Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. - Hebrews 11:1
Since I've finally become less of an introvert over the years...interacting with people has given me quite a bit of insight into human nature. Don't get me wrong, I'm neither a psychologist nor a philosopher (though I have a minor in the subject -_-) but that doesn't mean one can't observe certain things about people and posit possible reasons as to why they do what they do. And if there's one thing missing in this world, it's trust. We're always more willing to worry than to trust God for something--it's like an innate response we just can't get rid of. I had first taken note of this habit while in 6th form (or 12th grade if you will). Now I'm not trying to belittle those of us that worry, it's perfectly normal. After all we have deadlines to meet, goals to achieve, and so on and so forth. But the funny thing is that worry changes nothing after you've done all you can. When you are finished, there's nothing you can do but leave the rest in God's hands. Recall that when you are weak, He is strong (2 Corinthians 12:9-10).
But! Why do we do it so much? Why are we so much more willing to gripe and torment ourselves inwardly rather than thinking that the One we can trust is on the job?
My two cents basically amount to the fact that we have a hard time trusting what we can't see. From it ain't broke don't fix it is pretty much equivalent to if I can't see it--I don't trust it or it's irrelevant. And we call ourselves rational? Hah...funny. Sometimes I argue with myself about it--and I'm sure a lot of you out there do the same. Why is it so hard to do. I fight myself everyday--and oftentimes I don't budge. It's hard to get out of the driver's seat--hard to yield control--and much harder still to do what God asks of you. Boy I've got to say that's why I love Paul--he puts it perfectly in Romans...
So I discover this principle: when I want to do good, evil is with me. For in my inner self I joyfully agree with God's law. But I see a different law in the parts of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and taking me prisoner to the law of sin in the parts of my body. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with my mind I myself am a slave to the law of God, but with my flesh, to the law of sin.
Dattebayo. Believe it. Sorry, too much Naruto in my system--but the above is as true as it gets. I had to embolden that line because here we see Paul do something that most of us loathe to do, especially the proud among us. He admitted his faults. A lot of us will try to mount a self-defense saying "But look I was good to that guy...", "Here I did this..." and a whole host of other things--while not realising that it's not about US, it's about HIM. When you see God on his throne some time in the future (whenever that may be) do you think he'll ask "What did you do?" and leave it at that? No...He'll ask "What did you do with my Son?" After all, who paid for our sins? Who secured our salvation from the Pit? And who loved us enough...to die for us? Did you take his sacrifice seriously? Or did you pass it off like some ordinary event to be lost in the sands of your memory?
...
Think on these things because time is short. And have an answer for your King.
Blessings!
Wednesday 25 July 2007
Monday 23 July 2007
You are a Child of Mine...
You are a child of Mine
Born of My own design
And you bear the heart of life.
No matter where you go,
Oh, you will always know
You have been made free in Christ.
You are a child of Mine
Born of My own design
And you bear the heart of life.
No matter where you go,
Oh, you will always know
You have been made free in Christ.
You are a child of Mine
The lyrics above come from Mark Schultz's song "You are a Child of Mine"--one which I absolutely fell in love with the moment I first heard it. If I could, off the top of my head, say what a phrase like that comes close to, I'd have to say maybe "I love you" from someone special. But can you imagine the Father up above saying this to you? I don't know...that's better than hearing anything from an earthly voice. Because we who live here can hate each other, despise each other, even disown each other, but our God is a Father who never deserts his sons and daughters. He hurts when we hurt, He laughs when we laugh, He helps us when we stumble, He gives us the strength to continue when we are spent, and He mends us when we are broken among a multitude of other things. Who among us here can boast such love? I tell you none.
Hearing that song just made me think a while on these things...and also gave me reason to contemplate such a relationship. It's one we oftentimes ignore and even forget (I know I have, much more frequently than I'd care to admit). I'm given the best present of every day, a life to live. Incredible how I take such for granted. I'm sure a good number of people out there do the same as well on a daily basis too. How can we change that I wonder? Is it that we're too busy trying to make a living? Too busy with our jobs and our responsibilites? It's said that people will make time for what they want, and I think a truer statement was never said. If you value a relationship with your spouse, you'll spend time on it. If you value your job, you 'll spend time on it. If you value a pasttime, you'll spend time on it. Notice anything? None of these things promises an eternity of joy. They promise a fleeting satisfaction with the here-and-now and that's pretty much it.
If that is so, shouldn't we be valuing our relationship with God above these things? Sure you love them, but will they love you back with the same intensity, the same ferociousness and your Father in heaven? In fact I can't even compare them, it's apples and oranges. But I'm sure you get the point. Take care.
Blessings!
Tuesday 17 July 2007
Food for Thought
My mind has pretty much been on a particular question since last week. It has to do with what people consider to be 'compelling evidence' of God's existence...brought on for the most part by this Newsvine article http://www.newsvine.com/_news/2007/07/13/834375-religion-today. I would answer that with another question: do you know what you are looking for?
What's necessary? Writing on the wall? You could call it fake.
A family member being raised from the dead? You could say there's a perfectly scientific reason why that happened.
Him actually appearing before you? Pshaw...smoke and mirrors.
See where I'm going?
What would it take? What's your method of conclusive proof? One thing it seems that many people (mostly non-Christians) don't get nowadays is that when you start talking about God, ordinary, pragmatic (and so-called scientific) methods just don't cut it anymore. I won't waste time and say 'if they'd just read the Bible', because honestly, it means nothing to them. Until one comes to understand the depth of love and grace that our Lord has for us, the Bible will evermore remain a mere book. It will mean nothing--the words are dead to those who are dead. But to those of us who are alive, and by 'alive' I mean alive in Christ, it's our sustenance. Live it, breathe it, study it, work it. Heck marry it if you can (just kidding). But one thing you must never do, is say that there's no conclusive proof/evidence of God. If you don't see it, then you're looking in the wrong place. The Word itself says, and I can't put it any simpler, "Taste and see that the LORD is good" (Psalms 34:8a). God's calling us to have a personal relationship with Him, and it is through the development of that relationship, that we will see His Truth.
What's the best way to ensure that someone is who they say they are? Meet them of course. Talk to them. Learn about them. The process of knowing God is pretty much the same. Just take the step. That's all.
Blessings!
What's necessary? Writing on the wall? You could call it fake.
A family member being raised from the dead? You could say there's a perfectly scientific reason why that happened.
Him actually appearing before you? Pshaw...smoke and mirrors.
See where I'm going?
What would it take? What's your method of conclusive proof? One thing it seems that many people (mostly non-Christians) don't get nowadays is that when you start talking about God, ordinary, pragmatic (and so-called scientific) methods just don't cut it anymore. I won't waste time and say 'if they'd just read the Bible', because honestly, it means nothing to them. Until one comes to understand the depth of love and grace that our Lord has for us, the Bible will evermore remain a mere book. It will mean nothing--the words are dead to those who are dead. But to those of us who are alive, and by 'alive' I mean alive in Christ, it's our sustenance. Live it, breathe it, study it, work it. Heck marry it if you can (just kidding). But one thing you must never do, is say that there's no conclusive proof/evidence of God. If you don't see it, then you're looking in the wrong place. The Word itself says, and I can't put it any simpler, "Taste and see that the LORD is good" (Psalms 34:8a). God's calling us to have a personal relationship with Him, and it is through the development of that relationship, that we will see His Truth.
What's the best way to ensure that someone is who they say they are? Meet them of course. Talk to them. Learn about them. The process of knowing God is pretty much the same. Just take the step. That's all.
Blessings!
Wednesday 4 July 2007
There are different kinds of gifts...
There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. - 1 Corinthians 12:4
For a good portion of the time, I often wonder what it is God has called me to do. Since the beginning I haven't been particularly special or outstanding in any way. I mean, I do okay academically, but otherwise there's nothing much in the way of a special gift. Seeing this verse though makes me wonder if I'm probably looking in the wrong places. I speak well (when it's called for) but I'm not so good when it comes to making friends...partly because I'm rather introverted too. Not to say that introverts are anti-social, but we do have a way of becoming socially exhausted which makes it appear that way. In any event, yeah I'm not really good at that stuff. But God used Aaron who didn't consider himself good speaker or leader to aid Moses. So there's got to be something I'm missing.
As of late I realise I've been drawn in particular to the area of apologetics. I just get excited when the opportunity arises to speak on and possibly defend articles of Scripture. To me that makes my day, even if I didn't do so well ('well' here meaning wasn't very successful in rebutting a view which I know to be false but couldn't articulate well enough). Could it be that perhaps this is what I need to do. I've also always wanted to start a Bible study somewhere, somehow. But how will I manage it? How do I let God work through me to draw people to Him?
I worry about these things pretty frequently. I know there's no reward without a risk, but I don't care for anything in return. Just knowing someone else is saved would make me happy. A large part of this is faith I know...and I'm basically getting in my own way. It's pretty selfish too, because I'm thinking what I'll look like before people, and not before God. I need to break myself of that. Terribly. Because I have a gift too, and if I don't let the Lord use it, then where's my purpose here? There is nothing else. I don't want the mundane life. Work, save, marry have kids. That's not enough. I don't mean to belittle it--marriage is a wonderful thing and so are kids. But in the end there's no benefit like having served God and having done it well. If men before me have got past their insecurities and their fears, if men before me have committed themselves to God on faith alone...then I should too. And with God's help, I will.
Blessings!
For a good portion of the time, I often wonder what it is God has called me to do. Since the beginning I haven't been particularly special or outstanding in any way. I mean, I do okay academically, but otherwise there's nothing much in the way of a special gift. Seeing this verse though makes me wonder if I'm probably looking in the wrong places. I speak well (when it's called for) but I'm not so good when it comes to making friends...partly because I'm rather introverted too. Not to say that introverts are anti-social, but we do have a way of becoming socially exhausted which makes it appear that way. In any event, yeah I'm not really good at that stuff. But God used Aaron who didn't consider himself good speaker or leader to aid Moses. So there's got to be something I'm missing.
As of late I realise I've been drawn in particular to the area of apologetics. I just get excited when the opportunity arises to speak on and possibly defend articles of Scripture. To me that makes my day, even if I didn't do so well ('well' here meaning wasn't very successful in rebutting a view which I know to be false but couldn't articulate well enough). Could it be that perhaps this is what I need to do. I've also always wanted to start a Bible study somewhere, somehow. But how will I manage it? How do I let God work through me to draw people to Him?
I worry about these things pretty frequently. I know there's no reward without a risk, but I don't care for anything in return. Just knowing someone else is saved would make me happy. A large part of this is faith I know...and I'm basically getting in my own way. It's pretty selfish too, because I'm thinking what I'll look like before people, and not before God. I need to break myself of that. Terribly. Because I have a gift too, and if I don't let the Lord use it, then where's my purpose here? There is nothing else. I don't want the mundane life. Work, save, marry have kids. That's not enough. I don't mean to belittle it--marriage is a wonderful thing and so are kids. But in the end there's no benefit like having served God and having done it well. If men before me have got past their insecurities and their fears, if men before me have committed themselves to God on faith alone...then I should too. And with God's help, I will.
Blessings!
Monday 2 July 2007
I can do everything through Him...
I can do everything through Him who gives me strength. - Philippians 4:13
Interesting. Going through a rough patch at the moment with all these certifications I'm supposed to get. I can only pray that the Lord will spur me onwards to dealing with the stress. It's not easy because I also have a relationship to manage, and I don't want to be neglectful of it. At the same time I need to focus on all this. I guess this is a WWJD moment if there ever was one.
What Would Jesus Do...I wonder. If there's one thing we can take away from God's teachings--it's that relationships matter. he always made the time for his disciples--in fact that's how God's kingdom exists on earth--through His children. If that is so, then I should do the same. I have this dogged academic side that speaks against it, but that would be selfish. The whole point is for Him to become clear while I disappear isn't it (hehe can't recall the song that came from but kudos to whoever sang it ^_^)?
Lord, keep my head on straight -_-. I've been feeling pretty messed up over the past few days--but I suppose this happens from time to time. But I'll keep waiting and hoping. He didn't promise me easy times, but He did promise me the strength to get through my trials.
Blessings!
Interesting. Going through a rough patch at the moment with all these certifications I'm supposed to get. I can only pray that the Lord will spur me onwards to dealing with the stress. It's not easy because I also have a relationship to manage, and I don't want to be neglectful of it. At the same time I need to focus on all this. I guess this is a WWJD moment if there ever was one.
What Would Jesus Do...I wonder. If there's one thing we can take away from God's teachings--it's that relationships matter. he always made the time for his disciples--in fact that's how God's kingdom exists on earth--through His children. If that is so, then I should do the same. I have this dogged academic side that speaks against it, but that would be selfish. The whole point is for Him to become clear while I disappear isn't it (hehe can't recall the song that came from but kudos to whoever sang it ^_^)?
Lord, keep my head on straight -_-. I've been feeling pretty messed up over the past few days--but I suppose this happens from time to time. But I'll keep waiting and hoping. He didn't promise me easy times, but He did promise me the strength to get through my trials.
Blessings!
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