(James 1: 2 - 4) Charles Darwin did so poorly in school that his father once told him, "You will be a disgrace to yourself and all your family. Thomas Edison's first teacher described him as "addled," and his father almost convinced him he was a "dunce." Albert Einstein's parents feared their child was dull, and he performed so badly in all high school courses except mathematics that a teacher asked him to drop out. - Irving Wallace, Book of Lists, 1986, Wm. Morrow & Co., The common factor among these people - PERSERVERANCE. I am sure we have all heard or read about the above people - and they are not ordinary people - they are ones who were once considered 'doomed', but persevered to make a difference in the world today. So, is perserverance important? No doubt IT IS!! Perseverance as defined by Dictionary.com, is a steady persistence in a course of action, a purpose, a state etc. esp in spite of difficulties, obstacles, or discouragement. In verse 4 it says that “perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” This is so true, when I reflect on times I did a boo-boo in my first PnW, the first discussion I led when everyone was staring wide-eyed at me, the first step I took to be a mentor to someone only to not be able to answer the questions posed to me etc, I thank God that I have persevered and not give up despite the many ‘first times’ I had. Certainly, God has matured (and still is maturing) me to be who He has purposed me to be. As Jer 29: 11 says: “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”, I pray that all of us will continue to persevere in whatever comes our way because “we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose”. LOVE, Wen
penned at 10:33 AM
Monday, December 29, 2008
we have officially finished the book of James.Now, we are embarking on the book of Philippians.
penned at 1:04 AM
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Recently I heard a sister sharing she once dreamt of the end times and a sister in Christ did not stand until the last days. Her dream reminded me of these verses. How often do we consider a rise in our lives as a blessing that comes from the God. Yet doesn't matter how blessed we are, if we end up on the wrong side, everything comes down to nothing. There is no such thing as a Christian leader is immuned from backsliding. How important it is to check on our hearts and not allowing ourselves to neglect the grace God has given to us, keeping us humble at all times! For we are not living for now, it doesn't matter how we have started in our walk with God, when we started it, sometimes not even what we've done throughout our walk with God such as ministries but how we have finished it! No one is exempted from the possibility of falling away from God & let us not let down our guards for the enemy or ourselves to bring us to that point.
I pray that all of us, including myself, will finish this race well for God because that is God's desire that we'll be kept close to Him at all times and never walk away from Him. That we will find eternity more valuable than what is temporary, that we would understand & experience God's love instead of getting stuck in the hardships of life, that we would choose God as He has chosen us.
Don't you sometimes just feel like shouting "God I love You!" =) when you read His Word because of who He is - the I am who I am.
Merry Christmas everyone, Pei.
penned at 10:43 PM
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
-kim
penned at 1:16 AM
Monday, December 22, 2008
How's everyone doing? I am sure you are all enjoying yourselves back home! Thank you to all who have contributed to this blog thus far. To those who haven't, WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?! We are yearning (very badly to the point of desperation!!) to hear what God has/is speaking to you!
Anyway, here are some of my thoughts (that God spoke to me) on on the book we're doing together. The heading for Chapter 4 in the book of James is 'Submit Yourselves to God' and the first 3 verses talk about how fights and quarrels get stirred up amongst people; how we want something and not get it and we 'kill and covet' but do not get what we want.
I think all these stem from one source --> our worldly desires (v3).
WHAT IF..we have the desire to show God's love to non-believers; then we will not end up quarreling with our housemates over trivial issues but be patient with them and work things out with them with God's grace.
WHAT IF..we have the desire to seek God's will and timing; we will not have to 'kill' someone else's confidence just to get what we want or where we want to be.
There are many WHAT IFs and also many solutions to us handling the situations on hand. Only if we have the right motives (v3).
Do you have any prayers that are unanswered - maybe it's time we consider our motives and ask ourselves if that is God-focused or self-focused?
PS>Please do not misunderstand that if your prayers are unanswered, it means that you have the wrong motives. There are also other factors to be taken into consideration.
Missing ALL of you,
Liwen
penned at 12:16 PM
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Hey all!! I am back! woops i haven't really been here, eh...have been quite occupied with work and family till this week, well still occupied with family but less one thing heh! Hmm...
I really had a good time during my clerkship for 3 weeks (legal internship sorta thing) though I found working full-time really tiring. Makes me really salute those who work and still find time for student ministry! For me all I wanted to do when I got back was sleep lol...But as I shared in CG, and sharing again to those that weren't there, that I am really grateful for the experience that God has blessed me with. Being able to learn so much, they gave us 3 whole days training plus others here and there, and being able to work under a really kind and encouraging supervisor was truly a blessing. My supervisor is working in this large firm, has kids under 2 years and is studying her masters in law *superwoman* so it was great to talk to her about the options for women who want to work and do other things in life as well :) It really put away my fears of scary lady-bosses!
Anyway while blogging I am watching Carols in the Domain, an annual christmas concert in sydney, ;) been catching up on the christmas atmosphere here in australia, since its my first christmas here in a looong time. Some updates on what I did, I went on a christmas lights tour with my mum and the sisters. We sat in a bus and went around to visit the award winning decorated houses...here are some pics! pretty fun, but I think driving around to those houses urselves is better...
view from the bus...
nativity scene in someone's garage...
polar snow scene in someone's window (a bit blur, but those are moving models of cathedrals and houses)
Ok, I just started James 1:) But it amazingly reminded me that in this life, we are in training. I felt God saying to me just because I face tough situations or tough to deal with people, it doesn't mean I should give up or bug God with 'why' questions, but we should persevere without grumbling because it is through these experiences that God gives us opportunities to learn how to respond and to 'let perseverance finish its work' -
"Jas 1:4 Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything"Mind you there were many times where I looked back and saw a chance that I could have done better or made a better decision but we are all still on our way to righteousness, amen :)
Lurve ~~~Michelle
penned at 8:53 PM
First of all, THANK YOU Liwen for your many encouraging & inspiring posts :) They got me thinking and were good food for thought. And E, woohooo!! I love the way you write, and it was exciting & encouraging to read ur posts! I really hope to see more coming ok!
On a more serious note, i did James 3:13-18 which talked about two kinds of wisdom for my QT this morning (i have been reading James except i haven't found the time to blog since i was away in Singapore till Thur & had a lot of things to do/settle).
For those who have yet to read this portion of James, the passage was mainly about earthly/the world's type of wisdom vs wisdom that comes from heaven & from God. The bible says that a life that those who are wise & understanding will show a good life & deeds done in humility that comes from wisdom. However, the opposite "wisdom" would be earthly, unspiritual and of the devil! How direct & convicting hey?
The verse that stood out to me however was from verse 17:
17 But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.
Today's passage reminded me of the wisdom i use/apply not only for major decisions but decisions that have to be made in my everyday life & in my walk with Him. Is the wisdom I apply in my everyday decision, wisdom that comes from heaven? Is it pure, peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy, good fruit, impartial and sincere? Does it reflect in my actions that follow the decision & wisdom?
Indeed it is a struggle & challenge at some times, but it is my prayer that whatever decisions i make (may it be little or big, minor or major), be decisions that are based upon God's wisdom and not my own or the world's. I pray that my everyday actions would reflect my decisions that are based on His wisdom-so that the GOD we serve today, would be apparent & real to those around me :)
Missing every one of you girls,
Ann-Louise
penned at 12:20 PM
Here's an update of life for me back in Singapore. Some Fridays ago, a couple of us attended JEDI (Jesus-Empowered Disciples International), a series of life groups conducted by Hope Singapore, catered to international students. During the discussion we were reminded and encouraged to forgive people not necessarily to appease ourselves but more as an act of obedience to God. I figured that would be a nice way to remember this upcoming Christmas by - to not merely forget but to take effort to forgive. I trust that by doing so, our burdens would be lightened knowing we have found peace with (most importantly) God.
1John 4 couldn't have put it better:
19We love because he first loved us. 20If anyone says, "I love God," yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. 21And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother.
Besides that, I've also been exploring the book of James as instructed by our lioness. I'll fill you in on what I've found soon! So there goes my first foray into the J8 cyber sisterhood. I had fun writing this... This should spell many more entries to come. ;)
In His love,
e.
penned at 3:24 AM
Thursday, December 18, 2008
"Quick to listen, slow to speak" is what the Bible tells us to do, but how many times have we done the opposite - slow to listen, quick to speak?Sometimes, our emotions (at least for me) just get the better of us and cause us to immediately rush to speak and not listen. I remember when I used to have a bad relationship with my Dad - we will start quareling less than 5 minutes after we start a conversation and most of the times, I will end up just blabbering everything instead of being slow to speak. As I look back now, if I had been slow to speak, I believe the quarrels would have ended much faster (or not even start!!)When we are quick to speak, we end up hurting (sometimes unknowingly) the people around us.I want to encourage all of us to start learning to be ones who will learn to listen to others and be slow to speak. Think through every word that we say - does it break down or edify our brothers and sisters around us. Liwen
penned at 12:20 AM
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
How can we consider it pure joy when we are sick & in pain? How can we consider it pure joy when we lost our loved ones? How can we consider it pure joy when we fail miserably in our studies & work?
God is not asking us to forget the 'bad' things that happened so we may be joyful, God is not asking us to pretend that we are joyful, God is not ask us to ignore the pain & thus be joyful but God IS asking us look beyond our circumstances, look beyond ourself. I've been reading a book - Your God is NOT safe - since mid this year and since I've been sick for the last week or so (often unable to stop coughing even in the middle of the night half way through my sleep), I've finally finished it! It talks about joy in one of the chapters.
Putting a different perspective on Jesus' death on the cross, Jesus would have consider it pure joy when he died for us. Yes, he struggled asking the Father to take away the cup if that's His will, he sweated blood and he suffered the pains physically as well as spiritually of separating from the Father. However, he took up the cross with joy because he knows when all is done, we will be reconciled to God. Setting something before ourselves is the way to consider it pure joy when facing trials. Too many things in our lives makes us weary in life, even spiritual life, but it is the ones who learn to have discipline in having joy in our lives - eg praise God in tough times, thank God despite oppositions - will move forward with God as we boldly refuse to let the troubles surrounding us to be bigger than the God who meets us. Let us live out "the One who is in us is greater than the one who is in the world"!
penned at 5:46 PM
Saturday, December 13, 2008
How come its only Liwen's post that I see so far? Where is everyone else? I'm really interested to know and hear what has been happening in all of your personal life! :) Anyway, here is my thoughts/reflection on James chapter 1. I haven't been updating since last Sunday cos i was in Phuket from Mon-Fri with my family on holiday! It was really good - will probably post pictures on facebook for all to see.
Back to James :D
I did James chapter 1 this week - James 1:1-18 on one occassion and James 1:19-27 on another.
James 1:1-18
Like what Liwen shared, perseverance is important especially if we want to grow in maturity which is something that i've learnt and am still learning :D and also not to doubt..liwen i agree with you & pray too that i will learn to be a prayer warrior!
Another thing that stood out to me was also in the area humbleness because it is what God desires. My motivations to learn and cultivate humbleness/humility should not be because it is the right/correct/good thing to do but because it is what God desires from me.
Last but not least, the importance of the word of God! It says that we will have life from the word of truth...and the fact that we are firstfruits really excites me!
To sum it all up, I was very much challenged after reading this portion of James. Although it is the holiday period, challenges (how i spend my time whether idling it away or using it fruitfully, my personal time with God in the midst of going away on holiday or the busyness of catching up with different people in a short span of time, my tollerance towards my family even, etc) will bound to come my way which i will have to face. I may also be tempted.
The question God posed to me was what will I do about all of it-when i face challenges, when i am tempted, this holiday season? My prayer is that I will be able to face challenges and temptation not with my own strength but with His & that I will be able to respond according to what He desires, not mine.
I'll write about the second part of James 1 in my next post. I have to go get ready for dinner. My church is having this dinner thing to invite non-Christians as a form of outreach, like our iweek!
Ann-Louise
penned at 4:54 PM
Thursday, December 11, 2008
These few verses reminded me of me of little faith at times. One thing a pastor mentioned before is "Don't be a prayer worrier; but a prayer warrior". How many times have we prayed very hard during our QT or prayer meetings but once we say the "Amen", we become prayer worriers. Thoughts like "I wonder if God heard me", "I don't think God will answer my prayer", "I didn't pray hard enough" etc start generating in our minds. However, the one thing that God requires of us - "when he asks, he must believe and not doubt". Do we pray and entrust everything into God's hands wholeheartedly; or do we pray and then take it back from God and try to handle it on our own?"Lord, I pray that You'll make us prayer warriors, who pray and trust everything in Your hands. Make us people who learn to believe and not doubt - that we'll not be worried that our prayers are not answered; but assured that You hear us and You will bring all things to pass in Your timing."Liwen
penned at 1:23 AM
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Devoted to You - Citipointe Church
penned at 12:25 AM
Monday, December 8, 2008
penned at 10:39 AM
Had dinner with Aunt Kerk (an ex LG members's Mum) and she did a short sharing on how she went through 2008 after the incident that happened to Zi last December. Zi was taken to be with God last December.Aunt Kerk said this: God allowed it to happen because his work on earth is finished; but for the rest of us, God still has things for us to accomplish. (paraphrase)Are you using the time God has given you to accomplish what He has planned for you?Liwen
penned at 12:59 AM
Sunday, December 7, 2008
I'm finally back in Malaysia! Touched down at 5am on Friday and I've been sleeping and eating ever since. Went for my church's lifegroup on Friday night & discussion was about the cost of following Jesus as in the book of Luke. Good stuff. But i still miss J8 though :(
God was and still is, really good! Although my ticket only allowed for me to carry 20kg, the person who checked me in allowed my 26kg bag to pass since I was a student! (yes i know-i really need to learn to travel light) but in my defense, i had a lot of stuff my parents wanted and was helping sarah carry some of her stuff too! Then there was also my seating. I really wanted an aisle seat but I couldn't pre-reserve since i bought my ticket online. I got to the airport and they told me that all window and aisle seats were taken & they couldn't do anything about it. The best they could do was to to put my name on hold and see if something opens just before the flight. Praise God that it really did happen, and they gave me a new boarding pass with an ailse seat just before i went in the gate!
So that is my little testimony since i got back. Still have heaps to share about James (i started reading it on Saturday and i reckon its worth it cos James is really interesting!)
Oh yeah by the way, my mum looks good & healthy now so Praise God! :) thanks for praying! Will write more later cos i have to go get ready for church!
Ann-Louise
penned at 10:53 AM
Friday, December 5, 2008
Still no entry, so I'll do the honor of getting the blog ROLLING and ROCKING!!Been thinking about the plans for next year, and everytime i think about it, I get really excited. Looking forward to grow and bond with each and every one of you!Ok. I'll stop now before my excitement gets out of hand.Blog later!LOVE,
Liwen
penned at 6:14 PM