Psalm 37:4
Take delight in the LORD,
and he will give you the desires of your heart.
If God becomes our all-consuming aspiration, He will satisfy our deepest longing. Instead of chasing after our desire, we must yearn after God. When God becomes our desire, He will grant us our deepest yearnings.
There is no self-made man in Christianity. Instead of asking God to lead us, we plan everything and then pray that God will bless our efforts. Instead of believing that God is in control, we would not allow ourselves to deviate from our agenda. We find it difficult to let go.
The first sign that we have taken delight in God is when we allow Him to direct our course. God becomes our goal – to please Him becomes our highest and only aim. When we do that, we find our own desires being met. If our desire is that of a career, He will direct and lead. If our desire is to be the best student that we can be, when we pursue Him wholeheartedly, it will be so.
God takes delight in us and when we take delight in Him too, there is a match of our hearts and things will just fall into place according to His timetable; in His time.
Friday, July 8, 2011
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Rest for the Weary
Matt 11:28
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
You can feel recharged after sleep if you are physically tired but where do you find relief from the weariness of the soul?
It is to the one who feels beat that Jesus issues the invitation. The only qualification to come to Jesus is if you are weary and feel the weight of living upon your shoulders.
There are many things in life that can drain us of life. It may be a misunderstanding, disharmony and broken relationship. We can also be weighed down by unfulfilled expectations, disappointing career or persistent unresolved issues. Sickness and chronic pain can also take a toll on us.
When we feel holed in and darkness surrounds us, we must lift up our heads and look toward Jesus. When worries and signs are nagging in our ears, we must hear the call of our Saviour to go to Him.
Jesus promises rest to us. Rest means no more internal wars. Rest means no more struggles within you. Rest means relief. It means letting down the load on your shoulder. Rest means peace deep within.
Jesus does not say “I will give you a solution to your problem”. Some of the problems in life will always be with us. As much as we want them to go away, they will not. Our Lord says, “I will give you rest”. Jesus promises strength for the journey, rest for the weary and peace for the brokenhearted.
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
You can feel recharged after sleep if you are physically tired but where do you find relief from the weariness of the soul?
It is to the one who feels beat that Jesus issues the invitation. The only qualification to come to Jesus is if you are weary and feel the weight of living upon your shoulders.
There are many things in life that can drain us of life. It may be a misunderstanding, disharmony and broken relationship. We can also be weighed down by unfulfilled expectations, disappointing career or persistent unresolved issues. Sickness and chronic pain can also take a toll on us.
When we feel holed in and darkness surrounds us, we must lift up our heads and look toward Jesus. When worries and signs are nagging in our ears, we must hear the call of our Saviour to go to Him.
Jesus promises rest to us. Rest means no more internal wars. Rest means no more struggles within you. Rest means relief. It means letting down the load on your shoulder. Rest means peace deep within.
Jesus does not say “I will give you a solution to your problem”. Some of the problems in life will always be with us. As much as we want them to go away, they will not. Our Lord says, “I will give you rest”. Jesus promises strength for the journey, rest for the weary and peace for the brokenhearted.
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
For His Glory
Read Psalm 46
Psalm 46:10
Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.
So seldom do we remember that God is the God of the Universe. So often we see God as relevant only in our small little world.
Yet the God of Christianity is the God of the entire universe. The world events do not happen by chance. It is the interplay of human sinful freewill and God’s sovereign righteousness converging into one to bring about God’s purpose – His glory.
It has been proven that people who have gone through pains and trauma in life are usually open to the possibility of God. When mankind continually fail to honour God in politics and world-care, wars and natural disasters are the outcomes. Our century has seen lots of such happenings. These calamities have seen more open doors and open hearts to God.
On a smaller scale, when our world comes crumbling down and everything in our lives seem to spin out of control, it is important to steady ourselves and ask, “is God still God?” The Psalmist says, “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” (Ps 46:1).
Are you going through a tough time right now? Having troubles understanding all the crazy stuff that is happening right now? Be still. Know (believe) that He is still God of the universe. Be confident that through all these, His Name will be acknowledged and lifted up in your life.
Psalm 46:10
Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.
So seldom do we remember that God is the God of the Universe. So often we see God as relevant only in our small little world.
Yet the God of Christianity is the God of the entire universe. The world events do not happen by chance. It is the interplay of human sinful freewill and God’s sovereign righteousness converging into one to bring about God’s purpose – His glory.
It has been proven that people who have gone through pains and trauma in life are usually open to the possibility of God. When mankind continually fail to honour God in politics and world-care, wars and natural disasters are the outcomes. Our century has seen lots of such happenings. These calamities have seen more open doors and open hearts to God.
On a smaller scale, when our world comes crumbling down and everything in our lives seem to spin out of control, it is important to steady ourselves and ask, “is God still God?” The Psalmist says, “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” (Ps 46:1).
Are you going through a tough time right now? Having troubles understanding all the crazy stuff that is happening right now? Be still. Know (believe) that He is still God of the universe. Be confident that through all these, His Name will be acknowledged and lifted up in your life.
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Seeing God
Read Job 42
Job 42: 5-6 My ears had heard of you, but now my eyes have seen you. Therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes.
It is one thing to hear about God but quite another to 'see' Him.
Job had walked with God all his life yet he testified that he had only heard of God.
It takes a deep experience with God to 'see' God as He is. We may go through all our lives being a Christian without a remarkable encounter with God.
There are many people tiptoeing near God without entering into His presence. They are close enough to hear rumors of His kingdom and distant enough not to bother with Him. Imagine standing outside the Amusement Park and hearing all the laughter and joys but not experiencing it. Imagine hearing all the exciting testimonies of the roller-coaster rides without the exhilaration of being on one. That is the sad reality of many Christians.
We are told to 'taste and see' that the Lord is good. No one can experience God on another person's behalf. There are no proxies when come to encountering God.
God's presence in our lives humble us. He silences our arguments. He quiet our souls. He forces us to see ourselves as who we really are. The effects of that encounter are humility and repentance.
May we be stirred in our spirits to 'see' God.
Job 42: 5-6 My ears had heard of you, but now my eyes have seen you. Therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes.
It is one thing to hear about God but quite another to 'see' Him.
Job had walked with God all his life yet he testified that he had only heard of God.
It takes a deep experience with God to 'see' God as He is. We may go through all our lives being a Christian without a remarkable encounter with God.
There are many people tiptoeing near God without entering into His presence. They are close enough to hear rumors of His kingdom and distant enough not to bother with Him. Imagine standing outside the Amusement Park and hearing all the laughter and joys but not experiencing it. Imagine hearing all the exciting testimonies of the roller-coaster rides without the exhilaration of being on one. That is the sad reality of many Christians.
We are told to 'taste and see' that the Lord is good. No one can experience God on another person's behalf. There are no proxies when come to encountering God.
God's presence in our lives humble us. He silences our arguments. He quiet our souls. He forces us to see ourselves as who we really are. The effects of that encounter are humility and repentance.
May we be stirred in our spirits to 'see' God.
Monday, July 4, 2011
Talk, Stop and Listen
Read Job 31
"The words of Job are ended" (Job 31:40c)
What would you do if all that you believe in for all your life suddenly seems to be wrong?
The Jews believe that wealth and health is a sign of God's favour. Live according to God's Word and you will be blessed by God. Live sinfully and you will suffer at God's hand. Thus Job's anguish was that of his whole life's beliefs being shaken at its foundation. Had he lived his life righteously in vain?
God cannot speak to us because we sometimes talk without stopping. We want to have the first and last word. God politely refuses to butt in and interrupt us.
We scream and shout when things don't go right. We demand answers. We justify, complain and argue because we feel that we have been unfairly treated. We air it all out because we feel that to keep it in will kill us. Rightly so. There is indeed a place for laments and grievings in our lives. God does not despise nor judge us for pouring out our pains to Him. He listens intently, patiently and attentively.
But God can only answer us when we are silent. When we stop talking and start listening, God speaks. So after the tsunami of words, "The words of Job ended".
Why not practise some solitude, some alone time with God? Speak if you must, air your frustrations, ask Him all the questions that have been plaguing your mind and then stop. Stop, wait and let God take His turn.
Let your words cease so that God can commence His healing words to us. You will be surprised when His answer comes.
"The words of Job are ended" (Job 31:40c)
What would you do if all that you believe in for all your life suddenly seems to be wrong?
The Jews believe that wealth and health is a sign of God's favour. Live according to God's Word and you will be blessed by God. Live sinfully and you will suffer at God's hand. Thus Job's anguish was that of his whole life's beliefs being shaken at its foundation. Had he lived his life righteously in vain?
God cannot speak to us because we sometimes talk without stopping. We want to have the first and last word. God politely refuses to butt in and interrupt us.
We scream and shout when things don't go right. We demand answers. We justify, complain and argue because we feel that we have been unfairly treated. We air it all out because we feel that to keep it in will kill us. Rightly so. There is indeed a place for laments and grievings in our lives. God does not despise nor judge us for pouring out our pains to Him. He listens intently, patiently and attentively.
But God can only answer us when we are silent. When we stop talking and start listening, God speaks. So after the tsunami of words, "The words of Job ended".
Why not practise some solitude, some alone time with God? Speak if you must, air your frustrations, ask Him all the questions that have been plaguing your mind and then stop. Stop, wait and let God take His turn.
Let your words cease so that God can commence His healing words to us. You will be surprised when His answer comes.
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