life is an adventure in problem solving. the question is not whether we will encounter problems; the real question is how we will choose to address them. when it comes to solving the problems of everyday living, we often know precisely what needs to be done, but we may be slow in doing it-especially if what needs to be done is difficult. and so, we put off till tomorrow what should be done today.
as human beings living here in the 21st century, you have your own set of challenges. as you face those challenges, you may be comforted by this fact: trouble, of every kind, is temporary. yet, God's grace is eternal. and worries, of every kind, are temporary also. but God's love is everlasting. the troubles that concern you will pass, but God remains. and for every problem, God has a solution. (trust me, i have encountered these kind of situations countless times)
the words of Psalms 34 reminds us that the Lord solves problems for "people who do what is right." and usually, doing "what is right" means doing the uncomfortable work of confronting our problems sooner rather than later. so.....with no further ado, let the problem solving begin right now.
remember this: when it comes to solving problems, it is better to invest more time working on them with God and less time fretting over them. good day all of you !!!
quote of the day:
"God is bigger than your problems. Whatever worries press upon you today; put them in God's hand s and leave them there." by Billy Graham.
Thursday, May 31, 2007
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
walking in truth
would you like a rock-solid, time-tested formula for success? here it is: seek God's truth, and live by it. of course this strategy my sound simple, and it may sound somewhat old-fashioned, especially if you're a fast-track, dues-paying citizen of the 21st century. but guess what, God's truth never goes out of style. and God's wisdom is as valid today as it was when HE laid the foundations of the universe.
in John 8:32, it reminds us that, "you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." (NKJV). and St.Augustine also had this advise: "Let everything perish! Dismiss these empty vanities! And let us take up the search for the truth."
God is vitally concerned with truth. HIS Word teaches the truth; HIS Spirit reveals the truth; HIS Son leads us to the truth. when we open our hearts to God, and when we allow HIS Son to rule over our thoughts and our lives, God reveals HIMSELF, and we come to understand the truth about ourselves and the truth about God's gift of grace.
so....are you seeking God's truth and making decisions in light of that truth? hopefully so. because when you do, you'll discover that the truth will indeed set you free, now and forever !! i hope all of you will find that truth !!! good day all of you !!!
quote of the day:
"Having a doctrine pass before the mind is not what the Bible means by knowing the truth. It's only when it reaches down deep into the heart that the truth begins to set us free, just as a key must penetrate a lock to turn it, or as rainfall must saturate the earth down to the roots in order for your garden to grow." by John Eldredge
in John 8:32, it reminds us that, "you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." (NKJV). and St.Augustine also had this advise: "Let everything perish! Dismiss these empty vanities! And let us take up the search for the truth."
God is vitally concerned with truth. HIS Word teaches the truth; HIS Spirit reveals the truth; HIS Son leads us to the truth. when we open our hearts to God, and when we allow HIS Son to rule over our thoughts and our lives, God reveals HIMSELF, and we come to understand the truth about ourselves and the truth about God's gift of grace.
so....are you seeking God's truth and making decisions in light of that truth? hopefully so. because when you do, you'll discover that the truth will indeed set you free, now and forever !! i hope all of you will find that truth !!! good day all of you !!!
quote of the day:
"Having a doctrine pass before the mind is not what the Bible means by knowing the truth. It's only when it reaches down deep into the heart that the truth begins to set us free, just as a key must penetrate a lock to turn it, or as rainfall must saturate the earth down to the roots in order for your garden to grow." by John Eldredge
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
the source of strength
even the most inspired christians can, from time to time, find themselves running on empty. the demands of daily life can drain us of our strength and rob us of the joy that is rightfully ours in Christ. when we find ourselves tired, discouraged, or worse, there is a source from which we can draw the power needed to recharge our spiritual batteries. that source is God.
God intends that HIS children lead joyous lives filled with abundance and peace. but sometimes, abundance and peace seem very far away. it is then that we must turn to God for renewal, and when we do, HE will restore us if we allow HIM to do so.
today, like every other day, is literally brimming with possibilities. whether we realize it or not, God is always working in us and through us; our job is to let HIM do HIS work without undo interference. yet, we are imperfect beings who, because of our limited vision, often resist God's will. and oftentimes, because of our stubborn insistence on squeezing too many activities into a 24-hour day, we allow ourselves to become exhausted, or frustrated, or both.
are you tired or troubled? turn your heart toward God in prayer. are you weak and worried? take the time-or, more accurately, make the time-to delve deeply into God's Holy Word. are you spiritually depleted? call upon fellow believers to support you, and call upon Christ to renew your spirit and your life. are you simply overwhelmed by the demands of the day? pray for the wisdom to rest a little more and worry a little less.
when you do these things, you'll discover that the Creator of the universe stands always ready and always able to create a new sense of wonderment and joy in you. good day all of you !!!
quote of the day:
"When I feel afraid, and think I've lost my way, still You're right there beside me. Nothing will I fear as long as You are near." by Amy Grant
God intends that HIS children lead joyous lives filled with abundance and peace. but sometimes, abundance and peace seem very far away. it is then that we must turn to God for renewal, and when we do, HE will restore us if we allow HIM to do so.
today, like every other day, is literally brimming with possibilities. whether we realize it or not, God is always working in us and through us; our job is to let HIM do HIS work without undo interference. yet, we are imperfect beings who, because of our limited vision, often resist God's will. and oftentimes, because of our stubborn insistence on squeezing too many activities into a 24-hour day, we allow ourselves to become exhausted, or frustrated, or both.
are you tired or troubled? turn your heart toward God in prayer. are you weak and worried? take the time-or, more accurately, make the time-to delve deeply into God's Holy Word. are you spiritually depleted? call upon fellow believers to support you, and call upon Christ to renew your spirit and your life. are you simply overwhelmed by the demands of the day? pray for the wisdom to rest a little more and worry a little less.
when you do these things, you'll discover that the Creator of the universe stands always ready and always able to create a new sense of wonderment and joy in you. good day all of you !!!
quote of the day:
"When I feel afraid, and think I've lost my way, still You're right there beside me. Nothing will I fear as long as You are near." by Amy Grant
Monday, May 28, 2007
the wisdom to be humble
are you a humble believer who always gives credit where credit is due? if so, you are both wise and blessed.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer observed, "It is very easy to overestimate the importance of our own achievements in comparison with what we owe others." how true, how true it is may i say, don't you agree? even those of us who consider ourselves "self-made" men and women are deeply indebted to more people than we can count. our first and greatest indebtedness, of course, is to God and HIS only begotten SON. but we are also indebted to ancestors, parents, teachers, friends, spouses, family members, coworkers, fellow believers.......and the list goes on.
with so many people who rightfully deserve to share the credit for our successes, how can we gloat? the answer, of course, is that we should not. but we inhabit in a world in which far too many of our role models are remarkably haughty and surprisingly self-centered (hopefully, these are not your role models)
the Bible contains stern warning against the sin of pride. one such warning is found in Prov 16:8: "Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall" (NKJV). God's Word makes it clear: pride and destruction are traveling companions (but hopefully, they're not your traveling companions)
Jonathan Edwards said this, "Nothing sets a person so much out of the devil's reach as humility." so, if you're celebrating a worthwhile accomplishment, don't invite the devil to celebrate with you. instead of puffing your chest and saying, "Look at me!" give credit where credit is due, starting with God. and rest assured: there is no such thing as a self-made man. all of us are made by God.........and HE deserves the glory, not us.
remember this (especially young people): if you're going to make fun of somebody......let it be yourself. you can't really laugh with other people until they know you're willing to laugh at yourself. good day all !!!
quote of the day:
"Do you wish to be great? Then begin by being humble. Do you desire to construct a vast and lofty fabric? Think first about the foundations of humility. The higher your structure is to be, the deeper must be its foundation." by St. Augustine
Dietrich Bonhoeffer observed, "It is very easy to overestimate the importance of our own achievements in comparison with what we owe others." how true, how true it is may i say, don't you agree? even those of us who consider ourselves "self-made" men and women are deeply indebted to more people than we can count. our first and greatest indebtedness, of course, is to God and HIS only begotten SON. but we are also indebted to ancestors, parents, teachers, friends, spouses, family members, coworkers, fellow believers.......and the list goes on.
with so many people who rightfully deserve to share the credit for our successes, how can we gloat? the answer, of course, is that we should not. but we inhabit in a world in which far too many of our role models are remarkably haughty and surprisingly self-centered (hopefully, these are not your role models)
the Bible contains stern warning against the sin of pride. one such warning is found in Prov 16:8: "Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall" (NKJV). God's Word makes it clear: pride and destruction are traveling companions (but hopefully, they're not your traveling companions)
Jonathan Edwards said this, "Nothing sets a person so much out of the devil's reach as humility." so, if you're celebrating a worthwhile accomplishment, don't invite the devil to celebrate with you. instead of puffing your chest and saying, "Look at me!" give credit where credit is due, starting with God. and rest assured: there is no such thing as a self-made man. all of us are made by God.........and HE deserves the glory, not us.
remember this (especially young people): if you're going to make fun of somebody......let it be yourself. you can't really laugh with other people until they know you're willing to laugh at yourself. good day all !!!
quote of the day:
"Do you wish to be great? Then begin by being humble. Do you desire to construct a vast and lofty fabric? Think first about the foundations of humility. The higher your structure is to be, the deeper must be its foundation." by St. Augustine
Saturday, May 26, 2007
Youth Alive was in town !
as you can see, Youth Alive was in KL and as usual, when a group of this kind (Planetshakers, Youth Alive, Hillsong, Hillsong United, etc etc) comes to Malaysia, i will try my best to not miss it. and so i brought a couple of young people there with me.
the concert started a bit slow due to last minute arrangements that was made. furthermore, it also rained heavily which caused heavy jams and eventually caused the concert to start late. but as the night went on, and the people began to pour into the hall, things were getting better. the worship part was good, and then came the preaching which was short, sharp and simple; preached with great flair and charisma, something that is to my liking.
what touched me most was when one of the youth from my church answered an altar call. this guy is known as one of the most slumber youth in our church, the last person you would expect to raise his hand, stand up and some more go on stage. and he did all that in one night !!! could you believe it, we really serve a mighty God man, a God that can turn things around when we least expect it.
at that very moment, i was very touched and also very proud of him (well done man, you know who you are !!!!) the amount of joy we feel as a leader over these type of young people (the slumber type) when they answer God's call is really indescribable. when the second altar call came, the rest of the young people i brought there (except for one, maybe he is too young to understand but it's ok, his time will come) all went out to the front, that really made my day man.
though a lot of people couldn't make it (like i said, last minute arranged concert), i was glad that the young ones that managed to come actually responded. i really think that if we keep this type of thing going, a new era of leadership and growth would be coming to our church and i believe that this is gonna be something great for the church and nation. all glory to God.
as it is the weekend, i won't be toking much, just some personal sharing, photos and cartoons. so, that's it for today. good day all of you and happy weekend !!!
Friday, May 25, 2007
above and beyond our worries
if you are a person with lots of obligations and plenty of responsibilities, it is simply a fact of life: you worry. from time to time, you worry about health, about finances, about safety, about family, and about countless other concerns, some great and some small.
so, where is the best place to take your worries? take them to God. take your troubles to HIM; take your fears to HIM; take your doubts to HIM; take your weaknesses to HIM; take your sorrows to HIM...and leave them all there. seek protection from the ONE who offers eternal salvation; build your spiritual house upon the Rock that cannot be moved.
maybe you are uncertain about your future or your finances-or maybe you are simply a "worrier" by nature. if so, it's time to focus less on your troubles and more on God's promises. and that's as it should be because God is trustworthy......and you are protected.
remember this: try to carefully divide your areas of concern into 2 categories: the things you can control and the things you cannot control. make a resolve to yourself that you would never waste time or energy worrying about the latter. good day all of you !!!
quote of the day:
"Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow; it empties today of its strength." by Corrie ten Boom
so, where is the best place to take your worries? take them to God. take your troubles to HIM; take your fears to HIM; take your doubts to HIM; take your weaknesses to HIM; take your sorrows to HIM...and leave them all there. seek protection from the ONE who offers eternal salvation; build your spiritual house upon the Rock that cannot be moved.
maybe you are uncertain about your future or your finances-or maybe you are simply a "worrier" by nature. if so, it's time to focus less on your troubles and more on God's promises. and that's as it should be because God is trustworthy......and you are protected.
remember this: try to carefully divide your areas of concern into 2 categories: the things you can control and the things you cannot control. make a resolve to yourself that you would never waste time or energy worrying about the latter. good day all of you !!!
quote of the day:
"Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow; it empties today of its strength." by Corrie ten Boom
Thursday, May 24, 2007
making praise a priority
when is the best time to praise God? in church? before dinner is served? when we tuck little children into bed? after we finish with our cyber games(which never ends)? or after our favorite TV show? none of the above. the best time to praise God is all day, everyday, to the greatest extent we can, with thanksgiving in our hearts, and with songs on our lips.
too many of us, even well-intentioned believers, tend to "compartmentalize" our waking hours into a few familiar categories: work, rest, play, family time, and worship. to do so is a mistake. worship and praise should be woven into the fabric of everything we do; it should never be relegated to a weekly two and a half-hour visit to church on sunday morning. one of the topics preached in my church recently was about "quit being a sunday christian" and i think that is exactly what we should do.
Fanny Crosby sang this, "This is my story, this is my song, praising my Saviour, all the day long." as believers who have been saved by the sacrifice of a risen Christ, we must do exactly as the song instructs: we must praise our Saviour time and time again throughout the day. worship and praise should be part of everything we do. otherwise, we quickly lose perspective as we fall prey to the demands of everyday life.
Wayne Oates (a famous theologian) once admitted, "Many of my prayers are made with my eyes open. You see, it seems I'm always praying about something, and it's not always convenient-or safe-to close my eyes." Dr. Oates understood that God always hears our prayers and that the relative position of our eyelids is of no concern to HIM. so, start praising God all the day, even if it is with your eyes opened.
do you sincerely desire to be a worthy servant of the ONE who has given you eternal love and eternal life? if so, then praise HIM for who HE is and for what HE has done for you. and don't just praise HIM on sunday morning. praise HIM all day long, everyday, for as long as you live...and then for all eternity. good day all !!!
quote of the day:
"I am to praise God for all the things, regardless of where they seem to originate. Doing this is the key to receiving the blessings of God. Praise will wash away my resentments." by Catherine Marshall
too many of us, even well-intentioned believers, tend to "compartmentalize" our waking hours into a few familiar categories: work, rest, play, family time, and worship. to do so is a mistake. worship and praise should be woven into the fabric of everything we do; it should never be relegated to a weekly two and a half-hour visit to church on sunday morning. one of the topics preached in my church recently was about "quit being a sunday christian" and i think that is exactly what we should do.
Fanny Crosby sang this, "This is my story, this is my song, praising my Saviour, all the day long." as believers who have been saved by the sacrifice of a risen Christ, we must do exactly as the song instructs: we must praise our Saviour time and time again throughout the day. worship and praise should be part of everything we do. otherwise, we quickly lose perspective as we fall prey to the demands of everyday life.
Wayne Oates (a famous theologian) once admitted, "Many of my prayers are made with my eyes open. You see, it seems I'm always praying about something, and it's not always convenient-or safe-to close my eyes." Dr. Oates understood that God always hears our prayers and that the relative position of our eyelids is of no concern to HIM. so, start praising God all the day, even if it is with your eyes opened.
do you sincerely desire to be a worthy servant of the ONE who has given you eternal love and eternal life? if so, then praise HIM for who HE is and for what HE has done for you. and don't just praise HIM on sunday morning. praise HIM all day long, everyday, for as long as you live...and then for all eternity. good day all !!!
quote of the day:
"I am to praise God for all the things, regardless of where they seem to originate. Doing this is the key to receiving the blessings of God. Praise will wash away my resentments." by Catherine Marshall
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
making choices that please God
from the instant we wake up in the morning until the moment we nod off to sleep at night, we make countless choices: choices about things we do, choices about words we speak, even subtle choices about the way we direct our thoughts. simply put, the quality of these choices determines the quality of our lives.
as believers who have been saved by a loving and merciful God, we have reason to make right choices. yet sometimes, amid the inevitable hustle and bustle of life-here-on-earth, we allow ourselves to behave in ways that we know are displeasing to our God. when we do, we forfeit the joy and the peace that we might otherwise experience through HIM.
sometimes, because we're imperfect human beings, we may become so wrapped up in meeting society's expectations that we fail to focus on God expectations. to do so is a mistake of major proportions-so don't make it.
so, whom will you please today? God or man? our primary obligation is not to please imperfect men and women. our obligation is to strive diligently to meet expectations of an all-knowing and perfect God. trust HIM always, love HIM always, praise HIM always, and make choices that please HIM always.
remember this: if you have been struggling against God's will for your life, you have invited unwelcome consequences into your own life and into the lives of your loved ones. a far better strategy is to consult God earnestly and often. God's plan are the best plans for you and me. God Bless and have a nice day !!
quote of the day:
"Many jokes are made about the devil, but the devil is no joke. He is called a deceiver. In order to accomplish his purpose, the devil blinds people to their need for Christ. Two forces are at work in our world-the forces of Christ and the forces of the evil-and you are asked to choose." by Billy Graham
as believers who have been saved by a loving and merciful God, we have reason to make right choices. yet sometimes, amid the inevitable hustle and bustle of life-here-on-earth, we allow ourselves to behave in ways that we know are displeasing to our God. when we do, we forfeit the joy and the peace that we might otherwise experience through HIM.
sometimes, because we're imperfect human beings, we may become so wrapped up in meeting society's expectations that we fail to focus on God expectations. to do so is a mistake of major proportions-so don't make it.
so, whom will you please today? God or man? our primary obligation is not to please imperfect men and women. our obligation is to strive diligently to meet expectations of an all-knowing and perfect God. trust HIM always, love HIM always, praise HIM always, and make choices that please HIM always.
remember this: if you have been struggling against God's will for your life, you have invited unwelcome consequences into your own life and into the lives of your loved ones. a far better strategy is to consult God earnestly and often. God's plan are the best plans for you and me. God Bless and have a nice day !!
quote of the day:
"Many jokes are made about the devil, but the devil is no joke. He is called a deceiver. In order to accomplish his purpose, the devil blinds people to their need for Christ. Two forces are at work in our world-the forces of Christ and the forces of the evil-and you are asked to choose." by Billy Graham
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
the words we speak
i notice that a lot of people nowadays especially young people speak before they think, something that i find rather amusing considering the level of education nowadays that maximizes the brains of our young people. probably they're too tired to use their brains due to the constant education pressure. anyways, let's move on from this education debate thingie. so...how much value do you place on the words you speak? hopefully you understand that your words have great power...because they most certainly do. if your words are encouraging, you can lift others up; if your words are hurtful, you can hold others back.
the Bible makes it clear that "Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing." (Prov 12:18 NIV). so, if you hope to solve problems instead of starting them, you must measure your words carefully. but sometimes, you'll be tempted to speak first and think second (with decidedly mixed results). things like this happens, even to myself, after all we are not perfect, but what we can do is to slowly and gradually improve and correct ourselves with the help of God.
when you're frustrated or tired, you may say things that would be better left unspoken. whenever you lash out in anger, you forgo the wonderful opportunity to consider your thoughts before you give voice to them. when you speak impulsively, you may, quite unintentionally, injure others. (now you know how serious it can be !!!)
a far better strategy, of course, is to do the more difficult thing: to think first and speak next. when you do so, you give yourself ample time to compose your thoughts and to consult your Creator (but not necessarily in that order lah!)
the Bible warns that you'll be judged by the words you speak (Matt 12:36-37). and, Ephesians 4:29 instructs you to make "each word a gift" (MSG). these passages make it clear that God cares very much about the things you say and the way you say them. and if God cares that much, so should you.
so, do you seek to be a source of encouragement to others? are you a beacon of hope to your friends and family? and, do you seek to be a worthy ambassador for Christ? if so, you must speak words that are worthy of your Saviour. remember to avoid angry outburst. refrain from impulsive outpourings. terminate tantrums (especially young people). instead, speak words of encouragement and hope to a world that desperately needs both. good day all of you !!!
quote of the day:
"Fill the hearts with the love of Christ so that only truth and purity come out of the mouth." by Warren Wiersbe
the Bible makes it clear that "Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing." (Prov 12:18 NIV). so, if you hope to solve problems instead of starting them, you must measure your words carefully. but sometimes, you'll be tempted to speak first and think second (with decidedly mixed results). things like this happens, even to myself, after all we are not perfect, but what we can do is to slowly and gradually improve and correct ourselves with the help of God.
when you're frustrated or tired, you may say things that would be better left unspoken. whenever you lash out in anger, you forgo the wonderful opportunity to consider your thoughts before you give voice to them. when you speak impulsively, you may, quite unintentionally, injure others. (now you know how serious it can be !!!)
a far better strategy, of course, is to do the more difficult thing: to think first and speak next. when you do so, you give yourself ample time to compose your thoughts and to consult your Creator (but not necessarily in that order lah!)
the Bible warns that you'll be judged by the words you speak (Matt 12:36-37). and, Ephesians 4:29 instructs you to make "each word a gift" (MSG). these passages make it clear that God cares very much about the things you say and the way you say them. and if God cares that much, so should you.
so, do you seek to be a source of encouragement to others? are you a beacon of hope to your friends and family? and, do you seek to be a worthy ambassador for Christ? if so, you must speak words that are worthy of your Saviour. remember to avoid angry outburst. refrain from impulsive outpourings. terminate tantrums (especially young people). instead, speak words of encouragement and hope to a world that desperately needs both. good day all of you !!!
quote of the day:
"Fill the hearts with the love of Christ so that only truth and purity come out of the mouth." by Warren Wiersbe
Monday, May 21, 2007
enthusiasm for life
can you honestly say that you are an enthusiastic believer? are you passionate about your faith and excited about your path? hopefully so. but if your zest for life has waned, it is now time to redirect your efforts and recharge your spiritual batteries. and that means refocusing your values by putting God first.
nothing is more important than your wholehearted commitment to your Creator and to HIS only begotten SON. your faith must never be an afterthought; it must be your ultimate priority, your ultimate possession, and your ultimate passion. when you become passionate about your faith, you'll become passionate about your life too.
a famous guy by the name of Norman Vincent Peale once advised, "Get absolutely enthralled with something. Throw yourself into it with abandon. Get out of yourself. Be somebody. Do something." his words still ring true. but sometimes, when stresses of everyday life seem overwhelming, you may not feel very enthusiastic about your life or yourself. if so, it's time to reorder your thoughts, your priorities, your values, and your prayers. when you do, you'll not only be helping yourself, but you'll also be helping your family and friends.
genuine, heartfelt, enthusiastic christianity is contagious. if you enjoy a life-altering relationship with God, that relationship will have an impact on others-perhaps a profound impact.
so.....are you genuinely excited about your faith? and do you make your enthusiasm known to those around you? or are you satisfied to be a "silent ambassador" for Christ? God's preference is clear: HE intends that you stand before others and proclaim your faith.
remember this: you are the recipient of Christ's sacrificial love. accept it enthusiastically and share it passionately. JESUS deserves your enthusiasm; the world deserves it; and you deserve the experience of sharing it. good day all !!
quote of the day:
"We act as though comfort and luxury were the chief requirements of life, when all we need to make us really happy is something to be enthusiastic about." by Charles Kingsley
nothing is more important than your wholehearted commitment to your Creator and to HIS only begotten SON. your faith must never be an afterthought; it must be your ultimate priority, your ultimate possession, and your ultimate passion. when you become passionate about your faith, you'll become passionate about your life too.
a famous guy by the name of Norman Vincent Peale once advised, "Get absolutely enthralled with something. Throw yourself into it with abandon. Get out of yourself. Be somebody. Do something." his words still ring true. but sometimes, when stresses of everyday life seem overwhelming, you may not feel very enthusiastic about your life or yourself. if so, it's time to reorder your thoughts, your priorities, your values, and your prayers. when you do, you'll not only be helping yourself, but you'll also be helping your family and friends.
genuine, heartfelt, enthusiastic christianity is contagious. if you enjoy a life-altering relationship with God, that relationship will have an impact on others-perhaps a profound impact.
so.....are you genuinely excited about your faith? and do you make your enthusiasm known to those around you? or are you satisfied to be a "silent ambassador" for Christ? God's preference is clear: HE intends that you stand before others and proclaim your faith.
remember this: you are the recipient of Christ's sacrificial love. accept it enthusiastically and share it passionately. JESUS deserves your enthusiasm; the world deserves it; and you deserve the experience of sharing it. good day all !!
quote of the day:
"We act as though comfort and luxury were the chief requirements of life, when all we need to make us really happy is something to be enthusiastic about." by Charles Kingsley
Sunday, May 20, 2007
a picture tells a thousand words Pt.1
great.....i managed to shrink the size of the pictures i was telling you about in my last post, hopefully it doesn't spoil the quality too much. anyways, since i already posted a cartoon, here is a teaser picture for all of you to enjoy. just look at the boy, he's bathing in a river (not a bathroom where we have water heaters, branded soap and shampoo, full privacy to ourselves, etc etc). but guess what? simple as his life is, he is happy and enjoying himself. i truly believe that this is what God wants us to be, just be simple and happy. why worry about when we will conquer the world for ourselves when we are supposed to conquer the world for JESUS ! i remember last month in one of my post, i mentioned that we need to get our priorities in life correct and enjoy being simple and happy (with God on our side and a purpose in life), rather than frustrated and complicated. see, this is why people say a picture tells a thousand words, i leave it to you to interpret other meanings of this pic. good day !!
church "service"
hi all, happy weekend to all of you, hoped you all had nice times with your family and friends, anyways, as usual weekends, i am more casual and would usually just show you guys some cartoon stuff about church. actually i intended to show all of you some very nice and meaningful pictures taken from a dSLR camera of my former pastor. but the sizes seems to be too big and i can't figure out how to shrink them at the moment. so until i manage to, you guys will have to bear with church cartoons first. hehehehe, please enjoy:
ever wonder if church had this kind of "service" for its members, i wonder if there would be more new members coming, but guess what? it shouldn't be this way lah, we come to church to praise and worship God and to "serve" and not to be "served" ok? good day all !
ever wonder if church had this kind of "service" for its members, i wonder if there would be more new members coming, but guess what? it shouldn't be this way lah, we come to church to praise and worship God and to "serve" and not to be "served" ok? good day all !
Friday, May 18, 2007
finding the balance
face the facts: life is a delicate balancing act, a tightrope walk with over-commitment on one side and under-commitment on the other. and it's up to each of us to walk carefully on that rope, not falling prey to pride (which causes us to attempt too much) or to fear (which causes us to attempt too little).
God's Word promises us the possibility of abundance (John 10:10), and we are far more likely to experience that abundance when we lead balanced lives.
when you allow yourself to take on too many jobs, you simply can't do all of them well. that means that if you allow yourself to be over-committed, whether at home, at work, at church or anywhere in between, you're asking for trouble. so you must learn how to say no to things you don't have the time or energy to do.
of course, sometimes saying no can be tough. Why? because well-meaning men (like you) genuinely want to help other people out. but if you allow your cart to become overworked, you may begin over-promising and under-serving-and you'll disappointed just about everybody, including yourself.
are you and your loved ones doing too much-or too little? if so, it's time to have a little chat with God. and if you listen carefully to HIS instructions, you will strive to achieve a more balanced life, a life that's right for you and your loved ones. when you do, everybody wins. good day !!!
quote of the day:
"To do too much is as dangerous as to do nothing at all. Both modes prevent us from savoring our moments. One causes me to rush right past the best of life without recognizing or basking in it, and the other finds me sitting quietly as life rushes past me." by Pasty Clairmont
God's Word promises us the possibility of abundance (John 10:10), and we are far more likely to experience that abundance when we lead balanced lives.
when you allow yourself to take on too many jobs, you simply can't do all of them well. that means that if you allow yourself to be over-committed, whether at home, at work, at church or anywhere in between, you're asking for trouble. so you must learn how to say no to things you don't have the time or energy to do.
of course, sometimes saying no can be tough. Why? because well-meaning men (like you) genuinely want to help other people out. but if you allow your cart to become overworked, you may begin over-promising and under-serving-and you'll disappointed just about everybody, including yourself.
are you and your loved ones doing too much-or too little? if so, it's time to have a little chat with God. and if you listen carefully to HIS instructions, you will strive to achieve a more balanced life, a life that's right for you and your loved ones. when you do, everybody wins. good day !!!
quote of the day:
"To do too much is as dangerous as to do nothing at all. Both modes prevent us from savoring our moments. One causes me to rush right past the best of life without recognizing or basking in it, and the other finds me sitting quietly as life rushes past me." by Pasty Clairmont
Thursday, May 17, 2007
patience and trust
the dictionary defines the word patience as "the ability to be calm, tolerant, and understanding." if that describes you, you can skip today's topic that i am talking about. but if you're like most of us, you'd better keep reading, hehehehehehe.
for most of us, patience is a hard thing to master. why? because we have lots of things we want, and we know precisely when we want them: NOW (if not sooner). but our Father in heaven has other ideas; the Bible teaches that we must learn to wait patiently for the things that God has in store for us, even when waiting is difficult.
we live in an imperfect world inhabited by imperfect people. sometimes, we inherit troubles from others, and sometimes we create troubles for ourselves. on other occasions, we see other people "moving ahead" in the world, and we want to move ahead with them. so we become impatient with ourselves, with our circumstances, and even with God.
Psalms 37:7 commands us to "rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him" (NKJV). but, for most of us, waiting patiently for HIM is hard, even i myself find it difficult sometimes. we are fallible human beings who seek solutions to our problems today, not tomorrow. still, God instructs us to wait patiently for HIS plans to unfold, and that's exactly what we should do.
sometimes, patience is the price we pay for being responsible people, and that's the way it should be. after all, think about how patient God has been with us, all those small and big things we have done that have made HIM sad, but patiently HE waits for us to come back and continues to love us. so......the next time you find yourself drumming your fingers as you wait for a quick resolution to the challenges of everyday living, take a deep breath and ask God for patience. be still before your Heavenly Father and trust HIS timetable: it's the peaceful way to live. good day all !!!
quote of the day:
"Be patient. God is using today's difficulties to strengthen you for tomorrow. He is equipping you. The God who makes things grow will help you bear fruit." by Max Lucado
for most of us, patience is a hard thing to master. why? because we have lots of things we want, and we know precisely when we want them: NOW (if not sooner). but our Father in heaven has other ideas; the Bible teaches that we must learn to wait patiently for the things that God has in store for us, even when waiting is difficult.
we live in an imperfect world inhabited by imperfect people. sometimes, we inherit troubles from others, and sometimes we create troubles for ourselves. on other occasions, we see other people "moving ahead" in the world, and we want to move ahead with them. so we become impatient with ourselves, with our circumstances, and even with God.
Psalms 37:7 commands us to "rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him" (NKJV). but, for most of us, waiting patiently for HIM is hard, even i myself find it difficult sometimes. we are fallible human beings who seek solutions to our problems today, not tomorrow. still, God instructs us to wait patiently for HIS plans to unfold, and that's exactly what we should do.
sometimes, patience is the price we pay for being responsible people, and that's the way it should be. after all, think about how patient God has been with us, all those small and big things we have done that have made HIM sad, but patiently HE waits for us to come back and continues to love us. so......the next time you find yourself drumming your fingers as you wait for a quick resolution to the challenges of everyday living, take a deep breath and ask God for patience. be still before your Heavenly Father and trust HIS timetable: it's the peaceful way to live. good day all !!!
quote of the day:
"Be patient. God is using today's difficulties to strengthen you for tomorrow. He is equipping you. The God who makes things grow will help you bear fruit." by Max Lucado
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
the beliefs that shape your values
in describing our beliefs, our actions are far better descriptors than our words. yet far too many of us spend more energy talking about our beliefs than living by them-with predictably poor results.
as believers, we must beware: our actions should always give credence to the changes that Christ can make in the lives of those who walk with HIM.
your beliefs shape your values, and your values shape your life. is our life a clearly-crafted picture book of your creed? are your actions always consistent with your beliefs? are you willing to practice the philosophies that you preach? hopefully so; otherwise, you'll be tormented by inconsistencies between your beliefs and your behaviors.
if you'd like to partake in the peace that only God can give, make certain that your actions are guided by HIS word. and while you're at it, pay careful attention to the conscience that God, in HIS infinite wisdom, has placed in your heart. don't treat your faith as if it were separate from your everyday life. weave your beliefs into the very fabric of your day. when you do, God will honor your good works, and your good works will honor God.
if you seek to be a responsible believer, you must realize that it is never enough to hear the instructions of God; you must also live by them. and it is never enough to wait idly by while others do God's work here on earth; you, too, must act. doing God's work is a responsibility that every christian (including you and me) should bear. and when you do, your loving Father in Heaven will reward your efforts with a bountiful harvest. Good day !!!
quote of the day:
"As the body live by breathing, so the soul lives by believing." by Thomas Brooks
as believers, we must beware: our actions should always give credence to the changes that Christ can make in the lives of those who walk with HIM.
your beliefs shape your values, and your values shape your life. is our life a clearly-crafted picture book of your creed? are your actions always consistent with your beliefs? are you willing to practice the philosophies that you preach? hopefully so; otherwise, you'll be tormented by inconsistencies between your beliefs and your behaviors.
if you'd like to partake in the peace that only God can give, make certain that your actions are guided by HIS word. and while you're at it, pay careful attention to the conscience that God, in HIS infinite wisdom, has placed in your heart. don't treat your faith as if it were separate from your everyday life. weave your beliefs into the very fabric of your day. when you do, God will honor your good works, and your good works will honor God.
if you seek to be a responsible believer, you must realize that it is never enough to hear the instructions of God; you must also live by them. and it is never enough to wait idly by while others do God's work here on earth; you, too, must act. doing God's work is a responsibility that every christian (including you and me) should bear. and when you do, your loving Father in Heaven will reward your efforts with a bountiful harvest. Good day !!!
quote of the day:
"As the body live by breathing, so the soul lives by believing." by Thomas Brooks
in a world filled with temptations
because our world is filled with temptations, we confront them at every turn. some of these temptations are small-eating a second piece of chocolate cake, for example. too much cake may cause us to defile, at least in a modest way, the bodily temple that God has entrusted to our care. but two pieces of cake will not bring us to our knees. other temptations, however, are not so harmless.
the devil, it seems, is working overtime these days, and causing heartache in more places and in more ways than ever before. we, as christians, must remain vigilant. not only must we resist satan when he confronts us, but we also must avoid those places where satan can most easily tempt us. and, if we are to avoid the unending temptations of this world, we must arm ourselves with the word of God.
in a letter to believers, Peter offered a stern warning,"Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devils walk about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour." (1 Peter 5:8 NKJV). what is true in NT times is equally true in our own. satan tempts his prey and then devours them. and in these dangerous times, the tools that satan uses to destroy his prey are more numerous than ever before.
as believing christians, we must beware. and, if we seek righteousness in our own lives, we must earnestly wrap ourselves in the protection of God's Holy Word. after fasting forty days and nights in the desert, JESUS Himself was tempted by satan. Christ used scripture to rebuke the devil (Matt 4:1-11). we must do likewise. the Holy Bible provides us with a perfect blueprint for righteous living. if we consult that blueprint daily and follow it carefully, we build our lives according to God's plan. and when we do, we are secure. good day all of you !!!
quote of the day:
"It is easier to stay out of temptation than to get out of it." by Rick Warren
the devil, it seems, is working overtime these days, and causing heartache in more places and in more ways than ever before. we, as christians, must remain vigilant. not only must we resist satan when he confronts us, but we also must avoid those places where satan can most easily tempt us. and, if we are to avoid the unending temptations of this world, we must arm ourselves with the word of God.
in a letter to believers, Peter offered a stern warning,"Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devils walk about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour." (1 Peter 5:8 NKJV). what is true in NT times is equally true in our own. satan tempts his prey and then devours them. and in these dangerous times, the tools that satan uses to destroy his prey are more numerous than ever before.
as believing christians, we must beware. and, if we seek righteousness in our own lives, we must earnestly wrap ourselves in the protection of God's Holy Word. after fasting forty days and nights in the desert, JESUS Himself was tempted by satan. Christ used scripture to rebuke the devil (Matt 4:1-11). we must do likewise. the Holy Bible provides us with a perfect blueprint for righteous living. if we consult that blueprint daily and follow it carefully, we build our lives according to God's plan. and when we do, we are secure. good day all of you !!!
quote of the day:
"It is easier to stay out of temptation than to get out of it." by Rick Warren
Monday, May 14, 2007
integrity matters
Charles Swindoll (a famous guy lah fyi) once said something very true about living a life of integrity, he said, "Nothing speaks louder or more powerfully than a life of integrity." Godly men and women would definitely agree with this.
integrity is built slowly over a lifetime. it is the sum of every right decision and every honest word. it is forged on the anvil of honorable work and polished by the twin virtues of honesty and fairness. integrity is a precious thing-difficult to build but easy to tear down.
as believers in Christ, we must seek to live each day with discipline, honest and faith. when we do, at least two things happen: integrity becomes a habit, and God blesses us because of our obedience to HIM.
living a life of integrity isn't always the easiest way, but it is always the right way. God clearly intends that it should be our way, too.
another famous guy (so many famous guy today, hehehehe), Oswald Chambers, the author of the christian classic devotional text called MY UTMOST FOR HIS HIGHEST, advised, "Never support an experience which does not have God as its source, and faith in God as its result." these words serve as a powerful reminder that, as christians, we are called to walk with God and obey HIS commandments. but, we live in a world that presents us with countless temptations to stray far from God's path. we christians, when confronted with sins of any kind, have clear instructions: walk-or better yet run-in the opposite direction.
it has been said that character is what we are when nobody is watching (this is something i mention before). how true. when we do things that we know aren't right, we try to hide them from our families and friends. but even if we successfully conceal our sins from the world, we can never conceal our sins from God.
if you sincerely wish to walk with your Father, follow HIS commandments. when you do, your character will take care of itself...and you won't need to look over your shoulders to see who, besides God is watching.
quote of the day:
"Integrity is the glue that holds our way of life together. We must constantly strive to keep our integrity intact. When wealth is lost, nothing is lost; when health is lost, something is lost; when character is lost, all is lost." by Billy Graham
integrity is built slowly over a lifetime. it is the sum of every right decision and every honest word. it is forged on the anvil of honorable work and polished by the twin virtues of honesty and fairness. integrity is a precious thing-difficult to build but easy to tear down.
as believers in Christ, we must seek to live each day with discipline, honest and faith. when we do, at least two things happen: integrity becomes a habit, and God blesses us because of our obedience to HIM.
living a life of integrity isn't always the easiest way, but it is always the right way. God clearly intends that it should be our way, too.
another famous guy (so many famous guy today, hehehehe), Oswald Chambers, the author of the christian classic devotional text called MY UTMOST FOR HIS HIGHEST, advised, "Never support an experience which does not have God as its source, and faith in God as its result." these words serve as a powerful reminder that, as christians, we are called to walk with God and obey HIS commandments. but, we live in a world that presents us with countless temptations to stray far from God's path. we christians, when confronted with sins of any kind, have clear instructions: walk-or better yet run-in the opposite direction.
it has been said that character is what we are when nobody is watching (this is something i mention before). how true. when we do things that we know aren't right, we try to hide them from our families and friends. but even if we successfully conceal our sins from the world, we can never conceal our sins from God.
if you sincerely wish to walk with your Father, follow HIS commandments. when you do, your character will take care of itself...and you won't need to look over your shoulders to see who, besides God is watching.
quote of the day:
"Integrity is the glue that holds our way of life together. We must constantly strive to keep our integrity intact. When wealth is lost, nothing is lost; when health is lost, something is lost; when character is lost, all is lost." by Billy Graham
Sunday, May 13, 2007
happy mother's day
as it is mother's day today....i would like to wish all the mothers and mothers to be a "happy mother's day" ...hope that all of you will have a wonderful time this year being mothers. as a tribute to the mothers, my selected cartoon for this weekend will be for all of you, so please enjoy:
have a nice weekend and a great week ahead...God Bless !!
have a nice weekend and a great week ahead...God Bless !!
Friday, May 11, 2007
a healthy lifestyle
in the book of Romans, Paul encourages us to make about bodies "holy and pleasing to God." Paul also said that by doing so, it is actually a "spiritual act of worship." for believers, the implication is clear: God intends that we take special care of the bodies HE has given us. but it's tempting to do otherwise.
we live in a fast-food world where unhealthy choices are convenient, inexpensive, and tempting. and, we live in a digital world filled with modern conveniences that often rob us of the physical exercise needed to maintain healthy lifestyles. as a result, too many of us find ourselves glues to the television (and computers) with a snack in one hand and a clicker in the other. the results are as unfortunate as they are predictable.
as young people and adults, each of us bears a personal responsibility for the general state of our physical health. certainly, various aspects of health are beyond our control: illness sometimes strikes even the healthiest men and women. but for most of us, physical health is a choice: it is the result of hundreds of small decisions that we make everyday of our lives. if we make decisions that promote good health, our bodies respond. but if we fall into bad habits and undisciplined lifestyles, we suffer tragic consequences.
when our unhealthy habits lead to poor health, we find it all too easy to look beyond ourselves and assign blame (something that a lot of us is very good at). in fact, we live in a society where blame has become a national obsession: we blames cigarette manufacturers, restaurants, food, producers, to name only a few. but to blame others is to miss the point: we, and we alone, are responsible for the way that we treat our bodies. and the sooner that we accept that responsibility, the sooner we can assert control over our bodies and our lives.
do you sincerely desire to improve your physical health? if so, start by taking personal responsibility for the body that God has given you. then, make the solemn pledge to yourself that you will begin to make the changes that are required to enjoy a longer, healthier, happier life. no one can make those changes for you; you must make them yourself. and with God's help you can...and you will. God Bless !!!
quote of the day:
"The only way to keep your health is to eat what you don't want, drink what you don't like, and do what you'd rather not." by Mark Twain
we live in a fast-food world where unhealthy choices are convenient, inexpensive, and tempting. and, we live in a digital world filled with modern conveniences that often rob us of the physical exercise needed to maintain healthy lifestyles. as a result, too many of us find ourselves glues to the television (and computers) with a snack in one hand and a clicker in the other. the results are as unfortunate as they are predictable.
as young people and adults, each of us bears a personal responsibility for the general state of our physical health. certainly, various aspects of health are beyond our control: illness sometimes strikes even the healthiest men and women. but for most of us, physical health is a choice: it is the result of hundreds of small decisions that we make everyday of our lives. if we make decisions that promote good health, our bodies respond. but if we fall into bad habits and undisciplined lifestyles, we suffer tragic consequences.
when our unhealthy habits lead to poor health, we find it all too easy to look beyond ourselves and assign blame (something that a lot of us is very good at). in fact, we live in a society where blame has become a national obsession: we blames cigarette manufacturers, restaurants, food, producers, to name only a few. but to blame others is to miss the point: we, and we alone, are responsible for the way that we treat our bodies. and the sooner that we accept that responsibility, the sooner we can assert control over our bodies and our lives.
do you sincerely desire to improve your physical health? if so, start by taking personal responsibility for the body that God has given you. then, make the solemn pledge to yourself that you will begin to make the changes that are required to enjoy a longer, healthier, happier life. no one can make those changes for you; you must make them yourself. and with God's help you can...and you will. God Bless !!!
quote of the day:
"The only way to keep your health is to eat what you don't want, drink what you don't like, and do what you'd rather not." by Mark Twain
Thursday, May 10, 2007
value-based decisions
life is a series of choices. some decisions are easy to make because the consequences of those decisions are small. when the person behind the counter ask, "want fries with that?" the necessary response requires little thought because the consequences of that decisions are minor.
some decisions on the other hand, are big...very very big. the biggest decision, of course, is one that far too many people ignore: the decision concerning God's only begotten SON (and you thought that i would say marriage right? hehehe). but if you're a believer in Christ, you've already made that choice, and you have received God's gift of grace. perhaps now you're asking yourself "what's next, Lord?" if so, you may be facing a series of big decisions concerning your life and your future (here is where marriage is included but of course got other things also lah, don't just think about marriage only). here are some things you can do:
1. gather as much information as you can: don't expect to get all the facts-that's impossible-but get as many facts as you can in a reasonable amount of time. (Pro 24:3-4)
2. don't be too impulsive: if you have time to make a decision, use that time to make a good decision. (Pro 19:2)
3. rely on the advise of trusted friends and mentors. in Proverbs 1:5, it is written, "A wise man will hear and increase learning, and a man of understanding will attain wise counsel." (NKJV)
4. pray for guidance. when you seek it, HE will give it. (Luke 11:9)
5. make choices based upon values, not convenience: trust the quiet inner voice of your conscience: treat your conscience as you would a trusted advisor. (Luke 17:21)
6. when the time for action arrives, act. procrastination is the enemy of progress; don't let it defeat you. (James 1:22)
i hope the above pointers will be of help to all of you. good day.
quote of the day:
"God always gives His best to those who leave the choice with Him." by Jim Elliot
some decisions on the other hand, are big...very very big. the biggest decision, of course, is one that far too many people ignore: the decision concerning God's only begotten SON (and you thought that i would say marriage right? hehehe). but if you're a believer in Christ, you've already made that choice, and you have received God's gift of grace. perhaps now you're asking yourself "what's next, Lord?" if so, you may be facing a series of big decisions concerning your life and your future (here is where marriage is included but of course got other things also lah, don't just think about marriage only). here are some things you can do:
1. gather as much information as you can: don't expect to get all the facts-that's impossible-but get as many facts as you can in a reasonable amount of time. (Pro 24:3-4)
2. don't be too impulsive: if you have time to make a decision, use that time to make a good decision. (Pro 19:2)
3. rely on the advise of trusted friends and mentors. in Proverbs 1:5, it is written, "A wise man will hear and increase learning, and a man of understanding will attain wise counsel." (NKJV)
4. pray for guidance. when you seek it, HE will give it. (Luke 11:9)
5. make choices based upon values, not convenience: trust the quiet inner voice of your conscience: treat your conscience as you would a trusted advisor. (Luke 17:21)
6. when the time for action arrives, act. procrastination is the enemy of progress; don't let it defeat you. (James 1:22)
i hope the above pointers will be of help to all of you. good day.
quote of the day:
"God always gives His best to those who leave the choice with Him." by Jim Elliot
Wednesday, May 9, 2007
living courageously
i read a story of this guy...not sure if anyone of you have heard of him (i didn't until i read about him), anyways, his name was Babe Ruth and he was a famous baseball player, one-of-a-kind legend who set records for both home runs and strikeouts. His nick name by the way was "Sultan of Swat" (dun really what it means, but i kinda like the sound of it). well, what i wanted to say about this guy has got something to do with my topic today, this guy once said, "Never let the fear of striking out get in your way." this was the philosophy he held on to and what made him so successful.
fear is something that always seem to get in the way when we don't want it to. is there anything that we can do about it? definitely, we need to overcome and have faith in God to help us, as we begin to trust HIM, we need to take the first couple of steps of risks. of course it's never wise to take foolish risk but that is not what i am saying. when it comes to the game of life, you should not let fear of failure keep you from taking your swings.
as we consider the uncertainties of the future, we are confronted with a powerful temptation: the temptation to "play it safe." unwilling to move mountains, we fret over molehills. unwilling to entertain great hopes for the tomorrow, we focus on the unfairness of the today. unwilling to trust God completely, we take timid half-steps when God intends that we make giant leaps. why are we willing to settle for baby steps when God wants us to leap tall buildings in a single bound? that's because we are fearful that we might fail.
the occasional disappointments and failures of life are inevitable. such setbacks are simply the price that we must occasionally pay for our willingness to take risk as we follow our dreams. but even when we encounter bitter disappointments, we must never lose faith. and we must remember that in the game of life, we never hit a home run unless we are willing to step up to the plate and swing.
so...today, go ask God for the courage to step beyond the boundaries of your self-doubts. ask HIM to guide you to a place where you can realize your full potential-a place where you are freed from the fear of failure. ask HIM to do HIS part, and promise HIM that you will do your part. don't ask HIM to lead you to a "safe" place; ask HIM to lead you to the "right" place...and remember: those two place are seldom the same. good day !!!
quote of the day:
"Courage is almost a contradiction in terms. It means a strong desire to live taking the form of readiness to die." by G.K.Chesterton
fear is something that always seem to get in the way when we don't want it to. is there anything that we can do about it? definitely, we need to overcome and have faith in God to help us, as we begin to trust HIM, we need to take the first couple of steps of risks. of course it's never wise to take foolish risk but that is not what i am saying. when it comes to the game of life, you should not let fear of failure keep you from taking your swings.
as we consider the uncertainties of the future, we are confronted with a powerful temptation: the temptation to "play it safe." unwilling to move mountains, we fret over molehills. unwilling to entertain great hopes for the tomorrow, we focus on the unfairness of the today. unwilling to trust God completely, we take timid half-steps when God intends that we make giant leaps. why are we willing to settle for baby steps when God wants us to leap tall buildings in a single bound? that's because we are fearful that we might fail.
the occasional disappointments and failures of life are inevitable. such setbacks are simply the price that we must occasionally pay for our willingness to take risk as we follow our dreams. but even when we encounter bitter disappointments, we must never lose faith. and we must remember that in the game of life, we never hit a home run unless we are willing to step up to the plate and swing.
so...today, go ask God for the courage to step beyond the boundaries of your self-doubts. ask HIM to guide you to a place where you can realize your full potential-a place where you are freed from the fear of failure. ask HIM to do HIS part, and promise HIM that you will do your part. don't ask HIM to lead you to a "safe" place; ask HIM to lead you to the "right" place...and remember: those two place are seldom the same. good day !!!
quote of the day:
"Courage is almost a contradiction in terms. It means a strong desire to live taking the form of readiness to die." by G.K.Chesterton
Tuesday, May 8, 2007
beyond doubt
this is a topic i find interesting to talk about, i find that a lot of us (including myself) struggle with doubt every now and then, and this happens even when we are faithful with our walk with HIM. sometimes i wonder if God has a medicine for us that can totally cure this problem of ours.
doubts come in several shapes and sizes; doubts about God, doubts about the future, doubts about our own abilities, etc etc. but what precisely does God's word say in response to these doubts of ours? the Bible is pretty clear on this: when we are beset by doubts, of whatever kind, we must draw ourselves nearer to God through worship and through prayer. when we do so, God, the loving Father who has never left our sides draws ever closer to us. go read James 4:8.
in the book of Matthew, we are told of a terrible storm that rose quickly on the Sea of Galilee while JESUS and HIS disciples were in a boat, far from shore. the disciples were filled with fear. although they had witnessed many miracles firsthand-although they had walked and talked with HIM- the disciples were still filled with doubts. so they cried out to their Master, and CHRIST responded, "Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?" the HE arose and rebuked the wind and the sea, and there was a great calm. so the men marveled, saying, "Who can this be, that even the winds and the sea obey HIM?" (Matt 8:26-27)
u know...sometimes, like JESUS disciples, we feel threatened by storms of life. sometimes we may feel distant from God; sometimes we may question HIS power or HIS plans. during these moments, when we our hearts are flooded with uncertainty, we must remember that God is not simply near, HE is here.
have you felt your faith in God slipping away? if so, you are not alone. every life-including yours and mine-is a series of successes and failures, celebrations and disappointments, joys and sorrows, hope and doubts. even the most faithful christians are overcome by occasional bouts of
fear and doubt, and so, too will you. but even when you feel far removed from God, God never leaves your side, not for an instant. HE is always with you, always willing to calm the storms of life. when you sincerely seek HIS presence-and when you genuinely seek to establish a deeper, more meaningful relationship with HIS SON-God is prepared to touch your heart, to calm your fears, to answer your doubts, and to restore your soul.
so...go to God right now with all your fears and doubts and let HIM calm it for you. don't depend on your own strength, depend on HIM and HE will lead you through. good day all of you !!
quote of the day:
"We basically have two choices to make in dealing with the mysteries of God. We can wrestle with HIM or we can rest in HIM." by Calvin Miller
doubts come in several shapes and sizes; doubts about God, doubts about the future, doubts about our own abilities, etc etc. but what precisely does God's word say in response to these doubts of ours? the Bible is pretty clear on this: when we are beset by doubts, of whatever kind, we must draw ourselves nearer to God through worship and through prayer. when we do so, God, the loving Father who has never left our sides draws ever closer to us. go read James 4:8.
in the book of Matthew, we are told of a terrible storm that rose quickly on the Sea of Galilee while JESUS and HIS disciples were in a boat, far from shore. the disciples were filled with fear. although they had witnessed many miracles firsthand-although they had walked and talked with HIM- the disciples were still filled with doubts. so they cried out to their Master, and CHRIST responded, "Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?" the HE arose and rebuked the wind and the sea, and there was a great calm. so the men marveled, saying, "Who can this be, that even the winds and the sea obey HIM?" (Matt 8:26-27)
u know...sometimes, like JESUS disciples, we feel threatened by storms of life. sometimes we may feel distant from God; sometimes we may question HIS power or HIS plans. during these moments, when we our hearts are flooded with uncertainty, we must remember that God is not simply near, HE is here.
have you felt your faith in God slipping away? if so, you are not alone. every life-including yours and mine-is a series of successes and failures, celebrations and disappointments, joys and sorrows, hope and doubts. even the most faithful christians are overcome by occasional bouts of
fear and doubt, and so, too will you. but even when you feel far removed from God, God never leaves your side, not for an instant. HE is always with you, always willing to calm the storms of life. when you sincerely seek HIS presence-and when you genuinely seek to establish a deeper, more meaningful relationship with HIS SON-God is prepared to touch your heart, to calm your fears, to answer your doubts, and to restore your soul.
so...go to God right now with all your fears and doubts and let HIM calm it for you. don't depend on your own strength, depend on HIM and HE will lead you through. good day all of you !!
quote of the day:
"We basically have two choices to make in dealing with the mysteries of God. We can wrestle with HIM or we can rest in HIM." by Calvin Miller
Monday, May 7, 2007
trusting your conscience
it has been said that character is what we are when nobody is watching. how true. when we do things that we know aren't right, we try to hide them from our families and friends. but even then, God is watching.
few things in life torment us more than a guilty conscience. and, few things in life provide more contentment than the knowledge that we are obeying God's commandments. a clear conscience is one of the rewards we earn when we obey God's will and accept HIS gift of salvation, our earthly rewards are never-ceasing, and our heavenly rewards are everlasting.
there's this famous evangelist Billy Graham that once said, "Most of us follow our conscience as we follow a wheelbarrow. We push it in front of us in the direction we want to go." if that describes you, then here's a word of advise: both you and your wheelbarrow are headed for trouble.
do you place a high value on the need to keep your conscience clear? if so, keep up the good work. but if you're tempted to do something that you'd rather the world not know about, remember this: you can sometimes keep secrets from other people, but you can never keep secrets from God. God knows what you think and what you do. and if you want to please HIM, you must start with good intentions, a pure heart, and a clear conscience.
if you sincerely wish to honor your Father in Heaven, follow HIS commandments. when you do, your character will take care of itself...and so will your conscience. then, as you journey through life, you won't need to look over your shoulders to see who-besides God-is watching. Good day all of you !!
quote of the day:
"Your conscience is your alarm system. It's your protection." by Charles Stanley
few things in life torment us more than a guilty conscience. and, few things in life provide more contentment than the knowledge that we are obeying God's commandments. a clear conscience is one of the rewards we earn when we obey God's will and accept HIS gift of salvation, our earthly rewards are never-ceasing, and our heavenly rewards are everlasting.
there's this famous evangelist Billy Graham that once said, "Most of us follow our conscience as we follow a wheelbarrow. We push it in front of us in the direction we want to go." if that describes you, then here's a word of advise: both you and your wheelbarrow are headed for trouble.
do you place a high value on the need to keep your conscience clear? if so, keep up the good work. but if you're tempted to do something that you'd rather the world not know about, remember this: you can sometimes keep secrets from other people, but you can never keep secrets from God. God knows what you think and what you do. and if you want to please HIM, you must start with good intentions, a pure heart, and a clear conscience.
if you sincerely wish to honor your Father in Heaven, follow HIS commandments. when you do, your character will take care of itself...and so will your conscience. then, as you journey through life, you won't need to look over your shoulders to see who-besides God-is watching. Good day all of you !!
quote of the day:
"Your conscience is your alarm system. It's your protection." by Charles Stanley
Sunday, May 6, 2007
the perfect church
have u ever wondered if there ever was the perfect church...one that makes us happy the moment we step in....one that gives us the best worship, the best announcement, the best sermon, the best altar call, the most comfortable environment, the best services provided, etc etc....i dun think there ever will be such a perfect church (however, you will definitely get all these in Heaven, coz they got the best church there). anyways.....God's call in our lives is to go and make disciples of all nations, not just sitting in church and making it a more beautiful place for OURSELVES!!! nothing against making the church nice and beautiful but priorities in our christian call must be correct.
the reason while i chose to say what i am saying today is kind of related to the below cartoon of the week that i am going to show you (for one moment, you guys must have thought that i forgot that it is the weekend rite? and as usual weekend i dun write much). anyways, pls enjoy:
hope you guys like the cartoons for this week. have a nice weekend all of you and remember that next weekend is mother's day...so go get yourselves prepared to celebrate and bless you mums !! God Bless !!
the reason while i chose to say what i am saying today is kind of related to the below cartoon of the week that i am going to show you (for one moment, you guys must have thought that i forgot that it is the weekend rite? and as usual weekend i dun write much). anyways, pls enjoy:
hope you guys like the cartoons for this week. have a nice weekend all of you and remember that next weekend is mother's day...so go get yourselves prepared to celebrate and bless you mums !! God Bless !!
Friday, May 4, 2007
asking and accepting
how often do you ask God for HIS help and HIS wisdom? occasionally? intermittently? whenever you experience a crisis? hopefully not? hopefully, you've acquired the habit of asking God's assistance early and often. and hopefully, you have learned to seek HIS guidance in every aspect of your life.
Jesus made it clear to HIS disciples: they should petition God to meet their needs. so should you. genuine, heartfelt prayer produces powerful changes in you and in your world. when you lift your heart to God, you open yourself to a never-ending source of divine wisdom and infinite love.
James 5:16 makes a promise that God intends to keep: when you pray earnestly, fervently, and often, great things will happen. too many people, however, are too timid or too pessimistic to ask God to do big things. please don't count yourself among their number, you should be different, be bold and ask from God.
God can do great things through you if you have the courage to ask HIM (and the determination to keep asking- i do it all the time, so trust me, it works). but don't expect God to do all the work. when you do your part, HE will do HIS part-and when HE does, you can expect miracles to happen.
the Bible promises that God will guide you if you let HIM. your job is to let HIM. but sometimes, you will be tempted to do otherwise. sometimes, you'll be tempted to go along with the crowd; other times, you'll be tempted to do things your way, not God's way. when you feel those temptations, resist them and prayerfully ask God to help you overcome them.
God has promised that when you ask for HIS help, HE will not withhold it. so ask. ask HIM to meet the needs of your day. ask HIM to lead you, to protect you, and to correct you. then trust the answers HE gives.
God stands at the door and waits. when you knock, HE opens. when you ask, HE answers. your task, of course, is to make God a full partner in every aspect of your life-and to seek HIS guidance prayerfully, confidently and often.
remember this: pray early and often. one way to make sure that your heart is in tune with God is to pray often. the more you talk to God, the more HE will talk to you. God bless and good day to all of you !
quote of the day:
"Don't be afraid to ask you Heavenly Father for anything you need. Indeed, nothing is too small for God's attention or too great for His power." by Dennis Swanberg
Jesus made it clear to HIS disciples: they should petition God to meet their needs. so should you. genuine, heartfelt prayer produces powerful changes in you and in your world. when you lift your heart to God, you open yourself to a never-ending source of divine wisdom and infinite love.
James 5:16 makes a promise that God intends to keep: when you pray earnestly, fervently, and often, great things will happen. too many people, however, are too timid or too pessimistic to ask God to do big things. please don't count yourself among their number, you should be different, be bold and ask from God.
God can do great things through you if you have the courage to ask HIM (and the determination to keep asking- i do it all the time, so trust me, it works). but don't expect God to do all the work. when you do your part, HE will do HIS part-and when HE does, you can expect miracles to happen.
the Bible promises that God will guide you if you let HIM. your job is to let HIM. but sometimes, you will be tempted to do otherwise. sometimes, you'll be tempted to go along with the crowd; other times, you'll be tempted to do things your way, not God's way. when you feel those temptations, resist them and prayerfully ask God to help you overcome them.
God has promised that when you ask for HIS help, HE will not withhold it. so ask. ask HIM to meet the needs of your day. ask HIM to lead you, to protect you, and to correct you. then trust the answers HE gives.
God stands at the door and waits. when you knock, HE opens. when you ask, HE answers. your task, of course, is to make God a full partner in every aspect of your life-and to seek HIS guidance prayerfully, confidently and often.
remember this: pray early and often. one way to make sure that your heart is in tune with God is to pray often. the more you talk to God, the more HE will talk to you. God bless and good day to all of you !
quote of the day:
"Don't be afraid to ask you Heavenly Father for anything you need. Indeed, nothing is too small for God's attention or too great for His power." by Dennis Swanberg
Thursday, May 3, 2007
acceptance for today
u know.....things happen around our lives everyday....some of it good and some of it bad. if you're like most men, then most of the time you would probably like being in control of your lives. you want things to happen according to your wishes and according to your timetable. but sometimes, God has other plans.....and HE always has the final word.
there's this american theologian by the name of Reinhold Niebuhr who composed a profoundly simple verse that has now become known as the Serenity Prayer....here is how it goes: "God, grant me the serenity to accept things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference." Niebuhr's words are far easier to recite than they are to live by.
Oswald Chambers correctly observed, "Our Lord never asks us to decide for Him; He asks us to yield to Him-a very different matter." these words remind us that even when we cannot understand the workings of God, we must trust HIM and accept HIS will. looks like i am using a lot of quotes today....but guess what....sometimes people wanna listen to what the pro's/guru's got to say right compared to me (an amateur or even a beginner-but i still believe God can use me...Amen!)
u know.....all of us experience adversity and pain in different levels during our walk in life. as human beings with limited comprehension, we can never fully understand the will of our Father in Heaven. but as believers in our Mighty God, we must always trust HIS providence.
when JESUS went to the Mount of Olives, as described in Luke 22, HE poured out HIS heart to God. JESUS knew of the agony that HE was destined to endure, but HE also knew that God's will must be done. we, like our Saviour, face trials that bring fear and trembling to the very depths of our souls, but like Christ, we must too ultimately seek God's will, not our own.
so....are you embittered by a personal tragedy that you did not deserve and cannot understand? if so, it's time to make peace with life. it's time to forgive others, and, if necessary, to forgive yourself. it's time to accept the unchangeable past, to embrace the priceless present, and to have faith in the promise of tomorrow. it's time to trust God completely. and it's time to reclaim peace-HIS peace- that can and should be yours.
so if you've encountered unfortunate circumstances that are beyond your power to control, accept those circumstances....and trust God. when you do, you can be comforted in the knowledge that God is both loving and wise, and that HE understands HIS plans perfectly, even when you do not.
remember this: it is easier to trust God when times are good and more difficult to trust HIM when times are difficult. our challenge, as believers, is to trust God in every situation. good day all of you.
quote of the day:
"I am truly grateful that faith enables me to move past the question of 'Why?'." by Zig Ziglar
there's this american theologian by the name of Reinhold Niebuhr who composed a profoundly simple verse that has now become known as the Serenity Prayer....here is how it goes: "God, grant me the serenity to accept things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference." Niebuhr's words are far easier to recite than they are to live by.
Oswald Chambers correctly observed, "Our Lord never asks us to decide for Him; He asks us to yield to Him-a very different matter." these words remind us that even when we cannot understand the workings of God, we must trust HIM and accept HIS will. looks like i am using a lot of quotes today....but guess what....sometimes people wanna listen to what the pro's/guru's got to say right compared to me (an amateur or even a beginner-but i still believe God can use me...Amen!)
u know.....all of us experience adversity and pain in different levels during our walk in life. as human beings with limited comprehension, we can never fully understand the will of our Father in Heaven. but as believers in our Mighty God, we must always trust HIS providence.
when JESUS went to the Mount of Olives, as described in Luke 22, HE poured out HIS heart to God. JESUS knew of the agony that HE was destined to endure, but HE also knew that God's will must be done. we, like our Saviour, face trials that bring fear and trembling to the very depths of our souls, but like Christ, we must too ultimately seek God's will, not our own.
so....are you embittered by a personal tragedy that you did not deserve and cannot understand? if so, it's time to make peace with life. it's time to forgive others, and, if necessary, to forgive yourself. it's time to accept the unchangeable past, to embrace the priceless present, and to have faith in the promise of tomorrow. it's time to trust God completely. and it's time to reclaim peace-HIS peace- that can and should be yours.
so if you've encountered unfortunate circumstances that are beyond your power to control, accept those circumstances....and trust God. when you do, you can be comforted in the knowledge that God is both loving and wise, and that HE understands HIS plans perfectly, even when you do not.
remember this: it is easier to trust God when times are good and more difficult to trust HIM when times are difficult. our challenge, as believers, is to trust God in every situation. good day all of you.
quote of the day:
"I am truly grateful that faith enables me to move past the question of 'Why?'." by Zig Ziglar
Wednesday, May 2, 2007
beyond busyness
has the busy pace of life robbed you of the peace that might otherwise be yours through Jesus Christ? if so, you are simply too busy for your own good. through HIS only begotten SON, God offers you a peace that passes human understanding, but HE won't force HIS peace upon you; in order to experience it, you must slow down long enough to sense HIS presence and HIS love.
time is a nonrenewable gift from God. how will you use it? you know from experience that you should invest some time each day in yourself, but finding time to do so is easier said than done. as a busy christian, you may have difficulty investing large blocks of time in much-needed thought and self-reflection. if so, it may be time to reorder your priorities.
"first things first" is an adage that's easy to speak but hard to put into practice. why? because we live in a demanding world, a world filled with many distractions. and as we try to prioritize our days and our lives, we are confronted by so many people who are expecting so many things from us! but we must never allow ourselves to become so busy that we fail to make time for God.
God has big plans for us. discovering those plans will require trials and errors, meditation and prayer, faith and perseverance. the moments of silence that you claim for yourself will help you gather your thoughts and sense direction from your Creator.
each waking moment holds the potential to think a creative thought or offer a heartfelt prayer. so even if you're a person with too many demands and too few hours in which to meet them, don't panic. instead, be comforted in the knowledge that when you sincerely seek to discover God's priorities for your life, HE will provide answers in marvelous and surprising ways.
remember this: this is the day that God has made and that HE has filled it with countless opportunities to love, to serve, and to seek HIS guidance. seize those opportunities today, and keep seizing them everyday that you live. and as a gift to yourself, to your family, and to the world, slow down and claim the inner peace that is your spiritual birthright: the peace of Jesus Christ. it is offered freely; it has been paid for in full; it is yours for the asking. so ask, and then share. good day to all of you.
quote of the day:
"The most powerful life is the most simple life. The most powerful life is the life that knows where it's going, that knows where the source of strength is; it is the life that stays free of clutter and happenstance and hurriedness." by Max Lucado
time is a nonrenewable gift from God. how will you use it? you know from experience that you should invest some time each day in yourself, but finding time to do so is easier said than done. as a busy christian, you may have difficulty investing large blocks of time in much-needed thought and self-reflection. if so, it may be time to reorder your priorities.
"first things first" is an adage that's easy to speak but hard to put into practice. why? because we live in a demanding world, a world filled with many distractions. and as we try to prioritize our days and our lives, we are confronted by so many people who are expecting so many things from us! but we must never allow ourselves to become so busy that we fail to make time for God.
God has big plans for us. discovering those plans will require trials and errors, meditation and prayer, faith and perseverance. the moments of silence that you claim for yourself will help you gather your thoughts and sense direction from your Creator.
each waking moment holds the potential to think a creative thought or offer a heartfelt prayer. so even if you're a person with too many demands and too few hours in which to meet them, don't panic. instead, be comforted in the knowledge that when you sincerely seek to discover God's priorities for your life, HE will provide answers in marvelous and surprising ways.
remember this: this is the day that God has made and that HE has filled it with countless opportunities to love, to serve, and to seek HIS guidance. seize those opportunities today, and keep seizing them everyday that you live. and as a gift to yourself, to your family, and to the world, slow down and claim the inner peace that is your spiritual birthright: the peace of Jesus Christ. it is offered freely; it has been paid for in full; it is yours for the asking. so ask, and then share. good day to all of you.
quote of the day:
"The most powerful life is the most simple life. The most powerful life is the life that knows where it's going, that knows where the source of strength is; it is the life that stays free of clutter and happenstance and hurriedness." by Max Lucado
Tuesday, May 1, 2007
at home in God's church
happy labors day everyone.....hope all of you have an enjoyable break today....coming back to todays topic. it was written in the book of Acts where Luke reminded us to "feel the church of God" (20:28). as christians who have been saved by a loving, compassionate God, we are compelled not only to worship HIM in our hearts but also to worship HIM in the presence of fellow believers.
we live in a world that is teeming with temptations and distractions-a world where good and evil struggle in a constant battle to win our hearts and soul. our challenge, of course, is to ensure that we cast our lot on the side of God. one way to ensure that we do so is by the practice of regular, purposeful worship with our families (bros and sis in christ). when we worship God faithfully and fervently, we are blessed. when we fail to worship God, we forfeit the spiritual gifts that HE intends for us.
the church belongs to God and not anyone else; it is HIS just as certainly as we are HIS. when we help build God's church, we bear witness to the changes that HE made in our lives.
today and everyday, let us worship God with grateful hearts and helping hands as we support the church that HE has created. let us witness to our friends, to our families, and to the world. when we do so, we bless others-and we are blessed by the ONE who sent HIS Son to die so that we might have eternal life.
so......make church a celebration, not an obligation (a lot of ppl is doing this nowadays): your attitude towards church is important, in part, because it is contagious.....so celebrate accordingly. good day all of you !!
quote of the day :
"Every time a new person comes to God, every time someone's gifts find expression in fellowship of believers, every time a family in need is surrounded by the caring church, the truth is affirmed anew: the Church triumphant is alive and well." by Gloria Gaither
we live in a world that is teeming with temptations and distractions-a world where good and evil struggle in a constant battle to win our hearts and soul. our challenge, of course, is to ensure that we cast our lot on the side of God. one way to ensure that we do so is by the practice of regular, purposeful worship with our families (bros and sis in christ). when we worship God faithfully and fervently, we are blessed. when we fail to worship God, we forfeit the spiritual gifts that HE intends for us.
the church belongs to God and not anyone else; it is HIS just as certainly as we are HIS. when we help build God's church, we bear witness to the changes that HE made in our lives.
today and everyday, let us worship God with grateful hearts and helping hands as we support the church that HE has created. let us witness to our friends, to our families, and to the world. when we do so, we bless others-and we are blessed by the ONE who sent HIS Son to die so that we might have eternal life.
so......make church a celebration, not an obligation (a lot of ppl is doing this nowadays): your attitude towards church is important, in part, because it is contagious.....so celebrate accordingly. good day all of you !!
quote of the day :
"Every time a new person comes to God, every time someone's gifts find expression in fellowship of believers, every time a family in need is surrounded by the caring church, the truth is affirmed anew: the Church triumphant is alive and well." by Gloria Gaither
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