Dear…
'Let each of you look out not only for his own interests but also for the interests of others'
Philippians 2:4
'For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more'
1 Corinthians 9:19
The late charismatic US President, John F Kennedy was remembered not just for his rumoured dalliance with the equally immemorable Marilyn Monroe, but also for his inspiring call in his inaugural speech as the US President to Americans: "ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country"
Philippians 2:4 was talking about anyone God places in our lives, Kennedy's was more narrowly defined and limited to the American citizenry.
1 Corinthians 9:19 brings God's perspective of leadership, not from a high pedestal, but from the footrests
'But you shall be a man and not a god……'
Ezekiel 28:9
Kennedy epitomise the fresh faced confidence of a America that has been the recent saviour of the world from the Nazis of Aryan Germany and the Samurais of Japan. An America that was in the early stages of involvement in the Vietnam war, a defender of the next perceived threat to the free world, the communist tide.
Of course, the Americans or more like Bush, should have learned that though their coins clearly stated that "In God we trusts," they are not God and be it of good or clouded intent, men cannot play God and prayerfully, Iraq will not be another Vietnam.
What about the rest of us? Many subscribe to the literal interpretation of Ezekiel 28:9. They are agreed that they are not God. So lets just be man, And what is man like? Sinful, self centred, judgemental and of finite understanding and capabilities, much as we might beg to differ.
'…How then can we live?
Ezekiel 33:10
We as believers are asked to live a life that is Christ-like. That in itself is a life-long journey and only in fixing our hearts on the Lord our God will we not err from His path. What about our loved ones?
For most of us with children, they are both a joy and also a source of great angst, as we the sinful try to nurture them, the increasingly exposed to the present sinful world, into a sin-free mould.. A losing battle it is but I was reminded by a friend that God does not expect us to change others, but rather, He commands us to bring them into His presence. For only the Lord can lift the veil out of our blinded hearts.
'For this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I myself search for My sheep and look after them…..'
Ezekiel 34:11
Just before I left for Bangkok early last week, as I scoured my email. I read a sharing by a fellow brother of his sense of anger with his family for sending his nephew to one of those well known and very expensive motivational speakers. Why cannot they look to God rather than man? The Lord convicted him of his sins and he realized that even if the intent was right, he has played judge and by the way he behaved, he has not been a good testimony of Christ-likeness and could have possibly detered rather than encourage his nephew to consider knowing the Lord our God even more.
'As God's chosen ones………………………………………….'
Colossians 3:12-17
God does work in wonderful ways. I have never communicated with this brother of mine via email. I have always been a silent recipient of his wonderful ministry. But this day, I did felt a prompting to reply to him. To share the thought and my own experience of a very recent similar encounter with my loved one, where my self righteous behaviour to change what I take to be recalcitrant behaviour, probably did the same damage as him.
Till that moment, Yahoo mail was quite cranky and though I had tried to reply several times to other emails, the reply page never appeared. But just as the thought to reply to my brother's email surfaced in my heart, lo and behold, the very reply page to his email surfaced like a docile puppy from the just extreme garrulous behaviour of a few seconds ago.
'I appointed watchmen over you and said, "Listen to the sound of the trumpet!" But you said, We will not listen…."
Jeremiah 6:17
Can one not reponse as God prompts??
'That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all places, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God'
Colossians 1:10
Indeed, as those who are blessed to be taken out of the darkness earlier, all of us are commanded to live a life that will be a living testimony of His grace and love. To bring the good news of the gospel, of love, peace and salvation. It is never easy. But with men, it is impossible, with God everything is possible.
There often lies the confusion amongst men, even amongst believers.
'Am I a God near at hand, says the Lord. And not a God afar off'
Jeremiah 23:23
We are to change to be like Christ. We are to share the gospel with people God places in our lives. We are to bring people God places in our lives into His presence. But it is not for us to try to bring about change in others, for to do that is to lean on our own understanding and strength. An act of disobedience that wrought forth great damage not just to the people God places in our lives, but ourselves as well.
'Let us search and try our ways, and turn again to the Lord….'
Lamentations 3:40
Much as we want to change the world, to make right what is very clearly the many wrongs of the world, to make a difference with the gifts and provisions that God has placed in our lives. It must not start with us, but rather, we have to start with God, by coming into His presence always, every moment of your live, as He leads. We need to stay in His presence, to partake in His blessings for God draws near to us, as we draw near to Him.
'Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief..'
Hebrews 5:11
Just to close off my story on Yahoo. Right after I replied to my brother's email on his nephew. I opened the next one that was from another brother who is on full time ministry. He was sharing about God's prompting. The gist of it is, God prompts us not just for 'big' things but even the 'small and seemingly mundane' things in life. I guess I did reponse to His prompting on the mail and may this latest sharing be truly a prompting to His call to remind us that He is God, and we are men. Let Him bring forth His grace upon the people He places in our lives, at His timing and in His way. Let us walk the way He leads.
'Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need'
Hebrews 4:16
God Blesses
Eng Hieang
#252(27th June 08)
Epilogue
'For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more'
1 Corinthians 9:19
With the staggering rise in cost of living which has already made a big negative impact on the poor. With even the previously well ensconced being shaken off their pedestal by financial upheavals, economic losses and possibly illness, the world is in need of greater expressions of love, be it in kind or otherwise. As believers who are blessed by God's providence and provisions, we can be that bridge across the chasm of faith, for many who might now be ready to look to the Lord our God. But is your bridge built on a foundation of prayers, worship, word and work, a bridge whose bedrock is our Rock, our Lord Jesus Christ?
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