Titus 2:7-8
"In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness, and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us."
It's really hard to be live a blameless life before man, but it is something we really need to try to achieve.
Today in the new paper, the trashy cover story of the day writes about a girl who encounters a cyberspace pervert who flashes at her via his webcam. While he was exposing himself to her, she was capturing images of him so that she could use it as evidence to bring him to justice. However, despite the evidence at hand, she does not want to report the issue to her parents and the police as she herself is breaking a rule set by her parent - she is not supposed to be using instant messaging. To quote her "I was afraid my parents would scold me if they find out that I had disobeyed them and used instant messaging. My father has read articles and think there are a lot of bad guys oline... I guess he was right."
Thus, she cannot bring the man to justice as she would incriminate herself and be liable for punishment.
In the book of John 8-1:11, when Jesus was dealing with the prostitute and the pharisees who were condemning her, he challenged them. "Let he who has not sinned cast the first stone". Naturally, no one responded and eventually everyone left.
Today, as we amble through life, can we honestly say that we are actively living lives of integrity and setting an example by doing what is good? Or are we so subdued by our daily routines that we live as per everyone else?
May you and I be reminded to try harder. That our lives will demonstrate the goodness of God before man. Be distinguished.
blessings,
M.
"Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds." (Romans 12:2)
23 October 2008
17 October 2008
Quick to Listen, BUT slow to react
James 1:19-20
My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.
I received this verse via an email on a work day and I stopped to look at it for a while. Immediately, I told myself, how difficult it is for me to be quick to listen and slow to speak or react. Especially at work where I do my stuff at a hyper fast speed. Typically, when I start my day, the moment I see all my emails, I'll start working to read thoroughly and settle them one at a time. Call it a perculiar behaviour, but unlike most colleagues, I simply cannot have an inbox which is filled with unread emails. I simply must read everyone of them and settle them as soon as I can.
This also is seen in the way which I handle my projects. Everything must be quickly resolved and talked through. I cannot stand it when I resolve matters and it gets stuck in the next level due to people who work slowly or take their own time to read the email only at the end of the day. You can imagine me at an irritable mood the moment I wait for half a day and get no response or approval.
The moment I laid my eyes on this verse and resigned myself to it, I sighed because I knew that it's a virtue to be slow in reaction. It prevents one from acting impulsively. I know because I normally react to situations quickly in anger, some friends react quickly in compassion or with good intentions. But often, if we pondered and deliberated, we would have done things differently.
Today, may we learn to to be attentive and allow God to calm us so we can react slowly. I truely believe that as we wait and ponder before we react, we'll react well. The bible says, we'll end up behaving righteously because we never got angry and in our anger sinned.
blessings,
M.
"They said to one another, "Surely we are being punished because of our brother. We saw how distressed he was when he pleaded with us for his life, but we would not listen; that's why this distress has come upon us." (Genesis 42:21)
My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.
I received this verse via an email on a work day and I stopped to look at it for a while. Immediately, I told myself, how difficult it is for me to be quick to listen and slow to speak or react. Especially at work where I do my stuff at a hyper fast speed. Typically, when I start my day, the moment I see all my emails, I'll start working to read thoroughly and settle them one at a time. Call it a perculiar behaviour, but unlike most colleagues, I simply cannot have an inbox which is filled with unread emails. I simply must read everyone of them and settle them as soon as I can.
This also is seen in the way which I handle my projects. Everything must be quickly resolved and talked through. I cannot stand it when I resolve matters and it gets stuck in the next level due to people who work slowly or take their own time to read the email only at the end of the day. You can imagine me at an irritable mood the moment I wait for half a day and get no response or approval.
The moment I laid my eyes on this verse and resigned myself to it, I sighed because I knew that it's a virtue to be slow in reaction. It prevents one from acting impulsively. I know because I normally react to situations quickly in anger, some friends react quickly in compassion or with good intentions. But often, if we pondered and deliberated, we would have done things differently.
Today, may we learn to to be attentive and allow God to calm us so we can react slowly. I truely believe that as we wait and ponder before we react, we'll react well. The bible says, we'll end up behaving righteously because we never got angry and in our anger sinned.
blessings,
M.
"They said to one another, "Surely we are being punished because of our brother. We saw how distressed he was when he pleaded with us for his life, but we would not listen; that's why this distress has come upon us." (Genesis 42:21)
11 October 2008
The truth of the Matter
Proverbs 19:21
Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails
This verse says it all and sometimes we need to remember the truth behind God word.
May you and I learn to find and comprehend what is God's purpose for our lives.
"But I said, "I have labored to no purpose; I have spent my strength in vain and for nothing. Yet what is due me is in the LORD's hand, and my reward is with my God." (Isaiah 49:4)
Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails
This verse says it all and sometimes we need to remember the truth behind God word.
May you and I learn to find and comprehend what is God's purpose for our lives.
blessngs,
M.
"But I said, "I have labored to no purpose; I have spent my strength in vain and for nothing. Yet what is due me is in the LORD's hand, and my reward is with my God." (Isaiah 49:4)
06 October 2008
Rock of Ages
Isaiah 26:4
“Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD, is the Rock eternal.”
We are probably only at one of the many low points of a financial downturn. Everyday, I watch the stock market indices slide down and this often is translated into my financial investments dropping in dollar value. I'm doing nothing yet, just watching, waiting and wondering when the job market becomes spooked. Oh how I'm not looking forward to the poor market condition in the near future.
It's scary when markets go into freefall and the only thing that seems to be certain is this feeling that we are not even reaching the worst pont yet. However, all financial planning people wil tell you that if you have lotsa cash and time and can afford to invest during this downturn, when/should the economy pick up, you'll make a huge gain. That truth is of course conditional upon the fact that things do go upand you have the benefit of time.
Time makes all seasonal ups and downs of our life seem like a minor skip or hiccup. Afterall, if we look back at our past and remenice about the most sad days, it really does not seem to be as sad as how we felt that the world was coming to an end, then.
But even time will someday come to an end. The only thing amidst all turmoil and uncertainties is the fact that God remains God and His character and provisions are constant.
Today and these coming months, may you and I learnt to look less at the issues and problems which surround us. We must really learn to encounter life with a perspective that we can never place our trust and hope in anything around us. God and God alone is the stable, solid rock which we can trust.
blessings,
M.
"He stood, and shook the earth; he looked, and made the nations tremble. The ancient mountains crumbled and the age-old hills collapsed. His ways are eternal." (Habakuk 3:6)
“Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD, is the Rock eternal.”
We are probably only at one of the many low points of a financial downturn. Everyday, I watch the stock market indices slide down and this often is translated into my financial investments dropping in dollar value. I'm doing nothing yet, just watching, waiting and wondering when the job market becomes spooked. Oh how I'm not looking forward to the poor market condition in the near future.
It's scary when markets go into freefall and the only thing that seems to be certain is this feeling that we are not even reaching the worst pont yet. However, all financial planning people wil tell you that if you have lotsa cash and time and can afford to invest during this downturn, when/should the economy pick up, you'll make a huge gain. That truth is of course conditional upon the fact that things do go upand you have the benefit of time.
Time makes all seasonal ups and downs of our life seem like a minor skip or hiccup. Afterall, if we look back at our past and remenice about the most sad days, it really does not seem to be as sad as how we felt that the world was coming to an end, then.
But even time will someday come to an end. The only thing amidst all turmoil and uncertainties is the fact that God remains God and His character and provisions are constant.
Today and these coming months, may you and I learnt to look less at the issues and problems which surround us. We must really learn to encounter life with a perspective that we can never place our trust and hope in anything around us. God and God alone is the stable, solid rock which we can trust.
blessings,
M.
"He stood, and shook the earth; he looked, and made the nations tremble. The ancient mountains crumbled and the age-old hills collapsed. His ways are eternal." (Habakuk 3:6)