Lamentations 3:27-33
And it is good for people to submit at an early age to the yoke of his discipline. Let them sit alone in silence beneath the Lord’s demands. Let them lie face down in the dust, for there may be hope at last. Let them turn the other cheek to those who strike them and accept the insults of their enemies. For no one is abandoned by the Lord forever. Though he brings grief, he also shows compassion because of the greatness of his unfailing love. For he does not enjoy hurting people or causing them sorrow.
As I was placing back all my photo albums and sorting through the cupboards, I chanced upon 2 encouragement cards given to me some many years ago. One of them was written by my school friend from my primary school days and alonside his personal note, he had this verse written in outstanding red "It is good for a man to bear the yoke while he is young ".
It's a really bizarre statement (of truth) which I'm sure any youth would vehemently reject it as rubbish. Simply because the bible says it is good for youths to submit to the yoke of discipline and yet, youths hate being disciplined for anything they do.
Youth is about rebellion, freedom of thoughts, feelings and myriad of emotions. The world is a youth's oyster and boundaries and rules simply constrict the vigour and energy which youths possess. We've already gone through the importance of Ecclesiastes 12:1 which expounds on how we are to spend our youthful energies on God and the things of God before life makes us jaded and forget God.
Why then does the bible say it is good for youths to be disciplined? Why target out at youths only? Moreover if you read the verse thoroughly, its harsh discipline which is being enforced. We are not talking about modern day counselling, discussions and reprimands.
The bible talks about silent isolation beneath the Lord's demands. (I'm seeing an image of reform prision or detention barracks as I make out this statement) . Likewise, the proposal of lying down face down in dust, accepting enemies' insults and turning the other cheek to be struck are all hard tasks to endure. Such is the discipline described that it would make one feel that the Lord has no compassion and has abandoned the individual. Surely these and more would break a person into submission or make one leave the faith in frustration. But, let us remember that God is not a sadist creator God neither is He a tormentor.
The season when I received that encouragement card was at a time when I received my exam results and I was so bitterly disappointed with what I had obtained. It must had badly affected my mood and behaviour in school to warrant this encouragement. As long as I can recall, I've been a handful to deal with. If today I were to remain the youth that I was, I'll be an angry, impulsive smart alec. My world was all about what I felt, how freely I expressed myself and what I wanted. Any other things which I simply couldn't care less about, I didn't. I'm quite sure then that I was like any other typical teen today, or at least similiar to typical aggressive high-D character.
The breaking of a "I", "Me, & "Myself" must happen to us in order for us to be Godly, God-fearing characters. More so when we recognise that we have been redeemed and purchase by the blood of Jesus Christ and God doesn't tolerate that His children live like an ordinary ungodly person, undifferentiated from the pack. Paul reminds us in Ephesians 2:8-9 "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast." Thus Paul strongly emphasised to the church of Ephesus of the need to be set-apart; "So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking."
It really no wonder that with a youths emotions and the vicious evilness of the last days, the wisdom of a creator God would be to subject us to discipline when we are most fiery and when we start going astray before our character settles when we reach adulthood. Note the words of "It is good" to let us know that it is really a good thing to be taught and remoulded for God's glory when we are young. It's really similiar to the principle of teaching young dogs tricks because it's much harder to teach an old dog new tricks.
Let's come to an understanding today that discipline from the Lord, though harsh and uncompromising, is for our good and for the preservation of our life and salvation. The Lord only disciplines us when we go wayward and not for His own pleasure. Proverbs records many wise proverbs about discipline, one of which I pray will speak to your life when you go through a season of chastisement "Stern discipline awaits him who leaves the path; he who hates correction will die."
Blessings,
M.
"Be happy, young man, while you are young, and let your heart give you joy in the days of your youth. Follow the ways of your heart and whatever your eyes see, but know that for all these things God will bring you to judgment." (Ecclesiastes 11:9)
31 January 2007
22 January 2007
I will proclaim the name of the LORD.
Deuteronomy 32:3-4
I will proclaim the name of the LORD. Oh, praise the greatness of our God!
He is the Rock, his works are perfect,and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he.
Today, I choose to praise because something inside me just feels that it is the right thing to do. It's amazing that this happens in the midst of my mind running at light speed, and being unsettled with the thousands of stuff which needs to be done. Instead of getting an answer and a settling sense of peace, the overwhelming desire to praise the greatness of God arises.
So, even though I have no answers and heaps of important things to chase, I will choose to drop it all aside and dedicate this 15 minutes to praise the greatness and goodness of my God.
Praise the Lord in these past weeks of 2007 that I've the opportunities to see his hand of miraculous provisions. For stopping the rain in Pulau Hantu and providing me with an awesome time of worship.
I praise the Lord because Whom have I in heaven but God?And I will confess with my lips that there is nothing on earth that I want to desire besides God and His presence.
I echo the similiar statement which David does in Psalms 8: 3-4 "When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him?" Yet, I recognise that He has wonderfully blessed me with the gifts, talents, provisions and health that make me able to breathe and live wonderfully today. For this and more, I choose to praise the greatness of His wisdom and for the grace upon my life.
Even now in the office, I'm listening to this buzzing upbeat song that exposes what I truely want to declare: "On my lips there's a shout of praise. Now I'm going to dance for all my days because I've seen the wonder of God's loving ways. So much Joy here in His embrace, makes me want to sing and celebrate becase I've seen the wonders of His amazing grace."
In days like these when I know my problems are still not solved and the endless tasks are still outstanding and answers are not coming, it's really liberating to have a moment to reflect at a Big God who is beyond me. For this and more than I can imagine, I choose to praise Him because I know He's a faithful God who's work is perfect and He watches over me.
Blessings,
M.
"O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!" (Psalms 8:9)
I will proclaim the name of the LORD. Oh, praise the greatness of our God!
He is the Rock, his works are perfect,and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he.
Today, I choose to praise because something inside me just feels that it is the right thing to do. It's amazing that this happens in the midst of my mind running at light speed, and being unsettled with the thousands of stuff which needs to be done. Instead of getting an answer and a settling sense of peace, the overwhelming desire to praise the greatness of God arises.
So, even though I have no answers and heaps of important things to chase, I will choose to drop it all aside and dedicate this 15 minutes to praise the greatness and goodness of my God.
Praise the Lord in these past weeks of 2007 that I've the opportunities to see his hand of miraculous provisions. For stopping the rain in Pulau Hantu and providing me with an awesome time of worship.
I praise the Lord because Whom have I in heaven but God?And I will confess with my lips that there is nothing on earth that I want to desire besides God and His presence.
I echo the similiar statement which David does in Psalms 8: 3-4 "When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him?" Yet, I recognise that He has wonderfully blessed me with the gifts, talents, provisions and health that make me able to breathe and live wonderfully today. For this and more, I choose to praise the greatness of His wisdom and for the grace upon my life.
Even now in the office, I'm listening to this buzzing upbeat song that exposes what I truely want to declare: "On my lips there's a shout of praise. Now I'm going to dance for all my days because I've seen the wonder of God's loving ways. So much Joy here in His embrace, makes me want to sing and celebrate becase I've seen the wonders of His amazing grace."
In days like these when I know my problems are still not solved and the endless tasks are still outstanding and answers are not coming, it's really liberating to have a moment to reflect at a Big God who is beyond me. For this and more than I can imagine, I choose to praise Him because I know He's a faithful God who's work is perfect and He watches over me.
Blessings,
M.
"O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!" (Psalms 8:9)
16 January 2007
Time to Work
Proverbs 14:23
All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.
I like the simplicity of this proverb. True wisdom is seen in brevity and simplicity that speaks millions. If I could localise it, it simply says "Do the work! AND stop talking about it".
We can always spot a NATO person which Solomon speaks about in his proverb, locally abbrevated as "No Action Talk Only" people. They come in various models and versions and are found everywhere in school, work, and play.
The first model is called the "Indian Chief". Specialist in finger pointing and barking of instructions, "indian chiefs" vocal energy are always more than their kinetic energy.
Lets not forget the whining versions of the NATO folks. These versions come with in-built whining noise that are emitted automatically whenever they are tasked to do anything. They come in two available models of high frequency whining of "huh? why? what? wah lao!..." or low energy disgrunted sighing "xian! hai! sigh!...."
Of course, we also have the nonchalent ones who simply would never do anything. Always leaving things to pass, they are never make much actions. These don't whine much, don't instruct much, but also don't do much to shake out of their current state of stasis to achieve a breakthrough. It's simply too much effort for them and their rationale is what's the point?
The worst of the talk talk talk and do little is found when we look into the mirror. "You and Me". Solomon talks about physical work, but it's equally applicable on our Spiritual work. How hard do we work on deepening ourselves in the things of God?
For the many times that you and I talk about wanting to see changes in church, revival in our midst and the need to press in. Sadly, after all the fiery passion of stating what we see and talking about what is truely lacking, we fail to do the hard work and pay the price.
In 2007, I truely believe that its going to be a year of self construction. We will be what we choose to do. The revelation of God will only come if the individual works hard at what he or she sees and attempts to pursue. This, I feel, shows a real commitment to achieve excellence. No more is it about someone, some camp, some speaker, some encouragement or some thing that occurs in the year to achieve that spiritual high of the year.
Frankly, you and I don't need God to tell us what we need to do to be a history maker for God. I'm sure we can stare in the mirror and truely say to ourselves that we honestly know what we need to do in order to achieve an excellence for God. Enough of talk! it's time to start the year with a solid vision and carry on, steadfastly moving ahead as we go through the entire year working hard and complaining less. Simply because this is a year to work hard to prove our mettle before God and man.
May you and I build up that discipline of exceptional diligence in 2007. Then we'll be able to reap the profit to our lives in season and out.
Blessings,
M.
"Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful." (1 Corinthians 4:2)
All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.
I like the simplicity of this proverb. True wisdom is seen in brevity and simplicity that speaks millions. If I could localise it, it simply says "Do the work! AND stop talking about it".
We can always spot a NATO person which Solomon speaks about in his proverb, locally abbrevated as "No Action Talk Only" people. They come in various models and versions and are found everywhere in school, work, and play.
The first model is called the "Indian Chief". Specialist in finger pointing and barking of instructions, "indian chiefs" vocal energy are always more than their kinetic energy.
Lets not forget the whining versions of the NATO folks. These versions come with in-built whining noise that are emitted automatically whenever they are tasked to do anything. They come in two available models of high frequency whining of "huh? why? what? wah lao!..." or low energy disgrunted sighing "xian! hai! sigh!...."
Of course, we also have the nonchalent ones who simply would never do anything. Always leaving things to pass, they are never make much actions. These don't whine much, don't instruct much, but also don't do much to shake out of their current state of stasis to achieve a breakthrough. It's simply too much effort for them and their rationale is what's the point?
The worst of the talk talk talk and do little is found when we look into the mirror. "You and Me". Solomon talks about physical work, but it's equally applicable on our Spiritual work. How hard do we work on deepening ourselves in the things of God?
For the many times that you and I talk about wanting to see changes in church, revival in our midst and the need to press in. Sadly, after all the fiery passion of stating what we see and talking about what is truely lacking, we fail to do the hard work and pay the price.
In 2007, I truely believe that its going to be a year of self construction. We will be what we choose to do. The revelation of God will only come if the individual works hard at what he or she sees and attempts to pursue. This, I feel, shows a real commitment to achieve excellence. No more is it about someone, some camp, some speaker, some encouragement or some thing that occurs in the year to achieve that spiritual high of the year.
Frankly, you and I don't need God to tell us what we need to do to be a history maker for God. I'm sure we can stare in the mirror and truely say to ourselves that we honestly know what we need to do in order to achieve an excellence for God. Enough of talk! it's time to start the year with a solid vision and carry on, steadfastly moving ahead as we go through the entire year working hard and complaining less. Simply because this is a year to work hard to prove our mettle before God and man.
May you and I build up that discipline of exceptional diligence in 2007. Then we'll be able to reap the profit to our lives in season and out.
Blessings,
M.
"Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful." (1 Corinthians 4:2)
05 January 2007
A New Beginning, 2007
Psalms 37:23-24
"The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand."
Every year is meant to be a great year in the Lord. The only difference is the means of growth and how God would use a different encounter to challenge and mould us for the better. This year is no different. 2007 is to be a defining year where we adopted the theme of "God's History Makers".
In order to be a history maker, I long to see an end result where many would arise before man with exceptional credentials -In spirit, conduct, character and results.
The NIV version of the above Psalm says "If the LORD delights in a man's way, He makes his steps firm". It's a promise for us to claim and a hope for maintaining a steadfast pace in our lives for 2007. Afterall, who would not want to have God's blessings of firm steps upon our lives in times like these which are so filled with trials, tests, challenges. But it's also a conditional blessing because it requires us to make correct choices and live Holy lives that would delight and please God. So it's time to reformat our lives and throw out all the old bad habits and stubborn ways.
I'm very sure that 2007 will be an exceptional year. I don't mean that it will be filled with explosive actions and sky high experiences, but rather an exceptional experience as we dig deep into our lives, lay our lives/aspirations bare before him to see how God would call to our inner man to achieve the things for Him. That the experience will teach us to not rely on our own understanding or circumstances around us but to stick with the paths which God has ordained for us.
It's a time for us to realise that God desires to use the entire year of happenings to test our mettle and strengthen the cords of our tents. It's no longer a season of highs, a season of lows and a season of just right. As the Psalmist states good people may fall, but we shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth us with his Hand. We need to establish a steadfastness of character that holds us together for the entire year and encourage ourselves again and again on how the Lord holds us in spite of the horrid days/weeks/months of this year. Not just give in and live lives that swing by life's emotional pendulum.
I firmly believe that many of us need top grow out of the wishy-washy nature and exhibit emotional tendencies. 2007 must be an exceptional year for us and no longer a year about "Me", "Myself" and "I", because the end times beckon and we need to progress in accelerated pace with God as we choose to live blameless lives before Man.
Dig in and dig deep. May you set in your heart and mind the need to establish exception standards for God this year and so fulfil the promise of being a Godly history maker. I look forward to hearing your awesome testimony on 31 Dec 2007.
Blessings,
M.
"Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things." (Colossians 3:1-2)
"The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand."
Every year is meant to be a great year in the Lord. The only difference is the means of growth and how God would use a different encounter to challenge and mould us for the better. This year is no different. 2007 is to be a defining year where we adopted the theme of "God's History Makers".
In order to be a history maker, I long to see an end result where many would arise before man with exceptional credentials -In spirit, conduct, character and results.
The NIV version of the above Psalm says "If the LORD delights in a man's way, He makes his steps firm". It's a promise for us to claim and a hope for maintaining a steadfast pace in our lives for 2007. Afterall, who would not want to have God's blessings of firm steps upon our lives in times like these which are so filled with trials, tests, challenges. But it's also a conditional blessing because it requires us to make correct choices and live Holy lives that would delight and please God. So it's time to reformat our lives and throw out all the old bad habits and stubborn ways.
I'm very sure that 2007 will be an exceptional year. I don't mean that it will be filled with explosive actions and sky high experiences, but rather an exceptional experience as we dig deep into our lives, lay our lives/aspirations bare before him to see how God would call to our inner man to achieve the things for Him. That the experience will teach us to not rely on our own understanding or circumstances around us but to stick with the paths which God has ordained for us.
It's a time for us to realise that God desires to use the entire year of happenings to test our mettle and strengthen the cords of our tents. It's no longer a season of highs, a season of lows and a season of just right. As the Psalmist states good people may fall, but we shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth us with his Hand. We need to establish a steadfastness of character that holds us together for the entire year and encourage ourselves again and again on how the Lord holds us in spite of the horrid days/weeks/months of this year. Not just give in and live lives that swing by life's emotional pendulum.
I firmly believe that many of us need top grow out of the wishy-washy nature and exhibit emotional tendencies. 2007 must be an exceptional year for us and no longer a year about "Me", "Myself" and "I", because the end times beckon and we need to progress in accelerated pace with God as we choose to live blameless lives before Man.
Dig in and dig deep. May you set in your heart and mind the need to establish exception standards for God this year and so fulfil the promise of being a Godly history maker. I look forward to hearing your awesome testimony on 31 Dec 2007.
Blessings,
M.
"Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things." (Colossians 3:1-2)