Words of Comfort (12)

Our church’s first outreach dinner last Friday was greatly blessed by the presence of the Lord as 46 attendances filled the hall with warmth and fellowship, touched by Albert’s testimony, enjoyed great food and made new friends. However, God’s Grace did not stop there; He “surprised” us with a record high (34) church attendance on following Sunday, especially when an elderly wheelchair lady was carried up the stairs to worship with us.

How amazing is His Grace!!!

My daily devotion this morning really hit home as I read….

“We don’t need more full-time Christian workers in the church. We need more full-time Christian workers in the marketplace with the people who need to hear the truth. Please don’t use church work as an excuse to escape from the ministry God has chosen for you. Some people you rub shoulders with every day will never enter the door of a church. You are their only link with the truth….. And that is why God put you there….. Your attitude and excellence on the job are the bridge to someone’s heart.” (Charles Stanley)

Please continue to pray for us….

Continually ask God to fill us with the knowledge of His Will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that we may live a life worthy of the Lord and please Him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God.
(Colossians 1:9-10)


AMEN!!!!!

Words of Comfort (11).... Psalm 100

Psalm 100 

1 Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth.

2 Worship the LORD with gladness;
    come before him with joyful songs.

3 Know that the LORD is God.
    It is he who made us, and we are his;
    we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving
    and his courts with praise;
    give thanks to him and praise his name.

5 For the LORD is good and his love endures forever;
    his faithfulness continues through all generations.

• How many comforting attributes of our Lord can you identify from this passage

• What and how many different ways are we instructed?

• What personal experience can you share with us?

Words of Comfort (10)….. Accountability

Praise our Lord for the wonderful discussion and sharing last night (RHG) on Accountability, led by Peggy and Clarence. In the beginning, I was not convinced about its significance in the Bible or its relevance to any Christian living. However, as the evening progressed and especially through both Bible passages in my devotion this morning, my eyes were opened to the importance of accountability in every “moment by moment” of my life….

"For the Lord is our judge, the Lord is our lawgiver, the Lord is our king; it is he who will save us." (Isaiah 33:22)

“ Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God.” (2 Corinthians 4:2)

From these passages, I realized that every word of my mouth (encouragement or criticism, sharing of the gospel or promises), every action (seen or in private) and every thought (choices, decisions, negative/positive intentions) will be judged by the Almighty, some day. Even more specifically, we will be judged according to the greatest commandment: how we love God and how we love others.

As I ponder upon my own relationship with God (how I should love Him, serve Him, trust Him, and obey Him), many passages came into mind…

“… for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” (1 Peter 1:16)

“ He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. 3 “Truly I tell you,” he said, “this poor widow has put in more than all the others. 4 All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.”(Luke 21:2-4)

As for my relationship with others, including family, friends and church members,

“ And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward.” (Matthew 10:42)

“or God said, ‘Honor your father and mother’”. (Matthew 15:4)

“But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,” (Matthew 5:44)

In the end, the question “Would you live your day differently if you know that you only have a few hours left on earth?” will be the same as “How would you live life differently if you know that you will be judged by our Lord?”.

“All a person’s ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighed by the Lord.” (Proverbs 16:2)

Words of comfort (9)

 ....Believe it or Not!!!

“Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?”” (John 11:40) 

“The ultimate thing is confidence in Jesus.

Believe steadfastly on Him and everything that challenges you will strengthen your faith. Faith is absolute trust in God – trust that could never imagine that He would forsake us.” ....... My Utmost for His Highest, Oswald Chambers

I know that our Father knows ALL and understands my every situation “perfectly”; I know also that He will give me what is best for every challenge. However, sometimes I have problem putting fully my Faith/trust in Him.

Then this is the prayer that gives me comfort....

“I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief.” (Mark 9:24)


jane

An interesting Question

“Why ARE you so religious?”

This question caught me by surprise, simply because I believe that my Faith in Christ is a relationship (not a religion) and Salvation is by Faith and not works.

However, over the next two days, the Lord showed me another way to paraphrase the question with another question....

“Why do you love your father so much?”

No matter what the answer is..... be it that my father loves me, protects me, raised me, helps me out in difficult situations, stands by me, understands and encourages me, believes in me, and is always there for me; my Father in heaven is hundred times better in every aspect. Above and beyond everything that any human father can accomplish, as a child of God He loves me unconditionally, forgives all my sins (past, present and future) and promises to be with me until the end of times, even after my life on this earth. 

“Those who know Your name will put their trust in You; for You, Lord, have not forsaken those who seek You.” Psalm 9:10

“Everything you have today is a gift from God to you.

He is the One who has given you the energy, vitality, health, ideas, and opportunities that have led you to your “possessing” all that you have.

Surely as He has provided for you all your life, He will continue to provide for you as you trust Him, obey Him, and seek to do His Will.” (God’s Way, Charles Stanley)

Praise the Lord and special thanks to my friend that raised this question.

jane

Words of Comfort (8)

Joshua 1:9

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”

• Praise the Lord for my Godly parents who faithfully sent us to attend Sunday School as young as age three. Every Sunday morning, as we were escorted by our house maid walking from Tien Hau Temple Road to St Mary Anglican church in Causeway Bay, I would try my hardest (last minute effort) to memorize my Bible verses. Out of the many that I leant, Joshua 1:9 has been one of my favorite.

• During my childhood years, whenever I was walking alone in the dark, whenever mother was late in picking me up from school, when I was sitting in the dentist chair, this Bible verse always came to mind. In ways that I cannot understand, it served as a silent prayer and I always found comfort in the verses even as a young child.

• After my first encounter with Christ in 1998, I was asked to serve (for the first time) in SMSL. When I was clueless as to God’s Will on this matter, Francis comforted me with this exact Bible verse; a real assurance to proceed, trusting in the Lord.

• In 2003, May (Wan Er) and I went to preach the Gospel to my mother-in-law. As we were praying in the car before we entered the house, we shared this Bible verse which reassured us of His presence as my mother-in-law accepted Christ through prayer on that day.

• I am very thankful that I can share this same passage again at our Portland retreat. All the past memories echoed His all-powerful Words and wonderful promises that sustained and empowered me all through my life. 

Praise Him!!! 

“Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.” (Joshua 1:8)

jane

人的盡頭 .............. 女兒

         "我很感恩!" 這句話常聼人説,我們也常掛在口邉,説慣了,也麻木了!究竟感恩,我們知道多少呢?

           剛聽到一首舊歌, Both Sides Now........Rows and flows of angel hair  ...... 也不期然抬起頭看看天空的雲彩,像一幅畫,一幅從來不會重複的畫,像一朵花,一隻小狗,一隻耳朵,但在雲彩的另一邊,又是怎麼樣的呢?

           那日,父親剛過身的第二天吧,我們去墓地打點,一片平靜,安息,仰望天空,藍天白雲,很美,很自由的,各有各的位置,無爭吵,無對錯,奇景出現了,天空竟然出現彩虹,不是一片,而是兩片,不單止兩片,而是兩片交接在一起,好像手握手在歡迎賓客一樣。

           雲的另一邉是怎麼樣?人的盡頭就是彩虹交接之處嗎?感謝神!當人走投無路,才會領略到神應許的真實,空談感恩,只是提醒,感恩是經歷神的應許,完全向神投降的一種生活方式。

           自從父親過身後,每年的父親節,我們便在無聲中渡過,父親節的今天,早上還是天睛,但忽然狠狠的下了一場大雨,弄得我們措手不及,然而,不多久,太陽又出來了,好像從來沒有下過雨一樣,墓地的那邊,白雲仍舊片片嗎?天空又有否岀現彩虹?

           父親,想念你!


  女兒

如何活下去(2) 若詩

        幾年前有人同我講,最怕見到我嘟長咀,拉長臉,不開心的那個樣子,好難看,從那天開始,我就很留心不讓人家看見我難看的一面,

        小孩子鬧蹩扭,可能會被認為有性格,可愛,趣緻,但是大人要是發脾氣,即使是大條道理,也就是沒內涵, 小氣, EQ 低了, 最恐怖的是會加速衰老,增強氧化,絕對不是好事,毫無益處,

          年紀漸長,漸漸老化是正常,是必然, 不願意也得接受, 但如若加速老化, 未老先衰, 那就真的要認真考慮了!

        常常喜樂,説來容易做時難, 若是靠自己, 當然靠不住, 然而, 有於內,形於外, 箴4:23 "你 要 保 守 你 心 、 勝 過 保 守 一 切 , 因 為 一 生 的 果 效 、是 由 心 發 出 。" 要常常喜樂, 不輕易動怒, 就要由心出發。

        記起小時候去郊外旅行, 來到水邉, 我們很喜歡玩一個小玩意, 就是隨意在草地上拾石塊, 使勁的將石塊向水外拋遠, 看著石塊像小蜻蜓般的飛翔, 點水, 然後飄起, 再飛, 再點, 再飛, 每點一次, 水也柔軟溫和地泛起一圈圈如花般美的漣漪, 直至小蜻蜓累了, 漣漪也就休息了。

        有時遇到束手無策的事, 令你討厭的人, 面對種種改變不了的事實, 心中有如大石小石, 壓得透不過氣, 眼耳口鼻擠作一團,教我們如何笑出來?  馬太 11:29 主說"我 心 裡 柔 和 謙 卑 、 你 們 當 負 我 的 軛 、 學 我 的 樣 式 、 這 樣 、 你 們 心 裡 就 必 得 享 安 息 。"  學習主耶穌給我們的榜樣, 想想蜻蜓點水, 圈圈漣漪, 水般溫柔花般笑, 更煩惱的事也敵不過那柔和謙卑的心!

         彼前 3:4 "只 要 以 裡 面 存 著 長 久 溫 柔 安 靜 的 心 為 妝 飾 . 這 在神 面 前 是 極 寶 貴 的 。" 神看為極寶貴的, 是否值得我們窮一生去追求?  讓我們每天以溫柔安靜的心為妝飾 , 跟隨主佳美的腳蹤,  用溫柔擁抱生命, 用謙卑包容身邊每一個人。

        如何活下去?  活出溫柔, 喜樂的活下去!

Words of Comfort (7)

Thanks to Laurence/Julisa’s sharing on “anger” at the last RHG, we learnt from studying His Words about anger management.
In my devotion this morning, I discovered that Psalms 4:4 recorded the exact same
Words as Ephesians 4:26a.

Ephesians 4:26
 “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry,
Psalm 4:4
In your anger do not sin.

As Albert taught us in the Bible studies, any repeats in the Bible representsimportant messages we should pay attention to, I went back to Ephesians 4:25-32 which illustrated many ways of the art of speaking to avoid misunderstanding and the unnecessary anger or harms to others.

Ephesians 4:25-27, 29-32
New International Version (NIV)

25 Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body.
26 “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 and do not give the devil a foothold.
29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.
32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in

Christ God forgave you.

According to Joe Stowell…..

“Anger sometimes calls our attention to an injustice that needs to be addressed,and we spurred to righteous action. Most of the time, however, our anger is selfishly ignited by our expectations, rights, and privileges. In any case, it is important to know why the alarm is sounding and to respond in a Godly way. But one thing is for sure, anger is never intended to continue unchecked.”

Be angry, but do not sin….

K. De Haan suggested the following prayer….

“Spirit of God, please change my heart and give me a new desire;
Help me to be a man/woman of peace who’s not controlled by anger’s fire.”

James 1:19-20

19 My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, does not produce the righteousness that God desires.
20 because human anger

God Honours Obedience

 
I was sorting through dad's pile of books, when I discovered this little booklet "Promises to Live By", chosen by David Wilkerson.

Flipping through the pages, my eyes were caught on one subtitle... "God Honours Obedience".

I remember very clearly the first book that I read after my conversion on Arthur Liang Bridge (Nov 1998), "Absolute Surrender" by Andrew Murray.
Later on Bible studies broadened my understanding of "submission", to the Lord, leaders and head; as well as Albert's constant reminder about being blameless.
Yet, obedience is one word not very common in my dictionary; even though it was mentioned in many Bible passages.

Taking a fresh look at that word made me realize that:

• "Obedience" summarizes all of the New Testament commands, including the greatest commandment and the great commission.
• "Obedience" encompasses all negative commands from the Bible including the Ten Commandments.
• Whereas obedience is a choice (much like the freedom of choices granted to Adam and Eve), God desires the results.
• The first sin that humans committed was disobedience by Adam and Eve.
• God is in control, no matter the outcome.
• Our God is just and righteous, His promises are true.
• God promises "rewards" for obedience, physically, emotionally or Spiritually.

Philippians 4:9

Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

Exodus 19:5
Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession.

John 15:10
If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love.

What have you learnt about obedience in your spiritual walks? Are you willing (obedient) to share?

jane

Words of Comfort (6)……Trust and Obey

1. Psalm 84:11-12
For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor;
no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless.
LORD Almighty, blessed is the one who trusts in you.

2. Isaiah 50:10
Who among you fears the LORD and obeys the word of his servant? Let the
one who walks in the dark, who has no light, trust in the name of the LORD
and rely on their God.

3. Psalm 20:7
Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of
the LORD our God.

4. Acts 24:16
So I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man.

Choose to trust God in every area of your life – every decision, every
choice, and every opportunity that He sends your way.
Choose to obey God and keep His commandments.
Choose to forgive others, fully and freely.
Choose to follow the path that God has revealed to you.
(Charles Stanley, God’s Way)

Shared by Jane

Words of Comfort (5)

1. Jeremiah 33:3
Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.’

• The prayers of God’s people invite and assure God’s response. (Zodervan Study Bible)
• The Spirit-filled life begins with an overwhelming realization that we are absolutely helpless and hopeless apart from the empowerment of the Holy Spirit. Do not “do things for God” based on your own strength.(Charles Stanley)
• When was the last time you called on Him?

2. 2 Kings 6:17
And Elisha prayed, “Open his eyes, Lord, so that he may see.”

• When we pray like this, we can see the world all around us (much like the prophet Elisha) is full of God’s horses and chariots, waiting to carry us to places of glorious victory. (Hannah Whitall Smith)
• What are you able/not able to “see”?

3. Luke 19:42
..and said, “If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes.

• God holds us accountable for what we refuse to see or are unable to see because of our sin. And now they are hidden from my eyes because I have never yielded completely my nature to Him. (Oswald Chambers)
• What is being “hidden” from your eyes? Why?

………Shared by jane

Words of Comfort (4) …… by Charles Stanley

1. Matthew 6:25

 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?

I can choose how I feel, I can choose what to think and I can choose how to respond/react to circumstances.  

But don’t steal tomorrow from God’s hands.  Give Him time to speak and to reveal His Will to you.  He is never late, learn to wait.

2. Isaiah 55:9

“As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

God always sees what is absolutely good for us.  He gives us only the things that are truly beneficial for our growth (as His children) and the advancement of His Kingdom on earth.

3. Psalm 18:30  

As for God, his way is perfect: The Lord’s word is flawless; he shields all who take refuge in him.

Dealing with stress is a matter of …. Eternal perspective and God-centered Faith.  The Spiritual filled life is not one without responsibility or pressure; but one that God is seen as a faithful provider.

We are free to do what we know (to do) while trusting Him with those things that are beyond our control. 

Share by Jane

Words of Comfort (3) …..(Hope)

1. “…the Lord delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love.” (Psalm 147:11)

2. ““ For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.””
(Jeremiah 29:11)

3. “That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and especially of those who believe.”
(1 Timothy 4:10)

4. “In the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time.” (Titus 1:2)

盼 望, 指 望:

1. 耶 和 華 喜 愛 敬 畏 他 、 和 盼 望 他 慈 愛 的 人 。(詩 篇 147:11 )

2. 耶 和 華 說 、 我 知 道 我 向 你 們 所 懷 的 意 念 、 是 賜 平 安 的 意 念 、 不 是 降 災 禍 的 意 念 、 要 叫 你 們 末 後 有 指 望 . (耶 利 米 書 29:11)

3. 我 們 勞 苦 努 力 、 正 是 為 此 ． 因 我 們 的 指 望 在 乎 永 生 的 神 ． 他 是 萬 人 的 救 主 、 更 是 信 徒 的 救 主 。(提 摩 太 前 書 4:10)

4. 盼 望 那 無 謊 言 的 神 、 在 萬 古 之 先 所 應 許 的 永 生. (提 多 書 1:2)

jane

如何活下去（1）

如何活下去（1） 若詩

記起一套長編劇集，'黄金十年'，不甚記得劇集內容，但劇名卻常常記起，究竟人生的黃金十年是那十年呢？

如果人生的黄金歲月是那單純無知的孩童年日，父母呵護照顧，那為什麼我記起的都是大人告訴我不可做這樣，不能做那樣？我想的得不到，我不想的，卻偏要我完成！如果能在任何時間做自己喜歡的事，那就是最開心完滿的話，那麼孩童時期的十年就一定不合格了！


少年十五二十時的青春歲月，合格了吧？青春無敵，一早起來刷完牙，洗過臉，鏡子也不用照就可外出的奢侈日子，無價呀！只有用黄金來形容，是嗎？但是成長時期的苦惱，讀書考試溫習通宵的滋味，現還記憶猶新！黄金十年，好像還摸不著邊際！


二十至三十可以了吧？年輕力壯，那種柏力有如如日中天，字典裡根本沒有一個難字，那種衝勁，為理想，為著憧憬的將來而奮鬥，然而很多時未見康莊大道，就遇到失敗，掙扎，再努力，又掙扎，再失敗，黄金十年？因人而異吧！

三十至四十一定是最好的了！ 事業穏定，成家立室，生兒養女，是人生最輝煌最有建設的十年，但也是最辛苦的十年，責任大到不得了不用説，為兒女，擔驚受怕，甚至節衣縮食，黄金十年還是最苦澀的十年？心知肚明！


那麼還有多少個十年? 三個? 四個?


當我發現我的記憶力不如前，拚命用盡方法也無法把埾經金句記下的時候，我體會到什麼叫做心有餘而力不足的痛苦！當我和別人談論問題，哲理，信仰，常常發覺內心有許多的說話，卻無法令對方明白，甚至令人誤會，是詞不達意，書到用時方恨少，少壯不努力，老大後悔莫及！ 那麼，還有多多個十年又有什麼用呀！


人生的盼望在那裡? 對餘下的日子還可以希望什麼呢？


如何活下去？苦惱 …………

Words of Comfort (2)

1. Psalm 37:5

Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this: “Faith adds its Amen to God’s “Yes” and then takes its hands off; leaving God to finish His Work.” (Days of Heaven upon Earth)

2.   T=Truthful

      H=Helpful

      I =Inspiring

      N =Necessary

      K =Kindness

Before we speak, “THINK”, and make sure that our words are Truthful, helpful, inspiring, necessary and kind.

3. Matthew 19:26

Jesus said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

Matthew 17:20

He (Jesus) replied,” …… Nothing will be impossible for you.”

Mark 9:23

“” Jesus said, “Everything is possible for one who believes.””

Do you think there is a difference in these passages?

By Jane

Words of Comfort

Words of Comfort

1. “Church growth in numbers is strictly the Will and the works of God.
However, it pleases Him greatly that we pray continuously/persistently for
it.”, an encouraging comment I heard last Friday.

2. Romans 8:28
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love
him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
Human efforts have limitations, yet with God all things are possible.

3. Ephesians 2:10
“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good
works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
God’s plan for our lives are perfect, if we trust and obey.

4. Philippians 1:6
“being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it
on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

5. Genesis 1:10
“ ….And God saw that it was good.”
All of God’s creations (we included) are good.
By jane