Connecting with God means having a relationship with Him, to love Him, just as you connect with your family.
What is love?
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. (1 Corinthians 13: 4-8)
What has love do with God?
God is love. He fits every single description as mentioned in 1 Corinthians 13: 4-8. Even though Adam and Eve failed God, God was kind. He did not condemn them, neither did He destroy them. Instead, right after they sinned against God, the LORD God made garments of skin for Adamand his wife and clothed them (Genesis 3:21). Similarly, in the time of Noah, even though He was so angry that He wanted to wipe out the whole human race, He did not. He has all the reasons but He did not. God being forgiving, He gave us chance after chance, waiting for us patiently to turn back to Him.
And because God is love, every love that you are experience is through Him. "We love each other because He loved us first." (1 John 4:12-19)
You said that God love us. How has He? As humans, when you love a particular someone, what are some things that you will do for him/her?
(1) Whatever he/she wants to do, you will support him/her.
(2) Whatever disappointing things that he/she does, you will forgive him/her.
(3) Even if it means your life, you willingly give him/her.
Similarly, God did what you would do and not only that, He does even more. If you have a partner before, to love one is tough enough, how much more is the world! God did not just love you only. He loves your parents, family, friends, people whom you do not know and even his enemies! If one is difficult, how much more is His?
Imagine yourself creating something and you expect it to be good but it turned out otherwise, how do you feel? This is how God feels! At times, when created items turn out to be faulty, the creator disposes them off and never let it be around but definitely not God. Since the beginning, Man has disappointed God time after time, from providing Moses to King David to John the Baptist, but none of these efforts seem to work against the stone heart of Man. A handful got saved but Many still ignore His love.
God could have given up but that is not His character. Love always perseveres. Instead, He decided that He had to use His last resort, His trump card but meanwhile, the greatest sacrifice for Him. He sent His one and only beloved Son, Jesus Christ, so that whoever believe in Him (Jesus Christ), shall not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16) If you are a parent, ask yourself this question: "Would you sacrifice your son for people whom go against your will and never loved you?" You must be thinking, "How dumb it is!" But not God.
God did everything. Through His precious Son, you are not only saved from sin, most importantly, you are able to enjoy the relationship with the Father directly!
What are some of the ways you can adapt to maintain and strengthen this Connection/Relationship with God? How do couples maintain and strengthen their relationship? Through communication? Through the things that they do together? Similarly, that is how you should do in your relationship with God.
God left the most wonderful communicating tool on Earth and that is His Word - The Bible. By reading His Word daily, you will know Him better and therefore love Him even more. You may ask this, "How about God?" God already knows you even before you were born. And I dare proclaim that He is the one and only person in this entire universe that knows you best, even more than what you know about yourself. "And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered." (Matthew 10:30)
Before a couple gets married to one another, will not they rather hug someone to sleep every night? Obviously they do not but they will have a replacement, for example a hugging bear. But God left you something more powerful than a hugging bear. He left His spirit in you, so that in every single second of your life, He is always there for you, in the things you do, in the emotions that you are facing. So, to improve this relationship, allow Him to do things with you.
Next, call God frequently! It is not as if every boyfriend provides their girlfriend with a phone and a number but God provides! He gave you a weightless plus wireless "hand phone" which does not require any recharging. And that is prayer. Just as you will do to your love ones on Earth, do the same to the Father. Call Him anytime, anywhere, He is always ready 24/7 to pick up your phone, to hear what you have to say, your questions, your decisions, your cry-outs, everything.
What hinders you from maintaining and strengthening this Connection? And How can you solve these hindrances?
I know. You are going to find some excuses right now. Stop!
Some of the common reasons which Man is hindered are:
(1) Insufficient time
(2) Laziness
(3) Do not feel like it
(4) I do not know how to
Basically, these excuses are understandable but not valid. As much as God wants 100% of your time, He knows that that is impossible for you. Similarly, as much as a husband wants 100% of his wife's time, he knows that is impossible. However, be it husbands or God, He just wants you to spend time with Him, even if it is only 5 minutes of your day.
Start small in everything. The time which your church pastor spends with God now, I dare say it is not as much as compared to ten years ago. As you spend time with your friends or love ones, do you think that the moment you know that, you gave them your priority and most of your time? Probably, you started spending 1 minute saying Hi's and Bye's with one another. Then slowly, from chit chatting to outings, to phone calls, to ...
God is not demanding you to spend all your time with him the moment you know Him. He is not a control freak. He is patient with you, always waiting for your replies. Just start interacting with him bit by bit daily. Start small and soon it will end up BIG!
Proverbs is the book that dedicates to Solomon son of David (Proverbs 1:1). Solomon is the king of Isreal whom all nations recognizes his wisdom, which was blessed by God. "God gave Solomon wisdom and very great insight, and a breadth of understanding as measureless as the sand on the seashore." (1 Kings 4:29) Basically, we can say that the book of proverbs is the book of wisdom.
"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline." (Proverbs 1:7)
In order to attain wisdom, there is a need for these 3 elements to be present - the fear of God, wisdom and discipline.
To fear of the Lord, simply means to respect, to listen. In everything that He says to you or commands you, you listen and engrave it deep in your heart, so that you may obey and do: "Listen, my son, to your father's instruction and do not forsake your mother's teaching. They (wisdom) will be a garland (decoration) to grace your head and a chain to adorn your neck." (v8-9) This means that by heeding their advices, it is as if the parents themselves are guiding you, supporting you right from the back.
Simply, let us put in this way. "Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? (Luke 11:11) So, how much more will not the Heavenly Father do good to you? In 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." God plans to do good in your life and not bring disaster to your life!
Next, you need wisdom. In order that you may have wisdom, you will have to first listen to the word. It is through the word that you find all answers to your questions. However, knowledge that comes without discipline, bounds to nothing. It is as if you sowed your seeds on to the pavement of rocks where the word is not deeply rooted in your foundation. And when circumstances comes, the hazardous weather shall bury your growth with the soil.
Wisdom is always there. She calls aloud in the street, raises her voice in the public squares; at the head of the noisy streets she cries out, in the gateways of the city she makes her speech: "How long will you simple ones love your simple ways? How long will mockers delight in mockery and fools hate knowledge?" (v20-21)
The dangers about refusing wisdom is as such. When calamity overtakes you like a storm, when disaster sweeps over you like a whirlwind, when distress and trouble overwhelm you, you will eat bad fruit of your own ways and be filled with the fruit of the schemes.
"For the waywardness of the simple will kill them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them, but whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm." (v32-33) So, my friends, are you not going to seek wisdom and in fear of the Lord, perform it in your daily life with discipline? God promises you your safety and freedom. Are they not what you want?
For the past 2 days, it has really been quite hectic and tiring, but nonetheless interesting as compared to the usual daily routine.
Yesterday was Combined Church Youth Sports Day! It was conducted very early in the morning whereby my church mates and I have to gather at RV point - Boon Lay MRT control tower at 815am. Then we had to travel from west to north - Ang Mo Kio, which in turn, we did a change to a bus which leads us to May Flower Secondary School. There is where we hard our sports day.
As usual, I participated in the game of soccer as a striker but ended up as a last man (defender) with my team of 5 - Amos, Daniel, Yu ren & Kai Shou. All of the teams played quite competitively. All were good and hard world-class sportsmanship & gamesmanship. The outcome was not so important but truely the process - whether if you enjoyed the game. We always say, "For the love of the game."
Immediately after the mini soccer tournament ended, I made my way to the floorball court and started playing. I was substituted in by the grace of Julian. But I guess I was not good enough that I caused the team to lose from 2-1 to 7-3. Oops. Afterwhich, I went away to participate in another basketball game, where I made new friends. On the whole, I was both famished and tired.
After the event, my church youths and Good News youths made our way to AMK Hub for our lunch. However, we were pangsehed by them as they wish to eat Macdonalds and we do not. Yet, we also do not know what we should eat there. Thus, we came up with the most corny idea of travelling to Vivo City from AMK Hub by bus. I tell you, it was a superb long journey! There, we caught a movie by Nicholas Cage - Bangkok Dangerous, then took bus 97 to IMM for dinner, and bus 99 back home.
Similar to saturday, I woke up around the same time as today. Went church, and today was Lord Supper. I never had this feeling before but somehow or another, the Holy Spirit gave me or rather us - Yi Xin, this feeling. Lord Supper is as if people have taken it for granted. It has long lost its significance, especially to me. I never knew what it was or even if I do, I did not respect or sincerly gave my all for what it was. To me, Lord Supper is just a piece of bread and a cup of ribena.
It was until today then its significance impacted deep in my heart. From the time of Adam, Mankind has disappointed God. As a creator, when you create things, you have high expectations of your the thing you created, however, it just turn out otherwise. How hard you as a creator will feel? Imagine. Then from Adam all the way till present times, have we not once disappoint God?
There is so many things that we do that God can easily condemned us. Each time He sees us sinning, He feels angry, sad, disappointed but yet He cannot bear leaving us just aside and ignore us because He so love us. His great love has long surpass every understanding that His Grace filled upon us, giving us His forgiveness everytime even though we do not deserve it.
However, we did not get touch by His love. Instead, we took it for granted. God saw no choice but to use His final resort because if He does not, we difinitely will not be saved. And that final resort was the cruxification of His One and Only beloved Son - Jesus Christ.
I began to imagine about Jesus Christ's love for us. It is the most magnificent. He came down as a human form to suffer with us even though He was crowned prince. Then He put everyone before him except himself. He went around to touch people's heart, to teach them, to heal them, to save them, to inspire them. However, there came a time, in Jerusalem, that the people whom He wants to save so badly, cruxified him. Can you imagine how He felt? The people whom He has fought so hard to die for now want to put Him to death!
In life, how we wish every single moment, there's someone thinking about you. Likewise, God too. Jesus told the disciples, "Take the cup and the bread, and do this in remembrance of me." I imagined what has happened, and I saw bitterness in the picture. Now then I understood how great the love I have already received is. How important His body and blood it is to me. They are my life.
After church, I went Pastor's place for some fellowship, then just finish watching Wall-E with David, Ai Ling and Victor again. This is my second time watching this movie in a week. It is really a touching movie that somehow or another, I got emoed.
In fact, I wished badly that I can get back what I have lost or rather I be like Wall-E, at the ending part, loses his memories. I have been trying to bear the pain but I do not know when it will reach the threshold. I am still fighting hard but how I wish I can just give up and die. The pain is too unbearable. Somebody, please. I wish to forget my entire life.
Today is a special day, not to me but to my best friend, Daniel. Amos and I went to meet him at Jurong Point, the newly opened world of the Japanese, for our dinner. It was a buffet at Kushinbo. The queue was seriously long. Moreover, buffet's queue does not move as quickly as compared to dining restaurants where you just eat and go. This is because in a buffet, even if you can't eat, you will still eat. Nowadays, you hardly see people dying for relationship but in fact, for food.
Thus, it took us 1 hour 30 minutes for us to finally get in to the restaurant. And we had only 1 hour 30 minutes before the restaurant officially closes. I guess its just one for one - a minute for a minute. The food was superb I would say. Thumbs up! Compared to the suntec Kushinbo, the one that we just went is slightly better as of its variety. As usual, my diet will be a minimum of 30 pieces of salmon, then some Japanese snow crabs, teppanyaki, and more.
On my way home, I nearly fainted. Not because of food but because of fatigue. Crap. I was walking down the "aisle" of the bus, holding on to the handle, preparing to get down. As I moved, I lost grip of my stance and I fell inwards to the right, nearly hit a lady. It was until she "zhek" me then I realized I was falling. I did not even realize I was doing that. For a moment, I left that place.
Can't wait for tomorrow. It is combined youth sports day! May God bless us with a good weather & enjoyable & safe fellowship. Amen.
"Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."
Judgment is something that you will experience daily. Judgment, I shall call it politics. Be it in school, in the office, at home, and even church, politics is there. Because it is everywhere, you cannot run, neither can you hide from it, but be sure do not be pulled along with it.
Backstabbing. Condemnation. Ill-Speaking. Many More. They are examples of politics that by now you are so familiar with. It just shows how flawful we humans are. Ask yourself this, "Do you like politics?" Now then, why do you join them in it? Speaking ill about others, condemning them, are not those judging?
"Why do you look at the speck of saw dust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother. 'Let me take the speck out your your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye." (Matthew 7:3-5)
Why do you judge a flawful when you yourself are one of them?
So first, before you even comment anything bad about others, first do yourself a favor by reviewing yourself if you're like one of them. For most of the time, in fact, you are. But even if you are not, be sure that you do not speak behind person but in front of person. By doing this, you are of great help to him/her. "Truth will always set us free."
Now, this leads us to an interesting question. Why do people judge? The sad truth is, people love to judge so that when they judge, the feel good of themselves. By putting someone down to the pit, you are actually comparing yourself to him/her. It makes you look as if you are perfect. Whether are you conscious about doing or not, you are. However, in the first place, what gives you the authority to say so?
"I talked back about others because he/she first talked back about me." Oh my, how childish this is! How long do you wish to take your revenge against that person? Or do you ever think that by doing so, it will end anyone winning the race? I tell you the truth, by giving in and forgiving, you are the winner in the eyes of the Lord. Is not what all matters?
"You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.' But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles." (Matthew 5:38-41)
Yes. Let him/her say what he/she wants to say. If you are not what it is being said about you, why bother? Let God be the judge. If you are right and he/she is wrong and has slandered you, surely they will receive their fair share. However, if you slander him/her back, you are not glorifying God. Why argue back when you are in the right? Are you not sure that you are in the right?
Instead, "Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven." (Matthew 5:44)
"Oh, I judged because the world is doing that!" Let me ask you this, "Does God look like the world to you?" Did not God say this, "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it." (Matthew 7:13-14) Why do what the world do for the world is in the path of the broad when in fact, the narrow is the one that leads to life. Be not the Majority but be the Few!
So now my friends, "Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." (Matthew 7:1-2)
Of course, there is no Man that does not sin. Even Solomon, the wisest Man on Earth, in his prayers (one of the few magnificent prayers recorded in the bible), said this, "When they sin against you - for there is no one who does not sin-..." (1 Kings 8:46) So, if you cannot control yourself from judging, allow me to suggest to you this proposal: Pray.
Rob Thomas - Little Wonders let it go, let it roll right off your shoulder don't you know the hardest part is over let it in, let your clarity define you in the end we will only just remember how it feels
our lives are made in these small hours these little wonders, these twists & turns of fate time falls away, but these small hours, these small hours still remain
let it slide, let your troubles fall behind you let it shine until you feel it all around you and i don't mind if it's me you need to turn to we?ll get by, it's the heart that really matters in the end
our lives are made in these small hours these little wonders, these twists & turns of fate time falls away, but these small hours, these small hours still remain
all of my regret will wash away some how but i can not forget the way i feel right now
in these small hours these little wonders these twists & turns of fate these twists & turns of fate time falls away but these small hours these small hours, still remain, still remain these little wonders these twists & turns of fate time falls away but these small hours these little wonders still remain
Monday was Teacher's Day, a day that I thought I will never experience as a teacher myself when I was still a student. I never thought that day was so meaningful, especially to the teachers. There is this primary 5 kid, he made me a card. This card was made plainly by using a piece of A4 size photocopy paper + markers + pencil + crayons. But I tell you, even though it is made of cheapo materials, even though it may be torn anytime, the simple words that he wrote, the stars that he drew, warmed my heart with his deep sense of sincerity and thankfulness. The efforts you have put in on the person has paid off. The results are secondary. It is how you as a person mould the other person to be. Nonetheless, My Father claims all glory and honor. =]
Tuesday was a simple day. Nothing much has happened. After work, I went for a movie - "Wall E" with my junior, Justin the Canadian. It was a late night movie. The movie is kind of nice to me but there is many different perspectives out there. Thus, it is for you to decide.
Today! Things worked out smoothly. I caught a movie again, this time was "Death Race", with my friends, Bing Hong, Ivan & Wilson Lien. The movie was superb. 4.5/5? There was a set up in the storyline, however, not that aspiring. Nonetheless, the action and ending surely pleases you as a viewer. It is a must watch movie!
I was on my way home on the MRT and I saw this couple quarreling. The male was trying his best to please the female but the female was showing off her "power", reluctant to give in. Its kind of nostalgic when I see it. This is what spices things up in life. However, things looked as if it is going out of hand as the minute hand ticks, the quarrel grew from bad to worst. Then, something happened to me. I did not know what happen but all I know is that I prayed:
"Father, I do not know what happened to them but you know best. You know what happened to them and surely you can help them. Only, you can... Please, help them. Amen."
I did not know what was I doing but all I know is this. Relationship, be it friendship, be it boy-girl relationship, be it family, be it husband-wife, all these are hard to start and hard to get. All the more, we should cherish them and let not little obstacles break such cherish-able relationship to disappear over-night. Let not good things come to an end and let not closeness end up hatred.
Why did I say that relationship does not come easy? Indeed you wish to be friend with that particular someone but it does not mean that particular someone wish to be friend with you. However, he/she chose to be friend with you. Likewise, in your relationship with God! He chose you so that he can have a relationship with you. It is not whether you want it but it is whether others are willing to give you that chance. And that chance does not come easy. Therefore my dear friends, cherish what you have, especially your relationship with God! In Mark 10:17-31: There was this rich man that came and ask Jesus about the way to eternity.
"Good teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?"
"Why do you call me good?" Jesus answered. "No one is good- except God alone. You know the commandments: ' Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, do not defraud, honor your father and mother.'"
"Teacher," he declared, "all these I have kept since I was a boy."
Jesus looked at him and loved him. "One thing you lack," he said. "Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."
The man was in distressed.
Jesus looked around and said to this disciples, "How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!" The disciples were amazed at his words. Then they asked, "Who then can be saved?"
Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God."
No matter how different you and your friend are, no matter how big the gap between you two you say it is, nothing is impossible for you both to end up together. If it is by your efforts, and I mean Man's efforts, surely you will fail. But if it is by God's efforts, there is nothing impossible that He cannot do.
If through him you can receive eternity that is the ultimate gift from Him, what more is it if you ask for a blessed relationship! Therefore, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." (Philippians 4:6)
Oh one more thing before I end. Guess what? The couple came back together, and they started to talk things out. Praise the Lord!
