Cast Our Burden upon The Lord

The lot is cast into the lap,
but its every decision is from the Lord.
- Proverbs 16:33 -

The disposal of the lot is the Lord's; God makes the arrangement of our whole life. Even the very hairs of our head are all numbered.

If we always remember this, it would bring a holy calm over our mind. It would relieve our mind from anxiety. We would be better able to walk in patience, quiet, and cheerfulness.

When we are anxious, we cannot pray with faith, When we are troubled about the world, we cannot serve our Master. Our thoughts are serving ourselves.

If we would seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, all things would then be added unto us.

Let us come and survey our Father's storehouse. Let us look at His heart of mercy. Let us look at His inscrutable wisdom. Above all, let us look up to Jesus Christ our Intercessor.

If God remembers even the sparrows, He will not forget one of the least of His poor children.

Let us cast our burden upon the Lord, and He will sustain us.

Abide in Christ

At this they wept aloud again. Then Orpah kissed her mother-in-law goodbye, but Ruth clung to her. - Ruth 1:14 -

Both of them had an affection for Naomi.

They set out with Naomi on her return to the land of Judah.

But Naomi unselfishly set before each of them the trials which awaited them.

She bade them to return to their Moabitish friends so that they could enjoy ease and comfort.

At first both of them declared that they would be with the Lord's people.

But upon further consideration, Orpah with much grief and a respectful kiss left her mother in law, and her people, and her God, and went back to her idolatrous friends.

Ruth, with all her heart gave herself up to the God of her mother in law.

It is one thing to love the ways of the Lord when all is fair.

It is quite another to cleave to them under all discouragements and difficulties.

The kiss of outward profession is very cheap and easy.

The practical cleaving to the Lord, which must show itself in holy decision for truth and holiness, is not a small matter.

How about us?

Is our heart fixed upon Jesus?

Are we ready to suffer all worldly loss for the Master's sake?

Orpah is heard of no more.

In ease and pleasure her life melts into the gloom of death.

But Ruth lives in history and in heaven.

Grace has placed her in the noble line.

Blessed among women shall those be who for Christ's sake can renounce all.

May the Holy Spirit work in us and cleave our whole heart to our Lord Jesus.

Communion With Jesus

Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.
- 1 Thessalonians 4:17 -

How sweet it is when we shall see the Lord face to face. 

 

How sweet it is when the Lord shall eternally enfold us in the bosom of His glory.

In Heaven, there shall be no interruptions from care or sin.

No weeping shall dim our eyes.

No earthly business shall distract our happy thoughts.

Nothing shall hinder us from gazing forever upon the Son of Righteousness.

Oh, if it is so sweet to see Him now, how sweet it is to gaze on that blessed face forever.

If to die is to enter into uninterrupted communion with Jesus, then death is indeed gain.

Death is swallowed up in victory.

O death, where is your sting?

O grave, where is your victory?

Ever Ready For Service

And in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band.
- Revelation 1:13 -

"One like the Son of Man" appeared to John in Patmos. The beloved disciple marked that He wore a girdle of gold.
 

(1) The Lord Jesus wore a girdle.
 

The Lord Jesus was never ungirded while on earth. He was always ready for service.
 

Now before the eternal throne, He has not ceased to fulfill His offices of love for us. He makes intercession for us. He diligently carries on the cause of His people.
 

(2) The Lord Jesus wore a golden girdle.
 

This is to manifest the superiority of His service, the royalty of His person, the dignity of His state, the glory of His reward.
 

The Lord Jesus pleads with authority, both as a King and as a Priest.
 

(3) The Lord Jesus presents us with an example.
 

We must never unbind our girdles. This is not the time to lie down at ease. It is the season of service and warfare.
 

We need to bind the girdle of truth more and more tightly around our waists.
 

If in heaven Jesus does not unbind the girdle, we must not do so on earth.
 

Let us hold on to the truth and be ready for service.

Nothing Satisfies

I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and indeed, all is vanity and grasping for the wind. (Ecclesiastes 1:14)

Nothing can satisfy a man except the Lord and His love.
 

Solomon, the wisest of men, had made the experiments.
 

He was a great king, and increased more than all that were before him in Jerusalem.
 

His wisdom remained with him when he indulged in every possible desire.
 

Then he looked back on all the things he had done.
 

He cried "Vanity of vanities, all is vanity."
 

This was his verdict after he had trodden the whole round of pleasure.
 

Nothing really satisfies a man except the Lord and His love.
 

To embrace our Lord Jesus, to dwell in His love, and be fully assured of union with Him is our all in all.
 

We need not try other forms of life or go anywhere.  Nothing is better than to know the Lord and His love.
 

If we have all the comforts of life, but we lost our Savior, we would be wretched. 

But if we win Christ, we would find it a paradise.
 

Let us choose to be satisfied with the favor and the goodness of the Lord.

Nothing satisfies a man except the Lord and His love.

The Anointing Oil

Oil for the light, and spices for the anointing oil and for the sweet incense (Exodus 35:8).

The Holy Spirit, who anoints us for all holy service, is indispensable to us if we would serve the Lord acceptably.

When our ministry is without the unction of the Holy Spirit, our prayers, praises, meditations, and efforts are miserable attempts.

Choice spices were used to form the anointing oil.

 

This showing us how rich are the influences of the Holy Spirit.

All good things are found in our divine Comforter.

Matchless consolation, infallible instruction, spiritual energy, divine sanctification and other excellencies are all found in the heavenly anointing oil of the Holy Spirit.

The anointing oil will impart a delightful fragrance to the character and person of the man upon whom it is poured.

The anointing oil cannot be imitated. It comes only from God.

The anointing oil is freely given, through Jesus Christ, to every waiting soul.

Let us seek the anointing oil.

 

Let us seek it now.

O Lord, anoint your servants.

The Plumb Line Is In Good Hands

For who has despised the day of small things?
For these seven rejoice to see
The plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel.
They are the eyes of the Lord,
Which scan to and fro throughout the whole earth.
(Zechariah 4:10)

Small things marked the beginning of the work in the hand of Zerubbabel. But none might despise it, for the Lord had raised up one who would persevere until the headstone should be brought forth with shoutings. The plumb line was in good hands.

Here is comfort of Christians. 

Though the work of grace may be small at first, the plumb line is in good hands. God will build up His Church.

If the plumb line were in human's hand, we might fear for the building. But it is in Jesus' hand.

The works did not proceed irregularly, and without care, for the Master's hand carried a good instrument.

Jesus is always watching the building of His spiritual temple. It will be built securely and well.

We are not to judge the Lord's Church. Jesus has a steady hand, and a true eye. He can use the plumb line well.

The plumb line was always in active use. It was always in the builder's hand. Jesus will push on His work to completion.

Let us rejoice at Jesus' great work.

Climb The Hill Of The Lord

O Zion,
You who bring good tidings,
Get up into the high mountain;
O Jerusalem,
You who bring good tidings,
Lift up your voice with strength,
Lift it up, be not afraid;
Say to the cities of Judah, “Behold your God!”
(Isaiah 40:9)

Every believer should be thirsting for the living God. They should climb the hill of the Lord, and see Him face to face.

We should not rest content in our present situation. Our soul should thirst more to drink deep the cup which is reserved for us.

Let us rise from our spiritual slumber. Let us cast away our sloth, our lethargy, our coldness, or whatever interferes with our love to Christ.

Let us make Christ the source, the center, and the circumference of all our soul's delight.

Let us aspire to live a higher, a nobler, and a fuller life in Christ.

Do Not Grieve The Holy Spirit

And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. (Ephesians 4:30)

All blessings flow to us through the Holy Spirit. And no good thing can come out of us (in holy thought, devout worship, or gracious act) except by the sanctifying work of the same Holy Spirit. It is God who works in us to will and to do of His own good pleasure.

We can speak for Jesus only when the Holy Spirit touches our tongue. And it is the Holy Spirit who makes intercession for us in our prayer. Without the Holy Spirit we can do nothing. We can have no life within us except through the Holy Spirit.

Let us not grieve the Holy Spirit. Let us not provoke Him to anger by our sin.

Let us not quench the Holy Spirit. Let us be ready to obey His every prompting.

Let us attempt to do nothing without the Holy Spirit. Let us begin no project, carry on no enterprise, and conclude no transaction, without imploring His blessing.

Let us do the Holy Spirit the due homage of feeling our entire weakness apart from Him. Let us depend alone upon Him for our every undertaking all the days of our life.

The Bible is the Word of God

(1) The Bible is completely true.

The Bible is a collection of 66 books, written by about 40 authors over a period of more than 1600 years.

It includes history, prophecy, poetry, biography, ethics, philosophy and science.

In each of these is infallibly true.

No expert has ever disproved a single statement in the Bible.

What the Bible says on any subject is true!

But the Bible is primarily a book about God and our relationship with Him.

(2) The Bible is constantly true.

The Bible is never out of date.

God still reveals Himself today, through the pages of the Bible, in such a way that He can be found and know.

Are you a genuine seeker? Then come to the Bible and ask God to make its truth clear to you.

"And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart." (Jeremiah 29:13)

The Lord Is My Shepherd

The Lord is my shepherd (Psalm 23:1)

In trying to discover God's will for our life, we must not forget that He is our Shepherd.

(1) He supplies our needs (v. 1)

He knows all our needs. He supplies them at the correct time because He cares about our spiritual growth.

(2) He restores us (v.3)

He restores our soul from our sins, from our enemies, and from the shadow of death.

(3) He leads us (v. 3)

He guides us in the paths of righteousness. He takes us in the paths of right living. He calls us to follow behind Him. We just have to follow His footsteps.

(4) He protects us (v. 4)

He protects us in the shadow of death. He protects us in our trials and tribulation. He stands beside us, He rescues us, and He brings us safely home.

(5) He richly blesses us (v. 5)

Occasionally, He keeps all our foes at bay. He makes joy abound in our hearts with His many blessings.

(6) He perseveres to the end with us (v. 6)

His goodness and love will follow us all our days. He will not give up until His goodness and mercy have followed us home to His eternal glory.

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

Constant In Prayer

"Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart," - Luke 18:1-
 
Christians ought always to pray and not lose heart.

We are to come near to God.

We are to pray and ask from Him.

We are to intercede for others.

The church always need our prayer.

We are to go to God every time.

There are those among us who are declining, or falling into open sin.

There are those we care most, that they may be carried in Christ's bosom.

We are to pray for the strong, lest they grow presumptuous.

We are to pray for the weak, lest they become despairing.

There is always a special subject for supplication.

Let us be constant in prayer.

Bridge Over Troubled Water

Help us, O Lord our God, for we rest on You, 

and in Your name we go against this multitude. 

- 2 Chronicles 14:11 - 

Asa was faced with the options of panic or pray. He was attacked by an Ethiopian army of a million men.

Asa faced this huge fighting force.

Instead of relying on military strategy or cowering in dread, Asa turned to the Lord God in urgent prayer.

He prayed a powerful and humble prayer.

He confessed his total dependence on Him, he asked for help, and appealed to Him to protect His own name (2 Chronicles 14:11).

The Lord responded to Asa’s prayer.

Asa won the victory over the Ethiopian army.

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When we are faced with problem of different types, let us not panic.

Instead, let us turn to God who fights for His people and gives them victory.

A Sudden Rain

A sudden rain...
revealing the sticky dirt and stains on the roads, paths and trails;

showing the leaking roofs, ceilings, windows, doors, and walls.

A sudden rain...

opening our eyes to the sinful and evil acts and intentions of men;

unveiling our spiritual poverty, wretchedness, blindness, and nakedness.

A sudden rain...

washing away the bad memories and traces of the past;

cleansing the mind and heart of many sorrows, pains and other sufferings.

A sudden rain...

revealing our spiritual emptiness and hunger;
opening the doors to God's grace, mercy, and love.

Peace Of God

Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace always in every way. 

- 2 Thessalonians 3:16 -

Some people move through life without issues or concerns.

They are always steady and secure.

Some, however, are easily unsettled, even with the slightest issue.

The Bible reminds us that genuine calm can be found in the presence of God.

When our lives are disturbed and unsettled, let us rest assured in the peace of God.

God's Grace In Tough Times

Dear friends, 

do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, 

as though something strange were happening to you. 

But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, 

so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. 

- 1 Peter 4:12-13 - 

We can learn a lot walking through tough times.

As we face pain and struggles, our first priority is to show God’s love through it all. And we anticipate the time when God’s glory is revealed.

Over the years, God has pulled us through with His mercy and grace. Therefore, we must not take our eyes off Him. We must continue to depend on His grace to get us through. And we must continue to reflect His love to others.

When life’s burdens oppress us, and when trials are too much to face, we must continue to remember God’s strength in our weakness; He will give us His power and grace.

The increasing darkness of trials only makes the lamp of grace shine brighter. 

 

Listening To God’s Voice

Speak, for Your servant hears. 

- 1 Samuel 3:10 - 

Samuel was a young boy when he heard a voice call his name. He thought it was Eli the priest, who served God in the tabernacle. When Eli realized it was God who was calling Samuel, he told the boy how to respond. When God called his name a fourth time, Samuel answered, “Speak, for Your servant hears”. This attentiveness to God’s voice became the pattern of Samuel’s life.

Are we listening for God’s voice in our lives today?

Are we more drawn by the still, small voice of God through His Word and His Spirit?

May we, like Samuel, learn to discern God’s voice and say, “Speak Lord, for Your servant hears.”

We Don’t Have To Do It Alone

Do you not know that you are the temple of God and
that the Spirit of God dwells in you?
- 1 Corinthians 3:16 -

Living in this fallen world can be dangerous.

Christians, however, can be encouraged and comforted that we never have to do it alone.

The night before His crucifixion, Jesus promised that He would not abandon us but would send His Spirit to be with us and in us (John 14:16-17).

In this world filled with despair and trouble, we can take courage.

The Holy Spirit lives within us, providing us with His peace and comfort.

We never have to do it alone.

The Holy Spirit will help us in all the challenges of life.

Water Baptism

Jesus answered, "Most assuredly, I say to you,
unless one is born of water and the Spirit,
he cannot enter the kingdom of God.
- John 3:5 -

Water baptism is shown as a type of death, burial, and resurrection.

It is not just a symbol of live and resurrection.

It is also a grave from which we must be spiritually resurrected.

Romans 6:1-8 pictured the figurative burial of the old “dead” man living in trespasses and sin in preparation for the birth of the new man in Christ.

Our receipt of God's Holy Spirit occurs when we are spiritually resurrected from our watery grave and by God's grace cleansed through faith in the blood of Jesus Christ.

God's Spirit gives birth to the new man as a child of God.

It is not the waters of baptism that cleanse us.

It is Christ's blood and the receipt of God's Holy Spirit.

Be A Good Listener

When he brings out his own sheep,
he goes before them;
and the sheep follow him,
for they know his voice.
- John 10:4 -

Listening is an important part of any relationship, especially in our relationship with Christ.

If we belong to Him, we have the privilege of communing with Him through His Word and the work of the Holy Spirit in our hearts.

We know we are paying attention to the true Shepherd when His voice leads us to righteousness, love, grace, and all that is consistent with His character and will.

Those who diligently listen to Christ become devoted followers of Him and are transformed into His likeness.

Paying close attention to the voice of Jesus is one way to affirm His importance in our lives.

Let’s tune in to His voice, and pray for the grace to do what He says.

Listening to Jesus is the first step to following Him.

Word Can Warm The Heart

Christians are to continue loving one another as brothers and sisters.

This love is to be practical and reach out even to strangers.

Our love is to extend to those who are in prison for their faith, even to the point of assuming we are in there with them.

Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering. (Hebrews 13:3)

Some kind word and earnest prayer for our brethren can really warm the heart!

The New Beginning

For we do not have a High Priest
who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses,
but was in all points tempted as we are,
yet without sin. — Hebrews 4:15

Jesus came and experienced life among us.

Our Savior lived a perfect life.

But Jesus also knew the pains of a broken world.

He endured sorrow; He suffered agony.

And He stands ready to encourage us when the dark moments of life force us to embrace a new beginning.

The Evil Men Do

Proverbs 31:8

Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves,
for the rights of all who are destitute.

Christian persecution rarely happens suddenly or in isolation.

It is most often a process that includes
opposition, disinformation, discrimination,
injustice, mistreatment and persecution.

We must learn to speak out for the rights of those who have no voice to speak for themselves.

Help me, Lord,
to be aware of the forces of evil
that conspire against Your Kingdom.

Seasoned with Salt

Colossians 4:6
Let your conversation be always full of grace,
seasoned with salt,
so that you may know how to answer everyone.

At the end of His Beatitudes, Jesus stated that His followers were to be salt and light in the world.

Salt was highly valued for 4 special qualities:

• Its purity - Christians must hold aloft the standard for purity of speech, conduct and thought. Words cannot be effective unless backed up by pure living.
• It was inexpensive but precious - Christians may seem few, insignificant and of no consequence to society. But they are called to exercise godly influence over the whole of society.
• As a preservative to keep meat from going bad - Christians whose lives exhibit blessedness will have a preserving impact upon a society that, if left to itself, will rot and deteriorate.
• To season food - Christians are to bring the flavor of Christ to an unbelieving world.
  

Let us check our conversation and be sure we season it with the salt of purity.

Oh Lord, forgive me
when I grieve Your Holy Spirit
by what I do
and what I say
and how I say it.

Oh God, I Will Forgive

Colossians 3:13

Bear with each other and
forgive whatever grievances
you may have against one another.
Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

• Forgiveness is not forgetting.
• Forgiveness is not reconciliation.
• Forgiveness is not condoning.
• Forgiveness is not dismissing.
• Forgiveness is not a vague notion of ‘tolerance’.
• Forgiveness is not pardoning.

Forgiveness is an act of faith.

By forgiving another:

• We are trusting that God is a better justice-maker than we are.
• We release our own right to get even and leave all issues of fairness for God to work out.
• We leave in God’s hands the scales that must balance justice and mercy.

We simply forgive others and leave them to God.

Let us leave fairness and justice in God’s hands.
Let us obediently forgive others just as the Lord forgave us.

Oh Lord,
grant me the faith to trust You with
the offenses committed against me.

Oh God, I will forgive.

Christian Suffering

Romans 15:13

May the God of hope fill you
with all joy and peace as you trust in him,
so that you may overflow with hope
by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Christians who have undergone hardship, difficulty and affliction for the sake of the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ are often overflowing with peace, courage and hope.

They believe that all good things will come out of them all, though they cannot fully understand them now.

Instead of taking vengeance, they leave their cases with God. They believe God will give them proper justice in His time.

May our lives be so filled with God’s joy and peace
that it may overflow to others too.

Let us pray for ongoing strength and courage
for brethren who have to suffer for their faith.

Opening Closed Door

Isaiah 55:8-9

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD.
"As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts."

The Bible has much to say about open doors. But many times, as Christians, we face obstacles on our path and in our ministry. Blocked doors can be very frustrating. But God often uses closed doors to advance His cause.

God closed the womb of Sarah so he could display His power to the elderly one.

God shut the palace door on Moses the prince so he could open shackles through Moses the liberator.

God marched Daniel out of Jerusalem so he could use Daniel in Babylon.

Even when Jesus requested a path that bypassed the cross, God said no. God said no to Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane so He could say yes to us at the gates of heaven.

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It’s not that our plans are bad but that God’s plans are better.

Our blocked door doesn’t mean God doesn’t love us. Quite the opposite, it is proof that He does.

Thank You Lord that You know best
and have even better plans for me
and my service for You.
Help me wait patiently for You
to open the right door at the right time!

The Living Stones

1 Peter 2:5

…now God is building you,
as living stones into his spiritual temple.
What’s more, you are God’s holy priests,
who offer the spiritual sacrifices
that please him because of Jesus Christ.

The purpose of our lives is not to maximize our potential. So few people actually get the opportunity to do so! Many who, because of Christianity, are denied access to education, or are barred from developing promising careers.

The purpose of our lives is the sacrifice of our lives.

God makes each life that is yielded to Him a living stone in building His temple. That’s why we are alive. That’s the purpose of it all. We are all made to become a stone in His spiritual temple, His eternal kingdom. And everybody gets the opportunity to become a “living stone” just by virtue of giving our lives to Him.

And we are priests because we offer a sacrifice.

That sacrifice is the only one we can make — that of our lives.

And so we find the purpose for which God made the world — to build a kingdom of worshippers for Himself.

No one wastes their life who gives it to Jesus. They are placed into an eternal structure — the kingdom of God, and will rejoice forever in that status. No one goes unfulfilled because God builds His kingdom on our sacrifices, not on our achievements.

Let us be the “living stones” for God and offer Him the sacrifice of our lives.

Thank You Lord that
I don’t need to spend my life
seeking fulfillment other than in You!

Pray Together

James 5:16b
The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.

We must pray and rely on God to solve our problems.

We must pray for our city or community so that it is peaceful and safe.

We must pray for the work of the gospel so that it is stable and steadily expanding.

We must pray powerfully and effectively.

Our Father God will hear us.

He will help us solve our problems.

Let us recommit ourselves to believe in the power of prayer and practice that belief.

Let us pray for the problems in our city or community.

Let us seek like-minded brethren to pray together.

Oh Lord, help us believe and rely on the power of prayer.

Precious Food For Christians

Psalm 104: 27-28

All creatures look to you to give them their food at the proper time.
When you give it to them, they gather it up;
when you open your hand, they are satisfied with good things.

Let us recommit ourselves to living the principles of God’s Word

and not be ashamed of publicly sharing them.

Let us thank God for the Bibles we have
and ask Him to provide for those still without even one copy.

Luke 6:27-28

But I tell you who hear me:
Love your enemies,
do good to those who hate you,
bless those who curse you,
pray for those who mistreat you.

In Luke 6:22, the Lord Jesus defines persecution with four verbs: hatred, exclusion, insult and rejection.

Later in the chapter, Jesus gives more emphasis on how we are to respond to persecution that comes our way.

One of the ways is to pray for those who persecute us. This is a parallel principle with loving our enemies. God will honor this principle of prayer.

Let us respond to persecution with non-violence
as the Lord Jesus taught.

When we pray for our enemy and love our enemy, he or she is no longer our enemy.

Oh God, help me to always respond this way.

Joshua 4:1–9

Memorials help us preserve important memories.

God memorialized many important things in the Old Testament, often through festivals and ceremonies.

In this instance the Lord used a simple monument of 12 stones, one for each tribe of Israel, so that in the future the Israelites could tell their children how God stopped the flow of the Jordan River when the 12 tribes walked across with the ark of the covenant to enter the promised land.

********

What things has God done in our lives that we ought not forget?

Think of ways to memorialize them.

We could have a ceremony or create a physical memorial.

We could keep a journal or record of answered prayers and unexpected blessings.

Whatever it takes, we need to foster the memory of God’s work on our behalf.

Remember God!

Study Your Bible

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching,
rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,
so that the man of God may be
thoroughly equipped for every good work.
(2 Timothy 3:16-17)

The best way we can be prepared for trials and persecution is by seriously studying and learning the Word of God.

And the right attitude to Bible study:

First, let us approach the Bible with the desire to see the goodness and loving-kindness of God and understand how “wide and long and high and deep” is His love for us. Let His love show us His supply for our own need before we learn to help others.

Second, let us approach the Bible with humility. Let us study the Bible and discover what God has said. Bible study is meant to transform us every day.

Third, let us memorize God’s Word every day.

Without God, You Can Do Nothing

I am the vine; you are the branches.
If a man remains in me and I in him,
he will bear much fruit;
apart from me you can do nothing.
(John 15:5)

Christians are loved by God. God has given them life. He will bless them in their walk with Him.

Christians have died with Christ in God. They live a life of self-sacrifice and others-centeredness.

God will bless Christians. They will bear much fruit. They will be blessed in their ministries to the people they love and care.

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With God, we will bear much fruit.

Without God, we can do nothing.

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There is no fear in love.

Perfect love drives out fear.

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We are to share God’s Word with those in need.

God will protect us.

With God, we will bear much fruit.

*******

Christians are happy people.

They can continue to sing and give praises to God even when death is so near.

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When death is near, the Lord Jesus Christ, the Living Lord, will give us courage and strength.

Let us walk in the power of the living Lord and not in our own strength or courage.

Oh Lord, help me realize that You are my sufficiency.
Without You, I can do nothing.

The Golden Calf

(Exodus 32:1–6)

While Moses was on Mount Sinai communing with God, the people of Israel were fashioning an idol to worship in the Lord’s place.

Fueled by ignorance, shamelessness, a short memory, and old religious assumptions from the place of their former captivity, the Israelites rushed headlong into one of the most remarkable displays of indiscretion in the Bible.

********

It’s easy to criticize the Israelites.

But we also tend to worship what we can touch and easily manage.

Even while we are basking in the light of revelation from God, we can be drawn back into the familiar and the comfortable.

We need to be vigilant against subtle idolatries and human religious instincts.

God has called us into an entirely new way of life.

*******

Remember, God's wrath against the golden calf.

Overcome Evil With Good

Do not be overcome by evil,
but overcome evil with good.
(Romans 12:21)

What is the defining evil or idol of our area?

We must confront it.

We may be persecuted if we become a threat to the evil around us.

But as Christians, we are called to be the salt and the light of the world!

We are called to make a difference.

We must do something.

We must begin prayer meetings.

We must reach out to the people affected.

Then, after some time, we may see fruits.

We may also see threats against us.

But it is okay.

We know we are making a difference, in our lives and in the lives of others.

We will then learned to be more sensitive to the needs of our brethren who are facing the same battles.

We will then able to fight our own battles better.

We will then feel so much better, because we are not a hypocrite anymore.

Oh, Let us respond to the defining evil around us and overcome it with good.

Oh Lord,
I need Your power and strength
to effectively overcome the evil I experience.
Help me stand strong in my opposition to the evil one.

Show Yourself Faithful

The captain of the guard assigned them to Joseph, and he attended them. (Genesis 40:4)

Joseph is an example in the Bible of faithfulness in the face of tribulation.

Wherever he was, Joseph lived for the glory of God.

The Lord was with him and gave him success.

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Joseph demonstrated that he could be trusted in a variety of settings, thereby showing himself dependable.

He was faithful over small things, so God was able to set him over large things.

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Most of our failures come with the small things.

It rarely occurs to us that the challenge of the moment is to demonstrate ourselves faithful at that point.

But if we persevere, then and only then, will we be trusted with greater responsibilities and opportunities.

Show Yourself Faithful !!!

Singing Praises To God

After consulting the people, Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the LORD and to praise Him for the splendor of His holiness as they went out at the head of the army, saying: "Give thanks to the LORD, for His love endures forever." As they began to sing and praise, the LORD set ambushes against the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir who were invading Judah, and they were defeated. (2 Chronicles 20:21-22)

The singing of praises amid difficulties in life has tremendous spiritual power to help us win our spiritual battle.

Paul and Silas set the biblical pattern in the prison in Philippi. Their prison cell singing was heard all the way to the throne room of God. Since heaven is God’s throne and the earth is His footstool, this created an earthquake!

Many great preachers survived their prison terms by frequently memorizing and singing hymns to God to buoy their spirits.

We should worship God with spiritual songs, hymns and psalms, and learn to memorize them. They will come in handy when we need them.

Let us always sing praises to the Lord God.

Lord, help us to rejoice and sing praises to You, especially when we feel the challenges of spiritual warfare.

Walk By Faith

…fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before Him He endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider Him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. (Hebrews 12:2-3)

• This letter was written to first century Jewish believers who were severely persecuted. Some were considering giving up their faith in Jesus.
• This letter talked about the superiority of Jesus over anyone else and everything else.
• The author slowly built his case to culminate in the great faith chapter (Chapter 13), where he pointed out that some great men and women of faith lived to see the fruit of their faith while many others died prematurely because of persecution.

So, how do we walk by faith? We walk by faith by keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus ! Not fixed on our problems or difficult environment of opposition.

Jesus was the pioneer and perfecter of faith. He endured opposition to the point of crucifixion. So we follow His example and we will also patiently endure because of the joy we know that is yet to come.

Take your eyes off your surroundings, your problems, your fears and your suffering. Keep them fixed on Jesus your Lord. In so doing, you will bring glory and honor to God.

Family Love

Bringing Children To The Lord

Fathers, do not exasperate your children;

instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.
(Ephesians 6:4)

James Hudson Taylor (21 May 1832 – 3 June 1905)

They Interacted With The Canaanites

The Israelites lived among the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites. (Judges 3:5)

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The children of Israel settled down among the various tribes of Canaan.

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When Israel arrived in Canaan, they were commanded to destroy these people without mercy.

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Now they were living among them.

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It took a very short time for their former enemies to become their new neighbors.

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Here's the problem.

Israel was to be separated from the world around them!

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They were unique among all the peoples of the world.

They had been chosen, redeemed and set apart to serve the Lord God Almighty.

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God expected them to remain separate (Deut. 7:6-11)!

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Because they didn't, they opened a floodgate of sin that would end with them facing the terrible chastisement of God.

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God's redeemed ones are to be a separate people (2 Cor. 6:17)!

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We are God's special possession.

He loved us; He chose us; He send His Son to die for us.

God redeemed us and bought us (1 Cor. 6:19-20)!

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When we refuse to walk in His will and honor His Word in our lives, we open the floodgates of sin that eventually overwhelm us and drown us in its turbulent currents.

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It is a dangerous thing for a child of God to live like the world around him!

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Israel compromised!

They interacted with the people they were not supposed to!

Israel's Compromise

Judges 3: 5-7

"The Israelites lived among the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites. They took their daughters in marriage and gave their own daughters to their sons, and served their gods. The Israelites did evil in the eyes of the LORD; they forgot the LORD their God and served the Baals and the Asherahs." (Judges 3:5-7)

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These verses give us the ugly details of Israel's first great failure:

• They interacted with the Canaanites (Judges 3:5).

• They intermarriaged with the Canaanites (Judges 3:6a).

• They worshiped the idols of the Canaanites (Judges 3:6b, 7b).

They compromised the Word of God.

They compromised the will of God.

They wanted to do the things they desired to do!

Othniel, The Lion Of God

Judges 3:1-11

Israel refused to walk with the Lord like He commanded them to.

God refused to drive out all their enemies in the land of Canaan.

Thus, Israel was forced to live alongside the very people they had been sent to destroy.

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Judges 1: 1-4 told us the reasons why God left the people in the land:

• He left them there to test the people of Israel.
  
  The people of Israel were tested to see how they would live when surrounded by the wicked.
  
  The people of Israel were tested to see if they would keep God's commandments or not.
  
  They failed the test!

• He left them there to teach the new generations about spiritual warfare.
  
  God wanted them to learn the lessons of battle their fathers had known.
  
  God wanted them to be strong and to know how to fight the enemy when he came around.
  
  They failed this test too!
  

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It wasn't long until this caused some serious problems among the people of Israel.

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Israel proved that they could not be trusted to stand up against the enemy.

They proved that they would rather join the enemy than fight them.

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God delivered Israel from a time of cruel bondage by raising up Othniel.

His name means "The Lion Of God".

He was a man who lived up to his name.

Othniel was the first Judge in Israel!

Israel Failed To Obey God

Judges 1:19-34

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Israel had their instructions.

But they failed to fully carry out the Lord’s command.

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The record of their failure was chronicled in Judges 1:19-34:

Judah failed (1:19-20); Benjamin failed (1:21); Joseph failed (1:22-26); Manasseh failed (1:27-28); Ephraim failed (1:29); Zebulon failed (1:30); Asher failed (1:31-32); Naphtali failed (1:33); and Dan failed (1:34).

The tribes of Reuben, Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh even refused to enter Canaan, choosing to remain on the other side of Jordan.

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Israel’s failure to defeat their enemies resulted in them living among their enemies.

After a while, they became like their enemies, adopting the wicked ways of the various Canaanite tribes around them.

Eventually, Israel began to worship the false gods of the Canaanites.

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When they followed this downward path, God allowed them to know His displeasure and His judgment.

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When judgment came, eventually the people would realize that they were to blame.

They would repent and seek the Lord.

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When they did, God forgave them and raised up a deliverer, called a Judge.

These men and women helped Israel throw off the yoke of their oppressors.

They also helped them to live for God.

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Israel would follow a Judge until that Judge died.

Then they would revert to their wicked ways.

The cycle would begin again.

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This continued in Israel for about 400 years, until they got their first king.

God's Command To The Israelites

When the LORD your God brings you into the land you are entering to possess and drives out before you many nations—the Hittites, Girgashites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites, seven nations larger and stronger than you— and when the LORD your God has delivered them over to you and you have defeated them, then you must destroy them totally. Make no treaty with them, and show them no mercy. Do not intermarry with them. Do not give your daughters to their sons or take their daughters for your sons, for they will turn your children away from following me to serve other gods, and the LORD’s anger will burn against you and will quickly destroy you. This is what you are to do to them: Break down their altars, smash their sacred stones, cut down their Asherah poles and burn their idols in the fire. For you are a people holy to the LORD your God. The LORD your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be his people, his treasured possession. (Deut. 7:1-6)

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The period addressed in the book of Judges is a period of time defined by lawlessness, rebellion and moral failure among the people of Israel.

The whole attitude of Israel during this time could be summed up in the words of Judges 17:6; 21:25, “In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as they saw fit.”

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God had redeemed Israel from Egyptian bondage.

He had led them for 40 years through a wilderness.

He had brought them safely into the land of Canaan.

He had promised to defeat all their enemies, if they would only walk with Him in holiness.

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God commanded them to enter Canaan and to conquer it.

They were to:

• Possess the land.
• Utterly destroy all the nations of Canaan.
• Make no peace treaties with them.
• Show them no mercy.
• Refuse to intermarry with them.
• Completely destroy every trace of their pagan religions.

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The reason they were commanded to do this was because Israel was to be different from all the people around them (Deut 7:6).

They, among all the people of the earth, had been chosen by God.

God had saved them, blessed them and promised them victory, if they would walk with Him.

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God demanded total separation among His people.

He knew that if Israel allowed themselves to be entangled with the Canaanites, they would become corrupt spiritually and be drawn away from God.

When that happened, God promised that He would visit them suddenly, in His wrath (Deut. 7:4).

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We are to be in the world, but not of the world in our walk with the Lord.

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is — His good, pleasing and perfect will. (Romans 12:2)

Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world — the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life — comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever. (1 John 2:15-17)

A Nation Maimed By Grim Consequences

Judges 2: 1-23

Because of their sin, the nation of Israel faced God’s judgment.

They Endured A Divine Sentence (Judges 2:2-3). God vowed to remove His protecting hand from Israel. He would allow the Canaanites they had compromised with to be a thorn in the side of Israel. He would allow the false gods of Canaan to be a snare to them.

They Expressed Deep Sorrow (Judges 2:4-5). They called on the Lord because of their sins.

They Evidenced Deepening Sin (2:6-15). The day came when Israel totally walked away from God (2:11-15). Their compromise was transformed into wholesale sin and total disregard for the Word or will of God. For this, Israel paid a terrible price. Judgment came and they suffered the awesome wrath of a holy God.

In spite of their failures, God still sent them men to lead them and speak to them.

Sometimes they listened, sometimes they did not.

God continued to be patient and loving.

He continued to give them every chance to set things right.

A Nation Marred By Gradual Compromise

The old generation that had seen God move in power and glory had died out.

A new generation came of age. They forgot their heritage and they denied God.

Israel began a slow and steady descent down the slope of compromise.

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When they entered the land of Canaan, they had been commanded to utterly destroy the people of Canaan (Num. 33:51-56).

They were warned that if they failed to drive out the nations, they themselves would be afflicted and that God Himself would turn against them. This had become a reality in Israel.

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The Fear Factor. After some initial success (Joshua 1:4-19a), the men of Judah came up against some people that they feared. They did not drive these people out because of fear.

The Money Factor. Many of the tribes did not drive out the people of the land (1:27-30). They enslaved the people and forced them to work for them.

The Love Factor. Some Israelites dwelt among the Canaanites (Joshua 1:32-33). They became accustomed to the vile and wicked ways of the Canaanites and accepted them for who they were.

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We too are busy compromising with the Canaanites of our day.

We cannot seem to deal with drugs, crime, abortion, immorality, sexual perversion and moral decay. We simply adjust to them and accept them as part of our lives.

We legalized gambling, lotteries and alcohol because they bring revenue. We tolerate them because they are working for us!

We live around sin so much that we begin to get desensitized to it. Instead of maintaining our spiritual purity, we begin to adopt the ways of the world. We have adopted the attitude that sin is not all that bad anymore!

We too have become a nation of compromisers!

A Nation Marked By Glorious Conquest

After the death of Joshua, the Israelites asked the LORD, “Who of us is to go up first to fight against the Canaanites?” The LORD answered, “Judah shall go up; I have given the land into their hands.”

(Judges 1:1-2)

When Israel entered Canaan, God had promised them the land.

All they had to do was to claim it by faith.

Notice what they enjoyed during those early, heady days of victory:

• They Enjoyed God’s Providence. God was going before them, preparing the way for certain victory. There was no way they could lose.
  
  
• They Enjoyed God’s Protection. God was actively involved in helping Israel conquer the land of Canaan. He not only prepared the way; He also protected them in the way.
  
  
• They Enjoyed God’s Power. God was the real power on the battlefield. He is the God of all power!
  
  
• They Enjoyed God’s Promises. For hundreds of years, beginning with Abraham (Gen. 12:1), God had been promising to give the nation of Israel a homeland. He is in the process of fulfilling that promise.

Israel was a nation marked by glorious conquest!

Confronting A National Disaster

The book of Judges describes a period in Israel’s history when they were without a strong and godly leader.

“In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as they saw fit.”(Judges 17:6)

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God had delivered them from the horrible slavery in Egypt.

He had led them through the wilderness.

They were a favored people. They were the chosen ones of the Lord God Almighty. He led them; fed them and protected them.

Eventually, He led them into the land of Canaan.

This was their Promised Land. It was a land flowing with milk and honey.

It was given to them by the sovereign will of God. All they had to do was to enter the land, destroy the people who were living there and take up residence.

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God had given Israel Himself.

He had led them into Canaan.

He had handed to them His commandments.

But Israel denied the Lord, defiled the land, and defied the Law.

As a result, God was forced to judge this people He loved so very much.

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Many nations also had a great beginning.

They had achieved tremendous success, only to suffer a horrible fall and a tragic end.

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This is an important lesson for us to learn.

We are to honor the Lord, extend His kingdom, and keep His Law if we are to prosper in His Land.

Pointing Men To Jesus

And he brought him to Jesus (John 1:42)

Andrew brought his brother Peter to Jesus.

A successful soul winner points men to Jesus.

Jesus Alone Is Our Message. We are to share only His word.

Jesus Alone Is Our Mission. We are to bring men only to Jesus; not to our denomination, to our church, to ourselves or our way of thinking.

Jesus Alone Is Our Master. Remember our Great Commission (Matt 28:18-20). Each of us is to point men to Jesus.

Notice three very important facts from this passage:

• Jesus will go with us (20).
• He will guide us (20).
• He will gift us (18).

Let's point men to Jesus.

The Invitation To The Disciples

John 1:38b-39

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The two men responded to Jesus’ question, “Rabbi, where are you staying?” This was a telling question. First, they called Him “Rabbi”. This word means “Master”. It was a term of respect. These men held Jesus in high regard.

When they asked Him, “Where are you staying”, they were asking more than just “Where do you live?” They had heard about Jesus and they wanted to know more. They needed to ask Him some questions and hear Him tell them Who He was and why He came. They were requesting an extended interview with Jesus.

Jesus’ response was simple, yet it was profound. He simply said, “Come, and you will see”. This was an invitation for them to examine Jesus for themselves. They had heard about Him from others. Now they were invited to see for themselves.

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This invitation still stands! Have you trusted Jesus Christ as your Savior? Have you responded to His invitation for you to “come and see”? He is still calling those who do not know Him to come to Him for salvation (Rev. 22:17). If you will come when He is calling, you can and will be saved (John 6:37).

It is one thing to hear about Jesus Christ and what He can do. It is another thing altogether to experience Him for yourself and know what He can do in your life.

“Come, and you will see”.

Jesus Is The Preexistent Word

Read John 1: 1-3

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Jesus Is The Constant Word. “In the beginning was the Word.” He has always existed! He didn't come into being in Bethlehem. He has been here throughout all the endless ages of eternities past. He always has been! He is the unchanging Word of God! He is “the same yesterday and today and forever” (Heb. 13:8). That is why Christians can depend on Him. He will never fail us nor leave us (Heb. 13:5).

Jesus Is The Communing Word. "The Word was with God." He was in the presence of God as a distinct Person. This talks about the reality of the Trinity. Jesus is God, yet He is a unique being. He was there when God made man in His image (Gen. 1:26). He was there when the plan to redeem the world was formulated (Rev. 13:8; Eph. 1:4; Titus 1:2; 1 Pet. 1:19-20).

Jesus Is The Controversial Word. “The Word was God”. When Jesus came preaching repentance, men thought He was strange (Mark 1:15). When He began to heal and perform miracles, men thought He was a prophet sent by God (John 3:2). When He spoke the Word of God with power, men thought He was amazing (Luke 4:36). But, when He claimed equality with God, men thought He was crazy (John 19:7). He stopped being a blessing and became a controversy when He claimed to be God (John 14:9).

Jesus Is The Creative Word. “Through Him all things were made; without Him nothing was made that has been made.” He was the energy behind the creation of the universe. He spoke and it was! “For in Him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together” (Col. 1:16-17).

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Jesus Is The Pre-Existent Word Of God. He has always been and He always will be! No matter where we wind up, or what we have to face as we travel through this world, we can rest assured that the pre-existent One is, and always will be, there for us. He is the pre-existent Word of the Living God!

The Stubborn Me

I enjoy working alone on my own. Often, I would require a quiet workplace where I cannot be disturbed, before I consider working on anything. I never like disturbances or interferences of any kind. They are nuisance to me, and they irritate me!

But sometimes there is nothing I can do to avoid them, especially when someones dear or important to me need my help to get their work done at short notice. Nonetheless, they may have to expect some less quality work done when the rhythm of my work is disrupted.

I often desire to do things at my own pace. I don't like to be pushed. I don't like to be coaxed into doing things I hated! You just have to wait and bear with me if you require my service.

But often you can expect more works done quickly and smoothly, and better quality products if I am given the space and opportunity to concentrate and stay focused on what I want to do.

But I can get very edgy when my normal routines are a little broken. Though over the years, it has become less obvious and less frequent.

Well, that is me, and I am happy.

The Stubborn Me!

Idle Talk

Some of us have made mistakes that haunt us from time to time. At times, we are worried about our sins and the eternity that awaits us. To those who have this problem, I would suggest reading Philippians 3:13 : "Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead". We just have to move on with the rest of our lives.

Of course, I am not saying we should make light of our sins. We reap what we sow, and we have to face the consequences of our sins, whether in this life or in the Judgment Day.

It is important to note how we live our lives, both for our own benefits and the good of others.

We are to make it our ambition to lead a quiet life: to mind our own business, and to work with our hands, so that our daily life may win the respect of others, and so that we will not be dependent on anybody (1 Thessalonians 4:11-12).

But we need to be gentle and patient with ourselves when we failed to live a good life. We are born a sinful creature; there is always this tendency to sin everyday of our lives. "For sin, seizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment, deceived me, and through the commandment put me to death" (Romans 7:11). So though we eagerly desire to please God and do His bidding, we often failed Him, and failed Him miserably.

Now about idle talk, empty talk, or light conversation. Everyone does it once in a while. How are we going to deal with it? I would suggest we think carefully before we speak. Take your time. To begin with, just be ready with a warm and natural smile. A wholesome talk is what we seek. We want to edify and encourage others, and we want to glorify God in all we do. The idea of "quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry" (James 1:19) may be applicable here.

I think it is alright to have light conversation. We can give helpful suggestions or some emotional supports. I believe it is an opportunity to help others to live a better life!

I think it is okay to talk to domestic pets and animals too. We are admiring, acknowledging and appreciating God's creations. And who knows if they can understand us, though they can't talk back to us. Sometimes I do talk to my 4 cats who seem to understand what I have said!

And sometimes, I talk to myself too! This helps me gain confidence and feel the reassurance that comes along. They are wonderful gifts and I need them badly sometimes.

Greeting someones and saying well wishes are good too. They foster love, friendship, mutual understanding, and team work. Of course, we must be real, honest, and sincere when we do them.

Sharing occasional jokes and interesting facts are useful too. They help us to relax and combat stress. But surely not rumors, gossips, hearsay, obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes. All these must be removed from our midst!

In inclusion, we have to be careful how we live our lives. God is watching. People are watching. And we don't want to make a mess of our lives.

But we must not be harsh with ourselves. Who haven't erred? Who haven't made terrible mistakes?

It is good if we have daily devotional and prayer time with our Lord God. God knows and sees how we have struggled to love and serve Him.

"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:4-6).

Happy Valentine’s Day

Roses are very popular flowers for Valentine’s Day.

It is a symbol of romance, beauty, passion, and love.

Different colored roses have different messages.

Red means love and passion.

Yellow is for friendship.

White for true love and purity.

Pink is for friendship or sweetheart.

And black is for farewell.

Roses are cultivated for their fragrance, flavorings and landscaping.

Are you interested in planting your own roses?

Then hopefully you will be able to give your loved ones fresh roses from your garden the next year.

Happy Valentine’s Day 14th February 2012.

Accept Our Destiny

"What is yours is yours, what is not yours will never be yours."

This saying is universally known; it is a commonly accepted statement.

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So if you love somebody (something), let them go.

If they come back to you, they will be yours forever.

If not, then they are never meant to be yours in the first place.

It doesn't matter how much you love them; love is never possessive and controlling.

It doesn't matter how much you are hurt; love is always desire for the good of others.

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There are many things in life that cannot be forced or rushed.

If you think and feel that they are going to leave you, then you must let loose and let them go.

It is after you let them go that you can know whether they really belong to you in the first place.

If they are meant to be yours, no matter how hard you push them away, they will still come back to you. They will stick to you like super glue until you have no more strengths to resist or push them away.

But if they are not meant to be yours, no matter how you guard them and hold them tightly, they will still slip away.

Forcing things together when they don't belong together is a futile effort. You will only be wasting your energy and your time on something that will not work.

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They say we must accept our destiny.

Life is tough. Isn't it?

Do you think you will choose to accept your destiny, or you would rather determine and shape your destiny?

Personally, I believe in controlling my destiny under God's direction.

I would advise you to be positive and not to give up hope.

Life is not complicated if you know how to keep it simple.

Have a nice day!