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resolve #1
Not to be like any man but Jesus.
It is crucial to point people to Jesus, because the role-model is not the real thing.
Filed under: jesus, resolve | Leave a Comment
sharing the gospel on the train
I started a conversation yesterday with the person next to me on the train with the intention of sharing the gospel.
My pick-up line was as simple as: “Excuse me sir I couldn’t help but notice you were reading a book about peace. Is it a fiction or non-fiction book?”
I couldn’t believe those words were coming out of my mouth! He was a middle-aged Indian gentleman with a scholarly and well-groomed appearance.
He went on to tell me what the book was about, why he’s reading it, what was he doing on the train, what he does, where he was going – then, I asked, “So what kind of peace do you think matters in life?” – and what he thinks about having peace with a god.
No, I didn’t exactly get to share the gospel.
But I was astounded that it really is possible to start talking to a stranger and lead the conversation to Christ. It really is possible! I came away rich from the dialogue.
I just want to do it again.
Filed under: evangelism, gospel, talk | 3 Comments
A quick mental calculation today told me that…
SMU cell group bible study + SMU message + SMU word leaders training + Sunday School prep + Sunday School = at least 15 hours on each passage.
For all that’s worth, my challenge really is to do what the Word says in 2 Peter, chapter 1 alone:
Remember… (2 Peter 1: 15)
that Christ surely is coming again in glory (2 Peter 1:17) and
the prophetic word is reliable and true (2 Peter 1: 20-21), therefore
stand on the promises and power of God (2 Peter 1: 3-4) and
keep practicing the godly qualities (2 Peter 1: 5-7) so that
I will not fall and will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of God (2 Peter 1:8-11).
A good question someone asked today: Do I really see Scriptures as the light in a dark world (2 Peter 1:19)? Or is the world the one that glitters attractively to me?
Filed under: bible, growth | 1 Comment
I forgot all about a verse which I claimed for this new job… until I read this.
You have given a banner to those who fear You,
That it may be displayed because of the truth.
That your beloved may be delivered,
Save with your right hand, and hear me.
- Psalm 60.
The banner verse which I will do good to remember:
Trust in the Lord and do good;
Dwell in the land and feed on his faithfulness.
Delight yourself also in the Lord,
And He shall give you the desires of your heart.
- Psalm 37.
Remind me if I forget!
I like Matthew Henry’s comments on the idea of a banner:
“…animated them, and put life and courage into them, as the soldiers are animated by the sight of their banner… His love is the banner over them; in his name and strength they wage war with the powers of darkness, and under him the church becomes terrible as an army with banners.”
Filed under: God, assurance, bible | Leave a Comment
I chose to love
En Ai spoke first: “I pray that the Holy Spirit will be the true counselor… not your tired body or your battered heart.”
Then Cherie: “The Lord has promised good to me, His word my hope secures, He will my shield and portion be, as long as life endures.”
This article – Doing good: The shape of the Christian life – helped a lot too, especially this quote:
“A loving character and loving actions are interdependent: good character helps give rise to moral decisions and deeds, while acting rightly grows a righteous character.”
I DID NOT RUN AWAY FROM MY RESPONSIBILITY!
I came this close to giving a reasonable explanation for why I would like to drop a class from my schedule. I sputtered to En Ai: “I can’t believe I’m making decisions like this on the run!”
Yes, on the train from Clementi to Woodlands.
I DID NOT RUN AWAY FROM MY RESPONSIBILITY!
I had to say that again. I feel like I’ve not been defeated.
I think I could have dropped a class in a very reasonable fashion, this being the first week of school and everything’s barely started and I do have insomnia.
But something bugged me lah. Maybe it was Proverbs 16:1 that En Ai texted me. Maybe it was the all-night prayer that brought me no peace, only a sense of helplessness and desperation to run away even more.
I DID NOT RUN AWAY FROM MY RESPONSIBILITY.
And after I met my colleague – the one who would have to take over my class if I were to drop it – something inside me said I want to love this person, not do him a disservice. I want to be able to share with him the gospel without him thinking, this girl is so irresponsible, why should I listen!
It helped that he is a very soft-spoken and understanding person. I apologised for having to absent myself on Tuesday because of my insomnia. Besides discussing work, we talked a bit about his wife and I gave him a box of moon-cakes I bought in church. “Planting a seed for God’s kingdom” was what the aunty told me when I bought it.
So yah ok now I’m in a more favorable position to share the gospel.
I CHOOSE TO LOVE. I want to say that more often.
Filed under: love, wisdom, work | 6 Comments
I need good words
Of encouragement and love. Of affirmation and comfort. Of wisdom and gentleness. Of acceptance and grace. Of mercy and firmness. Of kindness and hope. Of peace and restoration.
I need good words filled with reminders of the gospel promises… this is why!
My working life has been a series of throwing in the towel and admitting defeat. Lather, rinse, repeat. It’s beginning to feel a lot like this is my cross to bear.
It’s unlikely I will regain any kind of confidence in myself – the wrong kind at least. It is hard to make an idol out of what you keep failing at. So even my failures are God’s goodness to me. Also, His mercy and grace meant that I never lost the proper confidence in Jesus Christ and His promises to me.
Still, I feel defeated somewhat. Good friendly words spoken are needful now. Speak to me please?
Filed under: friends, love, words, work | Leave a Comment
poems from pain
Pain leaves me speechless, but surprisingly, full of poems.
Hope
I’m walking through the Refiner’s fire;
It won’t be forever that I’m here.
While I’m waiting, I’m transforming
To be my Father’s gold and silver.
Only a Lord to follow
There is a girl who appears to be
Weaker than all the rest -
She has no resolve, no strength of will,
No bravery nor courage of heart.
Only a Lord to follow, only a cross to bear.
There is a girl who prays to lean
Closer to that divine chest -
She hangs her head, and in feeble words,
Meets her Maker and Master.
There, her Lord to follow; there, her cross to bear.
There is a girl who longs to be
Heaven-bound in glorious best -
She has no means, no principles,
No wisdom, nor destiny or plans.
Only a Lord to follow, only a cross to bear.
Filed under: God, faith, perseverance, poem, pray | Leave a Comment
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