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!
title: Story.
Date:
Satan's Meeting!
Satan called a worldwide convention of demons.
In his opening address he said,
'We can't keep Christians from going to church.'
'We can't keep them from reading their Bibles and knowing the truth.'
'We can't even keep them from forming an intimate relationship with their saviour.'
'Once they gain that connection with Jesus, our power over them is broken.'
'So let them go to their churches; let them have their covered dish dinners, BUT steal their time, so they don't have time to develop a relationship with Jesus Christ..'
'This is what I want you to do,' said the devil:
'Distract them from gaining hold of their Saviour and maintaining that vital connection throughout their day!'
'How shall we do this?' his demons shouted.
'Keep them busy in the non-essentials of life and invent innumerable schemes to occupy their minds,' he answered.
'Tempt them to spend, spend, spend, and borrow, borrow, borrow.'
'Persuade the wives to go to work for long hours and the husbands to work 6-7 days each week, 10-12 hours a day, so they can afford their empty lifestyles.'
'Keep them from spending time with their children.'
'As their families fragment, soon, their homes will offer no escape from the pressures of work!'
'Over-stimulate their minds so that they cannot hear that still, small voice.'
'Entice them to play the radio or cassette player whenever they drive.' To keep the TV, VCR, CDs and their PCs going constantly in their home and see to it that every store and restaurant in the world plays non-biblical music constantly.'
'This will jam their minds and break that union with Christ.'
'Fill the coffee tables with magazines and newspapers.'
'Pound their minds with the news 24 hours a day.'
'Invade their driving moments with billboards.'
'Flood their mailboxes with junk mail, mail order catalogs, sweepstakes, and every kind of newsletter and promotional offering free products, services and false hopes..'
'Keep skinny, beautiful models on the magazines and TV so their husbands will believe that outward beauty is what's important, and they'll become dissatisfied with their wives. '
'Keep the wives too tired to love their husbands at night.'
'Give them headaches too! '
'If they don't give their husbands the love they need, they will begin to look elsewhere.'
'That will fragment their families quickly!'
'Give them Santa Claus to distract them from teaching their children the real meaning of Christmas.'
'Give them an Easter bunny so they won't talk about his resurrection and power over sin and death.'
'Even in their recreation, let them be excessive.'
'Have them return from their recreation exhausted.'
'Keep them too busy to go out in nature and reflect on God's creation. Send them to amusement parks, sporting events, plays, concerts, and movies instead.'
'Keep them busy, busy, busy!'
'And when they meet for spiritual fellowship, involve them in gossip and small talk so that they leave with troubled consciences. '
'Crowd their lives with so many good causes they have no time to seek power from Jesus.'
'Soon they will be working in their own strength, sacrificing their health and family for the good of the cause.'
'It will work!'
'It will work!'
It was quite a plan!
The demons went eagerly to their assignments causing Christians everywhere to get busier and more rushed, going here and there.
Having little time for their God or their families.
Having no time to tell others about the power of Jesus to change lives.
I guess the question is, has the devil been successful in his schemes?
You be the judge!!!!!
Does 'BUSY' mean: B-eing U-nder S-atan's Y-oke?
Satan called a worldwide convention of demons.
In his opening address he said,
'We can't keep Christians from going to church.'
'We can't keep them from reading their Bibles and knowing the truth.'
'We can't even keep them from forming an intimate relationship with their saviour.'
'Once they gain that connection with Jesus, our power over them is broken.'
'So let them go to their churches; let them have their covered dish dinners, BUT steal their time, so they don't have time to develop a relationship with Jesus Christ..'
'This is what I want you to do,' said the devil:
'Distract them from gaining hold of their Saviour and maintaining that vital connection throughout their day!'
'How shall we do this?' his demons shouted.
'Keep them busy in the non-essentials of life and invent innumerable schemes to occupy their minds,' he answered.
'Tempt them to spend, spend, spend, and borrow, borrow, borrow.'
'Persuade the wives to go to work for long hours and the husbands to work 6-7 days each week, 10-12 hours a day, so they can afford their empty lifestyles.'
'Keep them from spending time with their children.'
'As their families fragment, soon, their homes will offer no escape from the pressures of work!'
'Over-stimulate their minds so that they cannot hear that still, small voice.'
'Entice them to play the radio or cassette player whenever they drive.' To keep the TV, VCR, CDs and their PCs going constantly in their home and see to it that every store and restaurant in the world plays non-biblical music constantly.'
'This will jam their minds and break that union with Christ.'
'Fill the coffee tables with magazines and newspapers.'
'Pound their minds with the news 24 hours a day.'
'Invade their driving moments with billboards.'
'Flood their mailboxes with junk mail, mail order catalogs, sweepstakes, and every kind of newsletter and promotional offering free products, services and false hopes..'
'Keep skinny, beautiful models on the magazines and TV so their husbands will believe that outward beauty is what's important, and they'll become dissatisfied with their wives. '
'Keep the wives too tired to love their husbands at night.'
'Give them headaches too! '
'If they don't give their husbands the love they need, they will begin to look elsewhere.'
'That will fragment their families quickly!'
'Give them Santa Claus to distract them from teaching their children the real meaning of Christmas.'
'Give them an Easter bunny so they won't talk about his resurrection and power over sin and death.'
'Even in their recreation, let them be excessive.'
'Have them return from their recreation exhausted.'
'Keep them too busy to go out in nature and reflect on God's creation. Send them to amusement parks, sporting events, plays, concerts, and movies instead.'
'Keep them busy, busy, busy!'
'And when they meet for spiritual fellowship, involve them in gossip and small talk so that they leave with troubled consciences. '
'Crowd their lives with so many good causes they have no time to seek power from Jesus.'
'Soon they will be working in their own strength, sacrificing their health and family for the good of the cause.'
'It will work!'
'It will work!'
It was quite a plan!
The demons went eagerly to their assignments causing Christians everywhere to get busier and more rushed, going here and there.
Having little time for their God or their families.
Having no time to tell others about the power of Jesus to change lives.
I guess the question is, has the devil been successful in his schemes?
You be the judge!!!!!
Does 'BUSY' mean: B-eing U-nder S-atan's Y-oke?
title:
Date: Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Jeremiah 29:11
"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."
Hello. I got my history test back today and I failed. I was initially quite sad, but I wasn't that badly hit as marks don't really get me down. While I was eating lunch, God suddenly dropped this verse into my mind, and I started pondering about it. Why did God give me this verse?
After a few mintues, I finally got the answer. Here, God says that He has plans to prosper us and not to harm us. Plans for our own good. I related it to the history paper, that it was God's plan for me to fail so that I would work harder and not be complacent. This is because most of the marks I lost were from the questions that required memorized information. I didn't bring my book home. So God wanted to use this to remind me to bring my books home and work harder.
This same logic applies to many things in our daily lives. Sometimes we wonder, "why must this happen to me?" or "why do I do so badly?" or "why is she treating me this way?" Don't think that God treats you badly. In fact, the incident is for your own good! If you do badly, God has a reason. Maybe it is to make you work harder. If your friend dumps you, God has a reason too. Maybe it is to show you that the friend is not the one God wants you to be with, and you will venture out and find new friends!
God always has the best plans for you. Don't doubt them. :)
"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."
Hello. I got my history test back today and I failed. I was initially quite sad, but I wasn't that badly hit as marks don't really get me down. While I was eating lunch, God suddenly dropped this verse into my mind, and I started pondering about it. Why did God give me this verse?
After a few mintues, I finally got the answer. Here, God says that He has plans to prosper us and not to harm us. Plans for our own good. I related it to the history paper, that it was God's plan for me to fail so that I would work harder and not be complacent. This is because most of the marks I lost were from the questions that required memorized information. I didn't bring my book home. So God wanted to use this to remind me to bring my books home and work harder.
This same logic applies to many things in our daily lives. Sometimes we wonder, "why must this happen to me?" or "why do I do so badly?" or "why is she treating me this way?" Don't think that God treats you badly. In fact, the incident is for your own good! If you do badly, God has a reason. Maybe it is to make you work harder. If your friend dumps you, God has a reason too. Maybe it is to show you that the friend is not the one God wants you to be with, and you will venture out and find new friends!
God always has the best plans for you. Don't doubt them. :)
title: footprints in the sand.
Date: Wednesday, August 5, 2009
You walked with me, footprints in the sand
And helped me understand where I'm going
You walked with me when I was all alone
With so much I know along the way
Then I heard you say
I promise you, I'm always there
When your heart is filled with sorrow and despair
I'll carry you when you need a friend
You'll find my footprints in the sand
This song was in my Leona Lewis album since the day i bought it. I had never really bothered to listen to it as the title sounded rather boring, until one day, my church leader mentioned a story about footprints in the sand. That was when it struck me that there was a song called 'Footprints In the Sand'. When I got home, I plugged in my iPod and listened to it, and found out that Leona Lewis was actually singing about how God had been with her throughout her tough times.
The footprints in the sand story goes like this : One day, a man was looking back on his life. He walked on the beach and saw that there were always two pairs of footprints. Then he came to the tough times, and he saw that there was only one pair of footprints. He asked God "God, why are there only one set of footprints? Was I walking alone?" Then God replied, "No, my son. You were not. When you couldn't take it anymore, I carried you."
This song speaks of how God promises us that he will never leave us nor forsake us. When we go through trials, God will always be there to guide us. We'll never walk alone. God will always be there for us, like a true friend, or more like truer than a true friend. When we can't take it anymore, we can give it all to God, and he will help us.
Sometimes, when we feel sad, lost, unbelonged or any negative feeling, we can always look to God. He is always there, ever ready to walk with us. In fact, he delights when we confide in him. He loves us more than anyone else does. More than you love yourself. If he could even die for us, what makes you think he won't be there for us? God is really a faithful God. Just experience it yourself.
And helped me understand where I'm going
You walked with me when I was all alone
With so much I know along the way
Then I heard you say
I promise you, I'm always there
When your heart is filled with sorrow and despair
I'll carry you when you need a friend
You'll find my footprints in the sand
This song was in my Leona Lewis album since the day i bought it. I had never really bothered to listen to it as the title sounded rather boring, until one day, my church leader mentioned a story about footprints in the sand. That was when it struck me that there was a song called 'Footprints In the Sand'. When I got home, I plugged in my iPod and listened to it, and found out that Leona Lewis was actually singing about how God had been with her throughout her tough times.
The footprints in the sand story goes like this : One day, a man was looking back on his life. He walked on the beach and saw that there were always two pairs of footprints. Then he came to the tough times, and he saw that there was only one pair of footprints. He asked God "God, why are there only one set of footprints? Was I walking alone?" Then God replied, "No, my son. You were not. When you couldn't take it anymore, I carried you."
This song speaks of how God promises us that he will never leave us nor forsake us. When we go through trials, God will always be there to guide us. We'll never walk alone. God will always be there for us, like a true friend, or more like truer than a true friend. When we can't take it anymore, we can give it all to God, and he will help us.
Sometimes, when we feel sad, lost, unbelonged or any negative feeling, we can always look to God. He is always there, ever ready to walk with us. In fact, he delights when we confide in him. He loves us more than anyone else does. More than you love yourself. If he could even die for us, what makes you think he won't be there for us? God is really a faithful God. Just experience it yourself.
Labels: footprints in the sand, lonely, lost, sad