"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning." James 1: 17
God is the Great Giver. He gives and gives and gives! Good or bad we are all recipients of His gifts. All of us should be grateful to Him for His gifts. We need to note too we are to be responsible for the gifts He has given us.
As I write another verse from God's word comes to my mind. "In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat - for he grants sleep to those he loves." Psalm 127: 2. This psalm speaks about dealing with our anxieties in view of God's continuing care. When we truly trust God we are then able to rest comfortably in Him. We cast our cares upon Him, for He cares for us. So don't reject this gift. At the end of the day, let us thank God for this gift of sleep. "Lord you have given me this body capable of sleeping and capable of waking up in the morning. Thank you for giving me this body capable of working or toiling. Lord I give this body back to you. Now Lord let sleep come. My burdens I lay at your feet and I know you can take care of them.
We thank God for material things. I've been cleaning my little room I use as an office cum study. O what a lot of things I have accumulated. I need to clear my library. I've already given away many books and I need to give more away. I sort them out, put them aside but the parting is always hard. I might want to read them again! I confess I'm a hoarder! I say to myself, "O I might need this some time in the future."
I'm just thinking. God the great Giver has given us lots of things to use and to enjoy, but not to enjoy forever. Do we enjoy them when they are hidden in the cupboard, or stacked somewhere in the store or like books sitting nicely in the book case gathering dust? I need to share them with others who perhaps need them more than I do. I came into this world with nothing and will leave with nothing, but my soul to meet my Maker.
Lord give me the wisdom to hold on to the things of this world lightly. Let me concentrate on things of eternal value.
Saturday, June 30, 2012
Thursday, June 28, 2012
Global prayer meeting
It was good to join our brothers and sisters in Christ in prayer. I believe in personal prayer and devotion, but I also believe we should meet fellow believers to have corporate prayer. Such prayer meetings are commanded by our Lord. These prayer meetings unify and edify us and strengthens the bond among us.
This morning my wife and I attended the usual Thursday Morning Prayer meeting. We were thoroughly blessed as we shared worship, praise and prayer together. It is worth getting up earlier than usual to be present for the global prayer meeting. We are part of the chain of prayer meetings around the Salvation Army world.
When we respond to the call to intercession we come to learn that the sufferings of the present time cannot compare to the joy that will come as God’s purposes unfold. We learn to trust God. Intercessors participate in God’s plan to engage humanity to share in divine life. We are involved in spiritual battle against the forces that seek to destroy God’s plans. Let us keep praying and never give up
This morning my wife and I attended the usual Thursday Morning Prayer meeting. We were thoroughly blessed as we shared worship, praise and prayer together. It is worth getting up earlier than usual to be present for the global prayer meeting. We are part of the chain of prayer meetings around the Salvation Army world.
When we respond to the call to intercession we come to learn that the sufferings of the present time cannot compare to the joy that will come as God’s purposes unfold. We learn to trust God. Intercessors participate in God’s plan to engage humanity to share in divine life. We are involved in spiritual battle against the forces that seek to destroy God’s plans. Let us keep praying and never give up
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Holiness not an option
The Salvation Army Doctrine No. 10 states
"We believe that it is the privilege of all believers to be wholly sanctified, and that their whole spirit and soul and body may be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ."
Holiness is not an option. It is clearly stated in God's word, "without holiness no man shall see the Lord." Hebrews 12: 4. This statement is repeated many times in the word of God.
We notice holiness is linked with the Second Coming of our Lord. No one knows when this will be, but we need to be prepared always.
The gospel uses two pictures to stress this point that “you do not know on what day your Lord is coming” (Matthew 24:42). Remember the flood which caught the unprepared people of Noah’s time. Then there is the analogy of a thief in the night, who comes unannounced. The Lord’s coming and the end of the world as we know it will occur suddenly and unexpectedly So let us be watchful and ready
"Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming.That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat.
"We believe that it is the privilege of all believers to be wholly sanctified, and that their whole spirit and soul and body may be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ."
Holiness is not an option. It is clearly stated in God's word, "without holiness no man shall see the Lord." Hebrews 12: 4. This statement is repeated many times in the word of God.
We notice holiness is linked with the Second Coming of our Lord. No one knows when this will be, but we need to be prepared always.
The gospel uses two pictures to stress this point that “you do not know on what day your Lord is coming” (Matthew 24:42). Remember the flood which caught the unprepared people of Noah’s time. Then there is the analogy of a thief in the night, who comes unannounced. The Lord’s coming and the end of the world as we know it will occur suddenly and unexpectedly So let us be watchful and ready
"Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming.That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat.
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Ministering at Hope Centre, Peacehaven
Today we did chapel service at HOPE centre. We arrived early and it was a joy to watch Nurse Charity from the Philippines leading the singing. She is very fluent in her Chinese especially Hokkien which she learned fom the residents.
The chapel service lasted for just half and hour - long enough for the folk there.Most of the time was spent in conversation with the residents and staff. Using the iPad I was able to take a photo of Noreen Chan chatting with my wife. Noreen was a fellow cadet in the Training College way back in 1954 and in 1958 she was the bridesmaid at our wedding. That was 54 years ago.
She has dementia and is well cared for at the HOPE Centre at Peacehaven.
As I interacted with these folk in our Nursing Home, my thoughts went to Jesus while He was on earth as man. He had no medical training. He lived in a day when many were ignorant of the cause and cure for disease. Demetian or Alzheimer's disease were unknown in those days. Superstition was rife and ruled for centuries before the winds of scientific knowledge could blow the those clouds away.
But Jesus certainly could work miracles in healing. But of course, He as man was limited to staying in a certain area. There were many living in Palestine who were not healed.
Today the healing ministry goes on. We thank God for the medical facilities here in Singapore. God's Spirit still heals - body, mind and spirit. We all need holistic healing. It is not for us to question why some are not healed physically. Pain, suffering, sickness still serve their purpose in God's kingdom.
In life there are many questions that must be left unanswered, but one day everything will be revealed when we meet our Creator face to face. I look forward to this glorious day. In the meantime, I take every opportunity by God's grace to bring healing to others to the best of my ability. If I cannot do anything, then I commit them to the Lord in prayer.
At even, when the sun did set,
The sick, O Lord, around Thee lay
Oh, in what divers pain they met!
Oh, with what joy they went away!
2. Once more 'tis eventide, and we,
Oppressed with various ills, draw near.
What if Thy from we cannot see,
We know and feel that Thou art here.
3. O Saviour Christ, our woes dispel;
For some are sick, and some are sad,
And some have never loved Thee well,
And some have lost the love they had;
4. And some are pressed with worldly care,
And some are tried with sinful doubt;
And some such grievous passions tear
That only Thou canst cast them out;
5. And some have found the world is vain,
Yet from the world they break not free;
And some have friends who give them pain,
Yet have not sought a friend in Thee;
6. And none, O Lord, have perfect rest,
For none are wholly free from sin;
And they who fain would serve Thee best
Are conscious most of wrong within.
7. O Saviour Christ, Thou too, art man;
Thou hast been troubled, tempted, tried.
Thy kind but searching glance can scan
The very wounds that shame would hide.
8. Thy touch has still its ancient power,
No word from Thee can fruitless fall;
Hear in this solemn evening hour
And in Thy mercy heal us all. (Henry Twells)
The chapel service lasted for just half and hour - long enough for the folk there.Most of the time was spent in conversation with the residents and staff. Using the iPad I was able to take a photo of Noreen Chan chatting with my wife. Noreen was a fellow cadet in the Training College way back in 1954 and in 1958 she was the bridesmaid at our wedding. That was 54 years ago.
She has dementia and is well cared for at the HOPE Centre at Peacehaven.
As I interacted with these folk in our Nursing Home, my thoughts went to Jesus while He was on earth as man. He had no medical training. He lived in a day when many were ignorant of the cause and cure for disease. Demetian or Alzheimer's disease were unknown in those days. Superstition was rife and ruled for centuries before the winds of scientific knowledge could blow the those clouds away.
But Jesus certainly could work miracles in healing. But of course, He as man was limited to staying in a certain area. There were many living in Palestine who were not healed.
Today the healing ministry goes on. We thank God for the medical facilities here in Singapore. God's Spirit still heals - body, mind and spirit. We all need holistic healing. It is not for us to question why some are not healed physically. Pain, suffering, sickness still serve their purpose in God's kingdom.
In life there are many questions that must be left unanswered, but one day everything will be revealed when we meet our Creator face to face. I look forward to this glorious day. In the meantime, I take every opportunity by God's grace to bring healing to others to the best of my ability. If I cannot do anything, then I commit them to the Lord in prayer.
At even, when the sun did set,
The sick, O Lord, around Thee lay
Oh, in what divers pain they met!
Oh, with what joy they went away!
2. Once more 'tis eventide, and we,
Oppressed with various ills, draw near.
What if Thy from we cannot see,
We know and feel that Thou art here.
3. O Saviour Christ, our woes dispel;
For some are sick, and some are sad,
And some have never loved Thee well,
And some have lost the love they had;
4. And some are pressed with worldly care,
And some are tried with sinful doubt;
And some such grievous passions tear
That only Thou canst cast them out;
5. And some have found the world is vain,
Yet from the world they break not free;
And some have friends who give them pain,
Yet have not sought a friend in Thee;
6. And none, O Lord, have perfect rest,
For none are wholly free from sin;
And they who fain would serve Thee best
Are conscious most of wrong within.
7. O Saviour Christ, Thou too, art man;
Thou hast been troubled, tempted, tried.
Thy kind but searching glance can scan
The very wounds that shame would hide.
8. Thy touch has still its ancient power,
No word from Thee can fruitless fall;
Hear in this solemn evening hour
And in Thy mercy heal us all. (Henry Twells)
Monday, June 25, 2012
Listening
"Words of Life" today has this meditation on listening.
"Speak Lord, for your servant is listening" 1 Sam. 1: 9
"Listening is a learned skill.... There are many voices clamouring to be heard. Some voices are not good at all. It boils down to listening well. What is God saying to us, as we set out to live for him?"
Quite often instead of saying to God "Speak Lord, for your servant is listening" some of us are so concerned with our own problems, when we come to God, we tend to say to Him, "Listen Lord, for your servant is speaking." There have been times when I have to plead guilty. We do not give God the listening ear.
It is interesting to listen to interviews on radio or television. Sometimes it can be quite annoying when the interviewer does not allow the person being interviewed to finish his sentence. He cuts right in to asks the next question.
I find that in conversation too. There are people who are more interested in giving their own viewpoints they have no time to listen to others.
I pray that the Lord will grant me the listening ear - to listen to Him and others. God gives to each of us two ears, but only one mouth. This means He wants us to listen twice as much as we talk.
Sunday, June 24, 2012
The Challenge of Gideon
This morning Sunday 24th June we did Lesson 14 on Judges and focused on Judges 6: 33-40. Gideon now was preparing for battle with the Midianites and Amalekites. The Spirit of the Lord came upon him. Empowered, he was no more the frightened man, but warrior for the Lord. He was now daring, determined and decisive. He took up the shofar or trumpet and rallied the people around him. I can imagine him singing "Sound the battle cry, see the foe is nigh, Raise the standard high for the Lord."
First to respond were the Abiezrites, his own clan - the people who wanted to kill him earlier. There had been a change in their attitude toward Gideon. Evidently, his family, relatives, friends and now ready to fellow his leadership.
It's a fact, we cannot live for God without somehow impacting our family and close associates. When we show bold commitment to do God's will in our lives, others will be challenged to follow suit. Then he sent messages to neighbouring tribes and before long 32,000 men were ready to take up arms to fight the enemy.
Gideon certainly displayed great courage in calling people to battle. However, in private he still had doubts concerning this challenge. He wanted clear proof he was doing God's will. He needed reassurance. So we read of Gideon and his fleece.
Gideon told God if He would make the fleece wet, while leaving the surrounding ground dry, then it would be clear to him that God would save the nation though him. God graciously responded according to Gideon's request - the wet fleece and dry ground.
Gideon went back on his word and asked God to do the same miracle once again on in reverse. One time should be wrong enough, but to request a second time was going too far. Yet God was very patient with Gideon and granted his request.
Putting out the fleece is an indication of lack of faith and courage on Gideon's part. God had already assured Gideon of His presence (6:12), had promised He would use Gideon to deliver Israel (6: 14, 16) God had given him a special sigh at his request to prove He was with him (6: 17-22) Therefore the sign of the fleece, not once, but twice was confirmation of what Gideon already knew.
We don't need extraordinary signs to discover God's will. We who believe in Him, have the assurance of being led by the Spirit who is present with us and in us. We can find inner peace about life's decisions (Col. 3: 15) When we pray and listen to Him, He gives us direction and He sends godly or spiritual people to help us.
There is no need to seek special signs. There is no need for us to put out the fleece. When God guides, the leadership of the Spirit will by in sync with the Word of God. These two assurance will produce in us that peace in our hearts. So I conclude, the Spirit of God, the Word of God and that inner peace will combine to give us what the Lord is telling us to do.
I love the song which says, "Doing the will of God, the best thing I know in this world below is doing the will of God." And when God commands us to do anything, He provides the resources for us to accomplish our task. Take heart.
Every morning when I awake, I give thanks to God for yet another day He is giving me. "This is the day that the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it." Everyday for me is a bonus from God. then I seek His direction for the day. I read His word, the Bible plus The Salvation Army's devotional reading, "Words of Life." God is great, God is good and God is gracious.
First to respond were the Abiezrites, his own clan - the people who wanted to kill him earlier. There had been a change in their attitude toward Gideon. Evidently, his family, relatives, friends and now ready to fellow his leadership.
It's a fact, we cannot live for God without somehow impacting our family and close associates. When we show bold commitment to do God's will in our lives, others will be challenged to follow suit. Then he sent messages to neighbouring tribes and before long 32,000 men were ready to take up arms to fight the enemy.
Gideon certainly displayed great courage in calling people to battle. However, in private he still had doubts concerning this challenge. He wanted clear proof he was doing God's will. He needed reassurance. So we read of Gideon and his fleece.
Gideon told God if He would make the fleece wet, while leaving the surrounding ground dry, then it would be clear to him that God would save the nation though him. God graciously responded according to Gideon's request - the wet fleece and dry ground.
Gideon went back on his word and asked God to do the same miracle once again on in reverse. One time should be wrong enough, but to request a second time was going too far. Yet God was very patient with Gideon and granted his request.
Putting out the fleece is an indication of lack of faith and courage on Gideon's part. God had already assured Gideon of His presence (6:12), had promised He would use Gideon to deliver Israel (6: 14, 16) God had given him a special sigh at his request to prove He was with him (6: 17-22) Therefore the sign of the fleece, not once, but twice was confirmation of what Gideon already knew.
We don't need extraordinary signs to discover God's will. We who believe in Him, have the assurance of being led by the Spirit who is present with us and in us. We can find inner peace about life's decisions (Col. 3: 15) When we pray and listen to Him, He gives us direction and He sends godly or spiritual people to help us.
There is no need to seek special signs. There is no need for us to put out the fleece. When God guides, the leadership of the Spirit will by in sync with the Word of God. These two assurance will produce in us that peace in our hearts. So I conclude, the Spirit of God, the Word of God and that inner peace will combine to give us what the Lord is telling us to do.
I love the song which says, "Doing the will of God, the best thing I know in this world below is doing the will of God." And when God commands us to do anything, He provides the resources for us to accomplish our task. Take heart.
Every morning when I awake, I give thanks to God for yet another day He is giving me. "This is the day that the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it." Everyday for me is a bonus from God. then I seek His direction for the day. I read His word, the Bible plus The Salvation Army's devotional reading, "Words of Life." God is great, God is good and God is gracious.
Wedding of KC and Jerlynn
On Saturday we were privileged to be invited to attend the wedding of KC and Jerlynn or to use their Chinese names Goh Koon Chuan and Goh Hui Wen. We have known KC, a salvationist for a long time. He is a musician and teaches brass band in schools and of course plays in the Central Corps Band.
The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Abraham Goh. Abraham at one time used to worship at The Salvation Army and also worked for the Red Shield Industries, but now attending another church.
The marriage ceremony was conducted by the Corps Officer (pastor) Major Paul Herring. This was the first wedding the Major conducted since coming to Singapore.
The Herrings from New Zealand have settled well in Singapore and are very much loved and respected by the local folk. We give thanks to God for sending this lovely couple to us.
The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Abraham Goh. Abraham at one time used to worship at The Salvation Army and also worked for the Red Shield Industries, but now attending another church.
The marriage ceremony was conducted by the Corps Officer (pastor) Major Paul Herring. This was the first wedding the Major conducted since coming to Singapore.
The Herrings from New Zealand have settled well in Singapore and are very much loved and respected by the local folk. We give thanks to God for sending this lovely couple to us.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)