Reflections for the moment #25 Food for thought (15july09)

ubject: Reflections for the moment #25 Food for thought

Dear…

'Whom have I in heaven but You? And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You. My flesh and my heart fail. But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.'

Psalm 73:25-26

I am not sure if I am a victim of my own meanderings, but have to apologize to all for some pretty heavy going stuff these past few months. Reflections for the moment is the 3rd series of my blessed journey with our Lord(the first being "My walk with the Lord, followed by "Running the race"). The premise for "Reflections" was for one to take time to ponder, a step back unto the presence of our Sovereign God, away from the seemingly purposeful but meaningless legwork that we do every moment in our waking hours, in our futile attempt to bring certainty to what is an uncertain world, yet, not working on our eternal life, but instead channeling our all to what is temporal.

"Reflections" was intended to be more concise, but somehow, the many myriad thoughts in my mind needed that little more space. And maybe till recently, it was justifiable for the world was indeed groaning under its diverse burdens. Things do look a little brighter now, but is it another illuminating delusion?

Let me at least for this once, try to be succinctly brief.

This lunchtime, on the way to church, I happened to catch snatches on radio, of a short program on eating healthier. The presenter talked about what is quite a well known belief, that eating fish oil, specificially those that contain Omega 3 is not just good for health, but helps relieve stress. Not too sure if it is because after eating fish, we feel swimmingly better, our emotions are less volatile.

Peace and joy is what most longed for, worked at, but never seem to satisfy. But with men, it is impossible, with God all things are possible. And I was reminded of the verse, when God stated clearly, that He was the Alpha and the Omega. Maybe Omega 3 should be more apt to mean the Holy Trinity ie the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit.

'Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last…"
Revelation 1:11

For good bones and I am not sure about what else, a good dosage of Vitamin D is always strongly recommended for the body. But the same program talked about looking to the natural, rather than what most people do at the moment, relying too much on fortified food in bread, cereals and milk. Time out in the Sun will give us the Vitamin D we need, but of course, too much of a good thing is possibly harmful, unless you love to get skin cancer.

'And Jesus answered him, saying, "It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.'
Luke 3:4

But the more time with God, in fact, all the time in His light is on the contrary, good for our souls and ensures that we will navigate through the darkness of Satan's world safely and not fall victim to the devil's delusions and our own self-deceitfulness.

And finally, in keeping with the spirit of brevity, the last item mentioned in the same program was on the harmful effects of alcohol. Alcoholic spirits we all know, but what about the spiritual warfare that is ongoing in our midst? Ghosts there might not be, fallen angels there are aplenty. If one was to see the devil or his cronies in full grotesque form, there is no doubt you will leave your doubts about God in a hurry and seek Him fast. But the devil prefers to work through delusions(just like all the lovely packaging used to house alcohol), for how many of us will not be drunk in our lusts, greed or pride? And who will associate anger or deceit with the prodding of a troubling evil spirit than with our own emotional needs?

But the Holy Spirit is different. The Holy Spirit is sent by God, to stand in the gap, from the point of Jesus's departure to Heaven and till his subsequent second return. For those who truly believe in our Sovereign God, His Spirit resides in us, and will lead us.

'But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you; and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.'

Acts 1:8

How can you be sure? Take time with the Lord and you will know.

'And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him. For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart and knoweth all things. Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God. And whatsoever we ask, we receive of Him, because we keep His commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in His sight..'

1 John 3:19-24

God Blesses

Eng Hieang
(15th July 2009)