Dear….
‘And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him..’
Acts 28:30
I like to start by truly thanking many of you who took time to write me some kind words of encouragement for the Word based ministry that God has placed me in these past 7 years as well as the opportunity to journey with many of you in the light of God’s grace. Much as I know it is God Who matters, the imperfect me still cherish such reassurances, and may in doing so, I pray that I do not forget that all glory is due to God, and His grace is suffice.
‘And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that Thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that Thine hand might be with me and that Thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested.’
1 Chronicles 4:10
The prayer of Jabez, or at least a small little booklet revolving around this prayer was a few years back, going the popular rounds amongst Christians, who were encouraged to boldly asked God for His blessings, so that the recipient can have the provisions to do His work, even more. Unfortunately, for some, it became almost a repetitive meditative tome, which led to this misconception that if one continuously harped at our Abba Father, He will pay attention and give us what we asked for, rather than what He wills.
A dear brother in respond to my last sharing(SundaySnippets#14 Much ado about ash 25th April 10) jolted my memory regarding this same Jabez prayer chronicled in where else but 1 Chronicles 4:10
‘All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.’
2 Timothy 3:16-17
I have indeed been blessed by the grace of our Sovereign God. And I till now believed I have with all my heart, seek to do His will. Much as I might not have mouthed the prayer of Jabez, indeed God knows my heart and He has provided. So while am I undergoing further painful but gainful correction.
All scripture is indeed profitable for reproof and correction and as I pondered upon this present period of further personal refinement, our good Lord brought me to the daily bread reading of April 15th , Thursday, which used the following verse from 2 Timothy 2:20-21
‘…The Lord knoweth them that are His. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. ….If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honor, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.’
2 Timothy 2:20-21
In my desire to do the greater good, my approach might sometimes, have been necessarily expedient, but it does bring hurt and damage to those that I loved most. Focus on our Lord Jesus Christ, the author and finisher of our faith, we must, but Christ himself never left in his wake, souls that were deemed dispensable for the greater cause. God’s command to us is to love Him and to love our neighbors as ourselves.
Often one places one’s own understanding above God’s leading, but thanks be to God, He will steer us back on course.
In the DB reading, the author says “ WE often think God has assigned us to change the world around us when in reality He is interested in changing us. Why? The verse in 2 Timothy 2:20-21 reminds us of the need to continuously be perfected. And indeed God often uses the most unlikely people in the most unlikely places to teach us some of life’s most difficult lessons. And just when we think we have arrived. He is instructing us further.”
These few days have indeed been a humbling time for me. We must truly remember that only God is Sovereign and we must cling on to Him always, or lose our way, much as we might think that we are very much on track in His work. Yet God is good. It is not just about reorientation, or magnitude of needs being addressed. It is also about answered prayers. And indeed through life’s experiences like these few days, God is indeed answering one of my most heartfelt desires, for my loved ones to move in step in their spiritual growth. Prayers asked in His will are always answered, but as always, in His way and timing. Once one understands that, one will learn not to judge or be self righteous, but instead, let the Spirit of God convict us of our latent imperfections, and as we allow God to do that, He will show us the wisdom of His ways and indeed, I am seeing my prayers being answered even as God renew my mind and transform my heart and that of my loved ones.
In the same DB reading, the author reminds us that “Only when we are changed can we be agents of change” and on that note, I must thank my wife, my children and all the people that God placed in my life, for their patience and long suffering, much as the imperfect me continues to run at a breakneck speed, leaving in its wake, some unintended damage. But God is good, He corrects, He leads and He provides.
‘Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.’
Luke 13:24
Lunchtime, yesterday, as I spent time with our Lord, He brought me to a recent sermon by Rev Francis Khoo(Covenant Vision Centre). The dear Pastor spoke about sanctification. The circumcision of our hearts. To be able to walk right for God, He will have to make us right and this process only ends when our Lord Jesus Christ returns or when God takes us home. Will we be willing to be subjected to this sometimes painful, but always gainful work of God our Potter?
Often, like me, we think we are willing, but truth is in the eating of the pudding, and whenever we go through trials, our carnal self will change its mind and be unwilling, but the Spirit of God will help us overcome our sinful self, if we are willing to let God.
‘His God instructs him and teaches him the right way.’
Isaiah 28:26
When God sanctifies us by the infilling of His Spirit, He not only cleanses us of our imperfections, He will remold us in His likeness. It is not an instant transformation, much as God can do so if He wills. But He gives us the free choice to follow. He allows us to decide if we want to not just journey with Him, but to be carried by Him through the treacherous potholes of life that the devil has laid. How can we be cognizance of His leading, and ensure that we stay the course. Christ not just asked us to be like Him, but He has also shown all how to be Christ-like. And time with God in prayers, in His Word and in His work with love is the key.
‘And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.’
Mark 1:35
God Blesses
Eng Hieang
(29th April 10)
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