Mlworship#17 Afflictions on reflection

Afflictions, on reflection, …..


‘I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger or disputing.’
1 Timothy 2:8


1. Lunch amongst friends is always a time of cheer. But lunch in the presence of God is not just joyful but a blessed affair.

2. Today, it is gratifying to see the heartfelt thanks, glowing through all present(10 to be exact), and not just in the eyes of those who shared their testimonies of God’s grace in their lives the last 1 month, be it:
- the rock like faith of our sister, knowing that God will lead the blind or blinded in facing the harsh and cold elements of nature in wintry New York
- the tasty tales of cakes that went ‘missing’ but found its way back to a hungry and grateful soul
- the enthusiastic display of faith of our loved ones as they take turns to slipped up in their physical walk while holding sturdy their spiritual walk with God

and many more snippets of the wonderful love of our Father in heaven for us worldly beings.

3. Tonight, as I spend time with God, I read John 20:1-10.

When the dark days of Jesus cruxification drew to a close, it seems that all was lost.
Hope returned however, on that first resurrection.

‘Christ died for our sins according to Scriptures and ………..rise again on the 3rd day’
1 Corinthians 1:3-4

We are all might be familiar with the promise of salvation and eternal life, when we repent of our sins. However, for me tonight, this verse took on a more powerful analogy.

That is, afflictions we will go through, for God allows it for our refinement and good,

As scripture says,

‘We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may be revealed in our body’
2 Corinthians 4:10



4. But we are never alone, for God will walk with us, and He will always bring good out of evil.

‘We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed,
perplexed but not in despair, persecuted but not forsaken;
struck down, but not destroyed.’
2 Corinthians 4:8-9

5. In what may often seem to be our darkest moment(till the next bad one), be it crazy bulls of the farming type, Sars, misguided religious zealots, prancing pigs or birds gone awry,

‘Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens’
Hebrews 12:26

6. the light of God will always shine through, for Jesus has nailed all our sins and its concomitant afflictions on the cross.

‘I, even, I, am the Lord and apart from me, there is no saviour.’
Isaiah 43:11


7. Take up the cross, trust and obey. God will make a way, when there seems to be no way.

‘For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His love for those who fear Him’
Psalm 103:11

8. In this reassurance of God, is also an admonishment of love from God

In Matthew 22,
Jesus shared the parables about the kingdom of heaven which is like a certain king who arranged a marriage to his son.
Invitations were sent out but not many were willing to come.
Some did come but were without wedding garments and hence thrown out.

‘For many are called, but few are chosen.’
Mathew 22:14

9. While we will not want to wish it on anyone, friends or foe, statistically, the probability of getting Sars/mad cow or bird virus or the next plague might be easier than striking Singapore Sweep.


But there is only one way to Heaven.

a) For those who will like to partake in God’s grace today,

Repent of your sins, believe in Jesus and Respond to God’s will always.

‘Lord Jesus, I need you.
Thank you for dying on the cross for my sins.
I open the door of my life and receive you as my Saviour and Lord
Thank you for forgiving my sins and giving eternal life.
Take control of the throne of my life.
Make me the kind of person you want me to be. Amen.

b) For those of us who have repented and accepted Christ as our Saviour.
Do reflect upon the above Sinner’s prayer. Have we forgotten(consciously or subconsciously) our covenant with God??

‘Therefore since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe for our God is a consuming fire.’
Hebrews 12:28


God bless.