Bible Verses

^{Joshua 1:8
8} Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.

Exodus 15
¹¹ "Who among the gods is like you, O LORD ?
Who is like you—
majestic in holiness,
awesome in glory,
working wonders?

¹³ "In your unfailing love you will lead the people you have redeemed.
In your strength you will guide them to your holy dwelling.

for the past week, these verses have ministered to me. Just thought of sharing this with everyone.

-Ed-

I CAN DO IT

"I can do everything through Him who gives me strength." Philippians 4:13.

The below scene from "Facing the Giants" really encouraged me when I felt like giving up. It's about how a coach motivated the american football team when they were discouraged despite that his job as a coach was at stake of being replaced due to several poor seasons as well as some family issues. In order to find a solution to these problems, he prays to God for help. He creates a new coaching philosophy and decides to praise God after each game, no matter what the result. At the same time he guides and urges each one of his players to give the maximum effort, and motivates them to believe they can win under God´s guidance. This reminded me of how Jesus is always cheering us on when we feel like giving up! DON'T GIVE UP! YOU CAN DO IT!



In the second video, Nick Vujicic, borned without limbs, asked "What do you do when life seems to have put you into a position where everything seems hopeless, difficult and pointless?" His attititude of gratitude is inspirational. NEVER GIVE UP is his motto. When we fall, we need to get back up! Not easy but we can do everything through Him who gives us strength!



-Diana-

I AM

I was regretting the past
And fearing the future…
Suddenly my Lord was speaking:
“MY NAME IS I AM.” He paused.
I waited. He continued,

“WHEN YOU LIVE IN THE PAST,
WITH ITS MISTAKES AND REGRETS,
IT IS HARD. I AM NOT THERE. MY NAME IS NOT I WAS.

WHEN YOU LIVE IN THE FUTURE,
WITH ITS PROBLEMS AND FEARS,
IT IS HARD. I AM NOT THERE. MY NAME IS NOT I WILL BE.

WHEN YOU LIVE IN THE MOMENT,
IT IS NOT HARD.
I AM HERE. MY NAME IS I AM.”

- Ed -
taken from a book i read

If I had my life to live over again

If I had my life to live over again, I’d try to make more mistakes next time.
I would relax, I would limber up, I would be sillier than I have been this trip
I know of very few things I would take seriously.
I would take more trips. I would be crazier.
I would climb more mountains, swim more rivers, and watch more sunsets.
I would do more walking and looking.
I would est more ice cream and less beans.
I would have more actual troubles, and fewer imaginary ones.
You see, I’m one of those people who lives life prophylactically and sensibly hour after hour, day after day. Oh, I’ve had my moments, and if I had to do it over again I’d have more of them.

In fact, I’d try to have nothing else, just moments, one after another, instead of living so many years ahead each day. I’ve been one of those people who never go anywhere without a thermometer, a hotwater bottle, a gargle, a raincoat, aspirin and a parachute.
If I had to do it over again I would go places, do things and travel lighter than I have.
If I had my life to live over I would start barefooted earlier in the spring and stay that way later in the fall.
I would play hookey more.
I wouldn’t make such good grades, except by accident.
I would ride on more merry-go-rounds.
I’d pick more daisies.

-Ed-
lifted from a book i am reading

Joy

1. Love is essential to being joyful
When my family/friends overcome a crisis or something good happens to him, I am joyful. This can only happen if I love them

2. When we meet God’s purpose, we become joyful
I was full of joy when Yuxing and my grandma came to Christ.
I was full of joy when cell group is so happy together and growing in Christ
I was full of joy during praise and worship

3. Joy can exist in times of persecution
Lifted from “The Story of Early Christianity: The first 500 years”

The Twelve Christians of Carthage
On July 17 (ed: today is July 17!!!), AD 180, twelve faithful Christians were beheaded at Scilli near Carthage for refusing to deny their Lord Jesus. The proconsul (Roman Administrator)…gave the order for them to be executed, they exclaimed with joy. “Thanks be to God!” This was their chance to show their love for Jesus.

Blandina, a young slave girl
Blandina was the last to die. The bloodthirsty mob had never seen such courage. She had earnestly encouraged her friends to remain steadfast to the end even as she watched them die. The day before, she had been tortured, hung on a stake, lashed and roasted on the iron chair. Despite what she had gone through, she entered the arena with joy and thanksgiving. A wild and angry bull rushed in. It took her upon its horns and tossed her into the air several times before she finally died.

4. God is interested in us
God is interested in us, not just the rewards but in our character. He desires us to be mature and complete.

James 1:2-4
2Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

-ed-

Good bible commentary website.

Good bible commentary website.

http://www.enduringword.com/library_commentaries.htm


I often read David Guzik's commentary. Highly recommended. Two thumbs up!!

-ed-

How the Lord really bless Moses, even when he is a baby?

Exodus 2:1 – 10

1. Moses is a fine child. Some translation says beautiful

2. Moses’s mother managed to hide him for the first 3 months without getting caught

3. It is someone special who found Moses.
- Pharaoh’s daughter
- Pharaoh’s daughter have to be bathing at that exact time. Right place, right time
- She has to feel sorry for Moses
- She did not kill the baby despite knowing that he is a Hebrew baby

4. They found Moses’ mother as the Hebrew mother to nurse Moses. Now, Moses’ mother is paid to raise Moses. Tragedy to blessing. Amazing!  Never lose hope even when the cards are down.

5. Moses was blessed to be the Pharoah’s son. He is so blessed as illustrated in the below commentary.

Being the adopted son of Pharaoh's daughter, Moses was in the royal family. The ancient Jewish historian Josephus says Moses was heir to the throne of Egypt and that while a young man, Moses lead the armies of Egypt in victorious battle against the Ethiopians. Certainly, he was raised with both the science and learning of Egypt. Acts 7:22 says, Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and deeds. Egypt was one of the most academic and scientific societies on the earth at that time. It is reasonable to think that Moses was instructed in geography, history, grammar, writing, literature, philosophy, and music.


Learning Lesson
If the Lord is your backer, he will really take care of you. Even when tragedy strike, no worries. God will still change it to a blessing. I can recall some ex in my life:
i) Daddy died - My whole family turned to the Lord
ii) Wallet lost - My faith is strengthened as the Lord answers my prayer

God is amazing. Just let him take care of you. No need to worry. He has a great plan for us. Just enjoy life. Be joyful and be in cruise control. God is real and he loves us. I am so blessed!!!

-ed-

Heart of service

"If I speak with the tongues of men and of angles, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. And if I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I surrender my body to be burned, but do not have love, it profits me nothing." 1 Corinthians 13: 1-3 (NASB)

I suppose a sincere smile on a person's face is an indication of the presence of this "love" and it can only be reflected from someone who draws strength from God's everlasting source of love and reflect it in everything he does --> the fruit of the Spirit --> the distinction of a true Christian.

Anna

Our Struggles Can Glorify God

Hi everyone, I would like to share what I've learned on Sunday from Pastor John Loong's sermon.

For the past 2 weeks, I have wondered why God has allowed certain struggles in my life. Doesn't God want me to have a victorious Christian life so that I may be joyful to praise him? Why then does God allow me to be defeated by struggles then?

I believe that today's sermon by Pastor John has shed some light. He mentioned that contrary to my belief that struggles are bad, they can actually be used to glorify God.

Psalm 50:15

"And call on me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me."

Recently, I met Jonathan for dinner on a weekday. He mentioned something that really impacted me. "Our struggles can drive us two ways, either away from God or towards God"

I now personally believe that struggles are not to be shunned or despised, they can bring us closer to God and can be used to glorify him. In our struggles in life, we can give glory to God when we see that he has brought us through.

Rui Jie

Be confident in the Lord

Pro 3: 5-6 (Amp version)

Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding.

In all your ways know, recognize, and acknowledge Him, and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths.

-ed-

The Supremacy of Christ

Col 1:15- 20

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.

-ed-

Joy is contagious and good

I learnt 2 things about joy as I read an article by Spurgeon on Philippians.

This blessed grace of joy is very contagious
It is a great privilege, I think, to meet a truly happy man, a graciously happy man. My mind goes back at this moment to that dear man of God who used to be with us, years ago, whom we called "Old Father Dransfield." What a lump of sunshine that man was! I think that I never came into this place with a heavy heart, but the very sight of him seemed to fill me with exhilaration, for his joy was wholly in his God! An old man and full of years, but as full of happiness as he was full of days; always having something to tell you to encourage you. He constantly made a discovery of some fresh mercy for which we were again to praise God. O dear brethren, let us rejoice in the Lord, that we may set others rejoicing!

Joy in the Lord is influential for good
There are many more flies caught with honey than with vinegar; and there are many more sinners brought to Christ by happy Christians than by doleful Christians. Let us sing unto the Lord as long as we live; and, maybe, some weary sinner, who has discovered the emptiness of sinful pleasure, will say to himself, "Why, after all, there must be something real about the of these Christians; let me go and learn how I may have it."

-ed-

Everything is a loss except for knowing Christ

Philippians 3:7-8 (New International Version)

7But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ

Philippians 3:12-14 (New International Version)

Pressing on Toward the Goal
12Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
----

Knowing Jesus Christ, our Creator and King, is something so precious. Everything will fade away except for the knowledge of knowing who Christ is.

Maybe our trials and temptations are all parts of God's plan & purpose for us to know him better. And, in this perspective, it will mean that we should be thankful for life's ups and downs, for we can discover the hidden gems of who God is and what God is doing through our life.

-ed-

Jesus - our humble King!

Jesus - our humble King!

Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death— even death on a cross!

Phi 2:6-8

-Ed-

Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.

"Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart."(Psalm 37:4)

I was reminded of this simple yet wonderful verse. Found the below devotion piece on the www

…He has our best interest at heart…He is always with us…He never fails us…Delight yourself in the Lord…He will lead you…He will guide you…He will direct you…He will enlightened you…"In all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths."(Prov.3:6)…

If you are looking for direction in your life…acknowledge Him…He gives good counsel…God is our delight…He loves us…He protects us…

If you are going through a rough place…call on Him…don't aimlessly seek direction…call on Him…don't dwell on hurts…dwell on the all encompassing power of God…choose to be happy…make it a definite choice…dwell on His provision…dwell on His help…dwell on His promises…delight yourself in Him…Let these thoughts sink into your being…remember He is on our side…rejoice…we can not lose..He sees us through…

When you feel a wave of despair approaching…call on Him…He will lift you up…whenever you are afraid…put your trust in Him…Jesus is able to turn things around…He tells us over and over again in His word to fear not…He tells us He is with us…He tells us the enemy can't triumph over us…God is our defense…

Trust God with your life…watch what He is doing in your life…You will cry as the psalmist did in Psalm66:5 "Come and see the works of God,He is awesome in His doing towards the sons of men."…Nothing is to hard for the Lord…His power is truly awesome…Amen

-ed-

Getting there

A boat docked in a tiny Mexican fishing village.

A tourist complimented the local fishermen on the quality of their fish and asked how long it took him to catch them.

"Not very long." they answered in unison.

"Why didn't you stay out longer and catch more?"

The fishermen explained that their small catches were sufficient to meet their needs and those of their families.

"But what do you do with the rest of your time?"

"We sleep late, fish a little, play with our children, and take siestas with our wives. In the evenings, we go into the village to see our friends, have a few drinks, play the guitar, and sing a few songs.

We have a full life."

The tourist interrupted,


"I have an MBA from Harvard and I can help you!
You should start by fishing longer every day.
You can then sell the extra fish you catch.
With the extra revenue, you can buy a bigger boat."

"And after that?"

"With the extra money the larger boat will bring, you can buy a second one and a third one and so on until you have an entire fleet of trawlers.
Instead of selling your fish to a middle man, you can then negotiate directly with the processing plants and maybe even open your own plant.

You can then leave this little village and move to Mexico City , Los Angeles , or even New York City !

From there you can direct your huge new enterprise."

"How long would that take?"

"Twenty, perhaps twenty-five years." replied the tourist.

"And after that?"

"Afterwards? Well my friend, that's when it gets really interesting, " answered the tourist, laughing. "When your business gets really big, you can start buying and selling stocks and make millions!"

"Millions? Really? And after that?" asked the fishermen..

"After that you'll be able to retire,
live in a tiny village near the coast,
sleep late, play with your children,
catch a few fish, take a siesta with your wife and spend your evenings drinking and enjoying your friends."

"With all due respect sir, but that's exactly what we are doing now. So what's the point wasting twenty-five years?" asked the Mexicans.

And the moral of this story is:

......... Know where you're going in life.... you may already be there!!

- ed -

Wonderland...

I was rather restless, uninspired and desiring very much to escape into my own wonderland on Friday afternoon while sitting in front of my desk.

I looked around at the colleagues around me, everyone seemed to be so engrossed in their own world. Nobody was talking, not sure what they were thinking. I walked outiside to a bigger office area, where the supposedly more fun-loving colleagues were sitting, again everyone has dived into their own world. There used to be colleagues that I could talk to, and yet, out of my control, they seemed not to be willing to talk to me. I don't know exactly why, perhaps because of some strained relationships between me and them, perhaps because of other colleauges who have strained relationships with them and I happened to be close to these colleagues... or perhaps simply because I've been very anti-social lately so people just found me unapproachable. Whatever it was, I just found that the office was cold, gloomy and unfriendly.

I carried this heavy heart to class, to home. Comfortably I saw this verse on the calender:

"Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God." 1 John 4:7

How great and wonderful the world, especially the office will be, if only just a quarter of the people in the office can remember to love one another, not to blemish, not to play politics but just to genuinely love one another!

Sometimes I find that the office is really a harsh secular world, if only I can escape into my own wonderland...at least I can find this true love in my wonderland....

Anna

Personal Perception

Different people have different perception. One man ' s meat could be another man ' s poison. A couple bought a donkey from the market. On the way home, a boy commented, "Very stupid. Why neither of them rides on the donkey? "Upon hearing that, the husband let the wife ride on the donkey. He walked besides them. Later, an old man saw it and commented, "The husband is the head of family. How can the wife ride on the donkey while the husband is on foot?" Hearing this, the wife quickly got down and let the husband ride on the donkey.

Further on the way home, they met an old Lady. She commented, "How can the man ride on the donkey but let the wife walk. He is no gentleman."
The husband thus quickly asked the wife to join him on the donkey. Then, they met a young man. He commented, "Poor donkey, how can you hold up the weight of two persons. They are cruel to you." Hearing that, the husband and wife immediately climbed down from the donkey and carried it on their shoulders.

It seems to be the only choice left. Later, on a narrow bridge, the donkey was frightened and struggled. They lost their balance and fell into the river. You can never have everyone praise you, nor will everyone condemn you. Never in the past, not at present, and never will be in the future.

Thus, do not be too bothered by others words if our conscience is clear..

- got this email excerpt from someone.
- ed

God of This City - Chris Tomlin

I came across this song today during worship. There is something amazing about this song. The rhythms are so easy to catch, you just automatically flow with it and want to dance with it. The melody blends into our secular society so well, and yet reminds us that God is in the midst of us.

It's like the presence of God among us is so real that this feeling just keep burgeoning in between the lines and the melody.

Ha, I'm not exaggerating but this is really how I feel about it. Ha. The video is full of energy too.

Anna

Acting according to our own conscience

Many times I wonder why a non-christian is more morally sound than a Christian. They have better conscience than Christians. They are more upright than many Christians that I know. There are also friends who told me that as long as they act according to their own conscience, they are alright.

All these really undermine my faith in the power of God, to be honest. But I just chose to ignore because my faith for the existence in God is stronger. However, yesterday, I read the following statements, which sort of gave an answer to my problem:

"Look within you. Look at your sense of right and wrong, your code of ethics. Somehow even as a child you knew it was wrong to hurt people and right to help them. Who told you? Who says? What is this magnetic pole that pulls the needles on the compass of your conscience, if not God?"

God does play a part.