Friday, August 10, 2007
Being short?
Don't worry I'm not going to talk about being physically short here (although being at my height can sometimes be a blessing too!)A lot of are very mindful about our height. I am not just talking about physically. We are always aiming to be standing at the top, being the leader, being the top in class. Simply to say, we want to be above everyone else.
Being 'tall' gives us a sense of satisfaction, a sense of achievement. It makes us feel good to be able to in control of things around you. At the top you receives the praises from people around you, and receives the glory and honour.
Aiming high and achieving high is good! But are you being overwhelmed by it?
Always standing at the top sometimes 'feed' our ego and pride too much. I'm sure you can relate people who are rich or well-doing economically or academically to be proud people (I am not saying that everyone/most of them are). However, because of the big word 'PRIDE', a lot of us are unwilling to go anywhere lower than where we are.
Yet the main key to walking with God is to know that we are NOTHING apart from God. It is not a simple term. It means that you are at the bottom of the pit... helpless. The only thing you can do is to cry out to the Lord. Are you able to recognise yourself as that?
Pride is always the main thing that blocks us away from the Lord. The very reason why Man had sinned is because Adam refuse to obey the Lord. He wants to be in control. Pride makes us feel that we do not need God... we can do great things without him.
Are you able to put down all your pride and to follow Jesus humbly? Knowing that apart from God you are nothing? Will you be able to give your ALL to Jesus... the One who had given His ALL for you?
Here's some parts from the Bible about how the Lord has been teaching His people to be humble to the Lord.
Deuteronomy 8:2-3, 16-18
"Remember how the LORD your God led you all the way in the desert these forty years, to humble you and to test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands. He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your fathers had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD... ...He gave you manna to eat in the desert, something your fathers had never known, to humble and to test you so that in the end it might go well with you. You may say to yourself, "My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me." But remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your forefathers, as it is today."
Psalm 25:9
"He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way."
Proverbs 3:34
"He mocks proud mockers but gives grace to the humble."
Matthew 18:3-4
"And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven."
Think that God is asking us to do the impossible? All you need to do is to follow Jesus. Learn to be short before God.
Philippians 2:5-11
5Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: 6Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death— even death on a cross! 9Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Holy Spirit may I ask that you will come and help me. I am nothing without you o God. You had helped me through my different stages of life, you had placed me in the high places and had placed me at the bottom pit to learn to be humble. Lord I thank you for teaching me. Continue to help me to follow You Jesus, help me to grow to be more and more like You. I know I am not anywhere near, but God I know You will teach me. Thank you Lord for your wonderful love for me. Lord Jesus come and soften the hearts of those who have read this devotion and to be willing to humble themselves to follow You. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.
Posted by aeronautisis at 12:14 am
Tuesday, August 07, 2007
Have you been blessed?
The 100K blessings has about to come to an end...Have you been blessed?
The experience for me during the past 1 month was really good. Being able to share the love of God to my friends with no strings attached was something I have not thought of. Although asking the question of "Do you want to be blessed?" seems a little weird sometimes, I'm sure that I would not be able to do so without the help from the Lord.
Many hearts are open, some are just a little more held back. Nevertheless, being able to have people like my dad, my CCA head, and my close friends on the list of the 100K is simply great. More than just blessings, I was able to understand my friends better and is able to say words of encouragement and just simply loving them.
During this period of time, I have also experience more than just 1 miracle and experiencing the reality of God through the answered prayers. Little miracles like being able to have my CCA head and my dad on the list, to miraculous miracle like God healing and protecting Angela when she was admitted to the hospital. I was also able to draw even closer to the RGS girls, and even see the joy of 1 salvation and 1 re-dedication! All praise and glory to the Lord.
Does things stop here? Definitely not! I'll continue to pray for those on my list until all prayers are answered, and also to continue to be a blessing at home, in NTU, and wherever I go.
Lord I pray that may You be my strength and my guiding light. Thank you for using me as a vessels for your blessings to the people You love dearly. Holy Spirit continue to guide me and teach me to be more and more like Jesus. Commit my life to You once again O Lord.. for I am nothing without You. Thank you for Your love for me Father. In Jesus name I pray, amen.