Wow
God is really so amazing!!
Just spoke to Reuben just then
and guess what? He just accepted Christ!!!
Its amazing!!!
I'm really so happy for him!
For those who dont know him, Reuben is a guy who used to attend Kaleo
(infact, he was one of the confirmations God gave me to stay in GEFC... but thats another story)
And you dont have to know him well to know he's one of the MOST pessimistic people in the world.
Seriously
He is one REALLY tough case
I was just chatting with him on msn
and i can tell the difference already
for starters, in reply to me asking how he was, he DIDNT say that life sucked or that he wanted to kill himself or something to that effect
we chatted for a while, and this is what he said:
"weird but u kno the feelin of bein lifted of a burden?
ya at least i can feel that again"
Wow!!!
Praise God for his miraculous works
Dan
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Lent devotion
I hope I haven't been mistaken about which week of Lent this is. And I've not been following any Lenten devotions until today. It's amazing how God speaks. In my study of Matthew during BSF, I saw the Beatitudes are like beautiful attitudes. Being poor in spirit, mourning, meek, longing for righteousness, merciful, pure in heart, peacemaker, persecuted for the sake of Christ, these are what disciples of Christ should possess. It's not the law but it's an attitude, a behaviour or character that a disciple of Christ should display. Following the Beatitudes is the verse that says we are the salt and light of the earth. So, we be salt and light by showing the beautiful attitudes taught by Christ.
Brought to my attention this morning was the brother of the prodigal son, who cried "unfair". First thought that came to me was that it was unfair, until I remembered that Jesus came for the sick and not the healthy. There is rejoicing when one who is spiritually dead is made alive. Yet sometimes we think it shouldn't be because this person is so wretched he doesn't deserve the good things of God or salvation.
My conviction came when I realise my mindset was like that of the Pharisees who do works for men to see, who are whitewashed tombs full of spiritual decay. The older son remained righteous, fulfilling his responsibilities and doing his duties. But salvation is not bought by these works. It is given freely to those who like, the younger son, turn back in repentance and called himself unworthy. The older brother felt that he deserved his reward and demanded it from his father.
Startling revelation. I’d always hated to be associated with Pharisees but God clearly showed me that I do think like them sometimes. So, my application is to remember grace and adopt the beautiful attitudes Christ taught.
Love,
Alicia
Brought to my attention this morning was the brother of the prodigal son, who cried "unfair". First thought that came to me was that it was unfair, until I remembered that Jesus came for the sick and not the healthy. There is rejoicing when one who is spiritually dead is made alive. Yet sometimes we think it shouldn't be because this person is so wretched he doesn't deserve the good things of God or salvation.
My conviction came when I realise my mindset was like that of the Pharisees who do works for men to see, who are whitewashed tombs full of spiritual decay. The older son remained righteous, fulfilling his responsibilities and doing his duties. But salvation is not bought by these works. It is given freely to those who like, the younger son, turn back in repentance and called himself unworthy. The older brother felt that he deserved his reward and demanded it from his father.
Startling revelation. I’d always hated to be associated with Pharisees but God clearly showed me that I do think like them sometimes. So, my application is to remember grace and adopt the beautiful attitudes Christ taught.
Love,
Alicia
Monday, March 3, 2008
Luke 15
Today's Lenten meditations is on Luke 15, about the lost who is found. God spoke to me through this. In the parable of the lost sheep, the shepherd went out of the way to find it back. In the parable of the prodigal son, the father welcomed him home not as a servant, but as his son again, his position restored by his father.
Despite having comfort, peace and shelter in his shepherd's/father's arms, the sheep/ son chose to wander away. For the lost sheep, he wandered away into terrain that is unfamiliar and potentially dangerous. There is a reason why he does not know this territory, because his shepherd has not brought him there before, because he knows there is no green grass for his consumption and growth, because he knows danger might be looming around, wolves on the prowl. Unknowingly, the sheep wandered away, perhaps thinking of finding something else that he might delight in, something much better than what his shepherd could give him. I imagined that at the end of the day, he met with trouble and got really hungry. His shepherd found him and brough him back.
For the son, the allure of being free, the allure of the earthly pleasures he can have when he goes out propelled him to leave the comfort of his father's arms. When he had gotten himself into deep trouble, there was reluctance to go back to his father. Finally, when he did, willing to be his father's servant, he welcomed him into the house and restored his position as his beloved son fully.
I see myself both as the lost sheep and the lost son. Suddenly, it seems stupid, I seemed stupid enough to wander away in the first place. Perhaps I did not see it at that time. How great is my Father's love, He welcomed me home, and rejoice happens in Heaven (15:7) when an unworthy sinner like me is found by my Father. The parable of the lost sheep mentioned the shepherd going out to find the sheep. Jesus did not leave me to die in my sins, but chose to redeem my soul by dying on the Cross for me, all for someone so unworthy. Reminds me of Romans 5:6-8, where Jesus died for me, when I was still a sinner.
My personal thought was this: I am amazed by God's love, his unconditional love. Who else can satisfy my soul by the love that He has for me? Who else deserves all of me and more but Him, the One who loves me so much? No one.
As I was pondering on this, I am reminded of His Grace, the grace "that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost, but now am found. Was blind but now I see." Note the word 'found'. We were lost in our sins, we could not get back on track, but we were found, not that we saved ourselves out of our mess. Indeed, His Grace is sufficient for us. Thank You Lord.
I am thankful to God for this reminder.
Regards,
Yin Ting
Despite having comfort, peace and shelter in his shepherd's/father's arms, the sheep/ son chose to wander away. For the lost sheep, he wandered away into terrain that is unfamiliar and potentially dangerous. There is a reason why he does not know this territory, because his shepherd has not brought him there before, because he knows there is no green grass for his consumption and growth, because he knows danger might be looming around, wolves on the prowl. Unknowingly, the sheep wandered away, perhaps thinking of finding something else that he might delight in, something much better than what his shepherd could give him. I imagined that at the end of the day, he met with trouble and got really hungry. His shepherd found him and brough him back.
For the son, the allure of being free, the allure of the earthly pleasures he can have when he goes out propelled him to leave the comfort of his father's arms. When he had gotten himself into deep trouble, there was reluctance to go back to his father. Finally, when he did, willing to be his father's servant, he welcomed him into the house and restored his position as his beloved son fully.
I see myself both as the lost sheep and the lost son. Suddenly, it seems stupid, I seemed stupid enough to wander away in the first place. Perhaps I did not see it at that time. How great is my Father's love, He welcomed me home, and rejoice happens in Heaven (15:7) when an unworthy sinner like me is found by my Father. The parable of the lost sheep mentioned the shepherd going out to find the sheep. Jesus did not leave me to die in my sins, but chose to redeem my soul by dying on the Cross for me, all for someone so unworthy. Reminds me of Romans 5:6-8, where Jesus died for me, when I was still a sinner.
My personal thought was this: I am amazed by God's love, his unconditional love. Who else can satisfy my soul by the love that He has for me? Who else deserves all of me and more but Him, the One who loves me so much? No one.
As I was pondering on this, I am reminded of His Grace, the grace "that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost, but now am found. Was blind but now I see." Note the word 'found'. We were lost in our sins, we could not get back on track, but we were found, not that we saved ourselves out of our mess. Indeed, His Grace is sufficient for us. Thank You Lord.
I am thankful to God for this reminder.
Regards,
Yin Ting
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