Dear....
I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of Jehovah In the land of the living.
Wait for Jehovah: Be strong, And let thy heart take courage; Yea, wait thou for Jehovah.
Psalms 27:13-14
Am I foolish, deluded or plain hopeful to talk about a God Whom none has seen in the flesh?
Are my claims of God 's handiwork in my life the stuff of fantasies go awry? And what about 'hearing'
the voice of God? Is my heart confusing my mind?
Just in case
you are a little perturbed by my seeming loss of faith, thanks be to God
I have not. But rather, is this not the perception many who are of the
world including lukewarm
Christians, hold of determined followers of Christ who seek to live and
share their God sanctified lives?
'....for they say, The Lord seeth us not; the Lord hath forsaken the earth.
Ezekiel 8:12
Incommunicado
would be the apt description for the state of relationship many
professed Christians who are believers in name, but non followers in
life, have with the invisible God. God is at best distant, if not non
existent, and it is easier and more compelling for many to worship
things of the natural world than the Spirit God. The creation matters
more than God our Creator.
But know that the Lord hath set apart him that is godly for himself:
the Lord will hear when I call unto him.
Psalms 4:3
The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped:
therefore my heart
greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him.
Psalms 28:7
I
believe God hears and answers my prayers when asked in His will. But
the form and timing only He determines. And the imperfect me often
struggles with the spirit of disconcertedness much as I know God will
deliver. For wait and pray we must, much as it is against our very
nature. And while we wait, what about honoring Him by being selfless and
loving others, contrary to the modus operandi for most, which is to be
enmeshed in their own worrisome needs?
Rest in Jehovah, and wait patiently for him:Fret not ...'
Psalms 37:7
Trust
in the Lord, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily
thou shalt be fed. Delight thyself also in the Lord; and he shall give
thee the desires of thine heart.
Psalms 37:3-4
Waiting upon the Lord based upon our own understanding is difficult for
it means being encircled by the specters of fear and worry. God knows
our limits and waiting upon Him requires a determined response from us
- to come into communion with Him through prayers,
- with a thankful heart that will empower us to look from His perspective
- to meditate upon His Words which will be a lamp through this journey of faith
- to love others for God is love and in doing so, we will know Him better and be willing to trust and obey
My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.
Psalms 5:3
This
is a new year for all of us. For some, like me, it could mean a new
endeavor bringing with it new opportunities, yet uncertainties. It is in
times like this that one becomes acutely aware of our limitations, yet
bring
us into greater if not total dependency upon our Sovereign God.
'.....The helpless commits himself to You..'
Psalm 10:14
Is the line of communication to God of greater clarity in the freshness
of the early morning? I don't think that is the intent of Psalms 5:3,
but fact is, in normal times, most of us only give God time at the end
of the day, if at all.
By then, our hearts and minds would have been
fully cluttered with the burdens and distractions of our fallen world,
would we be able to discern the will of God, assuming if we are still
interested?
But in a season of change or during times of great
uncertainty and difficulties, somehow we are more desirous to not just
seek God at the crack of dawn, but throughout the day.
What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?
Psalms 8:4
Without the pain of a difficulty, It is nay
impossible for most of us to be still, what with the many arrows of
distractions Satan shoots at us. God knows our limits and He speaks to
me in the stillness of the night, when I enter the realm of restful
sleep. Dreams, it is still a mystery as to its manufactory.
"Dreams
are successions of images, ideas, emotions, and sensations that occur
involuntarily in the mind during certain stages of sleep." ( "Dream".
The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth
Edition. 2000.)
Dreams all of us will encounter, but most tend to
be fleeting, and once wakened, it is difficult to recall, much as it
was vivid when it was being played out. For dreams die at the crack of
dawn.
The Austrian neurologist Sigmund Freud, who developed the
discipline of psychoanalysis, wrote extensively about dream theories and
interpretations. He explained dreams as
manifestations of our deepest desires and anxieties, often relating to
repressed childhood memories or obsessions. Dear long departed Sigmund
dealt very much with the human carnality especially of lusts.
What about dreams of the spiritual nature? Or would vision be the more correct term?
The Dictionary.com define vision as
"an
experience in which a personage, thing, or event appears vividly or
credibly to the mind, although not actually present, often under the
influence of a divine or other agency: a heavenly messenger appearing in
a vision. Compare hallucination."
Thou hast proved mine heart; thou hast visited me in the night; thou hast tried me, and shalt find nothing;
Psalms 17:3
In my past decade of diligently seeking our Lord, He had given me a couple of visions.
An
early one was that of crocodiles trying to enter my home in Valley
Park. Interestingly
a few weeks after that, there were sightings of crocodiles in our
rivers including the canal adjoining Valley Park. The message then was
to save souls from the devil, the latter as represented by the reptile.
Another
that left a deep impression upon me was the vision I had of being
lifted up by the power of God's voice. As shared previously, the scene
was similar to that as described in the Book of Ezekiel, which only
dawned upon me a few years later when our Lord brought me to sight the
specific verses in Ezekiel for the first time in my life. 'Orison,' to
"pray," was the word given to me, and indeed prayers as a ministry has
been where God has led me to since.
I will bless Jehovah, who hath given me counsel; Yea, my heart instructeth me in the night seasons.
Psalms 16:7
A more recent dream was a series of 3 dreams before the onset of the subprime crisis. And it
stood me on good ground to stay steadfast in not leaving Merrill, much as there were compelling reasons to leave.
"Don't
return to Egypt" to the bondage of a salaried job that was the thought
God placed in my heart, and in trusting and obeying, He not just
sheltered but provided.
Have ye not seen a vain vision, and have
ye not spoken a lying divination, whereas ye say, The Lord saith it;
albeit I have not spoken?
Ezekiel 13:7
From visions to impressions on the heart, the Spirit of God has truly guided me.
And as shared previously, He has led, but often the reticent me did not fully trust and obey.
For is it my imagination on overdrive or is it truly from the Lord?
-
distribute not cumulate, this was the thought God impressed upon me at
the onset of the subprime. My half obedience deprived others of my
having even greater resources that God provided.
- buy
physical gold. Wish I had bought more of the yellow metal that has
since doubled. Indeed it is not about self enrichment, but how we can be
storehouses of God's provisions to be shared with others. For the true
gold that we must purchase from our Lord is as in our character as
refined by God.
For ye shall pass over Jordan to go in to possess
the land which the Lord your God giveth you, and ye shall possess it,
and dwell therein. And ye shall observe to do all the statutes and
judgments which I set before you this day.
Deuteronomy 11:31-32
It
has been past four months since I entered the Promised land. Much as my
faith has grown through the years, having experienced God's
omnipresence in my life, fear and trepidation still look for
opportunities to hover over me. I am learning about dependency upon God
again.
Man looks for conclusion, God asks for our obedience.
"Success"
God's way is a life that seeks after Him. But what often gives way is
our inability to stay steadfast in His presence, hence depriving
ourselves of the very understanding that is needed for walking the path
of victory that God has already laid for us.(do read Psalms 81)
To day if ye will hear his voice,
Harden not your heart, as in the provocation,
and as in the day of temptation
Psalms 95:7-8
But
thanks be to God, His Spirit convicts our straying hearts and He
divinely align us back into focus. But a response is needed from us, and
that must start, continue and end with immersing oneself in His
presence, and doing what honors Him, and not wallow in the quagmire of
our own finite understanding. God will provide.
For this shall every one that is godly pray unto thee in a time when thou mayest be found:
surely in the floods of great waters they shall not come nigh unto
him.
Psalms 32:6
God blesses
Eng Hieang
31stJan 2013
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Monday, January 21, 2013
Heart to heart #52 An undivided heart (21st Jan 2013)
Heart to heart #52 Undivided heart (20th Jan 2013)
Dear...
The humble shall see this, and be glad: and your heart shall live that seek God.
Psalms 69:32
"64 slices," that is what the Computed tomography (CT)scan machine does when I was put through the high radiation machine. Using X ray beams to slice through my heart, the machine helps to determine the level of calcium plaque residing in the arteries in my heart. Two blockages were determined to exist, a smaller 20% at one of the peripheral, and a significant 40% right at the gateway of my left heart. The latter is nicknamed "widow maker" for the artery gets abruptly and completely occluded it will cause a massive heart attack that will likely lead to a sudden death.
My cardiologist tells me that I have a good chance of a fatal heart attack within five years if the blockage was allowed to increase unhindered. But indeed God is good and much as I am far from being perfected, He knows my desire to seek Him, and by His divine intervention, He has made me keenly aware of the potential "time bomb" in my heart, to allow me to "defuse" it. Crazy as it might seem, our good Lord impressed upon me that I will be serving Him till at least age 75. Question is, will I give Him my all and remain steadfast in His service?
And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh: That they may walk in my statutes, and keep mine ordinances, and do them:and they shall be my people, and I will be their God.
Ezekiel 11:19-20
Not too sure if our Lord will give me a new debris free physical heart, but a spiritual heart free of the clutter of this world, an undivided heart which has place only for the Holy Spirit, this is His desire for me and this is what I must work on.
Teach me thy way, O Lord; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name.
I will praise thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart: and I will glorify thy name for evermore.
Psalms 86:11-12
How does one give to God our all? By waiting upon Him always.
The Lord is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him.
It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord.
Lamentations 3:25-26
We plant, it is God Who brings about the increase. This is often used in the context of ministering to others. It can also apply to ourselves. Christ is the spring of life. His teachings which are grounded upon the Word of God is the rich nutrients of life upon which we must feed on. The word of God is more than an intellectual discourse. It is a living word, which will imbue in us the very sanctifying presence of the Lord our God. His words will renew our minds and transform our hearts. It is the lamp that will light our paths through the sin strewn darkness of our fallen world.
Waiting upon our Lord is not about doing nothing, but it is about
1) communion with God through prayers
Prayers is not a wish list nor is it a practiced chanting. It is time out from the world, and time in with God. To be still, to know the will of God. Christ always took time in prayerful communion with God His Father.
'......prayer also shall be made for him continually;
and daily shall he be praised.'
Psalms 72:15
2)staying in His presence by immersing oneself in His Words
Many Christians do not read the Bible. Not feeding on the word of God will lead us to a spiritual hunger, which the things of the world cannot satisfy.
Some of us do take time with our Lord on a daily basis. Gaunt we might not be, but we end up half developed, faithful in normal circumstances, but weak kneed when gale force storms hit. Our good Lord impressed upon me the need for me and for you to continuously
dwell in the living word of God. Christ always took time to be with His Father.
Be thou my strong habitation, whereunto I may continually resort: thou hast given commandment to save me; for thou art my rock and my fortress.
Psalms 71:3
3) being thankful in all circumstances.
'..... :My praise shall be continually of thee.'
Psalms 71:6
It is equally challenging to be thankful in good times as it is in difficult times. Pride comes to the fore in the former, while fear and despair blinds us to the quiet grace of God in our trying moments. Praising our Lord through songs is more than an offering of gratitude for His grace. Worship edifies, assures and imbue in us this heartfelt joy of communion with our Lord, that spiritual closeness that the natural senses can never attain.
God asked Moses to pen a song to remind the Israelites of His faithfulness much as we are often less than steadfast in our obedience.
Now therefore write ye this song for you, and teach it the children of Israel:put it in their mouths, that this song may be a witness for me against the children of Israel.
Deuteronomy 31:19
4)always being cognizance of the need to be Christlike every moment of our life.
We need to consciously put selfless before self. The carnal man in us will always deal with issues from our own needs. The spirit man of God will take a deliberate and determined step back from our own understanding, and unto His presence. To allow the Holy Spirit residing in us to lead us.
"Trust and obey, there is no other way.." Indeed the words of this song resonates in its truth.
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.
Isaiah 55:8
The world we live in is getting hotter, not just in the mercury level, but in all aspects as troubles abound, with even more brewing. "2012, the movie came and ended its run. The year 2012 did the same, and the world remains, much as the protagonist, the Mayans are long gone. As I penned this, it struck me that I did visit Chichen Itza, in Cancun, Mexico back in early 2000. This is supposedly the most important of the Mayan ruins. It is also one of the most oppressively hotter places I have been, and this wilting heat was one reason for the stunted growth of the ancient Mayans.
Reminiscence aside, the world as we know it indeed will end when Christ returns, but only God is privy as to its timing. But rather than wondering when, should we not rein in our wandering hearts, and commit to give the omnipresent God our undivided attention. Or like most, you will need an earth shaking if not shattering personal experience to unequivocally give God your attention?
These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation:but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
John 16:33
God blesses
Eng Hieang
21st Jan 2013
Dear...
The humble shall see this, and be glad: and your heart shall live that seek God.
Psalms 69:32
"64 slices," that is what the Computed tomography (CT)scan machine does when I was put through the high radiation machine. Using X ray beams to slice through my heart, the machine helps to determine the level of calcium plaque residing in the arteries in my heart. Two blockages were determined to exist, a smaller 20% at one of the peripheral, and a significant 40% right at the gateway of my left heart. The latter is nicknamed "widow maker" for the artery gets abruptly and completely occluded it will cause a massive heart attack that will likely lead to a sudden death.
My cardiologist tells me that I have a good chance of a fatal heart attack within five years if the blockage was allowed to increase unhindered. But indeed God is good and much as I am far from being perfected, He knows my desire to seek Him, and by His divine intervention, He has made me keenly aware of the potential "time bomb" in my heart, to allow me to "defuse" it. Crazy as it might seem, our good Lord impressed upon me that I will be serving Him till at least age 75. Question is, will I give Him my all and remain steadfast in His service?
And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh: That they may walk in my statutes, and keep mine ordinances, and do them:and they shall be my people, and I will be their God.
Ezekiel 11:19-20
Not too sure if our Lord will give me a new debris free physical heart, but a spiritual heart free of the clutter of this world, an undivided heart which has place only for the Holy Spirit, this is His desire for me and this is what I must work on.
Teach me thy way, O Lord; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name.
I will praise thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart: and I will glorify thy name for evermore.
Psalms 86:11-12
How does one give to God our all? By waiting upon Him always.
The Lord is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him.
It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord.
Lamentations 3:25-26
We plant, it is God Who brings about the increase. This is often used in the context of ministering to others. It can also apply to ourselves. Christ is the spring of life. His teachings which are grounded upon the Word of God is the rich nutrients of life upon which we must feed on. The word of God is more than an intellectual discourse. It is a living word, which will imbue in us the very sanctifying presence of the Lord our God. His words will renew our minds and transform our hearts. It is the lamp that will light our paths through the sin strewn darkness of our fallen world.
Waiting upon our Lord is not about doing nothing, but it is about
1) communion with God through prayers
Prayers is not a wish list nor is it a practiced chanting. It is time out from the world, and time in with God. To be still, to know the will of God. Christ always took time in prayerful communion with God His Father.
'......prayer also shall be made for him continually;
and daily shall he be praised.'
Psalms 72:15
2)staying in His presence by immersing oneself in His Words
Many Christians do not read the Bible. Not feeding on the word of God will lead us to a spiritual hunger, which the things of the world cannot satisfy.
Some of us do take time with our Lord on a daily basis. Gaunt we might not be, but we end up half developed, faithful in normal circumstances, but weak kneed when gale force storms hit. Our good Lord impressed upon me the need for me and for you to continuously
dwell in the living word of God. Christ always took time to be with His Father.
Be thou my strong habitation, whereunto I may continually resort: thou hast given commandment to save me; for thou art my rock and my fortress.
Psalms 71:3
3) being thankful in all circumstances.
'..... :My praise shall be continually of thee.'
Psalms 71:6
It is equally challenging to be thankful in good times as it is in difficult times. Pride comes to the fore in the former, while fear and despair blinds us to the quiet grace of God in our trying moments. Praising our Lord through songs is more than an offering of gratitude for His grace. Worship edifies, assures and imbue in us this heartfelt joy of communion with our Lord, that spiritual closeness that the natural senses can never attain.
God asked Moses to pen a song to remind the Israelites of His faithfulness much as we are often less than steadfast in our obedience.
Now therefore write ye this song for you, and teach it the children of Israel:put it in their mouths, that this song may be a witness for me against the children of Israel.
Deuteronomy 31:19
4)always being cognizance of the need to be Christlike every moment of our life.
We need to consciously put selfless before self. The carnal man in us will always deal with issues from our own needs. The spirit man of God will take a deliberate and determined step back from our own understanding, and unto His presence. To allow the Holy Spirit residing in us to lead us.
"Trust and obey, there is no other way.." Indeed the words of this song resonates in its truth.
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.
Isaiah 55:8
The world we live in is getting hotter, not just in the mercury level, but in all aspects as troubles abound, with even more brewing. "2012, the movie came and ended its run. The year 2012 did the same, and the world remains, much as the protagonist, the Mayans are long gone. As I penned this, it struck me that I did visit Chichen Itza, in Cancun, Mexico back in early 2000. This is supposedly the most important of the Mayan ruins. It is also one of the most oppressively hotter places I have been, and this wilting heat was one reason for the stunted growth of the ancient Mayans.
Reminiscence aside, the world as we know it indeed will end when Christ returns, but only God is privy as to its timing. But rather than wondering when, should we not rein in our wandering hearts, and commit to give the omnipresent God our undivided attention. Or like most, you will need an earth shaking if not shattering personal experience to unequivocally give God your attention?
These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation:but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
John 16:33
God blesses
Eng Hieang
21st Jan 2013
Friday, January 11, 2013
Heart to heart #51 Rest in peace (12th Jan 2013)
Dear....
His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish
Psalms 146:4
R.I.P. this is the familiar melancholic three letters that one sees inscribed on tombstones in the cemeteries of old in the West. Perhaps a mite unfamiliar for us in Singapore who are more inclined towards cremation. With the festive period just over, and the Lunar New Year round the corner, is it appropriate to talk about death?
Thou hidest thy face, they are troubled: thou takest away their breath, they die, and return to their dust.
Psalms 104:29
I have just seen this posting by a friend of a photo with the following words "Without God our week will be Sinday , Mournday, Tearsday, Wasteday, Thirstday, Fightday, and Shatterday. A pun on words it might be but how true it reflects a life of angst when it is void of the presence of God in our hearts.
'...O Lord, heal me; for my bones are vexed. My soul is also sore vexed:
but thou, O Lord - how long? Return O Lord, deliver me!'
Psalms 6:2-4
Is R.I.P a testament that the deceased never had a peaceful day, and with the last breath, the calamitous days are finally over? Never a day of peace, thankfully this does not ascribe to me, for though my heart does get troubled oft enough, it does not linger long over me. For thanks be to God, He is my source of comfort and strength, and in turning to Him, such troubling clouds will dissipate. And on this matter of heart, thought I should share this wonderful news. Just did my quarterly check with my cardiologist, and much as the block is permanent till our good Lord decide otherwise, the test results were excellent and indicate no deterioration. Indeed the wife did a wonderful job keeping me discipline( not had a char kway teow since Sep 2011), and more importantly to our good Lord for His grace.
Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the Lord his God:
Psalms 146:5
I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, Lord, only makest me dwell in safety.
Psalms 4:8
Mortal death does not signify the conclusion of one's earthly woes, for eternal damnation awaits. But it need not be so, for peace and joy on Earth and bliss in eternity is what God promises all who seek Him. So why are we not gladly availing ourselves of this reality?
Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:
Colossians 1:28
As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.
Psalms 17:15
The embalmer can do a gloss over the stone cold dead shell that once housed our spirit. But all have to meet God our Maker in the spirit, warts and all. Question is, have we been genuinely transformed in His likeness to avoid the ignominy of being told by God that He knows us not?
Their sorrows shall be multiplied that hasten after another god:
Psalms 16:4
Thankfulness in all circumstances, coupled with total dependency on our Sovereign God, these two responses from us will ensure that we will not be subjected to the machinations of the devil, nor the delusions of our self deceiving mind.
The Lord preserveth the strangers; he relieveth the fatherless and widow:
but the way of the wicked he turneth upside down.
Psalms 146:9
The year has started on a hot streak, not just in the stock markets, but in Down Under as well. Bush fires are normal but the scale and intensity have deepened. Extremities will be the norm, correlating the place evil increasingly has in mainstream life.
'....their silver and their gold shall not be able to deliver them in the day of the wrath of The Lord....'
Ezekiel 7:19
As I watch the devastating carnage in Tasmania, I am reminded of the thoughts shared back last Aug on Australia ( see link. http://eng-hieang.blogspot.sg/2012/08/heart-to-heart-34-kaleidoscope-15th-aug.html?m=1). Continued propagation of evil will draw a corrective response from God, for our eternity is at stake.
Interestingly, bush fires though destructive is nature's way of regeneration. Is this a symbolism of the degenerative being regenerated?
But we need not go through such angst. The refiner's fire, if we are willing to come unto the crucible of God's presence, will bring us out of the tempestuous natural and into the joyous spiritual realm.
"When we enter the disturbing, unsettling seasons of life, it is good to know that real peace is available in the God of peace." ( Bill Chowder)
'Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace always in every way.'
2 Thessalonians 3:16
After close to a decade of immersing myself wonderfully in God's Word through the Spirit inspired writings of His servants Paul and Bunty Collins in the online Bible course (http://www.online-bible-college.com/), I know it is now a time to enter a different season in the way I soak my all in His Words. To read the entire Bible by its various books,starting with Psalms and Ezekiel. Where will it lead to I know not, but delight and discernment, the living Word of God will imbue in us if we are determined and willing.
But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
Psalms 1:2
For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Hebrews 4:12
The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul:
the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.
The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart:
the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.
Psalms 19:7-8
He brought me forth also into a large place; he delivered me, because he delighted in me.
Psalms 18:19
God blesses
Eng Hieang
(12th Jan 2013)
His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish
Psalms 146:4
R.I.P. this is the familiar melancholic three letters that one sees inscribed on tombstones in the cemeteries of old in the West. Perhaps a mite unfamiliar for us in Singapore who are more inclined towards cremation. With the festive period just over, and the Lunar New Year round the corner, is it appropriate to talk about death?
Thou hidest thy face, they are troubled: thou takest away their breath, they die, and return to their dust.
Psalms 104:29
I have just seen this posting by a friend of a photo with the following words "Without God our week will be Sinday , Mournday, Tearsday, Wasteday, Thirstday, Fightday, and Shatterday. A pun on words it might be but how true it reflects a life of angst when it is void of the presence of God in our hearts.
'...O Lord, heal me; for my bones are vexed. My soul is also sore vexed:
but thou, O Lord - how long? Return O Lord, deliver me!'
Psalms 6:2-4
Is R.I.P a testament that the deceased never had a peaceful day, and with the last breath, the calamitous days are finally over? Never a day of peace, thankfully this does not ascribe to me, for though my heart does get troubled oft enough, it does not linger long over me. For thanks be to God, He is my source of comfort and strength, and in turning to Him, such troubling clouds will dissipate. And on this matter of heart, thought I should share this wonderful news. Just did my quarterly check with my cardiologist, and much as the block is permanent till our good Lord decide otherwise, the test results were excellent and indicate no deterioration. Indeed the wife did a wonderful job keeping me discipline( not had a char kway teow since Sep 2011), and more importantly to our good Lord for His grace.
Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the Lord his God:
Psalms 146:5
I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, Lord, only makest me dwell in safety.
Psalms 4:8
Mortal death does not signify the conclusion of one's earthly woes, for eternal damnation awaits. But it need not be so, for peace and joy on Earth and bliss in eternity is what God promises all who seek Him. So why are we not gladly availing ourselves of this reality?
Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:
Colossians 1:28
As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.
Psalms 17:15
The embalmer can do a gloss over the stone cold dead shell that once housed our spirit. But all have to meet God our Maker in the spirit, warts and all. Question is, have we been genuinely transformed in His likeness to avoid the ignominy of being told by God that He knows us not?
Their sorrows shall be multiplied that hasten after another god:
Psalms 16:4
Thankfulness in all circumstances, coupled with total dependency on our Sovereign God, these two responses from us will ensure that we will not be subjected to the machinations of the devil, nor the delusions of our self deceiving mind.
The Lord preserveth the strangers; he relieveth the fatherless and widow:
but the way of the wicked he turneth upside down.
Psalms 146:9
The year has started on a hot streak, not just in the stock markets, but in Down Under as well. Bush fires are normal but the scale and intensity have deepened. Extremities will be the norm, correlating the place evil increasingly has in mainstream life.
'....their silver and their gold shall not be able to deliver them in the day of the wrath of The Lord....'
Ezekiel 7:19
As I watch the devastating carnage in Tasmania, I am reminded of the thoughts shared back last Aug on Australia ( see link. http://eng-hieang.blogspot.sg/2012/08/heart-to-heart-34-kaleidoscope-15th-aug.html?m=1). Continued propagation of evil will draw a corrective response from God, for our eternity is at stake.
Interestingly, bush fires though destructive is nature's way of regeneration. Is this a symbolism of the degenerative being regenerated?
But we need not go through such angst. The refiner's fire, if we are willing to come unto the crucible of God's presence, will bring us out of the tempestuous natural and into the joyous spiritual realm.
"When we enter the disturbing, unsettling seasons of life, it is good to know that real peace is available in the God of peace." ( Bill Chowder)
'Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace always in every way.'
2 Thessalonians 3:16
After close to a decade of immersing myself wonderfully in God's Word through the Spirit inspired writings of His servants Paul and Bunty Collins in the online Bible course (http://www.online-bible-college.com/), I know it is now a time to enter a different season in the way I soak my all in His Words. To read the entire Bible by its various books,starting with Psalms and Ezekiel. Where will it lead to I know not, but delight and discernment, the living Word of God will imbue in us if we are determined and willing.
But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
Psalms 1:2
For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Hebrews 4:12
The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul:
the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.
The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart:
the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.
Psalms 19:7-8
He brought me forth also into a large place; he delivered me, because he delighted in me.
Psalms 18:19
God blesses
Eng Hieang
(12th Jan 2013)
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