Dear…
'By night on my bed I sought Him whom my soul loveth: I sought Him, but I found Him not.'
Song 3:1
'But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.'
James 1:6-8
There are thankfully only a sprinkling of occasions(since God moved me from believer to follower) when my imperfect self allowed a trace of doubt to seep in and asked myself, is God real?
It helps that I do 'see" God's wonderful presence in my life often enough, as He draws near to me, as I draw near to Him, that I am starting to learn to be more resolute and certain about His very presence.
And God is good, He will not allow our doubts to simmer too long, for to do so will allow our self-deceiving mind to take root, and He will literally nip the doubting bud, before it has a chance to flourish furthur.
'Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways……..Whither shall I go from Thy spirit? Or whither shall I flee from Thy presence?'
Psalms 139:3-7
God provides, as shared in my little anecdote in the previous sharing about my forgotten wallet. God also corrects, and that was the very lesson I learn over the weekend as His very hands were so real in correcting an occasional wayward child of His like me, who thought he was right with God, without realizing that I was veering off course. God speaks to our heart, His Spirit convicts us. His Words clarifies and affirms and He uses people and circumstances to lead us out of our wayward ways. But we must want to respond.
'Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath. For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of god.'
James 1;19-20
The world will move furthur into deception, as the unrepentant dwell deeper into lies to try to mask past lies. We are asked to speak the truth, and correct with love. The latter is often difficult for we will feel rightly justified in correcting an unrepentant deviant, especially where we are part of the aggrieved parties. But the Lord reminded me over the weekend that our Lord Jesus Christ led by example in showing forbearance and corrected by love, not judgment. For only God knows what is in a person's heart, only God can set the timing and the form, not us.
'…that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called. With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love'
Ephesians 4:2-3
God for me is real. His presence as many faithful will attest, is so prescient and precise that one cannot but be thankful for His ever faithfulness. The experience one has with His Spirit is beyond human words, and for those who experienced His sanctification, it is an indescriable joy and peace and while respond to His grace is still our choice, to not want to respond to His leading from then on is clearly a sin our heart knows without doubt.
For we can no longer deny the existence of God, and prayerfully we will not deny His will. For the grace of God is His love working through us.
'And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh'
Ephesians 2:17-18
Watching the scene flashed in the media this morning, on President Obama's inauguration does strike one that many in our world are hungering for change, for the better, a world that wants to believe that the most important man in the world, from the most powerful nation still today, will make life better. And in his speech, which strikes one as seemingly coming more the heart(though only God knows), President Obama has delivered ad verbatim.
But what is reality? Would the world be prepared to put others before self? Can one man do what is clearly beyond our finite human capabilities, for problems of the world are not new, and great men have come and gone, but the problems either remain unchanged or reassert itself with greater potency.
Praise ye the Lord. Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord, that delighteh greatly in His commandments…'
…Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness: he is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous…'
Psalms 112:1-4
I am no longer sure what would constitute a Christian nation. But America in a sense is a Christian nation, for it was founded by Christian migrants. It is a nation that still calls upon God even as we hear President Obama conclude his speech calling upon God's grace. America for all its imperfections, has blessed the world with its generosity and benign behaviour as a superpower, compared to the alternative, the godless rulers of the old Soviet Union or Hitler's Germany.
'They have turned their back to ME and not their face: but in the time of their trouble they will say, Arise, and save us.
But where are thy gods that thou hast made thee? Let them arise, if they can save thee in the time of trouble….'
Jeremiah 2:27-28
God will be with America if America is with God, for God is with all who draws near to Him. Our prayers are that the leadership as personified by President Obama will be with God, as God leads. And what about us? By our very daily behaviour, is God truly Sovereign in the lives of many of us, Christians inclusive?? In the bright lights of the good times, our hearts are blinded to the presence of God. And now in the increasingly gloom of the economic environment, many find it difficult to lift their sagging spirits to reach out to the everpresent God, Whom they have never really make the effort to know.
'And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not..'
John 1:5
Much as many are self deluding themselves, just as many are still unrepentant, nationalization of much of the global financial system looks increasingly a reality, and any differences could be a question of superficial form rather than intent. It seems to be the lesser of two evils, for with it, in a sense it is an admission of the reality of the problems, for just like a new believer, repentance is the first step and one must break free from one's past sins and continued deceit.
'And I will set My face against them, they shall go out from one fire, and another fire shall devour them, and ye shall know that I am the Lord,when I set My face against them.'
Ezekiel 15:7
But just like a new believer, God forgives our sins, but it does not mean that our lives will be dandy again, for to allow that, will mean that our faith will be on weak grounds. Transformation of our hearts comes from a peiod of refinement, and recognition of the financial system's real problems is an important first step, but not the final step
And ye shall know that I am the Lord, when I have opened your graves, O My people, and brought you up out of your graves..'
Ezekiel 37:13
Is it possible to die and then be brought back alive again? In the Bible, Lazarus was brought back to life. So were a couple of others. But to die and to live again is an experience all of us can go through even when our breath is still with us, but not in the physical, but in the spiritual.
The present intensifying and broadening shaking is scary for many. But in taking away our dependency upon the sinful world, our good Lord not only break away our bondages, but HE allows us to move from the devil to Him. To die from sins and live for Christ.
'…the Lord that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, that led us through the wilderness, though a land of deserts, and of pits, through a land of drought, and of the shadow of death, though a land that no man passed through, and where no man dwelt? And I brought you into a plentiful country, to eat the fruit thereof and the goodness thereof….'
Jeremiah 2:6-7
Someone told me that retrenchment is a release from bondage. I cannot agree more, but what about the need for provisions for we are still in this world?
'Has a nation ever changed its gods(yet they are not gods at all) But My people have exchanged their God for worthless idols'
Jeremiah 2:11
'…Why is the house of God neglected?'
Nehemiah 13:11
If God is real, which He is. And if God is faithful and He is, then we must now respond to His leading and leave the provisions to our Sovereign Provider. We must seek God and not seek idols for God knows our needs, but do we know His will?
The Lord reminded me that much as I seek Him, I have not fully let go even if it is just 1% of letting go, to go. The bondage upon my and your lives can only true be lifted, and with it, the fear of our understanding and the wiles of the equally real devil, consigned to history,if we are truly willing to depend upon Him for our all in all.
We are all still searching for the light beyond the present darkness, but the Light is in us, for the Spirit of God dwells in all who truly believe in Him
'But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord. I wait for God my Saviour, My God will hear me.'
Micah 7:7
Let me close by thanking all for being my fellow journeyman. This is my year, for long suffering and perserverance are probably my traits, being an iron ox, and born in the wee hours of the morning to boot. But raging bull I never was, but working amongst the thundering herd I might have once been, but grilled or burnt American sirloin steak most of us are more like, as the upheavals continue to eschew all and sundry, be it ox, pigs, horses, rats, snakes or the entire plethora of zodiac animals.
I find the Zodiac symbolism baffling, for how so many of us are willing to believe that we are lesser than the man or woman God made us. But to each his own mudpool to wallow in, but may these Words from the Lord our God be truly shared with no intention other than to speak as He leads.
'The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; He hath sent me to bind up the broken hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound…'
Isaiah 61:1
'Unlike so many, we do not peddle the Word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, like men sent from God.'
2 Corinthians 2:17
God Blesses
Eng Hieang
(23Jan09)
Friday, January 23, 2009
Friday, January 16, 2009
Running the race #27 The next wave (16Jan09)
ear..
'But one hath somewhere testitified, saying, What is man, that thou art mindful of him? Or the son of man, that thou visitest him? Thou madest him a little lower than angels; Thou crownedst him with glory and honor. And didst set him over the works of Thy hands….'
Hebrews 2:6-8
Today was one day I felt literally naked. By choice, I left my watch at home, given a slight wrist injury. But by a momentary lapse of memory, I also left my wallet at home. Strange I never for a moment sensed the absence(until I reached the office carpark) of that necessary but burdensome bulge that I carry with me all my waking hours.
Time with God does keep us better balanced to handle the unexpected. Not too sure if my credit risk is still good in this time and season of economic pessimism, but it matters not, for today is my regular Wednesday fast.
Still it was a pleasant surprise to have an unexpected $10 on my table in my room, by the kindness of my colleague who left it there to pay for a purchase from me.
'Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows'
Matthew 10:31
God truly provides. And not just in the 'big" issues of our lives, but in the seemingly little matters like this. It is my desire to encourage all and sundry to come unto the Lord's presence always, for faith comes from Him, a thankful heart will emanate from being in His presence, and being imperfect, it is always good for one to journal the umpteem times that life has been truly blessed by our God, even as we enter the next descent or rather desert of our lives.
'Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines……and there shall be no herd in the stalls;
Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation. The Lord God is my strength, and He will make my feet like hinds feet, and He will make me to walk upon mine high places….'
Habakkuk 3:17-19
In tropical Singapore, desert there might not be, but for many, the emptiness of having lost or about to lose one's usual accourtements and status quo, can give one that sense of feeling deserted. No job, no certainty of an alternative job, but an increase presence of a less friendly creditor(s) and a greater awareness of one's recurring bills coupled with the greater clarity of the protestations of one's long neglected physical health, is a potent mix that can literally drown an already limpid soul, struggling in this sea of sorrows.
But hold your horses, is there a bigger ocean of pain and despair beyond the horizon just waiting to drink up any surviving stragglers?
Neither their silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver them in the day of the Lord's wrath, but the whole land shall be devoured by the fire of His jealousy…'
Zephaniah 1:18
As God leads was the Word that the Lord placed in my heart at the beginning of this year. It is now truly a practical reality for many of us, for much as many are in self-denial, just as some continue to engage in furthur acts of deceit, we have all entered a maze where no one can truly be certain of where the exit from the present economic woes will be.
Revenue growth, or even revenue itself is a byword that will take some time to reassert itself. The easier prognosis for many would be to enter the vicious cycle of cost-cutting and much as one would hope otherwise, fear and selfishness, will be the intoxicating drink for this ongoing massacre of economic livelihood, just as greed, pride and fear were the bubbly that supplied the crazed and senseless dictum of supranormal growth in revenue the past few years, matched only by the free fall in ethical standards.
'What profiteth the graven image that the maker thereof hath graven it, the molten image, and a teacher of lies, tha the maker of his work trusteth therein, to make dumb idols. Woe unto him that saith to the wood, Awake, to the dumb stone, Arise, it shall teach! Behold, it is laid over with gold and silver, and there is no breath at all in the midst of it.
But the Lord is in His holy temple: let all the earth keep silence before Him.'
Habakkuk 2:18-20
For many, the recent months must have been a sobering and humbling time. And looking ahead, the need to even cope with basic provisions will be a challenge for many of the once privileged and safely ensconced minority of this globe. For wealth has always been inequitable, the difference is that poverty and deprivation is now more broadly spread out. To lose US10mio these past few months is almost like a dime a dozen. But it is mind boggling to know of individual losses of US$1bio and everything in between.
Our wants might no longer seem attainable or prayerfully even necessary, but God knows our needs and He has provided. Are you prepared to not just trust in His promise, but recognize that His grace is indeed suffice for the day and focus not on the provisions but on the Provider?
'Who was there among all the gods of those nations that my fathers utterly destroyed, that could deliver his people out of mine hand, that your God should be able to deliver you out of mine hand?'
2 Chronicles 32:14
It is interesting that a few friends on my mail list, for whatever reasons of coincidences, chose to enquire about my present place of work. I have been here 14 years, but guess not everyone remembers. Like all, one can no longer be certain of one's employ as the days progressed, but it matters not, what matters is where God places us, and how we honour Him by our lives, wherever He places us.
One can be retrenched from one's job, but one can never be retrenched from the real purpose that God has for all of us, which is
'to sow good deeds though life be grim. And leave the harvest time with Him. Lets give and serve as to the Lord. And look to Him for our reward"
(Daily Bread Jan 3oth 2009)
But we will never walk alone, for
'Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness……..'
Psalm 112:4
It is time to move away from our needs, real as they are, and unto God's presence. No one can predict the next day or even the next minute, but imperfect as my faith might be, I know that God has provided and will provide.
'Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then I understood……..'
Psalm 73:17-24
The next wave of pain, might seem obvious to me, for the real economy must now reflect the same consequences of the fallout from the financial economy. But it is not what one's think that matter, but rather, the need for us to come back unto a loving and waiting God, that many of us have long ignored.
'…..but I will consume them by the sword, and by the famine, and by the pestilence..'
Jeremiah 14:12
'So will I send upon you famine and evil beasts, and they shall bereave thee; and pestilence and blood shall pass through thee; and I will bring the sword upon thee. I the Lord have spoken it.'
Ezekiel 5:17
Much as our bodily needs are important, it is the soul that is paramount and the shaking will intensify, if we continue to show that inattention to the very danger to our souls.
Would the next wave be not in the economic arena, but in a different form where our very lives are at risk, that it will make our continued angst with lost material wealth, seem so immaterial?
'Who is there among you of all His people? His God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem, which is in Judah, and build the house of the Lord God of Israel(He is the God,) which is in Jerusalem…'
Ezra 1:3-4
Now is the time to build that house of God, in our lives, in our hearts for only a life built on the Rock our God will ensure that we will not just be able to withstand the buffeting of the next series of waves, which will surely come, but that like the down and out Asaph, we will finally be able to declare
'Whom have I in heaven but You? And there is none upon earth that I desire beside You. My flesh and my heart fail; but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. For indeed, those who are far from You shall perish; You have destroyed all those who desert You for harlotry. But it is good for me to draw near to God; I have put my trust in the Lord God, that I may declare all Your works'
Psalm 73:25-28
Do take that first step by searching and trying your ways, and turn again to the Lord. Let us lift up our heart with our hands unto God in the heavens. We have transgressed and have rebelled….'
(from Lamentations 3:40-45)
God Blesses
Eng Hieang
(14th Jan 09)
'But one hath somewhere testitified, saying, What is man, that thou art mindful of him? Or the son of man, that thou visitest him? Thou madest him a little lower than angels; Thou crownedst him with glory and honor. And didst set him over the works of Thy hands….'
Hebrews 2:6-8
Today was one day I felt literally naked. By choice, I left my watch at home, given a slight wrist injury. But by a momentary lapse of memory, I also left my wallet at home. Strange I never for a moment sensed the absence(until I reached the office carpark) of that necessary but burdensome bulge that I carry with me all my waking hours.
Time with God does keep us better balanced to handle the unexpected. Not too sure if my credit risk is still good in this time and season of economic pessimism, but it matters not, for today is my regular Wednesday fast.
Still it was a pleasant surprise to have an unexpected $10 on my table in my room, by the kindness of my colleague who left it there to pay for a purchase from me.
'Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows'
Matthew 10:31
God truly provides. And not just in the 'big" issues of our lives, but in the seemingly little matters like this. It is my desire to encourage all and sundry to come unto the Lord's presence always, for faith comes from Him, a thankful heart will emanate from being in His presence, and being imperfect, it is always good for one to journal the umpteem times that life has been truly blessed by our God, even as we enter the next descent or rather desert of our lives.
'Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines……and there shall be no herd in the stalls;
Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation. The Lord God is my strength, and He will make my feet like hinds feet, and He will make me to walk upon mine high places….'
Habakkuk 3:17-19
In tropical Singapore, desert there might not be, but for many, the emptiness of having lost or about to lose one's usual accourtements and status quo, can give one that sense of feeling deserted. No job, no certainty of an alternative job, but an increase presence of a less friendly creditor(s) and a greater awareness of one's recurring bills coupled with the greater clarity of the protestations of one's long neglected physical health, is a potent mix that can literally drown an already limpid soul, struggling in this sea of sorrows.
But hold your horses, is there a bigger ocean of pain and despair beyond the horizon just waiting to drink up any surviving stragglers?
Neither their silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver them in the day of the Lord's wrath, but the whole land shall be devoured by the fire of His jealousy…'
Zephaniah 1:18
As God leads was the Word that the Lord placed in my heart at the beginning of this year. It is now truly a practical reality for many of us, for much as many are in self-denial, just as some continue to engage in furthur acts of deceit, we have all entered a maze where no one can truly be certain of where the exit from the present economic woes will be.
Revenue growth, or even revenue itself is a byword that will take some time to reassert itself. The easier prognosis for many would be to enter the vicious cycle of cost-cutting and much as one would hope otherwise, fear and selfishness, will be the intoxicating drink for this ongoing massacre of economic livelihood, just as greed, pride and fear were the bubbly that supplied the crazed and senseless dictum of supranormal growth in revenue the past few years, matched only by the free fall in ethical standards.
'What profiteth the graven image that the maker thereof hath graven it, the molten image, and a teacher of lies, tha the maker of his work trusteth therein, to make dumb idols. Woe unto him that saith to the wood, Awake, to the dumb stone, Arise, it shall teach! Behold, it is laid over with gold and silver, and there is no breath at all in the midst of it.
But the Lord is in His holy temple: let all the earth keep silence before Him.'
Habakkuk 2:18-20
For many, the recent months must have been a sobering and humbling time. And looking ahead, the need to even cope with basic provisions will be a challenge for many of the once privileged and safely ensconced minority of this globe. For wealth has always been inequitable, the difference is that poverty and deprivation is now more broadly spread out. To lose US10mio these past few months is almost like a dime a dozen. But it is mind boggling to know of individual losses of US$1bio and everything in between.
Our wants might no longer seem attainable or prayerfully even necessary, but God knows our needs and He has provided. Are you prepared to not just trust in His promise, but recognize that His grace is indeed suffice for the day and focus not on the provisions but on the Provider?
'Who was there among all the gods of those nations that my fathers utterly destroyed, that could deliver his people out of mine hand, that your God should be able to deliver you out of mine hand?'
2 Chronicles 32:14
It is interesting that a few friends on my mail list, for whatever reasons of coincidences, chose to enquire about my present place of work. I have been here 14 years, but guess not everyone remembers. Like all, one can no longer be certain of one's employ as the days progressed, but it matters not, what matters is where God places us, and how we honour Him by our lives, wherever He places us.
One can be retrenched from one's job, but one can never be retrenched from the real purpose that God has for all of us, which is
'to sow good deeds though life be grim. And leave the harvest time with Him. Lets give and serve as to the Lord. And look to Him for our reward"
(Daily Bread Jan 3oth 2009)
But we will never walk alone, for
'Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness……..'
Psalm 112:4
It is time to move away from our needs, real as they are, and unto God's presence. No one can predict the next day or even the next minute, but imperfect as my faith might be, I know that God has provided and will provide.
'Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then I understood……..'
Psalm 73:17-24
The next wave of pain, might seem obvious to me, for the real economy must now reflect the same consequences of the fallout from the financial economy. But it is not what one's think that matter, but rather, the need for us to come back unto a loving and waiting God, that many of us have long ignored.
'…..but I will consume them by the sword, and by the famine, and by the pestilence..'
Jeremiah 14:12
'So will I send upon you famine and evil beasts, and they shall bereave thee; and pestilence and blood shall pass through thee; and I will bring the sword upon thee. I the Lord have spoken it.'
Ezekiel 5:17
Much as our bodily needs are important, it is the soul that is paramount and the shaking will intensify, if we continue to show that inattention to the very danger to our souls.
Would the next wave be not in the economic arena, but in a different form where our very lives are at risk, that it will make our continued angst with lost material wealth, seem so immaterial?
'Who is there among you of all His people? His God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem, which is in Judah, and build the house of the Lord God of Israel(He is the God,) which is in Jerusalem…'
Ezra 1:3-4
Now is the time to build that house of God, in our lives, in our hearts for only a life built on the Rock our God will ensure that we will not just be able to withstand the buffeting of the next series of waves, which will surely come, but that like the down and out Asaph, we will finally be able to declare
'Whom have I in heaven but You? And there is none upon earth that I desire beside You. My flesh and my heart fail; but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. For indeed, those who are far from You shall perish; You have destroyed all those who desert You for harlotry. But it is good for me to draw near to God; I have put my trust in the Lord God, that I may declare all Your works'
Psalm 73:25-28
Do take that first step by searching and trying your ways, and turn again to the Lord. Let us lift up our heart with our hands unto God in the heavens. We have transgressed and have rebelled….'
(from Lamentations 3:40-45)
God Blesses
Eng Hieang
(14th Jan 09)
Monday, January 12, 2009
Running the race #26 Evolution (12jan09)
Dear…
'So the wall was finished….and it came to pass when all our enemies heard thereof, and all the heathen that were about us saw these things, they were much cast down in their own eyes: for they perceived that this work was wrought of our God.'
Nehemiah 6:15-16
In my short sojourn in Washington last month, there was a little uproar when an atheist group took offense at the placement of the Nativity scene and all things Christian at the Government House and decided to place their own retort or more like atheist beliefs on placards juxtaposed to the Christian symbols. Their rationale was that public places should have no place for any display of religion. But interestingly, is not secularism a set of belief, which should qualify it as a religion(difference being man plays god or gods here) much as the self avowed atheists might think otherwise? Is it right for the secularist to impose their views or more like religion on others by their public protestations and claims that public ground should be secular?
'I have spread out My hands all the day unto a rebellious people, which walketh in a way that was not good, after their own thoughts.'
Isaiah 65:2
Interestingly, on my first day back home, a friend forwarded me an article in the local papers about how the good intent of a financial institution to raise funds for a local charity for children, was vehemently opposed by a vocal few who took offense with the Christian origins of the charity home. One is entitled to one's personal belief, for we are a pluralistic society, however, to impose that attitude upon others and especially a stance that does not necessarily reflect the views of the silent majority is a tyranny of the minority, but the reality of the world is that if you are few but loud, people listen.
'But now, O Lord, Thou art our Father, we are the clay, and Thou our potter; and we all are the work of Thy hand.'
Isaiah 64:8
I always find it fascinating that the media in the States loves to hype up a story to its maximum. In the East Coast of the States I was, but in the West, ie California, they just passed a law banning same sex marriage and here I was with my son in the Kingdom of childhood innocence, aka Disneyland in Orlando waiting with my son for our next joyful ride, but what else but to see this volumous couple, not voluptuous for the latter is for the fairer sex, not the fatter Adams holding hands and engaging in mouth to mouth resuscitation and we are not talking about the traditional Maori greetings here. Birds and bees have to be reorientated in the land of the free.
'And they called unto Lot, and said unto him, Where are the men which came in to thee this night? Bring them out unto us, that we may know them. And Lot went out…and shut the door after him. And said, I pray you, brethren, do not so wickedly.'
Genesis 19:5-7
From the old school I might be, but I believe God made Adam and Eve and the traditional family as the cornerstone of life on Earth. The man is the spiritual head of household and children are a blessing from the Lord, and not cooked up in the test-tube. Imagine how confused the child must be in the test case court case now ongoing in the States where two ladies decided to end their relationship, and though the child was fathered by one, using donated sperm, the other decided to fight for the custody of the child.
God never mean't life to be that confusing.
'Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it…….'
Psalms 127:1
The views just shared is a personal view that to a large extent was determined by one's cultural and societal orientation. It is normal to have differences of opinions and lifestyle choices, for from the day Adam took a bite of the apple, men's imperfect understanding have set the tone for their imperfect and sinful life, but anarchy will prevail when everyone goes their own way and so society has to have some broad parameters of acceptable norms and behaviour.
Western society in the last few hundred years was rooted upon Judeo-Christianity. But with time, values will evolve and be adjusted and that is perfectly acceptable, for society must reflect the views of the majority.
Continental Europe today is very much secular, where one rest on the belief of individualism and material gratification. That is the religion of Europe today and not Christianity whose vestiges resides in the beautiful but empty Cathedrals.
What about the United States of America, whose roots started from the Christians from old Mother England. America is still deeply religious in parts of the country, but clearly on the national level, it is moving towards secularism. It might be a matter of time before the phrase "in God we trust" will be removed from its currency, for just as the value of the US$ is being devalued by the relentless printing of paper to solve its problems, the moral value of American society at least in the political and corporate world, is no longer the same as a couple of generations back.
'Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts. And saying, Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation."
2 Peter 3:4
"till the cows come home" is probably an apt phrase to describe the futility of defending one's personal belief against the set intent of its detractors. The world is increasingly under siege by the tyranny of the determined and vocal and growing minority, who advocates a lifestyle quite aptly described by our Lord in Mark 7:21-23. But to a great extent, the problem lies not with them, but with the silent and apathetic majority.
'For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murdurs. Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness. All these things come from within, and defile the man.'
Mark 7:21-23
Salvation is given by the Lord, but we are asked to live our faith. We are not asked to impose our belief upon others, nor are we asked to condone sinful behaviours. We are also asked to be responsive as God leads, be bold where He calls, be submissive as He leads, but always with love and grace, and never judgemental but also never compromising the will of our God.
Seems like a pretty tall order to fulfill, especially in today's world where secularism equals materialism, and where gods are formulations of men's desires be it for wealth, health or stealth.
Is there truly a place for a Sovereign God, Whom we must let go of our own desires and let Him?
'In God is my salvation and my glory, the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God……God hath spoken once, twice have I heard this; that power belongeth unto God..'
Psalms 62:7-11
Much as Christians do feel the urge to call to arms, to defend our values against an increasingly vocal and aggressive diverse group of detractors, the Crusade of old has shown the folly of men, even Christians, when they play God instead of letting God lead.
God commands us all to seek Him with our very all. That is the starting point, which unfortunately, many self professed defenders of the faith have not given nay a thought to, and where many are more like the Pharisees than being Christlike.
'…This people honoureth Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me….'
Mark 7:6-8
God commands us to love others as much as ourselves. It is hard to love our detractors. It is not possible on our own strength, but as we begin to love God, His Spirit will imbue in us the strength to be patient, much as our detractors are not, and maybe to correct the wayfarers with love garnished boldness, as HE leads.
Love is not about looking the other way, when clearly men have sinned. It is not about being silent for troubles should best be left to others to handle. It is about us living right, so that the glory of our Lord will shine forth in our lives that even its very detractors will know that all glory belongs to the Sovereign God.
'What then? Are we better then they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved ….that they are all under sin'
Romans 3:9
The Americans had their revolution when they could not agree with their brethrens from old England. The sheer will of power and strength and all things human determined the outcome of that great war that led to the independence of the American colonies and the bequeathing of one Statute of Liberty, a French lady as a symbol of liberty. But that is another story, but Evolution is what one must be very cognizance of.
All us little Adams, since the first bite of the apple have in our genes, the right to self determination based on our finite understanding. God has by the sacrifice of His only beloved Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, which is what Christmas is all about, literally made us all a clean slate,wiped free of our sins, but whether we will evolve or rather transform into His likeness or do we continue to sink back into the old monster we were is a matter of choice, ours.
What about our children and loved ones?
Society is evolving and sadly, sins and all things distasteful are tightening its grip but despair we will not, if we as parents despair not our Father in Heaven, but be repentant of our sinful ways and come back unto His presence. Change has to come from us, not from us changing others. Much as this present economic coundrum has been a set back for many, it is also a time of reflection, a needed time-out for one to realize how far you have moved away from God, and how close we have evolved to the likeness of the devil, that many have unknowingly or maybe even willingly move towards in their pursuit of the rewards of the present world.
Not exactly what Charles Darwin mean't for he was looking at the outward, God looks at our heart.
Deprivation is good for the soul, if it can give us that resolve to let our whole be focussed upon the Lord our God.
'Let the Lord, the God of the spirits of all flesh, set a man over the congregation..,…that the congregation of the Lord be not as sheep which have no shepherd.'
Numbers 27:16-17
God Blesses
Eng Hieang
(23 Dec 08)
'So the wall was finished….and it came to pass when all our enemies heard thereof, and all the heathen that were about us saw these things, they were much cast down in their own eyes: for they perceived that this work was wrought of our God.'
Nehemiah 6:15-16
In my short sojourn in Washington last month, there was a little uproar when an atheist group took offense at the placement of the Nativity scene and all things Christian at the Government House and decided to place their own retort or more like atheist beliefs on placards juxtaposed to the Christian symbols. Their rationale was that public places should have no place for any display of religion. But interestingly, is not secularism a set of belief, which should qualify it as a religion(difference being man plays god or gods here) much as the self avowed atheists might think otherwise? Is it right for the secularist to impose their views or more like religion on others by their public protestations and claims that public ground should be secular?
'I have spread out My hands all the day unto a rebellious people, which walketh in a way that was not good, after their own thoughts.'
Isaiah 65:2
Interestingly, on my first day back home, a friend forwarded me an article in the local papers about how the good intent of a financial institution to raise funds for a local charity for children, was vehemently opposed by a vocal few who took offense with the Christian origins of the charity home. One is entitled to one's personal belief, for we are a pluralistic society, however, to impose that attitude upon others and especially a stance that does not necessarily reflect the views of the silent majority is a tyranny of the minority, but the reality of the world is that if you are few but loud, people listen.
'But now, O Lord, Thou art our Father, we are the clay, and Thou our potter; and we all are the work of Thy hand.'
Isaiah 64:8
I always find it fascinating that the media in the States loves to hype up a story to its maximum. In the East Coast of the States I was, but in the West, ie California, they just passed a law banning same sex marriage and here I was with my son in the Kingdom of childhood innocence, aka Disneyland in Orlando waiting with my son for our next joyful ride, but what else but to see this volumous couple, not voluptuous for the latter is for the fairer sex, not the fatter Adams holding hands and engaging in mouth to mouth resuscitation and we are not talking about the traditional Maori greetings here. Birds and bees have to be reorientated in the land of the free.
'And they called unto Lot, and said unto him, Where are the men which came in to thee this night? Bring them out unto us, that we may know them. And Lot went out…and shut the door after him. And said, I pray you, brethren, do not so wickedly.'
Genesis 19:5-7
From the old school I might be, but I believe God made Adam and Eve and the traditional family as the cornerstone of life on Earth. The man is the spiritual head of household and children are a blessing from the Lord, and not cooked up in the test-tube. Imagine how confused the child must be in the test case court case now ongoing in the States where two ladies decided to end their relationship, and though the child was fathered by one, using donated sperm, the other decided to fight for the custody of the child.
God never mean't life to be that confusing.
'Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it…….'
Psalms 127:1
The views just shared is a personal view that to a large extent was determined by one's cultural and societal orientation. It is normal to have differences of opinions and lifestyle choices, for from the day Adam took a bite of the apple, men's imperfect understanding have set the tone for their imperfect and sinful life, but anarchy will prevail when everyone goes their own way and so society has to have some broad parameters of acceptable norms and behaviour.
Western society in the last few hundred years was rooted upon Judeo-Christianity. But with time, values will evolve and be adjusted and that is perfectly acceptable, for society must reflect the views of the majority.
Continental Europe today is very much secular, where one rest on the belief of individualism and material gratification. That is the religion of Europe today and not Christianity whose vestiges resides in the beautiful but empty Cathedrals.
What about the United States of America, whose roots started from the Christians from old Mother England. America is still deeply religious in parts of the country, but clearly on the national level, it is moving towards secularism. It might be a matter of time before the phrase "in God we trust" will be removed from its currency, for just as the value of the US$ is being devalued by the relentless printing of paper to solve its problems, the moral value of American society at least in the political and corporate world, is no longer the same as a couple of generations back.
'Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts. And saying, Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation."
2 Peter 3:4
"till the cows come home" is probably an apt phrase to describe the futility of defending one's personal belief against the set intent of its detractors. The world is increasingly under siege by the tyranny of the determined and vocal and growing minority, who advocates a lifestyle quite aptly described by our Lord in Mark 7:21-23. But to a great extent, the problem lies not with them, but with the silent and apathetic majority.
'For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murdurs. Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness. All these things come from within, and defile the man.'
Mark 7:21-23
Salvation is given by the Lord, but we are asked to live our faith. We are not asked to impose our belief upon others, nor are we asked to condone sinful behaviours. We are also asked to be responsive as God leads, be bold where He calls, be submissive as He leads, but always with love and grace, and never judgemental but also never compromising the will of our God.
Seems like a pretty tall order to fulfill, especially in today's world where secularism equals materialism, and where gods are formulations of men's desires be it for wealth, health or stealth.
Is there truly a place for a Sovereign God, Whom we must let go of our own desires and let Him?
'In God is my salvation and my glory, the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God……God hath spoken once, twice have I heard this; that power belongeth unto God..'
Psalms 62:7-11
Much as Christians do feel the urge to call to arms, to defend our values against an increasingly vocal and aggressive diverse group of detractors, the Crusade of old has shown the folly of men, even Christians, when they play God instead of letting God lead.
God commands us all to seek Him with our very all. That is the starting point, which unfortunately, many self professed defenders of the faith have not given nay a thought to, and where many are more like the Pharisees than being Christlike.
'…This people honoureth Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me….'
Mark 7:6-8
God commands us to love others as much as ourselves. It is hard to love our detractors. It is not possible on our own strength, but as we begin to love God, His Spirit will imbue in us the strength to be patient, much as our detractors are not, and maybe to correct the wayfarers with love garnished boldness, as HE leads.
Love is not about looking the other way, when clearly men have sinned. It is not about being silent for troubles should best be left to others to handle. It is about us living right, so that the glory of our Lord will shine forth in our lives that even its very detractors will know that all glory belongs to the Sovereign God.
'What then? Are we better then they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved ….that they are all under sin'
Romans 3:9
The Americans had their revolution when they could not agree with their brethrens from old England. The sheer will of power and strength and all things human determined the outcome of that great war that led to the independence of the American colonies and the bequeathing of one Statute of Liberty, a French lady as a symbol of liberty. But that is another story, but Evolution is what one must be very cognizance of.
All us little Adams, since the first bite of the apple have in our genes, the right to self determination based on our finite understanding. God has by the sacrifice of His only beloved Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, which is what Christmas is all about, literally made us all a clean slate,wiped free of our sins, but whether we will evolve or rather transform into His likeness or do we continue to sink back into the old monster we were is a matter of choice, ours.
What about our children and loved ones?
Society is evolving and sadly, sins and all things distasteful are tightening its grip but despair we will not, if we as parents despair not our Father in Heaven, but be repentant of our sinful ways and come back unto His presence. Change has to come from us, not from us changing others. Much as this present economic coundrum has been a set back for many, it is also a time of reflection, a needed time-out for one to realize how far you have moved away from God, and how close we have evolved to the likeness of the devil, that many have unknowingly or maybe even willingly move towards in their pursuit of the rewards of the present world.
Not exactly what Charles Darwin mean't for he was looking at the outward, God looks at our heart.
Deprivation is good for the soul, if it can give us that resolve to let our whole be focussed upon the Lord our God.
'Let the Lord, the God of the spirits of all flesh, set a man over the congregation..,…that the congregation of the Lord be not as sheep which have no shepherd.'
Numbers 27:16-17
God Blesses
Eng Hieang
(23 Dec 08)
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Running the race #25 As God leads (3Jan09)
If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit....'
Galatians 5:25
'But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law....'
Galatians 5:18
Fresh off the press might not be the most apt phrase, but let me start these thoughts by taking a leaf off today's article(New York Times, reprinted in the Straits Times this Saturday) titled "For good self control, trying getting religious about it.' The writer(not a Christian) mentioned that research has shown that people of religious convictions seem to exercise better self-control and lead an overall happier and more balanced life.
I will not dwell further into the postulations made by the writer for to do so would not just open a can of worms, for every point made, there will be possibly a wide variations of differences in views, for the finite man, works from their imperfect understanding.
'I will bless the Lord at all times, His praise shall continually be in my mouth.'
Psalm 34:1
Much as the financial markets have been hopeful, the prognosis seem to be quite dire for the next few months, as retrenchments pick up speed, businesses flounder as banks cut credit lifelines and the desperate clear the decks of their businesses in futile attempts to save a floundering ship.
Can many truly be happy? And can the professed believers of our Lord Jesus Christ truly be able to praise the Lord our God even as they are as equally buffeted by the swirling storms? Can we self control our way to happiness?
'The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles.'
Psalm 34:17
Like many globally, there is a sense of disorientation pervading one's psyche, as many are no longer in the familiar routine of a day's grind at the office, for work no longer exists. For others, the job might still be there, but there is a sense of a structural discord, as the once beefed up organization undergoes a hollowing out, as many are served or are in the process of receiving their pink slips.
If self-control on my own strength and understanding was the basis of my faith, then joy and peace of heart would be a temporary delusion, that will eventually dissipate with the immense burden of coping in this increasingly very difficult and always sinful world.
Faith is the evidence of things hoped for, the substance of things unseen. Faith for a believer comes from God and not from us or others. God will draw near to us, if we are willing to draw near to Him.
Life on Earth has always been difficult. It is just a question of when, not whether. Wealth. status and all the other accouterments that the world so value are at best temporal, and never comes without the burdensome baggage that leave all bereft of that indescribable peace and joy.
'Treasures of wickedness profit nothing, but righteousness delivereth from death.'
Proverbs 10:2
The seemingly very difficult times that are bearing down upon many of us today, is no different from the difficulties of the better economic times, it is just that the hallucinating and numbing material riches that caused many to ignore the realities of the emptiness in their lustful lives no longer exists and the hard realities of our harsh world, a world that has no place for God, is brought to the forth with greater lucidity.
Confirmation bias was the term used in an article to describe the self-fulfilment of bad news in the press, as it encourage negativism as readers start to only absorb the information that confirms their biasedness and totally ignore any contradictory information.
Are we the 'happy' Christians suffering from the same syndrome?
Christians have often been accused of selectively picking up choice verses of the Bible that support their point of view. If you are one of those who treat the God of Word like a first aid kit, then you are rightly admonished.
It is no unique experience for many of desirous faith, to experience the sceptism of many of lesser faith, who cannot fathom the willingness of the faithful to not subject the Word of God or anything related to the Christian faith to the rigorous testing of the human intellect, but instead to be seemingly foolish to choose to follow as the Spirit of God leads us.
'And, lo, thou art unto them as a very lovely song of one that hath a pleasant voice, and can play well on an instrument, for they hear thy words, but they do them not'
Ezekiel 33:32
Letting go and letting God is an experience that is both personal and impossible to explain fully. For faith comes from God, and we the finite men cannot never fully fathom nor explain the ways of our Sovereign God.
But before I get accused of blanketing my audience with motherhood statements, why not pay heed to the Word of God in the above verse, Ezekiel 33:32.
To be a Christian is to believe in our Lord Jesus Christ and the salvation freely given to the repentant believer by His sacrifice on the cross. To believe in our Lord Jesus Christ must mean that you must want to move from believing to following as the Spirit leads. For our faith is a relationship with our Sovereign God, through His Son Jesus Christ. It takes two to tango, though in this case, God leads, we follow.
In a nutshell, are you to remain a listener with a diversity of attitudes from sceptism to indifference but firmly rooted to your flawed intellectual spot or will you be willing to seek to come unto the presence of God and move forth as He leads?
'And thus did Hezekiah throughout all Judah, and wrought that which was good and right and truth before the Lord his God. And in every work that he began in the service of the house of God, and in the law, and in the commandments, to seek His God, he did it with all his heart, and prospered.'
2 Chronicles 31:20-21
'As the Lord leads' is the thought that the Lord has placed in my heart these past few days. The world might look a lot more uncertain the days ahead, but it is a fact that life has never been certain, irregardless of economic cycles.
The material certainty that our past treasures might have provided us is at best finite in its capabilities, for wealth does not equate peace of heart nor immortality. To continue to mourn over one's dissipated treasures or worse, to continue to be enslaved by the need to recapture or even retain whatever material delusions that held our hearts would be an exercise in futility, for jobs will be fewer, and bubbly growth of wealth is a thing of the past, at least for some time ahead.
'And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat. But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil thou shalt not eat of it, for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die'
Genesis 2:16-17
The grace of God is indeed suffice for the day. And strange as it might seem for the unseeking and the unbelieving, it is a fact that for those of us who despite our imperfections, have truly strived to seek God with all our hearts and soul and mind, it is never a doubt to acknowledge the very real presence and grace of God in our lives.
One can never explain the ways of God, but God knows us, who willingly comes unto His presence and being imperfect, it is never a case of 'God take our willing hands' without some reluctance or resistance on one's part, God understands and He is with us. But are you with Him??
The same writer in the New York Times article(above) also stated that the same studies showed that those who are not religious but go to church for the sake of getting some of these self control will be disappointed, for it does not work that way.
I beg to differ, for the secular man know not the love and power of our God when we come unto His presence, even if the intent was imperfect.
Let me for just this one time, take off my glove of forbearance and instead do challenge all who have issues with the Christian faith to come to the source of their discomfort, ie our Sovereign God and consider doing on a daily basis, the following for this year.
- reading the Bible diligently even if the intention is to tear it apart or even question its validity
- pray every day or rather talk or engage your intellect with God and give Him all your doubts
- praise or rather sing the many hymns even if it is just another jarring song to you
- and see if you are capable of walking what all who believed are asked to do, ie be like Christ in living the fruits of the Spirit which is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith. Meekness, temperance...(Galatians 5:22-23)
I believe if you do this diligently, like me, you will know and attest that indeed God leads us all, if we are willing. And that while the days ahead might seem difficult, it matters not, for God is with us.
God Blesses
Eng Hieang
(3Jan2009)
Galatians 5:25
'But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law....'
Galatians 5:18
Fresh off the press might not be the most apt phrase, but let me start these thoughts by taking a leaf off today's article(New York Times, reprinted in the Straits Times this Saturday) titled "For good self control, trying getting religious about it.' The writer(not a Christian) mentioned that research has shown that people of religious convictions seem to exercise better self-control and lead an overall happier and more balanced life.
I will not dwell further into the postulations made by the writer for to do so would not just open a can of worms, for every point made, there will be possibly a wide variations of differences in views, for the finite man, works from their imperfect understanding.
'I will bless the Lord at all times, His praise shall continually be in my mouth.'
Psalm 34:1
Much as the financial markets have been hopeful, the prognosis seem to be quite dire for the next few months, as retrenchments pick up speed, businesses flounder as banks cut credit lifelines and the desperate clear the decks of their businesses in futile attempts to save a floundering ship.
Can many truly be happy? And can the professed believers of our Lord Jesus Christ truly be able to praise the Lord our God even as they are as equally buffeted by the swirling storms? Can we self control our way to happiness?
'The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles.'
Psalm 34:17
Like many globally, there is a sense of disorientation pervading one's psyche, as many are no longer in the familiar routine of a day's grind at the office, for work no longer exists. For others, the job might still be there, but there is a sense of a structural discord, as the once beefed up organization undergoes a hollowing out, as many are served or are in the process of receiving their pink slips.
If self-control on my own strength and understanding was the basis of my faith, then joy and peace of heart would be a temporary delusion, that will eventually dissipate with the immense burden of coping in this increasingly very difficult and always sinful world.
Faith is the evidence of things hoped for, the substance of things unseen. Faith for a believer comes from God and not from us or others. God will draw near to us, if we are willing to draw near to Him.
Life on Earth has always been difficult. It is just a question of when, not whether. Wealth. status and all the other accouterments that the world so value are at best temporal, and never comes without the burdensome baggage that leave all bereft of that indescribable peace and joy.
'Treasures of wickedness profit nothing, but righteousness delivereth from death.'
Proverbs 10:2
The seemingly very difficult times that are bearing down upon many of us today, is no different from the difficulties of the better economic times, it is just that the hallucinating and numbing material riches that caused many to ignore the realities of the emptiness in their lustful lives no longer exists and the hard realities of our harsh world, a world that has no place for God, is brought to the forth with greater lucidity.
Confirmation bias was the term used in an article to describe the self-fulfilment of bad news in the press, as it encourage negativism as readers start to only absorb the information that confirms their biasedness and totally ignore any contradictory information.
Are we the 'happy' Christians suffering from the same syndrome?
Christians have often been accused of selectively picking up choice verses of the Bible that support their point of view. If you are one of those who treat the God of Word like a first aid kit, then you are rightly admonished.
It is no unique experience for many of desirous faith, to experience the sceptism of many of lesser faith, who cannot fathom the willingness of the faithful to not subject the Word of God or anything related to the Christian faith to the rigorous testing of the human intellect, but instead to be seemingly foolish to choose to follow as the Spirit of God leads us.
'And, lo, thou art unto them as a very lovely song of one that hath a pleasant voice, and can play well on an instrument, for they hear thy words, but they do them not'
Ezekiel 33:32
Letting go and letting God is an experience that is both personal and impossible to explain fully. For faith comes from God, and we the finite men cannot never fully fathom nor explain the ways of our Sovereign God.
But before I get accused of blanketing my audience with motherhood statements, why not pay heed to the Word of God in the above verse, Ezekiel 33:32.
To be a Christian is to believe in our Lord Jesus Christ and the salvation freely given to the repentant believer by His sacrifice on the cross. To believe in our Lord Jesus Christ must mean that you must want to move from believing to following as the Spirit leads. For our faith is a relationship with our Sovereign God, through His Son Jesus Christ. It takes two to tango, though in this case, God leads, we follow.
In a nutshell, are you to remain a listener with a diversity of attitudes from sceptism to indifference but firmly rooted to your flawed intellectual spot or will you be willing to seek to come unto the presence of God and move forth as He leads?
'And thus did Hezekiah throughout all Judah, and wrought that which was good and right and truth before the Lord his God. And in every work that he began in the service of the house of God, and in the law, and in the commandments, to seek His God, he did it with all his heart, and prospered.'
2 Chronicles 31:20-21
'As the Lord leads' is the thought that the Lord has placed in my heart these past few days. The world might look a lot more uncertain the days ahead, but it is a fact that life has never been certain, irregardless of economic cycles.
The material certainty that our past treasures might have provided us is at best finite in its capabilities, for wealth does not equate peace of heart nor immortality. To continue to mourn over one's dissipated treasures or worse, to continue to be enslaved by the need to recapture or even retain whatever material delusions that held our hearts would be an exercise in futility, for jobs will be fewer, and bubbly growth of wealth is a thing of the past, at least for some time ahead.
'And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat. But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil thou shalt not eat of it, for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die'
Genesis 2:16-17
The grace of God is indeed suffice for the day. And strange as it might seem for the unseeking and the unbelieving, it is a fact that for those of us who despite our imperfections, have truly strived to seek God with all our hearts and soul and mind, it is never a doubt to acknowledge the very real presence and grace of God in our lives.
One can never explain the ways of God, but God knows us, who willingly comes unto His presence and being imperfect, it is never a case of 'God take our willing hands' without some reluctance or resistance on one's part, God understands and He is with us. But are you with Him??
The same writer in the New York Times article(above) also stated that the same studies showed that those who are not religious but go to church for the sake of getting some of these self control will be disappointed, for it does not work that way.
I beg to differ, for the secular man know not the love and power of our God when we come unto His presence, even if the intent was imperfect.
Let me for just this one time, take off my glove of forbearance and instead do challenge all who have issues with the Christian faith to come to the source of their discomfort, ie our Sovereign God and consider doing on a daily basis, the following for this year.
- reading the Bible diligently even if the intention is to tear it apart or even question its validity
- pray every day or rather talk or engage your intellect with God and give Him all your doubts
- praise or rather sing the many hymns even if it is just another jarring song to you
- and see if you are capable of walking what all who believed are asked to do, ie be like Christ in living the fruits of the Spirit which is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith. Meekness, temperance...(Galatians 5:22-23)
I believe if you do this diligently, like me, you will know and attest that indeed God leads us all, if we are willing. And that while the days ahead might seem difficult, it matters not, for God is with us.
God Blesses
Eng Hieang
(3Jan2009)
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