The Providence or The Provider ?

Many of us find our joy and satisfaction in the things that we possess.  These can be things like money, material possessions, position, or influence.  However, if we do not learn to use these things according to God's will, they can hinder us instead of helping us.

Do I love and trust Him just because of what He does for me?  What about when the blessings disappear?

Job 2:10 [NIV]  He replied, “You are talking like a foolish woman.  Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?”    In all this, Job did not sin in what he said.

Job had to answer these questions when catastrophes claimed his children and demolished his entire estate.  His wife advised him: "Curse God and die!" [Job 2:9](NIV).  Instead, Job asked, "Shall we indeed accept good from God, and shall we not accept adversity?" [Job 2:10](NASB).  Yes, Job struggled after his tragedy - he became angry with his friends and questioned the Almighty.  Still, he vowed, "Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him" [Job 13:15](KJV).

Job's affection for his heavenly Father didn't depend on a tidy solution to his problems.  Rather, he loved and trusted God because of all that He is.   Job said, "God is wise in heart and mighty in strength" [Job 9:4](NASB).

The reasons why God blesses our lives with physical prosperity is so that we might be generous and give away what we have to others who are in needs. 

Our love for God must not be based solely on His blessing but because of who He is.

[Our Daily Bread : Jennifer B Schuldt 24/06/2011]

FOCUSING ON THE CHARACTER OF GOD HELPS US TO TAKE OUR EYES OFF OUR CIRCUMSTANCES

Cool Mind, Fiery Heart

When we only emphasize Scripture, it often does not lead to heart  change.  And if there is no change in the heart, it becomes nothing more than head knowledge.  In fact, this head knowledge often leads to wrong doctrine, and we end up with our own misguided ideas of faith.  It then causes us to be unable to discern right from the wrong or show grace to the people around us.  Believers like these are filled with Bible knowledge but have hearts of stone, and eventually will lose their sense of humanity.  They will eventually become a stumbling block to their neighbors.

What happens, then, if we only emphasize the Holy Spirit?  The Holy Spirit sets the believer's heart on fire and enables us to pray passionately.  This passion is a driving force.  However, a driving force without direction is futile.  There is a danger in overemphasizing spiritual gifts as evidence of faith.  Even if we have spiritual gifts, if we do not learn to interpret the purpose of those gifts through the lens of Scripture, they will only cause us to become prideful.  Such believers become slaves to mysticism and slowly lose sense of reality.

Therefore, disciples need to have level-headed intellect and a fiery and passionate heart.  It is only then that we will be able to worship in Spirit and in Truth.

[Extracted from LIVING Life July 2013 Page 139] 

Perseverance

Perseverance is tough, but if we do not persevere today, we will not be prepare to be used tomorrow.  As we persevere through times of suffering, we will be refined to be used by Him.  The victories in life are the fruits of persistence and perseverance.  As we persevere, we will be equipped to be used by God.

What better way to start off a new year than to persevere and continue our daily walk in Christ and trusting Him.  Let the Word of God be a lamp to our feet and the light to our path daily.

(Psalm 119:105)

Power of giving

The year-end holidays are here again.  It's the time of the year when malls are lighted up and trees decorated.  Yes, Christmas is around the corner and with it, comes the tradition of gift-giving.

How many of us believe that the more you give, the more you will get in return? Or it is more blessed to give than to receive? (Acts 20:35b)

I was reminded of an incident many years back (in the year 2006).  My wife was touched to bless a person a sum of money, and asked me to pass the love gift to that person.  At that time, our bank balance was running low, but with obedience faith we submit to this prompting.

A few days later, we happen to meet up with my cousin from out-station and she pass me an envelope, saying that the Lord wanted her to bless me with this gift.  The gift was ten times the amount we blessed that person.  God is good and gracious.

Helping others is not only good for them and a good thing to do, it also makes us happier and healthier too.  Giving also connects us to others, creating stronger communities and helping to build a happier society for everyone.  And it is not all about money - we can also give out time, ideas, talents and energy.  So if you want to feel good, do good!

The glory of life is to love, not to be loved; to give, not to get; to serve, not to be served.

Giving offers us a way to express our confidence that God will care for us just as He cares for the sparrow and lily (Matthews 6:25-34)

Xmas gift

1st Xmas Gift-2Dec13
Potato Chip/SpringRoll/FlourCake/LoveLetter

It's Christmas again!  For some it's a time of celebration, for others, it's a time of holidays.

But as for me, I believe it's a time of thanksgiving and gratefulness.

Christmas is the celebration of the coming of Christ and His redemption.

Xmas Gift from Australia
8Dec13

Xmas Gift on 15Dec13

Xmas Gift from Australia
15Dec13

Special Dinner on Bird'Day

Birthday's are normally celebrated by a party with numerous gifts, but this year, it is something different and unique.  It is special because it was well spent with some closed friends over a simple meal of 'ang chow' noodle and XL ham sandwich.  It was a simple, quiet, and meaningful affair. 

'Ang Chow' Noodle

Ham Sandwich

Birthdays are a good reminder of what God has given us and a time to count the blessing God showered upon one's life.  

Jack fruits and rock melons were our desserts for the night.

Jack fruits

Rock Melon

Rice Crunch

"Kum Chien Kor'

Look at the fruit below.  Before this I had never seen a fruit like it.  I was told it is being sold at the market for RM9.00 a kilo and its name in Cantonese was Kum Chien Kor or Golden Fruit or Cash Fruit.

A church sister blessed us with this fruit from her brother's orchard in Air Itam, Penang.

 

'Koay Kak' dinner with Chuah SC on 26-11-13

Nobody is happy all of the time, but some people are definitely more fulfilled than others. Happiness is not material goods or high achievement, but it boils down to our outlook in life and the quality of our relationships with the people around us.

We were blessed as we were invited to a dinner of "Char Koay Kak'.  It was special because it was specially fried by Mr Chuah, a retired hawker, previously selling fried 'Koay Kak' at Cecil Street Wet Market .

God is good and we have a wonderful time of sharing and fellowshipping.

Mission to Kunming-Lijiang, China [October-November 2013]

All glory to Jesus for the successful trip to Kunming-Lijiang from 30 October to 20 November 2013.

The team of 5 left Penang for Kunming for 10 days before continuing to Lijiang after a member left for Penang due to work commitment.

The faithfulness of God and His love has allowed the team to be there for 22 days.

The team taught in two Bible Schools and visited a mental hospital beside providing numerous counselling sessions to the young Christians in Kunming and Lijiang towns.

They also visited a shelter home for former prostitutes and single mothers to encourage and taught them the foundational truth of Christian living.

Thanking God and the Holy Spirit for the graces and anointing to accomplish His work in China.

Mental Hospital

Village gathering

Affliction as trees need winter

Paul reminds us that despite all the sufferings a believer will face, God has a divine purpose for it, and the ultimate design for suffering is that the one who suffers would find hope in God.  In God's plan, suffering is not wasted, because it leads to perseverance, which develops character, and character brings about hope.
Of all the things we could say about afflictions or trials - that they are disappointing, discouraging, humiliating, uncomfortable, painful, and disheartening - God see them, among other reasons, as tests that reveal our true selves.  Affliction will also reveals our growth process in terms of our conformity to the image and character of Christ.  God uses life's pressure to bring out the sweetness of Christlike character in us.

Romans  5:3-5  Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope:  And hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.


Pain makes us Think,  Thinking makes us Wise,  Wisdom makes Life Profitable.

We need affliction as trees need winter - that we may collect sap and nourishment for future blossom and fruits.