one of the most important things in our life is our health. without our physical well-being, it's hard to go about carrying out daily routine. illnesses, diseases and all sorts of ailments caused us discomfort but as Ps Khong said, that if we trust in Him, we will be healed. That sometimes, we are healed, but without that firm trust in Him, we lose that healing. My body had been broken countless times from my basketball days and when the call was made, I went and all God said to me was: trust.
it's amazing that God re-affirmed this when jennifer from mel side, asked me to give a short lesson to victoriette while we were chilling after service. It was a short story, aptly titled "Peter Trusts Jesus". Well, here's the background of the story, Matthew 14:22-33.
22Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. 23After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, 24but the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it. 25During the fourth watch of the night Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. 26When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. "It's a ghost," they said, and cried out in fear. 27But Jesus immediately said to them: "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid." 28"Lord, if it's you," Peter replied, "tell me to come to you on the water." 29"Come," he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!" 31Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. "You of little faith," he said, "why did you doubt?" 32And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. 33Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God."
Like the disciples, all of us are caught up in storms at one point or another, struggling with problems. In verse 22, it says that Jesus made His disciples get onto the boat and into the stormy sea. When God sends us out into a storm, He has a purpose for us. The Lord will use a storm to help us grow in our walk with Him. Verse 25 tells us that the disciples didn't recognize that it is Jesus, The disciples, even though they have spent much time with Jesus, don't recognize him in the storm. How true, that sometimes we don't recognize the Lord when he comes to us in the middle of our "storms." Peter took a step of faith, came out of the boat and walked on water. I guess Peter realise that it is better to be with Jesus without a boat than be in a boat without Jesus. He obeyed God's command, faith is when it is accompanied by actions. But he began to sink, because he took his eyes off God and instead begin to look at circumstances. The realisation of the winds and waves divided his attention from God. the difference between walking on water and sinking in despair is in our eyes.
When we keep our eyes on Jesus, we’re able to walk on water. Our is desire is only on drawing near to him and nothing will stand in our way. But when we start looking: at our circumstances, at our situation, at the storms in life, we lose faith and it causes us to sink. Unbelief puts our circumstance between us and God, but faith puts God between us and ourcircumstances. Taking our eyes off Jesus, and focusing on the difficult circumstances will cause us to get under our problems. But when we cry out to Jesus, he catches us by the hand and raises us above the seemingly impossible surroundings. Peter starts out with good intentions, but his faith falters. This does not, however, end up in failure. Peter, even in his fear, cries out to the Lord, the only one who can help him. When Jesus gets in the boat, the storm ceases. When we have Jesus "in our boat" the storms of life will be calmed.
I have a back problem, that when I sit/stand for too long, my back would 'freeze up' and that sometimes it's so bad that I can only sleep on my stomach. I'm serving as a signaller in the Army and many a times, I am carrying heavy loads that would aggravate my problem. My wrists, knees and ankles are battered and when it's about to rain or if the weather is cold, they would begin to hurt. But I believe God would heal me, eventually, for like Ps Khong said there are many levels of healing and I will trust Him. Like what I've told victoriette, "For nothing is impossible with God." (Luke 1:37), so brothers and sisters, have you placed your trust in Jesus today?
Saturday, April 14, 2007
12:26 AM
many days of prayers, many hours of waiting, many minutes of deliberation. what science and medicine can't explain, faith can. yat fie's papa need not go for any amputation op. from something that looked like a bleak situation, God turned everything around. that indeed, He is the Cure. what a testimony it would be, that I would be able to share with those around me. people who are bogged down with physical ailments or sicknesses to put their trust in the Lord, that He reigns over everything and by His will, all shall be restored. i'm elated, that indeed God is ALWAYS with us. that He is ever present in our family. that He listens to our cries, our prayers. that He is mighty to save.
God is also known as Emmanuel. It means 'God is with us'. How true this is! I thank God for everything that He has done. Indeed, God is with us :)
I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth. He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber.Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord is thy keeper: the Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand. The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul. The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth,and even for evermore. - Psalms 121: 1-8
wl
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
12:51 AM
hmm..many things to write about, of which some I've wanted to but I've decided to wait till the Easter is over.
Last week started with quarrels and tensions in the office, one which led me to call fie. He didn't say much, yet for reasons unknown to me, I wasn't the slightest worried about it. It wasn't the first time that something like that happened, to be hurt like that. What surprised myself more was the fact that I called him; like finally, I'm running to my Dad with bigger steps.
The messages delivered on Good Friday confirmed that something was indeed stirring in my heart and this was the culmination of it. Ps William asked of us to rise up, that God hunts for giants for us to slay; that with no battle nor obstacles, there would be no real victory. It was like a war cry to me; for if these people want me to lay down the values and principles which I live by, then I'd challenge them to come and take them. I thank God for the place I'm in, for indeed, it is a training ground for me, to prepare for God's glory. Feelings welled up inside of me, to take my battalion for Christ alone and to claim every inch of territory that the Enemy has taken from us.
I enjoyed the sharing sessions with my family. It was my first outing with them but it was a great one. we heard a lot from one another and it was really a good session. I guess Clare jiejie is right: this is really the starting of something. To be able to captialise on this fervour buring right here and now in our hearts, we'd be able to even come as one, forging new bonds and unity. This is the season for our family to rise up! I thank God for Jin Cai who's going off to Brunei, that he came for the miracle weekend. It brought to mind that last Dec, Melissa asked me how many people I'd like to have and by when. I said 3 and it'd be by next Good Friday. Well, looks like I've only got 1 and even that 1 is leaving soon. But I believe this is a good pot of soil that I'm investing in and that one day, I'd see the harvest. I commit my friend into His hands and that His word would be like a seed planted in his heart, that it would eventually blossom and be fruitful. A year isn't too long. It's worth the wait. I'm sure.
Yat Fie's papa was hospitalised and we went and prayed for him. It was the first time I ever prayed for somebody i didn't know and in chinese too. But what was supposed to be an amputation just got postponed and postponed! Blood was flowing into a once-dead toe and it has become less swollen and red from Yat Fie's accounts. Praise the Lord, for He's really the Cure! Let's continue to pray brothers, for I'm sure we all want to see more from the Lord. Let there be a testimony of God's awesomeness come from our family that indeed God is good!
On the bus home, victoriette fell on her way up the bus. I guess it was rather painful but I saw nuanyi's hand reach out for her right away. She brushed herself and was all smiles again even though, the cut still hurts. I guess our walk with God is something like that, when we falter, He will immediately rush to us and pick us up. Our God is sometimes One who hides Himself but never One that absents Himself; sometimes in the dark, but never at a distance! The lashes on His back, the curses hurled at Him and the nail pierced hands..they never fail to amaze me how much God love us, that the One who knew no sin died on our behalf. And with that love, that strength, am I confident that it's time for us to rise up for tis the year of victory! Let us rise up as champions of Christ and fight the good fight! The Lord gave me this verse durin yesterday night's QT and it'd be good to end with this:
Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; love and faithfulness go before you. Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence. O Lord. They rejoice in your name all day long; they exult in your righteousness. For you are their glory and strength and by your favour you exalt our horn. Indeed, our shield belongs to the Lord, our king to the Holy One of Israel. (Psalm 89:14-18)
wl
Tuesday, April 3, 2007
10:13 AM
Today's copy of LIFE! section caught my eye. It's titled 'Road to Damascus' and it shows the splendid ruins of Palmyra in Syria. This brought to mind, Paul in Acts, where he was on the road to Damascus, seeking to decimate the Christian community there.
He had set out from Jerusalem for Syrian Damascus, with the authority to arrest those followers of Jesus and bring them back to Jerusalem in chains for questioning and possible execution. Yet on his way, he was struck blind by a brilliant light from heaven and he heard the Lord asking, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?" As the chapters go, we see that Paul now blinded and healed through Aanasis by the Lord, restoring his sight and we witnessed the conversion of Paul.
The conversion of Paul let us witness the love of our Lord. Look at Acts 9:13-15 "Lord, " Ananias answered. "I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your saints in Jerusalem. And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name." But the Lord said to Ananias, "Go! This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel."
Paul's conversion is a testimony to the absolute forgiveness of our sins, shortcomings and trangressions that we are offered by faith and grace through belief in Christ. Paul's persecution of Christians was a grave sin but at the same time it conveys a message that any sinner, no matter how bad his sins, is forgivable.
We're sinful by nature, and yes, at times we stumble and falter. Often, we find ourselves on the road to Damascus; on the way to committing sin that is, be it temptations, anger or negative feelings or harsh words to people around. God meets us where we are at, whether it’s on the road to ruin from drugs, alcohol or any other kind of self-destructive sin. Just as Jesus went to the homes of sinners to share His Good News with them, so does He come to us where we are to offer His salvation. We only have to say yes to His invitation, like Paul did. God calls out to us, to turn our backs on sin and walk with Him.
The 'Road to Damascus" has become a metaphor in reference to a sudden conversion of thought or a change of heart or mind in today's language. Paul was a persecutor of Christians yet God forgave him and made him one of the greatest servants in Christian history. No life is useless or too far gone for God. He has a purpose for all of us and can forgive us no matter what if we are willing to ask for His forgiveness and accept it as His gift to us. What miracle life might He have in store for you?
wl
the anthem
"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path." Psalm 119:105
welcome!
Welcome to our tribe's blog
as always, our dad will try to share God's word and testimonies here
if you've any testimony, want to update your brothers about your status
or even just share the goodness of God,
do drop a post yup!
god bless!
