Have you ever wondered what God calls you to do? What if God calls you to be involved in a full time ministry? Submission to HIS calling is not an easy one especially when it involves full time ministry.
Imagine for a moment that you have been living at the top, maybe you are at the top of your career, maybe you are earning a very good or high income, maybe you have abundant life (material wise), maybe your business is doing very well and expanding and so on. Or maybe you don't have anything, maybe you are not doing well with your career, maybe you are not doing well with your life, maybe your business is going downhill and so on.
At the end of the day, the question is still the same regardless your circumstances, how will you respond to HIS calling when HE wants you to be involved in a full time ministry? Will you submit?
You know when God calls you to be involved in a full time ministry, I believe it is a privilege but this is also where the test of faith begins. Why? Because it is in this time that you will need to leave behind all your 'self' ambitions and it is in this time that you will start learning more and more everyday to trust HIM and focus in HIS work and this is the journey of faith.
Can you bargain with HIS calling? Perhaps you can, you have what so called 'free will' anyway. But perhaps the question is not so much whether you can or cannot, but perhaps it is about submission to HIS call.
Once God puts the call into your heart, you may reject that call or you may submit to the call. You may continue to pursue your 'self' ambitions but ironically that call will never go away and HE is waiting patiently for you to accept HIS call. However, if at the end you reject that call, will HIS work or plan stop? Certainly NOT. There will be another person who will submit to the call.
At the end of the day, you may wonder in the midst of all the 'worldly' things that you gain by asking the question, have I wasted the gift that God has entrusted me? The gift that is so precious that not everyone been given that privilege. Have I stayed true to HIS calling?
Yes, the battle within (spiritual battle) will no doubt take place, who will win at the end? I leave that to you to answer. It is between you and God.
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Friday, April 03, 2009
Prayer 1
O LORD, my God
Capture my heart and my mind in this noisy world
For often I am distracted not knowing life's direction
that You have called me
O LORD, my God
Hear my cry
Take me into Your refuge
For I am afraid, life is tough and difficult
O LORD, my God
Into Your hands I commit my spirit
For You are my faithful God
Wait for the LORD
Be strong and take courage
For HE will never forsake you
Capture my heart and my mind in this noisy world
For often I am distracted not knowing life's direction
that You have called me
O LORD, my God
Hear my cry
Take me into Your refuge
For I am afraid, life is tough and difficult
O LORD, my God
Into Your hands I commit my spirit
For You are my faithful God
Wait for the LORD
Be strong and take courage
For HE will never forsake you
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Psalm 4
A psalm of David
v1
Answer me when I call to You, my righteous God.
Give me relief from my distress;
have mercy on me and hear my prayer.
v2
How long will you men turn My glory into shame?
How long will you love delusions and seek false gods?
v3
Know that the LORD has set apart His faithful servant for Himself;
the LORD hears when I call to Him.
v4
Tremble and do not sin;
when you are on your beds,
search your hearts and be silent.
v5
Offer the sacrifices of the righteous
and trust in the LORD.
v6
Many, LORD, are asking, "Who will bring us prosperity?"
Let the light of Your face shine on us.
v7
Fill my heart with joy when their grain and new wine abound.
v8
In peace I will lie down and sleep,
for You alone, LORD,
make me dwell in safety.
Amen
v1
Answer me when I call to You, my righteous God.
Give me relief from my distress;
have mercy on me and hear my prayer.
v2
How long will you men turn My glory into shame?
How long will you love delusions and seek false gods?
v3
Know that the LORD has set apart His faithful servant for Himself;
the LORD hears when I call to Him.
v4
Tremble and do not sin;
when you are on your beds,
search your hearts and be silent.
v5
Offer the sacrifices of the righteous
and trust in the LORD.
v6
Many, LORD, are asking, "Who will bring us prosperity?"
Let the light of Your face shine on us.
v7
Fill my heart with joy when their grain and new wine abound.
v8
In peace I will lie down and sleep,
for You alone, LORD,
make me dwell in safety.
Amen
Thursday, November 08, 2007
A Good Heart
Last night, me and my son were looking at the pictures of houses in the local newspaper. Along the way, my son was so excited, he said to me 'Dad, I will help you circle the houses that are good', I wanted to laugh seeing his enthusiasm and indeed he started to circle the houses. And the way he did it was like an adult, he would read how many bedrooms, toilets, showers, study room and garage in each house. In his excitement, he asked me, 'Dad, is this a good house?' Then, I gave my opinion to him.
After looking at several houses, he would then started to ask me about the prices of the houses, well, he is only six years old and he is not able to read those prices with so many zeros behind the number yet. I tried to explain to him and said that those houses were expensive.
Then, he asked me 'Dad, how much money do we have in the bank?' I said not enough to buy those houses. Surprisingly to me, he said, 'Dad, I will give you my money from my piggy bank so that you can buy the house.' I paused for a moment, thinking how generous he is, and how good his thought is. I smiled and said to him, it still wouldn't be enough, but he insisted. He took the money out from his piggy bank and gave it to me, and he asked me to count it to check if it was enough. I smiled and asked him to keep his money, but somehow he was persistence and really wanted to help me.
In my heart, I didn't know what to say seeing how good his heart is, wanting to help his parents. In fact, I cried in silence not because I was sad, but because I was full of joy and thankfulness to God for giving me this precious gift, a son with a good heart, what a blessing.
A heart that full of goodness that comes from the Lord, it is my hope and prayer everyday.
Thank you my son for teaching daddy a very good lesson in life.
After looking at several houses, he would then started to ask me about the prices of the houses, well, he is only six years old and he is not able to read those prices with so many zeros behind the number yet. I tried to explain to him and said that those houses were expensive.
Then, he asked me 'Dad, how much money do we have in the bank?' I said not enough to buy those houses. Surprisingly to me, he said, 'Dad, I will give you my money from my piggy bank so that you can buy the house.' I paused for a moment, thinking how generous he is, and how good his thought is. I smiled and said to him, it still wouldn't be enough, but he insisted. He took the money out from his piggy bank and gave it to me, and he asked me to count it to check if it was enough. I smiled and asked him to keep his money, but somehow he was persistence and really wanted to help me.
In my heart, I didn't know what to say seeing how good his heart is, wanting to help his parents. In fact, I cried in silence not because I was sad, but because I was full of joy and thankfulness to God for giving me this precious gift, a son with a good heart, what a blessing.
A heart that full of goodness that comes from the Lord, it is my hope and prayer everyday.
Thank you my son for teaching daddy a very good lesson in life.
Friday, January 12, 2007
What Is Love?
Recently, my wife shared the following quote with me:
What is love?
It is a commitment.
It does not depend on good feeling, but rather on a consistent and courageous decision to extend oneself for the well being of another.
What is love?
It is a commitment.
It does not depend on good feeling, but rather on a consistent and courageous decision to extend oneself for the well being of another.
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
Let's Forgive
Recently, I attended BSF (Bible Study Fellowship) which the lessons are taken from the whole book of Genesis for this year, 2006.
I have heard so many times the story of Joseph in the past, but somehow this time the story (lesson) which was discussed at BSF has a huge impact on me. The more I read about it, the more I realize of how rich the story was.
In the midst of the unjust, suffering and painful circumstances as follow:
1. Sold as a slave as a result of the jealousy of his brothers.
2. Being imprisoned as a result of the lies of Potiphar's wife.
3. Being forgotten by the cupbearer (the prisoner who was helped by Joseph).
Yet, Joseph hold on on his faith, persevere and trusting that God is always with him. Indeed, the Bible recorded so many times throughout the life of Joseph that the LORD is with him ( LORD's hand is with him ).
The thing that challenge me in the story of Joseph that there is this 'reconciliation' process that takes place between Joseph and his brothers at the end. Joseph did not hold grudges, instead embracing his brothers and save their lives from the severe famine that took place in the region at the time. The bad things that happened to him in the past are no longer matter now, all he wants to do towards his brothers is to FORGIVE and to RECONCILE. Let gone be by gone ...
Perhaps this is the beauty of the story in which at the end God's grace transforms Joseph in a such away that he could say as follow to his brothers:
"You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives." Genesis 50:20
Perhaps it is very difficult to share honestly about the pain that we go through in life and yet to forgive towards a person or a group of people that involved. In having said that, by God's grace and His love in Jesus Christ who died to reconcile between man and God so that everyone of us can have eternal life, let that transforms each of us as in Joseph.
Go and gently share the hurt and the pain that we go through especially with the person involved and let's forgive and reconcile towards one another while we still have the chance.
Indeed, the book of Genesis opens my eyes to see the faithfulness of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Joseph himself, and most importantly the faithfulness, the sovereignty and the love of God towards His people.
May God be with all of us ... Amen
I have heard so many times the story of Joseph in the past, but somehow this time the story (lesson) which was discussed at BSF has a huge impact on me. The more I read about it, the more I realize of how rich the story was.
In the midst of the unjust, suffering and painful circumstances as follow:
1. Sold as a slave as a result of the jealousy of his brothers.
2. Being imprisoned as a result of the lies of Potiphar's wife.
3. Being forgotten by the cupbearer (the prisoner who was helped by Joseph).
Yet, Joseph hold on on his faith, persevere and trusting that God is always with him. Indeed, the Bible recorded so many times throughout the life of Joseph that the LORD is with him ( LORD's hand is with him ).
The thing that challenge me in the story of Joseph that there is this 'reconciliation' process that takes place between Joseph and his brothers at the end. Joseph did not hold grudges, instead embracing his brothers and save their lives from the severe famine that took place in the region at the time. The bad things that happened to him in the past are no longer matter now, all he wants to do towards his brothers is to FORGIVE and to RECONCILE. Let gone be by gone ...
Perhaps this is the beauty of the story in which at the end God's grace transforms Joseph in a such away that he could say as follow to his brothers:
"You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives." Genesis 50:20
Perhaps it is very difficult to share honestly about the pain that we go through in life and yet to forgive towards a person or a group of people that involved. In having said that, by God's grace and His love in Jesus Christ who died to reconcile between man and God so that everyone of us can have eternal life, let that transforms each of us as in Joseph.
Go and gently share the hurt and the pain that we go through especially with the person involved and let's forgive and reconcile towards one another while we still have the chance.
Indeed, the book of Genesis opens my eyes to see the faithfulness of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Joseph himself, and most importantly the faithfulness, the sovereignty and the love of God towards His people.
May God be with all of us ... Amen
Monday, August 28, 2006
Change My Heart, O God
Change my heart o God
Make it ever true
Change my heart o God
May I be like You
You are the Potter,
I am the clay
Make me and Mould me
This is what I pray
This is one of my favourite songs which often reminds me to be true to God, also the longing to be like Him, and to follow His footsteps faithfully.
No matter how long you have become a Christian or perhaps involved in the church ministry as a pastor, elder, worship leader, usher, and much more; One cannot deny as the song said, to always check your heart.
It is so easy for christians to be caught up in becoming self righteous and somehow are no longer in the need of Him because perhaps we feel that we have all the knowledge ( intelectually ) inside out, or perhaps we boast on our own effort in growing the church, or perhaps we are too busy with the church program(s), and perhaps still much more ...
In the midst of all these, have we ever taken a time to sit down quietly and to reflect on our hearts sincerely and in prayer asking God to constantly transform our hearts and mould our hearts while we continue this journey as His followers ?
A heart that reflects on Jesus to become a blessing for others and bring glory to Him.
Do we long for this ?
Make it ever true
Change my heart o God
May I be like You
You are the Potter,
I am the clay
Make me and Mould me
This is what I pray
This is one of my favourite songs which often reminds me to be true to God, also the longing to be like Him, and to follow His footsteps faithfully.
No matter how long you have become a Christian or perhaps involved in the church ministry as a pastor, elder, worship leader, usher, and much more; One cannot deny as the song said, to always check your heart.
It is so easy for christians to be caught up in becoming self righteous and somehow are no longer in the need of Him because perhaps we feel that we have all the knowledge ( intelectually ) inside out, or perhaps we boast on our own effort in growing the church, or perhaps we are too busy with the church program(s), and perhaps still much more ...
In the midst of all these, have we ever taken a time to sit down quietly and to reflect on our hearts sincerely and in prayer asking God to constantly transform our hearts and mould our hearts while we continue this journey as His followers ?
A heart that reflects on Jesus to become a blessing for others and bring glory to Him.
Do we long for this ?
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