20 December 2008
' Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith , in purity' 1Tim 4:12
Timothy was a sincere young man who earnestly desired to serve the Lord. Yet, his service is hindered by some who doubted his abilities. Timothy had a tender nature and was sickly (1Tim 5:23). Paul urged Timothy not to allow this insecurity to blunt his zeal and faithfulness in doing what God had told him. Rather than arguing with those who criticised him, Paul urged him to live as an example of godliness. Paul urged him to live a life that was so spotless in word, conduct, love, spirit, faith, and purity that his life could serve as a model for others in the church to follow. Timothy's life was to be the evidence that God had called him. God looked beyond Timothy's youth, timidity, and physical weakness and saw his sincere heart.
Many of us can identify with Timothy. Perhaps, some things about you seem to disqualify you from serving the Lord effectively. You may come from a sinful past or little education, or money or status. You may have experienced failure in your service for the Lord. Do not allow this to prevent you from following God's will. Your areas of weakness may be God's means of demonstrating His strength. Allow God to demonstrate His call upon you by transforming your life into a model of godliness.
Amen
Tender Mercies
19 December 2008
' let us then, feel very sure that we can come before God's throne where there is grace. Then we can receive mercy and grace to help us when we need it' Heb 4:16
Many times we seem to exhaust all possible strength to meet our pressing needs, it is always a comfort to know that God remembers us:
- God sent rainbow to Noah as a symbol that His love for man would never waver (Gen 9:14-15)
- God allowed a young shepherd boy to conquer a mighty warrior with a single sling shot and a single stone (1Sam17:49)
- Jesus healed a blind man (Mark8:22-25) and a man who never walked (Matt 9:2-7)
Today, God is still at work in our world and in your life. Sometimes we need to open our eyes to see His tender mercies in our lives.
' let us then, feel very sure that we can come before God's throne where there is grace. Then we can receive mercy and grace to help us when we need it' Heb 4:16
Many times we seem to exhaust all possible strength to meet our pressing needs, it is always a comfort to know that God remembers us:
- God sent rainbow to Noah as a symbol that His love for man would never waver (Gen 9:14-15)
- God allowed a young shepherd boy to conquer a mighty warrior with a single sling shot and a single stone (1Sam17:49)
- Jesus healed a blind man (Mark8:22-25) and a man who never walked (Matt 9:2-7)
Today, God is still at work in our world and in your life. Sometimes we need to open our eyes to see His tender mercies in our lives.
Towel and a Basin
18 December 2008
" If then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another feet. For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done for you' John 13:14-15
One of the issues that mattered most to Jesus' disciples was who was the most favoured and important to Jesus. James and John, asked their mother to help them secure the seats of honour in Jesus' kingdom (Matthew 20:21)
Jesus response is that she did not know what she was asking and her sons were more interested in benefits of power but not sacrifice. Otherwise, these sons of Zebedee could be in the left and right side of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane, before Jesus was arrested (Matthew 26:40-46)
Instead they slept and fled after Jesus was arrested. They could have been in the left and right side of Jesus when He was hung on the cross but stayed in the crowd.
Jesus taught them the true meaning of greatness. Jesus used the towel and basin principle. He washed their feet - the duty of a servant. Even Peter could not understand this fundamental truth of greatness. In all areas of life, to be great is to know how best we can serve one another. As a parent, we serve our children, when we grow up, we serve our parents, our employers, our clients, our country, our loved ones and our peers.
We live in a competitive and self-aggrandising world where examples of humility, kindness, helpfulness, and caring for others first are hard to find.
Great is the reward, the sense of purpose and self satisfaction are what we reap if we follow our Master's footstep.
" If then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another feet. For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done for you' John 13:14-15
One of the issues that mattered most to Jesus' disciples was who was the most favoured and important to Jesus. James and John, asked their mother to help them secure the seats of honour in Jesus' kingdom (Matthew 20:21)
Jesus response is that she did not know what she was asking and her sons were more interested in benefits of power but not sacrifice. Otherwise, these sons of Zebedee could be in the left and right side of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane, before Jesus was arrested (Matthew 26:40-46)
Instead they slept and fled after Jesus was arrested. They could have been in the left and right side of Jesus when He was hung on the cross but stayed in the crowd.
Jesus taught them the true meaning of greatness. Jesus used the towel and basin principle. He washed their feet - the duty of a servant. Even Peter could not understand this fundamental truth of greatness. In all areas of life, to be great is to know how best we can serve one another. As a parent, we serve our children, when we grow up, we serve our parents, our employers, our clients, our country, our loved ones and our peers.
We live in a competitive and self-aggrandising world where examples of humility, kindness, helpfulness, and caring for others first are hard to find.
Great is the reward, the sense of purpose and self satisfaction are what we reap if we follow our Master's footstep.
He is our comfort
17 December 2008
'He comforts us every time we have trouble, so when others have trouble, we can comfort them with the same comfort God gives us' 2 Cor 1:4
The message here gives us comfort and hope for the broken. He is God of all comfort who reaches down to us with a healing touch. God will never forsake us even when our brokenness is our own making. God is still kind and merciful and always on our side. He is present in the midst of all circumstances. God can turn all tragedy into triumph (Ps 30:11).
No human thoughts or words can explain away or provide comfort for our suffering and pain. His ultimate expression of comfort is the gift of salvation and eternal life through the death of His son Jesus Christ (1Pet 3:18). He brings us to God, the source of all comfort.
'He comforts us every time we have trouble, so when others have trouble, we can comfort them with the same comfort God gives us' 2 Cor 1:4
The message here gives us comfort and hope for the broken. He is God of all comfort who reaches down to us with a healing touch. God will never forsake us even when our brokenness is our own making. God is still kind and merciful and always on our side. He is present in the midst of all circumstances. God can turn all tragedy into triumph (Ps 30:11).
No human thoughts or words can explain away or provide comfort for our suffering and pain. His ultimate expression of comfort is the gift of salvation and eternal life through the death of His son Jesus Christ (1Pet 3:18). He brings us to God, the source of all comfort.
He Hears us
16 December 2008
'Then those who fear the Lord spoke to one another, And the Lord listened and heard them; So a BOOK of Remembrance was written before Him. For those who fear the Lord And who meditate on His name ' Malachi 3:16
We can take comfort to know that God listen to our cries and heard them. What is significant here is that when we share the same burden and concerns together and agree in prayer, God chooses to respond to their unity by making His powerful presence known in their midst (Matthew 18:19-20)
If you are carrying concerns about your family or your church or your friends, ask God to bring like-minded believers around you to share the burdens with you in conversation and in prayer. As you face your concerns, seek out those believers with whom you can stand and share your load.
God remembers them and written these in His book of remembrance.
'Then those who fear the Lord spoke to one another, And the Lord listened and heard them; So a BOOK of Remembrance was written before Him. For those who fear the Lord And who meditate on His name ' Malachi 3:16
We can take comfort to know that God listen to our cries and heard them. What is significant here is that when we share the same burden and concerns together and agree in prayer, God chooses to respond to their unity by making His powerful presence known in their midst (Matthew 18:19-20)
If you are carrying concerns about your family or your church or your friends, ask God to bring like-minded believers around you to share the burdens with you in conversation and in prayer. As you face your concerns, seek out those believers with whom you can stand and share your load.
God remembers them and written these in His book of remembrance.
Daily Dependence
15 December 2008
' Trust the Lord with all your heart, and don't depend on your own understanding. Remember the Lord in all you do, and He will give you success' Pro 3:5-6
The moment we turn our eyes from Him and we trust ourselves more than Him, we are heading toward a spiritual decline in our walk with Him. It cuts both ways.
1) Pride: it is unhealthy and when such arrogance slips into our thinking, we become convinced that we are in control of our own world and this will affect our behaviours, our attitudes, and our relationship with people around us. Pride stinks the nostril of our God.
2) Despair: this happens when we face inevitable difficulties and setbacks of life that are outside of our control - illness, a difficult relationship and an economic downturn.
To have strong defense against these 'odds' , the bible tells us to daily trust in Him for He is the source of all good gifts, provisions, the only safe refuge. When life becomes difficult, he steers us from the twin dangers of pride and despair.
Psalms 40:3-5 , God reminded us that he is always thinking of us despite our disobedience and rebellion against Him. It is a privilege to know that He is thinking of us. The prophet Jeremiah tells us that His thoughts toward us is for our well being and it is the thought of peace in us and we will have an expected end.
Take heart, God will not abandon us. It is us who abandon Him.
' Trust the Lord with all your heart, and don't depend on your own understanding. Remember the Lord in all you do, and He will give you success' Pro 3:5-6
The moment we turn our eyes from Him and we trust ourselves more than Him, we are heading toward a spiritual decline in our walk with Him. It cuts both ways.
1) Pride: it is unhealthy and when such arrogance slips into our thinking, we become convinced that we are in control of our own world and this will affect our behaviours, our attitudes, and our relationship with people around us. Pride stinks the nostril of our God.
2) Despair: this happens when we face inevitable difficulties and setbacks of life that are outside of our control - illness, a difficult relationship and an economic downturn.
To have strong defense against these 'odds' , the bible tells us to daily trust in Him for He is the source of all good gifts, provisions, the only safe refuge. When life becomes difficult, he steers us from the twin dangers of pride and despair.
Psalms 40:3-5 , God reminded us that he is always thinking of us despite our disobedience and rebellion against Him. It is a privilege to know that He is thinking of us. The prophet Jeremiah tells us that His thoughts toward us is for our well being and it is the thought of peace in us and we will have an expected end.
Take heart, God will not abandon us. It is us who abandon Him.
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