Posts
Learn not just the truth but the whole truth about God's nature and character
It is only when we understand who God is that we will understand what He does.
We must be careful not to interpret God's character by what we see, but what we see by God's character.
" "I will have mercy on whom I have mercy,
and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion."
It does not, therefore, depend on man's desire or effort, but on God's mercy.
One of you will say to me: "Then why does God still blame us? For who resists his will?" But who are you, O man, to talk back to God? "Shall what is formed say to him who formed it, 'Why did you make me like this?' " Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for noble purposes and some for common use?
What if God, choosing to show his wrath and make his power known, bore with great patience the objects of his wrath--prepared for destruction? What if he did this to make the riches of his glory known to the objects of his mercy, whom he prepared in advance for glory - even us, whom he also called, not only from the Jews but also from the Gentiles?"
- Romans 9:15,16,19-24
Friday, July 30, 2004
Thursday, July 29, 2004
Co-heirs with Christ
"So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir."
- Galatians 4:7
God only does what is right, and what is best for us. Instead if questioning God, our attitude should be like this:
"I don't know what You're doing, Lord, but I know this:
You are a God of justice, of faithfulness, of holiness, of purity, of power and of right judgment.
I bow before Your superior knowledge and wisdom and ask for grace to bear Your discipline."
This should be our teachability.
"Unless the LORD builds the house,
its builders labor in vain.
Unless the LORD watches over the city,
the watchmen stand guard in vain."
- Psalm 127:1
- Galatians 4:7
God only does what is right, and what is best for us. Instead if questioning God, our attitude should be like this:
"I don't know what You're doing, Lord, but I know this:
You are a God of justice, of faithfulness, of holiness, of purity, of power and of right judgment.
I bow before Your superior knowledge and wisdom and ask for grace to bear Your discipline."
This should be our teachability.
"Unless the LORD builds the house,
its builders labor in vain.
Unless the LORD watches over the city,
the watchmen stand guard in vain."
- Psalm 127:1
God is always right!
God always acts according to what is right, in His righteousness reflected in the moral fibre of our hearts. God obeys every law He has laid down for us:
By all that God requires of me
I know that He Himself must be
God is right in everything He does, no matter how things must seem.
"Will not the Judge of all the earth do right?"
- Genesis 18:25b
"I will proclaim the name of the LORD .
Oh, praise the greatness of our God!
He is the Rock, his works are perfect,
and all his ways are just.
A faithful God who does no wrong,
upright and just is he."
- Deuteronomy 32:3-4
"Far be it from God to do evil,
from the Almighty to do wrong.
It is unthinkable that God would do wrong,
that the Almighty would pervert justice."
- Job 34:10,12
By all that God requires of me
I know that He Himself must be
God is right in everything He does, no matter how things must seem.
"Will not the Judge of all the earth do right?"
- Genesis 18:25b
"I will proclaim the name of the LORD .
Oh, praise the greatness of our God!
He is the Rock, his works are perfect,
and all his ways are just.
A faithful God who does no wrong,
upright and just is he."
- Deuteronomy 32:3-4
"Far be it from God to do evil,
from the Almighty to do wrong.
It is unthinkable that God would do wrong,
that the Almighty would pervert justice."
- Job 34:10,12
Double Portion
Elisha asked for a double portion of Elijah's anointing, and got it. He believed he would get it even though Elijah told him many times to stop following him. In the end, God granted Elisha's request.
If you want something, be persistent in seeking God for it!
If you want something, be persistent in seeking God for it!
Tuesday, July 27, 2004
Customised Service
God deals with us each on a personal basis, depending on our understanding of Him and our condition.
For example, He may choose to reveal himself after a certain time, like He did with the two disciples en route to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-32). These two were grieving, so Jesus wanted them to come to terms with their sorrow and deal with their pain. That's why He spoke to them wothout revealing Himself first.
Alternatively. Jesus appeared suddenly to His disciples in Jersalem soon after (Luke 24:36-49). Why the difference? The disciples weren't grieving; it was mroe an issue of confusion and unbelief that Christ needed to address.
God can be trusted to reveal Himself appropriately and pertinently.
For example, He may choose to reveal himself after a certain time, like He did with the two disciples en route to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-32). These two were grieving, so Jesus wanted them to come to terms with their sorrow and deal with their pain. That's why He spoke to them wothout revealing Himself first.
Alternatively. Jesus appeared suddenly to His disciples in Jersalem soon after (Luke 24:36-49). Why the difference? The disciples weren't grieving; it was mroe an issue of confusion and unbelief that Christ needed to address.
God can be trusted to reveal Himself appropriately and pertinently.
Saturday, July 24, 2004
A Timely Word
Your listening should not be restricted to God. Also keep a wise ear to people who seek your counsel. Draw on God's wisdom, and listen fully before speaking.
"A man finds joy in giving an apt reply - and how good is a timely word!
A cheerful look brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the bones."
- Proverbs 15:23,30
"A man finds joy in giving an apt reply - and how good is a timely word!
A cheerful look brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the bones."
- Proverbs 15:23,30
Sounds of Silence
God does not always shout. Sometimes He whispers too. Pray that God will sharpen your listening skill to hear His still small voice. (1 Kings 19:11-13)
Friday, July 23, 2004
Go on...
"But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me."
- 2 Corinthians 12:9
My friend has just been christened Grace. And what a name, because God has grace for everything. However difficult to accept, God's revelation to you must be obeyed. Pain or no pain, there must be no turning back - we must march on.
If you accept what God says, He will "strengthen the feeble hands, steady the knees that give way; say to those with fearful hearts, "Be strong, do not fear; your God will come"" (Isaiah 35:3-4).
Yield to what God has shown you. After all, God knows best!
- 2 Corinthians 12:9
My friend has just been christened Grace. And what a name, because God has grace for everything. However difficult to accept, God's revelation to you must be obeyed. Pain or no pain, there must be no turning back - we must march on.
If you accept what God says, He will "strengthen the feeble hands, steady the knees that give way; say to those with fearful hearts, "Be strong, do not fear; your God will come"" (Isaiah 35:3-4).
Yield to what God has shown you. After all, God knows best!
Tuesday, July 20, 2004
The Light That Scorches
Can we handle God's plan for us? If He told you to drop everything, quit your job and prepare to go to the mision field in three months, would you? If He told you to forego your natural talent and preach the gospel instead?
Easier said than done certainly, but follwoing God's will is the only way to true freedom. Do not let this frighten you from seeking God's answer but instead be encouraged that God has a unique plan just for you.
"Whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ."
- Philippians 3:7
Easier said than done certainly, but follwoing God's will is the only way to true freedom. Do not let this frighten you from seeking God's answer but instead be encouraged that God has a unique plan just for you.
"Whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ."
- Philippians 3:7
Friday, July 16, 2004
Are you ready?
What are the reasons God does not answer promptly? Well in Habakkuk's case, his situation was one that you can contrive to be either firghtening, or frightfully exciting.
"For I am going to do something in your days
that you would not believe,
even if you were told."
- Habakkuk 1:5
Whoa. That's the reason for God's silence to Habakkuk. The reason for God's delay was that Habakkuk was simply not ready to receive the answer. He would've got a spiritual heart attack! God's reasons for His timing are always impeccably self-explanatory.
Let us be teachable, for we may be big enough to ask the questions, but are we big enough to handle and accept God's answer? Say what you need to say to God, and be honest with Him. Then when the saliva runs dry, be still and know that He is God: Wait on Him.
Furthermore, what is the point of God revealing His plan to you if he knows you cannot or will not understand it? He knows when we're ready so let's trust Him.
"He did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith."
- Matthew 13:58
"He rebuked them for their lack of faith."
- Mark 16:14
Beware, for our lack of faith, in God's timing for example, can prevent God's work from being accomplished in our life. It can also be a reason for God's rebuke.
Have faith in God's timing, for He knows when we're ready. Amen?
"For I am going to do something in your days
that you would not believe,
even if you were told."
- Habakkuk 1:5
Whoa. That's the reason for God's silence to Habakkuk. The reason for God's delay was that Habakkuk was simply not ready to receive the answer. He would've got a spiritual heart attack! God's reasons for His timing are always impeccably self-explanatory.
Let us be teachable, for we may be big enough to ask the questions, but are we big enough to handle and accept God's answer? Say what you need to say to God, and be honest with Him. Then when the saliva runs dry, be still and know that He is God: Wait on Him.
Furthermore, what is the point of God revealing His plan to you if he knows you cannot or will not understand it? He knows when we're ready so let's trust Him.
"He did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith."
- Matthew 13:58
"He rebuked them for their lack of faith."
- Mark 16:14
Beware, for our lack of faith, in God's timing for example, can prevent God's work from being accomplished in our life. It can also be a reason for God's rebuke.
Have faith in God's timing, for He knows when we're ready. Amen?
MORE good news!
Oooh goody.
Little uniformed birds on a tree told me that the pay increment for NSFs is actually closer to $100, and might be implemented earlier than thought.
Also I'm to be promoted to Trainee Corporal wef 16 Sep 04, so that's ANOTHER $20. Let's hope the pay hike takes effect quickly!
Little uniformed birds on a tree told me that the pay increment for NSFs is actually closer to $100, and might be implemented earlier than thought.
Also I'm to be promoted to Trainee Corporal wef 16 Sep 04, so that's ANOTHER $20. Let's hope the pay hike takes effect quickly!
Thursday, July 15, 2004
Unanswered Prayer (15 Jul 2004)
Oooh. Frustrating isn't it? Especially if it's something you know is in God's will. Why does God take so long sometimes?
Some of us are claiming upon the promises of God, but the redemption coupon is taking ages to process. Maybe it got lost in the mail? Got thrown to junk mail? Maybe we need to phrase the prayer just the right way with perfect diction and enunciation? Why, despite our earnest and intense intercession, does God still not reply?
If you're asking all these questions, congratulations! - you're human. The fact is - God has heard, and will attend to your request within three working days: His working days.
The three words we need to remember are: In God's Time. Of course we're confused, confounded or even despairing! We have to learn to submit ourselves to God's impeccable sense of timing. Learning to wait on Him builds our faith and character in Him. Trust that God will deliver, even when things get desperate.
All in His good time. =]
Some of us are claiming upon the promises of God, but the redemption coupon is taking ages to process. Maybe it got lost in the mail? Got thrown to junk mail? Maybe we need to phrase the prayer just the right way with perfect diction and enunciation? Why, despite our earnest and intense intercession, does God still not reply?
If you're asking all these questions, congratulations! - you're human. The fact is - God has heard, and will attend to your request within three working days: His working days.
The three words we need to remember are: In God's Time. Of course we're confused, confounded or even despairing! We have to learn to submit ourselves to God's impeccable sense of timing. Learning to wait on Him builds our faith and character in Him. Trust that God will deliver, even when things get desperate.
All in His good time. =]
No Need to Bleed (15 Jul 2004)
What does God require when we come before Him?
A humble spirit, a contrite heart, and no unresolved emotions. There's probably more, but for my purposes this will suffice.
God does not require self-mutilation, a crawl to China on your knees, ot other sacrifices to prove worthy of His love. If all of us went crawling to China, wouldn't the church be in trouble! "Brother So-and-so is now at Laos, but realises he can't cross the Mekong on his knees. He's returning next month."
He certainly isn't sadistic, and His grace is sufficient forus.
Jesus has already spilt His blood to redeem us. By metaphorically cutting ourselves, what we're saying is that CHrist dying isn't good enough for us.
A humble spirit, a contrite heart, and no unresolved emotions. There's probably more, but for my purposes this will suffice.
God does not require self-mutilation, a crawl to China on your knees, ot other sacrifices to prove worthy of His love. If all of us went crawling to China, wouldn't the church be in trouble! "Brother So-and-so is now at Laos, but realises he can't cross the Mekong on his knees. He's returning next month."
He certainly isn't sadistic, and His grace is sufficient forus.
Jesus has already spilt His blood to redeem us. By metaphorically cutting ourselves, what we're saying is that CHrist dying isn't good enough for us.
Wednesday, July 14, 2004
A Spiritual Revolution
"The LORD would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks with his friend."
- Exodus 33:11
Some of us may have been brought up in a family of traditional patriarchy, worse still if it is Oriental in origin.
Aloof yet acerbic;
authoritative yet abstemious;
absolute yet absent;
some call it asinine.
A rude tongue would be promptly forked (ouch), and insubordination was (is?) taboo, and probably liable to corporal punishment. Damn I hate my rank. If you're wondering, rang is rank in French. So is the weirdly spelt corporal.
It is an authority led by fear rather than familiarity.
I'm glad to say that our Heavenly Father is none of these. God has been involved in our life even before we came into this world, and He loved us even before we knew Him personally. When God sent His Son Jesus to die for us on the cross, a spiritual revolution took place.
He is not aloof; far from it. This is a God that has His fingers in every pie, a cook for every broth, to handle what we can't.
He is not acerbic; far from it. His rebukes are borne of the unconditional love that He has for us.
He is not self-contradictory. While He exercises His authority in our life, He gives us Choice. And when we struggle to choose correctly, He is not abstemious; He's there to help us out.
He is absolute and omnipresent.
How asinine to suggest that God is otherwise!
Yes we ought to fear God, but positively. The fear of God is respect given to God as an acknowledgement of His deity. Yet GOd wants us to be familiar with Him and understand Him, that we may the desire the godly things that He does.
We can speak frankly and honestly to Him because He is our Heavenly Father. Bring your frustration and fallibility to Him, and let Him turn it into "something beautiful".
Let the spiritual revolution continue in our hearts.
- Exodus 33:11
Some of us may have been brought up in a family of traditional patriarchy, worse still if it is Oriental in origin.
Aloof yet acerbic;
authoritative yet abstemious;
absolute yet absent;
some call it asinine.
A rude tongue would be promptly forked (ouch), and insubordination was (is?) taboo, and probably liable to corporal punishment. Damn I hate my rank. If you're wondering, rang is rank in French. So is the weirdly spelt corporal.
It is an authority led by fear rather than familiarity.
I'm glad to say that our Heavenly Father is none of these. God has been involved in our life even before we came into this world, and He loved us even before we knew Him personally. When God sent His Son Jesus to die for us on the cross, a spiritual revolution took place.
He is not aloof; far from it. This is a God that has His fingers in every pie, a cook for every broth, to handle what we can't.
He is not acerbic; far from it. His rebukes are borne of the unconditional love that He has for us.
He is not self-contradictory. While He exercises His authority in our life, He gives us Choice. And when we struggle to choose correctly, He is not abstemious; He's there to help us out.
He is absolute and omnipresent.
How asinine to suggest that God is otherwise!
Yes we ought to fear God, but positively. The fear of God is respect given to God as an acknowledgement of His deity. Yet GOd wants us to be familiar with Him and understand Him, that we may the desire the godly things that He does.
We can speak frankly and honestly to Him because He is our Heavenly Father. Bring your frustration and fallibility to Him, and let Him turn it into "something beautiful".
Let the spiritual revolution continue in our hearts.
Tuesday, July 13, 2004
God's Amazing Patience (13 Jul 2004)
"I trust in your unfailing love;
my heart rejoices in your salvation.
I will sing to the LORD,
for he has been good to me."
- Psalm 13:5,6
Lord Your patience is amazing, but mine is not. I am having trouble focusing on Your will and purpose. Worse still, I am stumbling others similarly.
Lord, I have already decided to take such a difficult and heart-wrenching step, but I trust it is right. This step I have taken tests me on how much I trust you, beyond however much I've been tested thus far. And as I see it, this test might extend up to four years, and perhaps more. 16 seasons, 16 stars in a glass jar.
Humanly, I look at the situation and I know it's impossible: I can't Lord. I thought ORD would represent a watershed in the testing of my faith, but it is not. It is only the beginning, and I am clueless as to what lies beyond.
I need you to show me quick. I have already sacrificed and foregone my greatest source of happiness for You! What more must I give or give up? I am near my limit Lord, please help me.
"But from everlasting to everlasting
the LORD's love is with those who fear him,
and his righteousness with their children's children -
with those who keep his covenant
and remember to obey his precepts."
- Paslm 103:17,18
And then God spoke to me.
"The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise."
- 2 Peter 3:9
Phwoar! Fantastic right?
Our God is an awesome god
He reigns from heaven above
With wisdom, power and love
Our God is an awesome God
my heart rejoices in your salvation.
I will sing to the LORD,
for he has been good to me."
- Psalm 13:5,6
Lord Your patience is amazing, but mine is not. I am having trouble focusing on Your will and purpose. Worse still, I am stumbling others similarly.
Lord, I have already decided to take such a difficult and heart-wrenching step, but I trust it is right. This step I have taken tests me on how much I trust you, beyond however much I've been tested thus far. And as I see it, this test might extend up to four years, and perhaps more. 16 seasons, 16 stars in a glass jar.
Humanly, I look at the situation and I know it's impossible: I can't Lord. I thought ORD would represent a watershed in the testing of my faith, but it is not. It is only the beginning, and I am clueless as to what lies beyond.
I need you to show me quick. I have already sacrificed and foregone my greatest source of happiness for You! What more must I give or give up? I am near my limit Lord, please help me.
"But from everlasting to everlasting
the LORD's love is with those who fear him,
and his righteousness with their children's children -
with those who keep his covenant
and remember to obey his precepts."
- Paslm 103:17,18
And then God spoke to me.
"The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise."
- 2 Peter 3:9
Phwoar! Fantastic right?
Our God is an awesome god
He reigns from heaven above
With wisdom, power and love
Our God is an awesome God
More good news!
I have just been officially informed that I have been permanently downgraded to PES C9L3, with permanent excuse No 4 uniform. What this means is:
1. No more IPPT, now and reservist.
2. 5-year reservist cycle (I think)
3. No need to run Army Half-Marathon. Sorry donations made are unrefundable.
4. No more folding Smart No 4, Hello spiffy No 3.
5. No more lacing up boots.
6. No more garters.
7. Admin attire every day till I get my No 3.
Unfortunately, it also means:
1. No cash reward even if I pass IPPT in reservist.
2. Gee can't think of anything else. Hooray!
1. No more IPPT, now and reservist.
2. 5-year reservist cycle (I think)
3. No need to run Army Half-Marathon. Sorry donations made are unrefundable.
4. No more folding Smart No 4, Hello spiffy No 3.
5. No more lacing up boots.
6. No more garters.
7. Admin attire every day till I get my No 3.
Unfortunately, it also means:
1. No cash reward even if I pass IPPT in reservist.
2. Gee can't think of anything else. Hooray!
10 THings You Didn't Know About Yourselves
OK all my rabid fans! Here are some quirky facts you might not have known about yourselves!
1. 97% of you use Windows OSes, the other 3% are either Mackies or liars.
2. 7% of you visit my site from places like the States, UK, Eastern Europe and Australia. Who are you? I wanna know! I'm guessing Nat, Foong Lay, Yew Hock, and the Mass Comm Brigade in Oz, but let me know who you are!
3. 2% of you log on from a edu.sg domain. I wonder who's skiving MOE time... =]
4. 95% of you are on IE 5 or 6. The remaining use Mozilla or Netscape. Jeannie, you're on Mozilla right?
5. Most of you log on between noon and 8pm local time. At least you guys are sane. Hmmm during office hours leh.
6. Most of you visit on Thursday. Sundays and Tuesdays you just can't lift a finger to click.
7. Site traffic has increased by a phenomenal 280% since January this year. Keep it up guys! =]
8. I get about 17 hits a day, and you guys hang around for about 2 min or so. Glad to take up 35 min of your time daily. Hope it made your day.
9. All of you speak English.
10. 100% of you can't wait to get tomorrow's fix of unadulterated cow crap!
Data from Sitemeter.com
1. 97% of you use Windows OSes, the other 3% are either Mackies or liars.
2. 7% of you visit my site from places like the States, UK, Eastern Europe and Australia. Who are you? I wanna know! I'm guessing Nat, Foong Lay, Yew Hock, and the Mass Comm Brigade in Oz, but let me know who you are!
3. 2% of you log on from a edu.sg domain. I wonder who's skiving MOE time... =]
4. 95% of you are on IE 5 or 6. The remaining use Mozilla or Netscape. Jeannie, you're on Mozilla right?
5. Most of you log on between noon and 8pm local time. At least you guys are sane. Hmmm during office hours leh.
6. Most of you visit on Thursday. Sundays and Tuesdays you just can't lift a finger to click.
7. Site traffic has increased by a phenomenal 280% since January this year. Keep it up guys! =]
8. I get about 17 hits a day, and you guys hang around for about 2 min or so. Glad to take up 35 min of your time daily. Hope it made your day.
9. All of you speak English.
10. 100% of you can't wait to get tomorrow's fix of unadulterated cow crap!
Data from Sitemeter.com
Brainiest? Or best mugger?
For the record, Singapore's Brainiest Kid highlights a lot of things wrong with Singaporean values and education. Why is memorisation so prized? Is mindless regurgitation over topics like Roald Dahl's Big Friendly Giant and weird video games really and indication of our children's intellect. If so, and the Singaporean public lapping it up thinks so, then God help us. Where's the brains in that? I am appalled, though I was like that as a kid. Where's the emphasis on problem-solving? Let's see the BFG expert write an original opinionated piece, and see if he's so brainy after all. All these smart-alecky kids with their smug faces, and brainier-than-thou posturing should have their misguided pride defrocked and neutered.
I Need You Now by All Star United
When worlds collide
Then drift away
I will cling to the pieces
The ones that point at the way to go
More than anything I want You to know
So here I wait
Cold and afraid
I'm not the kind to cry Jesus
Or put my heart on parade
There are four words I want You to know
Chorus
I need you now
More than ever Lord
Give me truth over mystery
'Cos when you're around
The uncertainty seems to fade into history
Now that you've heard
My empty heartache's lament
I'm praying now that You'll be breaking through
This heavy shell of cement, and oh
More than anything I want You to know
I'm crying out
I'm pushing through
I'm trading fear and doubts for truth and absolutes
Was lost, then found
These things I never knew
Without You
Then drift away
I will cling to the pieces
The ones that point at the way to go
More than anything I want You to know
So here I wait
Cold and afraid
I'm not the kind to cry Jesus
Or put my heart on parade
There are four words I want You to know
Chorus
I need you now
More than ever Lord
Give me truth over mystery
'Cos when you're around
The uncertainty seems to fade into history
Now that you've heard
My empty heartache's lament
I'm praying now that You'll be breaking through
This heavy shell of cement, and oh
More than anything I want You to know
I'm crying out
I'm pushing through
I'm trading fear and doubts for truth and absolutes
Was lost, then found
These things I never knew
Without You
If We Were Lovers by All Star United
Let's take a walk into the sky
Conversing with the stars to fathom why
They're not afraid to burn
To lose themselves while turning into light
Chorus
If we were lovers
Like we were meant to be
Open arms, broken hearts
All the world to see
If we were lovers
Loving like we say
All the ghosts of doubt would crash and burn away
The obvious will be implied
From the simple implications of our lives
If we don't get it right
I guess they're gonna wait a long long time
An extraordinary love
Offers heal for hurt and kind for cruelty
Words are not enough
Revolution must begin for you and me
If we were lovers
Then we would love
Conversing with the stars to fathom why
They're not afraid to burn
To lose themselves while turning into light
Chorus
If we were lovers
Like we were meant to be
Open arms, broken hearts
All the world to see
If we were lovers
Loving like we say
All the ghosts of doubt would crash and burn away
The obvious will be implied
From the simple implications of our lives
If we don't get it right
I guess they're gonna wait a long long time
An extraordinary love
Offers heal for hurt and kind for cruelty
Words are not enough
Revolution must begin for you and me
If we were lovers
Then we would love
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