news of rejection but it never came. Instead what I received was a gentle answer of approval by signature. The rest is history. (I went for an awesome trip to Cebu and even more incredible time in Mindanao, I returned and left the next day for Japan, witnessed Sakura's flowering in Tokyo and snow falling in Hokkaido. When I returned to work, I received my promotion. ((Note: When I returned to work, it was also the worst and most stressful and frustrating time of my life coupled with a nightmarish hair-loss condition))
Just when I thought life's melodrama was limited to myself, lo and behold, history would repeat itself because for the December's batch of Rangers who are leaving for their pioneering mission trip to Philippines, we also encountered a similiar crisis. Having booked the promotional fares, my fellow Rangers commander also required to take a combination of leave and no-pay leave, but because there was a major project submission dateline, and his fellow pregnant colleague was also due for her maternity leave, there was simply no way for his boss to approve his leave without having a dramatic situation of project submission - without anyone doing the job!
After talking with his boss, he realised that there was no way for his leave to be approved and his boss clearly told thim that the only available step was to resign in order to proceed with the mission trip. I was extremely concerned because the issue of the loss-loss situation of no job, no money, no future and his non-beliver's parents' going totally ballistic. With non-beliver parents, this sacrifice was even going to be more painful for him than it was for me.
The day he submitted his resignation, his boss surprised him by rejecting his letter and approving the absence from work, in spite of what the boss had stated earlier. I strongly believe that when the December batch of Rangers missionaries leaves for Philippines, it'll be an awesome trip for him and the rest, simply because of the obedience and willingness shown to make any sacrifice to see the tasks of God come to fruition.
When I reflect at the two verses above, I see that before the Almighty God, Abraham and Isaiah made a tough life-changing decision to avail themselves to the bidding and instructions of God. Abraham left everything in faith to enter a land he had not seen, and was now called to sacrifice his only son - Isaac. Likewise Isaiah who availed himself to be used as God's vocal piece. All his life, Isaiah lived dedicated to prophesy, plea and instruct the people of God that they may have hope in the Lord.
Neither of these bible characters had an easy life. After they confessed "Here I am", their willingness and obedience were taken to task. All that they encountered were not easy pickings, but here I realise that they willingly sacrifice without looking back because time and again, the grace of God always prevailed in their lives. When all else failed, God's favour flowed effortlessly and abundently.
I don't profess to be like either of these great men of the bible, nor would I really want to be in their position, but in all that I've encountered and witnessed this year, I learnt that when we avail ourselves to God to fulfil his bidding, we open ourselves to be thrown into God's creation hands and life just goes turbulent. It's not just a simple, cheap talk of "Here I am, use me".
It is a tough thing to undergo breaking and humility as we open ourselves to be at God's mercy. However, the moment we profess "Here I am" and God accepts our availing offering, inspite of whatever 'turmoil', 'suffering' and 'pain' that comes at you subsequently, the Favour of God is always found ever more richely and abundently in our lives. I can profess with my testimony that in 2006, I've never received more favour in the eyes of man and from God. All these came upon my life the moment I laid everything aside to heed His instructions and yield my plans to serve His.
I pray that the testimony of my heart speaks to you today because I sense a need for you to understand that the plans of God are perfect and for you, and not to harm you. May you elect to submit like Abraham & Isaiah as you too acknowledge before the Almighty, "Here I am, Lord" and I pray that you too may see how the favour of God would then enter your life, even as He moulds, uses and ordains the steps that you are to take.
blessings,
M.
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." (Jeremiah 29:11)
13 November 2006
How much does your soul cost ???
Matthew 16:26
For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?
I know I've written about this verse before, but I'm truely intrigued by the statement of "what will a man give in exchange for his soul?". Afterall being very Singaporean, we are always haggling and bargaining for good deals. For a dirt cheat price of $25 a night, I've willingly sacrifice lavish pampering of a $60 a night 4-star hotel for a run down 2-star hotel in bangkok having convinced myself that the poorly maintained facilities are forgivable for a transient 2 night stay.
One day we will all pass away, albeit prematurely or as per our predestined time, and then we would have to stand to face God. Jesus shares in Matthew 25:31-46 to warn us of that surety of this judgement. The ungodly will be sent into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.
This black and white fact of heaven or hell after death has always been avoided by atheist because it invokes the controversial issue of judgement after life. It's an extremely scary fact to many because at that point, we have to account for our salvation or lack of it.
Like our exams or job inteviews, when our life is over and we stand before God it's a black and white issue of Yes or No. There's no turning back to make amendments. "Yes", you are a child of God, you are safe and would proceed to the eternal joy of God's presence in heaven. No, you are not a child of God, you would proceed to eternal suffering in fiery hell.
If you do get a "NO" at such a time and the judgement of suffering in hell for eternity is proclaimed over you, what would you give in exchange for your soul then? For all that you ever possessed, sadly, the bible says there's nothing which you can use to exchange for a pardon for your soul's judgement.
A wise saying states "Highsight is always perfect vision". We all have something in our past which we wished we could go back in time to amend it for the better. When I look back at the results of my major exams, if I could turn back time to change my past in order to achieve stellar results, I would have willingly given up the fun and pleasures which I enjoyed and dedicated myself to overly conscientious studying. Sadly, we all know that what's past is past and it is impossible to ever go back to redo life's wrongs.
In life, we often count the costs for everything that we do. More so as we miserly count the costs over matters of God or of spiritual concerns. How much does this church camp costs, do I have enough time to study/work/chill-out if I attend church/cell/prayer metting, what would this mission trip cost me....etc. Basically, all the questions seem to linger over the issue of how convenient and pain-free is it to do God related stuff. We often sabotage our eternal future through deliberate attempts to delay and deny the things which we should and could have done for God.
Tragically, it seems that in the pursuit of our better life, we don't seem to count the costs for what will take place for eternity. We plan for our future careers, family building, health insurances but because death is so far away for many of us, we often forget that at the end of our lives, we will have to account to God for our soul and what we did in our lifespan. Someday, we'll have to account for the number of people we were a true friend to, not how many friends we had. Did we in our pursuit of life compromise the things of God for transient pleasures? Did we achieve a life for God according to the number of talents which we were given?
When Moses spoke to the people of God in Deuteronomy 30:19, he made it obvious to them that their choices would affect their destinies "I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live". Let no man who reads this sentence ever say this only applies to the Israelites of the old testiment, but I pray that you'll be convicted by the serious implication of being responsible for the choices you make in life.
At the end of you life, be it in the near future of 1-10 years or far distant time of 10 years and beyond, how would you account for your life when you meet God your maker face-to-face? How much do you value your soul's eternal destiny? I pray earnestly that you will value the days of your life because when it transpires, no amount of tears, money, achievement, accolades, deeds or goodwill will be accepted in redemption for your soul.
Blessings,
M.
"For I command you today to love the LORD your God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commands, decrees and laws; then you will live and increase, and the LORD your God will bless you in the land you are entering to possess" Deuteronomy 30:16
For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?
I know I've written about this verse before, but I'm truely intrigued by the statement of "what will a man give in exchange for his soul?". Afterall being very Singaporean, we are always haggling and bargaining for good deals. For a dirt cheat price of $25 a night, I've willingly sacrifice lavish pampering of a $60 a night 4-star hotel for a run down 2-star hotel in bangkok having convinced myself that the poorly maintained facilities are forgivable for a transient 2 night stay.
One day we will all pass away, albeit prematurely or as per our predestined time, and then we would have to stand to face God. Jesus shares in Matthew 25:31-46 to warn us of that surety of this judgement. The ungodly will be sent into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.
This black and white fact of heaven or hell after death has always been avoided by atheist because it invokes the controversial issue of judgement after life. It's an extremely scary fact to many because at that point, we have to account for our salvation or lack of it.
Like our exams or job inteviews, when our life is over and we stand before God it's a black and white issue of Yes or No. There's no turning back to make amendments. "Yes", you are a child of God, you are safe and would proceed to the eternal joy of God's presence in heaven. No, you are not a child of God, you would proceed to eternal suffering in fiery hell.
If you do get a "NO" at such a time and the judgement of suffering in hell for eternity is proclaimed over you, what would you give in exchange for your soul then? For all that you ever possessed, sadly, the bible says there's nothing which you can use to exchange for a pardon for your soul's judgement.
A wise saying states "Highsight is always perfect vision". We all have something in our past which we wished we could go back in time to amend it for the better. When I look back at the results of my major exams, if I could turn back time to change my past in order to achieve stellar results, I would have willingly given up the fun and pleasures which I enjoyed and dedicated myself to overly conscientious studying. Sadly, we all know that what's past is past and it is impossible to ever go back to redo life's wrongs.
In life, we often count the costs for everything that we do. More so as we miserly count the costs over matters of God or of spiritual concerns. How much does this church camp costs, do I have enough time to study/work/chill-out if I attend church/cell/prayer metting, what would this mission trip cost me....etc. Basically, all the questions seem to linger over the issue of how convenient and pain-free is it to do God related stuff. We often sabotage our eternal future through deliberate attempts to delay and deny the things which we should and could have done for God.
Tragically, it seems that in the pursuit of our better life, we don't seem to count the costs for what will take place for eternity. We plan for our future careers, family building, health insurances but because death is so far away for many of us, we often forget that at the end of our lives, we will have to account to God for our soul and what we did in our lifespan. Someday, we'll have to account for the number of people we were a true friend to, not how many friends we had. Did we in our pursuit of life compromise the things of God for transient pleasures? Did we achieve a life for God according to the number of talents which we were given?
When Moses spoke to the people of God in Deuteronomy 30:19, he made it obvious to them that their choices would affect their destinies "I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live". Let no man who reads this sentence ever say this only applies to the Israelites of the old testiment, but I pray that you'll be convicted by the serious implication of being responsible for the choices you make in life.
At the end of you life, be it in the near future of 1-10 years or far distant time of 10 years and beyond, how would you account for your life when you meet God your maker face-to-face? How much do you value your soul's eternal destiny? I pray earnestly that you will value the days of your life because when it transpires, no amount of tears, money, achievement, accolades, deeds or goodwill will be accepted in redemption for your soul.
Blessings,
M.
"For I command you today to love the LORD your God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commands, decrees and laws; then you will live and increase, and the LORD your God will bless you in the land you are entering to possess" Deuteronomy 30:16
02 November 2006
As You Enjoy the Fruits of Your Labour
Psalm 71:18
And even when I am old and gray, O God, do not forsake me,
Until I declare Your strength to this generation, Your power to all who are to come.
This is my favourite verse of the bible.
Some many years ago as I was in the early years of being a rangers commander, I chanced upon this verse and it spoke volumes to me. Just like the immortal speeches of artistes like shakespeare, the heart felt nobility of this statement made by David awakened my spirit man some many years ago and has since challenged me to constantly press on in my ministry's calling.
Everytime I look at this verse, it challenges me to live a life of faithfulness until the day I finish the call of God upon my life. Its a tall order that inspires me to want to possess the same spirit which David had. To want to declare the things of God to the next generation and press on inspite of painful physical infirmities in my older age.
Daniel 4: 29 onwards records King Nebuchadnezzar as he was walking on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon. As he viewed the city from his position, he marvelled to himself "Is not this the great Babylon I have built as the royal residence, by my mighty power and for the glory of my majesty?"
Immediately, the judgement of God struck him and he was made insane. From the all powerful king of the Babylonian empire, he was driven away from people and started living with the wild animals; eating grass like cattle. The bible records that for 7 years, King Nebuchadnezzar lived like a wild monster - with his body drenched with the dew of heaven until his hair grew like the feathers of an eagle and his nails like the claws of a bird.
As noble and grand are my aspirations to live out a life accordingly to Psalm 71:18, as I was writing, the story of King Nebuchadnezzar stood out and spoke to me as a warning.
There are days where I do look back at the past 12 years of serving in the rangers ministry, the hardships of the early pioneering days encountered and then revel in the present day's achievements. It's been really fulfilling to see little naughty boys grow up to become who they are today. Especially when I perceive that their present lives are but a small tip of the iceberg of what they can and will achieved for God in the coming years. It's always such a nice thing to regale in the past memories of camps, sacrifices and blessing to give myself a pat on the back and tell myself I'm truely pressing onto achieve my desire and eventually be able to say the same thing as David did.
But yet, I personally think it's always better to struggle on in life doing a flagging ministry work for God than to experience the blessings and fruition of a successful ministry. As silly as that earlier sentence sounds, I look at such times of experiencing rich blessings to be times where it's so easy to fall into the trap of pride as King Nebuchadnezzar did.
When I evaluate my life and ministry for the past years, I see lots of good achievements. That is seen through positive statistics, successful programmes and lives touched, personal skills and experience, positive accolades and respect from others and a list of modest acknowledgements that could go on and on to make my head swell enormously. When I start listing down all the works of mine, it results in my achievements and what I've laboured and done and suddenly, God seems to have disappeared from the equation, when He was the key to begin with.
In all our quest to serve God, or live through life studying/working, who wouldn't want to see all the hard effort which we have done come to fruition? We want to have successful ministries, excellent school grades and work performance ratings, live successful abundent lives. But could attaining any/all of this diminish the essential presence of God in our life's achievement, and ultimately result in pride entering?
At the end of 7 years, King Nebuchadnezzar raised his eyes toward heaven, and his sanity was restored. The bible records that he then praised the Most High; honored and glorified him who lives forever. King Nebuchadnezzar states "My advisers and nobles sought me out, and I was restored to my throne and became even greater than before. Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, because everything he does is right and all his ways are just. And those who walk in pride he is able to humble."
All that we do in God is never in vain. But all that we do should also not be for vanity. Today, I wish to remind myself that, as I serve God and experience the different seasons of ploughing, sowing, weeding, tending, fertilising, harvesting, feasting and fallowing, my calling is to build into the lives of people, until my generation and the generation to come has seen the blessing of God.
I'm not sure what you are tasked to labour for God or how you are told to live on for God, but may you guard you heart against pride and your eyes be heaven bound at all times, especially in the season where God grants us the pleasure of enjoying the fruits of our labour.
Blessings,
M.
"I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live. That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil-this is the gift of God." Ecclesiastes 3:12-13
And even when I am old and gray, O God, do not forsake me,
Until I declare Your strength to this generation, Your power to all who are to come.
This is my favourite verse of the bible.
Some many years ago as I was in the early years of being a rangers commander, I chanced upon this verse and it spoke volumes to me. Just like the immortal speeches of artistes like shakespeare, the heart felt nobility of this statement made by David awakened my spirit man some many years ago and has since challenged me to constantly press on in my ministry's calling.
Everytime I look at this verse, it challenges me to live a life of faithfulness until the day I finish the call of God upon my life. Its a tall order that inspires me to want to possess the same spirit which David had. To want to declare the things of God to the next generation and press on inspite of painful physical infirmities in my older age.
Daniel 4: 29 onwards records King Nebuchadnezzar as he was walking on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon. As he viewed the city from his position, he marvelled to himself "Is not this the great Babylon I have built as the royal residence, by my mighty power and for the glory of my majesty?"
Immediately, the judgement of God struck him and he was made insane. From the all powerful king of the Babylonian empire, he was driven away from people and started living with the wild animals; eating grass like cattle. The bible records that for 7 years, King Nebuchadnezzar lived like a wild monster - with his body drenched with the dew of heaven until his hair grew like the feathers of an eagle and his nails like the claws of a bird.
As noble and grand are my aspirations to live out a life accordingly to Psalm 71:18, as I was writing, the story of King Nebuchadnezzar stood out and spoke to me as a warning.
There are days where I do look back at the past 12 years of serving in the rangers ministry, the hardships of the early pioneering days encountered and then revel in the present day's achievements. It's been really fulfilling to see little naughty boys grow up to become who they are today. Especially when I perceive that their present lives are but a small tip of the iceberg of what they can and will achieved for God in the coming years. It's always such a nice thing to regale in the past memories of camps, sacrifices and blessing to give myself a pat on the back and tell myself I'm truely pressing onto achieve my desire and eventually be able to say the same thing as David did.
But yet, I personally think it's always better to struggle on in life doing a flagging ministry work for God than to experience the blessings and fruition of a successful ministry. As silly as that earlier sentence sounds, I look at such times of experiencing rich blessings to be times where it's so easy to fall into the trap of pride as King Nebuchadnezzar did.
When I evaluate my life and ministry for the past years, I see lots of good achievements. That is seen through positive statistics, successful programmes and lives touched, personal skills and experience, positive accolades and respect from others and a list of modest acknowledgements that could go on and on to make my head swell enormously. When I start listing down all the works of mine, it results in my achievements and what I've laboured and done and suddenly, God seems to have disappeared from the equation, when He was the key to begin with.
In all our quest to serve God, or live through life studying/working, who wouldn't want to see all the hard effort which we have done come to fruition? We want to have successful ministries, excellent school grades and work performance ratings, live successful abundent lives. But could attaining any/all of this diminish the essential presence of God in our life's achievement, and ultimately result in pride entering?
At the end of 7 years, King Nebuchadnezzar raised his eyes toward heaven, and his sanity was restored. The bible records that he then praised the Most High; honored and glorified him who lives forever. King Nebuchadnezzar states "My advisers and nobles sought me out, and I was restored to my throne and became even greater than before. Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, because everything he does is right and all his ways are just. And those who walk in pride he is able to humble."
All that we do in God is never in vain. But all that we do should also not be for vanity. Today, I wish to remind myself that, as I serve God and experience the different seasons of ploughing, sowing, weeding, tending, fertilising, harvesting, feasting and fallowing, my calling is to build into the lives of people, until my generation and the generation to come has seen the blessing of God.
I'm not sure what you are tasked to labour for God or how you are told to live on for God, but may you guard you heart against pride and your eyes be heaven bound at all times, especially in the season where God grants us the pleasure of enjoying the fruits of our labour.
Blessings,
M.
"I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live. That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil-this is the gift of God." Ecclesiastes 3:12-13