"What do you fear?".....

We were challenged by this question at my last BSF (Bible study fellowship) class. 

All of us have fears during different stages of our lives; as a child, as a young adult, a young parent as well as the later stages of our lives.  Fear to a certain extent is very much a "natural" part of living; everyone has definitely experienced it to some degree throughout their lives.  

 

During our sermon last Sunday, Pastor Amy Li shared with us her fear as a child, when her mom taught her to sing a hymn when woken up in darkness.  Then there was the struggle of a dark period when she was involved in a car accident, her house broken into and her son fell from a bike with a broken collar bone just before an ARCT piano exam.  Even as a pastor, she was not exempted from fear or accidents.  However, it was the way she encountered fear and overcame the trauma for these events with the help of the Lord that witnessed to the world that the Lord is in control.

 

What were your childhood fears?  How did you deal with them?

 

 

As a young child, whenever I am alone in the dark, I would memorize my favourite Bible verse:

"你當剛強壯膽! 不要懼怕, 也不要驚惶; 因為你無論往那裏去, 耶和華你的上帝必與你同在."  約書亞記 1:9

 

This very same Bible verse happens to be Albert's favourite as well, except mine was remembered in Chinese (through Sunday School in HK) whereas his was in English.

 

As well, I was taught by my no. 2 Aunt, my godmother and faithful Christian lady to pray....

"求主耶穌擔當!!" whenever I was in pain or caught in a difficult situation, starting at age 5.

 

As I grew up, I found extreme comfort in:

 

"So do not fear, for I am with you;

  do not be dismayed, for I am your God.

  I will strengthen you and help you,

  I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."     (Isaiah 41:10)

 

Looking back those childhood years, I am grateful that the Lord taught me how to deal with fear based on His promises. 

How about you?

 

Please share....

 

jane

Success

It has always been a habit of mine to wish someone "all the best" on birthday cards and "every success" on job related greetings. 

This morning, as I was reading about King Hezekiah in 2Kings 18:3 -7, I discovered some interesting facts about why he was successful. 

 

1. He (King Hezekiah) did what was right in the eyes of the Lord; just as his father David had done.   (2Kings 18:3)

 

2. Hezekiah trusted in the Lord, the God of Israel.  There was no one like him among all the kings of Judah, either before him or after him.  (2Kings 18:5)

 

3. He held fast to the Lord and did not cease to follow him, he kept the commands the Lord had given Moses.  (2Kings 18:6)

 

4. And the Lord was with him, he was successful in whatever he undertook.  (2Kings 18:7)

 

On the surface, these seemed like rather simple guidelines for Christians to follow.  However, on second thought, I began to realize that:

- I need to study the Bible before I can learn what is right in the eyes of the Lord.

- I need to establish a personal relationship with our Lord and saviour before I can put my trust in Him.

- I need faith in Him before I can willingly follow him in all circumstances.

 

Wonderful for us, born again Christians in the New Testament, is the promise of the dwelling of the Holy Spirit after we accepted Christ into our lives.  May He guide and lead us into a life worthy of our calling and successful in following His Will.

 

Wishing you success in the new year!!!

 

 

jane