This is not my picture, but when I came across it in flickr I was totally in awe, God is so awesome in the way he creates each individual, she really is a cutey!! it takes something to capture a picture like this, but it takes even more to create a human being like this
February 24, 2006
February 21, 2006
analytical
I was at my home church (having just come back to OZ) and was listening to the sermon ... and I realized that I had an unhealthy habit ... that was, I often find myself analyzing the message or analyzing the speaker giving the message, instead of allowing the Holy Spirit to use the message to analyze ME!
The Scriptures do tell us to guard against false prophets, and to check everything back to the Word of God, so analyzing what is being said to us is in fact wise. However nowhere in Scripture does it tell us to focus on the flaws of another's character or the little problems with their sermon delivery. Really the scriptures cleary warn against thinking of ourselves better than another. And when we do this we block the Holy Spirit from really searching us and working in us.
It goes both ways, we need to be ready to accept God's hand in our lives no matter through who it is, no matter what we may think of them, no matter how many things we see that aren't perfect in their lives. If we can do that then we can also accept that God wants to do the same through us, that even through our imperfections God wants to use us as an instrument in somebodyelse's life.
What's the most important thing about a package ... its whats inside right! Sure the packaging and the wrapping can make it more appealing, but if its only a beautiful box but with nothing inside whats the point. So its time we stopped analyzing the package's God sends the gifts in, and start accepting the precious gifts God wants to give us. Don't let superficial things stop you from receiving all that God has for you.
I know for myself it would be a waste of time to simply go to church to analyze someone, and I'm missing out on all that God has for me.
The Scriptures do tell us to guard against false prophets, and to check everything back to the Word of God, so analyzing what is being said to us is in fact wise. However nowhere in Scripture does it tell us to focus on the flaws of another's character or the little problems with their sermon delivery. Really the scriptures cleary warn against thinking of ourselves better than another. And when we do this we block the Holy Spirit from really searching us and working in us.
It goes both ways, we need to be ready to accept God's hand in our lives no matter through who it is, no matter what we may think of them, no matter how many things we see that aren't perfect in their lives. If we can do that then we can also accept that God wants to do the same through us, that even through our imperfections God wants to use us as an instrument in somebodyelse's life.
What's the most important thing about a package ... its whats inside right! Sure the packaging and the wrapping can make it more appealing, but if its only a beautiful box but with nothing inside whats the point. So its time we stopped analyzing the package's God sends the gifts in, and start accepting the precious gifts God wants to give us. Don't let superficial things stop you from receiving all that God has for you.
I know for myself it would be a waste of time to simply go to church to analyze someone, and I'm missing out on all that God has for me.
December 21, 2005
Service with a Smile
At the moment I'm leading an outreach team for 6 weeks in the province of NAN in Northern Thailand. It is the first time I've been 'the leader' of a team. Previously I've been a leader or staff on outreaches, but not 'the leader'. I've had leadership responsibilities but the responsibility of being the leader. When chosen as the leader for the team I immediately started doubting that I should be the leader. I mean wouldn't someone else do a better job, someone that would make less mistakes, that wouldn't lead these students down the wrong path. Oh man I don't want all this attention, everyone looking to me thats too much to take, too much responsibility.
... God however has reassured me that I'm the man for job, inadequacies and ALL!!
he wants to teach me something, He wants to change me, he wants to grow me, and he has to make me a leader in order to know how to really serve, and I need to respond and serve in order to really be a leader.
God doesn't want me to be a perfect leader with no flaws, I don't even have to be confident of where I'm leading the others, I just have to be confident in the one I'm following. And above all to serve with joy in the place that God has called me to be.
"Service with a Smile"
... God however has reassured me that I'm the man for job, inadequacies and ALL!!
he wants to teach me something, He wants to change me, he wants to grow me, and he has to make me a leader in order to know how to really serve, and I need to respond and serve in order to really be a leader.
God doesn't want me to be a perfect leader with no flaws, I don't even have to be confident of where I'm leading the others, I just have to be confident in the one I'm following. And above all to serve with joy in the place that God has called me to be.
"Service with a Smile"
December 05, 2005
October 21, 2005
Something I'm not proud of
It has occured to me lately how much my flesh rules over me, on Fri last week I went to Mae Sai (Burmese border) to get another 3 month entry stamp for my visa, and it was a real rush getting there and back. And picked up some food really quickly before leaving to come back into Thailand, there were a bunch of homeless beggar kids, and they spotted the white guy and figured they'd found gold.
The first guy to come up to me saw that I had some food, and was pointing to that, but being so controlled by my flesh as I was I figured it would be better to give him some money as I was in a rush and wouldn't get a chance to get anything to eat for the next few hours. At the time I didn't think anything of it, until Wed, when reading the Matthew 5 and was majorly conviced by Jesus's radical teaching, about giving to all that ask, and I realised my error in just passing off the street boy, too concerned with meeting the desires of my own flesh.
Then another thing that stuck out to me how much my flesh controls me is that I slept in today, slept throught exercise. I let everyone down by not being there as we are all supposed to be there and as staff we are to set a good example.
But God is working in me and its taking some sacrifices to weaken the flesh.
The flesh has lost all its power over us, but often we give it power that it doesn't deserve to have.
The first guy to come up to me saw that I had some food, and was pointing to that, but being so controlled by my flesh as I was I figured it would be better to give him some money as I was in a rush and wouldn't get a chance to get anything to eat for the next few hours. At the time I didn't think anything of it, until Wed, when reading the Matthew 5 and was majorly conviced by Jesus's radical teaching, about giving to all that ask, and I realised my error in just passing off the street boy, too concerned with meeting the desires of my own flesh.
Then another thing that stuck out to me how much my flesh controls me is that I slept in today, slept throught exercise. I let everyone down by not being there as we are all supposed to be there and as staff we are to set a good example.
But God is working in me and its taking some sacrifices to weaken the flesh.
The flesh has lost all its power over us, but often we give it power that it doesn't deserve to have.
September 02, 2005
Comfort Zone
I'm an easy going guy, and for the most part its an asset, especially here in Thailand, but being too easy going means I back away from the difficult or the uncomfortable
I love peace not confrontation, I love comfort not challenges
I love the fruits, but not the hard work
The thing is I'm the one missing out,
God has called me to do more than just the easy
As much as I want it too the Bible DOESN'T say
"All things will go easily for those who love the Lord"
Everythings is cruisy in my comfort zone
my comfort zone comprises of things that I've done before, things I know I can do, anything anytime anyplace where I am self-competent and self-confident.
I manage to hover around in this area alot, occasionally puting one foot out
God never intended for me to live here though
Its time to shift residency, its time to jump right out there into the unknown void of known as the "Uncomfortable Zone"
This zone comprises of things that I'm pretty sure I can't do, it comprises of relying on God ... and relying on Him for things that I never have before, to enable be to do things I've never done before, I don't even trust myself in this area to trust in God.
Its scary ... I mean 'theoretically' I know God will never me or forsake, 'theoretically' I know God is going to give me the words to speak, 'theoretically' I know God will be my source and my strength.
And all this theory is just great and oh so warm and nice, while sitting in the comfy comfort zone, but its a whole different ballgame in the 'uncomfortable zone' its now all I've got. I find myself scrambling around, trying to find something in my "I've done that before" toolbox to help but there's nothing.
The only thing I've got is God promises
Its time to get uncomfortable ... because while I'm comfortable I will only do whats easy, and if I do that then I'm not going to grow.
Its the difficult times that will grow me, its endurance and patience that leads to faith, a faith that is TRUE and not just 'theoretical'
I love peace not confrontation, I love comfort not challenges
I love the fruits, but not the hard work
The thing is I'm the one missing out,
God has called me to do more than just the easy
As much as I want it too the Bible DOESN'T say
"All things will go easily for those who love the Lord"
Everythings is cruisy in my comfort zone
my comfort zone comprises of things that I've done before, things I know I can do, anything anytime anyplace where I am self-competent and self-confident.
I manage to hover around in this area alot, occasionally puting one foot out
God never intended for me to live here though
Its time to shift residency, its time to jump right out there into the unknown void of known as the "Uncomfortable Zone"
This zone comprises of things that I'm pretty sure I can't do, it comprises of relying on God ... and relying on Him for things that I never have before, to enable be to do things I've never done before, I don't even trust myself in this area to trust in God.
Its scary ... I mean 'theoretically' I know God will never me or forsake, 'theoretically' I know God is going to give me the words to speak, 'theoretically' I know God will be my source and my strength.
And all this theory is just great and oh so warm and nice, while sitting in the comfy comfort zone, but its a whole different ballgame in the 'uncomfortable zone' its now all I've got. I find myself scrambling around, trying to find something in my "I've done that before" toolbox to help but there's nothing.
The only thing I've got is God promises
Its time to get uncomfortable ... because while I'm comfortable I will only do whats easy, and if I do that then I'm not going to grow.
Its the difficult times that will grow me, its endurance and patience that leads to faith, a faith that is TRUE and not just 'theoretical'
August 22, 2005
Cultural emphasis
being in another culture really opens your eyes to alot of things ... and many times you have to go deep and look at some of your pre-programmed areas of your life and see whether or not they need re-programming.
This is just one area that I was challenged when I caught myself in a wrong mode of thinking yesterday.
Someone in a Thai youth service was teaching on the importance of dressing a certain way, not wearing sleeveless shirts, not wearing too much jewelry ... and I started to think how maby what they were sharing was not so important ... I mean in the west its not a big deal you can pretty much wear whatever you want these days when you goto church. In the west dress has somewhat become a non-issue. The the standards in some of the scriptures of the Bible are outdated and no longer good for use as a guideline today.
Then it hit me!! that this issue is really important here in Thailand... respect for authority, and respectful dress is something held in high regard. The teaching had seemed to me a little bit old fashion-ed because of our 'prgressed' thinking in the West... have really progressed though? its really a degression! we no longer place such an emphasis on this matter, and I had allowed that to shape my thinking, that there are more important things when going to church than how you dress.
But I realise now that it was I was wrong, not the Thais, instead of judgding I should be holding onto this gem captured in this wonderful culture.
The respect for God they show by coming to church in neat and respectful clothing, comes out of their respect for authority, something we in the West have basically thrown out the window.
Now though things seem to be changing with the younger generation here as well, the 'west' have alot to answer for in our influences of other nations.
The progression and advancements that they are learning from us the west are even taking away some of the beauty that God has placed in this culture.
This is not a 'bashing' the west session, but I did realise how I myself make wrong judgements.
None of us have it all togethor, and when we become Christians because of our cultural backgrounds we place more emphasis on different teachings in the Bible... they are all important as each other. We need to be careful not to think we already have an area covered and it doesn't need to be dealt with anymore.
We should keep checking ourselves up against the Word, and be open to those of other cultures who have so much to teach us, and because of the culture God has blessed them with, they have understanding of aspects of God and his truths that we don't.
If we really want to see God for all that he is, we also need to look at his reflections throughout his whole body, every nation, every tongue, every tribe ... and even then we will only have scratched the surface of seeing God in his wholeness.
This is just one area that I was challenged when I caught myself in a wrong mode of thinking yesterday.
Someone in a Thai youth service was teaching on the importance of dressing a certain way, not wearing sleeveless shirts, not wearing too much jewelry ... and I started to think how maby what they were sharing was not so important ... I mean in the west its not a big deal you can pretty much wear whatever you want these days when you goto church. In the west dress has somewhat become a non-issue. The the standards in some of the scriptures of the Bible are outdated and no longer good for use as a guideline today.
Then it hit me!! that this issue is really important here in Thailand... respect for authority, and respectful dress is something held in high regard. The teaching had seemed to me a little bit old fashion-ed because of our 'prgressed' thinking in the West... have really progressed though? its really a degression! we no longer place such an emphasis on this matter, and I had allowed that to shape my thinking, that there are more important things when going to church than how you dress.
But I realise now that it was I was wrong, not the Thais, instead of judgding I should be holding onto this gem captured in this wonderful culture.
The respect for God they show by coming to church in neat and respectful clothing, comes out of their respect for authority, something we in the West have basically thrown out the window.
Now though things seem to be changing with the younger generation here as well, the 'west' have alot to answer for in our influences of other nations.
The progression and advancements that they are learning from us the west are even taking away some of the beauty that God has placed in this culture.
This is not a 'bashing' the west session, but I did realise how I myself make wrong judgements.
None of us have it all togethor, and when we become Christians because of our cultural backgrounds we place more emphasis on different teachings in the Bible... they are all important as each other. We need to be careful not to think we already have an area covered and it doesn't need to be dealt with anymore.
We should keep checking ourselves up against the Word, and be open to those of other cultures who have so much to teach us, and because of the culture God has blessed them with, they have understanding of aspects of God and his truths that we don't.
If we really want to see God for all that he is, we also need to look at his reflections throughout his whole body, every nation, every tongue, every tribe ... and even then we will only have scratched the surface of seeing God in his wholeness.
August 06, 2005
No end in sight...
I'm completely amazed how anyone could be so selfish!!! ... so self-centred!!! Looking out for themselves before others, even to the extent of wishing for what is not rightfully there's! Being so holy on the outside but so full of deceit and selfish attitudes on the inside!!
... that person is me
As soon as I take my eyes off of Christ, my focus immediately turns to myself. Just a glimpse of the glory of God's face is enough to last me a life time, yet I turn at an instance I see something I like.
I utter things to God, such as "all things fade away when I'm with You", but I'm just like a prostitute who whispers sweet nothings to get what she wants.
The problem with me is my focus, I should have eyes for only one. My eyes should be set on Christ, but for a person as selfish as me this seems to be an unfavorable thing. It means sacrifice, it means giving up things that please me.
The very selfishness of my nature is hindering from me being less selfish.
The very thing I don't want to be is what I am. This condition seems to be worse than I thought. It causes more harm to others than I thought, It robs me of what God has for me more than I thought it could.
SELFISHNESS ... you and I are going to have to part ways, I'm sorry I once thought that we could be friends, but I now know that this is a destructive relationship. You are in fact a parasite causing harm to all that come into your reach.
You are a sword that destroys everything around me when in my grip.
I thought that I could control you, but all along it was you who was controlling me.
I had literally become you. No longer will I be entrapped in this deadly cycle of serving you, I will give up the the illusion of life and happiness, to have the Real Thing.
Thankyou God for showing me the light, and giving me a way out
... that person is me
As soon as I take my eyes off of Christ, my focus immediately turns to myself. Just a glimpse of the glory of God's face is enough to last me a life time, yet I turn at an instance I see something I like.
I utter things to God, such as "all things fade away when I'm with You", but I'm just like a prostitute who whispers sweet nothings to get what she wants.
The problem with me is my focus, I should have eyes for only one. My eyes should be set on Christ, but for a person as selfish as me this seems to be an unfavorable thing. It means sacrifice, it means giving up things that please me.
The very selfishness of my nature is hindering from me being less selfish.
The very thing I don't want to be is what I am. This condition seems to be worse than I thought. It causes more harm to others than I thought, It robs me of what God has for me more than I thought it could.
SELFISHNESS ... you and I are going to have to part ways, I'm sorry I once thought that we could be friends, but I now know that this is a destructive relationship. You are in fact a parasite causing harm to all that come into your reach.
You are a sword that destroys everything around me when in my grip.
I thought that I could control you, but all along it was you who was controlling me.
I had literally become you. No longer will I be entrapped in this deadly cycle of serving you, I will give up the the illusion of life and happiness, to have the Real Thing.
Thankyou God for showing me the light, and giving me a way out
July 26, 2005
thats not enough!?!
What do we mean when we tell God "All I need is you"?
Do you we really mean...
"God I need you and some money and then I'm prepared to go wherever you take me"
or "I can do anything with you and qualifications"
or whatabout "I can go anywhere and speak your truth, just give me better public speaking skills first"
how many times have we told God "I will follow you Lord, just let me do this first" (let me go bury my father)
we always find some excuse ...
But being relient on God nullifies our excuses for being inadequate for the job.
We will always be inadequate unless we rely soley on the One who is so much more than adequate!
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me"
Phil 4:13
God all I need is you
Do you we really mean...
"God I need you and some money and then I'm prepared to go wherever you take me"
or "I can do anything with you and qualifications"
or whatabout "I can go anywhere and speak your truth, just give me better public speaking skills first"
how many times have we told God "I will follow you Lord, just let me do this first" (let me go bury my father)
we always find some excuse ...
But being relient on God nullifies our excuses for being inadequate for the job.
We will always be inadequate unless we rely soley on the One who is so much more than adequate!
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me"
Phil 4:13
God all I need is you
July 04, 2005
God speaks
I'm so blessed everytime that God speaks to me ... and I'm even more blessed when i actually listen :)
I was in church listening to a great sermon ... and though not directly related to what the preacher said, the Holy Spirit stirred in me and challenged with a simple statement
"Life is too short, to live for yourself"
People say to me from time to time, "why would you give up so much to do what you do"
but now I realize that I should be asking them "why would you give up so much to settle for 2nd best"
I was in church listening to a great sermon ... and though not directly related to what the preacher said, the Holy Spirit stirred in me and challenged with a simple statement
"Life is too short, to live for yourself"
People say to me from time to time, "why would you give up so much to do what you do"
but now I realize that I should be asking them "why would you give up so much to settle for 2nd best"
June 15, 2005
Are You A Stubborn Brick
Today we were studying Haggai and looking at the 'temple' talked about there,
Haggai 2:9 The future glory of this Temple will be greater than its past glory
To those hearing this prophecy they were certain that the physical temple would be rebuilt and would be even more glorious than the temple that Solomon built, however the temple was rebuilt and they were all disappointed that the temple was nothing compared to the original, their hopes were shattered, the opposite of this prophecy came to pass. This is because it was a Messainic that would be fulfilled with Christ's coming.
We all know that the body is the temple ... but this morning God really gave me a paradigm shift, that too often we refer to ourselves as the temple of God, but we forget that we as the body of Christ - TOGETHER - are the temple of God
EPHESIANS 2:21 says
"We who believe are carefully joined together, becoming a holy temple for the Lord"
Just as bricks are overlaid and joined togethor to make a building that is strong and will stand, so we as the believers are to be like these bricks, not standing alone claiming to be the glorious temple of God. We will be strengthened as we join together, and the FULL GLORY of God's temple will evident.
Think about how good is a brick all by itself? What does a lone brick do?
One single brick can do cause alot of pain and damage. You're walking along and you stub your toe on one brick, this little brick can cause alot of pain! A single brick can even kill someone if used for what it wasn't originally intended for. It was never supposed to be used as a weapon. Don't be like the lone brick, causing other people harm.
When you look at a house, you don't look at one brick and say oh this brick is so beautiful and great I'd like ONE of those ... no! As the bricks are intertwined in a glorious masterpiece, you see a greater picture, a site that brings you to stand in awe and wonder. And not at the house itself, the house didn't build itself, why should it receive the glory. Instead all the glory and honor goes to the architect!
As a part of the temple of God, it isn't our job to bring attention to ourselves, but to help and support those around us, and to point to the greatness of our architect who places us together.
Don't be a stubborn brick standing alone
Don't be a proud brick proud of where you are
God is the builder of this house.
And as we work in the unity he has placed us in, all GLORY goes to HIM =)
Haggai 2:9 The future glory of this Temple will be greater than its past glory
To those hearing this prophecy they were certain that the physical temple would be rebuilt and would be even more glorious than the temple that Solomon built, however the temple was rebuilt and they were all disappointed that the temple was nothing compared to the original, their hopes were shattered, the opposite of this prophecy came to pass. This is because it was a Messainic that would be fulfilled with Christ's coming.
We all know that the body is the temple ... but this morning God really gave me a paradigm shift, that too often we refer to ourselves as the temple of God, but we forget that we as the body of Christ - TOGETHER - are the temple of God
EPHESIANS 2:21 says
"We who believe are carefully joined together, becoming a holy temple for the Lord"
Just as bricks are overlaid and joined togethor to make a building that is strong and will stand, so we as the believers are to be like these bricks, not standing alone claiming to be the glorious temple of God. We will be strengthened as we join together, and the FULL GLORY of God's temple will evident.
Think about how good is a brick all by itself? What does a lone brick do?
One single brick can do cause alot of pain and damage. You're walking along and you stub your toe on one brick, this little brick can cause alot of pain! A single brick can even kill someone if used for what it wasn't originally intended for. It was never supposed to be used as a weapon. Don't be like the lone brick, causing other people harm.
When you look at a house, you don't look at one brick and say oh this brick is so beautiful and great I'd like ONE of those ... no! As the bricks are intertwined in a glorious masterpiece, you see a greater picture, a site that brings you to stand in awe and wonder. And not at the house itself, the house didn't build itself, why should it receive the glory. Instead all the glory and honor goes to the architect!
As a part of the temple of God, it isn't our job to bring attention to ourselves, but to help and support those around us, and to point to the greatness of our architect who places us together.
Don't be a stubborn brick standing alone
Don't be a proud brick proud of where you are
God is the builder of this house.
And as we work in the unity he has placed us in, all GLORY goes to HIM =)
June 05, 2005
Teh Terik
Thought I'd introduce everyone to great tea that is called Teh Tarik, for those that have been to Thailand and tried chaa yen, its not a whole lot different except its served hot (for the cold version 'teh ice')
Ask any Malaysian worth his or her salt to name their favourite tea, and most likely it is the teh-tarik. Literally meaning "pull tea", the drink is prepared using out-stretched hands to pour piping hot tea from a mug into a waiting glass. The higher the pull the thicker the froth. Often found in Indian hawker stalls or restaurants, preparing the teh-tarik is both an art and science.
In expert hands, the action of streaming tea back and forth the containers is a feast for the eyes. This visual treat involves vigourous almost acrobatic like-movements of the hands and arms, as the tea steadily spills into receiving ends. Poetry in motion.
There is a reason behind this unusual method of serving tea. It is believed that the technique of stretching the tea helps it to mix well with another essential ingredient, the condense milk. Thus, bringing out the strong aroma and the subtle taste of tea. Also, the beverage cools faster this way. Style with substance.
From here
for a pic see here
and for a recipe see here
and now I'm off to get one :)
Ask any Malaysian worth his or her salt to name their favourite tea, and most likely it is the teh-tarik. Literally meaning "pull tea", the drink is prepared using out-stretched hands to pour piping hot tea from a mug into a waiting glass. The higher the pull the thicker the froth. Often found in Indian hawker stalls or restaurants, preparing the teh-tarik is both an art and science.
In expert hands, the action of streaming tea back and forth the containers is a feast for the eyes. This visual treat involves vigourous almost acrobatic like-movements of the hands and arms, as the tea steadily spills into receiving ends. Poetry in motion.
There is a reason behind this unusual method of serving tea. It is believed that the technique of stretching the tea helps it to mix well with another essential ingredient, the condense milk. Thus, bringing out the strong aroma and the subtle taste of tea. Also, the beverage cools faster this way. Style with substance.
From here
for a pic see here
and for a recipe see here
and now I'm off to get one :)
June 04, 2005
Entering the promised land
This week in SBS we are studying the book of Deuteronomy, for all of us the fact that Moses didn't get to enter the promised land after so long of being faithful to God seems hard to swallow ... and quite hard to really understand when we think we know God's grace.
23 "At that time I pleaded with the LORD and said, 24 'O Sovereign LORD, I am your servant. You have only begun to show me your greatness and power. Is there any god in heaven or on earth who can perform such great deeds as yours? 25 Please let me cross the Jordan to see the wonderful land on the other side, the beautiful hill country and the Lebanon mountains.' 26 "But the LORD was angry with me because of you, and he would not listen to me. 'That's enough!' he ordered. 'Speak of it no more. 27 You can go to Pisgah Peak and view the land in every direction, but you may not cross the Jordan River. 28 But commission Joshua and encourage him, for he will lead the people across the Jordan. He will give them the land you now see before you.'
I knew that God wanted to show some truth through this story and after reading the passage above God really spoke to me about two things.
The first wasn't necessarily from the text but I still felt challenged all the same and I felt God asking "If you couldn't go to heaven (your promised land) would you still serve me?" Now this seems like a pretty still question because we know that all those that love the Lord will have and inheritance in the eternal promised land. But it really challenged me ... do I serve God because I get to go to the promised land, or do I serve God because he is God ... and he is worthy to be served whether or not I get to go to heaven. God told Moses he wouldn't get to go the promised land (though he will be in the eternal promised land) yet Moses continued to serve God and lead the people as God wanted him too. So for myself that question still rings in my ears ... would I keep serving God even if I didn't get to go to heaven ... it really points out my selfishness and my motives... am I in this for me or for God ... do I do everything unto the Lord (BIG FULLSTOP) or do I do everything unto the Lord so I can get something in return. God is worthy to be served FULLSTOP ... and praise God is he is overwhelmingly gracious, abundanct in love, never-ending in mercy and has given me passage into the promised land.
The second thing God challenged me about was how Moses was told to encourage and commission Joshua to lead the people into the promised land. Moses had been leading these stinking complainging Israelites day in day out for 40 years, working his butt off, and now Joshua will be the one that gets the pat on the back as he leads them into the promised.
In my work for God whether it be in Thailand, at home, or wherever God has me
"am I prepared to invest my whole life, my whole energy into something even if I don't get to see the fruits of it?" and "will I challenge and commission others after me to keep the work going even if it means they might end up looking like heroes (Even though God is the true hero!!!)"
The missionaries in the South of Thailand have invested 10 years with maybe 1 person a year getting saved, but now after the Tsunami there are people that have only just started working there that are seeing people saved every single day ... but unless these pioneers they prepared the soil there would be no harvest ... there would be no fruits today.
Moses prepared these people for 40 years ... without his life commitment to his God and God's people, the people wouldn't have been able to enter the promised land. God
God I'm not in this for rewards or glory, I am in this for the glory of your name! You deserve to be praised!
23 "At that time I pleaded with the LORD and said, 24 'O Sovereign LORD, I am your servant. You have only begun to show me your greatness and power. Is there any god in heaven or on earth who can perform such great deeds as yours? 25 Please let me cross the Jordan to see the wonderful land on the other side, the beautiful hill country and the Lebanon mountains.' 26 "But the LORD was angry with me because of you, and he would not listen to me. 'That's enough!' he ordered. 'Speak of it no more. 27 You can go to Pisgah Peak and view the land in every direction, but you may not cross the Jordan River. 28 But commission Joshua and encourage him, for he will lead the people across the Jordan. He will give them the land you now see before you.'
I knew that God wanted to show some truth through this story and after reading the passage above God really spoke to me about two things.
The first wasn't necessarily from the text but I still felt challenged all the same and I felt God asking "If you couldn't go to heaven (your promised land) would you still serve me?" Now this seems like a pretty still question because we know that all those that love the Lord will have and inheritance in the eternal promised land. But it really challenged me ... do I serve God because I get to go to the promised land, or do I serve God because he is God ... and he is worthy to be served whether or not I get to go to heaven. God told Moses he wouldn't get to go the promised land (though he will be in the eternal promised land) yet Moses continued to serve God and lead the people as God wanted him too. So for myself that question still rings in my ears ... would I keep serving God even if I didn't get to go to heaven ... it really points out my selfishness and my motives... am I in this for me or for God ... do I do everything unto the Lord (BIG FULLSTOP) or do I do everything unto the Lord so I can get something in return. God is worthy to be served FULLSTOP ... and praise God is he is overwhelmingly gracious, abundanct in love, never-ending in mercy and has given me passage into the promised land.
The second thing God challenged me about was how Moses was told to encourage and commission Joshua to lead the people into the promised land. Moses had been leading these stinking complainging Israelites day in day out for 40 years, working his butt off, and now Joshua will be the one that gets the pat on the back as he leads them into the promised.
In my work for God whether it be in Thailand, at home, or wherever God has me
"am I prepared to invest my whole life, my whole energy into something even if I don't get to see the fruits of it?" and "will I challenge and commission others after me to keep the work going even if it means they might end up looking like heroes (Even though God is the true hero!!!)"
The missionaries in the South of Thailand have invested 10 years with maybe 1 person a year getting saved, but now after the Tsunami there are people that have only just started working there that are seeing people saved every single day ... but unless these pioneers they prepared the soil there would be no harvest ... there would be no fruits today.
Moses prepared these people for 40 years ... without his life commitment to his God and God's people, the people wouldn't have been able to enter the promised land. God
God I'm not in this for rewards or glory, I am in this for the glory of your name! You deserve to be praised!
May 16, 2005
May 06, 2005
Do it!
13 Look here, you people who say, "Today or tomorrow we are going to a certain town and will stay there a year. We will do business there and make a profit." 14 How do you know what will happen tomorrow? For your life is like the morning fog ?it's here a little while, then it's gone. 15 What you ought to say is, "If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that." 16 Otherwise you will be boasting about your own plans, and all such boasting is evil. 17 Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it.
When I was reading this Passage in James chapter 4 it really stuck out to me ... and realized how relevant it was.
We (me included) too often get distracted with our own plans, whether it is the fact we are chasing money, or we want a more comfortable life, or we think we aren't able to do what God wants us to do. But the the truth is we haven't got multiple lives to waste as the Hindus believe. We haven't got time to waste, we can't live for ourselves today making money, and say we'll go out on the missionfield later. The key is to be where God wants us to be, to go and do what he wants us to do, to live where he wants us to live ... Not because we have to do what God wants us to do, but we do it because we know he has the best for us. Why live for temporal riches when the riches in heaven are so much greater ... this isn't some idea made up so we would live self-sacrificing lives ... ITS THE TRUTH, so why don't we live it. If we really are following Christ's example we would give it up when God says do it ... we would be sensitive to the Holy Spirit.
Its a sin not to do what we know God wants us to do (verse 17)
If God tells you to go GO, if he tells you to stay STAY.
If God is telling you to speak to your neighbour about Christ. If you know God is telling you to give up your job and your unsaved girlfriend and move to Africa as a missionary, then don't be held back. Get rid of the weights that are holding you back (Hebrews 12:1) Run the race.
When I was reading this Passage in James chapter 4 it really stuck out to me ... and realized how relevant it was.
We (me included) too often get distracted with our own plans, whether it is the fact we are chasing money, or we want a more comfortable life, or we think we aren't able to do what God wants us to do. But the the truth is we haven't got multiple lives to waste as the Hindus believe. We haven't got time to waste, we can't live for ourselves today making money, and say we'll go out on the missionfield later. The key is to be where God wants us to be, to go and do what he wants us to do, to live where he wants us to live ... Not because we have to do what God wants us to do, but we do it because we know he has the best for us. Why live for temporal riches when the riches in heaven are so much greater ... this isn't some idea made up so we would live self-sacrificing lives ... ITS THE TRUTH, so why don't we live it. If we really are following Christ's example we would give it up when God says do it ... we would be sensitive to the Holy Spirit.
Its a sin not to do what we know God wants us to do (verse 17)
If God tells you to go GO, if he tells you to stay STAY.
If God is telling you to speak to your neighbour about Christ. If you know God is telling you to give up your job and your unsaved girlfriend and move to Africa as a missionary, then don't be held back. Get rid of the weights that are holding you back (Hebrews 12:1) Run the race.
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