Dear....
"In fact, there are only two exercises natural to man
- before marriage, the hot pursuit, and after marriage the hasty retreat"
This was the caption(that I used back in 1990 for my wedding invitation card) from the delightful syndicated comic strip featuring Sun Tan, the colloquial kampong uncle of a rustic past, pursuing with glee, the damsel who was to become his wife. And years later, after marriage, being pursued by the same but older and grouchy iron lady now wielding a menacing frying pan.
( see link http://lambiek.net/artists/c/collette_aubrey.htm)
Did fiction become fact for me these past two decades of married life?
Thankfully not, and by the grace of God, imperfect as we all are, in placing Him as our focus, the family unit has become very much stronger.
'...if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there, and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you...'
Matthew 17:20
Seeing is believing, that is how carnal men process their very thoughts. And in not believing, you will never 'see' or more aptly experience the wonderful and miraculous handiwork of our Sovereign God. For affirmation comes after our step of faith.
Not seeing but believing empowers the spiritual man. For faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things unseen(Hebrews 11:1). The next verse, Hebrews 11:2 follows up with 'For by it the elders obtained a good testimony.'
'Therefore do not worry, saying, "What shall we eat? Or "What shall we drink?.....But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.'
Matthew 6:31-33
Our good Lord impressed upon my heart that like all who seek Him with our all, I do have wonderful testimonies of how a desirous heart that seeks to please Him, that is prepared to take that step of faith, will have our prayers answered in ways that must truly be from the Divine hands of our faithful Father in Heaven.
What is nigh impossible with man, all things are possible with our Lord, and in experiencing His love in our daily living, our faith will deepen, unlike dear old San Tan's faltering marriage.
'I cry out with my whole heart. Hear me, O Lord! I will keep Your statutes. I will cry out to You. Save me and I will keep Your testimonies...'
Psalm 119:145-146
Back in the lows of the subprime crisis in April 2009, our good Lord impressed upon my heart the need to produce an art book, to use art to share the gospel. Illogical as it seem then, ill equipped as I thought I was, in responding in faith, God send me a wonderful helper and now dear friend, my publisher without whom, it will nay be possible for the project to take off as it has wonderfully since.(see link on testimony http://hieang.blogspot.com/2009_08_01_archive.html )
'.....And new things I declare; Before they spring forth. I tell you of them.'
Isaiah 42:9
And in late 2010, I said yes to the Lord's call to give Him my all. Never would I imagine the healthy me will end up with a potentially fatal 40% blockage in a key vessel of my heart. A thorn in the flesh it might be, but definitely an upgrade in my spiritual determination, this precise blockage at the main blood vessel of my heart. It is a very real reminder that every moment is a blessing from our Lord and it must be lived well in His service.
And how can one not thank the Lord for His Divine intervention in placing this great desire in me to do a CT scan when there was no compelling reason to. My Father is extending my life for a desirous heart that wants to serve Him. My cardiologist tells me that the odds of me having a fatal heart attack within 5 years is pretty high if this blockage was not discovered and addressed.
(see link http://john-4-23-24.blogspot.com/)
Prayers asked in His will, God will always answer. And prayers need not be words mouthed. It is a life lived that seeks to please Him. God knows our very heart and He will make possible what the finite us deem impossible. In our recent move to a new office, it was no longer feasible to continue the weekly office worship that has girded our lives all these years. God heard our desire to honor Him and He honored us by providing an even more wonderful place of worship, directly opposite my office and exactly at the same floor level,
straddled by a literal bridge of faith. And He is showing us the wisdom of His ways, for this new hallowed ground is where the diaspora from my present employ can gather as one, in unity of Spirit.
Then the word of the Lord came to me saying: Before I formed you in the womb I knew you: Before you were born I sanctified you....'
Jeremiah 1:4-5
A charmed life was the thought that came to me. The non believer define that as being materially blessed, healthy and a great social life, and trouble free. And many took that to heart by placing on their bodies many a charm to ward off evil or to draw in the gods of fortune.
'However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.'
Matthew 17:21
Believer or not, we live in a fallen world, and all are born to trouble. In fact, believers will attract more arrows from the enraged prince of the air, the ruler of our sinful world, the devil for daring to look past it's delusions. And many either stopped believing or dare not move from believer to follower of Christ, when their surrounds becomes unbearably daunting.
And in following, the devil and our still imperfect self often work in cahoots to trip us up. Matthew 17:21 above and James 4:7-8 will keep us well grounded upon the Lord our Rock come what may.
'Therefore submit to God. "Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you...'
James 4:7-8
Lately I have been quite perplexed, not because the ground upon which my employ is shifting again. And I do know the general direction that God is leading me to in His service. But the imperfect me fretfully looks for a conclusion, when God desires my obedience.
The journey of Abram, from the book of Genesis( chapters 12-22) was where the Spirit of God led me to.
Abram was a man of faith. He obeyed unequivocally when God commanded him to leave his comfort zone. Yet, much as he was heading in the right direction, when perceived obstacles arose,this same man of faith erred twice when self preservation led him to misrepresent his wife Sarah as his sister twice over.
And both occasions, God divinely intervene much as Abram's flesh was weak, for Abram's heart was right.
The Perfect God walking closely with the imperfect but desirous man of God.
Has experiencing the omnipresence of God whose grace helped Abram move back on course, engendered in him this total trust and reliance on Him? That God knows that Abram will obey without hesitation the command to sacrifice his only son, for Abram knows that God is Sovereign.
'Trouble and anguish have overtaken me. Yet Your commandments are my delights...'
Psalm 119:143
A heart of peace I always have even, in the midst of challenges. A wavering heart that hovered over me these past few weeks, that is no longer the case. I know the will of God, and you will too, if you seek Him with your all every moment of your life. I know not the conclusion nor even the step ahead till His Spirit shows me. But I do know that He is in control, while I can be in control in how I live while awaiting His leading. And it is to be in His presence always with a thankful heart, and to live a life that honors Him. And like Abraham, God will honor the faithful, for God looks not for sacrifice, but our obedience.
God blesses
Eng Hieang
(30th April 2012)
Sunday, April 29, 2012
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Heart to heart #23. Manifestation (18th April 2012)
Heart to heart #23 Manifestation (16 April 2012)
Dear...
"Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world?"—John 14:22
Am I the privileged few, to experience the life changing sanctification of the grace of God in my life? A moment of catharsis, where one experience heaven on earth, and a halo upon us it might not be, but as Charles Spurgeon aptly put it(see extract below), happiness, humility and holiness will be the natural result of this manifestation of Christ in our very being.
"Ask Christian men whether they have not had manifestations of their Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, in a peculiar and wonderful manner, such as they never felt when they were in their unregenerate state. Turn to the biographies of eminent saints, and you will find there instances recorded in which Jesus has been pleased, in a very special manner to speak to their souls, to unfold the wonders of his person, and let them discern the matchless glories of his office; yea, so have their souls been steeped in happiness that they have thought themselves to be in heaven, whereas they were not there though they were well nigh on the threshold of it—for when Jesus manifests himself to his people, it is a young heaven on earth, it is a paradise in embryo, it is the beginning of the bliss of the glorified; yea, and it shall be the consummation of that bliss, when Jesus Christ shall perfectly unveil himself to the admiring eyes of all his people and they shall be like him, and shall see him as he his."
( from sermon by Charles Spurgeon, 10th June 1855)
( see link http://www.spurgeon.org/sermons/0029.htm)
I was at the gym just now. And this was one of those rare occasion that I had the "oracle of man's imperfect knowledge" with me, the IPhone. And so I decided to look for a view on this lingering thought in my heart, why did God choose to reveal Himself to some and not to others?
"Revelation is the content and process of God making Himself known to people. All knowledge of God comes by way of revelation. Human knowledge of God is revealed knowledge since God, and He alone, gives it. He bridges the gap between Himself and His creatures, disclosing Himself and His will to them. By God alone can God be known."
(Holman bible dictionary)
see link for the full exposition (http://www.studylight.org/dic/hbd/view.cgi?number=T5333)
It is God's Sovereign right to choose who He wants to manifest Himself to. Does it then mean that being the 'non selected,' we can ignore Him? Afraid not.
Salvation is given to all. But the exercise of our free will to accept the salvation only comes when we know Him. God might not have given you a specific revelation, but He has given all mankind His general revelation through
- the wonders of the natural world that can only be the handiwork of a divine being. How many of us do take time to admire and reflect upon that reality?
'The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork.'
Psalm 19:1
- the life changing presence of His Word, for the word is God. And in reading His Word, we will enter into a relationship with our living God. And as promised in Matthew 24:14, the love of God will be revealed to all.
'And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.'
Matthew 24:14
- that stirring in your heart from showing love to others
Fear, anger, impatience, greed, lusts and all things sinful leave us ambivalent and lacking in joy and peace. Only a loving heart can imbue in us that sense of warmth and longing for communion with our Divine God, for God is love. God not just made us in His likeness, but created us to have a special relationship with Him. Only a loving heart can pierce through the web of deceit that the fallen man has in their folly allowed to bind and blind their vision of the omnipresent God.
'I spoke to you in your prosperity. But you said, 'I will not hear....'
Jeremiah 22:21
God is ever present. It is just that we are not paying attention. How frequent and intense must our lives be shaken before one take heed of the many manifestation of God's loving out stretched hands upon our lives?
At 4.45pm yesterday, my colleague felt the tremor. The rest of us felt nothing, but a quick search on the Internet revealed a major 8.9 Richter scale earthquake off Aceh, Indonesia. But thankfully, this being a horizontally inclined quake, there was no follow through tsunami, unlike the previous quake in Aceh, which was vertical, which was much more lethal.
'...Even though the earth be removed. And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;.... The Lord of hosts is with us. The God of Jacob is our refuge.... Be still, and know that I am God..'
Psalm 46
Geologist I am not, but does not what just transpired epitomize the spiritual life for most?
That we tend to not be cognizance of or choose to ignore the tell tale signs of creeping troubles in our lives, be it health, wealth or relationships. And should trouble rear it's ugly head, we give it a slightly longer glance and moved on with our life, unless it happen to send us reeling. Even then God might not figure prominently in our search for a solution.
'I rise before the dawning of the morning. And cry for help. I hope in Your word...'
Psalm 119:147
If we just take time to be in His presence, we will experience the presence of God. And in drawing near to God, He will draw near to you. Will it eventually culminate into a more specific revelation, that will forever change your life? I believe yes because God wants to transform all unto His likeness. As to when this will happen, only God knows. God looks for a heart that seeks to worship Him. , He looks for a joyful heart that can only come because we seek to obey Him, a humble heart because we continue to experience His awesome yet loving grace upon our lives. And a heart that seek to be like Christ, for we must be holy for God is holy. These are within our ability to response and in doing so, I believed the Spirit of God will fall upon you, for He hears your willing heart as described in the song "Here I am Lord." ( see link. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EcxOkht8w7c&feature=youtube_gdata_player)
'...But you were washed, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.'
1 Corinthians 6:11
It is not whether, but when the Spirit of God gives you a specific revelation, will you respond unequivocally? Much as my life has been illuminated by the Spirit of God, will I stay steadfast to the faith He has given me? For afflictions will be aplenty, not just because we live in a fallen world, not just because Satan will direct it's anger at us to pull us away from Christ, but because, only in the refiner's fire of God's making can we be transformed unto His likeness.
And he laid it upon my mouth, and said, Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged. Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me. And he said, Go, and tell this people...'
Isaiah 6:7-9
God blesses
Eng hieang
16th April 2012
Dear...
"Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world?"—John 14:22
Am I the privileged few, to experience the life changing sanctification of the grace of God in my life? A moment of catharsis, where one experience heaven on earth, and a halo upon us it might not be, but as Charles Spurgeon aptly put it(see extract below), happiness, humility and holiness will be the natural result of this manifestation of Christ in our very being.
"Ask Christian men whether they have not had manifestations of their Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, in a peculiar and wonderful manner, such as they never felt when they were in their unregenerate state. Turn to the biographies of eminent saints, and you will find there instances recorded in which Jesus has been pleased, in a very special manner to speak to their souls, to unfold the wonders of his person, and let them discern the matchless glories of his office; yea, so have their souls been steeped in happiness that they have thought themselves to be in heaven, whereas they were not there though they were well nigh on the threshold of it—for when Jesus manifests himself to his people, it is a young heaven on earth, it is a paradise in embryo, it is the beginning of the bliss of the glorified; yea, and it shall be the consummation of that bliss, when Jesus Christ shall perfectly unveil himself to the admiring eyes of all his people and they shall be like him, and shall see him as he his."
( from sermon by Charles Spurgeon, 10th June 1855)
( see link http://www.spurgeon.org/sermons/0029.htm)
I was at the gym just now. And this was one of those rare occasion that I had the "oracle of man's imperfect knowledge" with me, the IPhone. And so I decided to look for a view on this lingering thought in my heart, why did God choose to reveal Himself to some and not to others?
"Revelation is the content and process of God making Himself known to people. All knowledge of God comes by way of revelation. Human knowledge of God is revealed knowledge since God, and He alone, gives it. He bridges the gap between Himself and His creatures, disclosing Himself and His will to them. By God alone can God be known."
(Holman bible dictionary)
see link for the full exposition (http://www.studylight.org/dic/hbd/view.cgi?number=T5333)
It is God's Sovereign right to choose who He wants to manifest Himself to. Does it then mean that being the 'non selected,' we can ignore Him? Afraid not.
Salvation is given to all. But the exercise of our free will to accept the salvation only comes when we know Him. God might not have given you a specific revelation, but He has given all mankind His general revelation through
- the wonders of the natural world that can only be the handiwork of a divine being. How many of us do take time to admire and reflect upon that reality?
'The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork.'
Psalm 19:1
- the life changing presence of His Word, for the word is God. And in reading His Word, we will enter into a relationship with our living God. And as promised in Matthew 24:14, the love of God will be revealed to all.
'And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.'
Matthew 24:14
- that stirring in your heart from showing love to others
Fear, anger, impatience, greed, lusts and all things sinful leave us ambivalent and lacking in joy and peace. Only a loving heart can imbue in us that sense of warmth and longing for communion with our Divine God, for God is love. God not just made us in His likeness, but created us to have a special relationship with Him. Only a loving heart can pierce through the web of deceit that the fallen man has in their folly allowed to bind and blind their vision of the omnipresent God.
'I spoke to you in your prosperity. But you said, 'I will not hear....'
Jeremiah 22:21
God is ever present. It is just that we are not paying attention. How frequent and intense must our lives be shaken before one take heed of the many manifestation of God's loving out stretched hands upon our lives?
At 4.45pm yesterday, my colleague felt the tremor. The rest of us felt nothing, but a quick search on the Internet revealed a major 8.9 Richter scale earthquake off Aceh, Indonesia. But thankfully, this being a horizontally inclined quake, there was no follow through tsunami, unlike the previous quake in Aceh, which was vertical, which was much more lethal.
'...Even though the earth be removed. And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;.... The Lord of hosts is with us. The God of Jacob is our refuge.... Be still, and know that I am God..'
Psalm 46
Geologist I am not, but does not what just transpired epitomize the spiritual life for most?
That we tend to not be cognizance of or choose to ignore the tell tale signs of creeping troubles in our lives, be it health, wealth or relationships. And should trouble rear it's ugly head, we give it a slightly longer glance and moved on with our life, unless it happen to send us reeling. Even then God might not figure prominently in our search for a solution.
'I rise before the dawning of the morning. And cry for help. I hope in Your word...'
Psalm 119:147
If we just take time to be in His presence, we will experience the presence of God. And in drawing near to God, He will draw near to you. Will it eventually culminate into a more specific revelation, that will forever change your life? I believe yes because God wants to transform all unto His likeness. As to when this will happen, only God knows. God looks for a heart that seeks to worship Him. , He looks for a joyful heart that can only come because we seek to obey Him, a humble heart because we continue to experience His awesome yet loving grace upon our lives. And a heart that seek to be like Christ, for we must be holy for God is holy. These are within our ability to response and in doing so, I believed the Spirit of God will fall upon you, for He hears your willing heart as described in the song "Here I am Lord." ( see link. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EcxOkht8w7c&feature=youtube_gdata_player)
'...But you were washed, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.'
1 Corinthians 6:11
It is not whether, but when the Spirit of God gives you a specific revelation, will you respond unequivocally? Much as my life has been illuminated by the Spirit of God, will I stay steadfast to the faith He has given me? For afflictions will be aplenty, not just because we live in a fallen world, not just because Satan will direct it's anger at us to pull us away from Christ, but because, only in the refiner's fire of God's making can we be transformed unto His likeness.
And he laid it upon my mouth, and said, Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged. Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me. And he said, Go, and tell this people...'
Isaiah 6:7-9
God blesses
Eng hieang
16th April 2012
Thursday, April 12, 2012
Heart to heart #22 LOok (12th April 2012)
Dear...
'...And new things I declare; Before they spring forth. I tell you of them.'
Isaiah 42:9
"Lost in translation," most of us are familiar with this reality. The composition and intent of a simple message is often distorted, wrongly conveyed and misinterpreted the moment it leaves the sender.
Satan when it tried to tempt Jesus in His moment of perceived vulnerability(at least physically) understood the power of appropriate choice of words. But it failed for much as Christ took on the form of man, He is God.
The Adamite man, which is all of us is an easier proposition for the cunning devil.
The fruit of knowledge, which governs our very being, ensures that all will fall, for we look at issues from our flawed and finite understanding. From the first bite of the forbidden fruit, we have move from following God to relying upon our own understanding. And this include the way we conduct our journey of faith. We approach the Spirit God from the realm of carnality.
'And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.'
Acts 13:52
The first Gentile Christians in Antioch were filled with joy and the Holy Spirit when they gladly accepted the salvation that Paul first offered to the Jews who rejected the things spoken by Paul. The simple faith of a child is what God looks for, not the cynical disbelieving self centered heart of a demi-god.
Fast forward today, many continue to reject the truth of the gospel. And this include professed believers who take more interest in doubting the Biblical truths but rarely read the Bible nor take time in communion with our Lord, be in in prayers, in worship or in His works. How well can one claim to know God when He is a stranger, to almost non existent in your life?
What about those who hunger and do take time to know more about God when their hearts are stirred?
Many questions about our faith, the Bible and even Who God is, do abound, which might not be satisfactorily answered nor fully comprehended by us. Man looks for conclusion, God seeks our obedience. Will you continue to mire yourself in dissecting the nuances of your present circumstance, continue to engage in theological discourse that satisfies no one except your pride, instead of walking the next clear step in faith, that the Spirit of God has already shown you? For God will indeed as the opening verse of today's sharing, Isaiah 42:9 boldly and correctly declare, show us the next step of faith.
'For the Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified....'
1 Corinthians 1:22-23
He will clarify for us at His timing. But He knows our limits and will not leave us wondering nor untethered. In remaining steadfast with Christ as our sole focus, much as our rational mind seems to point otherwise, God will affirm our faith with that indescribable joy and peace that is often beyond our understanding.
And in responding with a thankful heart, we will begin to not just wait with patience for the tapestry that God has already weaved to come forth at His timing, His way but we will have the veil of our finite understanding removed, enabling us to see from God's perspective.
'......We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.'
Acts 14:22
A Christian is a follower of Christ. We are not co- drivers with Christ on the road to Heaven. Christ is already seated with God in Heaven. He has blessed us with the Holy Spirit in residence in our believing hearts to guide us, through the sin strewn fallen world, with our eyes and hearts focused upon Christ the author and finisher of our faith.
The journey ends only when Christ takes us home or when He returns.
But till then, it will be a blessed journey regardless of the circumstances, but only if we are willing to let go and let God.
'... when one turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.'
2 Corinthians 3:16
And this is the story of all our lives. Letting go and letting God means a return to the relationship that God had with Adam before he sinned. And our reliance on our flawed understanding often lessens in difficult circumstances where the frailty of the finite us are fully palpable. And at the lowest point of our lives, when we are thoroughly humbled, where the heart is contrite and repentant, that is the point when we, by God's grace, are willing to look unto God, and fully surrender our self will and intellect, for the Sovereignty of God.
' For we are not, as so many peddling the word of God, but as of sincerity, but as of God, we speak in the sight of God in Christ.'
2 Corinthians 2:17
In my moments of weakness, I do give harbor to the vessel of selfishness. Why not focus on growing my own personal faith, rather than spent time and resources on what seems an under appreciated and fruitless efforts on the unwilling to try to get them to seek God with their all?
' But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.'
2 Corinthians 3:18
Thanks be to God such ungodly thoughts are not allowed to lay anchor in my very psyche.
Some plant, some water but it is God Who brings about the increase. But in partaking in sharing the gospel of salvation, by living out the truth of God's Words, by looking to Christ always, I have come to fully avail myself of the joy and peace that God promises to all who seek Him, even as I find myself increasingly transform unto His likeness. And in so doing, may it encourage those who are watching me, to look to Christ our Savior and in doing so, receive the clarity of faith that only He can give.
'And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If you have faith as a grain of mustard seed, you shall say unto this mountain, Remove from here to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.'
Matthew 17:20
This revelation of God's grace will indeed fall upon you if you are willing to look to Him always. Charles Spurgeon, the blessed preacher received his defining moment in a small church that God led him to. And it was no great sermon that led to his conversion. But rather, a simple biblical truth "Look to Jesus," delivered by an ill equipped stand in who was in all likelihood not even a trained preacher.
God blesses
Eng hieang
12th April 2012
'...And new things I declare; Before they spring forth. I tell you of them.'
Isaiah 42:9
"Lost in translation," most of us are familiar with this reality. The composition and intent of a simple message is often distorted, wrongly conveyed and misinterpreted the moment it leaves the sender.
Satan when it tried to tempt Jesus in His moment of perceived vulnerability(at least physically) understood the power of appropriate choice of words. But it failed for much as Christ took on the form of man, He is God.
The Adamite man, which is all of us is an easier proposition for the cunning devil.
The fruit of knowledge, which governs our very being, ensures that all will fall, for we look at issues from our flawed and finite understanding. From the first bite of the forbidden fruit, we have move from following God to relying upon our own understanding. And this include the way we conduct our journey of faith. We approach the Spirit God from the realm of carnality.
'And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.'
Acts 13:52
The first Gentile Christians in Antioch were filled with joy and the Holy Spirit when they gladly accepted the salvation that Paul first offered to the Jews who rejected the things spoken by Paul. The simple faith of a child is what God looks for, not the cynical disbelieving self centered heart of a demi-god.
Fast forward today, many continue to reject the truth of the gospel. And this include professed believers who take more interest in doubting the Biblical truths but rarely read the Bible nor take time in communion with our Lord, be in in prayers, in worship or in His works. How well can one claim to know God when He is a stranger, to almost non existent in your life?
What about those who hunger and do take time to know more about God when their hearts are stirred?
Many questions about our faith, the Bible and even Who God is, do abound, which might not be satisfactorily answered nor fully comprehended by us. Man looks for conclusion, God seeks our obedience. Will you continue to mire yourself in dissecting the nuances of your present circumstance, continue to engage in theological discourse that satisfies no one except your pride, instead of walking the next clear step in faith, that the Spirit of God has already shown you? For God will indeed as the opening verse of today's sharing, Isaiah 42:9 boldly and correctly declare, show us the next step of faith.
'For the Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified....'
1 Corinthians 1:22-23
He will clarify for us at His timing. But He knows our limits and will not leave us wondering nor untethered. In remaining steadfast with Christ as our sole focus, much as our rational mind seems to point otherwise, God will affirm our faith with that indescribable joy and peace that is often beyond our understanding.
And in responding with a thankful heart, we will begin to not just wait with patience for the tapestry that God has already weaved to come forth at His timing, His way but we will have the veil of our finite understanding removed, enabling us to see from God's perspective.
'......We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.'
Acts 14:22
A Christian is a follower of Christ. We are not co- drivers with Christ on the road to Heaven. Christ is already seated with God in Heaven. He has blessed us with the Holy Spirit in residence in our believing hearts to guide us, through the sin strewn fallen world, with our eyes and hearts focused upon Christ the author and finisher of our faith.
The journey ends only when Christ takes us home or when He returns.
But till then, it will be a blessed journey regardless of the circumstances, but only if we are willing to let go and let God.
'... when one turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.'
2 Corinthians 3:16
And this is the story of all our lives. Letting go and letting God means a return to the relationship that God had with Adam before he sinned. And our reliance on our flawed understanding often lessens in difficult circumstances where the frailty of the finite us are fully palpable. And at the lowest point of our lives, when we are thoroughly humbled, where the heart is contrite and repentant, that is the point when we, by God's grace, are willing to look unto God, and fully surrender our self will and intellect, for the Sovereignty of God.
' For we are not, as so many peddling the word of God, but as of sincerity, but as of God, we speak in the sight of God in Christ.'
2 Corinthians 2:17
In my moments of weakness, I do give harbor to the vessel of selfishness. Why not focus on growing my own personal faith, rather than spent time and resources on what seems an under appreciated and fruitless efforts on the unwilling to try to get them to seek God with their all?
' But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.'
2 Corinthians 3:18
Thanks be to God such ungodly thoughts are not allowed to lay anchor in my very psyche.
Some plant, some water but it is God Who brings about the increase. But in partaking in sharing the gospel of salvation, by living out the truth of God's Words, by looking to Christ always, I have come to fully avail myself of the joy and peace that God promises to all who seek Him, even as I find myself increasingly transform unto His likeness. And in so doing, may it encourage those who are watching me, to look to Christ our Savior and in doing so, receive the clarity of faith that only He can give.
'And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If you have faith as a grain of mustard seed, you shall say unto this mountain, Remove from here to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.'
Matthew 17:20
This revelation of God's grace will indeed fall upon you if you are willing to look to Him always. Charles Spurgeon, the blessed preacher received his defining moment in a small church that God led him to. And it was no great sermon that led to his conversion. But rather, a simple biblical truth "Look to Jesus," delivered by an ill equipped stand in who was in all likelihood not even a trained preacher.
God blesses
Eng hieang
12th April 2012
Thursday, April 5, 2012
Heart to heart #21 That stirring in your heart (6th April 2012)
Dear...
'...The dragon gave him his power, his throne, and great authority.....So they worshiped the dragon who gave authority to the beast....'
Revelation 13:2,4
"Chasing the dragon," was a sharing I penned back in year 2005.
This term is popularly associated with the taking of illegal drugs, which brings one into a hallucinating temporal bliss, and long term grief. Is this not symptomatic of the riches of this world, where the chase with its thrills and spills is often more satisfying than the actual attainment? Attainment of the richness of the fallen world brings no permanent joy and peace. Only a life lived in alignment with the leading of the Holy Spirit will bring us into the sanctifying peace and joy that God promises all who seek Him.
'But now, thus says the Lord, Who created you, O Jacob. And He Who formed you, O Israel. Fear not, for I have redeemed you. I have called you by your name. You are Mine.'
Isaiah 43:1
Happiness from God is that inexpressible joy, that is INDEPENDENT OF OUR CIRCUMSTANCES.
( from 'Heart of the Shepherd #30 Life of the overflow')
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZYehq60CfIs&feature=youtube_gdata_player
With half a century each of serving our Sovereign Lord, my mentors and friends, Paul and Bunty have not just discovered but experienced many times over this Biblical truth.
A life lived with Christ as our sole focus is not an addiction, but an empowerment by the Holy Spirit in residence in us the believer. And we are no longer chasing the delusion of the mythical dragon but very real devil, but living out boldly the good works that God has already laid out for the willing.
'Living an authentic Christian life,' this is a fresh out(was at least in Jan this year when I first penned this) of the press booklet from the publishers of our Daily Bread. Do take time to go to this link ( thttp://discoveryseries.org/discovery-series/living-an-authentic-christian-life/) to read this easy to comprehend yet affirmative testimony shared by a fellow brother in Christ.
Affirmative because God's truth are unchanging, and like many, I have experienced the same understanding of His living word through the circumstances of life He put us through.
Wisdom comes from our Lord and the author of this little booklet shared the following truths, with some added thoughts on my part, about what constitutes an authentic Christian.
- Unquenchable optimism
We are always thankful to our Lord in all circumstances. This spiritual contentment rests on the assurance that God is Sovereign. God can and will move us out of our comfort zone.
'Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away, and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.'
John 15:2
Being a fervent man or woman of faith does not exempt us from the refiner's fire. For He must increase, we must decrease. The imperfect us, completely washed over by the Perfect and Sovereign Lord. All who profess to serve the Lord will and must be willing to walk through the refiner's fire umpteen times, for only then will the pure sheen of Christ-likeness shine forth from us.
BUT WE WALK NOT ALONE.
'Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death. I will fear no evil. For You are with me. Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.'
Psalm 23:4
- Unvarying success
As the end times intensifies, evil is manifesting itself in increasingly blatant ways. Yet, to the finite man, it seems that the defenders of godly values, are increasingly incapacitated, when God should be beefing them up to meet these challenges from the evil forces!!
God will always ensure that 'failures' are for our refinements, and success His affirmation.
Man constitutes 'success' based on their finite understanding and worldly benchmarks and what they can see now. God's plans are often beyond the finite man, but when we look back on hindsight, we will look upon in awe the wisdom and greatness of His ways.
'My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord. Nor detest His correction. For whom He loves He corrects. Just as a father the in whom son he delights.'
Proverbs 3:11-12
- Unforgettable impact
The carnal man looks at manipulating people the way their sinful heart desire. The spiritual man of God knows not what is in the heart of another. But in living an authentic Christian life, in focusing on letting the Holy Spirit transform himself rather than trying to change others, you will be used by our Lord TO STIR THE HEARTS of people He will place in your path, either to want to know Christ better, or to look away in guilty bitterness.
The Israelites were looking for their promised Savior to be much more than a mere carpenter. The world continues to think that a man of God must be endowed with all the attributes of success the carnal world values. Truth is the world must see Christ in us, but not us and it is often in our moments of greatest weakness, that the glory of God shines most brilliantly, if we are willing.
- Unimpeachable integrity
We are not just perceived but must seek by the grace of God to be people of sincerity, purpose, transparency and authority who are absolutely trustworthy. We speak words and deliver messages that heaven honors.
- Undeniable reality
'When you pass through the waters, I will be with you. And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned. Nor shall the flame scorch you. For I am the Lord your God. The Holy One of Israel, your Savior....'
Isaiah 43:2-3
Are the hearts of the sheep that God placed in your ministry witness of the transforming power of the gospel of truth that God used you to minister to them?
The Emperors of Imperial China styled themselves as heirs of the dragon, swishing in all it's reptilian power and grandeur. Our Lord Jesus Christ, much as He is the Son of God willingly lived a lowly life of the humble man, like us but yet He is perfect while we are not.
And as we celebrate Good Friday today, we remember His willingness to be the sacrificial lamb to atone for our sins. And with his resurrection, victory is ours for the bondage of sin
and the grip of death have been broken. And knowing that truth is not good enough, there is a need for a continued determined response from us, to walk as man freed from the grip of the devil.
'Then Jonah prayed unto the Lord his God out of the fish's belly. and said, I cried by reason of mine affliction unto the Lord, and He heard, me, out of the belly of hell cried I, and Thou heardest my voice...'
Jonah 3:2
It is time to stop chasing the devilish dragon's tail and time to turn to the waiting God, our Father in Heaven. Jonah knew God, but only truly acknowledged His Sovereignty when he was brought to the depths of the ocean, stuck in the hellish confines of a slimy fish.
It might not be too late prayerfully, but definitely unnecessary to have to come off the scaly dragon's tail, down hard on to terra firma before one is willing to turn away from the devil, to God.
In the midst of your present troubles, are you finally paying attention to that soft but certain stirring in your heart? Or at the glowing heights of your present attainments, you feel this ache for a fulfillment that your heart is crying out for, yet nothing in the world comes near to satisfying?
God is omnipresent. But till you are willing to be in His presence, He will always be hearsay to you. And what us who have seek to be steadfast in the Lord?
Troubles might seem to abound, but the grace of God more than help us rebound forth, for to quote from Charles Spurgeon, the anointed preacher, in one of his many long but edifying sermons -
"Surely sorrows were then but joys in masks, because they gave an opportunity to go to Jesus to have them removed."
God blesses
Eng Hieang
6th April 2012
'...The dragon gave him his power, his throne, and great authority.....So they worshiped the dragon who gave authority to the beast....'
Revelation 13:2,4
"Chasing the dragon," was a sharing I penned back in year 2005.
This term is popularly associated with the taking of illegal drugs, which brings one into a hallucinating temporal bliss, and long term grief. Is this not symptomatic of the riches of this world, where the chase with its thrills and spills is often more satisfying than the actual attainment? Attainment of the richness of the fallen world brings no permanent joy and peace. Only a life lived in alignment with the leading of the Holy Spirit will bring us into the sanctifying peace and joy that God promises all who seek Him.
'But now, thus says the Lord, Who created you, O Jacob. And He Who formed you, O Israel. Fear not, for I have redeemed you. I have called you by your name. You are Mine.'
Isaiah 43:1
Happiness from God is that inexpressible joy, that is INDEPENDENT OF OUR CIRCUMSTANCES.
( from 'Heart of the Shepherd #30 Life of the overflow')
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZYehq60CfIs&feature=youtube_gdata_player
With half a century each of serving our Sovereign Lord, my mentors and friends, Paul and Bunty have not just discovered but experienced many times over this Biblical truth.
A life lived with Christ as our sole focus is not an addiction, but an empowerment by the Holy Spirit in residence in us the believer. And we are no longer chasing the delusion of the mythical dragon but very real devil, but living out boldly the good works that God has already laid out for the willing.
'Living an authentic Christian life,' this is a fresh out(was at least in Jan this year when I first penned this) of the press booklet from the publishers of our Daily Bread. Do take time to go to this link ( thttp://discoveryseries.org/discovery-series/living-an-authentic-christian-life/) to read this easy to comprehend yet affirmative testimony shared by a fellow brother in Christ.
Affirmative because God's truth are unchanging, and like many, I have experienced the same understanding of His living word through the circumstances of life He put us through.
Wisdom comes from our Lord and the author of this little booklet shared the following truths, with some added thoughts on my part, about what constitutes an authentic Christian.
- Unquenchable optimism
We are always thankful to our Lord in all circumstances. This spiritual contentment rests on the assurance that God is Sovereign. God can and will move us out of our comfort zone.
'Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away, and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.'
John 15:2
Being a fervent man or woman of faith does not exempt us from the refiner's fire. For He must increase, we must decrease. The imperfect us, completely washed over by the Perfect and Sovereign Lord. All who profess to serve the Lord will and must be willing to walk through the refiner's fire umpteen times, for only then will the pure sheen of Christ-likeness shine forth from us.
BUT WE WALK NOT ALONE.
'Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death. I will fear no evil. For You are with me. Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.'
Psalm 23:4
- Unvarying success
As the end times intensifies, evil is manifesting itself in increasingly blatant ways. Yet, to the finite man, it seems that the defenders of godly values, are increasingly incapacitated, when God should be beefing them up to meet these challenges from the evil forces!!
God will always ensure that 'failures' are for our refinements, and success His affirmation.
Man constitutes 'success' based on their finite understanding and worldly benchmarks and what they can see now. God's plans are often beyond the finite man, but when we look back on hindsight, we will look upon in awe the wisdom and greatness of His ways.
'My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord. Nor detest His correction. For whom He loves He corrects. Just as a father the in whom son he delights.'
Proverbs 3:11-12
- Unforgettable impact
The carnal man looks at manipulating people the way their sinful heart desire. The spiritual man of God knows not what is in the heart of another. But in living an authentic Christian life, in focusing on letting the Holy Spirit transform himself rather than trying to change others, you will be used by our Lord TO STIR THE HEARTS of people He will place in your path, either to want to know Christ better, or to look away in guilty bitterness.
The Israelites were looking for their promised Savior to be much more than a mere carpenter. The world continues to think that a man of God must be endowed with all the attributes of success the carnal world values. Truth is the world must see Christ in us, but not us and it is often in our moments of greatest weakness, that the glory of God shines most brilliantly, if we are willing.
- Unimpeachable integrity
We are not just perceived but must seek by the grace of God to be people of sincerity, purpose, transparency and authority who are absolutely trustworthy. We speak words and deliver messages that heaven honors.
- Undeniable reality
'When you pass through the waters, I will be with you. And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned. Nor shall the flame scorch you. For I am the Lord your God. The Holy One of Israel, your Savior....'
Isaiah 43:2-3
Are the hearts of the sheep that God placed in your ministry witness of the transforming power of the gospel of truth that God used you to minister to them?
The Emperors of Imperial China styled themselves as heirs of the dragon, swishing in all it's reptilian power and grandeur. Our Lord Jesus Christ, much as He is the Son of God willingly lived a lowly life of the humble man, like us but yet He is perfect while we are not.
And as we celebrate Good Friday today, we remember His willingness to be the sacrificial lamb to atone for our sins. And with his resurrection, victory is ours for the bondage of sin
and the grip of death have been broken. And knowing that truth is not good enough, there is a need for a continued determined response from us, to walk as man freed from the grip of the devil.
'Then Jonah prayed unto the Lord his God out of the fish's belly. and said, I cried by reason of mine affliction unto the Lord, and He heard, me, out of the belly of hell cried I, and Thou heardest my voice...'
Jonah 3:2
It is time to stop chasing the devilish dragon's tail and time to turn to the waiting God, our Father in Heaven. Jonah knew God, but only truly acknowledged His Sovereignty when he was brought to the depths of the ocean, stuck in the hellish confines of a slimy fish.
It might not be too late prayerfully, but definitely unnecessary to have to come off the scaly dragon's tail, down hard on to terra firma before one is willing to turn away from the devil, to God.
In the midst of your present troubles, are you finally paying attention to that soft but certain stirring in your heart? Or at the glowing heights of your present attainments, you feel this ache for a fulfillment that your heart is crying out for, yet nothing in the world comes near to satisfying?
God is omnipresent. But till you are willing to be in His presence, He will always be hearsay to you. And what us who have seek to be steadfast in the Lord?
Troubles might seem to abound, but the grace of God more than help us rebound forth, for to quote from Charles Spurgeon, the anointed preacher, in one of his many long but edifying sermons -
"Surely sorrows were then but joys in masks, because they gave an opportunity to go to Jesus to have them removed."
God blesses
Eng Hieang
6th April 2012
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