My wife and I visited Levels 1 and 3 of Peacehaven Nursing Home this morning. At Level 3 ‘Skylark’ one elderly resident in her 90’s said this to me, “I don’t like your preaching, but I like your articles.”
Then she added, “You see, I am deaf and can’t hear a word you say, but thank God I can still read.” She is a lovely lady who does not complain. Everything to her is good. People cannot always hear what we say, but they do see and read us. Let's walk our talk.
At the Grace Corner, we heard several testimonies from the residents. “I recover fast because the nurses and therapists look well after us.” Grace Corner was opened in December 2011 and provides rehabilitation services for patients.
This transitional convalescent facility care model was formed by the Health Ministry's Nursing Home Expert Panel and the Eastern Health Alliance through its members from the Salvation Army Peacehaven Nursing Home
Beautiful name, “Grace Corner.” Wonderful partnership between the Government and The Salvation Army.
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
Monday, August 6, 2012
Make me a blessing
“Make Me a Blessing”
Out in the highways and byways of life,
many are weary and sad;
Carry the sunshine where darkness is rife
making the sorrowing glad.
Chorus:
Make me a blessing, Make me a blessing,
Out of my life, May Jesus shine;
Make me a blessing, O savior, I pray,
Make me a blessing to someone today.
Tell the sweet story of Christ and His love;
Tell of His pow’r to forgive;
Others will trust Him if only you prove
true ev’ry moment you live.
Give as ’twas given to you in your need;
Love as the Master loved you;
Be to the helpless a helper indeed;
Unto your mission be true.” (Ira Wilson)
Out in the highways and byways of life,
many are weary and sad;
Carry the sunshine where darkness is rife
making the sorrowing glad.
Chorus:
Make me a blessing, Make me a blessing,
Out of my life, May Jesus shine;
Make me a blessing, O savior, I pray,
Make me a blessing to someone today.
Tell the sweet story of Christ and His love;
Tell of His pow’r to forgive;
Others will trust Him if only you prove
true ev’ry moment you live.
Give as ’twas given to you in your need;
Love as the Master loved you;
Be to the helpless a helper indeed;
Unto your mission be true.” (Ira Wilson)
Over the wall - an overflowing life
The title “Over the wall” hit me this morning when I turned to the devotional produced by Love Singapore in connection with our national day celebrations. The phrase refers to the blessings given by Jacob to Joseph his favourite son of his wife Rachel.
“Joseph is a fruitful vine, a fruitful vine near a spring, whose branches climb over a wall. With bitterness archers attacked him; they shot at him with hostility. But his bow remained steady, his strong arms stayed limber, because of the hand of the Mighty One of Jacob, because of the Shepherd, the Rock of Israel, because of your father’s God, who helps you, because of the Almighty, who blesses you with blessings of the skies above, blessings of the deep springs below, blessings of the breast and womb. Your father’s blessings are greater than the blessings of the ancient mountains, than the bounty of the age-old hills. Let all these rest on the head of Joseph, on the brow of the prince among[e] his brothers. “Genesis 49: 22 – 26
The metaphor used is “over the wall.” My mind immediately thought of a chorus I learnt when I was a child ‘My cup’s full and running over. Since the Lord saved me, I’m as happy as can me, My cup’s full and running over." God has made every provision for the believer to live a life that overflows with God’s grace. The Holy Spirit baptized me into the body of Christ the moment I repented, believed in Jesus as my Saviour. When I surrendered fully to Him, He fills me with His Spirit – the infilling goes on everyday. When I experience His fullness, then only then can my cup be full and running over; then and only then can my branches run over the wall to bless others.
Paul made himself available to God. The grace of God was available to him to “preach to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Christ” (Eph. 3:8). Paul declares there is no limit to what God can do in and through us if we will yield your lives to Him. His fullness is limitless, endless, and eternal. “That you maybe fitted with all the fullness of God” (v. 19). Fill and full to overflowing.
My cup runs over because He “is able to do exceedingly abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us” That is the believer who has received the fullness of God, and grace upon grace. It is the superabundance of life that we receive through the Spirit in Christ Jesus. This is the fullness of life Jesus gives and it causes our cups to run over with the fullness of joy. Because of our union with Christ we enjoy all His riches of His glory. We can never be poor spiritually when we enjoy “the unsearchable riches of Christ.” “My cup runs over!”
Our branches will never be restricted to inside the wall, but climbing over the wall with fruit to share with others. My prayer today is
Make me a blessing, make me a blessing, Out of my life may Jesus shine.
Make me a blessing, O Saviour I pray, Make me a blessing to someone day.
Let the blessings of God flow over the wall to our family from generation to generation. Let the blessings flow to our neighbours, our relatives and friends. Blessing abound wherever God reigns.
“Joseph is a fruitful vine, a fruitful vine near a spring, whose branches climb over a wall. With bitterness archers attacked him; they shot at him with hostility. But his bow remained steady, his strong arms stayed limber, because of the hand of the Mighty One of Jacob, because of the Shepherd, the Rock of Israel, because of your father’s God, who helps you, because of the Almighty, who blesses you with blessings of the skies above, blessings of the deep springs below, blessings of the breast and womb. Your father’s blessings are greater than the blessings of the ancient mountains, than the bounty of the age-old hills. Let all these rest on the head of Joseph, on the brow of the prince among[e] his brothers. “Genesis 49: 22 – 26
The metaphor used is “over the wall.” My mind immediately thought of a chorus I learnt when I was a child ‘My cup’s full and running over. Since the Lord saved me, I’m as happy as can me, My cup’s full and running over." God has made every provision for the believer to live a life that overflows with God’s grace. The Holy Spirit baptized me into the body of Christ the moment I repented, believed in Jesus as my Saviour. When I surrendered fully to Him, He fills me with His Spirit – the infilling goes on everyday. When I experience His fullness, then only then can my cup be full and running over; then and only then can my branches run over the wall to bless others.
Paul made himself available to God. The grace of God was available to him to “preach to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Christ” (Eph. 3:8). Paul declares there is no limit to what God can do in and through us if we will yield your lives to Him. His fullness is limitless, endless, and eternal. “That you maybe fitted with all the fullness of God” (v. 19). Fill and full to overflowing.
My cup runs over because He “is able to do exceedingly abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us” That is the believer who has received the fullness of God, and grace upon grace. It is the superabundance of life that we receive through the Spirit in Christ Jesus. This is the fullness of life Jesus gives and it causes our cups to run over with the fullness of joy. Because of our union with Christ we enjoy all His riches of His glory. We can never be poor spiritually when we enjoy “the unsearchable riches of Christ.” “My cup runs over!”
Our branches will never be restricted to inside the wall, but climbing over the wall with fruit to share with others. My prayer today is
Make me a blessing, make me a blessing, Out of my life may Jesus shine.
Make me a blessing, O Saviour I pray, Make me a blessing to someone day.
Let the blessings of God flow over the wall to our family from generation to generation. Let the blessings flow to our neighbours, our relatives and friends. Blessing abound wherever God reigns.
Sunday, August 5, 2012
Lessons learned from Downfall of Abimelech
This morning we focused our thoughts on a rather unknown incident in the Bible. We have been studying the Book of Judges and study was on Judges 9: 22-56. We had lively discussion on the lesson.
For three years the Shechemites supported Abimelech who lived in Arumah (9:41) five miles south of Shechem. He put Zebul in charge of the city and report to him. Abimelech hoped to subjugate the extensive area under his control. His plans were self centred and did not have the interests of the people in view. At the end of three years, the people came to realise his true intentions and the nation was ripe for rebellion.
Gaal appeared on the scene no doubt under God’s providential guidance at this crucial time. The people of Shechem turned to him and before long there was a battle. Unfortunately Gaal and his followers were soundly defeated.
Abimelech’s most important goal was to have power. The lust for power led him to more killings. Not only did he wipe out his brothers, he also slaughtered anyone who dared stand in his way. Nothing could stop him on his bloodthirsty drive to conquer.
Jotham’s prophecy as seen in his parable came true. (Chapter 9: 7-15) “fire came out of the bramble and devour the cedars of Lebanon.” (9: 15) Abimelech was that bramble or thorn bush. His ‘fire’ destroyed the Shechemites at the time of sweeping devastation of their city. Now the Shechemites’ ‘fire’ destroyed Abimelech. A woman dropped a millstone on Abimelech’s head and crushed his skull. In his dying hour he called his armour bearer and commanded, “Draw your sword and kill me, lest men say of me, ‘a woman killed him’” Pride gripped him even till his last moment on earth.
Here is God’s warning to us living today. The story of Abimelech, the men of Shechem and Jotham shows us there is a terrible price to pay for rejecting God’s warnings. “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.” Galatians 6:7-8
We thank God for the privilege of sharing the Word of God. May we continue thirsting of His truth. My prayer is expressed in the hymn written by Mary A Lathbury (stanzas 3-4 by Alexander Groves)
1 Break Thou the bread of life, dear Lord, to me,
As Thou didst break the loaves beside the sea;
Beyond the sacred page I seek Thee, Lord;
My spirit pants for Thee, O living Word!
2 Bless Thou the truth, dear Lord, to me, to me,
As Thou didst bless the bread by Galilee;
Then shall all bondage cease, all fetters fall;
And I shall find my peace, my all in all.
3 Thou art the bread of life, O Lord, to me,
Thy holy Word the truth that saveth me;
Give me to eat and live with Thee above;
Teach me to love Thy truth, for Thou art love.
4 Oh, send Thy Spirit, Lord, now unto me,
That He may touch my eyes, and make me see:
Show me the truth concealed within Thy Word,
And in Thy Book revealed I see the Lord.
For three years the Shechemites supported Abimelech who lived in Arumah (9:41) five miles south of Shechem. He put Zebul in charge of the city and report to him. Abimelech hoped to subjugate the extensive area under his control. His plans were self centred and did not have the interests of the people in view. At the end of three years, the people came to realise his true intentions and the nation was ripe for rebellion.
Gaal appeared on the scene no doubt under God’s providential guidance at this crucial time. The people of Shechem turned to him and before long there was a battle. Unfortunately Gaal and his followers were soundly defeated.
Abimelech’s most important goal was to have power. The lust for power led him to more killings. Not only did he wipe out his brothers, he also slaughtered anyone who dared stand in his way. Nothing could stop him on his bloodthirsty drive to conquer.
Jotham’s prophecy as seen in his parable came true. (Chapter 9: 7-15) “fire came out of the bramble and devour the cedars of Lebanon.” (9: 15) Abimelech was that bramble or thorn bush. His ‘fire’ destroyed the Shechemites at the time of sweeping devastation of their city. Now the Shechemites’ ‘fire’ destroyed Abimelech. A woman dropped a millstone on Abimelech’s head and crushed his skull. In his dying hour he called his armour bearer and commanded, “Draw your sword and kill me, lest men say of me, ‘a woman killed him’” Pride gripped him even till his last moment on earth.
Here is God’s warning to us living today. The story of Abimelech, the men of Shechem and Jotham shows us there is a terrible price to pay for rejecting God’s warnings. “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.” Galatians 6:7-8
We thank God for the privilege of sharing the Word of God. May we continue thirsting of His truth. My prayer is expressed in the hymn written by Mary A Lathbury (stanzas 3-4 by Alexander Groves)
1 Break Thou the bread of life, dear Lord, to me,
As Thou didst break the loaves beside the sea;
Beyond the sacred page I seek Thee, Lord;
My spirit pants for Thee, O living Word!
2 Bless Thou the truth, dear Lord, to me, to me,
As Thou didst bless the bread by Galilee;
Then shall all bondage cease, all fetters fall;
And I shall find my peace, my all in all.
3 Thou art the bread of life, O Lord, to me,
Thy holy Word the truth that saveth me;
Give me to eat and live with Thee above;
Teach me to love Thy truth, for Thou art love.
4 Oh, send Thy Spirit, Lord, now unto me,
That He may touch my eyes, and make me see:
Show me the truth concealed within Thy Word,
And in Thy Book revealed I see the Lord.
Saturday, August 4, 2012
God loves you and me
"God loves you as though you are the only person in the world, and He loves everyone the way He loves you." St. Augustine.
I have been thinking, pondering and singing this beautiful song written by Frederick M Lehmen. Verse 3 was penciled on the wall of a narrow room in an insane asylum by a man said to have been demented. The profound lines were discovered when they laid him in his coffin.
The love of God is greater far
Than tongue or pen can ever tell;
It goes beyond the highest star,
And reaches to the lowest hell;
The guilty pair, bowed down with care,
God gave His Son to win;
His erring child He reconciled,
And pardoned from his sin.
Refrain:
Oh, love of God, how rich and pure!
How measureless and strong!
It shall forevermore endure—
The saints’ and angels’ song.
When hoary time shall pass away,
And earthly thrones and kingdoms fall,
When men who here refuse to pray,
On rocks and hills and mountains call,
God’s love so sure, shall still endure,
All measureless and strong;
Redeeming grace to Adam’s race—
The saints’ and angels’ song.
Could we with ink the ocean fill,
And were the skies of parchment made,
Were every stalk on earth a quill,
And every man a scribe by trade;
To write the love of God above
Would drain the ocean dry;
Nor could the scroll contain the whole,
Though stretched from sky to sky.
I have been thinking, pondering and singing this beautiful song written by Frederick M Lehmen. Verse 3 was penciled on the wall of a narrow room in an insane asylum by a man said to have been demented. The profound lines were discovered when they laid him in his coffin.
The love of God is greater far
Than tongue or pen can ever tell;
It goes beyond the highest star,
And reaches to the lowest hell;
The guilty pair, bowed down with care,
God gave His Son to win;
His erring child He reconciled,
And pardoned from his sin.
Refrain:
Oh, love of God, how rich and pure!
How measureless and strong!
It shall forevermore endure—
The saints’ and angels’ song.
When hoary time shall pass away,
And earthly thrones and kingdoms fall,
When men who here refuse to pray,
On rocks and hills and mountains call,
God’s love so sure, shall still endure,
All measureless and strong;
Redeeming grace to Adam’s race—
The saints’ and angels’ song.
Could we with ink the ocean fill,
And were the skies of parchment made,
Were every stalk on earth a quill,
And every man a scribe by trade;
To write the love of God above
Would drain the ocean dry;
Nor could the scroll contain the whole,
Though stretched from sky to sky.
Friday, August 3, 2012
My resolve
I will not settle for the good and miss the best.
I will not settle for the convenient and miss the strategic.
I will not settle for the conventional and miss the cutting-edge.
I will not settle for the status quo and miss God's immeasurably more.
I will not settle for the safe and miss the rewards of risk.
I will not settle for the familiar and miss the frontier.
I will not settle for the tried-and-tested and miss the new-and-radical.
Lord help me fix my eyes on Jesus. Grant me your wisdom and grace to be what You want me to be and do what You want me to do.
The will of God, nothing more, nothing less, nothing else.
I will not settle for the convenient and miss the strategic.
I will not settle for the conventional and miss the cutting-edge.
I will not settle for the status quo and miss God's immeasurably more.
I will not settle for the safe and miss the rewards of risk.
I will not settle for the familiar and miss the frontier.
I will not settle for the tried-and-tested and miss the new-and-radical.
Lord help me fix my eyes on Jesus. Grant me your wisdom and grace to be what You want me to be and do what You want me to do.
The will of God, nothing more, nothing less, nothing else.
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Seek first God's Kingdom
There is the trend these days for preachers to proclaim prosperity theology or prosperity gospel. They claim that the word of God teaches wealth or financial blessing is the will of God for all Christians. They teach that faith and giving to Christian ministries or the church will result in one’s material wealth.
I have no doubt that God is no man’s debtor and if we seek first the kingdom of God all other things will be added to us. Jesus told his followers not to worry about material things such as food or clothing, as God will provide the needs of his followers. Earlier in the chapter Jesus presented a discussion on how one must not pursue wealth and material things before God. If one seeks God’s Kingdom first, then material needs will follow without need for worry or anxiety. In other words get your priorities right. The Kingdom of God comes first and all others things will fall in the right places.
True religion is a love relationship between yourself and God. God is love, and He gives of His spirit of love to fill the world and we are to be the sharers of this love. Love never seeks its own advantage. (1.Cor 13: 5). Love does not treat the kingdom of God like a casino – put your bet and win a million. And if you lose then they will tell you “it is due your lack of faith.” “You sell your HDB flat give it to the church and you will one day own a big property at the most prestigious place in Singapore.” Religion becomes bargain hunting or lottery.
We worship God because He is God - our Creator and Redeemer. We come to Him and seek His blessings and sometimes blessings come through pain and suffering. Paul writes to the Christians in Philippi “I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” Be content.
Today’s reading from Love Singapore 40 Day Devotional Booklet brings home this point very clearly. The writer refers to Abraham and this is what the writer says,
“God swore to make Abraham a great nation. But He warned him it wouldn’t be easy. ‘Your offspring shall be aliens in a land that is not theirs, and shall be slaves there and they shall be oppressed for four hundred years ‘(Genesis 46: 3) Four hundred years of exile and bondage! Would you stand in line for a prophecy like that?”
Those using this devotional have been following the life of Joseph. The dreams he had led to the path of pain and suffering. Now the story has reached the point where God promised Jacob who was about to go into exile in Egypt. He was to meet his long lost son Joseph God gave him this threefold promise.
I will make you a great nation.
I will go with you.
I will bring you out again. (Genesis 46: 3-4)
The promises of God are sure to them who believe.
The Israelites did become a great nation and Jacob’s descendents eventually returned to Canaan. The Book of Exodus recalls the story of Israel’s slavery for 400 years fulfilling God’s promise to Abraham.
Following Jesus does not necessarily bring you material prosperity. It may or may not come. The path to real prosperity goes through pain and sorrow, but we know God’s grace is sufficient for us. What a beautiful assurance we have in Isaiah. It is spiritual prosperity we should be seeking - holy living and be a blessing to others.
“But now, O Jacob, listen to the LORD who created you. O Israel, the one who formed you says, “Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine. When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. For I am the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Saviour.” Isaiah 43: 1-2
I have no doubt that God is no man’s debtor and if we seek first the kingdom of God all other things will be added to us. Jesus told his followers not to worry about material things such as food or clothing, as God will provide the needs of his followers. Earlier in the chapter Jesus presented a discussion on how one must not pursue wealth and material things before God. If one seeks God’s Kingdom first, then material needs will follow without need for worry or anxiety. In other words get your priorities right. The Kingdom of God comes first and all others things will fall in the right places.
True religion is a love relationship between yourself and God. God is love, and He gives of His spirit of love to fill the world and we are to be the sharers of this love. Love never seeks its own advantage. (1.Cor 13: 5). Love does not treat the kingdom of God like a casino – put your bet and win a million. And if you lose then they will tell you “it is due your lack of faith.” “You sell your HDB flat give it to the church and you will one day own a big property at the most prestigious place in Singapore.” Religion becomes bargain hunting or lottery.
We worship God because He is God - our Creator and Redeemer. We come to Him and seek His blessings and sometimes blessings come through pain and suffering. Paul writes to the Christians in Philippi “I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” Be content.
Today’s reading from Love Singapore 40 Day Devotional Booklet brings home this point very clearly. The writer refers to Abraham and this is what the writer says,
“God swore to make Abraham a great nation. But He warned him it wouldn’t be easy. ‘Your offspring shall be aliens in a land that is not theirs, and shall be slaves there and they shall be oppressed for four hundred years ‘(Genesis 46: 3) Four hundred years of exile and bondage! Would you stand in line for a prophecy like that?”
Those using this devotional have been following the life of Joseph. The dreams he had led to the path of pain and suffering. Now the story has reached the point where God promised Jacob who was about to go into exile in Egypt. He was to meet his long lost son Joseph God gave him this threefold promise.
I will make you a great nation.
I will go with you.
I will bring you out again. (Genesis 46: 3-4)
The promises of God are sure to them who believe.
The Israelites did become a great nation and Jacob’s descendents eventually returned to Canaan. The Book of Exodus recalls the story of Israel’s slavery for 400 years fulfilling God’s promise to Abraham.
Following Jesus does not necessarily bring you material prosperity. It may or may not come. The path to real prosperity goes through pain and sorrow, but we know God’s grace is sufficient for us. What a beautiful assurance we have in Isaiah. It is spiritual prosperity we should be seeking - holy living and be a blessing to others.
“But now, O Jacob, listen to the LORD who created you. O Israel, the one who formed you says, “Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine. When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. For I am the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Saviour.” Isaiah 43: 1-2
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