Loneliness has been termed the most desolate word in the English language. It is no respecter of age, race, economic status, or intelligence. Albert Einstein said, "It is strange to be known so universally, and yet to be so lonely."
Loneliness, like the flu, is contagious, US research shows. It can spread among groups of people and women are more likely than men to become "infected", according to researchers at the University of Chicago, the University of California-San Diego and Harvard.
Lonely people tend to transmit their sad feelings to those around them, which eventually led to them being isolated from society. They became less trustful of others, and a cycle develops that makes it harder for them to form friendships.
Loneliness is associated with mental and physical diseases that can shorten life, said psychologist, John Cacioppo, a leading US expert on loneliness.
What circumstances make you feel helpless or hopelesstoday ? Poor health, broken relationship, a family member in great need ? In Jesus Christ, God has pierced the dark winter of our world in a daring rescue through His redeeming love. He is therefore able to reach us and calm our fears in the most desperate circumstances.
If you feel unloved, don't run from your pain or try to get love through wrong means. instead, devote yourself to knowing God and loving Him. Allow Him to meet your deepest needs. Then give Him all the praise !
God made us for intimacy and companionship with others. Even before sin entered the world, He declared that it is not good for man to be alone (Genesis 2 : 18). That's why many people often feel so empty inside.
Those who know Jesus are never alone.
THOUGH PEOPLE MAY NOT LOVE YOU. GOD WILL NEVER LEAVE YOU
GOD'S HELP IS ONLY A PRAYER AWAY
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Out of the mouth....
We may think that we're godly people because we go to church regularly or pray, but then we gossip or talk about people behind their backs. James 3 : 9-10 says, "With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be."
The book of James gives us three practical exhortations to deal with life's stressful situations : "Be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath" (James 1 : 19). In life's stresses, let's be "doers of the Word" (v22), and take the time to listen and show restraint with our words and anger today.
Matthew 15 : 18 But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these make a man 'unclean.'
Ephesians 4:29 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.
The book of James gives us three practical exhortations to deal with life's stressful situations : "Be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath" (James 1 : 19). In life's stresses, let's be "doers of the Word" (v22), and take the time to listen and show restraint with our words and anger today.
Matthew 15 : 18 But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these make a man 'unclean.'
Ephesians 4:29 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.
Friday, November 20, 2009
More Girls under 14 having sex
IT IS a sign of the times - More girls aged below 14 are having sex - report The Straits Times newspaper of Singapore.
One in three female secondary school students who took part in a Universiti Malaya study a decade ago admitted they were sexually active.
"If that was a decade ago, imagine what it would be like today" child psychology researcher Datuk Dr Chiam Heng Keng told the New Sunday Times at the Sarawak Women's Bureau seminar on "Training our Children on Personel Safety".
She said the study found that some had sex for pleasure, but most prostituted themselves for the money to buy expensive goods. It gives them [the girls] the feeling 'I'm very cool because my friends are doing it' and it must be right because everyone is doing it.
Sex has a part to play in everybody's life, but let us not be obsessed by it. Let us weave sex intelligently into our family lives. Let us understand our emotions, let us try and control our sexual urges until we are ready to meet the responsibilities which go with them. Sexual laxity is nothing to be proud of, and, furthermore, is associated with certain risks, among which pregnancy and venereal infection rank foremost.
According to Datuk Dr Nor Ashikin Mokhtar, a senior consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist, because of engaging in sex with multiple partners early in life, more women [in their 30s] are diagnosed with cervical cancer.
We are to practice and pursue sexual relations in holiness and honour (each one of you [is to]) know how to control his own body as recorded in 1 Thessalonians 4:4.
1 Corinthians 10:31 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
God's Promises
It is better to go to a house of mourning than to go to a house of feasting, for death is the destiny of every man; the living should take this to heart - Ecclesiastes 7 : 2
My late father, attended the wake service of my aunt years ago, and were ministered and touched by the peacefulness of the situation. He was also encouraged by the love and care extended by the church.
About two years ago on 22 November 2007, while going through pain due to gangrene of his toes, he accepted Jesus as his personal Lord and Saviour at Lam Wah Ee Hospital. Dad's reason for wanting to be a Christian is because he wanted a Christian funeral and wake service - they are peaceful. He feels the comfort, assurance and goodness of Jesus the Comforter.
The Lord Jesus revealed to us signs that dad's time is up. At about 4-30 pm, he vomitted and passed motion, the family cleaned and changed him. Suddenly, his facial countenance changed from a wrinkled and haggard face to one that was radiant and shinning. A few minutes later staring blankly into space, he asked the question "where are you taking me ?" thereafter he dozed off. Those were the last audible words he said. Then at about 7-30 pm, while taking our dinner, we [my sister (pre believer), daughter and myself] heard joyous songs of praise coming from the back door.
My late father, attended the wake service of my aunt years ago, and were ministered and touched by the peacefulness of the situation. He was also encouraged by the love and care extended by the church.
About two years ago on 22 November 2007, while going through pain due to gangrene of his toes, he accepted Jesus as his personal Lord and Saviour at Lam Wah Ee Hospital. Dad's reason for wanting to be a Christian is because he wanted a Christian funeral and wake service - they are peaceful. He feels the comfort, assurance and goodness of Jesus the Comforter.
The Lord Jesus revealed to us signs that dad's time is up. At about 4-30 pm, he vomitted and passed motion, the family cleaned and changed him. Suddenly, his facial countenance changed from a wrinkled and haggard face to one that was radiant and shinning. A few minutes later staring blankly into space, he asked the question "where are you taking me ?" thereafter he dozed off. Those were the last audible words he said. Then at about 7-30 pm, while taking our dinner, we [my sister (pre believer), daughter and myself] heard joyous songs of praise coming from the back door.
The Lord took dad home at about 9-30 pm peacefully in his sleep. Church friends came and went. After settling the necesarry funeral arrangement, when we finally sat down, it was about 3-00 am in the morning. It suddenly dawned on the family that the Lord was preparing us for dad's passing; through the changed facial countenance [the glory of God came upon him], the question, "where are you taking me ?' [he saw the Lord Jesus] and the joyous songs of praise [angelic hosts singing] we heard.
What a wonderful God we have. We believed that Jesus and His angels came to welcome dad home. Surely it must have been a wonderful glorious sight to behold.
Thank you Jesus, and all glory be unto You.
After the funeral, my sister-in-law and brother-in-law requested/inquired about the Christian songs sung during the past few days. I strongly believed that the Holy Spirit is planting the seed of salvation into their heart.
Once again, all glory to God for His promise in Acts 16 : 31 - They replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household."
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Saying Goodbye
This life is but the childhood of our immortality.
Dad compained of pain on his left leg on 19 October 2009 but resist to visit the doctor. After persuading him for a few days and the pain persisted, we managed to take him to visit a nephrologist on 24 October. On 6 November 2009 at 9-30 pm the Lord graciously took him home peacefully. He departed as his heart desire, without any pain or groaning, without causing any hardship to the loved one.
Weeping for our loss is good, but we need not weep like those who have no hope. Instead, we must rely on three certainties of death said Albert Lee of Our Daily Bread.
First, the soul does not die. The soul of the departed believers are with the Lord. (1 Thessalonians 4:14) We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. They have retired from this problematic world, and they "sleep in Jesus".
Second, Jesus will come for every believer. Whether a Christian is alive on earth or asleep in death, Jesus will return for all His children. (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17) For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.
Third, there will be a joyous reunion. (1 Thessalonians 4:17) After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.
BECAUSE CHRIST LIVES, DEATH IS NOT TRAGEDY BUT TRIUMPH
Dad compained of pain on his left leg on 19 October 2009 but resist to visit the doctor. After persuading him for a few days and the pain persisted, we managed to take him to visit a nephrologist on 24 October. On 6 November 2009 at 9-30 pm the Lord graciously took him home peacefully. He departed as his heart desire, without any pain or groaning, without causing any hardship to the loved one.
Weeping for our loss is good, but we need not weep like those who have no hope. Instead, we must rely on three certainties of death said Albert Lee of Our Daily Bread.
First, the soul does not die. The soul of the departed believers are with the Lord. (1 Thessalonians 4:14) We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. They have retired from this problematic world, and they "sleep in Jesus".
Second, Jesus will come for every believer. Whether a Christian is alive on earth or asleep in death, Jesus will return for all His children. (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17) For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.
Third, there will be a joyous reunion. (1 Thessalonians 4:17) After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.
BECAUSE CHRIST LIVES, DEATH IS NOT TRAGEDY BUT TRIUMPH
Friday, November 6, 2009
Sinless Anger
"In your anger do not sin": Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry - Ephesians 4:26
What others say and do may arouse our anger and in some cases could make us angry. But we must be careful we don't overreact and lose control. Paul reminded us that "though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. [2 Corinthians 10 : 3-4]
Anger can be bad for our health. Doctors have estimated that 60% of all diseases are caused by emotional stress. Anger causes our glands to release toxins into our bloodstream. Our anger can cause us to suffer high blood presure, ulcers, strokes and scores of other killer diseases.
Should Christians ever become angry ? Certainly! But we should never allow our anger to erupt in a sinful response. Angry words are contagious, we should not spread them!
Proverbs 15:1 A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
Proverbs 14:17 A quick-tempered man does foolish things, and a crafty man is hated.
What others say and do may arouse our anger and in some cases could make us angry. But we must be careful we don't overreact and lose control. Paul reminded us that "though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. [2 Corinthians 10 : 3-4]
Anger can be bad for our health. Doctors have estimated that 60% of all diseases are caused by emotional stress. Anger causes our glands to release toxins into our bloodstream. Our anger can cause us to suffer high blood presure, ulcers, strokes and scores of other killer diseases.
Should Christians ever become angry ? Certainly! But we should never allow our anger to erupt in a sinful response. Angry words are contagious, we should not spread them!
Proverbs 15:1 A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
Proverbs 14:17 A quick-tempered man does foolish things, and a crafty man is hated.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Blessings and Curses
Caramba! A new survey says Mexican adults curse an average of 20 times a day, serving up about 1.3 billion swear words daily.
Some people are inclined to think that blessings are real but not curses. That is illogical. For any pair of opposites that we care to think of, if one is real, the other must be real. Take the following examples: day and night, heat and cold, good and evil, and strong and weak. We cannot simply focus on one and ignore the other. So it is with blessings and curses; blessings are real and curses are real.
The words "bless" or "blessing" occur in the Bible about 430 times. The word "curse," in various forms, occurs about 160 times. Blessing and curses essentially take the form of words. They may be spoken, written or merely uttered inwardly. These words are not just ordinary words but are vessels of supernatural power. Blessing produce good effects and curses produce evil effects. Blessing proceed from God or men representing God likewise, curses are proceed from Satan or men representing him, as Satan cannot bless anyone but only curses.
A very important point to remember is : once released, both blessings and curses tend to continue on through time until they are revoked. Genesis 12:3 recorded "I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you."
Some people are inclined to think that blessings are real but not curses. That is illogical. For any pair of opposites that we care to think of, if one is real, the other must be real. Take the following examples: day and night, heat and cold, good and evil, and strong and weak. We cannot simply focus on one and ignore the other. So it is with blessings and curses; blessings are real and curses are real.
The words "bless" or "blessing" occur in the Bible about 430 times. The word "curse," in various forms, occurs about 160 times. Blessing and curses essentially take the form of words. They may be spoken, written or merely uttered inwardly. These words are not just ordinary words but are vessels of supernatural power. Blessing produce good effects and curses produce evil effects. Blessing proceed from God or men representing God likewise, curses are proceed from Satan or men representing him, as Satan cannot bless anyone but only curses.
A very important point to remember is : once released, both blessings and curses tend to continue on through time until they are revoked. Genesis 12:3 recorded "I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you."
James 3 : 9-10 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be.
[Extracted from 'From Curse To Blessing by Derek Prince]
So let the words of our mouth be a blessing and an encouragement to others daily.
Friday, October 30, 2009
"Karoshi"
A store manager with hamburger chain McDonald's in Yokohama, Japan who died of a brain haemorrhage was a victim of karoshi or death by overwork. The woman had done more than 80 hours of overtime on average per month for the six months before she collapsed in October 2007 during a training programme at a different store. She died in hospital three days later, said an official at the Kanagawa Labour Bureau. [The Star dated 29-10-2009]
Much of our living is spent acquiring and using money, which doesn't last. The temporary nature of material wealth makes it a poor bargain in the search for security in an insecure world. The Bible does not say it's wrong to have money or the things that money can buy. Where we lose our way is when money becomes the driving purpose of our lives. Like the rich man and his barns [Luke 12 : 13-21], we end up pursuing the accumulation of things that eventually will be forfeited - if not in life, then certainly at death.
Do not wear yourself out to get rich; have the wisdom to show restraint. Proverbs 23:4
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Joyful living
The New Testament gives us many reasons to rejoice. Jesus said, "Rejoice because your names are written in heaven" [Luke 10:20]
The apostle Peter spoke of the reasons believers can "rejoice with joy inexpressible" 1Peter 1:8. We're not asked to pretend that problems don't exists but to rejoice even in the midst of them.
In Romans, we see the contrast between the two kinds of existence possible in this life. In Romans 1 : 18-32, we read about the sad, frightening life of those who refuse to live for God. It's a life full of trouble and turmoil. But in Romans 5: 1-11, we see what happens when a person trusts Christ. "We have peace," it says. "We rejoice," we're told. And we have hope, love, and salvation. What a contrast!
Let's remember that " ... the joy of the LORD is your strength." [Nehemiah 8:10]
Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
Happiness is something you choose.
If you know Jesus, you always have reasons to rejoice.
The apostle Peter spoke of the reasons believers can "rejoice with joy inexpressible" 1Peter 1:8. We're not asked to pretend that problems don't exists but to rejoice even in the midst of them.
In Romans, we see the contrast between the two kinds of existence possible in this life. In Romans 1 : 18-32, we read about the sad, frightening life of those who refuse to live for God. It's a life full of trouble and turmoil. But in Romans 5: 1-11, we see what happens when a person trusts Christ. "We have peace," it says. "We rejoice," we're told. And we have hope, love, and salvation. What a contrast!
Let's remember that " ... the joy of the LORD is your strength." [Nehemiah 8:10]
Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
Happiness is something you choose.
If you know Jesus, you always have reasons to rejoice.
Monday, October 26, 2009
The miracle of marriage
Adam said: "This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; ....(Genesis 2:23)
Pastor Howard Sugden said that marriage is the real miracle and not wedding. Anyone can have a wedding, but only God can create a marriage. A miracle is needed to hold two people together. The union of marriage is so strong that we become "one flesh". God wants marriage to be the way it was when He first created Eve from Adam (Genesis 2 : 21-24). To pledge your life to another is indeed an act of faith that requires belief in miracles.
In Ephesians 5 :22-23, Paul asked husbands and wives to turn their thoughts to their relationship with the Son of God. In Him we find Someone who loves to forget the worst and bring out the best. He reminds us not of what we've lost but of what we have yet to find.
Having deep faith in God, lifelong commitment, loyalty, and self-denying love are the dominant themes of a successful marriage.
Nancy Anderson author of 'Avoiding The Greener Grass Syndrome' offers six action to build "hedges" to protect and make a good marriage :
HEAR - give a listening ear to your spouse.
ENCOURAGE - build up your spouse by focusing on positive qualities.
DATE - celebrate your marriage by playing and laughing together.
GUARD - establish safeguard by setting clear boundaries.
EDUCATE - study your mate to truly understand him or her.
SATISFY - meet each other's need.
1 Peter 3:7 Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.
A happy marriage is a union of two good forgivers.
MARRIAGES MAY BE MADE IN HEAVEN, BUT THEY HAVE TO BE WORKED OUT ON EARTH
SUCCESS IN MARRIAGE IS NOT FINDING THE RIGHT PERSON BUT BECOMING THE RIGHT PERSON
Pastor Howard Sugden said that marriage is the real miracle and not wedding. Anyone can have a wedding, but only God can create a marriage. A miracle is needed to hold two people together. The union of marriage is so strong that we become "one flesh". God wants marriage to be the way it was when He first created Eve from Adam (Genesis 2 : 21-24). To pledge your life to another is indeed an act of faith that requires belief in miracles.
In Ephesians 5 :22-23, Paul asked husbands and wives to turn their thoughts to their relationship with the Son of God. In Him we find Someone who loves to forget the worst and bring out the best. He reminds us not of what we've lost but of what we have yet to find.
Having deep faith in God, lifelong commitment, loyalty, and self-denying love are the dominant themes of a successful marriage.
Nancy Anderson author of 'Avoiding The Greener Grass Syndrome' offers six action to build "hedges" to protect and make a good marriage :
HEAR - give a listening ear to your spouse.
ENCOURAGE - build up your spouse by focusing on positive qualities.
DATE - celebrate your marriage by playing and laughing together.
GUARD - establish safeguard by setting clear boundaries.
EDUCATE - study your mate to truly understand him or her.
SATISFY - meet each other's need.
1 Peter 3:7 Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.
A happy marriage is a union of two good forgivers.
MARRIAGES MAY BE MADE IN HEAVEN, BUT THEY HAVE TO BE WORKED OUT ON EARTH
SUCCESS IN MARRIAGE IS NOT FINDING THE RIGHT PERSON BUT BECOMING THE RIGHT PERSON
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