The Threefold Secret to Contentment

Posted on August 13, 2012
By David Webb

Have you ever seen a horse poking its head through a narrow opening in a fence and stretching its neck just to eat from a patch of grass growing on the other side? I find it rather comical when that same horse is already standing in a field of lush green grass yet seems to think the grass beyond the fence is some kind of rare delicacy. That horse is going through an awful lot of effort to obtain its prize when a perfectly wonderful meal is right under its feet the whole time!

You and I are a lot more like that horse than we care to admit. There’s an old saying that goes “The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence.” What this means is that we tend to look at our neighbors and envy them, thinking they are happier than we are because they don’t experience the same kinds of problems we’re dealing with. Of course, this perception is almost always false because every family has its own set of problems. But when we let ourselves get caught up in thinking about our own difficult circumstances—our struggles, our shortcomings, our failures—it’s easy to look at other people and think, If only I had their money (or his looks or her patience), I wouldn’t be in this mess.

If anyone ever had reason to complain to God about his circumstances, it was the apostle Paul. He was a second-generation Pharisee and a respected and highly educated man, yet he found himself languishing in a dungeon in Rome because of his faith in Jesus Christ. Nevertheless, he was perfectly at peace. He wrote to his friends:

I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength. (Philippians 4:11–13)

Contentment is a deep, abiding peace and satisfaction that comes from knowing and loving God more every day. Are you content in your life? If not, what do you think will make you happy? A bigger family car? A nicer wardrobe? The latest iPhone? A Hawaiian vacation?

Now, most homeschooling families subsist on a single income. And we all know that having money cannot guarantee happiness. Yet for some reason many of us seem to think that our lives would be better if only we had more money, as if we are the exceptions to the rule. And so we muddle along, saying the right things but secretly believing as Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof. When told that money is the world’s curse, he replies, “May the Lord smite me with it—and may I never recover!”

The apostle Paul had once owned many nice things when his name was still Saul. He had been raised the son of a Pharisee and well-to-do tentmaker. Educated in Jerusalem by the finest teachers, Saul also enjoyed the privileges of Roman citizenship. Yet for his all riches and education and status, he could not find peace. And so, against the advice and urging of his mentor (Acts 5:34–39), Saul zealously hunted down and persecuted the followers of Christ (Acts 8:1–3). But then Jesus Christ met Saul on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:1–19), changed his name, and set him on a new path.

Once he had lost everything, Paul no longer looked for things to make him happy:

I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ. (Philippians 3:8)

Paul had learned that the constant pursuit of possessions and accomplishments could lead only to disillusionment and despair. Joyously, he had instead discovered the threefold secret to lasting contentment.

Trust in Jesus Christ
Paul found contentment in the same place we find salvation: in Christ. Jesus is the only answer to sin, and He is the only answer to our need for peace (John 14:27). Paul’s relationship with God did not depend on what he did or did not have. His peace was based not on his circumstances but on knowing and trusting Jesus:

My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. (Galatians 2:20, NLT)

[The Lord] 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 of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Corinthians 12:9–10)


Keep in mind that contentment doesn’t happen overnight. As you build your relationship with God through prayer, Bible study, and worship, you will learn to trust God more and rely on yourself less. When you trust in Christ, He will give you the strength to be content in any situation you encounter. Remember and pray the words of the psalmist: “Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever” (Psalm 73:25–26).

Be Thankful in All Circumstances
The book of Philippians is a letter from Paul thanking the church at Philippi for a “care package” they sent him in prison. In it, Paul instructs us:

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6–7)

When you think of what God the Son has done for us—stepping down from His throne to live among us and teach us, then allowing Himself to be killed in the most humiliating way possible to pay the penalty for our sins—how can our heartfelt response be anything but gratitude? We must be thankful to God each day for who He is, for everything He created, and for His infinite goodness toward us (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

Love and Comfort to Others
When we go through life discontented—grumbling, whining, doubting God, and thinking only about ourselves—we tend to hold tightly to the very things God wants us to give to others, including our time, our talents, and our treasure. But in the economy of God’s kingdom, we must give away that which we hope to gain:

Give freely and become more wealthy; be stingy and lose everything. The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed. (Proverbs 11:24–25, NLT)

For example, God gives us comfort so that we can pass it on to others who need it:

[God] comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. (2 Corinthians 1:3–4)

Jesus said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35). Indeed, giving defined the ultimate expression of love: “For God so loved the world that he gave . . .” (John 3:16). When you look beyond your own problems to focus on meeting the needs of those around you, you will go a long way toward taming the sin of envy, the beast “crouching at your door” (Genesis 4:7). A true servant is just happy to serve, and envy has no place in his or her life.

... bless yourself and your family with this thought: The grass is not, in fact, always greener on the other side of the fence; grass is greenest where it is watered. When you cross over fences to serve your neighbors with love and humility and share with them living water (John 7:38), you make the grass greener wherever you go.

David Webb is the coauthor of the What We Believe series, the award-winning biblical worldview curriculum published by Apologia in partnership with Summit Ministries. The third and newest volume in this series is Who Is My Neighbor? (And Why Does He Need Me?): A Biblical Worldview of Servanthood. David and his wife, Peggy, have homeschooled their six children since 1990.

Extracted from http://blog.apologia.com/blog/2012/08/13/the-threefold-secret-to-contentment/

God's Love Letter To You, Yes, You

Hi everyone, if you ever wonder if there is a God and what He thinks about you, well, it has never been a secret, just that we have not come to read His thoughts for us... Here's His love letter to you, yes, unmistakably you... It blessed me and hope it blesses you too.

Look Up!

Jesus is ready to pour down His promises on you.

What is Peace?

Hi there everyone,

I was doing my Quiet Time this morning and read from Philippians 4:7 "And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

Then, at Chapel today, someone shared about about how God gave her peace during a time when both of her only children were down with Meningitis, one after another. The doctors gave a bad prognosis and that she will have to live with her children having brain damage. But through it all, she felt God's peace having seen and treasured up how God has worked in her life thus far. She got a prompting from God and was adamantly convinced that her children would be discharged out of hospital in 2 days. This, despite the nurse telling her she might be in hospital with them for the next 2 weeks and despite how the fever, instead of going down, went higher the next day morning. The miracle of it was that by afternoon, they were well and as God has promised, the children were discharged that very Friday, 2 days later. Hallelujah!

But a poignant question was asked: "What is Peace?"

The story was told how there was once a king who was troubled by the same question. Hence he arranged a contest and called forth the best artists in his land. When they gathered, he said to them “I want you to draw a painting that depicts peace”.

Many considered this as an easy task and immediately started painting. And when they finished, the king was called to inspect the paintings and pick the best among them.

The king inspected the first painting. It was of a lovely garden of flowers of different types and colors. Above the flowers was the blue sky lit by peaceful sunshine. Butterflies and birds went about joyfully in the painting. The artist who drew this said to the king “This is Peace”. The king was not satisfied and so he moved to inspect the next painting.

The next painting depicted people of different walks of life shaking hands and laughing merrily. The king was not satisfied. He moved on.

He came across many paintings but kept moving on until he came to a painting which was different from the other paintings.

In this painting there was great turbulence in the sea; waves were forcefully splashing on the banks and crashing into the rock walls of the cliffs by the shore. The sky was ominous, the lightning was cutting across the sky. But where's the peace? The king looked carefully and finally understood it all. In the midst of all this turmoil, there was a little boat in the midst of the ocean and far beyond it, one can see a little sunshine peeking out from a gap in the cloudy skies, shining on the boat and giving the boat enough light to move forward. The king paused at this drawing and he seemed satisfied.

Now, even though my colleague said that many have heard this story, this is the first time I hear this story and it did blessed me; a good reminder about God's peace.

My colleague went on to share that peace is not the absence of a storm but hope, peace and assurance that through it all, God is with us. He is our refuge and He will bring us through it all. 

Many think that the Christian faith is about a life that is smooth-flowing. Yet we are not promised a life without storms. In fact we know that there is always the presence of evil in the world. But God has come to bring us peace in ourselves, with each other and with Him. We can overcome "because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world." 1 John 4:4.

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." John 14:27.

Only in Christ, can we have "Peace in the Midst of the Storm." 

Even as I pondered and reflected on this, I felt prompted to pen this down and I hope it will bless you as it did bless me... Do you have the peace of God in your heart? If not, it is not too late to draw back to God. Or have you forgot about the peace of God in your life? He is shining His light on you and calling you to come into His refuge.

You Are For Me

Romans 8:31b (NIV):

If God is for us, who can be against us?

So faithful. So constant.
So loving and so true.
So powerful in all You do.

You fill me. You see me.
You know my every move
You love for me to sing to You.

I know that You are for me.
I know that You are for me.
I know that You will never,
forsake me in my weakness

I know that You have come now,
even if to write upon my heart.
To remind me who You are.

So patient, So gracious,
So merciful and true…
So wonderful in all You do.

Been Thinking - Our Choice

Been thinking - Who we are today is largely determined by what we give entry into our lives. God made us wonderful biological life systems with choice. So we choose: positive & negative thoughts, love & unforgiveness, friends & influences, wholesome & flawed perspectives, emotions, decisions, food, exercise etc. All our choice & consequences will largely determine who we are today…

"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. " (Romans 12:2)

The Choice & Its Fruits

Hi everyone,

Felt ministered by today's devotion on Our Daily Bread on Hosea 14, Come Back.

Besides talking about repentence and returning to the Lord, it does present to us ultimate a choice between life with and life without God. As Dr Bekker brings to our attention, it is ultimately our choice.

Hosea concludes his book with Chap 14 and speaks to me of the fruits of coming back to God:

Hosea 14 (NKJV)
 ¹ O Israel, return to the LORD your God,
      For you have stumbled because of your iniquity;
       ² Take words with you,
      And return to the LORD.
      Say to Him,

      “ Take away all iniquity;
      Receive us graciously,
      For we will offer the sacrifices of our lips.
       ³ Assyria shall not save us,
      We will not ride on horses,
      Nor will we say anymore to the work of our hands, ‘You are our gods.’
      For in You the fatherless finds mercy.”
       ⁴ “ I will heal their backsliding,
      I will love them freely,
      For My anger has turned away from him.
       ⁵ I will be like the dew to Israel;
      He shall grow like the lily,
      And lengthen his roots like Lebanon.
       ⁶ His branches shall spread;
      His beauty shall be like an olive tree,
      And his fragrance like Lebanon.
       ⁷ Those who dwell under his shadow shall return;
      They shall be revived like grain,
      And grow like a vine.
      Their scent shall be like the wine of Lebanon.
       ⁸ “ Ephraim shall say, ‘What have I to do anymore with idols?’
      I have heard and observed him.
      I am like a green cypress tree;
      Your fruit is found in Me.”
       ⁹ Who is wise?
      Let him understand these things.
      Who is prudent?
      Let him know them.
      For the ways of the LORD are right;
      The righteous walk in them,
      But transgressors stumble in them.

God's Promise to Us:

• We will find mercy (v3)
• God will turn His anger away from us and love us freely (4)
• God will be to us as refreshing as dew (v5)
• We will grow well and be established well in Him (v5)
• We will grow to be beautiful and fragrant to others (v6)
• We will bring many to return to the Lord and they too will be restored and be fragrant to others (v7)
• We will bear fruit in God just as we are reminded to abide in the vine (v8)
• We, who are righteous, will walk in the way of the Lord while the unrighteous will stumble (v9)

God has given us the choice to choose. What's yours?

With blessings.

James

How do you Respond?

Was doing my QT yesterday and it struck me how Jesus interacted with the high priest, chief priests, elders and teachers of the law when he was arrested.

Jesus was arrested and brought before the Sanhedrin, who looked for evidence against Him so they can put Him to death. But they could find none.

"Many testified falsely against him, but their statements did not agree... Jesus remained silent and gave no answer. Again the high priest asked him, 'Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?' 'I am,' said Jesus." (Mark 14:33-65)

Faced with lies of the enemy, Jesus did not respond but rather He knows who He is and responded in truth.

Similarly, how are you responding to lies the Enemy places in your life?

Building Your Life

Last Thursday, I was to share in chapel at work; the first chapel for the year. Though I had been nervous about sharing, I thank God for bringing me to the topic and for even blessing me myself with the sharing... God was placing something in my heart towards the end of 2009 and was affirming it through my sharing. I hope to also share this with you and hope it will bless your heart.

New Year, New Hopes
I love new years, partly because it is a time I can draw the old year to a close, keep the sweet memories and let go of the pains. On the other hand, new years will usually bring hope; hope that things could perhaps be better.

New years have traditionally been a time for me to reflect upon the past year and how things have been. At the end of 2009, I participated in my first watch night service. Not knowing what to expect, I went to the service all excited and left it being all awed by what God has done in my life, not only in 2009 but also in the years preceding it from the time I came back to Him. It became very clear to me how God has placed me in a rehabilitation programme and helping me to rebuild my life.

So as 2010 starts, God continues to drive home this point as I saw how real He is in my life. Sure, it has not been smooth sailing all the way, but only thing I realised is that God has never left me and has helped me to weather through it all.

As I was preparing for the chapel sharing, I prayed and asked God to guide me to what He wanted me to share. Following my reflection at the watch night service, quiet time and also at the first department devotion for the year, He brought me to Luke 6:46-49 and spoke about building our lives.

Luke 6:46-49 (NIV)
The Wise and Foolish Builders
46"Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say? 47I will show you what he is like who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice. 48He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. 49But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete."

2010 has started and while many of us try to set things right for the new year and make resolutions, let me ask:

How would you like to build your life this year?
All of us are building our lives all the time, so how would you like to build it this year?

From the parable of the wise and foolish builder, we can see similarities between building a house and building our lives.

Lesson 1: The Master Plan

Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)
¹¹ For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. ¹² Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. ¹³ You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

Just as a house require a master plan, so do our lives. What's your master plan? Do you believe that God has His plans for you.

In Genesis 15, we see how God made a covenant with Abraham for offspring as many as the stars and to give his offspring the promised land. God has His plans for Abraham to be made into a "great nation" and that He will bless him and make his name great and he will be a blessing to many (Gen 12:2-3). That came to pass as his descendants grew and how Christ also came from his lineage. God has His plans for Abraham, as He did with Moses, Jacob, Joshua, David, Paul and so on and He has His plans for you.

Are You Happy?
I recall 5 years back my life was in a low period; everything from work, friendship, family was falling apart. But interestingly, God began to draw me back to Him during this period and ministered to me time and again in various circumstances from Jer 29:11. The verse appeared again and again and even appeared on my current workstation when I reported to work.

Over the span of 5 years, God brought me back to church, brought me to my current workplace, put me into ministry as well as restored relationships and granted me with new relationships. Just last week, a day before chapel, an insurance agent came to me on the streets and asked me "are you happy with your life?" and I found myself responding to myself in my heart "yes"... I have come to realise how I am not only happy but joyful how life has changed from the time I came back to walk with the Lord, and to see how every step of the way He had blessed me and blessed others through me.

Believe it or not, I have come to realised how God has brought me...

• ... spiritual and emotional restoration through Riverlife, as I began to learn about His word and was ministered to by His word as I listened and applied it to my life;
  
• ... emotional restoration and restoration to my confidence through my current workplace as He gave me good genuine colleagues, used my skills and blessed me in my work ministry;
  
• ... spiritual and character growth through the cell ministry which He has called me to, as I learned to rely on Him and do His will. Not only have I grew spiritually the most during these years of ministry, I have also come to encounter God as real, and
  
• ... emotional and character growth through the restoration of relationships, granting and blessings of relationships in my life.
  

God had His plans for me and while at many times I could not understand why certain things had to happen, on hindsight, it made perfect sense. There were just too many "coincidences" that happened in my life that I know God is watching over me and guiding me.

And the latest "coincidence" is when different ones of you shared with me how the Lord spoke to you through the verses cards I have given out at the beginning of the year; different verses for different ones of you. And I thank God for that.

So will you let the master builder, who knows the plan, build your life or will you want to build your life according to your fancy? The Lord has His plans for your life.

Lesson 2: Strength to Build the House

Isaiah 41:10 (NIV)
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Genesis 15:1 (NV)
"Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward. "

Hebrews 13:5-6 (NIV)
"Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." So we say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?"

Life is full of trials and whoever did say that a Christian's life is smooth sailing? The truth of it is, trials will still come and the only difference is that we have a God who IS with us through the storms; we have "Immanuel" ("God with us"), one who we can rely on for strength.

At the watch night service, I have come to realised how God has brought me through the various trials of my life; trials which I had thought I would not survive; trials which made me break down and questioned God how long He would allow me to go through it.

At the end of 2009, I have come to see how God has given me to strength every step of the way... to forgive others (something which had gripped and tormented me for years in 2005), pull through in ministry and in facing challenges in relationships in my life. Particularly in ministry, at the moment when I was the lowest, God sent me Isa 41:10 and assured me through various other scriptures that He will send help. It's funny how sometimes verses jumps out at you when you least expected it and it is the same with the verses which spoke to me. For weeks and months, friends have been encouraging me with verses but it was not until a colleague opened his diary to write something that the verse Isa 41:10 just popped out to me at that point in time and ministered to my heart. As I continued to hanged on, God continued to assure me through various other verses in my quiet time which spoke to my heart and gave me strength.

As I stood on the stage with the cell at the end of Kent and Elly's wedding last week, I have come to see how the cell has grown and I can only thank God for giving me the strength to pull through it all and to be able to see what I see today.

Are you building your life with your own strength? God reminds us that He is God Almighty and that He will not leave us. Why build your life yourself when the master builder can give you strength; strength to overcome challenges?

Lesson 3: The foundation that has the power to hold it all together

Acts 4:11 (NKJV)
This is the 'stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone'

The cornerstone (or foundation stone) concept is derived from the first stone set in construction, important since all other stones will be set in reference to this stone, thus determining the position of the entire structure.

In the same way, the Holy Spirit in you not only will help you to overcome challenges but also will help you to achieve with power from God.

In Acts 3-4:22, we saw how both Peter and John were empowered by God and what the power from God can do. The power from God brings...

• ... salvation - "But many who heard the message believed, and the number of men grew to about five thousand...Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved" (Acts 4:4, 12)
  
  
• ... healing - "It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed" (Acts 4:10)
  
  
• ... courage and wisdom - "When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus" (Acts 4:13)

God has blessed me with much throughout the last few years, in work, relationship or ministry and its amazing to see how when we work with God, things get achieved. At work, I always get amazed whenever I submit my monthly reports and to see how much has been achieved. I know deep in my heart that it is by the grace of God that my work ministry is taking off so well, something beyond my imagination. In the same way, at the watch night, I have come to realise what God has done through this cell and the various life transformations that have taken place. Again I realised that it is really by the grace of God that these transformations are possible because I would not have been able to effect these transformation without God's power. In the same way, I see God's power at work in my family as He continue to draw my family, one-by-one back to Him. Even my mum, whom I have been praying for her to come back to God has, unexpectedly, agreed to go back to church last year.

Lesson 4: The importance of upkeeping the house and having the right occupants

Matthew 12: 43-45 (NIV)
43"When an evil spirit comes out of a man, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. 44Then it says, 'I will return to the house I left.' When it arrives, it finds the house unoccupied, swept clean and put in order. 45Then it goes and takes with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that man is worse than the first. That is how it will be with this wicked generation."

How would you like to build your life this year? Would you like this to be a year when you draw even closer to the Almighty God, trusting and entrusting your life to the Master builder? Will you be a wise builder and build your life on Him, His word and His will for you?

For different ones of us, we are at different stages. For some of you, you might be needing to come back to the Lord and trusting that He has His plans for you, plans to prosper you and not the harm you, plans to give you hope and a future... for some of you, you might need to learn to rely on God's strength, especially when everything else is not working in your strength... for some of you it might be to hold on to God for His spirit to empower you and yet for some, it is to learn to upkeep our lives and have the right occupant, the Holy Spirit, on our lives. Whatever the stage, I invite you to just say a prayer for yourself and entrust yourself into God's hands...

What are you building your life on?

I Know Who Holds Tomorrow
I don't know about tomorrow
I just live from day to day
I don't borrow from its sunshine
For its skies may turn to gray

I don't worry o'er the future
For I know what Jesus said
And today I'll walk beside Him
For He knows what is ahead

Chorus
Many things about tomorrow
I don't seem to understand
But I know who holds tomorrow
And I know who holds my hand

I don't know about tomorrow
It may bring me poverty
But the one who feeds the sparrow
Is the one who stands by me

And the path that be my portion
May be through the flame or flood
But His presence goes before me
And I'm covered with His blood

Reflection: Closing 2009

Wow, in a few hours' time, 2009 is going to come to a close. For some of us, it might have been an easy year and for some it might have been a rough year.

2009 has its equal shares of ups and downs for me but I am still thankful to be able to sit here. I remember Elder Freddy sharing at service at the end of last year, that despite our circumstances, we can still thank God for placing us where we are, because it is really true that we have it better than others in other parts of the world. Our life circumstances, for example, are relatively better and our life expectancy is anything from 78-80 years old as compared to some which is 39 years old. So, amidst all the downs, I still find that I can still be thankful for much which may have been taken for granted.

Indeed, as I reflected the year, I still thank God for the wisdom He has provided me at work, for blessings in my relationships, for friends, for the lives I have seen changed by Him, for blessing my ministry (which I had so wanted to give up) and for healing that He has given me in my back problem and even in my life.

Something which I like about new years is the hope it brings; for some it signify a new start and hope that perhaps things can be better. And yes, as Christ-followers, we can have it better because we have the hope that we are entering the new year with God. And while trials are a part of parcel of life, we know we don't have to deal with it alone.

Was doing my quiet time this morning and was reading from Psalm 50.

Psalm 50: 14-15
^"Sacrifice thank offerings to God, fulfill your vows to the Most High, and call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me."

No matter how easy or rough the year has been, let us round up 2009 in thanksgiving and praise to God for how He has been faithful in our lives. Honor the Lord as He has delivered you. The Lord reminds us that he is "The Mighty One" and that we can continue to look to Him.

John 15: 1,4 (NIV)
"I am the true vine... Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me."

John 16:33 (NIV)
"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

At chapel today, I was ministered to by an old hymn in The Salvation Army's song book, sang to the tune of the hymn "Thanks to God":

Thank you, Lord, for all your goodness:
Through the years of yesterday;
Thank you, too, for present mercies
And your blessing on my way.
Thank you for each revelation,
And for what you choose to hide;
Thank you, Lord, for grace sustaining
As I in your love abide.

Thank you, Lord, for sunlit pathways,
Thank you, too, for byways rough;
Thank you for the fruitful summers
Also for the winters tough.
Thank you, Lord, for fragrant flowers
Growing right amid the weeds;
Thank you for the peace you give me
Even when my spirit bleeds.

Thank you, Lord, for wayside roses,
Even for the thorns beside;
Thank you for the prayers you granted
And for those that you denied;
Thank you, Lord, for precious comfort
In my hours of grief and pain;
Thank you for your precious promise
Life eternal I shall gain.

Authors: August Ludvig Storm (1862-1914),
Translated Flora Larsson
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 552

Psalm 23 for the Workplace

Hi everyone,

Came across this interesting article which is a good reminder, especially to us in the Onelife zone in this phase of our lives.

PSALM 23 FOR THE WORKPLACE

The Lord is my real boss, and I shall not want.
He gives me peace, when chaos is all around me.
He gently reminds me to pray and do all things
without murmuring and complaining.

He reminds me that he is my source and not my job.
He restores my sanity everyday and guides my decisions that I might honor him in all that I do.

Even though I face absurd amounts of e-mails, system crashes, unrealistic deadlines, budget cutbacks, gossiping co-workers, discriminating supervisors and an aging body that doesn’t cooperate every morning, I still will not stop— for He is with me!
His presence, His peace, and His power will see me through.
He raises me up, even when they fail to promote me.

He claims me as His own, even when the company threatens to let me go.
His Faithfulness and love is better than any bonus check.

His retirement plan beats every insurance plan there is!
When it’s all said and done, I’ll be working for Him a whole lot longer and for that, I BLESS HIS NAME!!!!!!

The Choice

Choices @ the Heart of Life
Choices are at the heart of everything. Just as I was listening to the sermon last week on "Battling with Passion" and as I went about the week preparing for cell, reflecting on the things that happened throughout the week, I came to think more and more about choices.

How do you make choices in life? At cell, some of us has shared how some of us make choices based on our end goals in mind, some make choices base on opportunity cost and consequences, some base it on exprience, some base it on feelings, while some seek advice from friends and some seek the Lord.

I always remember the time I made a choice which I still remember ultimately changed my college life. It was the second intake for college and I was given a choice to change my subject combination. Then, I was taking "A" levels Chinese. Though I did not understand why I choose to take "A" levels Chinese (given I didn;t seem to have the flair for it) but I made the choice to continue on with my subject combination because I had not wanted to leave my friends who I have come to know. And, well, as they say, the rest is history and I chartered this part of my life story and made a decision based on my feelings.

Everyday in our lives, we are confronted with choices to make. From our attire, to our meals, to how we respond to various matters, we make choices everyday. Even in our spiritual life, we are faced with choices, starting from the choice we make to make Jesus our Lord and Saviour, to the challenges we face daily in making choices which would impact our walk with the Lord e.g. making priorities about our quiet time, participation in church, ministry, prayer meetings, cell vis-a-vis other priorities in life or even making choices between succumbing to temptation vis-a-vis choosing how God would like us to respond as children of light. Choices are real and part and parcel of our life.

Choices & Life
Just last week, I have had the opportunity to speak to 3 very different people who made different choices... one was sharing with me about his younger days and how he was in triads and how he met his wife who changed him. As he shared about the horrors of what happens at the gallows for some of his friends, I can see him being all relieved that he has turned back in time to not be in the shoes of some of hos friends. Equally, I have also spoken to different ones who responded very differently to trials and also in their choices to either let God triumph over circumstances or circumstances "over" God.

In Pastor Chye Aik's sermon the previous week, he spoke from Galatians 5. To me, as I read, it spoke to me clearly about life and the choices we make.

In Galatians 5: 16-18, we see that there are two extremes: life by the Spirit and life by the flesh...

16 So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. 17For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. 18But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law.

There is a clear conflict between the two and we are to choose from them.

And Galatians 5:19-25 further goes to show the outcome of life by the Spirit and by the flesh:

19The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. 25Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.

Verse 21 mentioned that those who live life by the flesh "will not inherit the kingdom of God" but those who live by the Spirit will experience love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. This is a choice we have to make.

But how do we live by the Spirit? Basically, it does come down to choices we make... Indeed, I don't think there is a "7 step formula" for being able to live by the Spirit. But, when I reflect upon it and also look at my own spiritual walk, I wonder why is it that some people seem to have some much passion for God that keeps them going despite all circumstances? What about Jesus; Son of God, born as Son of man? What kept Him going that, amidst all the agony of knowing He is to be crucified on the cross, that He would go on to say the familiar "not my will, but yours be done", ultimately dying a horrible death on the cross for our sakes? The passion of Christ? To me, it became clear it is a choice.

As I did my quiet time last week and read from John 8:12-30, several things spoke to me:

1. Jesus knows where He is from and where He is going (v14)
   
2. Jesus knows He does not stand alone but with the Father (v16, 29)
3. Jesus knows Father God (v19)
4. Jesus knows the Father's purposes for Him (v28-29)
   

Jesus knew all these and had made the choice to yield Himself to God. Jesus knows who He is and where He is going and yielded to God.

As I look back at my life and realised how, thanks be to God, I have matured relatively in how I make choices in my life. But even so saying, at present, I do still struggle with some decisions I which have a big bearing on my ministry and life. But as I reflect, I have realised how I have moved from choices made based on "me-centric-ness" ("me, me, me") to more or less "God-centric-ness" ("God, what's your will for this?"). And it becomes clear that yieldnesses to God is so critical in our life by the Spirit because unless we yield ourselves and the choices we make to God, we will be living life based on ourselves, our flesh, our emotions, our strength.

Do you know who you are and where you are going?
Do you know that despite all circumstances that God is always with you?
Do you know the Father's heart and His purposes for you; not only to restore you to Him and refine you but also to restore many others to Him, what Paul calls the Ministry of Reconciliation (2 Cor 5:11-21).

I have to admit that it can be a journey of uncertainty but God is an Almighty God and nothing is impossible for Him:

I know I am had been saved by grace by God;
I know that I am redeemed and restored by God through all the work He has done in my life;
I know that I do not need to go through life alone and can trust in Him becaase I saw how He provided and brought me out of the pits when I held on;
I know that God is a sovereign God and has His plans for me;
I know He has restored me to be a blessing to many others
I know that I am a child of God;
I know where I am going after passing on from life.

To live life by the Spirit, choose to see all He has done in your life and choose to yield to Him. Do not do life alone or with your own strength. Nothing is everlasting, not even our lives, our riches we have, our jobs, our ministry, except for God, His will and His love.

Isaiah 40:28-31 (NIV)
²⁸ Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
The LORD is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
and his understanding no one can fathom.

²⁹ He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.

³⁰ Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;

³¹ but those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.

Are You an Optismist or a Pessimist?

Sherlock Holmes and Watson were camping in the forest. They had gone to bed and were lying beneath the night sky. Holmes said, “Watson, look up. What do you see?”


Watson obliged and answered, “I see thousands of stars.”

“And what does that mean to you?” Holmes asked.

“I suppose it means that of all the planets in the universe, we are truly fortunate to be here on Earth. God is all-powerful and even though we may seem small and insignificant, we can live each day under God's power. In a meteorological sense, it means we’ll have a sunny day tomorrow. What does it mean to you, Holmes?”

“To me, it means someone has stolen our tent.”

"Are you a optimist or a pessimist?" Asks the facilitator this morning.

We are reminded, from scriptures and from our life experiences and also the life experiences of others, that as Christians, the difference is life is not that we have a trial-free life but we have a God-filled life; a life we know where the presence of God will help us weather through the storms whenever it comes.

We are reminded from Romans 8:28-39 that:

"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... If God is for us, who can be against us?... No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

In the story of Daniel, we see how others had meant harm for him. As a result, he was thrown into a lion's den. Miraculously, he survived the ordeal and responded to the King the next day

Daniel 6:21-22 (NIV)
Daniel answered, "O king, live forever! My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in his sight. Nor have I ever done any wrong before you, O king.

As a result, Daniel was saved and God was glorified as the King issued a decree:

Daniel 6:26-27 (NIV)
"I issue a decree that in every part of my kingdom people must fear and reverence the God of Daniel.
"For he is the living God
and he endures forever;
his kingdom will not be destroyed,
his dominion will never end.

He rescues and he saves;
he performs signs and wonders
in the heavens and on the earth.
He has rescued Daniel
from the power of the lions."

What do you do when you face a difficult moment? Do you remember what He has done in your life and what He has done in the lives of many? Will you trust in the Lord and hold on to His hope? Do you fear and revere the Lord to be found "innocent in His sight"?

When the Lord reigns, all will be well.

Psalm 63
A psalm of David. When he was in the Desert of Judah.

1 O God, you are my God,
earnestly I seek you;
my soul thirsts for you,
my body longs for you,
in a dry and weary land
where there is no water.

2 I have seen you in the sanctuary
and beheld your power and your glory.

3 Because your love is better than life,
my lips will glorify you.

4 I will praise you as long as I live,
and in your name I will lift up my hands.

5 My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods;
with singing lips my mouth will praise you.

6 On my bed I remember you;
I think of you through the watches of the night.

7 Because you are my help,
I sing in the shadow of your wings.

8 My soul clings to you;
your right hand upholds me.

9 They who seek my life will be destroyed;
they will go down to the depths of the earth.

10 They will be given over to the sword
and become food for jackals.

11 But the king will rejoice in God;
all who swear by God's name will praise him,
while the mouths of liars will be silenced.

Prayer for the Workplace

Hi everyone!

Got this nice prayer at our devotion today and it was interesting as the facilitator got us to take a line each and pray as we are ministered by it. A nice reminder that we enter our work with God and His presence is always with us.

My Heavenly father, as I enter this workplace
I bring your presence with me.

I speak your peace, Your grace, Your mercy,
and Your perfect order in this office.

I acknowledge You power over all that will be spoken,
thought, decided, and done within these walls.

Lord, I thank You for the gifts You have blessed me with.
I commit to using them responsibly in your honor.

Give me a fresh supply of strength to do my job.

Anoint my projects, ideas, and energy so that even my
smallest accomplishment may bring You glory.

Lord, when I am confused guide me.

When I am burned out infuse me with the light of the Holy Spirit.

May the work that I do and the way I do it bring faith, joy,
and a smile to all that I come in contact with today.

And Lord, when I leave this place, give me travelling mercy.

Bless my family and home to be in order as I left it.

Lord, I thank You for everything You've done,
everything You're doing, and everything Your're going to do.

In the Name of Jesus I pray, with much love and thanksgiving.

Amen.

Devotion: How Can I Forgive?

This morning in devotion, me and my colleagues read the story of Corrie Ten Boom and shared about forgiveness. Some of you might be familiar with Corrie's story, a powerful true story and reminder about forgiveness.

Just as I read the article from Our Daily Bread, three words caught my attention "Jesus, help me!". Right at that point in time, God placed on my heart something which He wants me to be reminded and also to share - we can forgive with help from God.

For me, I had long been affected by a failed friendship 4 years back, which has scarred me, and affected how I relate with people. I started to be wary of people and could not trust people, afraid that they would hurt me. It was also that time that God brought me back into His community and I remember that whenever I share about the matter, either in cell or in office devotion, I would not fail to tear. Yes, the hurt was so deep I told myself I could not bring myself to forgive my friend. I became more and more bitter and started to hate the fact how this has scarred me to the extent I feared social interactions with people. It's not my fault that this has happened and has scarred me so much. Yes, I hear about forgiveness and know I am to forgive, for my own sake and as commanded by God. But how?!

Of course, God began a work in me and over the span of a few years, I can see his rehabilitative programme taking place, as I am being ministered through sermons, new life encounter, cell discussions and even by people God has brought into my life. Then, one day, I suddenly realised that my hatred for this friend has subsided that I could even pray for him. And in the last few days, I have even met up with him face-to-face, first time in many years, and was even able to sustain a genuine conversation with him without a tinge of hatred at all. But, it did not become clear to me until this morning during devotion and God made me realise how I have been brought from "bitter" to better. It hasn't been an easy road but God has not only restored me but also has helped me to forgive this friend of mine. And now, I am relatively more a confident person having left my baggage behind.

Why do you forgive? Because God commanded so. Colossians 3:13b reminds us "Forgive as the Lord forgave you". And just in case you forgot how God forgave us, look at Luke 23:34 where Jesus uttered the words "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." Jesus forgave the people who crucified Him and humiliated Him. And He also forgave you and me, long before we were even born and said that we repent. This is the power of His love.

How do we forgive? With God. Just as Corrie mentioned "Jesus, help me!" and just as I have come to realise how God has helped me to forgive. He has the power to help you deal with your unforgiveness and bitterness too. Will you entrust it to Him and say "Jesus, help me!"

How Can I Forgive?
READ: Matthew 18:21-35
If you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. —Matthew 6:15

Some of life’s hurts are so deep and painful that to forgive the people who caused them seems impossible. Yet Jesus says that we can’t experience His forgiveness if we have an unforgiving spirit.

In World War II, Corrie Ten Boom and her sister Betsie were arrested for concealing Jews and were sent to a German concentration camp. Betsie died a slow and terrible death as a result of the cruel treatment.

Then, in 1947, Corrie spoke about God’s forgiveness to a church in Munich. Afterward, a man sought her out. She recognized him as one of the guards who had mistreated her and Betsie. He told her that he had become a Christian, and with extended hand he asked for her forgiveness. Corrie struggled with her feelings, but when she recalled the words of Jesus in Matthew 6:15, she knew she had to forgive. She silently prayed, “Jesus, help me!” and thrust her hand into the hand of her former tormentor.

Someone has said, “Forgiveness is not a case of ‘holy amnesia’ that wipes out the past. Instead, it is the experience of healing that drains the poison from the wound.”

God asks us to do for others what He has done for us through Jesus Christ. He’ll give us strength to forgive.

— Dennis J. De Haan

Lord Jesus, give us grace each day
That we may follow in Your way,
Especially when some unloved soul
Needs our forgiving to be whole. —DJD

Since we all need forgiveness, we should always be forgiving.

Are You Tired?

Luke 10:38-41 (NIV)
As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!""Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."

My Realisation that "I Am Tired"
I am tried... yes, I have to admit that as I was going through devotion last week, I have come to realise that my life is filled with so many things; appointments, to-dos, meetings, trainings, planning etc that I am beginning to feel drained.

And what came out during my devotion last week came as a timely reminder from the Lord as I focused on the topic of simplicity throughout the week. And as if to reinforce the reminder, a recent sms conversation with a friend further emphasized how I needed to do something about this.

A few weeks back, one of my friends asked to meet up, since it has been ages since we last met each other. My natural response was to take out my diary and after looking through my diary, I messaged him back "let's meet on 8 August" - the day this conversation took place was 8 July. Well, no choice, that was the next available date I have given all the things I had to go and attend to and the dates I had to set aside for other things.

Not surprisingly, my friend responded something to the effect "Wow, you very busy hor? have to wait one month to meet up with you!" The sms initially made me chuckle but then made me realised how there is truth in it as well and I was indeed "very busy".

Does this seem familiar? Or maybe you have yet to come to the same stage as me but is well on the way there.

The Desire to Simplify our Lives
In an observation in my devotion last week, the author commented how we have all become "anxious, overwhelmed, overworked... and the more we fill our lives with time saving devices and time saving strategies, the more rushed we feel...".

In another observation, he confidently mentioned that whenever people ask us "Hi how are you?", our response would be something like "Oh, doing fine la, just busy, busy busy. You know packed schedules, lots of meetings, people to see, places to go".

Are you tired? Maybe, some of us has come to the stage where we are so tired, we want to just simplify our lives. And the bible seems to have lots of suggestions how we can do just that. I have learnt that:

1. The Need to See the Eventuality of Life (Setting Things in Perspective)
   "Imagine for a moment that your physician announced that you had only six months to live. Close your eyes for sixty seconds, put yourself in that position, and wait for the thouthgs and feelings to arise. Among other things, I bet your perspective changed and your values shifted... the notion that your earthly life has a definite end gives you perspective and a sense of urgency about the things that matter most".
   
   Romans 13: 11-14 (NIV)
   ¹¹And do this, understanding the present time. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. ¹²The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. ¹³Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. ¹⁴Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature.
   
   Without eternal perspective, we seem to be still asleep, living each day as it is and living to help ourselves make our lives on earth better. Well, nothing wrong with that but then we are reminded that we have life beyond death as well and what are we doing about it? Paul asked us to wake up and live each day clothed with the Lord Jesus as we live righteously. That is what God desires, that He "did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life" (1 Thessolonians 4:7) and to "be holy and blameless in his sight" (Ephesians 1:4).
   
   Today is the only day guaranteed to you, yesterday is over and tomorrow may never come...
   
   If there are anything which we have yet to repent of, ask God to help you identify these which may stand in your way of drawing to Him and experiencing His love, grace, mercy, plans and power in your life.
   
   
2. The Need for Focus on the Inner (Ask: Am I Focusing on the Right Things?)
   "We often get it backwards by attempting to start on the outside and moving inwards. Sometimes we can start by giving up certain behaviours and responsibilities, but ultimately its an illusion to think we can surrender possessions, wealth, or even a busy schedule without also having an inner change... simplicity begins by having a single purpose in life... when you stray away from God, you get caught up in the world's system and lose sight of your main purpose" which is to love God and His people (see the greatest commandment in Matthew 22:34-40, Mark 12:28-31).
   
   Matthew 6:19-21
   ¹⁹"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. ²⁰But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. ²¹For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
   
   Science and psychology has shown that a person's inner world is real and can have great impact on our lives. We act based on what is happening on our inner worlds. So in our inner worlds, where do we focus? Do we focus on the eternal or do we focus on things of the world to quench our thirst at the depth of our souls?
   
   Do we "expend much of our emotional and physcial energy buying things we don't necessarily need, with money we certainly don't have, in order to impress people that we don't even like" in this world system of 3"i"s that speaks of "increasing your possessions, impressing others and indulging youself"?
   
   What is your purpose, what is your priorities, definition of success, perspective of life?
   
   
3. The Need to Guard Against the Enemy's Tactics / Refute the Enemy's Lies (Ask: Am I Duped?)
   "Someone once asked billionaire Nelson Rockefeller how much money it would take to satisfy a man. His answer: 'Just a little bit more!'... Perhaps one of the most powerful lies of Satan is the notion that something outside ourselves (money, possessions) can fill the thirst deep within".
   
   What brings us joy and happiness? Is it the tangible? well, I don't doubt, to a certain extent. But then, ultimately, the intangible given by God gives us meaning and purpose in life. It only goes to show we are not made to live life as mere creature comfort chasers.
   
   Thank God for all the non-material possesions that we have: our life, our health, our senses, our giftings, skills, talents, nature and the world around us, friendships and love from relationships, our salvation from the Lord and many others. Begin with a heart of thanksgiving to see what God has placed in your life.
   
   1 Thessolonians 5:16-18 (NIV)
   ¹⁶Be joyful always; ¹⁷pray continually; ¹⁸give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
   
   Want to be joyful? Start by giving thanks for all the things God has given you. God wants us to remember lest we forget of His love, grace, mercies and blessings just as the Israelite forgotten how He had delivered them, much like us.
   
   At two places in the early parts of the bible, we see how God knows we are forgetful people and wants us to be reminded of what He did for us so we will not stary away from Him
   
   Exodus 16:32 (NIV) - After God gives manna to the Israellites in the wilderness...
   ³² Moses said, "This is what the LORD has commanded: 'Take an omer of manna and keep it for the generations to come, so they can see the bread I gave you to eat in the desert when I brought you out of Egypt.' "
   
   Joshua 4:20-24 (NIV) - After God held the Jordan River so the Israllites can cross...
   ²⁰ And Joshua set up at Gilgal the twelve stones they had taken out of the Jordan. ²¹ He said to the Israelites, "In the future when your descendants ask their fathers, 'What do these stones mean?' ²² tell them, 'Israel crossed the Jordan on dry ground.' ²³ For the LORD your God dried up the Jordan before you until you had crossed over. The LORD your God did to the Jordan just what he had done to the Red Sea when he dried it up before us until we had crossed over. ²⁴ He did this so that all the peoples of the earth might know that the hand of the LORD is powerful and so that you might always fear the LORD your God."
   
   So, God is always present in your life, we just have to be more God-aware and refute the lies of the enemy that God cannot satisfy us and we only need material possessions to make us happy; that God cannot satisfy us.
   
   For me, another area which I have found the enemy working is in the area of self-esteem. For many years, I have low self-esteem and I relied on others' affirmation of me to make myself feel good. I felt I was not good enough and worked hard to earn my affirmation. Well, the story went that I became burnt out and started to see how I was in a state I cannot save myself anymore and this is when I let God come into the picture to restore me. Well, my "homecoming" testimony in a nutshell.
   
   Sometimes, the devil do also use negative self-talk to distract us. "You are not worthy", "you are insignificant" etc and the result is that we get more and more distracted from seeking God because we need to validate ourselves and start to rely on external sources to do so. For some of us, it might be work, for some of us, it might be ministry or even for some of us, both... There is nothing wrong with work and ministry but then, just that it can be a distraction for us, making us so so drained we put seeking God a second priority.
   
   "God, I am tired and maybe I will miss church service just this once" or "God, I am exhausted today with ministry so I will rest my body and skip quiet time perhaps just this once". Soon we drift further and further away.
   
   Yes, God do call us to work and ministry but then if it is taking you away from seeking God and growing your love for both Him and His people, then, most probably it is a smoke screen.
   
   You are worthy and God loves you, each and every one of you.
   
   John 3:16 (NIV) - What God did for us in love
   ¹⁶"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
   
   Ephesians 1:4-6 (NIV) - We are adopted as His children
   ... In love ⁵he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— ⁶to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.
   
   Jeremiah 31:3ff (NIV) - Despite Israel's continued disobedience, God still love them
   ... "I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness. ⁴ I will build you up again..."
   
   and there are tonnes of other bible references which shows God's love for us.
   
   So we need to know our identity in Christ and refute the enemy's lies and counter the enemy's strategies. Jesus, when He was tempted at the start of His ministry by the devil, knew this and countered with 3 strong words "it is written..." (see Matthew 4). He knew the word of God and the tactics of the devil in wanting to throw Him off His feet. In the same way, the devil will try all ways, including using smoke screens, to distract us from drawing to God.
   
   2 Corinthians 10:4-5 (NIV)
   ⁴The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. ⁵We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
   
   
4. The Need to Trust in the Lord (Learn to Trust in God)
   By this time, if you have been more God-aware, it would be not difficult to trust in the Lord because you will see Him at work in your life and will believe that whatever happens, He is always there. And verses such as Hebrews 13:5-6 will just resonates in your heart:
   
   Hebrews 13:5-6 (NIV)
   "God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." ⁶So we say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?"
   
   Proverbs 3:5-6
   ⁵ Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; ⁶ in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.
   
   Yes, the bible did say, lean not on your own understanding because sometimes, we may never understand why we are put in certain situations. But we need to know that "God is at work in your life and that He has grand purposes for you. Recognize that God is sovereign and ultimately in control of all things. Have confidence that God is even involved in the situations that seem to be difficult or negative... He is intimately involved with you and aware of every details of your life, working everything out according to His purpose".
   
   Romans 8:28 (NIV)
   ²⁸And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
   
   Yes, for some of us, trusting in the Lord comes naturally but yet for some of us, trust in the Lord comes whenever we can no longer handle things and just "let go and let God". Just like in Luke 8, Jesus and His disciples went on a boat to the other side of the lake and was hit by a storm. Even though with Jesus on board, the disciples panicked (well, I would do the same too if I was there). But Jesus asks in Luke 8:25 "Where is your faith?". For some of us, we come into an encounter to trust God during a storm and when we realised we can no longer handle it ourselves.
   
   "Don't you hate it when you lose your keys? Just as I (Sam) was walking out the door the other day, I realized I didn't have them. I was going to be late to an important meeting. I had things to do and people to see. But I couldn't even leave my house without my key: keys to my car, keys to my office, keys to my files. I was paralyzed and helpess without them. All of a sudden my fast-paced world came to a screeching halt. I had to immediately align my priorities, and I was consumed with my task - to find my keys. It seems a simple task- to find my otherwise insignificant and unappreciated keys-but it became an essential and mandatory part of my day".
   
   Sometimes, we treat God like the keys. But unlike keys, God is significant but still we overlook, do not appreciate and sometimes even taken God for granted. But in times, of crisis, we just have to refocus our priorities to recognise we can no longer deal with it alone.
   
   Sometimes, it takes a crisis but sometimes, it also takes a community to help us to trust in the Lord. For me, I have come to realise the power of community as each week, we come together to do life as a cell and allowing God to minister to us through one another. It is also powerful to see how God is at work in each and others' life and sometimes, when I am going through a tough week but hears how God is real in anothers' life or even help another to overcome difficulty, it makes me so much more say "God, I know you are real. Come and work in my life and help me through this situation". And the amazing thing is that, all these are working even though we do not necessarily see them.
   
   
5. The Need to Make the Decision (Seek God First)
   Just like in the beginning of the article, we started with the account of Jesus at the home of Martha and Mary, we shall conclude also with this passage and look at the truths.
   
   The passage gives us insight into a sharp contrast between that of Martha and Mary. Despite opening the house to Jesus, Martha became busy and distracted with the preparation in the kitchen while Mary sat at the feet of Jesus to listen to Him. Sure enough, we can justify to say that Martha would like to honour Jesus but here Jesus shows us that all we need it sometimes to learn to sit at His feet and listen to His words. We can be like Martha, opening our hearts to God and allowing Him to come in, but yet allowing the distractions of the world to pull us away. Jesus saw the opportunity to teach Martha that we need not worry but first seek Him and all else will fall in place.
   
   Matthew 6:24 (NIV)
   ²⁴"No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.
   
   Matthew 6:31-33 (NIV)
   ³¹So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' ³²For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. ³³But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
   
   Make the choice to choose to sit at the feet of Jesus and be still to know that as we seek Him and His kingdom and His righteousness, things are in His hands. Don't just slow down but choose to sit at His feet.
   
   But I know at times, fear will grip you again and concerns and doubts and worries will come again. And that is where the need to guard against the enemy comes again and to see God at work in your life and to trust Him.
   
   

Psalm 46:10 (NIV)
"Be still, and know that I am God"

11 Be Still And Know (Ps 46_1-2, 10).mp3 -

Note: References in blue are taken from "Devotional for Dating Couples" by Ben Young & Dr. Samuel Adams