He calms storms

Luke 8:25

In fear and amazement they asked one another, “Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him.”

In the messyness of life, I often forget  the greatness of God. A God who even has the winds and the waves obeying his commands.

Only when you look at God in this perspective does the challenges of life seem inconsequential. As I am ministered by the exclamation of the disciples, I remind myself that God is not someone I really know. The God I pray to is someone whom I know too little of and beyond my comprehension. However, everything of creation stops at His command and because of this, He's bigger than my imagination.

God be praised.

M.

God's will for us

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 

These verses were given to me by a kid's parent who dropped me a text after seeing me while picking up her kids from RR. It is very heartening to be encouraged when others see you and are concerned for you.

Rejoice, pray and give thanks. Not just do them, but to do them continuously.

I've only spotted the key word that this is "God's will" and that made me sit up. To recognise that the will of God is not for us to be swamped or overwhelmed. In Christ Jesus, God's will for us is to be glad in Him, to commune in prayer with Him and to give thanks to Him.

Tall order, but something that gets my mind off in a new direction. A better direction, at least.

M.

Sufficient grace

2 Corinthians 12:9-10

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. ” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 

This was the verse given to me in a birthday card by my mentoree. It means much, and yet it is so difficult to acknowledge in the season of life. If only my mentoree knew how I struggle with the acceptance of this verses in the season of my life.

To find God's grace sufficient as I go through the weakness that life brings is something everyone wants. But, to face the fact that I'm weak and to accept God's grace to be sufficient is always such a challenge. Sufficient is just enough, all that is needed. However in weakness of body, mind and strength, I don't need just enough of God's grace to pull me through. I want more than sufficient, I want overflowing so I no longer feel weak.

I worry alot more and the white hairs on my head and seemingly permanently eyebags are showing.  I worry because apart from the two Christophers that I never have to worry about, my other RAs aren't heading anywhere and there's nothing I can do. Then, there are the ones who are hurting and I cannot do anything nor talk to them about it and a part of me hurts in great pain because I cannot do anything to help. Doesn't help that even the adults that I interact with are all going through trying times and all I hear is painful bad news that I cannot do anything to help.  I wished I knew how to numb pain when you see others doing badly, so I don't have to live with a troubled spirit and forge on in whatever I can.

I know that the verse given to me for definately to fill that need in me. Sufficient grace from God. Oh that I will delight in it gladly as the apostle Paul did.  God, still I will say to my innerman- You reign.

M.

Today, my day.

Genesis 24:42

When I came to the spring today, I said, ‘LORD, God of my master Abraham, if you will, please grant success to the journey on which I have come.

Happy birthday to me. No grandiose celebration, no need for a song and dance, but just a simple day. A few text from individuals who actually remembered, a long meeting that stretched through the day, a sincere gift from a colleague who treasures me, a chocolate cake that I asked my secretary to order and importantly, I'll get to go home and have my jog with headphones on so I can spend time with God.

It's quite anti-social of my but I specially blocked off the day so I don't have to force a smile or have to go through much fun-fare with others that could possibly make me fatter and even more tired. Even if it meant telling the family that I don't wanna go out for a special dinner, that makes for even more awkward night since we don't really bond socially well together - haha...

All I really need is a special moment with God because I too would like to say the words that Abraham's servant said. That I would be granted success to the journey on which I have come and for once in a long while, to have my birthday wish granted. 

M.

God's ways

Isaiah 30:21

Whether I turn to the right or to the left, my ears will hear a voice behind me, saying, “This is the way; walk in it”

This is all I need from God as a sign of a living a blessed life. That God would always direct the paths I am to take because when when God manages the circumstances that I take, it is always the best.

It does not mean that he will direct me to the smoothest or the most pleasant incidents. Some probably are to teach me to trust Him, some for me to jump for joy, some for me to work out my faith or salvation. I know there are many different courses to take and reasons for me to take, but when the course I take are directed by a voice behind me, I will fear no evil for He is with me and His rod and staff they comfort me.

M.

 

Servanthood

John 13:3-5

Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.

Jesus knows the disciples whose feet he is washing. All who will leave him the moment they are persecuted, one will even betray him. Yet, he continues to serve them humbly and inspire them to understand his heartbeat.

There are days where it is really hard to served when I know that some of the youths of today will turn away from God. After years of serving, I've often looked back to count how many are no longer with me and it's more than I could have expected. Each life who is distanced away from God is a painful scar of my heart. Yet, such is life; everyone chooses his own destiny and elect to do what he/she wants or feels.

Servanthood is not giving up the cause even when we know that amongst those we serve, some/many will turn away. Nothing done for God is ever in vain. May the faithfulness of my hands someday earn me the reward of prodigal lives who will return.  

M.

 

Consider trials pure joy

James 1: 2-4

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 

I'm not sadistic. But when I heard this song as I walked to work, it quoted this verse from James and it hit me like a brick. Lately, there has been quite a fair bit of difficulties faced by many that I know. I'm sure it's not just me being sensitive, but the Christian journey has been quite a tempest for many since last year and it seems to have no let up as we progress in this new year.

I'm hearing of more challenges encountered by individuals, more unsettling news, more changes that are causing discontent. Individuals are starting to leave church, more are discontented with what they had or just annoyed. While I struggle with what lies before me, I often tell myself that this is indeed signs of the trials expected in the end times. Yet, I worry that these trials end up causing more to give up their faith and choose to live self-centered ways. 

Sure I know that many trials will make us strong. After we are done with the testing phase or even the difficult trials, what doesn't kill us, often makes us stronger. 

However terrible things may be, I deeply pray that the test of faith in many around me, will bare much fruit. Simply because trials are meant for us to throw down the gauntlet and go back to the fact that we live and act only for God. May everyone learn to consider our hardship joy because it is intended to make us more like Jesus, and also to rely more on Him and not on ourselves.

M.