Dear...
Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me:
nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done. And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him.
Luke 22:42-43
Disorientated,
spaced out or feeling like a "blur sotong" ( squid or cuttlefish -
colloquial term for a
disconnected individual), this was me at the first day of my new job
this Monday 1st Oct. A ministry I was reminded, but in my brief moment
of weakness, I had a tinge of regret for adhering to what Christ did in
Luke 22:42. But thanks be to God, I found my rest in His presence that
same night
and indeed, God will strengthen the willing with His words.
In the Daily Bread(DB)reading on 1st Oct, the author Bill Crowder wrote the experiential truth
"When we enter the disturbing, unsettling seasons of life, it is good to know that real peace is available in the God of peace."
'Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace always in every way.'
2 Thessalonians 3:16
A
lovely swim in the night followed by a loving meal cooked by the wife,
was nicely topped off with luxuriating in the Word of our Lord.
Sanctified
I was, but our good Lord knows I needed a further lift, and 2nd Oct DB
reading was a good admonishment. Often we go to God like a puppy wet on
its tail, whimpering for deliverance when we should be focusing on His
greater plans for us.
'I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content.'
Philippians 4:11
God
is a wonderful teacher. He
allows us to fall, but not just cushion the impact, but lifts us even
higher, when He knows we have learned His teaching for that phase.
Today,
has been a great day. I have settled in and He provided a great piece
of reassurance at work that will prayerfully set the next stage in this
ministry He has called me upon.
And by the way, I do remember reading
at an exhibition, not sure if it was about jelly fish or squid that
contrary to popular misconceptions, they are in fact brilliant
creatures.
Once again, I thank our Lord for moving me out of my
comfort zone. For spiritual growth deepens, when our dependency on Him
alone intensifies. And God is good. He provides wonderful friends like
you, many of whom have sent me messages of encouragement, but most
importantly your prayers. And who knows, I might be able to hitch a ride
from one of you for the next 10 days, as my car protested my obedience
to our good Lord by breaking down. So the poor
wife has to include me as part of her delivery schedule, save for this
evening when I finally understood, in the midst of the crush of
commuters, why the MRT trains were prone to breakdown.
'And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.'
Matthew 24:14
And
what has work got to do with ministry? It is not just work, but
everything we do is a ministry. This call to share the gospel by our
daily living, which for many of us, is at the workplace. And God will
provide wherever He places us. And He reminded me again today of the
same message He gave me when I finally step out in obedience 3 months
back. In day 3 DB reading(Oct 3rd)
"Moses reminded the people that
the blessings God wanted to give them depended on their obedience:
"observe and obey.... That it may go well with you."(Deuteronomy
12:28)"
'Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.
There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God
is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are
able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye
may be able to bear it.'
1 Corinthians 10:12-13
But
what if we err or was tempted to err? Our perfect God will intervene,
much as the imperfect us wobble. This was the case with Abram when he
lied about his wife not once but twice to deal with his fears. And this
was the case for me come day 4.
'All things work together for good to those.....who are the called according to His purpose.'
Romans 8:28
For
yesterday day 4, I had an even larger spiritual challenge. But God is
good. More saddened for than aggrieved with the actions of some people I
used to work with back in the bull pen. But God is good. He allows
challenges to ensure I will definitely start right in this ministry. And
how can I be sure that He intervened. Because, this little unjustified
shock to my system has ensured that the little temptation that was
luring me
just before the "shock" hit me, was quickly snuffed out. Interesting
how difficulties are actually "saviors in disguise."
But I would
ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me
have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel; So that my
bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places;
Philippians 1:12-13
And
so now, I know I have no fear and can move confidently forth in this
promised land He has placed me in. For indeed, the Daily Bread readings
these past days since I started work seems to be written for me, by our
Lord, to guide, correct, assure and strengthen.
The Daily Bread(4th
Oct) reading on Psalm 37 was for me, and it sums up God's assurance and
intent. And it is so personal for me in my present circumstance that I
felt compelled to put in its entirety Psalm 37 below. May it be used
by our Lord to minister to you as well.
And so as this week closes, Friday was the cream on the cake of a victorious week for me in The Lord.
Early
days this might be, but I have enjoyed the week in this land and with
the people God has placed me in. And more importantly, I am reminded
that much as we know that God will see us through challenges, often
enough, the difficult circumstance has a greater purpose, to align us
back into Christ focus, rather than self focus.
Psalm 37
A Psalm of David.
1 Fret not thyself because of evildoers,
neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity.
2 For they shall soon be cut down like the grass,
and wither as the green herb.
3 Trust in the Lord, and do good;
so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.
4 Delight thyself also in the Lord;
and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
5 Commit thy way unto the Lord;
trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.
6 And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light,
and thy judgment as the noonday.
7 Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him:
fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way,
because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.
8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath:
fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.
9 For evildoers shall be cut off:
but those
that wait upon the Lord, they shall inherit the earth.
10 For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be:
yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be.
11 But the meek shall inherit the earth;
and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.
12 The wicked plotteth against the just,
and gnasheth upon him with his teeth.
13 The Lord shall laugh at him:
for he seeth that his day is coming.
14 The wicked have drawn out the sword, and have bent their bow,
to cast down the poor and needy,
and to slay such as be of upright conversation.
15 Their sword shall enter into their own heart,
and their bows shall be broken.
16 A little that a righteous man hath
is better than the riches of many wicked.
17 For the arms of the wicked shall be broken:
but the Lord upholdeth the righteous.
18 The Lord knoweth the days of the upright:
and their inheritance shall be for ever.
19
They shall not be ashamed in the evil time:
and in the days of famine they shall be satisfied.
20 But the wicked shall perish,
and the enemies of the Lord shall be as the fat of lambs:
they shall consume; into smoke shall they consume away.
21 The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again:
but the righteous sheweth mercy, and giveth.
22 For such as be blessed of him shall inherit the earth;
and they that be cursed of him shall be cut off.
23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord:
and he delighteth in his way.
24 Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down:
for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand.
25 I have been young, and now am old;
yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken,
nor his seed begging bread.
26 He is ever merciful, and lendeth;
and his seed is blessed.
27 Depart from evil, and do good;
and dwell for evermore.
28 For the Lord loveth judgment,
and forsaketh not his
saints;
they are preserved for ever:
but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off.
29 The righteous shall inherit the land,
and dwell therein for ever.
30 The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom,
and his tongue talketh of judgment.
31 The law of his God is in his heart;
none of his steps shall slide.
32 The wicked watcheth the righteous,
and seeketh to slay him.
33 The Lord will not leave him in his hand,
nor condemn him when he is judged.
34 Wait on the Lord, and keep his way,
and he shall exalt thee to inherit the land:
when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it.
35 I have seen the wicked in great power,
and spreading himself like a green bay tree.
36 Yet he passed away, and, lo, he was not:
yea, I sought him, but he could not be found.
37 Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright:
for the end of that man is peace.
38 But the transgressors shall be destroyed together:
the
end of the wicked shall be cut off.
39 But the salvation of the righteous is of the Lord:
he is their strength in the time of trouble.
40 And the Lord shall help them,
and deliver them: he shall deliver them from the wicked,
and save them, because they trust in him.
God blesses
Eng hieang
5th Oct 2012
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