1 Kings 20:23
Then the servants of the king of Syria said to him, “Their gods
are gods of the hills. Therefore they were stronger than we; but if we
fight against them in the plain, surely we will be stronger than they.
I read this in a e-devotion and was so encouraged to be reminded that even in our valley seasons, God is there for us to have victory.
Sometimes we just need to be refreshed by the living truth found in God's word. However awful the season, however low and doubtful we can be, we need to be reassured that God isn't away from us in the lows of life.
Why are we in the lows, I cannot explain. What I can take faith is He's the lord of the rain as much as He's the lord of the sunshine and that itself is why we need to tell ourselves in simple faith, even if we beat ourselves for our negative doubts, that God never leaves us. We may be unfaithful, but He will never be. That's why He's full of grace beyond our understanding.
Take heart, strength for the lows of your journey is always provided by the God of the hills and valleys.
blessings,
M.
29 April 2013
15 April 2013
We're valued
Matthew 6:26
Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?
Life is a constant worry.
I cannot state how I'm always worried and concerned for others. I may not show it, but as age catches up, I do spend more time thinking about others now that I'm stable in my career and work. For others I know, they are worrying about medical health, changing jobs or even work issues.
As I walked to work today, I walked pass a small mynah who didn't fly away even though I was just stepping beside. That got me thinking because my mind was just thinking of a couple of individuals whom I've not heard from and my mind was racing with worries.
For such a time like this, I'm grateful that God values those I think about more than the birds that he feeds. It may sound silly, but I sometimes feel that I need to move the hand of God and imagine His passively not doing anything for those who are so distanced from God. Yet, this could not be further from the truth of who God is and how He is more concerned and involved than I am.
So into God's hand, I hand my worries over and claim a promise of restoration over those I think about much.
M.
Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?
Life is a constant worry.
I cannot state how I'm always worried and concerned for others. I may not show it, but as age catches up, I do spend more time thinking about others now that I'm stable in my career and work. For others I know, they are worrying about medical health, changing jobs or even work issues.
As I walked to work today, I walked pass a small mynah who didn't fly away even though I was just stepping beside. That got me thinking because my mind was just thinking of a couple of individuals whom I've not heard from and my mind was racing with worries.
For such a time like this, I'm grateful that God values those I think about more than the birds that he feeds. It may sound silly, but I sometimes feel that I need to move the hand of God and imagine His passively not doing anything for those who are so distanced from God. Yet, this could not be further from the truth of who God is and how He is more concerned and involved than I am.
So into God's hand, I hand my worries over and claim a promise of restoration over those I think about much.
M.
09 April 2013
Do you see Him as Lord
Mark 10:17
As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. “Good teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
The rich young man was to many, one who failed to give all he had to God. What I found interesting was how he only saw Jesus as a good teacher.
Scholars have recognised that the rich young man recognizes that Jesus speaks with authority when preaching. This young person did not come upon Jesus; rather he ran to Jesus giving homage by falling to his knees, and addressing Jesus as teacher.
The fact of the matter is, even though the young man fell on his knees and recognised Jesus authority in preaching, he doesn't see Him as Lord of his life. Thus, he found it hard to give up his life's entitlement when Jesus challenged him to sell everything he had to follow Christ.
What about you? Is your relationship with God based on a learning perspective, convenience or great experiences only? Will you willingly give up the rights of your life just to follow Christ. It may sound extremist, but He's not asking you to be homeless, starving or fanatical. The plans of God when we surrender the rights to our life is for us to live for His glory.
What will you willingly do to inherit eternal life?
M.
As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. “Good teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
The rich young man was to many, one who failed to give all he had to God. What I found interesting was how he only saw Jesus as a good teacher.
Scholars have recognised that the rich young man recognizes that Jesus speaks with authority when preaching. This young person did not come upon Jesus; rather he ran to Jesus giving homage by falling to his knees, and addressing Jesus as teacher.
The fact of the matter is, even though the young man fell on his knees and recognised Jesus authority in preaching, he doesn't see Him as Lord of his life. Thus, he found it hard to give up his life's entitlement when Jesus challenged him to sell everything he had to follow Christ.
What about you? Is your relationship with God based on a learning perspective, convenience or great experiences only? Will you willingly give up the rights of your life just to follow Christ. It may sound extremist, but He's not asking you to be homeless, starving or fanatical. The plans of God when we surrender the rights to our life is for us to live for His glory.
What will you willingly do to inherit eternal life?
M.
01 April 2013
He is risen indeed
Luke 24:34
"Saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon."
Historians tell us that the early Christians used to greet each other with the standard greeting of "He is risen, He is risen indeed". This was an encouragement of the glorious fact that Jesus rose from the dead and a living hope to them.
What is significant of this passage is the fact that Jesus had appeared to Simon Peter first, before he did to any of the other disciples - even before John the beloved. Simon Peter was one of the first disciple and was in the inner circle of Christ. However, he was also the one who denied Christ and was likely to be in great guilt for all he had done to turn away as Christ was persecuted. So imagine all his feelings when the resurrected Christ appears to him. I can imagine him wanting to run away, yet also being unable to do anything but to crumble before Christ because of the unfailing love that he would have felt.
Shame and guilt are terrible emotions which makes us shrink away from everyone, even those who we know care for us. But such is the loving nature of Christ, who loves us despite His nature to hate sins. He will never shirk away from us and would do His utmost to always reach out to us, even if it needs Him to appear before us to testify of His love.
I can never fully grasp the amazing grace and goodness of God because He always demonstrates the supernatural ability to step forward to us and tell us of His unfailing love for us, even when we think we should be beating ourselves down and hiding away. This, however, is the unmerited grace that God grants because of His agape love for us, His creation.
This easter weekend, may we encounter Christ's appearance in our lives as Simon Peter did, because He loves us too much.
M.
"Saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon."
Historians tell us that the early Christians used to greet each other with the standard greeting of "He is risen, He is risen indeed". This was an encouragement of the glorious fact that Jesus rose from the dead and a living hope to them.
What is significant of this passage is the fact that Jesus had appeared to Simon Peter first, before he did to any of the other disciples - even before John the beloved. Simon Peter was one of the first disciple and was in the inner circle of Christ. However, he was also the one who denied Christ and was likely to be in great guilt for all he had done to turn away as Christ was persecuted. So imagine all his feelings when the resurrected Christ appears to him. I can imagine him wanting to run away, yet also being unable to do anything but to crumble before Christ because of the unfailing love that he would have felt.
Shame and guilt are terrible emotions which makes us shrink away from everyone, even those who we know care for us. But such is the loving nature of Christ, who loves us despite His nature to hate sins. He will never shirk away from us and would do His utmost to always reach out to us, even if it needs Him to appear before us to testify of His love.
I can never fully grasp the amazing grace and goodness of God because He always demonstrates the supernatural ability to step forward to us and tell us of His unfailing love for us, even when we think we should be beating ourselves down and hiding away. This, however, is the unmerited grace that God grants because of His agape love for us, His creation.
This easter weekend, may we encounter Christ's appearance in our lives as Simon Peter did, because He loves us too much.
M.