The last part of today's sermon struck me. :0)
It's like a drop of water on the parched dry ground of my soul. I guessed i've been dry spiritually for the past 2 or 3 weeks.
Pastor William, during the last part of his sermon, suddenly talked about the word 'doulos' and what it meant.
According to Pastor William and from Wikipedia,
Doulos may refer to:
In ancient Greece, a slave (δοῦλος)
Biblically it is commonly translated as bond-servant or servant, but literally the word meant slave.
And he said that we are slaves to God when we enter His kingdom. This is both a strong and provocative statement. I always sees it as bondservants, but he used the word "slave", which in turns provokes me to think more about my standing with God.
In further search of the definition of "doulos", i realised there's more to it than the meaning of 'slave'. It also depends where it's used (whether in ancient Rome or ancient Greece). From differing political viewpoints (depending on whether it's Athenian democracy or ancient Greek cities eg. Sparta), there also seemed be a disparity in definition of 'doulos'. In Athens, there was a distinction between 'doulos' and 'sklavos' (which is a more accurate translation of slave) but not so in Sparta. There are also different classes of 'duoloi' and treatment of 'duoloi' differed greatly in different places.
The search hasn't ended...but no matter what, i have a feeling that there's no exact pointing of the finger to a single definition. It can have a different meaning at a different place at a different time zone. And even so, i thanked God for the renewed realisation of how wrecked and worthless my status as a 'slave' to the world & myself in the past, but how God has bought me with a price (the great price of His Son) and Jesus (giving His life as payment for my life), so that He can make me not just his slave or servant but His friend, child and co-heir with Christ.
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Charting 2011
Been wanting to do this some 2-3 weeks ago...Finally, got down to start it...
In 2011,
I want to be 'liberated' from the constraints of age to do what i want to do! :)
I realised that being at 33 should be NO BARRIER at all to do what i want!
To do the things that young ones can do too!
Water-ski-ing? Horse-riding? Golf? (ok, perhaps golf is not just for the young...)
Pass my driving test by Feb 2011. 18 FEB 2011!!!!!!
Serving and ministering to the children in Prisons Fellowship?
I want to do what is IMPORTANT to God: loving God and trusting Him in transforming me to be more and more Christlike. Especially not forgetting the truths He deposited in my heart, and the experiences of journeying in God's Israel. I don't want it to be just another holiday memory. I want it propel me to want to spend even more more time in solitude, building deeper intimacy with God, reading God's Word, praying for missionaries and the lost.
I want to do what is IMPORTANT & LASTING: spending time and building relationships with my school kids whom God has placed in my hands and within my influence. Being there for them to help them and guide them as much as i can instead of doing so many other seemingly important things but actually doesn't matter one bit when this world passes away..
...and perhaps not even the last,
To Take Hold of what God wants me to TAKE HOLD of...and
To Let Go of what God wants me to LET GO of...
In 2011,
I want to be 'liberated' from the constraints of age to do what i want to do! :)
I realised that being at 33 should be NO BARRIER at all to do what i want!
To do the things that young ones can do too!
Water-ski-ing? Horse-riding? Golf? (ok, perhaps golf is not just for the young...)
Pass my driving test by Feb 2011. 18 FEB 2011!!!!!!
Serving and ministering to the children in Prisons Fellowship?
I want to do what is IMPORTANT to God: loving God and trusting Him in transforming me to be more and more Christlike. Especially not forgetting the truths He deposited in my heart, and the experiences of journeying in God's Israel. I don't want it to be just another holiday memory. I want it propel me to want to spend even more more time in solitude, building deeper intimacy with God, reading God's Word, praying for missionaries and the lost.
I want to do what is IMPORTANT & LASTING: spending time and building relationships with my school kids whom God has placed in my hands and within my influence. Being there for them to help them and guide them as much as i can instead of doing so many other seemingly important things but actually doesn't matter one bit when this world passes away..
...and perhaps not even the last,
To Take Hold of what God wants me to TAKE HOLD of...and
To Let Go of what God wants me to LET GO of...
Sunday, January 9, 2011
God's economy vs Man's economy
It's barely 10 days past 2011...already, God has shown me several reminders of God's economy of things is contrary to Man's economy of things. Perhaps this is the theme for 2011...Learning to see things through God's eyes. :)
It started with the Beautitudes reading on 31st Dec 2010...I think there was something else which i forgot...(still trying hard to recall...). Then this week, it was on the issue of weakness inspired by the inspirational calendar on 2 Cor 12:10. It makes me think 'indeed in human terms, when a person is deemed or seen as weak, he is often despised by men because of his weakness or flaw. But God does not laugh or mock at our weakness. Rather there's something in our weakness that He can use to empower us in His strength. It's only when we recognise that we are weak and cease to rely on ourselves and choose to rely on His that His power and strength can be perfected in us.
'For when I am weak, then I am strong.' ~ 2 Cor 12:10
It started with the Beautitudes reading on 31st Dec 2010...I think there was something else which i forgot...(still trying hard to recall...). Then this week, it was on the issue of weakness inspired by the inspirational calendar on 2 Cor 12:10. It makes me think 'indeed in human terms, when a person is deemed or seen as weak, he is often despised by men because of his weakness or flaw. But God does not laugh or mock at our weakness. Rather there's something in our weakness that He can use to empower us in His strength. It's only when we recognise that we are weak and cease to rely on ourselves and choose to rely on His that His power and strength can be perfected in us.
'For when I am weak, then I am strong.' ~ 2 Cor 12:10
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Realisations on the Israel & Jordan trip...
I kept wondering what this Israel & Jordan trip might bring...since there was no peace for going Capetown...and for Israel, somehow in some way, i managed to go.
One very, very, very precious word that God spoke to me on the trip was and is...
"I LOVE YOU, and I CHERISH YOU".
This very basic and simple truth that i should have known so well for the last 14 years is yet something that probably didn't really sink in. These words MELTED me. Deep inside, maybe I must have lacked alot of faith that i'm loved, or that i'm even worthy of any love. Once again, i see this great 'black hole' of emptiness inside of me...how much i have tried to fill it but it's not enough.
But God's words was enough and is enough. Simple as it is. Treading the places and having trod where Jesus used to walk in Jerusalem as He journeyed his way to bear the cross and showed His love for me and all, just simply demonstrates the very words God spoke to me.
Intro:
E2 Esus E2 Esus
Verse 1:
E Esus
You are so beautiful
E G#m7 A2 Bsus A2/C# B/D#
There is none that compares to You
E Esus E2
Who can take my brokenness
G#m7 A2
and make something new?
B A/C# B/D#
Only You
Chorus:
A B2 E2
You're beautiful to me
A2 B2 Esus E
You will be my song for all eternity
A2 B2 C#m B A
You're overtaking every part of me
A2 Bsus B E2 Esus E2 Esus E2
You're beautiful to me
Verse 2:
Merciful Father
There is none that compares to You
Who can take my bitterness
And make something sweet?
Only You
Tag:
A2 B2 E2
And I am left in awe of You (4x)
One very, very, very precious word that God spoke to me on the trip was and is...
"I LOVE YOU, and I CHERISH YOU".
This very basic and simple truth that i should have known so well for the last 14 years is yet something that probably didn't really sink in. These words MELTED me. Deep inside, maybe I must have lacked alot of faith that i'm loved, or that i'm even worthy of any love. Once again, i see this great 'black hole' of emptiness inside of me...how much i have tried to fill it but it's not enough.
But God's words was enough and is enough. Simple as it is. Treading the places and having trod where Jesus used to walk in Jerusalem as He journeyed his way to bear the cross and showed His love for me and all, just simply demonstrates the very words God spoke to me.
Intro:
E2 Esus E2 Esus
Verse 1:
E Esus
You are so beautiful
E G#m7 A2 Bsus A2/C# B/D#
There is none that compares to You
E Esus E2
Who can take my brokenness
G#m7 A2
and make something new?
B A/C# B/D#
Only You
Chorus:
A B2 E2
You're beautiful to me
A2 B2 Esus E
You will be my song for all eternity
A2 B2 C#m B A
You're overtaking every part of me
A2 Bsus B E2 Esus E2 Esus E2
You're beautiful to me
Verse 2:
Merciful Father
There is none that compares to You
Who can take my bitterness
And make something sweet?
Only You
Tag:
A2 B2 E2
And I am left in awe of You (4x)
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Letting go 2010...is it Taking hold 2011?
Reading Isaac's blog has prompted me to write again...somehow i just 'forgot' about blogging the last few months...indeed i want to remember what God has done for me in my life lest i forget the goodness of God in my life, lest i forget all the lessons He has taught me...i want to remember God and all of His love and goodness in my life.
This blog started with the journey to missions..and even though theological training didn't seemed to be part of God's plan at this point...the journey of missions continues...it will never stop till i cease to breathe...so this blog shall continue to document the wonderous works of God in my life...
It felt blissful when I sat at West Coast Park on the last day of 2010 to spend time alone...alone to reflect on 2010...to talk to God...to reflect what God has done in my life in 2010 and what He has taught me. One thing that stood out when I think about all the major happenings during 2010: Letting go...
I realised that God has been teaching me to let go in 2010. Letting go of my desire to escape and go into biblical studies, letting go of him that i shouldn't hold on to anymore, letting go of what i want and where i want to go.
Realising this 'trend' of letting go in 2010...it makes me wonder God has in mind for 2011? Is it more 'letting go'? or is it 'taking hold'? :) well, i'm excited at what He has in store...and whatever it is, i'm trusting Him and obeying Him...be it letting go or taking hold.
At the same time, I was reading Psalm 1 and felt led to read the Beautitudes in Matthew 5, as i was seeking to hear from God.
Matthew 5
The Sermon on the Mount
1Seeing the crowds,(A) he went up on the mountain, and when he(B) sat down, his disciples came to him.
The Beatitudes
2And(C) he opened his mouth and taught them, saying:
3(D) "Blessed are(E) the poor in spirit, for(F) theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4"Blessed are(G) those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
5"Blessed are the(H) meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
6"Blessed are those who hunger and(I) thirst(J) for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
7"Blessed are(K) the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
8"Blessed are(L) the pure in heart, for(M) they shall see God.
9"Blessed are(N) the peacemakers, for(O) they shall be called(P) sons[a] of God.
10(Q) "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for(R) theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11(S) "Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely(T) on my account. 12(U) Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for(V) so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Salt and Light
13"You are the salt of the earth,(W) but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet.
14(X) "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15(Y) Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16In the same way, let your light shine before others, so(Z) that they may see your good works and(AA) give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
One thing struck me as i read the Beautitudes. There is such a contrast of things between the part before the comma (,) and the part after the comma (,) if you view it in the world's terms. From the worldly pt. of view, it will be a laughing stock. For how can one inherit the earth if one is meek? Doesn't the strong and mighty inherit the earth instead?
But not so, in God's economy of things. This reminds me about hearing this from Pastor Kay Kiong if i remembered correctly, that God's economy of things are different from the world's economy of things. So when God allows things that didn't seemed right or logical in this sense of the world, it probably make sense to consider and discern if this is God's workings indeed.
Isaiah 55: 8-9
8 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways,”
declares the LORD.
9 “As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.
Another reminder was from verse 13 and 14. To remind myself that I AM the salt of the earth..I AM the light of the world. It's my identity. God did not say 'be' salt of the earth, nor did He say 'be' the light of the world. But "YOU ARE the salt of the earth...YOU ARE the light of the world"...hence did i live up to who i am? This is what i am going to live out in 2011. Not 'to be' but I already am when God says so. So...JUST DO IT!
This blog started with the journey to missions..and even though theological training didn't seemed to be part of God's plan at this point...the journey of missions continues...it will never stop till i cease to breathe...so this blog shall continue to document the wonderous works of God in my life...
It felt blissful when I sat at West Coast Park on the last day of 2010 to spend time alone...alone to reflect on 2010...to talk to God...to reflect what God has done in my life in 2010 and what He has taught me. One thing that stood out when I think about all the major happenings during 2010: Letting go...
I realised that God has been teaching me to let go in 2010. Letting go of my desire to escape and go into biblical studies, letting go of him that i shouldn't hold on to anymore, letting go of what i want and where i want to go.
Realising this 'trend' of letting go in 2010...it makes me wonder God has in mind for 2011? Is it more 'letting go'? or is it 'taking hold'? :) well, i'm excited at what He has in store...and whatever it is, i'm trusting Him and obeying Him...be it letting go or taking hold.
At the same time, I was reading Psalm 1 and felt led to read the Beautitudes in Matthew 5, as i was seeking to hear from God.
Matthew 5
The Sermon on the Mount
1Seeing the crowds,(A) he went up on the mountain, and when he(B) sat down, his disciples came to him.
The Beatitudes
2And(C) he opened his mouth and taught them, saying:
3(D) "Blessed are(E) the poor in spirit, for(F) theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4"Blessed are(G) those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
5"Blessed are the(H) meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
6"Blessed are those who hunger and(I) thirst(J) for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
7"Blessed are(K) the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
8"Blessed are(L) the pure in heart, for(M) they shall see God.
9"Blessed are(N) the peacemakers, for(O) they shall be called(P) sons[a] of God.
10(Q) "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for(R) theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11(S) "Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely(T) on my account. 12(U) Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for(V) so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Salt and Light
13"You are the salt of the earth,(W) but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet.
14(X) "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15(Y) Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16In the same way, let your light shine before others, so(Z) that they may see your good works and(AA) give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
One thing struck me as i read the Beautitudes. There is such a contrast of things between the part before the comma (,) and the part after the comma (,) if you view it in the world's terms. From the worldly pt. of view, it will be a laughing stock. For how can one inherit the earth if one is meek? Doesn't the strong and mighty inherit the earth instead?
But not so, in God's economy of things. This reminds me about hearing this from Pastor Kay Kiong if i remembered correctly, that God's economy of things are different from the world's economy of things. So when God allows things that didn't seemed right or logical in this sense of the world, it probably make sense to consider and discern if this is God's workings indeed.
Isaiah 55: 8-9
8 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways,”
declares the LORD.
9 “As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.
Another reminder was from verse 13 and 14. To remind myself that I AM the salt of the earth..I AM the light of the world. It's my identity. God did not say 'be' salt of the earth, nor did He say 'be' the light of the world. But "YOU ARE the salt of the earth...YOU ARE the light of the world"...hence did i live up to who i am? This is what i am going to live out in 2011. Not 'to be' but I already am when God says so. So...JUST DO IT!
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Liberty of Obedience
Just as i have finished reading the "Liberty of Obedience" by Elizabeth Elliot, i have such an ironical situation...i feel so imprisioned and trapped by my mum's reactions...so rarely yet so strongly, i felt my hands are 'tied'...i so seldom felt so...i always think there's a way out no matter what...but now, the only thing i feel, is that my hands are tied. Tied.
Should i feel peace? i felt can't help crying and feeling sad for myself...that my hands are tied and i have no choice at all...not to even mention having freedom...i don't free at all...why, Lord? why do i feel like this? Shouldn't i feel good to obey? Why didn't i feel 'freed' when i obey? Is it because my heart was not right? It's not just superficial obedience, i have to obey cheerfully too? perhaps so.
The LORD doesn't want me to just obey the 'rules', but He is more pleased to see my heart submit out of love for Him even when all my will doesn't want to do it...
Should i feel peace? i felt can't help crying and feeling sad for myself...that my hands are tied and i have no choice at all...not to even mention having freedom...i don't free at all...why, Lord? why do i feel like this? Shouldn't i feel good to obey? Why didn't i feel 'freed' when i obey? Is it because my heart was not right? It's not just superficial obedience, i have to obey cheerfully too? perhaps so.
The LORD doesn't want me to just obey the 'rules', but He is more pleased to see my heart submit out of love for Him even when all my will doesn't want to do it...
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Following Joseph's example
Asking...seeking...knocking...when nothing seemed to stir...maybe He did speak...and i was too deaf to hear...too stubborn in my own desires to listen...but i'm grateful when i read Psalm 105 last two nights.
16 When he summoned a famine on the land
and broke all supply[a] of bread,
17 he had sent a man ahead of them,
Joseph, who was sold as a slave.
18 His feet were hurt with fetters;
his neck was put in a collar of iron;
19 until what he had said came to pass,
the word of the LORD tested him.
i felt it was the LORD speaking to me through this excerpt on Joseph's destiny in God's plan. God did not plan for Joseph to go to Egypt smoothly to fulfill his plan to deliver Israel from famine...God could have just bring Joseph in by a way that's more rational and usual...no, but Joseph was sold as a slave there. He entered in by the most humilated and humble manner. Worse, he was thrown into the jail...verses 18 spoke to me...that how "[Jospeh's] feet were hurt with fetters; his neck was put in a collar of iron until what [God] had said came to pass"...it made me think that for me to remain and stay where i am in school indeed seemed like a 'prison' to me...one that i want to break free away from very badly...but perhaps like Joseph, i'm to stay there for a reason...or for a season cos the timing's not ripe yet. But the comforting thing is that His word 'came to pass'...God's destiny for Joseph came to pass because Jospeh was faithful to obey and wait for God's timing and plan to uncover itself...
The words, "the word of the LORD tested him" made me pause to think...God tested Joseph's faith and obedience...if he would remembered what God said to him in his youth and if God would bring it to pass even in dire circumstances 'now & then' that he was in. I'm thinking to myself if THIS is my testing...right now, to stay in school even though i'm searching and waiting for God show me the way out is my testing...just as Joseph waits for God to bring him out of prison despite being still in it...
I don't know if i can...but i want to pass the testing...i believe that God has a destiny for me that i don't know yet and how it'll come to pass yet. But if i walk out of this 'prison', i may miss out on fulfilling God's plan & purposes for me.
16 When he summoned a famine on the land
and broke all supply[a] of bread,
17 he had sent a man ahead of them,
Joseph, who was sold as a slave.
18 His feet were hurt with fetters;
his neck was put in a collar of iron;
19 until what he had said came to pass,
the word of the LORD tested him.
i felt it was the LORD speaking to me through this excerpt on Joseph's destiny in God's plan. God did not plan for Joseph to go to Egypt smoothly to fulfill his plan to deliver Israel from famine...God could have just bring Joseph in by a way that's more rational and usual...no, but Joseph was sold as a slave there. He entered in by the most humilated and humble manner. Worse, he was thrown into the jail...verses 18 spoke to me...that how "[Jospeh's] feet were hurt with fetters; his neck was put in a collar of iron until what [God] had said came to pass"...it made me think that for me to remain and stay where i am in school indeed seemed like a 'prison' to me...one that i want to break free away from very badly...but perhaps like Joseph, i'm to stay there for a reason...or for a season cos the timing's not ripe yet. But the comforting thing is that His word 'came to pass'...God's destiny for Joseph came to pass because Jospeh was faithful to obey and wait for God's timing and plan to uncover itself...
The words, "the word of the LORD tested him" made me pause to think...God tested Joseph's faith and obedience...if he would remembered what God said to him in his youth and if God would bring it to pass even in dire circumstances 'now & then' that he was in. I'm thinking to myself if THIS is my testing...right now, to stay in school even though i'm searching and waiting for God show me the way out is my testing...just as Joseph waits for God to bring him out of prison despite being still in it...
I don't know if i can...but i want to pass the testing...i believe that God has a destiny for me that i don't know yet and how it'll come to pass yet. But if i walk out of this 'prison', i may miss out on fulfilling God's plan & purposes for me.
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