The world and critics will say "The pastures on the opposite side are greener, lusher and nicer or simply, the grass is always greener on the other side."
I thought hard about it and I'll say "No, I prefer my current patch of grass, and in my opinion, looking at my own life, I daresay the grass is NOT greener on the opposite side."
As I was reminded today, God's favour is always upon those who's hearts and lives are loyal and fully committed to him. Yet many a times, I tend to ask God things like how come I don't seem to have God's favour etc. I was once again reminded today that hey, due to our own limited knowledge and perspective, what we comprehend as God's favour or God's apparent lack of favour may not be God's favour as a whole. Instead of whining, complaining or even being emotional, I want to instead take the reverse approach.
Look at the things around and about me, and give thanks. An increase in faith, not to be locked in the natural but to be focused on the supernatural.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Monday, March 9, 2009
Practical Surrender
During Saturday's service, i happened to take a glance (i wasn't peeping lol) at the large screen during altar call and i was amazed by what i saw. Just as how the song went, "so I'll stand with arms high and hearts abandoned, in awe of the one who gave it all", hands were raised in worship to God throughout the auditorium. Wow, is the word to describe the scene.
I think it's really great to see people raising their hands in total surrender to God during worship. But then again, at that very instance, I asked myself this question, "Does one's surrender stop merely at the act of raising hands during worship?"
Obviously not. I think the act of raising one's hands is really great, but if we stop there then I'm afraid that this act of surrender will amount to nothing. My decision to surrender my life to God has to always be backed up with actions. Do I still refuse to change when God uses people to speak into my life, into areas that I need to change? Do I still restrict entry to God in certain areas of my life? Do I surrender this areas to God only during the time of worship? I'm a imperfect person but yes, I want to make every effort to surrender every area of my life to God. It may not always be comfortable, enjoyable or even logical in my perspective but I know it's essential.
I raise my hands not during the chorus and bridge of a song when the atmosphere is emotional, or when everybody is doing so. I lift my hands in surrender because I realize that I need to reach out to you even before you touch my heart during worship. I need you God, you don't need me. So I'll cherish this second chance that is given.
I think it's really great to see people raising their hands in total surrender to God during worship. But then again, at that very instance, I asked myself this question, "Does one's surrender stop merely at the act of raising hands during worship?"
Obviously not. I think the act of raising one's hands is really great, but if we stop there then I'm afraid that this act of surrender will amount to nothing. My decision to surrender my life to God has to always be backed up with actions. Do I still refuse to change when God uses people to speak into my life, into areas that I need to change? Do I still restrict entry to God in certain areas of my life? Do I surrender this areas to God only during the time of worship? I'm a imperfect person but yes, I want to make every effort to surrender every area of my life to God. It may not always be comfortable, enjoyable or even logical in my perspective but I know it's essential.
I raise my hands not during the chorus and bridge of a song when the atmosphere is emotional, or when everybody is doing so. I lift my hands in surrender because I realize that I need to reach out to you even before you touch my heart during worship. I need you God, you don't need me. So I'll cherish this second chance that is given.
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Friday, March 6, 2009
Tough Times Don't Last, Tough Men Do
Revelation5:12
In a loud voice they sang: "Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!"
Choosing to face the problem with God will never break you, instead it'll make you.
In a loud voice they sang: "Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!"
Choosing to face the problem with God will never break you, instead it'll make you.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Faith Beyong The Norm
I can't get to sleep and I'm feeling hungry. I'm sure a lot of you can identify with me. Probably because of my super long afternoon nap, don't be jealous!
We're officially 14 hours away from release time. I ask for faith beyond the norm. Often, God isn't really interested in the current situation, he's more interested in you; how and what he can change or do in your life.
Doors that God open, no one can shut. The reverse is so true as well. Doors that God choose to shut, no one can open.
We're officially 14 hours away from release time. I ask for faith beyond the norm. Often, God isn't really interested in the current situation, he's more interested in you; how and what he can change or do in your life.
Doors that God open, no one can shut. The reverse is so true as well. Doors that God choose to shut, no one can open.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Friday the 13th
Almost every single person of age, is talking about it. A LEVEL results are coming back this Friday. Okay, it's not the 13th, it's the 6th. But anyway, I decided to blog about it as well. If I say I'm not nervous, I would be lying. But then again, I'm not that scared as the day looms nearer; a day closer to the so called disaster day. Somehow I find it exciting (I'm not crazy -.- lol)
It's perhaps really true that the biggest obstacle or challenge that we have to overcome, is not the fear of what we will be receiving on Friday. Am I going to do well? Am I going to screw up? Am I going to meet my own expectations? Or am I going to be able to enter university? All this questions will definitely be running through every single one of our heads as we approach 230pm. The biggest challenge or obstacle that we have to overcome, in my opinion, it is how are we going to respond after we receive our results. Many a time, this is the ultimate trap that we always fall into. If I screw up, will I blame it on God? Will I use it as an excuse to have self pity on myself and soon after leave God? On the contrary, if I do well, will I really attribute this victory to God or to myself? Will I because of this, come to the conclusion that I don't need God and there are so much more great and enjoyable things for me to do out there, and in the process forget about God?
This is the greatest challenge. It's how we respond after we have received our results and comprehended where our future lies from that moment on. Who wouldn't want to have good results? I would love to. But I know that not everyone achieves fantastic results.
So today, I pray that even as the day draws closer, I pray for an increase in faith even before I receive my results. Faith in you and not in myself. If somehow, I have a inkling that I'll really screw up, I want to change this mindset. Your power and grace shall not be underestimated. My faith is in your grace and power. On the other hand, there's always an inkling that you may not do badly as well. Self confidence is great, but without humility to go along with it, it becomes self exaltation. And I know how detrimental it can be. I pray for greater humility to go along with this greater faith that i ask.
I'm a bit greedy for prayer needs. Haha. I pray that after I receive my results, I pray for peace and assurance. That all in all, your name will still be lifted high above all things. I may not be able to comprehend at that very instance what you're doing, but I will trust in you, for you hold my hopes, my dreams and my plans.
Exodus 14:13-14
Moses answered the people, "Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still."
It's perhaps really true that the biggest obstacle or challenge that we have to overcome, is not the fear of what we will be receiving on Friday. Am I going to do well? Am I going to screw up? Am I going to meet my own expectations? Or am I going to be able to enter university? All this questions will definitely be running through every single one of our heads as we approach 230pm. The biggest challenge or obstacle that we have to overcome, in my opinion, it is how are we going to respond after we receive our results. Many a time, this is the ultimate trap that we always fall into. If I screw up, will I blame it on God? Will I use it as an excuse to have self pity on myself and soon after leave God? On the contrary, if I do well, will I really attribute this victory to God or to myself? Will I because of this, come to the conclusion that I don't need God and there are so much more great and enjoyable things for me to do out there, and in the process forget about God?
This is the greatest challenge. It's how we respond after we have received our results and comprehended where our future lies from that moment on. Who wouldn't want to have good results? I would love to. But I know that not everyone achieves fantastic results.
So today, I pray that even as the day draws closer, I pray for an increase in faith even before I receive my results. Faith in you and not in myself. If somehow, I have a inkling that I'll really screw up, I want to change this mindset. Your power and grace shall not be underestimated. My faith is in your grace and power. On the other hand, there's always an inkling that you may not do badly as well. Self confidence is great, but without humility to go along with it, it becomes self exaltation. And I know how detrimental it can be. I pray for greater humility to go along with this greater faith that i ask.
I'm a bit greedy for prayer needs. Haha. I pray that after I receive my results, I pray for peace and assurance. That all in all, your name will still be lifted high above all things. I may not be able to comprehend at that very instance what you're doing, but I will trust in you, for you hold my hopes, my dreams and my plans.
Exodus 14:13-14
Moses answered the people, "Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still."
Monday, March 2, 2009
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