Be ye holy....

Lazy people pursuit pleasure without responsibility. As such few people today seem the least bit concerned that before their actual holy matrimony, have been living together off and on since their courting days.
We must therefore always try to take step to set ourself apart from the world as Romans 12:1-2 said.. Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Given a choice, many of us are a little afraid of spiritual checkups. After all, if we check our spirit too closely, we might have to change a habit or two.
Proverbs 4:20-27 reminds us of the areas that we need to examine :-

Ears [v20] - Are we hearing God's Word clearly and with understanding? Are we doing what those words tell us?

Eyes [vv21,25] - Are we keeping our eyes on the teaching that will guide us toward righteousness?

Heart [v23] - Are we protecting our heart from evil?

Tongue [v24] - Is our mouth clean and pure?

Feet [v26] - Are we walking straight toward God's truth without wavering?

[Extract from Our Daily Bread]

Colossians 3:2 reminded us "Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things."

1 Peter 2:9 said "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light."

Greatest privilege

The greatest privilege of our Christian life is to live in the center of God's Will.

Romans 12:2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Whatever and however man does, God's plan is never crippled or stopped because God is sovereign - He overrules and He reigns.

An adaptable or flexible spirit is essential to fulfill the will of God. - Watchman Nee

CONTENTMENT COMES WHEN WE WANT GOD'S WILL MORE THAN OUR OWN WAY.

Let Him Have His Way with Thee
Would you live for Jesus, and be always pure and good?
Would you walk with Him within the narrow road?
Would you have Him bear your burden, carry all your load?
Let Him have His way with thee.
Refrain:
His pow’r can make you what you ought to be;
His blood can cleanse your heart and make you free;
His love can fill your soul, and you will see
Twas best for Him to have His way with thee.

Would you have Him make you free, and follow at His call?
Would you know the peace that comes by giving all?
Would you have Him save you, so that you can never fall?
Let Him have His way with thee.
Would you in His kingdom find a place of constant rest?
Would you prove Him true in providential test?
Would you in His service labor always at your best?
Let Him have His way with thee.

Sources:The Cyber Hymnal (http://www.hymntime.com/tch/htm/h/i/hiswaywt.htm)

"Li Zai Nyia Lang Eh Sim"

Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart. 1 Samuel 16:7

祢知道人的心

You know men's heart

Li zai nyia lang eh sim

祢知是假是真

You know if it's genuine or fake

Li zai shi kae shi chin

来到祢面前不必做戏

It's needless to act before you

Lai kao Li bin cheng mian choe hee

来到祢面前做回自己

I can only be myself before you

Lai kao Li bin cheng choe th’ng ka kee

给我心会清洁 灵也正直

Give me a pure heart, a right spirit

Hor gua sim eh cheng khee ling eh chia tit

外面和里面 全会真实

Outward and inwardly, to be true

Gua kao ka lai bin long eh chea sit

做每个事情 真是为祢

To do everything, as unto You

Choe mui eh tai chi chin sit ooi Li

不是为别人 为自己

Not unto others, nor myself

Ng shi ooi pak lang ooi ka kee

真是为着叫祢叫祢欢喜

It's only unto You, to please You

Chin shi ooi tiok kheo Li kheo Li hua hee

别人看不到的

What escapes the sight of men

Pak lang khua beh tiok eh

祢全知道

Are all in Your knowledge

Li long zai nyia

骗得过别人

I can deceive the world

Pian eh kueh pak lang

也骗得过自己

As well as myself

Ye pian eh kueh ka kee

我骗不过祢

I cannot hide it from You

Wo pian beh kueh Li [A song by Pas. Lim Gee Tiong]

1 Chronicles 28:9 “And you, my son Solomon, acknowledge the God of your father, and serve him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches every heart and understands every desire and every thought. If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will reject you forever.

This is true whether the heart is pure or if it is a corrupt heart robed in false claims of innocence. We may fool others who see us only on the outside, but God sees the reality of our hearts - whether good or bad.

It is wise, therefore, to humbly confess our faults to the Lord. He desires that we admit the truth (Psalm 51:6). The only way to escape the sin and restore our fellowship with God is to acknowledge and confess it to Him (vv 3-4)

WE MAY SUCCESSFULLY FOOL OTHERS, BUT GOD KNOWS OUR HEARTS.

F.A.I.T.H.

When affliction strikes us, how do we react? Are we embittered, or do we trustfully appropriate God's sustaining grace? 2 Corinthians 12:9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.

I was reminded of this verse when a young believer and his family encountered trials and challenges in their walk with the Lord. I was wondering how I might lift their spirit and encourage them to cling to God's promise of 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.

Faith in Christ is not about safety and caution But about believing Jesus and trusting Him no matter what. It's about taking up a daily cross [Luke 9:23] and living for the Saviour. - Dave Branon