It follows nicely what I've posted earlier, just about 16 hours ago. After Bible Study with Mr. Lian it all came together matched conveniently with my thoughts former. Like I said, its more convenient.. not coincident.
Romans 8:28
"And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose."
Now, there is nothing on earth that happened in coincidence! Mr. Lian suggested that there is no such thing as luck. Everything can be explained and calculated! A mathematician would say that a roll of dice is by chance.. If you roll a fair dice square enough, the chance for each number to be shown on top would always be 1/6. Throw it frequently enough, it proves that the mathematician is right! There is chances of change~!
But a Physicist would never agree. A dice throw is heavily dependant on all interacting forces that can be precisely calculated, velocity and force of throw, mid air interacting forces, impact and the degree of spin, then the bounce rates of the materials, centrifugal spin velocities... all that and much more can be calculated. And if for one case that such a throw would result in number 3, a perfect replication of this throw would give us 3 again! So is there chance?
I like how Mr. Lian put it. “Chance is the admission of our human finiteness. We don’t compute what actually happens behind that chance.
I believe, God is in control of all things.
Luke 12:7
“But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are more valuable than many sparrows”
And such is my confidence.
Wednesday, August 16, 2006
Tuesday, August 15, 2006
Perfect Fit
The words of my friend Kay Jin still lingers in my thoughts. "Do you believe in coincidance?" he asked. "Certainly there is a divine plan," I replied. "But for what, I may not know yet". Perplexed by the thoughts of a divine arrangement kept me thinking and reflecting on how my life came together like a script perfectly written. I'm not saying my life is perfect, yet how amazingly all things come together around me keeps me believing that there is a Soveriegn God.
As I look back in the days of my High school, my friends always asked of my confidence. "Why aren't you troubled of where you're going? Isn't there something you would like to do? Where do you see yourself in future?". The same friend who asked me these questions is here with me today in UM.
All my life, I've seen how God has led me and my family into difficult cirumstances so we may learn and He would display His awesome wonder of redeeming what's lost. Sadly. it is at troubled times His words speak louder. My family's Exodus from Church to Church has helped us see a bigger picture. Myself in UM has pushed me into a position to be a servant of servants. Relationships cornered me to reexamine my Relationship with Him. In lack I've seen abundance. Indeed. God is in control.
"Don't you think some times we are like stringed puppets on a stage set to entertain the audience of One?" another friend may ask. "A play written by a friend whom I know loves me, I would gladly and willingly follow. May it be bright days or, storms, blessings or perils, I am amenable."
As sacrifice leads to greater sacrifices, will I be able to finally give my all? I know someday the phone will ring, will I be able to say "yes" when I pick it up?
There's a garment already prepared for me. I will grow into it that it may come to me as a perfect fit.
As I look back in the days of my High school, my friends always asked of my confidence. "Why aren't you troubled of where you're going? Isn't there something you would like to do? Where do you see yourself in future?". The same friend who asked me these questions is here with me today in UM.
All my life, I've seen how God has led me and my family into difficult cirumstances so we may learn and He would display His awesome wonder of redeeming what's lost. Sadly. it is at troubled times His words speak louder. My family's Exodus from Church to Church has helped us see a bigger picture. Myself in UM has pushed me into a position to be a servant of servants. Relationships cornered me to reexamine my Relationship with Him. In lack I've seen abundance. Indeed. God is in control.
"Don't you think some times we are like stringed puppets on a stage set to entertain the audience of One?" another friend may ask. "A play written by a friend whom I know loves me, I would gladly and willingly follow. May it be bright days or, storms, blessings or perils, I am amenable."
As sacrifice leads to greater sacrifices, will I be able to finally give my all? I know someday the phone will ring, will I be able to say "yes" when I pick it up?
There's a garment already prepared for me. I will grow into it that it may come to me as a perfect fit.
Friday, August 04, 2006
Servant-Hood
I think it was timely that Rev. Steven Kum came here to speak to us about Servant-hood. I think it was refreshing for those who were involved with so many activities in the past few weeks and also a future motivation and a challenge for those who are new to the CF and are thinking of service here in their campus. Many a time, we tend to start off on the wrong foot as we come to serve God and I think what Steven Kum did today helped some of us to re-gather thoughts of what does it mean to really be a servant of God.
Today I discovered the difference between being a servant and having servant-hood. So it seems that a servant is a man who serves. But having servant-hood is an inner self-sacrificial attitude that yearns to serve the master.
In devising how Mr. Lian would argue this point, I'll try to clarify the divide of service and servant-hood. Service is an act, a servant doesn't necessarily have a heart of a servant (servant-hood), but a person with an in-dwelling heart of a servant carry out the act of service due to the nature of servant-hood within. So we can safely say that, the nature of servant-hood produces its fruits which is the act of service, but the act of service alone doesn't mean the servant has the nature of servant-hood. Service is merely the fruit of servant-hood.
Isaiah 6:1-8
1 In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted, and the train of his robe filled the temple.
2 Above him were seraphs, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying.
3 And they were calling to one another: "Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory."
4 At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke.
5 "Woe to me!" I cried. "I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the LORD Almighty."
6 Then one of the seraphs flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar.
7 With it he touched my mouth and said, "See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for."
8 Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?" And I said, "Here am I. Send me!"
Here the prophet Isaiah was first commissioned by God to carry out His work. A servant's encounter with his Master. See that the Master is Holy and even the angels declare of His Holiness with their wings covering their heads and feet for even they are unworthy to see Him!
Isaiah was in awe of such glory and was humbled to see the Lord come and felt unworthy when the Lord drew near.
I think the first thing about servant-hood is to know who you are serving. Knowing your Master and acknowledging His sovereign will over our lives is prime step. Often times we start our service because we are asked to and that we feel that there is a need to fulfill that obligation, yet we tend to forget who we are doing it for at the end of the day. Sure it seems like serving others and perhaps will rub off some joy in the process, but we miss the true joy of knowingly serving our Master. The Joy of the Lord is my strength~!! If we were to serve in such an attitude knowing who we are serving, the Joy of serving God gives us strength.
Common day psychologists will tell you that service with a smile brightens those around you and yourself. Smile gives you the vibrant energy to keep going at what you're doing. What more can the Joy of the Lord do for you? At the expense of your labour, you not only keep going, but it becomes pleasurable to you! Talk about enjoying what you do.
Secondly is that we must be cleansed. Isaiah was cleansed with a burning coal upon his lips. He needed to be atoned of his sins that he may do the will of God. We tend to carry a lot of excess baggage that weighs us down even when we are serving. The promise of redemption that God has given to us on the Cross of Calvary is not always the first place we go to before we start off with our service. We tend to drag along a lot of guilt and ill feelings about ourselves and thinking we're incompetent. Have we forgotten the Grace of God that has been freely given to us? In our innocence before God, we are to serve.
Thirdly we avail ourselves to do His work. I remember Cheffrost is always challenging the juniors to check their capabilities versus their availability. Often times, our capabilities may be great but we do not avail ourselves to the service of God. It is better even if we are incapable of many things and that in our weakness avail ourselves and let God use us for His Glory! In a sense, we now serve as humble servants who depend on His leading and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. He becomes our inspirator. Forever Relying On God (F.R.O.G.). God is searching for hearts that are willing.
In verse 8, "Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?" And I said, "Here am I. Send me!". Isaiah was willing. Are you?
*Actually, every time I hear of the name Steven Kum, I'm reminded of Melalyn about her comments of him.. hehe (ask her to tell you if u're curious)*
Today I discovered the difference between being a servant and having servant-hood. So it seems that a servant is a man who serves. But having servant-hood is an inner self-sacrificial attitude that yearns to serve the master.
In devising how Mr. Lian would argue this point, I'll try to clarify the divide of service and servant-hood. Service is an act, a servant doesn't necessarily have a heart of a servant (servant-hood), but a person with an in-dwelling heart of a servant carry out the act of service due to the nature of servant-hood within. So we can safely say that, the nature of servant-hood produces its fruits which is the act of service, but the act of service alone doesn't mean the servant has the nature of servant-hood. Service is merely the fruit of servant-hood.
Isaiah 6:1-8
1 In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted, and the train of his robe filled the temple.
2 Above him were seraphs, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying.
3 And they were calling to one another: "Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory."
4 At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke.
5 "Woe to me!" I cried. "I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the LORD Almighty."
6 Then one of the seraphs flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar.
7 With it he touched my mouth and said, "See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for."
8 Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?" And I said, "Here am I. Send me!"
Here the prophet Isaiah was first commissioned by God to carry out His work. A servant's encounter with his Master. See that the Master is Holy and even the angels declare of His Holiness with their wings covering their heads and feet for even they are unworthy to see Him!
Isaiah was in awe of such glory and was humbled to see the Lord come and felt unworthy when the Lord drew near.
I think the first thing about servant-hood is to know who you are serving. Knowing your Master and acknowledging His sovereign will over our lives is prime step. Often times we start our service because we are asked to and that we feel that there is a need to fulfill that obligation, yet we tend to forget who we are doing it for at the end of the day. Sure it seems like serving others and perhaps will rub off some joy in the process, but we miss the true joy of knowingly serving our Master. The Joy of the Lord is my strength~!! If we were to serve in such an attitude knowing who we are serving, the Joy of serving God gives us strength.
Common day psychologists will tell you that service with a smile brightens those around you and yourself. Smile gives you the vibrant energy to keep going at what you're doing. What more can the Joy of the Lord do for you? At the expense of your labour, you not only keep going, but it becomes pleasurable to you! Talk about enjoying what you do.
Secondly is that we must be cleansed. Isaiah was cleansed with a burning coal upon his lips. He needed to be atoned of his sins that he may do the will of God. We tend to carry a lot of excess baggage that weighs us down even when we are serving. The promise of redemption that God has given to us on the Cross of Calvary is not always the first place we go to before we start off with our service. We tend to drag along a lot of guilt and ill feelings about ourselves and thinking we're incompetent. Have we forgotten the Grace of God that has been freely given to us? In our innocence before God, we are to serve.
Thirdly we avail ourselves to do His work. I remember Cheffrost is always challenging the juniors to check their capabilities versus their availability. Often times, our capabilities may be great but we do not avail ourselves to the service of God. It is better even if we are incapable of many things and that in our weakness avail ourselves and let God use us for His Glory! In a sense, we now serve as humble servants who depend on His leading and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. He becomes our inspirator. Forever Relying On God (F.R.O.G.). God is searching for hearts that are willing.
In verse 8, "Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?" And I said, "Here am I. Send me!". Isaiah was willing. Are you?
*Actually, every time I hear of the name Steven Kum, I'm reminded of Melalyn about her comments of him.. hehe (ask her to tell you if u're curious)*
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