Psalm 119:176
I have strayed like a lost sheep. Seek your servant, for I have not forgotten your commands.
As I returned from lunch, I saw a friend who is the elder brother of a church mate. The entire family has been in the church from their grandparent's time and he's much older than me. I'm not a friend of his and just an acquaintance.
Today, he no longer attends the church and as I walked past him amidst the crowded walkway with his cigarette smoke wafting past me, I couldn't help but think of the other friends and peers who have gone astray. Some of which are still a raw wound in my heart as I remember them.
The more years you add to your life, it seems the more you will hear or know of others who you once had close to you in church, now straying away and it does strike a sore point to know that what was once personal with God is now abandoned.
In the end of end times, I always believe that many will stray, but God will also never give up in seeking them back because I know His heart is for all to know the saving grace of Jesus and to live the purposeful life they were created for.
M.
25 October 2012
11 October 2012
Faithfully, until no more.
Genesis 5:24
Enoch walked faithfully with God; then he was no more, because God took him away.
As I logged into facebook, the alert showed that today is the birthday of a young man who has passed on and is now in heaven. It is the day of his 25th birthday and as I clicked onto his page, I couldn't help but feel a sense of heart-brokenness that he only lived a short life and never was allowed to continue the journey of life.
Yet, I also take heart that he left at the apex of his life, living a good and right life which makes his short life a blessing. Today, he's in heaven and I couldn't ask for anything more because the Lord knows the best time to take someone home.
Yesterday as I sat in a void deck teaching a 17 year old tuition for his coming "O" levels, I bumped into a few church members and our conversation revolved around how 21 years after my "O" levels, I'm still giving tuition for subjects which I can barely remember and some which I never took. In a sms conversation later to a mentoree, I was asked how I could still remember the stuff to be able to effectively tutor. My reply was simple; I either relearn and try my best so I can avail myself to help the failing youth understand what he can or I live own self-centred life and close a blind eye to let him fail life on his own.
We can only do so much in life, but it is in-built in me to do as much as I can to help whoever comes before me. I did wish last night, that the mid 20's would take over what I do so I don't have to labour just as hard as I did 10 years ago. In fact, I would confess that the labouring is harder now than it is in the past and as I tutored in a mentally exhausted mode, I really wished many whom I've taught would have learnt to pour out time and effort to assist the generation below them and now just walk only with their eyes facing forward and forgetting to glance behind at those behind them. The fact of life is, we will be required to walk faithfully in all the days of our lives and despite what many may declare, the days we are given are meant to be a blessing to the needy, the poor, destitute and not for our own selfish pleasures.
I do look forward to going to Heaven, in fact as soon as I can. Call it escapism because it is. I would no longer need to labour so hard, and can just revel in a perfect place. But until that fateful day happens, I would always be mindful to live faithfully and be what I can to all I have until I am no more. I hope you will too.
M.
Enoch walked faithfully with God; then he was no more, because God took him away.
As I logged into facebook, the alert showed that today is the birthday of a young man who has passed on and is now in heaven. It is the day of his 25th birthday and as I clicked onto his page, I couldn't help but feel a sense of heart-brokenness that he only lived a short life and never was allowed to continue the journey of life.
Yet, I also take heart that he left at the apex of his life, living a good and right life which makes his short life a blessing. Today, he's in heaven and I couldn't ask for anything more because the Lord knows the best time to take someone home.
Yesterday as I sat in a void deck teaching a 17 year old tuition for his coming "O" levels, I bumped into a few church members and our conversation revolved around how 21 years after my "O" levels, I'm still giving tuition for subjects which I can barely remember and some which I never took. In a sms conversation later to a mentoree, I was asked how I could still remember the stuff to be able to effectively tutor. My reply was simple; I either relearn and try my best so I can avail myself to help the failing youth understand what he can or I live own self-centred life and close a blind eye to let him fail life on his own.
We can only do so much in life, but it is in-built in me to do as much as I can to help whoever comes before me. I did wish last night, that the mid 20's would take over what I do so I don't have to labour just as hard as I did 10 years ago. In fact, I would confess that the labouring is harder now than it is in the past and as I tutored in a mentally exhausted mode, I really wished many whom I've taught would have learnt to pour out time and effort to assist the generation below them and now just walk only with their eyes facing forward and forgetting to glance behind at those behind them. The fact of life is, we will be required to walk faithfully in all the days of our lives and despite what many may declare, the days we are given are meant to be a blessing to the needy, the poor, destitute and not for our own selfish pleasures.
I do look forward to going to Heaven, in fact as soon as I can. Call it escapism because it is. I would no longer need to labour so hard, and can just revel in a perfect place. But until that fateful day happens, I would always be mindful to live faithfully and be what I can to all I have until I am no more. I hope you will too.
M.
09 October 2012
When a soul is saved
Psalms 68:20
Our God is a God who saves; from the Sovereign LORD comes escape from death.
Saturday, I rushed back to take over the program and in the midst of it all, 2 leaders had to leave the program because of the passing of a family member.
Left in the lurch and rather unprepared to teach the entire lesson, I taught out of what I knew as I raced to read the bible study and merit. Everything went well and the kids were their usual chatty, noisy selves.
What struck me next as we were going to play games was when a 11 year old approached me to say that he is ready to accept the Lord. That left me stunned as you do not regularly hear of this, more so when it is a community kid who approaches you and ready to want to be saved.
More stunned, than excited, I clarified with him if he knew what he was requesting and got him to repeat with me a simple sinner's prayer. In the midst of the crowded room, we prayed and there and then, he was saved.
As we planned for RR in 2012, and did everything knowing it was to reach, teach and keep. It was never in our mind to intentionally ask the kids if they wanted to be saved. Yet, for a child to hungrily desire to be saved is really an exciting evidence of God at work.
I'm still rather stunned at the incident, but I'm really grateful that God always reaches out to save those, even when we aren't working hard to do a better job for Him. May you and I who are older know how precious our salvation is. Treasure it and live a faithful life.
God be praised.
M.
Our God is a God who saves; from the Sovereign LORD comes escape from death.
Saturday, I rushed back to take over the program and in the midst of it all, 2 leaders had to leave the program because of the passing of a family member.
Left in the lurch and rather unprepared to teach the entire lesson, I taught out of what I knew as I raced to read the bible study and merit. Everything went well and the kids were their usual chatty, noisy selves.
What struck me next as we were going to play games was when a 11 year old approached me to say that he is ready to accept the Lord. That left me stunned as you do not regularly hear of this, more so when it is a community kid who approaches you and ready to want to be saved.
More stunned, than excited, I clarified with him if he knew what he was requesting and got him to repeat with me a simple sinner's prayer. In the midst of the crowded room, we prayed and there and then, he was saved.
As we planned for RR in 2012, and did everything knowing it was to reach, teach and keep. It was never in our mind to intentionally ask the kids if they wanted to be saved. Yet, for a child to hungrily desire to be saved is really an exciting evidence of God at work.
I'm still rather stunned at the incident, but I'm really grateful that God always reaches out to save those, even when we aren't working hard to do a better job for Him. May you and I who are older know how precious our salvation is. Treasure it and live a faithful life.
God be praised.
M.