Jeremiah 10:23
"The way of man is not in himself; it is not in man that walks to direct his steps"
Every parent always falls into the trap of benchmarking their kids with others. We all grew up somehow realising that we can never seem to be the smartest kid because when we get 99%, there's always someone who gets 100%. Even when we obtain a perfect score, we'll be told that its a good job but it must have been an easy paper or asked how many others have obtained similiar perfect scores.
Sadly, it results in us having in-built systems of always comparing with everything and everyone. Alternatively, we end up striving to as high a standard as possible and base it upon our wishful aspirations. Want some proof? How much money would you say you would like to earn per month in order to live a contented lifestyle? What would you consider contented anyway? The answer for these 2 questions which most of us would provide would go on and on endlessly. We know that we should be contented with anything we have, but we still do aspire for more anyway.
The word of God tells us that our standards, our direction, our way must be found outside of ourselves in Jesus Christ. There is nothing within man to give him a true sense of direction. So there is really no point trying to compare our life with equally flawed individuals. Until we align our hearts to God's Word, we will never find what our soul seeks more than anything else: peace with God and true fulfillment in life, living under His Lordship and the Sovereignty of His will!
Technically, we lower the standards when we benchmark our intentions and behaviours with what we consider to be the right thing to do or the rationalise our thinking by our intelligence. Therefore, may we remember that the only benchmark we need to have before us should be following God's standards and His words. What is it? "Be Holy for I am a Holy God"
blessings,
M.
"Thy Word is a lamp unto thy feet and a light unto thy path" (Psalm 119:105).
24 March 2008
23 March 2008
Your Legacy
2 Corinthians 4:17-18
"For our light affliction, which is but a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal"
It has been a good 4 to 6 weeks which I've been unable to post anything due to crazy life of 3 weeks of reservist, 1 week of work and 1 week of Ranger's national camp. The most ironical part of my absence being that I had met up with my 2nd and newly set up discipleship group and I mentioned that posting each posts was very important as it allowed me to find and self discover scriptures. Needless to say, after making pledges to be faithful, I'm overwhelmed by life's challenges and I can't even step up to fulfil the fresh pledge. I can only sigh at the frailities of myself and how it's really challenging to stand up to life's crazy schedules.
Nonetheless, it's really time to pick up the pieces and continue.
Just 30m mins ago, I was just reading an email subscription which I get from Saddleback church. The topic was about Leaving a Legacy. As I read on, it stated this fact, "Every great and godly legacy starts with one person. Someone who says, "Enough is enough." No more pointless pain. No more tolerance for the deceitful, destructive, and dysfunctional lifestyle. Time to reverse the curse. Will that someone be you?"
Today during the Easter sunday service, Sis/Aunty Mabel gave a long sharing as a sunday school teacher that the kids which she taught in her early days are today parents and grown adults. Then, she nicely pointed out that I was her student (a terror in those days) and as I grew, I ended up as a teacher and mentor to her son. Something which she would have never imagined when she first taught me coz I was a real "Bart Simpson terror" child.
Many of us in church may be the one called to be a trailblazer that plows a path for the generations to come. In our human perspective, we really can't see that far. Everything seems temporary and the present would be overwhelming as we view in doubt and look at the surmounting crazy issues of life before us.
Perhaps there will not be signs along the way for us to follow. Our promise from the scriptures is that only God goes before us and during our journey we may feel alone, but we need to be assured that many will follow. What's worrying is that some of us may not endure long enough to faithfully finish our leg of the race!
With a generational view, we need to note that we were created to be part of an ongoing heritage and what life throws at us is trivial when we view it with an eternal perspective. Every lap we run with integrity and intensity will help those who begin where we end. It's really similiar to our earthly reasons for slogging hard to leave behind a financial blessing to our offsprings someday when we pass away.
Therefore, I pray that we will come to discover that running this race in life is not just about winning, but about finishing your leg of the race that would impact the next generation after you- albeit of your offsprings and/or the spiritual offsprings which come behind you.
blessings,
M.
"It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees" (Psalm 119:71 )
"For our light affliction, which is but a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal"
It has been a good 4 to 6 weeks which I've been unable to post anything due to crazy life of 3 weeks of reservist, 1 week of work and 1 week of Ranger's national camp. The most ironical part of my absence being that I had met up with my 2nd and newly set up discipleship group and I mentioned that posting each posts was very important as it allowed me to find and self discover scriptures. Needless to say, after making pledges to be faithful, I'm overwhelmed by life's challenges and I can't even step up to fulfil the fresh pledge. I can only sigh at the frailities of myself and how it's really challenging to stand up to life's crazy schedules.
Nonetheless, it's really time to pick up the pieces and continue.
Just 30m mins ago, I was just reading an email subscription which I get from Saddleback church. The topic was about Leaving a Legacy. As I read on, it stated this fact, "Every great and godly legacy starts with one person. Someone who says, "Enough is enough." No more pointless pain. No more tolerance for the deceitful, destructive, and dysfunctional lifestyle. Time to reverse the curse. Will that someone be you?"
Today during the Easter sunday service, Sis/Aunty Mabel gave a long sharing as a sunday school teacher that the kids which she taught in her early days are today parents and grown adults. Then, she nicely pointed out that I was her student (a terror in those days) and as I grew, I ended up as a teacher and mentor to her son. Something which she would have never imagined when she first taught me coz I was a real "Bart Simpson terror" child.
Many of us in church may be the one called to be a trailblazer that plows a path for the generations to come. In our human perspective, we really can't see that far. Everything seems temporary and the present would be overwhelming as we view in doubt and look at the surmounting crazy issues of life before us.
Perhaps there will not be signs along the way for us to follow. Our promise from the scriptures is that only God goes before us and during our journey we may feel alone, but we need to be assured that many will follow. What's worrying is that some of us may not endure long enough to faithfully finish our leg of the race!
With a generational view, we need to note that we were created to be part of an ongoing heritage and what life throws at us is trivial when we view it with an eternal perspective. Every lap we run with integrity and intensity will help those who begin where we end. It's really similiar to our earthly reasons for slogging hard to leave behind a financial blessing to our offsprings someday when we pass away.
Therefore, I pray that we will come to discover that running this race in life is not just about winning, but about finishing your leg of the race that would impact the next generation after you- albeit of your offsprings and/or the spiritual offsprings which come behind you.
blessings,
M.
"It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees" (Psalm 119:71 )
05 February 2008
Money.
Genesis 17 :13
"A servant who is born in your house or who is bought with your money shall surely be circumcised; thus shall My covenant be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant.
Last saturday was one of those rare Saturdays which I was able to attend service because I wasn't needed to help out in Living Springs. During the sermon, Ps Alvin asked this question to everyone, "what would make you happy?".
When questioned, 'money' was one of the immediate answers that was volunteered. I must say that I was rather disgusted with the honest answer and am still rather repulsed by the bluntness by which it revealed the spirit behind it all. I'm not asking for a politically correct answer like good health, but I did wish for a righteous answer that would arise from people who really sought for the right thing. Simply because the mouth only speaks/proclaims what comes from the overflow of the heart, so if the spirit of all was right, the answer would be too.
We will always need money, good grades, companionship, favour and everything that would make this life's existence better. But beyond that, we're only here for a temporal purpose. When I read the above verse, I'm reminded that we are like the slaves of Abraham purchased for a price. The differnnce is we have been purchased by something worth more than money - the blood of Christ. How can any of us in church therefore feel that we are lacking in wealth to make us happier then? If your instinctive answer to happiness is something earthly, may the Lord circumcise your heart and let you know who you belong to.
With a microcosmic and earthly mentality to life, it's really no wonder why so few live victorious lives. If we're only focusing on money and worldly stuff to bring us meaning in life, then I think life is really sad and the life that we are tasked to live as a Child of God is really an underperforming one.
This was my answer to the question: "I wish that all my Rangers live an amazing God fearing life that fulfils the destiny and potential that I glimpsed. That they would grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ until the day they make it through heaven's gate."
May you recognise that just as Abraham's slaves and family were promised God's everlasting covenant, so is your life. But until you decide to seek therefore the kingdom of God, you'll never grasp the concept of how your life is to be full of joy and abundance.
blessings,
M.
And He said to them, "When I sent you out without money belt and bag and sandals, you did not lack anything, did you?" They said, "No, nothing." (Luke 22:35)
"A servant who is born in your house or who is bought with your money shall surely be circumcised; thus shall My covenant be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant.
Last saturday was one of those rare Saturdays which I was able to attend service because I wasn't needed to help out in Living Springs. During the sermon, Ps Alvin asked this question to everyone, "what would make you happy?".
When questioned, 'money' was one of the immediate answers that was volunteered. I must say that I was rather disgusted with the honest answer and am still rather repulsed by the bluntness by which it revealed the spirit behind it all. I'm not asking for a politically correct answer like good health, but I did wish for a righteous answer that would arise from people who really sought for the right thing. Simply because the mouth only speaks/proclaims what comes from the overflow of the heart, so if the spirit of all was right, the answer would be too.
We will always need money, good grades, companionship, favour and everything that would make this life's existence better. But beyond that, we're only here for a temporal purpose. When I read the above verse, I'm reminded that we are like the slaves of Abraham purchased for a price. The differnnce is we have been purchased by something worth more than money - the blood of Christ. How can any of us in church therefore feel that we are lacking in wealth to make us happier then? If your instinctive answer to happiness is something earthly, may the Lord circumcise your heart and let you know who you belong to.
With a microcosmic and earthly mentality to life, it's really no wonder why so few live victorious lives. If we're only focusing on money and worldly stuff to bring us meaning in life, then I think life is really sad and the life that we are tasked to live as a Child of God is really an underperforming one.
This was my answer to the question: "I wish that all my Rangers live an amazing God fearing life that fulfils the destiny and potential that I glimpsed. That they would grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ until the day they make it through heaven's gate."
May you recognise that just as Abraham's slaves and family were promised God's everlasting covenant, so is your life. But until you decide to seek therefore the kingdom of God, you'll never grasp the concept of how your life is to be full of joy and abundance.
blessings,
M.
And He said to them, "When I sent you out without money belt and bag and sandals, you did not lack anything, did you?" They said, "No, nothing." (Luke 22:35)
04 February 2008
God First
2 Samuel 6:2, 3
"He and all his men set out from Baalah of Judah to bring up from there the ark of God....They set the ark of God on a new cart."
We all know the story of Uzzah who was struck dead when he put forth his hand to the ark of God when the cart stumbled. It is important to note the cause of this sitaution was because David did not do the right thing.
When David sought to move the ark of God, nothing is said of David "seeking the Lord." He did what he did with good intentions and on his own planning. But, the act of moving the ark of God was a very solemn and sacred occasion that must be observed by the explicit directions God had given.
In today's context, we don't have the ark of God to move, however should we also not tread carefully what we do for God and for our lives? If God's blessing is not sought before we start, how can it be rightly expected? If prayer does not precede our best actions, what will they amount to? If, in any of our ways, God does not have "preeminence," we should not be surprised if they lead to disaster.
David's desire was holy, his purpose was pure, his objective to honor God was proper, but he went about it in the ways of man rather than following the precepts of God, and the results were devastating. It is not sufficient to have a worthy purpose and a proper spirit; the work of God and our walk with God must be done in God's prescribed way. Anything other than that is but the expression of self-will.
I am reminded today of the many times which we errorneously live our lives ahead of God. Just like the way we say grace for our meals; "thank you God for the food, bless it in Jesus name, amen".How often do we practice such a prayer in our lives as we plan what we want to do and then throw in a prayer later to ask God to cover or bless our decisions.
May you and I awake to the reality that God is not a backseat driver of our lives, nor does He serve the role of blessing what we pray for. Our heavenly father loves to have us seek Him first ahead of any small or big decisions that we will undertake, however small or unimportant it is.
blessings,
M.
Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life." (John 8:1212 )
"He and all his men set out from Baalah of Judah to bring up from there the ark of God....They set the ark of God on a new cart."
We all know the story of Uzzah who was struck dead when he put forth his hand to the ark of God when the cart stumbled. It is important to note the cause of this sitaution was because David did not do the right thing.
When David sought to move the ark of God, nothing is said of David "seeking the Lord." He did what he did with good intentions and on his own planning. But, the act of moving the ark of God was a very solemn and sacred occasion that must be observed by the explicit directions God had given.
In today's context, we don't have the ark of God to move, however should we also not tread carefully what we do for God and for our lives? If God's blessing is not sought before we start, how can it be rightly expected? If prayer does not precede our best actions, what will they amount to? If, in any of our ways, God does not have "preeminence," we should not be surprised if they lead to disaster.
David's desire was holy, his purpose was pure, his objective to honor God was proper, but he went about it in the ways of man rather than following the precepts of God, and the results were devastating. It is not sufficient to have a worthy purpose and a proper spirit; the work of God and our walk with God must be done in God's prescribed way. Anything other than that is but the expression of self-will.
I am reminded today of the many times which we errorneously live our lives ahead of God. Just like the way we say grace for our meals; "thank you God for the food, bless it in Jesus name, amen".How often do we practice such a prayer in our lives as we plan what we want to do and then throw in a prayer later to ask God to cover or bless our decisions.
May you and I awake to the reality that God is not a backseat driver of our lives, nor does He serve the role of blessing what we pray for. Our heavenly father loves to have us seek Him first ahead of any small or big decisions that we will undertake, however small or unimportant it is.
blessings,
M.
Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life." (John 8:1212 )
25 January 2008
Asking for More Rain
Zechariah 10:1
Ask ye of the LORD rain in the time of the latter rain; so the LORD shall make bright clouds, and give them showers of rain, to every one grass in the field.
Last sunday night this verse was shared in the 80 A/G anniversary dinner. It was an eye opening and factual encounter as I revelled in this available promise - To ask for rain in the time of the latter rain.
In the bible we hear about former and latter rain. The former refers to rain during autumn, which allows the farmer to plow the land and plant the seed. The latter rain is the rain that falls in spring and wets the ground, allowing the seed to break out of its shell and germinate.
Why ask for rain during the slated raining season? For us who often live through the wet monsoon days of december, it's really akin to asking for more rain in the ever rainy days. In the logical, we can only imagine it as a superfluous request since the monsoon will naturally already have lotsa rainy days.
When I heard this verse, a positive kiasu mentality took over me. Why didn't I think of it? How often it is that we in a contented mode assuming that things will happen the way it is meant to, afterall many times what more can we do? Like the song in "my fair lady' says : without your pushing and the tide comes in, without your twirling and the earth will spin.
However, in the things of God everything works differently. Especially when we see ourselves as a farmer awaiting the seeds which we have planted anad hope will come to complete fruition. Perhaps it is a life which we are interceeding for God's salvation, or it may be a promise of excelling well in life even as we faithfully do what we are called by God. I'm sure there are heaps of good stuff which we scatter like seeds and hope that it'll all come to pass someday and we can excitedly praise God for.
In this verse, I am reminded to not have a complacent attitude but rather to always have a persistant asking attitude. Afterall this verse clearly states our entitlement to ask the Lord for rain in the latter rain days. Don't get me wrong, it's not a bless me verse of asking and asking for everything under the sun and what we want. It's about us who have already done the "farming", "plowing" and "scattering" and are just now waiting. Don't wait passively and assume it'll be done. Let us open our mouths to ask for the Lord to bless all that has been done. For him to pour forth rain that would shower every single blade of grass in the field. Don't worry, there can never be so much rain from the Lord that it would drown/destroy the labour we have done.
May you learn to take up the due inheritance due to you and ask God to rain down on the works and promises which you are awaiting.
blessings,
M.
"Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain." ( James 5:7)
Ask ye of the LORD rain in the time of the latter rain; so the LORD shall make bright clouds, and give them showers of rain, to every one grass in the field.
Last sunday night this verse was shared in the 80 A/G anniversary dinner. It was an eye opening and factual encounter as I revelled in this available promise - To ask for rain in the time of the latter rain.
In the bible we hear about former and latter rain. The former refers to rain during autumn, which allows the farmer to plow the land and plant the seed. The latter rain is the rain that falls in spring and wets the ground, allowing the seed to break out of its shell and germinate.
Why ask for rain during the slated raining season? For us who often live through the wet monsoon days of december, it's really akin to asking for more rain in the ever rainy days. In the logical, we can only imagine it as a superfluous request since the monsoon will naturally already have lotsa rainy days.
When I heard this verse, a positive kiasu mentality took over me. Why didn't I think of it? How often it is that we in a contented mode assuming that things will happen the way it is meant to, afterall many times what more can we do? Like the song in "my fair lady' says : without your pushing and the tide comes in, without your twirling and the earth will spin.
However, in the things of God everything works differently. Especially when we see ourselves as a farmer awaiting the seeds which we have planted anad hope will come to complete fruition. Perhaps it is a life which we are interceeding for God's salvation, or it may be a promise of excelling well in life even as we faithfully do what we are called by God. I'm sure there are heaps of good stuff which we scatter like seeds and hope that it'll all come to pass someday and we can excitedly praise God for.
In this verse, I am reminded to not have a complacent attitude but rather to always have a persistant asking attitude. Afterall this verse clearly states our entitlement to ask the Lord for rain in the latter rain days. Don't get me wrong, it's not a bless me verse of asking and asking for everything under the sun and what we want. It's about us who have already done the "farming", "plowing" and "scattering" and are just now waiting. Don't wait passively and assume it'll be done. Let us open our mouths to ask for the Lord to bless all that has been done. For him to pour forth rain that would shower every single blade of grass in the field. Don't worry, there can never be so much rain from the Lord that it would drown/destroy the labour we have done.
May you learn to take up the due inheritance due to you and ask God to rain down on the works and promises which you are awaiting.
blessings,
M.
"Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain." ( James 5:7)
15 January 2008
Worship comes first.
Matthew 4:8-10
Again, the devil taketh him unto an exceeding high mountain, and showeth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them;and he said unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
I read this in a email devotional snippet and it raise one interesting point. That all service for Him is to flow out of worship. No worship=no service.
In Matthew 4, when Jesus was alone in the wilderness, the devil tempted him with all the material wealth and power. It must have been a tempting option as the journey Christ was to walk was one of servanthood and to serve and not be exalted. He could have been distracted by the promises but Jesus examplified to us the way out of life's distraction is to worship the Lord our God.
Worship lifts us from the miry perspective of our condition and self. As we lift our hands in surrender and choose to exault God above our situation and issues, nothing else on earth matters more. In fact, the soul feeds on glamour, pride and achievements, but during worship, our spirit in renewed and the soul's desire is religated.
As we move onwards into the weeks of this year, let us remember to come back to worship frequently - if possible, daily. Before we can serve God or even live through the secular days, worship must always come before. When the worship wanes, service to God and life becomes a drag and takes it's toll on us. We sigh more, sulk more, feel exhausted easily and walk with weary feet. Why? simply because the Holy Spirit does not energize our vision and persepective.
May you and I choose to life our eyes and hands in daily surrender as we worship the Almighty God. Then will we serve God and live life with vigour.
blessings,
M.
"He is your praise and He is your God, who has done these great and awesome things for you which your eyes have seen. "(Deuteronomy 10:21)
Again, the devil taketh him unto an exceeding high mountain, and showeth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them;and he said unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
I read this in a email devotional snippet and it raise one interesting point. That all service for Him is to flow out of worship. No worship=no service.
In Matthew 4, when Jesus was alone in the wilderness, the devil tempted him with all the material wealth and power. It must have been a tempting option as the journey Christ was to walk was one of servanthood and to serve and not be exalted. He could have been distracted by the promises but Jesus examplified to us the way out of life's distraction is to worship the Lord our God.
Worship lifts us from the miry perspective of our condition and self. As we lift our hands in surrender and choose to exault God above our situation and issues, nothing else on earth matters more. In fact, the soul feeds on glamour, pride and achievements, but during worship, our spirit in renewed and the soul's desire is religated.
As we move onwards into the weeks of this year, let us remember to come back to worship frequently - if possible, daily. Before we can serve God or even live through the secular days, worship must always come before. When the worship wanes, service to God and life becomes a drag and takes it's toll on us. We sigh more, sulk more, feel exhausted easily and walk with weary feet. Why? simply because the Holy Spirit does not energize our vision and persepective.
May you and I choose to life our eyes and hands in daily surrender as we worship the Almighty God. Then will we serve God and live life with vigour.
blessings,
M.
"He is your praise and He is your God, who has done these great and awesome things for you which your eyes have seen. "(Deuteronomy 10:21)
01 January 2008
Don't neglect the house of God in 2008
Nehemiah 10:39
The people of Israel, including the Levites, are to bring their contributions of grain, new wine and oil to the storerooms where the articles for the sanctuary are kept and where the ministering priests, the gatekeepers and the singers stay.
"We will not neglect the house of our God."
In a flash 2007 has gone and this is the first day of the new year. I'm not clear what the next 364 days would bring and how it would impact my life, but one thing I'm dead sure about 2008 is the numerous challenges, and the ups and downs which will follow suit.
Hindsight is always perfect, but when we are in the midst of the storms of life in 2008, like any other year, it'll seem to be a long and dreary struggle. Not to find ourselves jaded even before we attempt to walk into the early days of the new year, I really like for us to embrace the ending part of the verse in Nehemiah 10:39 - that we will never neglect the house of God.
There are 2 ways which I interprete the verse to apply it to us this year. The physical house of God (the church), and the living house of God (our bodies).
In Nehemiah 10, God’s people made an oath, vowing to follow all the commands, laws, and regulations of the Lord. There's a lot of things which the people promised that they would do and it is really similiar to what you and I aspire to accomplish as we desire to keep close to God. However, we're really people of short term memory and often our fallen nature results in us stumbling and struggling through life. In spite of this, I pray that in 2008 we always remember to never surrender the inheritance that we have as children of God. We may be downcast by life's problems, but we are never destroyed because God is our Hope and strength.
Similiarly, from studies, projects, ministries, work, projects, activities and even recreation, we'll surely be busy doing all the tasks and stuff of life. So I pray that we inscribe it in our heart the need of remembrance to not neglect coming every week to the house of God to find rest. The world will surely wear us down, but only in the house of God can we find solace and strength that would restore our soul. Remember that our journey in life is only transient and we are made for greater purpose. May you recognise the thruth that our soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the LORD; our heart and my flesh cry out for the living God and only He can satisfy.
The journey is only beginning. May the Lord strengthen our footsteps as we quicken the pace and live as overcomers in 2008. May we never neglect the house of God.
blessings,
M.
"My feet have closely followed his steps; I have kept to his way without turning aside." (Job 23:11)
The people of Israel, including the Levites, are to bring their contributions of grain, new wine and oil to the storerooms where the articles for the sanctuary are kept and where the ministering priests, the gatekeepers and the singers stay.
"We will not neglect the house of our God."
In a flash 2007 has gone and this is the first day of the new year. I'm not clear what the next 364 days would bring and how it would impact my life, but one thing I'm dead sure about 2008 is the numerous challenges, and the ups and downs which will follow suit.
Hindsight is always perfect, but when we are in the midst of the storms of life in 2008, like any other year, it'll seem to be a long and dreary struggle. Not to find ourselves jaded even before we attempt to walk into the early days of the new year, I really like for us to embrace the ending part of the verse in Nehemiah 10:39 - that we will never neglect the house of God.
There are 2 ways which I interprete the verse to apply it to us this year. The physical house of God (the church), and the living house of God (our bodies).
In Nehemiah 10, God’s people made an oath, vowing to follow all the commands, laws, and regulations of the Lord. There's a lot of things which the people promised that they would do and it is really similiar to what you and I aspire to accomplish as we desire to keep close to God. However, we're really people of short term memory and often our fallen nature results in us stumbling and struggling through life. In spite of this, I pray that in 2008 we always remember to never surrender the inheritance that we have as children of God. We may be downcast by life's problems, but we are never destroyed because God is our Hope and strength.
Similiarly, from studies, projects, ministries, work, projects, activities and even recreation, we'll surely be busy doing all the tasks and stuff of life. So I pray that we inscribe it in our heart the need of remembrance to not neglect coming every week to the house of God to find rest. The world will surely wear us down, but only in the house of God can we find solace and strength that would restore our soul. Remember that our journey in life is only transient and we are made for greater purpose. May you recognise the thruth that our soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the LORD; our heart and my flesh cry out for the living God and only He can satisfy.
The journey is only beginning. May the Lord strengthen our footsteps as we quicken the pace and live as overcomers in 2008. May we never neglect the house of God.
blessings,
M.
"My feet have closely followed his steps; I have kept to his way without turning aside." (Job 23:11)