My update

God's grace is enough for all of us, and as long as we are willing, He will lead us the way.

BSF (Bible Study Fellowship) became a commitment every Monday evening along with a bunch of other ministries. Studying God's Word had never felt so important and it is a good reminder for me that we put God ahead of other things.

From Sunday school yesterday I learnt quite a bit about how Bible describes us as humans, as well as our sinful nature. We have all been hit by sinful things to an extent. I know I have. There are certain things which stumble us and after all, we are humans and we are helpless at times.

Yet, Bible is a good guide on how we should live in God's way because it shows us how we can build a relationship with God, and this may involve standing for God at times, loving enemies, or overcome difficult challenges. Tonight's sermon highlighted the power of the Holy Spirit. We can't do anything for God's kingdom without the Holy Spirit. Stephen in Acts was full of the Holy Spirit before he was stoned. He was peaceful and saw Jesus sitting in the right hand of God.

I praise God and thank God for today, and that this kingdom be continually glorified. Amen!

You are in full view of the Lord

Proverbs 5:21

"For a man's ways are in full view of the Lord, and he examines all his paths."


箴 言 5:21

"因 為 人 所 行 的 道 、 都 在 耶 和 華 眼 前 ． 他 也 修 平 人 一 切 的 路 。"


the Lord knows too well of man's ways, but He gives us wisdom so we know God's ways is the way to go.

Path of the righteous

Proverbs 4:18

"The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining ever brighter till the full light of day."


箴 言 4:18

"但 義 人 的 路 好 像 黎 明 的 光 、 越 照 越 明 、 直 到 日 午 。"

Be blessed with wisdom

Proverbs 3:13-14

"Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gains understanding, for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold."


箴 言 3:13-14

"得 智 慧 、 得 聰 明 的 、 這 人 便 為 有 福 。 因 為 得 智 慧 勝 過 得 銀 子 、 其 利 益 強 如 精 金 ．"

Wisdom is the path of a rich life in God. Silver and gold are temporary things and they do not last forever. Proverbs 3:5-6 (which I posted mid last year) were 2 valuable verses to memorise. Trusting in the Lord and acknowledging Him will reap benefits by making your paths straight.

Lord gives wisdom

Proverbs 2:6-8

"For the Lord gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. He holds victory in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless, for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones."


箴 言 2:6-8

"因 為 耶 和 華 賜 人 智 慧 ． 知 識 和 聰 明 都 由 他 口 而 出 ． 他 給 正 直 人 存 留 真 智 慧 、 給 行 為 純 正 的 人 作 盾 牌 ． 為 要 保 守 公 平 人 的 路 、 護 庇 虔 敬 人 的 道 ．"


God's wisdom is so great because it guides us on how to walk in a righteous path. In order to do that, we need to acknowledge God is righteous and will help us in times of need, even at times when we don't think He is helping. Amen!

Fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge

Proverbs 1:7

"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline."


箴 言 1:7

"敬 畏 耶 和 華 是 知 識 的 開 端 ． 愚 妄 人 藐 視 智 慧 和 訓 誨 。"


I quite like this verse, which kind of relates to the verse introduced in Daily Hope - which is about keeping in step with the Spirit. In order to keep in step with the Spirit, we need to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit, which is a great challenge for us Christians.

Let 2012 be the beginning of knowledge and God is loving enough for us to start walking with Him when we are willing!

Put on the new self

Ephesians 4:22-24

"You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness."


以 弗 所 書 4:22-24

"就 要 脫 去 你 們 從 前 行 為 上 的 舊 人 ． 這 舊 人 是 因 私 慾 的 迷 惑 、 漸 漸 變 壞 的 ． 又 要 將 你 們 的 心 志 改 換 一 新 ． 並 且 穿 上 新 人 ． 這 新 人 是 照 著 神 的 形 像 造 的 、 有 真 理 的 仁 義 、 和 聖 潔 。"


Happy new year to all who are reading this as we begin 2012!

I really like these 3 verses, and it is a good reminder for all of us. We need to be used by God and in order to do that, we need to put on our new self, which is ideally resembling God's image.

What is the attitude of our minds right now? Thankful? Or dissatisfied about what God hasn't given you yet?

Have mercy

Luke 10:33-35

"But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper. 'Look after him,' he said, 'and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.' "


路 加 福 音 10:33-35

"惟 有 一 個 撒 瑪 利 亞 人 、 行 路 來 到 那 裡 ． 看 見 他 就 動 了 慈 心 、 上 前 用 油 和 酒 倒 在 他 的 傷 處 、 包 裹 好 了 、 扶 他 騎 上 自 己 的 牲 口 、 帶 到 店 裡 去 照 應 他 。第 二 天 拿 出 二 錢 銀 子 來 、 交 給 店 主 說 、 你 且 照 應 他 ． 此 外 所 費 用 的 、 我 回 來 必 還 你 。 "


This relates to quite an impacting event in mainland China earlier in the year. A child was accidentally knocked down by a truck. After this, there were over 10 passerbys ignoring and failing to do anything to help the child. The child eventually died in the hospital.

As a Christian, what should we do when we see one requires help from others? Have mercy on those who desperately needs help and do our part to spread God's love.

Birth of Jesus

Matthew 1:21

"She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins."


馬 太 福 音 1:21

"他 將 要 生 一 個 兒 子 ． 你 要 給 他 起 名 叫 耶 穌 ． 因 他 要 將 自 己 的 百 姓 從 罪 惡 裡 救 出 來 。"


The birth of Jesus marks the significance of God's salvation plan. He is to save us from our sins. If we are capable of saving ourselves from our sins, God doesn't need to send Jesus to this world to die for our sins.

The worldly view of Christmas doesn't mark the real meaning of why we celebrate Christmas. It's not because we get Christmas presents in Boxing Day. We celebrate Christmas because our saviour king Jesus was born more than 2000 years ago. It is not merely a public holiday for us to enjoy.

Perhaps, it is a good time to think once again for now and the future.

• What can we do to love God more?
  
• What can we do to love brothers and sisters more?
  
• What can we do to move our relationship with God towards an upper gear?
• What can we do to reach out more for the people who are still looking for Jesus?

I treasure 2011 as it had been full of blessing. Even little things like getting home safely from work everyday is a huge blessing! Yet we don't really think about it, especially if we had a bad day. Getting to church and have fellowship with brothers and sisters is another huge blessing that we often don't think about.

I do not recall clearly the reason why I started this blog in the first place. It was primarily for quiet time purposes but now I know it is much more than that. God's love is always around and I am not here to hide it from others. Spread the love! Jesus loves us all!

Take only ways that are firm

Proverbs 4:26-27

"Make level paths for your feet and take only ways that are firm. Do not swerve to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil."


箴 言 4:26-27

"要 修 平 你 腳 下 的 路 、 堅 定 你 一 切 的 道 。 不 可 偏 向 左 右 ． 要 使 你 的 腳 離 開 邪 惡 。"



The path is real, but the key is whether you believe this is the path God is taking you, whether you trust Him that He is taking you somewhere for your benefit, even if you may not like it.

2011 is coming close to an end. I thank God for so many things, like I shared during my prayer meeting yesterday. The things to be thankful for is not for boasting, but to give appreciation of how great is our God.

• I have a personal mentor coming into my life this year, and he has been always been a great source of support ever since he became my mentor. It is not easy to find a good mentor that can keep you in the loop in terms of guiding me the right path. Even though there are ups and downs, I thank God for having him in my life.

• I have started sponsoring a child in Compassion Australia. It is a great privilege to be given a job and have a source of income for this to happen. Taking this step had not been easy, but I am glad God guided me this step so I know there are so many children out there that needs help.

• Newtown mission inspires me to the full. I went a couple of times this year and I want to go back to it soon. Worthwhile experience and when you see people who are not as fortunate as you, you will start to thank God for His provisions.
  

• Thank God that I started this blog this year. I think I can keep this blog as a reflective tool but would also hope this is for the benefit of brothers and sisters so that they can constantly be mindful of God's word!
  

• And thank God for giving us a wintry morning even though it's the start of summer!
  

Lamp of the body

Luke 11:34

"Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eyes are good, your whole body also is full of light. But when they are bad, your body also is full of darkness."


路 加 福 音 11:34

"你 眼 睛 就 是 身 上 的 燈 、 你 的 眼 睛 若 瞭 亮 、 全 身 就 光 明 ． 眼 睛 若 昏 花 、 全 身 就 黑 暗 。"


Sorry I haven't updated this for a while. This verse was describing how we normally put a lamp after we light it. If it is put where it will be hidden, then we lose the purpose of that light. So we put in on the stand in order for us to see it.

It is a bit like after we become Christians. Do we show people we are Christians, or we would rather hide our identity?

Make disciples of all nations

Matthew 28:19-20

"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."


馬 太 福 音 28:19-20

"所 以 你 們 要 去 、 使 萬 民 作 我 的 門 徒 、 奉 父 、子 、聖 靈 的 名 給 他 們 施 洗 ．凡 我 所 吩 咐 你 們 的 、 都 教 訓 他 們 遵 守 、我 就 常 與 你 們 同 在 、 直 到 世 界 的 末 了 。"


This is a popular verse coming from Jesus. We may know or even remember this verse, but do we do what Jesus told us to do, that is, to make disciples of all nations?

Let us focus on not just the inside of the church, but also reaching out to people outside of church because essentially the people outside are the ones who need to hear God's Word.

Do not be burdened by a yoke of slavery

Galatians 5:1

"It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery."


加 拉 太 書 5:1

"基 督 釋 放 了 我 們 、 叫 我 們 得 以 自 由 、 所 以 要 站 立 得 穩 、 不 要 再 被 奴 僕 的 軛 挾 制 。"


Jesus wants us to have the new freedom like we never had before, that is how we know Christ. This new life marks the significance of ourselves of a changed perception of life and how we are living for God rather than for ourselves.

Peace with us all

John 14:27

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."


約 翰 福 音 14:27

"我 留 下 平 安 給 你 們 、 我 將 我 的 平 安 賜 給 你 們 ． 我 所 賜 的 、 不 像 世 人 所 賜 的 ． 你 們 心 裡 不 要 憂 愁 、 也 不 要 膽 怯 。"

Remember the Lord

Jonah 2:7

"When my life was ebbing away, I remembered you, Lord, and my prayer rose to you, to your holy temple."


約 拿 書 2:7

"我 心 在 我 裡 面 發 昏 的 時 候 、 我 就 想 念 耶 和 華 。 我 的 禱 告 進 入 你 的 聖 殿 、 達 到 你 的 面 前 。"


Do you remember the Lord when your life ebbs away?

During this year, I had been challenged by the Lord in different ways. I faced some difficult decisions and there were lots of frustrations and pain in the process. I felt I had been like Jonah, sometimes wanting to run away from the Lord, or complaining why certain things turn out that way. The book of Jonah is a great reminder for us that our God is sovereign and He is a God that wants to have a relationship with us.

The greatest in the kingdom of heaven

Matthew 18:3-4

"And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven."

馬 太 福 音 18:3-4

"說 、 我 實 在 告 訴 你 們 、 你 們 若 不 回 轉 、 變 成 小 孩 子 的 樣 式 、 斷 不 得 進 天 國 。 所 以 凡 自 己 謙 卑 像 這 小 孩 子 的 、 他 在 天 國 裡 就 是 最 大 的 。"


Can you remember when you were like a child? I remember that when I was really young, I was following my parents. However, when I got to know Jesus, I know there is a greater parent around me. He expects us to be like little children. Innocent. Humble. So that we can be the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

Believe Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God

John 20:30-31

"Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name."


約 翰 福 音 20:30-31

"耶 穌 在 門 徒 面 前 、 另 外 行 了 許 多 神 蹟 、 沒 有 記 在 這 書 上 。 但 記 這 些 事 、 要 叫 你 們 信 耶 穌 是 基 督 、 是 神 的 兒 子 ． 並 且 叫 你 們 信 了 他 、 就 可 以 因 他 的 名 得 生 命 。"

Blessed

Psalm 119:1-2

"Blessed are they whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the Lord.
Blessed are they who keep his statutes and seek him with all their heart."


詩 篇 119:1-2

"行 為 完 全 、 遵 行 耶 和 華 律 法 的 、 這 人 便 為 有 福 。 遵 守 他 的 法 度 、 一 心 尋 求 他 的 、 這 人 便 為 有 福 。"

Victory over temptation

1 Corinthians 10:13

"No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it."


哥 林 多 前 書 10:13

"你 們 所 遇 見 的 試 探 、 無 非 是 人 所 能 受 的 、 神 是 信 實 的 、 必 不 叫 你 們 受 試 探 過 於 所 能 受 的 ． 在 受 試 探 的 時 候 、 總 要 給 你 們 開 一 條 出 路 、 叫 你 們 能 忍 受 得 住 。"

Solid food is for the mature

Hebrews 5:13-14

"Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil."


希 伯 來 書 5:13-14

"凡 只 能 吃 奶 的 、 都 不 熟 練 仁 義 的 道 理 ． 因 為 他 是 嬰 孩 。 惟 獨 長 大 成 人 的 、 纔 能 吃 乾 糧 、 他 們 的 心 竅 、 習 練 得 通 達 、 就 能 分 辨 好 歹 了 。"


An interesting point coming from the combined church service on Sunday. The point made was whether long and mature Christians tend to be more or less passionate about God's kingdom. Things may become routine and it almost seems one is heading in the right direction.

I think no matter in what stage of our lives, we are challenged in some way. God wants us to be passionate about Him and it never ceases to amaze me that at this stage of my life, God is challenging me to trust in Him when I am so powerless and things can get so out of my control. God wants us to have solid food and stay away from milk so we are equipped.