Changes

Rick Warren's daily devotion for today is titled "Four hearing aids for God's Words". 
Based on "....... Humbly accept the Word planted in you." (James 1:21), the four elements were:
 1. Be careful.
2. Be calm.
3. Be clean.
4. Be compliant.
 However, what hit home for me was the one simple comment "How willing are you to be changed?", even after we have received God's Words.
So often after we heard touching testimonies and motivating sermons, read inspiring devotions and prompted by Bible verses; if there is no desire in us to change or to be "transformed", we are still stagnant in our Spiritual growth.  There is no life in us!  Just the "old" self year after year.
 Why are we resistant to changes?  I guess sometimes it requires a leap of Faith beyond our comfort zone.  Other times might be our pride getting in the way of our submissiveness.  Worst of all is my thinking that it is the other party that needs to be changed and not me.

 "My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love.... in order that they may know..... Christ."  (Col 2:2)
Paul's purpose driven life's calling is to change the world with the message of Salvation in Christ.
 Paul then challenged us to change and be transformed,
"So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in Him,
 rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the Faith as you were taught
  and overflowing with thankfulness."       (Col 2:6)
 What have I learnt lately from God's Words?  How is that making a difference in my life?  How have I grew to the likeness of Christ?
How willing am I to be changed to His liking?
Would you like to share?


by "A piece of puzzle"
 

I stumbled....

As I was working away on my BSF homework, I stumbled .........
over one paragraph of the notes:

There are some strategic moments in the lives of leaders and nations in which the decisions they make cast a long shadow over the future of that leader, nation, and people in that realm.


And the following challenge question:

"When we are faced with making choices, will we believe what God says even if it means changing what we have previously thought?"

What is your answer? How do you normally base your choices and decisions on?

Jesus took the twelve aside and told them, "We are going up to Jerusalem......" (Luke 18:31)

Looks like God's Plan, God's Will is only disclosed to those who follow Him closely.
This led me to ask myself..... how close am I to our Lord and Saviour?
When the Lord is ready to disclose His Will to me, how receptive am I?

How should I pray for myself and others to draw closer to Christ and to be more sensitive to His commands?


jane

A story about Stewardship that I come across reading today

I come across this little story and wish to share it ........

There is a story about a man crawling across the desert and he comes to a rusty old pump with a little glass jug of water with a lid on it and a piece of leather parchment. He grabs the jar of water and just before he drinks it, he reads the parchment which says, “Stop! Don’t drink this. Use the water in the jar to wet the leather gasket on the pump. Then you can pump as much water as you like for drinking. Then fill the jar up and leave it with this note for the next traveler.

I think this is a good illustration on the instant gratification verses following and wise use of our gifts for greater reward. What do you think?  Any comments? 

Sharing Bug

First Day of School

After some four months of summer vacation, I actually found myself looking forward to another year of BSF (Bible Study Fellowship).  Despite all the time commitment, the daily discipline of homework, the sharing and fellowship among new friends in class, it was such joy when I arrived at the church

I See .....I SAW...."I See"

 At a bus stop, I SAW ....a well dressed young gentleman seated in a wheelchair, engaged in conversation with an elderly lady while waiting for the bus.  In the beginning, when I first saw this "odd" couple, I cannot help but felt sorry for the young man, handicapped at such a young age.  At the same time, I pitied the elderly lady taking the bus on her own, unattended.  However, as I drew closer, I noticed the young man's face beaming with sunshine, gesturing with his hands to express himself in an exciting conversation.  On the other hand, the old lady was listening ever so attentively

失羊的比喻 (路15:1-7)

對一般的基督徒來說, 這迷羊的比喻一定不會陌生.  可是星期天的崇拜中, 神藉著梁尚財傳道口中, 竟然帶出一些與眾不同非凡的信息; 加增了我對這個比喻的理解和體驗.  願意嘗試用我微不足道的文字, 與大家一同分享:

1.         試問誰是那第一百隻迷失的羊?

當代的法利賽人和文士曾經指控”稅利和罪人”(路15:2)

現代的基督徒馬上會聯想到一些未信的朋友, 那些迷失方向或離開教會的弟兄姊妹.

想不到梁傳道提醒我們, 當我們在日常生活中犯錯的時候,

祇 有 祝 福

感恩午餐之後，腦海中所想的是零零碎碎的片段，十年了，讓我也套用那
耳熟能詳的一句話，”人生有幾多個十年呢？”

還記得那天第一次到這禮拜堂聚會，我們帶著兩個小孩坐在後排的座位，
簫公子轉個身來高興地見到有新來的朋友，

善要親近

Dear Bernie and Celine,

 

Thank you so much for the sharing and discussion last night on Romans 12:9C ...."善要親近".

 

You brought to our attention our need to "choose" what is good and the focus on being closer to God in order to learn from His goodness.

In His Time.....

- Moses took 40 years to lead the Israelites across the wilderness, so that all the rebellious generation have passed away without entry to the promised land.
- Jesus allowed Lazarus to be "dead" and buried in the tomb for four days before raising him to life.  (John 11:17)
- Sarah became pregnant and bore a son to Abram in his old age,