title: Hated?
Date: Monday, August 24, 2009
John 15:18-19
"If the world hates you, keep in mind that they hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you."
I think this verse will speak to many. You know, at times when we feel depressed because we are being rejected or ostracised by our friends? We can always look back to this verse for comfort.
It's because God has chosen us. He has set us apart from the rest, to be His hands and feet to do what He wants for the world, to be His mouth and correct others from their wrong behaviors.
It's like, okay. Let's use this illustration. A used to be very popular with her friends. Then one day, she is suddenly 'kicked out' of the gang. So she feels really depressed. Maybe the reason for that is that her friends does things that A doesn't approve of, or that A doesn't join her friends in certain things. Well, probably because of her principles. So in this instance, A is rejected by her friends because of her principles, with probably are Christian-related. A should remember that she is doing it for God. If she is part of 'them', which is the group, the group would like her and her life would seem better. However, she would be letting God down in the process, and the guilt and shame in her would overpower the welcome she receives from her friends.
Let me say something : Never, ever, do something for the sake of making your life better when it means compromising your Christianity. I once did it, and I felt so guilty for a very long period of time. I could feel myself drifting away from God and I kept praying about it. One day, while I was watching a movie I was unsure if I should be watching, God suddenly dropped the song 'The Heart of Worship' into my mind. Halfway through the show, I cried. My friends thought I cried because of the show, but it was actually because I felt God's presence once again. His presence made me yield and surrender to Him, and I asked for His forgiveness. From then on, I have been telling myself not to give in.
Press on, even though the world hates you and everything seems to be going wrong. Just remember that you already have the victory - God! And whatever is happening is for your own good (refer to previous post). :) <------ The one about plans.
Anyway, I was quite happy yesterday. Firstly, I cried. That is a thing to rejoice about because I cried because I felt God's presence. I didn't even go for altar call, but God still answered me. Very often when they sing 'I'll go through the fire', I will cry. Because that is a song that really speaks to me. Despite listening it to so many times, I haven't gotten sick of it. :)
Secondly, I met a choir senior. I think she is called Jingyi. At first i saw a familiar person, and I was wondering who it was. Then i concluded she was from SN. Then after a while, i decided to ask. And, haha! It was! :)
Okay. talking to Sharlene. Bye!
"If the world hates you, keep in mind that they hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you."
I think this verse will speak to many. You know, at times when we feel depressed because we are being rejected or ostracised by our friends? We can always look back to this verse for comfort.
It's because God has chosen us. He has set us apart from the rest, to be His hands and feet to do what He wants for the world, to be His mouth and correct others from their wrong behaviors.
It's like, okay. Let's use this illustration. A used to be very popular with her friends. Then one day, she is suddenly 'kicked out' of the gang. So she feels really depressed. Maybe the reason for that is that her friends does things that A doesn't approve of, or that A doesn't join her friends in certain things. Well, probably because of her principles. So in this instance, A is rejected by her friends because of her principles, with probably are Christian-related. A should remember that she is doing it for God. If she is part of 'them', which is the group, the group would like her and her life would seem better. However, she would be letting God down in the process, and the guilt and shame in her would overpower the welcome she receives from her friends.
Let me say something : Never, ever, do something for the sake of making your life better when it means compromising your Christianity. I once did it, and I felt so guilty for a very long period of time. I could feel myself drifting away from God and I kept praying about it. One day, while I was watching a movie I was unsure if I should be watching, God suddenly dropped the song 'The Heart of Worship' into my mind. Halfway through the show, I cried. My friends thought I cried because of the show, but it was actually because I felt God's presence once again. His presence made me yield and surrender to Him, and I asked for His forgiveness. From then on, I have been telling myself not to give in.
Press on, even though the world hates you and everything seems to be going wrong. Just remember that you already have the victory - God! And whatever is happening is for your own good (refer to previous post). :) <------ The one about plans.
Anyway, I was quite happy yesterday. Firstly, I cried. That is a thing to rejoice about because I cried because I felt God's presence. I didn't even go for altar call, but God still answered me. Very often when they sing 'I'll go through the fire', I will cry. Because that is a song that really speaks to me. Despite listening it to so many times, I haven't gotten sick of it. :)
Secondly, I met a choir senior. I think she is called Jingyi. At first i saw a familiar person, and I was wondering who it was. Then i concluded she was from SN. Then after a while, i decided to ask. And, haha! It was! :)
Okay. talking to Sharlene. Bye!