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)
30 December 2006
Blessed
Matthew 5:4
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
I've been tormented many times this year. Never in my entire 7+ years since graduation have I attended so many rounds of interview for prospective jobs just to face rejections after rejections.
I've also been blessed many times this year. Never in my life have I had the joy to travel to so many countries to experience a spectrum of holidays, missions and work.
As we started the year of 2006, this song was adopted as our key Psalm:
Into your hands I commit again, with all I am for You Lord.
You hold my world in the palm of Your hands and I am Yours Forever
Jesus, I believe in You
Jesus, I belong to You
You’re the reason that I live
The reason that I sing
With all I am.
I walk with You wherever You will go
Through tears and joy I’ll trust in You
And I will live in all of Your ways
And Your promises forever
Today, as I end off the last working day of 2006 and reflect upon the entire year, I'm co-incidentally also ending it by attend an interview (How totally bizarre~). Regardless of how that interview goes, I'm grateful to have the chance to walk this year's journey of sky-high ups and abysmal downs.
Like the song lyrics which says "I walk with You wherever You will go. Through tears and joy I’ll trust in You". I felt this living reality throughout my life this year. This year has been momentous to me and I cannot but be astounded at how amazing God has been for me and the things which I held dear. Even the multiple job rejections cannot overwhelm the goodness which I experienced.
I'm sure the depressing matters and personal failures which I went through in 2006 could have been removed and the year would have been a year of tremendous highs. However, I'm also inclined to believe that, like Jacob, I need to have a permanent handicap limp in order for me to rely on God in all the things that I do.
In 2006, I cannot but be grateful to God for everything under the sun, both good and bad which I've experienced. For all the wretched seasons which made me mourn, I'm blessed that there were seasons after that which comforted me and made me smile. Truly, in God's divine sovereignty, there is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven.
It has been a GREAT year and I give all the glory to God. I pray you will too.
M.
"Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me:Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the LORD? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain."(Proverbs 30:8-9)
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
I've been tormented many times this year. Never in my entire 7+ years since graduation have I attended so many rounds of interview for prospective jobs just to face rejections after rejections.
I've also been blessed many times this year. Never in my life have I had the joy to travel to so many countries to experience a spectrum of holidays, missions and work.
As we started the year of 2006, this song was adopted as our key Psalm:
Into your hands I commit again, with all I am for You Lord.
You hold my world in the palm of Your hands and I am Yours Forever
Jesus, I believe in You
Jesus, I belong to You
You’re the reason that I live
The reason that I sing
With all I am.
I walk with You wherever You will go
Through tears and joy I’ll trust in You
And I will live in all of Your ways
And Your promises forever
Today, as I end off the last working day of 2006 and reflect upon the entire year, I'm co-incidentally also ending it by attend an interview (How totally bizarre~). Regardless of how that interview goes, I'm grateful to have the chance to walk this year's journey of sky-high ups and abysmal downs.
Like the song lyrics which says "I walk with You wherever You will go. Through tears and joy I’ll trust in You". I felt this living reality throughout my life this year. This year has been momentous to me and I cannot but be astounded at how amazing God has been for me and the things which I held dear. Even the multiple job rejections cannot overwhelm the goodness which I experienced.
I'm sure the depressing matters and personal failures which I went through in 2006 could have been removed and the year would have been a year of tremendous highs. However, I'm also inclined to believe that, like Jacob, I need to have a permanent handicap limp in order for me to rely on God in all the things that I do.
In 2006, I cannot but be grateful to God for everything under the sun, both good and bad which I've experienced. For all the wretched seasons which made me mourn, I'm blessed that there were seasons after that which comforted me and made me smile. Truly, in God's divine sovereignty, there is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven.
It has been a GREAT year and I give all the glory to God. I pray you will too.
M.
"Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me:Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the LORD? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain."(Proverbs 30:8-9)
28 December 2006
Post Christmas
Matthew 2:11
On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh.
After all the hustle and bustle of Christmas, its really nice to be able to rest - financially and physically. Christmas is always such an exciting festive month, and I truely love Christmas. It's a time to love and be loved. But it's also a tremendously exhausting time as we get excited by the commercialisation of gift buying and endless church activities and joyous social gatherings.
This week as the dust from the flurry of activities settles down from the Christmas long weekend and as I plug in my latest headphones at work, a sense of calmness surrounds me as I listen to my daily dose of christian music. Only then do I calm down and feel that this was what my heart desired - the peace and serenity which was present at the first Christmas.
On that night, the birth of our saviour was a low key event with no parties, no merry making, only the unglamourous serenity of manger which saw visitors such as the Shepherds and the wisemen. Wisemen who came to the lowly, miserable manger and fell in worship at the sight of baby Jesus, simply because it was their hearts mission to seek out the Saviour.
David writes in Psalms 27:4 : "One thing I ask of the LORD,this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple."
After all the merriment of fellowship and joyous celebrations, may you take heed to seek out the Saviour's presence alone. Then would you be able to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and your soul would acquire rest and strength for the new year.
blessings,
M.
When the centurion, who was standing right in front of Him, saw the way He breathed His last, he said, "Truly this man was the Son of God!" (Mark 15:39)
On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh.
After all the hustle and bustle of Christmas, its really nice to be able to rest - financially and physically. Christmas is always such an exciting festive month, and I truely love Christmas. It's a time to love and be loved. But it's also a tremendously exhausting time as we get excited by the commercialisation of gift buying and endless church activities and joyous social gatherings.
This week as the dust from the flurry of activities settles down from the Christmas long weekend and as I plug in my latest headphones at work, a sense of calmness surrounds me as I listen to my daily dose of christian music. Only then do I calm down and feel that this was what my heart desired - the peace and serenity which was present at the first Christmas.
On that night, the birth of our saviour was a low key event with no parties, no merry making, only the unglamourous serenity of manger which saw visitors such as the Shepherds and the wisemen. Wisemen who came to the lowly, miserable manger and fell in worship at the sight of baby Jesus, simply because it was their hearts mission to seek out the Saviour.
David writes in Psalms 27:4 : "One thing I ask of the LORD,this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple."
After all the merriment of fellowship and joyous celebrations, may you take heed to seek out the Saviour's presence alone. Then would you be able to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and your soul would acquire rest and strength for the new year.
blessings,
M.
When the centurion, who was standing right in front of Him, saw the way He breathed His last, he said, "Truly this man was the Son of God!" (Mark 15:39)
17 December 2006
Hear! (with your Ears)
Matthew 11:15 / Matthew 13:9 / Matthew 13:43
"He who has ears, let him hear."
The books of Matthew & Luke records Jesus making this consistent statement for a total of three times.
The first mention of this statement was when Jesus proclaimed to the crowd that John the Baptist was indeed the man who had been prophesised by the Old Testament Prophets and the law. The second and third mention was made as Jesus warned the people through the parable of the sower to the people and when He challenged his disciples with the parable of the weeds.
I first heard of this statement at the age of 16 as I was studying for my bible knowledge lesson. It then became a a nice quotable piece to use whenever equally stubborn teenage friends refused to listen. Secondly, it also became an official reason to say "I told you so", when something did happen later because no one heeded instructions. But today, some 15 years later, I am starting to understand the tone of the statement and see the reality of this statement.
Like the people and disciple which Jesus spoke to, we are as deaf and lazy ear-ed as them. I cannot emphasise how frustratingly deaf many (or all) of us are. Even though we have physical ears that can pick up sounds, sadly, it is as Prophet Isaiah says "'You will be ever hearing but never understanding".
The simple evidence of this is through our lives as we often don't translate the important principles of God. Effective hearing or listening comes so rarely in some of our lives that our ears are incredibly unproductive tools, underutilised for its purpose. I speak even for myself when I review the 49 weeks which have passed in this year and realised that there have been somethings which I heard but have been extremely deaf to listen and followed obediently.
To the youths:
Can you consider your past 49 weeks of school, family and church life and recall what you heard and what you did? Similiar to the proclamations, warnings and challenges told by Jesus in his 3 different context, were there not Godly proclamations, warnings and challenges which were instructed upon your lives?
To the adults:
Can you similarly consider your life in the past 49 weeks and measure where your spiritual condition is today? Have there not been Godly proclamations, warnings and challenges which were spoken to your lives but you simple did not heed? Are you still going somewhere with God?
In this festive Christmasy weeks of rushing about to get gifts for all our loved ones and enjoy ourselves in celebration gatherings, we must not let Christmas go past in vain.
I always feel that many of us live superficial lives during the December period. Often we focus on the love, fun and fellowship during Christmas and then turn sombre as watchnight approaches and we start realising the failures and ineffectiveness of our lives through personal evaluation & conviction.
I truely love Christmas. It's my favourite season of the year because its a time where I take the time to plan and then buy presents to those whom I hold dear. But its also the time which I take stock to evaluate the lives of each individual's life and its impact on mine. The most enduring moments is the time which I write my Christmas card blessings for each present. Then I can testify that the individual has indeed witnessed a move of God in his/her life and has experienced Godly encounters which has moulded and groom him/her for the better.
But before we celebrate Christmas and go overboard with cheerful festive spirit that masks our actual conditions, can we stop to ask ourselves if our lives are indeed going in God's direction or if we are going nowhere. Have you chosen to not hear the Saviour's instructions for your life and simply gone through this year without experiencing a breakthrough. It may not be a powerful uplifting high that we are talking about. Perhaps, you were instructed to get yourself right, to perservere in what you are doing, to die to self and yet stay rooted in faithfulness, to sacrifice your time for a cause, to stay energised because you were to achieve great things through greater challenges...etc.
Hear and hear well! Christmas is not a time of joyous celebrations only. In fact, the first Christmas was spent in a quiet manger as Shepards and Magi quietly beheld the salvation of mankind and saw hope for their lives. What about you?
Don't get mired up in running about, wrapping presents and doing social stuff because you want to avoid coming face to face with God in your life. I rather wished you would experience Christmas like the Magi and Shepards. That you would hear with your ears the constant call of my Saviour on your life, and to go back to behold God's renewed hope for your life. It'll be worth more than any Christmas gift.
blessings and with love,
M.
"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace." (Isaiah 9:6)
"He who has ears, let him hear."
The books of Matthew & Luke records Jesus making this consistent statement for a total of three times.
The first mention of this statement was when Jesus proclaimed to the crowd that John the Baptist was indeed the man who had been prophesised by the Old Testament Prophets and the law. The second and third mention was made as Jesus warned the people through the parable of the sower to the people and when He challenged his disciples with the parable of the weeds.
I first heard of this statement at the age of 16 as I was studying for my bible knowledge lesson. It then became a a nice quotable piece to use whenever equally stubborn teenage friends refused to listen. Secondly, it also became an official reason to say "I told you so", when something did happen later because no one heeded instructions. But today, some 15 years later, I am starting to understand the tone of the statement and see the reality of this statement.
Like the people and disciple which Jesus spoke to, we are as deaf and lazy ear-ed as them. I cannot emphasise how frustratingly deaf many (or all) of us are. Even though we have physical ears that can pick up sounds, sadly, it is as Prophet Isaiah says "'You will be ever hearing but never understanding".
The simple evidence of this is through our lives as we often don't translate the important principles of God. Effective hearing or listening comes so rarely in some of our lives that our ears are incredibly unproductive tools, underutilised for its purpose. I speak even for myself when I review the 49 weeks which have passed in this year and realised that there have been somethings which I heard but have been extremely deaf to listen and followed obediently.
To the youths:
Can you consider your past 49 weeks of school, family and church life and recall what you heard and what you did? Similiar to the proclamations, warnings and challenges told by Jesus in his 3 different context, were there not Godly proclamations, warnings and challenges which were instructed upon your lives?
To the adults:
Can you similarly consider your life in the past 49 weeks and measure where your spiritual condition is today? Have there not been Godly proclamations, warnings and challenges which were spoken to your lives but you simple did not heed? Are you still going somewhere with God?
In this festive Christmasy weeks of rushing about to get gifts for all our loved ones and enjoy ourselves in celebration gatherings, we must not let Christmas go past in vain.
I always feel that many of us live superficial lives during the December period. Often we focus on the love, fun and fellowship during Christmas and then turn sombre as watchnight approaches and we start realising the failures and ineffectiveness of our lives through personal evaluation & conviction.
I truely love Christmas. It's my favourite season of the year because its a time where I take the time to plan and then buy presents to those whom I hold dear. But its also the time which I take stock to evaluate the lives of each individual's life and its impact on mine. The most enduring moments is the time which I write my Christmas card blessings for each present. Then I can testify that the individual has indeed witnessed a move of God in his/her life and has experienced Godly encounters which has moulded and groom him/her for the better.
But before we celebrate Christmas and go overboard with cheerful festive spirit that masks our actual conditions, can we stop to ask ourselves if our lives are indeed going in God's direction or if we are going nowhere. Have you chosen to not hear the Saviour's instructions for your life and simply gone through this year without experiencing a breakthrough. It may not be a powerful uplifting high that we are talking about. Perhaps, you were instructed to get yourself right, to perservere in what you are doing, to die to self and yet stay rooted in faithfulness, to sacrifice your time for a cause, to stay energised because you were to achieve great things through greater challenges...etc.
Hear and hear well! Christmas is not a time of joyous celebrations only. In fact, the first Christmas was spent in a quiet manger as Shepards and Magi quietly beheld the salvation of mankind and saw hope for their lives. What about you?
Don't get mired up in running about, wrapping presents and doing social stuff because you want to avoid coming face to face with God in your life. I rather wished you would experience Christmas like the Magi and Shepards. That you would hear with your ears the constant call of my Saviour on your life, and to go back to behold God's renewed hope for your life. It'll be worth more than any Christmas gift.
blessings and with love,
M.
"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace." (Isaiah 9:6)