Dear...
'And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.'
John 1:14
"Reading the tea leaves or even the tea cups," that is a phrase that has long escaped my attention till I heard it mentioned recently. A jolt to my memory of one of those fairy tales(probably Enid Blyton) that I used to love reading, where the old gypsy lady or witch read one's fortunes or future by studying the tea leaves, no different from other tools of the trade be it tarot cards or the good old crystal ball.
Are such arcane practices any different from full suited personalities one often see on the financial news spewing their well thought out but often woefully incorrect guesses of where the financial markets are heading?
'This is my comfort in my affliction. For Your Word has given me life...'
Psalm 119:50
After a month of medication, and more disciplined eating(thanks to the love and effort of my dear wife), besides my regular exercise, I paid a visit to my cardiologist yesterday and am greatly encouraged with a good report. My LDL, that is, the bad cholesterol is now at 64.08, compared to 89 a month back, and most gratifyingly near the target level set for my condition.
Does this mean that in looking into my "tea leaves" or rather my blood, I am now home free? Far from it, for this tripartite of medication, disciplined eating and overall lifestyle is here to stay till our good Lord brings me home or if He so decides otherwise to free me from the bondage of medication.
'Princes persecute me without a cause. But my heart stands in awe of Your word. I rejoice at Your Word. As one who finds great treasure. I hate and abhor lying...'
Psalm 119:161-163
When one is about to fall over the abyss, almost all will be willing to adhere to whatever is asked of them just to be able to stand firmly back on terra firma. Yet it is also a reality that once that near death situation has passed, most would revert back to their old sinful ways(In calling for a referendum, is Greece a living example of this unrepentant nature?).
I am not relying on any tea leaves to tell me as to what is ahead, but I do believe that my being from far perfect, yet with a heart that desires to glorify our Lord, God will not take me out of the fire of refinement just yet, for impurities are still aplenty. But He continues to sustain me with the many blessings that I see placed in my path, much as He allows me to be refined. And I can see His wonderful and loving hands in my daily living. And that clarity of "sight" comes not from studying "tea leaves," but rather in reading, reflecting and living out responsibly His Words.
'Let my cry come before You, O Lord: Give me understanding according to Your Word. Let my supplication come before You. Deliver me according to Your Word....'
Psalm 119:169-170
The world, at least the investing community waited with bated breath for soothing words from the recently concluded European Union summit. They were not too disappointed, for the communique issued provided some reassurance, and that was good enough to justify a stock market rally. But is it realistic for the Italians to continue to live on a budget lifeline thinner than their spaghetti, or what about the French? Full of passion and maybe nothing much more left in their beleaguered banks. Of course Fraulein Merkel, the Chancellor of Germany is being badgered by the rest of her European brethren for a share of the largess packed within their frankfurters. And not forgetting their poorer cousins, the now liberated East Europeans who once cowered under the cold armor of the Soviet Union, but gladly fed on once cheap Swiss franc to fund their long deprived capitalist dreams. And while Switzerland is not just Nutella, many of these poor cousins of the Western Europeans are going nuts over their very expensive Swiss borrowing, given the franc appreciation. The delusions continue and more troubles lies ahead.
'My eyes are awake through the night watches. That I may meditate on Your word...'
Psalm 119:148
A fertile mind can often go wild if one is not careful. Forgive my flawed attempt at painting with words. What matters most is the Word of God, for God is the Word. The Bible is not a history book, it is the living word of God. It is not a legacy from the past, but it is God's guiding light for all who seek Him, as we journey in His presence.
Psalm 119, the focus chapter for today's sharing is full of the richness of God's Word. Every morning at 6am, the Spirit of God wakens me. Not to think about how to achieve the delusions of the world, or for most, worrying about unresolved issues hovering over their being, but rather, to be still and to ponder upon the thoughts and words that God has placed in my heart.
'The entrance of Your Words gives light. It gives understanding to the simple....'
Psalm 119:130
"Simplify your portfolio while you can, in this present rally." Did God tell me that. Not as in words to the ear, but in thoughts upon the heart last week. What if one heard God wrong, and the financial markets rise even further? It is possible that markets might continue to appreciate, but it does not mean that one heard God wrong. For all who truly seek after our Lord, His Spirit will minister to our spirit man, and we will know His will. It is not a question of hearing right, but rather it is about obedience. For God will turn a "wrong" right if our heart is right with Him.
'Direct my steps by Your Word. And let no iniquity have dominion over me.....'
Psalm 119:133
"Simplify your life while you can, in your present finite life." I spent the past week attending two wakes. It is always a sobering experience when the reality of death is brought home in such settings. Obedience is not about mouthing a yes but rather it is about a heart that is kept solely for our Lord, and a heart that will stay open to our Lord, regardless of all circumstances that compels us to do otherwise. Purity of heart is not a literal blank piece but a heart deeply embedded with the living words of God, where the world will see the living truths of God lived out in us.
'Uphold me according to Your word, that I may live. And do not let me be ashamed of my hope. Hold me up, and I shall be safe. And I shall observe your statutes continually...'
Psalm 119:116-117
God knows our limits. Much as my mind has been renewed by the transforming power of His Words, my heart still has to be made resolute. And while faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things unseen, God always affirms once we take that step of faith by acknowledging His Sovereignty. I "see God's hands at work in my life," whenever I choose to submit to His will. And the more I willing walked into the next "blank page" of my life, I see His hands filling up another wonderful chapter of the story of my walk with Him. Indeed great is our God, for Christ is the author and finisher of our faith.
'Before I was afflicted I went astray. But now I keep Your Word......Their heart is as fat as grease. But I delight in Your law. It is good for me that I have been afflicted. That I may learn Your statutes....'
Psalm 119:67, 70,71
You might by now have observed a difference in my writing today. It is in snippets, instead of a continuous flow. More like an afterthought as the Spirit of God enlightens me with new discoveries of God's love, after every little adventure. And you will also notice that I am walking backwards, in terms of the order of the verses from Psalm 119.
My heart still has the grease, from my till recently less disciplined eating habits. But as shared, it is not about God "punishing" me for my follies in not taking better care of His temple, ie my body, but rather, it is about God forgiving me for my waywardness and turning it into good for myself and for His glory. For indeed afflictions are often a necessary panacea for giving us the sinful seed of Adam, that needed resolve to let go and let God, to let Him transform us in His likeness.
'You are my portion, O Lord. I have said that I would keep Your Words. I entreated Your favor with my whole heart. Be merciful to me according to Your Word....'
Psalm 119:57-58
The End of times have intensified. Many of us know this, but even more give short shrift to what it means. We might be less than faithful but God is faithful. The world will be shaken even more intensely, if that is necessary for us to turn to God and be saved from eternal damnation. The forces of evil manifests itself in greater clarity and the Western world, once bastions of the Christian faith, is now pushing for greater rights globally for those who engaged in sexuality perverse to the command of our Lord(see the latest news from the Commonwealth summit). The new Babylon is nearer fruition with Iraq likely to fall under the sphere of influence of the Iranians, now that Obama has set the timetable for American troop withdrawals. And with the House of Saad run by octogenarians, it is a matter of time that the ruling elite will be challenged either from within or without, and the devil's brew will boil over into much higher prices. Look around you and you will see the Biblical prophecies looking more plausible than at any one time before.
Tea leaves I am not looking at. What is clear is the continued fulfillment of events around us that God has prepared us for. But of utmost importance is, will you and your loved ones be prepared when Christ returns, as He surely would?
'Your Word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You. Blessed are You, O Lord! Teach me Your statutes. . . . I will delight myself in Your statutes; I will not forget Your Word” (Ps. 119:11-12,16).' (from Daily Bread 1st Nov 2011)
And as I prepare to send this out, what greater joy then to be affirmed once again by God's words in today's Daily Bread reading. In God's Kingdom, we need no tea leaves, for He is Sovereign, and every step He will show us, if only we just pay attention.
God Blesses
Eng Hieang
(1st Nov 2011)
No comments:
Post a Comment