'That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries:
1 Peter 4:2-3
I has been fourteen years since I had forgone my permanent residence status in Australia. And while never planned by me, our great God brought me back into His fold right after that. Giving up my right of residence in the "Lucky country," pales in comparison to a place in Heaven.
Salvation is God given, we work not for it, but we must work on it. And glad to say, by the grace of God, His Spirit has imbued in me the desire to seek Him with my all, much as I still struggle with my carnality.
'The Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.'
Luke 19:10
Coming back to one's once familiar haunts after eight years is an interesting experience. Like a time warp, the familiar is interspersed with the new, at least new to the long absent me. The long dead proponents of the once "White only"policy for Australia will turn in their yellow mud caked graves if they were to stroll down the busy streets of Melbourne. They will be forgiven to think that they were in China.
'I spread out my hands to You; my soul longs for You like a thirsty land.'
Psalm 143:6
Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God,...'
Ephesians 2:19
The passage of time and distance often make strangers of once comfortable relationships. Yet, with Christ as one's common focus, the warmth of Christian love comes naturally as one reconnects in the body, albeit temporarily. And my wife and I are thankful for the two decades old friendships renewed and to our good Lord for making it possible for us to be in Melbourne to enjoy the fellowship in His presence.
But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
1 Peter 3:15
A kaleidoscope allows one to observe beautiful colorful patterns. It is a delightful yet simple gadget. As one commiserates about our individual journeys the past eight years, much as we live in a fallen world, there were many things to be thankful for. And it was because God cared about our every need. And when we learn to look beyond our circumstances to Christ the author and finisher of our faith, we will see and experience the beautiful tapestry that God continues to weave in our life. A heart that is fixed on God, becomes our kaleidoscope to observing His power and glory at work.
'O Lord God of Abraham.....keep this forever in the intent of the thoughts of the heart of Your people, and fix their heart toward You...'
1 Chronicles 29:18
As I conclude my trip, the local media reported on the intent of the State Premiers of Tasmania and South Australia to legalize same sex marriage on the oft repeated argument that everyone should be free to live out their choice. I am reminded that this rationale was what the devil used to lure Adam to sin, to move away from dependence upon the Sovereign God. Man is made in the image of God. Can one walk independently of one's shadow? Independence from God is enslavement to the devil, for our mind is self deceiving, and Satan is the master of deceit.
And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.
Romans 1:27
Fix our hearts upon God and we will experience the beauty of His ways. Continue to turn from Him and indeed the fallen world is ugly.
Same sex and other acts of disobedience will be an inexorable tide, for it is an exercise of our sinful free will. But caveat emptor, because God loves us, He will discipline the disobedient, for not to do otherwise will mean one is lost to eternal damnation.
Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.
Romans 1:32
As the summer months approaches next year in Australia, will she experience the mother of all bush fires? It is not too late to turn back to the Lord our God.
But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.
1 Peter 4:7
God blesses
Eng hieang
15th Aug 2012
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