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!

Chap Goh Mei

Chap Goh Mei is the last day of the Chinese New Year Festival.

It falls on the fifteenth day of the first month in the Lunar Calendar.

It is known as Yuan Xiao in the Hokkien dialect.

Some people call it the Lantern Festival.

In some places, it is regarded as the Chinese Valentine’s Day.

Chap Goh Meh 2012 falls on 6th February.

It is celebrated by eating grand meals with families and relatives.

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Chap Goh Mei is a special occasion for the young people to celebrate their Chinese Valentine's Day.

On this particular night, young women will dress up and go out to find a suitable life partner.

They will carry mandarin oranges, on which they write down their names, phone number and other personal details.

They would then pray and throw the mandarin oranges into a big pond, a stream, a river, or a sea, a traditional act to signify that they are available for marriage.

The young men would go out hoping to catch a glimpse of their suitable women, and to ask for their hand in marriage.

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This special day is also for those who have other wishes.

They may wish for good result in their important examination.

They may wish for happiness and health.

They may wish for luck and wealth, or other personal needs and interests.

They would then write their wishes down on their mandarin oranges.

And they would wish and pray about it, before they throw the mandarin oranges into the water.

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Are you looking for a life partner or have other pending wishes?

Maybe it is the right time to do the same.

Write them down and pray about it.

Then throw your many, many mandarin oranges....

Then...I would try to pick them up... and see what I can do about it... after I eat them all up! LOL