When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him, Do you want to get well?
Hi Jesus!
Thanks for the wonderful speech today.
Why did you ask the invalid at the pool in Bathesda, if he wanted to get well? Surely anyone who has been invalid for 38 years would want to get well, right? On second thought, maybe it is easier to remain an invalid. Afterall, anyone who has lived with a disability for over 38 years, must already be used to its conditions. Perhaps, they aren't sure about having to get back into society after being disabled for so long. Would it actually mean they'll have to find a job once they get well? Such a daunting prospect, if you ask me.
For someone who hasn't yet given my life to God completely, I feel my situation very much similiar to that of the Bathesda invalid. I feel desperate, devoid of joy and just waiting in darkness for someone to help me into the miracle pool to be healed. But you know me (and you know my lack of faith), the same way you knew that invalid. The only difference is, the invalid really wanted to be healed.
But, the question remains, "do I want to be healed/ saved"?
1) No. I'm used to my wretched life.
2) No. I'm afraid of the unknown and my new responsibilities once I am healed/ saved.
or
3) Yes!! I want new strength and completion. I want to get up and walk tall. I want to be set free!
I know what the answer should be but up till now I still hesitate to say it. Please talk to me, Jesus. The same way you spoke to the invalid. Please see me as an individual and not as a crowd. And please bring change in my life. Let today be the day I stop waiting and just get up to walk. I pray for healing and salvation. Jesus, I don't want to wait anymore.
Have a wonderful week ahead.
Lots of love
P
xoxo
Monday, September 29, 2008
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Jesus Hearts RaggedyAnn
Ah Yi! Congratulations on your baptism today and may you lead a blessed Christian life that is filled with God's gifts and callings. May you spread the word to eager ears and be a constant source of inspiration to everyone around you. Keep it real, Ah Yi! You rock my world!
Love and peace!
Ah Pat
xoxoxo
Love and peace!
Ah Pat
xoxoxo
Exodus 1:9
"Look," he said to his people, "the Israelites have become much too numerous for us."
Dearest Jesus,
I'm trying to understand the difference between fear of God and the fear of man. Quite often, I realise from experience, the latter leads to sin because when I put myself in charge, I'll mess up and end up committing sin.
Abraham was a great man who devoted his life to doing God's works. But even a great man, such as Abraham, fell into sin once he took matters in his own hands instead of asking God for a direction.
But why is it so hard to trust God to deliver us from our trials and tribulations? Shouldn't there be a probability that out of all the challenges I'll experience in my lifetime, a handful of events could/ would be ignored by God? For instance, I do not feel God's presence as much as I did five months ago, now that my future is full of uncertainty. I do not understand if God has gone off to help others or if I have simply moved on without Him.
You said, "I and the Father am One" and all your life you were obedient to one voice. Although you were tempted in every way but you never gave in, and you were most certainly not fearful of man. Even though there were times, you didn't quite understand God's way, you continued to trust in Him. You had to endure a moment of suffering but through it brought forth victory and resurrection that saved our lives. That was God's promise and to that end, God never let us down.
So if I believe in God, He will rescue me and take me out of my mess. I guess that means I never need to be overwhelmed by my circumstances because in pain and suffering, there will always be a way to triumph.
I want to trust the Lord, I want to know that I am in good hands and most of all, I want to recognise your love for me.
Have a wonderful weekend and see you in church tomorrow.
Lots of love,
P
xx
Dearest Jesus,
I'm trying to understand the difference between fear of God and the fear of man. Quite often, I realise from experience, the latter leads to sin because when I put myself in charge, I'll mess up and end up committing sin.
Abraham was a great man who devoted his life to doing God's works. But even a great man, such as Abraham, fell into sin once he took matters in his own hands instead of asking God for a direction.
But why is it so hard to trust God to deliver us from our trials and tribulations? Shouldn't there be a probability that out of all the challenges I'll experience in my lifetime, a handful of events could/ would be ignored by God? For instance, I do not feel God's presence as much as I did five months ago, now that my future is full of uncertainty. I do not understand if God has gone off to help others or if I have simply moved on without Him.
You said, "I and the Father am One" and all your life you were obedient to one voice. Although you were tempted in every way but you never gave in, and you were most certainly not fearful of man. Even though there were times, you didn't quite understand God's way, you continued to trust in Him. You had to endure a moment of suffering but through it brought forth victory and resurrection that saved our lives. That was God's promise and to that end, God never let us down.
So if I believe in God, He will rescue me and take me out of my mess. I guess that means I never need to be overwhelmed by my circumstances because in pain and suffering, there will always be a way to triumph.
I want to trust the Lord, I want to know that I am in good hands and most of all, I want to recognise your love for me.
Have a wonderful weekend and see you in church tomorrow.
Lots of love,
P
xx
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Philippians 3:19-21
Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.
Dearest Jesus,
How are you? Haven't heard from you in a while, hope you have been well.
I've been thinking a lot about you, lately. I remember how whenever you were faced with challenges, you always somewhat manage to not only take up the challenge, but go the extra mile to turn it into something extraordinary. I tried to have the same attitude as you did in my own day-to-day, and believe that God will provide for me as long as I have a personal relationship with Him. But most of the time, my eyes desire possessions and I end up becoming a slave to earthly things like money, instead. I may understand that appearances can be deceptive and what looks like real gold may just be a couple of worthless chocolate coins. Yet, I find myself chasing these gold coins anyway. How I wish I had your faith, your wisdom and your attitude towards managing my own finances. At least you won't waste your time chasing after what might turn out to be just chocolate coins when God Almighty is able to give you real solid gold.
Not to mention, I have been putting pleasures before God and I still do not see myself as being any different from a non-believer, the way I crave for material possessions and status. Here's the situation: I know for a fact that you made it possible for me to get up close and personal with God and by the power of God's grace, I am saved and all wealth and goodness shall be provided for me, according to God's plan. By theory, I know I need not worry. But, in practice, I cower in fear of not having enough money or losing that job opportunity much more than believing that God will sort me out and make sure that everything I need will be provided for.
Although I have been showing up in church, I can't help wondering if I come with the right attitude, or am I merely jumping on the bandwagon for hope that perhaps my life will improve if I showed face in church week after week.
So here's my solution. Instead of living my life in strife and envy, I have decided to leave it in your hands. Tell me, Jesus, what do You want? Where do You want me to be? I want to succeed in whatever you want me to do. I will go the extra mile and do more than I'm required to do, when ever I am faced with challenges, because You will provide everything I need.
Jesus, I love you very much and look forward to hearing from you. Let's meet up soon! Keep well.
Lots and lots of love,
P
Dearest Jesus,
How are you? Haven't heard from you in a while, hope you have been well.
I've been thinking a lot about you, lately. I remember how whenever you were faced with challenges, you always somewhat manage to not only take up the challenge, but go the extra mile to turn it into something extraordinary. I tried to have the same attitude as you did in my own day-to-day, and believe that God will provide for me as long as I have a personal relationship with Him. But most of the time, my eyes desire possessions and I end up becoming a slave to earthly things like money, instead. I may understand that appearances can be deceptive and what looks like real gold may just be a couple of worthless chocolate coins. Yet, I find myself chasing these gold coins anyway. How I wish I had your faith, your wisdom and your attitude towards managing my own finances. At least you won't waste your time chasing after what might turn out to be just chocolate coins when God Almighty is able to give you real solid gold.
Not to mention, I have been putting pleasures before God and I still do not see myself as being any different from a non-believer, the way I crave for material possessions and status. Here's the situation: I know for a fact that you made it possible for me to get up close and personal with God and by the power of God's grace, I am saved and all wealth and goodness shall be provided for me, according to God's plan. By theory, I know I need not worry. But, in practice, I cower in fear of not having enough money or losing that job opportunity much more than believing that God will sort me out and make sure that everything I need will be provided for.
Although I have been showing up in church, I can't help wondering if I come with the right attitude, or am I merely jumping on the bandwagon for hope that perhaps my life will improve if I showed face in church week after week.
So here's my solution. Instead of living my life in strife and envy, I have decided to leave it in your hands. Tell me, Jesus, what do You want? Where do You want me to be? I want to succeed in whatever you want me to do. I will go the extra mile and do more than I'm required to do, when ever I am faced with challenges, because You will provide everything I need.
Jesus, I love you very much and look forward to hearing from you. Let's meet up soon! Keep well.
Lots and lots of love,
P
Monday, September 8, 2008
Hebrews 3:7-8
"So, as the Holy Spirit says: "Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion, during the time of testing in the desert"
Dear Mister God, will you give me a call?
I feel I need a personal call from you.
Dear Mister God, what is my mission
and what are your plans for me?
I feel like I have been so wrapped up in other things
making ends meet,
getting out of bed in the mornings
I do not hear your mighty voice no more.
Dear Mister God, if I hear your voice,
will my heart still be hard
or will it take me out of darkness
and make me respond to you immediately?
Dear Mister God, I want to know you
and I need your call.
I want to be your sheep.
All you have to do it speak to me
and I will do it.
I belief that if you call me,
it will work, no matter what.
I want a call to embrace your plan.
"As the Father sent me, so I send you"
to bless the world.
I want a call to leave behind my lifestyle
and become a worshipper who sacrifices
my time, my money, my habits
all worldly things.
I want to love because
He first loved me.
Dear Mister God, please, call me.
Amen. xx
Dear Mister God, will you give me a call?
I feel I need a personal call from you.
Dear Mister God, what is my mission
and what are your plans for me?
I feel like I have been so wrapped up in other things
making ends meet,
getting out of bed in the mornings
I do not hear your mighty voice no more.
Dear Mister God, if I hear your voice,
will my heart still be hard
or will it take me out of darkness
and make me respond to you immediately?
Dear Mister God, I want to know you
and I need your call.
I want to be your sheep.
All you have to do it speak to me
and I will do it.
I belief that if you call me,
it will work, no matter what.
I want a call to embrace your plan.
"As the Father sent me, so I send you"
to bless the world.
I want a call to leave behind my lifestyle
and become a worshipper who sacrifices
my time, my money, my habits
all worldly things.
I want to love because
He first loved me.
Dear Mister God, please, call me.
Amen. xx
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