I thank God for people who tell me my blindspots so I can learn to be a better person. And I want to be a better person so that people can see Jesus in me and He can use me to magnify His name.
Thanks thanks thanks. :)
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Thursday, April 30, 2009
Jesus is the lover of my soul :D
He loves me, and I am so thankful!
Jesus, Lover of my soul - Hillsong
http://www.imeem.com/people/gp0RR9/music/mGFyOLyF/hillsong-jesus-lover-of-my-soul/
Jesus, Lover of my soul,
Jesus, I will never let you go
You’ve taken me from the miry clay
You've set my feet upon the Rock, and now i know
I love you, I need you,
Though my world may fall, I’ll never let you go
My Saviour, my closest friend,
I will worship you until the very end
.
Jesus, Lover of my soul - Hillsong
http://www.imeem.com/people/gp0RR9/music/mGFyOLyF/hillsong-jesus-lover-of-my-soul/
Jesus, Lover of my soul,
Jesus, I will never let you go
You’ve taken me from the miry clay
You've set my feet upon the Rock, and now i know
I love you, I need you,
Though my world may fall, I’ll never let you go
My Saviour, my closest friend,
I will worship you until the very end
.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
writing our own life stories
i was rereading judges 9 again, and was reminded that the analogies and things that had happened so long ago would not happen in the same way today. Someone should write a modern bible based on what God is teaching us everyday.. nobody kills another to usurp positions anymore (they only kill to hide the fact that they have mistresses or they killed someone else). They do that by other methods we so often hear and see in our everyday life at work and even in church; scheming people backstabbing each other, people who tell tales to the boss, putting others down to lift themselves up, criticisms that are not edifying and certainly not helpful, so many things.. fake humility, all these things are not talked about in stories and in details in the bible though the bible does write that God searches the hearts of man, so I fear that christians will think, i am not like so and so, who killed, who committed adultery, who worships other gods in another religon, and the list goes on.. in today's world, some will think: I am not like so and so, I don't have such characteristics, I only look to God and do the right things, and gradually fall into the trap of self-righteousness.
sigh.. sometimes I think the world is sad to live in especially when the people we love and trust and whom we think are like-minded and one in spirit fails us.. but love covers over a multitude of sins.. I am also aware that I have failed people in my everyday life. I repent and desire to want to be a better person each day. I take heart that our lives on earth are temporary, and we got a far beautiful place in heaven one day. Meanwhile, carpe diem! :)
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sigh.. sometimes I think the world is sad to live in especially when the people we love and trust and whom we think are like-minded and one in spirit fails us.. but love covers over a multitude of sins.. I am also aware that I have failed people in my everyday life. I repent and desire to want to be a better person each day. I take heart that our lives on earth are temporary, and we got a far beautiful place in heaven one day. Meanwhile, carpe diem! :)
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and so.. I continued my bible reading of Judges..
and the commentary of Judges 9. Very interesting especially when I spent the whole afternoon talking, praying and reading..
Reading this sort of affirms that it should be very clear in my mind the attitude of service and leadership should be that of humility, not so much to feel important, or not so you feel powerful. I am assured and thankful God spoke through Judges.
Appropriate message @ an appropriate time! I love hearing from God! :)
The Man Who Would Be King
When Gideon died, one of his sons, Abimelech, attempted to usurp the title King of Israel — an office and position reserved for God (Judges 9). Abimelech’s short reign was marked by treachery and bloodshed. It was a foretaste of what would happen to the Israelites if they rejected God as their king.
Abimelech was a son of Gideon (Judges 8:31), but he did not share his father’s love for God. In sharp contrast to the judges who acknowledged God as the only true king over Israel, Abimelech aggressively sought the throne of Israel for his own ends.
Viewing his 70 brothers as potential rivals, Abimelech murdered all but one of them. He was supported in this wickedness by his mother’s family and the leaders of Shechem. Only Jotham, the youngest, escaped. Abimelech then had himself crowned king (Judges 9:5-6).
When news of this reached Jotham, he climbed up to a rock ledge on the south side of the nearby Mt. Gerizim, and cried out God’s warning to the people of Shechem below (verse 7). From this natural pulpit, Jotham related a fable about trees vying for supremacy: "One day the trees went out to anoint a king for themselves" (see verses 8-15).
The olive tree, the fig tree and the vine rejected the offer of kingship. They were content to grow where God had planted them and to produce the kind of fruit God desired. The implication here is that these righteous trees refused to tear their roots from the soil and soar above the other trees in a presumptuous act of self-promotion.
"Gideon...represented one of the good trees invited to become king [Judges 8:22], though exact identifications are not needed. Noble, capable leaders like Gideon believed that the theocracy, not a monarchy, was the best form of government" (The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, vol. 3, pp. 439-440).
The thornbush represented Abimelech, who craved power and prestige (Judges 9:15). Its invitation to "take refuge in my shade" refers to the traditional role of the king, who offered special protection to those traveling on his behalf. They were said to be "in his shade" (Hosea 14:7; see also Isaiah 30:2 and Daniel 4:12). In reality, as the original audience knew very well, a thornbush cannot give shade. "Jotham’s point was this: a productive person would be too busy doing good to want to bother with power politics. A worthless person, on the other hand, would be glad to accept the honor — but he would destroy the people he ruled. Abimelech, like a thornbush, could offer Israel no real protection or security" (Life Application Bible, NIV, commentary on Judges 9:7-15).
The words "let fire come out of the thornbush and consume the cedars of Lebanon" (Judges 9:15) refer to the wrath of Abimelech, which would come upon the leaders of Shechem. This is exactly what happened: Abimelech eventually destroyed Shechem (verse 45) and burned its leaders in the city tower (verses 46-49). God’s prophecy against Abimelech (verse 20) also came true: This renegade Israelite was finally killed at Thebez (verses 50-54). His brief flirtation with kingship had cost him his life.
Throughout Israel’s history, Abimelech was remembered as the man who was killed by a woman (2 Samuel 11:21). The man who would be king became an object of scorn and derision.
.
Reading this sort of affirms that it should be very clear in my mind the attitude of service and leadership should be that of humility, not so much to feel important, or not so you feel powerful. I am assured and thankful God spoke through Judges.
Appropriate message @ an appropriate time! I love hearing from God! :)
The Man Who Would Be King
When Gideon died, one of his sons, Abimelech, attempted to usurp the title King of Israel — an office and position reserved for God (Judges 9). Abimelech’s short reign was marked by treachery and bloodshed. It was a foretaste of what would happen to the Israelites if they rejected God as their king.
Abimelech was a son of Gideon (Judges 8:31), but he did not share his father’s love for God. In sharp contrast to the judges who acknowledged God as the only true king over Israel, Abimelech aggressively sought the throne of Israel for his own ends.
Viewing his 70 brothers as potential rivals, Abimelech murdered all but one of them. He was supported in this wickedness by his mother’s family and the leaders of Shechem. Only Jotham, the youngest, escaped. Abimelech then had himself crowned king (Judges 9:5-6).
When news of this reached Jotham, he climbed up to a rock ledge on the south side of the nearby Mt. Gerizim, and cried out God’s warning to the people of Shechem below (verse 7). From this natural pulpit, Jotham related a fable about trees vying for supremacy: "One day the trees went out to anoint a king for themselves" (see verses 8-15).
The olive tree, the fig tree and the vine rejected the offer of kingship. They were content to grow where God had planted them and to produce the kind of fruit God desired. The implication here is that these righteous trees refused to tear their roots from the soil and soar above the other trees in a presumptuous act of self-promotion.
"Gideon...represented one of the good trees invited to become king [Judges 8:22], though exact identifications are not needed. Noble, capable leaders like Gideon believed that the theocracy, not a monarchy, was the best form of government" (The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, vol. 3, pp. 439-440).
The thornbush represented Abimelech, who craved power and prestige (Judges 9:15). Its invitation to "take refuge in my shade" refers to the traditional role of the king, who offered special protection to those traveling on his behalf. They were said to be "in his shade" (Hosea 14:7; see also Isaiah 30:2 and Daniel 4:12). In reality, as the original audience knew very well, a thornbush cannot give shade. "Jotham’s point was this: a productive person would be too busy doing good to want to bother with power politics. A worthless person, on the other hand, would be glad to accept the honor — but he would destroy the people he ruled. Abimelech, like a thornbush, could offer Israel no real protection or security" (Life Application Bible, NIV, commentary on Judges 9:7-15).
The words "let fire come out of the thornbush and consume the cedars of Lebanon" (Judges 9:15) refer to the wrath of Abimelech, which would come upon the leaders of Shechem. This is exactly what happened: Abimelech eventually destroyed Shechem (verse 45) and burned its leaders in the city tower (verses 46-49). God’s prophecy against Abimelech (verse 20) also came true: This renegade Israelite was finally killed at Thebez (verses 50-54). His brief flirtation with kingship had cost him his life.
Throughout Israel’s history, Abimelech was remembered as the man who was killed by a woman (2 Samuel 11:21). The man who would be king became an object of scorn and derision.
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Lord, make me the Proverbs 31 woman!
10 [c] A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies. (rare, precious)
11 Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value. (trustworthy)
12 She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life. (kind)
13 She selects wool and flax
and works with eager hands. (works joyfully)
14 She is like the merchant ships,
bringing her food from afar. (goes extra mile to get choicest goods)
15 She gets up while it is still dark;
she provides food for her family
and portions for her servant girls. (disciplined)
16 She considers a field and buys it;
out of her earnings she plants a vineyard. (enterprising, prudent with money)
17 She sets about her work vigorously;
her arms are strong for her tasks. (energetic)
18 She sees that her trading is profitable,
and her lamp does not go out at night. (good steward)
19 In her hand she holds the distaff
and grasps the spindle with her fingers. (dilligent)
20 She opens her arms to the poor
and extends her hands to the needy. (compassionate, generous)
21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
for all of them are clothed in scarlet. (provident)
22 She makes coverings for her bed;
she is clothed in fine linen and purple. (Elegent)
23 Her husband is respected at the city gate,
where he takes his seat among the elders of the land. (influential)
24 She makes linen garments and sells them,
and supplies the merchants with sashes. (industrious)
25 She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come. (poised)
26 She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue. (wise)
27 She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness. (manages her home)
28 Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her: (praiseworthy)
29 "Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all." (distinguished)
30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. (God-fearing)
31 Give her the reward she has earned,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate (honoured)
.
She is worth far more than rubies. (rare, precious)
11 Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value. (trustworthy)
12 She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life. (kind)
13 She selects wool and flax
and works with eager hands. (works joyfully)
14 She is like the merchant ships,
bringing her food from afar. (goes extra mile to get choicest goods)
15 She gets up while it is still dark;
she provides food for her family
and portions for her servant girls. (disciplined)
16 She considers a field and buys it;
out of her earnings she plants a vineyard. (enterprising, prudent with money)
17 She sets about her work vigorously;
her arms are strong for her tasks. (energetic)
18 She sees that her trading is profitable,
and her lamp does not go out at night. (good steward)
19 In her hand she holds the distaff
and grasps the spindle with her fingers. (dilligent)
20 She opens her arms to the poor
and extends her hands to the needy. (compassionate, generous)
21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
for all of them are clothed in scarlet. (provident)
22 She makes coverings for her bed;
she is clothed in fine linen and purple. (Elegent)
23 Her husband is respected at the city gate,
where he takes his seat among the elders of the land. (influential)
24 She makes linen garments and sells them,
and supplies the merchants with sashes. (industrious)
25 She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come. (poised)
26 She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue. (wise)
27 She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness. (manages her home)
28 Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her: (praiseworthy)
29 "Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all." (distinguished)
30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. (God-fearing)
31 Give her the reward she has earned,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate (honoured)
.
Sunday, April 26, 2009
random thought
when someone you love and who loves you tells you that she likes that you are a teacher moulding young minds, and that it's a noble calling, it makes it a little difficult to consider leaving at the end of this year.
But I was thinking of a one year break only anyway...............................
teehee
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But I was thinking of a one year break only anyway...............................
teehee
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