Fear
8 Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the LORD God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the LORD God among the trees of the garden. 9 But the LORD God called to the man, "Where are you?"
10 He answered, "I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid."Genesis 3:8-10 (NIV)Today as I was walking toward the bus stop to take a bus.
I saw a bus coming into the bus stop, as I was still some distant away I could not see what the number was, but I felt very clearly in the spirit that this is not the bus that I am taking and I should just walk to the bus stop calmly.
However, I still could not resist the urge to hurry to the bus stop and as usual only to realize that that not the bus that I am taking.
Sound familiar? How often do we let fear over run us just like that, while know that what we fear does not exist!
Most of us is govern by fear, often it drive us to do thing we should not do, out of fear we often ended up hurting people and ourselves. Instead of living in the revelation of God, we choose to live in fear, using our own strength from our flesh.
How often do we let this world frighten us away from our blessing? Instead of running toward God as a child would do, we often choose to run away from Him.
It’s about time we look fear in the eye and face it head on; for it is written that if our God is for us then no weapon forge against us shall prevail.
17 No weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and this is their vindication from me," declares the LORD.
Isaiah 54:17 (NIV)
Amem!
Worship God
38 Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house. 39 And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’[a] feet and heard His word. 40 But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me.” 41 And Jesus[b] answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. 42 But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.”Luke 10:38-42 (NKJV)Many people are like Martha, they invite Jesus into their life then became too busy, and distracted with serving. They believe that by doing what they thing they should do or good at they are serving God, in actual fact we should be asking God what He want us to do. It is His will not our Will.
Mary on the other hand sat at Jesus’ feet, heard His word, worships Him and gets blessed. Martha seeing this like many people gets angry over this and started to question God, accusing God of not caring for them. Even make demands to God.
Does that sound very familiar? We are so busy with life, we often forgotten to go what we are suppose to do, we miss out on the blessing and then we blame God for that.
Worshipping God is a very important part of our life, get in touch with God, in that way we will never dried up in the spirit.
Don’t become a professional Christian, but a real Christian.
4 Points about worship- Worship is waiting upon God
Mary waited on God, she has chosen that good part as we all should.
11 The LORD would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks with his friend. Then Moses would return to the camp, but his young aide Joshua son of Nun did not leave the tent.Exodus 33:10-1 (NIV)Joshua is chosen for the same reason, when every else leaves he would stay behind lingering in the presents of God.
God always looks for spiritual filled people to serve Him
18 And the Lord said to Moses: “Take Joshua the son of Nun with you, a man in whom is the Spirit, and lay your hand on him; 19 set him before Eleazar the priest and before all the congregation, and inaugurate him in their site. 20 And you shall give some of your authority to him, that all the congregation of the children of Israel may be obedient.Numbers 27:18 (NKJV)- Worship is undistracted focus on God.
Mary unlike Martha devoted her time to God, her focus is on God and God alone.
- Worship is Extravagant Adoration of God
We should adore and admire our God the creator; many heroes of the bibles have great admiration for God. The whole book of psalms is written in admiration and love of God.
- Worship is Unconditional Sacrifice to God
37 And behold, a woman in the city who was a sinner, when she heard that Jesus sat at the table in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster flask of fragrant oil, 38 and stood at His feet behind Him weeping; and she began to wash His feet with her tears, and wipe them with the hair of her head; and she kissed His feet and anointed them with the fragrant oil.Luke 7:37-38 (NKJV)The woman sacrifices her dowry the very thing that symbolizes her happiness for her life.
We are to sacrifice our very life to God.
At the end of the day it is not how much you serve or how busy you are serving God that count, what matters is the love and devotion toward God and do what He want you to do, the sacrifices you made for Him out of love for our God.
Praise God, I received my first speeding ticket
Last saturday, while returning home after a late night supper with friends, I was stopped by the traffic police for speeding. I knew something was wrong when flashing blue lights filled my side window and a shiny white BMW pulled alongside. The glare from the police officer was unmistakable. "Pull Over!"
At this point, most drivers would start to get anxious, desperately trying to think of an excuse for the speeding indescretion. As I pulled over to the side of the road, many emotions ran through my body. I was feeling regretful but also strangely elated.
You see, just a few minutes earlier, I had a strong impression in my heart that I should not be speeding. "You shouldn't drive so fast. Slow down. It's not right." Those thoughts filled my mind and immediately I took my foot of the accelerator. I slowed down back to the speed limit and continued driving and conversing with my friends. But old habits die hard and and very soon I was speeding again. I had just overtaken 2 slower vehicles in front of me when the flashing blue lights appeared.
Many thoughts ran through my mind as I stood there by the side of the highway, waiting to get my summons. Although regretful that I had got caught, I was also quite elated that God spoke to me in such a direct manner. It was a "Wow" moment. I actually mattered to God! A day later when I was doing my quiet time, I read Proverbs 3 and these 2 verses really stood out.
Proverbs 3:11-12 (NLT)11
My child, don't ignore it when the LORD disciplines you, and don't be discouraged when he corrects you. 12
For the LORD corrects those he loves, just as a father corrects a child in whom he delights.Praise God, I received my first speeding ticket ...
7 Principles of Relationship
Relationship forms a great part of our life and the most important relationship we have as Christians are the one with God. Do you have a relationship with God?
The following are the seven principles of relationships from a sermon by Rev. Robb Thomson, which I find very important:
1. The outcome of your life is completely dependant upon the types of relationship you pursue.
20 He who walks with wise men will be wise, But the companion of fools will be destroyed.Proverbs 13:20 (NKJV)33 Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits.”1 Corinthians 15:33 (NKJV)You are affected by the company you keep; bad company often leads to destruction.
2. I would rather have you hate me for telling you the truth than for you to love me for telling you lie.5 Open rebuke is better, Than love carefully concealed. 6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend, But the kisses of an enemy are deceitfulProverbs 27:5-6(NKJV) 41 You do the deeds of your father.” Then they said to Him, “We were not born of fornication; we have one Father—God.” 42 Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I proceeded forth and came from God; nor have I come of Myself, but He sent Me. 43 Why do you not understand My speech? Because you are not able to listen to My word. 44 You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it. 45 But because I tell the truth, you do not believe Me.John 8:41-45(NKJV)Prove of love is the willingness to confront!
Only a true friend will tell you the truth, at the risk of you friendship.
3. If the person does not receive you words, they do not qualify for your time.14 And whoever will not receive you nor hear your words, when you depart from that house or city, shake off the dust from your feet.Matthew 10:14 (NKJV)60 Therefore many of His disciples, when they heard this, said, “This is a hard saying; who can understand it?” 61 When Jesus knew in Himself that His disciples complained about this, He said to them, “Does this offend you? 62 What then if you should see the Son of Man ascend where He was before? 63 It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life. 64 But there are some of you who do not believe.” For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who did not believe, and who would betray Him. 65 And He said, “Therefore I have said to you that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted to him by My Father.” 66 From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more. 67 Then Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you also want to go away?”John 6:60-67 (NKJV)If good influence evil, why God didn’t change satan? It is because; he refuses to receive God’s word.
The more time you give to people who don’t receive your word, the less time you have to fulfill God’s work.
1 second of your time is worth more than anything on this earth, use it wisely. Don’t waste on people who do not deserve it.
4. If any relationship does not give birth to change, then any further association is unnecessary.
17 As iron sharpens iron, So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.Proverb 27:17 (NKJV)1 Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;Psalm 1:1 (NKJV)A good relationship is one that helps each other to constantly improving. Strive to help each other to reach higher level in life.
5. Never allow the invitation to intimacy to be destroyed by the contempt of familiarity.9 Queen Vashti also made a feast for the women in the royal palace which belonged to King Ahasuerus. 10 On the seventh day, when the heart of the king was merry with wine, he commanded Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcas, seven eunuchs who served in the presence of King Ahasuerus, 11 to bring Queen Vashti before the king, wearing her royal crown, in order to show her beauty to the people and the officials, for she was beautiful to behold. 12 But Queen Vashti refused to come at the king’s command brought by his eunuchs; therefore the king was furious, and his anger burned within him.Esther 1:9-12 (NKJV)15 Now when the turn came for Esther the daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai, who had taken her as his daughter, to go in to the king, she requested nothing but what Hegai the king’s eunuch, the custodian of the women, advised. And Esther obtained favor in the sight of all who saw her. 16 So Esther was taken to King Ahasuerus, into his royal palace, in the tenth month, which is the month of Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign. 17 The king loved Esther more than all the other women, and she obtained grace and favor in his sight more than all the virgins; so he set the royal crown upon her head and made her queen instead of Vashti.Esther 2:15-17 (NKJV)Don’t give up your principle, always respect people/relationship.
6. The productivity of any relationship is completely dependent on the standard it upholds.
14 You are My friends if you do whatever I command you.John 15:14 (NKJV)79 Let those who fear You turn to me, Those who know Your testimonies.Psalm 119:79 (NKJV)People either make you better or make you bitter.
My friend must be:
- Committed to a long term relationship.
- Empires in their brain.
- Be sower.
- Qualify to receive my seed.
- Prize integrity above relationship, love God more than me.
- Willing to confront my enemies.
There are always 3 side to a story, your side, my side and God’s side, make sure it is the God’s side we follow.
7. Poverty is not the lack of money; poverty is the proof of misguided money.
24 There is one who scatters, yet increases more; And there is one who withholds more than is right, But it leads to poverty. 25 The generous soul will be made rich, And he who waters will also be watered himself.Proverbs 1124-25(NKJV)25 “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?Matthew 6:25(NKJV)Money is not the root of all evil, the love of money is!
What you want from heaven? What are you looking for?
A seed is not what you sow, is how much it cost you to sow.
