Sunday, February 28, 2010
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Keep this...
This week I have journeyed onwards and past Deuteronomy we step into the story of Joshua, another big name in the scriptures...
I want to share this passage from Joshua 1 and found it very impactful especially onto our daily walks and our daily decision making.
Joshua 1:8a writes:
"Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it."
Very simple phrase that God has descended upon Joshua. Now consider this you may speak and say that wow! Joshua is this awesome general of this massive army that is fully backed up by God. You may also say but Joshua's mentor was Moses; he taught him everything he knows. But notice what God had said to Joshua... keep this book of the law always on your lips; that the sweet flavour of the His words be constantly be close to his mouth to ingest and receive and to be filled by it... meditate on it day and night; let those very words be something that fills you constantly so that you may always and continually be thinking, wrestling, reflecting, dialoguing, praying through the words... so that you maybe careful to do everything written in it; God's desire for the laws is not to set boundaries but to enable us to live freely within the purposes and the designs. What beautiful words of reminder in our lives. Friends, Joshua was once a young lad not knowing where to go, not sure what he is doing, feeling that he is too young. But at the same time he grew not only in physical features but also spiritually. God indeeds has called upon him to live with such desire for His words.
Now... how about you?
*ps. I will get around to the questions... I promise :)
I want to share this passage from Joshua 1 and found it very impactful especially onto our daily walks and our daily decision making.
Joshua 1:8a writes:
"Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it."
Very simple phrase that God has descended upon Joshua. Now consider this you may speak and say that wow! Joshua is this awesome general of this massive army that is fully backed up by God. You may also say but Joshua's mentor was Moses; he taught him everything he knows. But notice what God had said to Joshua... keep this book of the law always on your lips; that the sweet flavour of the His words be constantly be close to his mouth to ingest and receive and to be filled by it... meditate on it day and night; let those very words be something that fills you constantly so that you may always and continually be thinking, wrestling, reflecting, dialoguing, praying through the words... so that you maybe careful to do everything written in it; God's desire for the laws is not to set boundaries but to enable us to live freely within the purposes and the designs. What beautiful words of reminder in our lives. Friends, Joshua was once a young lad not knowing where to go, not sure what he is doing, feeling that he is too young. But at the same time he grew not only in physical features but also spiritually. God indeeds has called upon him to live with such desire for His words.
Now... how about you?
*ps. I will get around to the questions... I promise :)
Monday, February 22, 2010
The "Me" Generation
Unfortunately, this is what we are. It's all about what people think of the individual, preferably if it's ourselves. We crave attention and we like being very affectionate towards each other, even if it's just out of pure vanity.
It's ironic, really. Here we are trying so hard to stand out in a crowd when what we're really doing is conforming to the rest of society. We make bad jokes like calling others stupid or being as loud as we can so everyone can hear us. We're so desperate for attention that we're willing to do anything for just short-lived praise.
I think this happens most often when we lose sight of God's love. We forget how precious we are to him, so we crave attention from other sources. Why do we even need to be loved? I would say that it's very self-seeking but at the same time, it's actually quite sad. How can such beautiful people that God loves so much feel the need to be adored and feel the need to prove themselves? When we forget that God loves us and other people, we don't see all the wonderful things that God has done for us and the ways he works through people. Anyways, this is all. I was just reflecting on the pathetically desperate lyrics that appear so often in songs.
It's ironic, really. Here we are trying so hard to stand out in a crowd when what we're really doing is conforming to the rest of society. We make bad jokes like calling others stupid or being as loud as we can so everyone can hear us. We're so desperate for attention that we're willing to do anything for just short-lived praise.
I think this happens most often when we lose sight of God's love. We forget how precious we are to him, so we crave attention from other sources. Why do we even need to be loved? I would say that it's very self-seeking but at the same time, it's actually quite sad. How can such beautiful people that God loves so much feel the need to be adored and feel the need to prove themselves? When we forget that God loves us and other people, we don't see all the wonderful things that God has done for us and the ways he works through people. Anyways, this is all. I was just reflecting on the pathetically desperate lyrics that appear so often in songs.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Encouragement from Moses to Joshua
I've always found these verses to be super encouraging; to be able to have someone who is more wiser to extend their blessings onto the younger. I hope that you take notice of what Moses is teaching and assuring Joshua (who is a new leader at the moment)...
Deuteronomy 31:1-8
Then Moses went out and spoke these words to all Israel: "I am now a hundred and twenty years old and I am no longer able to lead you. The Lord has said to me, 'You shall not cross the Lord.' The Lord your God himself will corss over ahead of you. He will destroy these nations before you, and you will take possession of their land. Joshua also will cross over ahead of you, as the Lord said. And the Lord will do to them what he did to Sihon and Og, the Kings of Amorites, whom he destroyed along with their land. The Lord will deliver them to you, and you must do to them all that I hav ecommanded you. Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.
Then Moses summoned Joshua and said to him in the presence of all Israel, 'Be strong and courageous, for you must go with this people into the land that the Lord swore to their ancestors to give them, and you must divide it among them as their inheritance. The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.
I think sometimes in our lives we are often tossed into situations where we may feel very alone as we struggle. Sometimes we may feel that we are the only voice to speak out and the only one that is taking a stance for something. But I found this verse very encouraging to me during those time that Moses helps Joshua recognize and remember about God and not so much about himself. It was God who has sustained Moses and it will be God who will sustain Joshua in his works. The verse "The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you..." illustrate the depth of the promise that God has for His people.
May it be the same for you in whichever and whatever situation that you may be going through.
Deuteronomy 31:1-8
Then Moses went out and spoke these words to all Israel: "I am now a hundred and twenty years old and I am no longer able to lead you. The Lord has said to me, 'You shall not cross the Lord.' The Lord your God himself will corss over ahead of you. He will destroy these nations before you, and you will take possession of their land. Joshua also will cross over ahead of you, as the Lord said. And the Lord will do to them what he did to Sihon and Og, the Kings of Amorites, whom he destroyed along with their land. The Lord will deliver them to you, and you must do to them all that I hav ecommanded you. Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.
Then Moses summoned Joshua and said to him in the presence of all Israel, 'Be strong and courageous, for you must go with this people into the land that the Lord swore to their ancestors to give them, and you must divide it among them as their inheritance. The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.
I think sometimes in our lives we are often tossed into situations where we may feel very alone as we struggle. Sometimes we may feel that we are the only voice to speak out and the only one that is taking a stance for something. But I found this verse very encouraging to me during those time that Moses helps Joshua recognize and remember about God and not so much about himself. It was God who has sustained Moses and it will be God who will sustain Joshua in his works. The verse "The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you..." illustrate the depth of the promise that God has for His people.
May it be the same for you in whichever and whatever situation that you may be going through.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Living Reminder - Henri J.M. Nouwen
I just finished a book called Living Reminder by a very famous spiritual writer and in this book he reminded us of this short little quote...
Therefore, prayer, days alone with God, or moments of silence, should never be seen or understood as healthy devices to keep in shape, to charge our "spiritual batteries," or to build up energy for ministry. No, they are all ministry. We minister to our parishioners, patients, and students even when we are with God and God alone. (51 Living Reminder)
It is my encouragement for you all to be prayerful in all the ways of our lives. Whether it'd be on the bus ride or even as you are walking home from school. Prayer is one of the very access that we come into to understand and know the heart of God.
Paul so beautifully written Ephesians and he said "And pray in the Spirit in all occasions with all kinds of prayer and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints." (Eph. 6:18)
My prayer for you is that your life will be a powerful prayer :)
REMEMBER that time alone with God is also ministering and serving one another.
Therefore, prayer, days alone with God, or moments of silence, should never be seen or understood as healthy devices to keep in shape, to charge our "spiritual batteries," or to build up energy for ministry. No, they are all ministry. We minister to our parishioners, patients, and students even when we are with God and God alone. (51 Living Reminder)
It is my encouragement for you all to be prayerful in all the ways of our lives. Whether it'd be on the bus ride or even as you are walking home from school. Prayer is one of the very access that we come into to understand and know the heart of God.
Paul so beautifully written Ephesians and he said "And pray in the Spirit in all occasions with all kinds of prayer and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints." (Eph. 6:18)
My prayer for you is that your life will be a powerful prayer :)
REMEMBER that time alone with God is also ministering and serving one another.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Joanne's Tales of the Toothbrush
Ha! So I learned how to blog from my own account. Anyways, here are some of the thoughts I was thinking while brushing my teeth 15min ago (yeah, it took me a while to figure out how to work this blog).
First of all, here's some music. I like good music, but sometimes some artists are under appreciated so I feel that I should share their musical genius. So here's a videosong that you can enjoy while reading the rest of my post from Pomplamoose (my current favourite duo).
The second thing I was thinking of while brushing my teeth was the prayer requests that we so often share. I encourage you all to pray for each other, not just at the time of the request prayer, but also to remember the person in your prayers. Here's a bible verse I thought was a really powerful encouragement.
3I thank God, whom I serve, as my forefathers did, with a clear conscience, as night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers. 4Recalling your tears, I long to see you, so that I may be filled with joy. 5I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also. 6For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 7For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline. - 2 Timothy 1:3-7
It's such a personal encouragement that Paul wrote to Timothy because it shows that Paul has been such a close mentor to Timothy for so long and witnessed himself how much growth Timothy has had in his faith. I hope that within the cell group or any accountable partners you guys have that you'll have this sense of fellowship - to just grow together and encourage one another.
One way you can do so is to follow up with prayer requests. Just because you prayed with someone once DOESN'T mean he/she is alright and everything is just la-dee-da afterwards! I hope you guys do follow up and ask the person about their prayer request or whatever they shared and actually genuinely care about what they have to say. And if you're afraid it'll be awkward, read verse 7. God will give power, love and self-discipline! So don't be afraid to ask the person about whatever they're going through!
That is all.
P.S: Yes, this is also on my own blog because I accidentally blogged on the wrong blog at first....
First of all, here's some music. I like good music, but sometimes some artists are under appreciated so I feel that I should share their musical genius. So here's a videosong that you can enjoy while reading the rest of my post from Pomplamoose (my current favourite duo).
The second thing I was thinking of while brushing my teeth was the prayer requests that we so often share. I encourage you all to pray for each other, not just at the time of the request prayer, but also to remember the person in your prayers. Here's a bible verse I thought was a really powerful encouragement.
3I thank God, whom I serve, as my forefathers did, with a clear conscience, as night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers. 4Recalling your tears, I long to see you, so that I may be filled with joy. 5I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also. 6For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 7For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline. - 2 Timothy 1:3-7
It's such a personal encouragement that Paul wrote to Timothy because it shows that Paul has been such a close mentor to Timothy for so long and witnessed himself how much growth Timothy has had in his faith. I hope that within the cell group or any accountable partners you guys have that you'll have this sense of fellowship - to just grow together and encourage one another.
One way you can do so is to follow up with prayer requests. Just because you prayed with someone once DOESN'T mean he/she is alright and everything is just la-dee-da afterwards! I hope you guys do follow up and ask the person about their prayer request or whatever they shared and actually genuinely care about what they have to say. And if you're afraid it'll be awkward, read verse 7. God will give power, love and self-discipline! So don't be afraid to ask the person about whatever they're going through!
That is all.
P.S: Yes, this is also on my own blog because I accidentally blogged on the wrong blog at first....
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Moses' reminder even for us today
Deuteronomy 26:16-19 writes:
The Lord your God commands you this day to follow these decrees and laws; carefully observe them with all your heart and with all your soul. You have declared this day that the Lord is your God and that you will walk in obedience to him, that you will keep his decrees, commands and laws - that you will liten to him. And the Lord has declared this day that you are his people, his treasured possession as he promised, and that you are to keep all his commands. He has declared that he will set you in praise, fame and honor high above all the nations he has mdae and that you will be a people holy to the Lord your God, as he promised.
The call to follow the Lord's command with all your heard and soul! What a reminder even for myself as I remember and look back at the declarations of the past and my commitment to God. I think this passage is really challenging me to think and consider the way that I am living out my life; what does it mean to be obedient to God; to follow His desires and His will. What does it mean to live a life that acknowledge that God is our Lord? Are there areas that I need to abandon because He is the only Lord of my life? Are there things that I need to no longer do or follow? Am I declaring that and living out that lifestyle TODAY? or am I waiting for another day?
You know one of the scariest thing about procrastination and the concept of tomorrow is that "tomorrow will never arrive!" When we push things to tomorrow, tomorrow will never come. Because when tomorrow becomes today, tomorrow will still be around!
Consider your life friends! And let it be one that reflects the call to be obedient to the commands of Him who is good!
The Lord your God commands you this day to follow these decrees and laws; carefully observe them with all your heart and with all your soul. You have declared this day that the Lord is your God and that you will walk in obedience to him, that you will keep his decrees, commands and laws - that you will liten to him. And the Lord has declared this day that you are his people, his treasured possession as he promised, and that you are to keep all his commands. He has declared that he will set you in praise, fame and honor high above all the nations he has mdae and that you will be a people holy to the Lord your God, as he promised.
The call to follow the Lord's command with all your heard and soul! What a reminder even for myself as I remember and look back at the declarations of the past and my commitment to God. I think this passage is really challenging me to think and consider the way that I am living out my life; what does it mean to be obedient to God; to follow His desires and His will. What does it mean to live a life that acknowledge that God is our Lord? Are there areas that I need to abandon because He is the only Lord of my life? Are there things that I need to no longer do or follow? Am I declaring that and living out that lifestyle TODAY? or am I waiting for another day?
You know one of the scariest thing about procrastination and the concept of tomorrow is that "tomorrow will never arrive!" When we push things to tomorrow, tomorrow will never come. Because when tomorrow becomes today, tomorrow will still be around!
Consider your life friends! And let it be one that reflects the call to be obedient to the commands of Him who is good!
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