The past two days have been tough. I came back to Beijing on the 20th, after having spent a week in Shanghai with Tim. It's not the separation from Tim that has been feeling so bummed. It's the fact that Christmas is right around the corner and I don't feel the warmth & joy that Christmas is supposed to bring....
Yesterday during our neurology rotation, we were brought to a medical room where there were 5 patients, all of whom were suffering from various degrees of brain haemorrhage. It was tough. They reminded me of gong gong, especially of the time that he spent in the hospital. It was the persistent cough that seemed to be uncontrollable, it was the feeding tubes that went in through their nose. It was the huge amount of phlegm in their mouths, it was the pillow placed on the side of their movement-less body. It was tough.
To aggravate certain pathological signs on the old lady that we were carrying on the medical checkup on, our teacher repeatedly aggravated the patient. It was so painful to watch and I had to step out for a moment to let loose a few tears. It was tough.
I don't know if I'm being overly sensitive, but I also feel ghosted by my two good friends. (Side note: are they my good friends? What does it say about our relationship when after university is over I don't think I'll miss them all them much?) It's almost a "what goes around comes around" situation. On one hand I am unable to join them, but on the other hand they did not attempt to invite me. I know my joy comes from God, and I know the quality of my life is entirely dependent on God. It does not matter what others say or do, but it does hurt because I don't know what I did wrong, or what went wrong where.
I wish I had good Christian sisters here in Beijing. I wish Ling Han and Kristi were still around. I wish I didn't always have to say goodbye to people in Beijing. I wish I had people who understood the true meaning of Christmas around, to celebrate Christmas with me.
Lord, in the meantime, would you please fill the hole in my heart?
Friday, December 23, 2016
Friday, December 9, 2016
It's time
when you start to feel
like you're missing out on life,
remember beautiful things happen
when God says "it's time"
- Morgan Harper Nichols
like you're missing out on life,
remember beautiful things happen
when God says "it's time"
- Morgan Harper Nichols
Tuesday, December 6, 2016
To the Person Who Has a Lot of Friends But Doesn't Belong Anywhere
You are blessed and you are loved by many. So please ignore those negative thoughts that tell you otherwise.
You’re a friendly person, a social butterfly, making friends wherever you are, wherever you go. You touch many hearts with your fun personality and caring demeanour.
However, I understand because there are days when you feel like there is no one to hang out with. All your friends are busy hanging out with someone else or you check your social media and see that all your friends are in their respective groups hanging out and having fun. You question why it’s hard for you to belong anywhere.
But I just want to let you know that you’re important. You’re not overlooked. You’re not forgotten. You are truly loved despite what your inner thoughts are saying in your head. You may not belong to a certain group of friends. But the fact that you are welcomed to so many groups says so much about your personality.
The fact that you have so many friends means that you have many whom you can rely on and who can rely on you.
You’re not the only person who feels this way. In fact, I know this feeling of loneliness. I also feel self-doubt in my ability to have friends and keep them. I, too, question why I can’t have one group of friends that I can constantly rely on.
But I realize now that it’s silly for me and you to feel this way. It’s not about belonging. It’s about doing. It’s about being there for others even if they aren’t there for you. It’s about giving love as much as your heart can allow. It’s not about being special, but making others feel special.
Stop looking for a place to belong. You’re not the type of person that belongs to one group. You’re meant to bring happiness to so many more. Cheers to you who doesn’t belong in one place. You’re a friend that everyone loves, and that should be more than enough to make you realize that you belong in a special place in their hearts.
Taken from: https://www.theodysseyonline.com/to-the-person-who-has-lot-of-friends-but-doesnt-belong-anywhere
Taken from: https://www.theodysseyonline.com/to-the-person-who-has-lot-of-friends-but-doesnt-belong-anywhere
God sustains her
Not everyone believes in her
and not everyone supports her,
but her God goes with her, and
that's what sustains her.
- Morgan Harper Nichols
and not everyone supports her,
but her God goes with her, and
that's what sustains her.
- Morgan Harper Nichols
There is more to you than yesterday
when you start to feel
like things should have
been better this year,
remember the mountains and valleys
that you got here.
they are not accidents
and those moments weren't in vain.
you are no the same
you have grown and you are growing
you are breathing, you are living.
you are wrapped in
endless
boundless
grace.
and things will get better.
there is more to you than yesterday.
- morgan harper nichols
like things should have
been better this year,
remember the mountains and valleys
that you got here.
they are not accidents
and those moments weren't in vain.
you are no the same
you have grown and you are growing
you are breathing, you are living.
you are wrapped in
endless
boundless
grace.
and things will get better.
there is more to you than yesterday.
- morgan harper nichols
Being human
I R E A L I Z E D
T H E R E I S N O S H A M E I N B E I N G H O N E S T
T H E R E I S N O S H A M E I N B E I N G V U L N E R A B L E
I T ' S T H E B E A U T Y
O F B E I N G H U M A N
T H E R E I S N O S H A M E I N B E I N G H O N E S T
T H E R E I S N O S H A M E I N B E I N G V U L N E R A B L E
I T ' S T H E B E A U T Y
O F B E I N G H U M A N
Do what you love
You've got to find what you love; and that is as true for work as it is for your lovers
Your work is going to fill a large part of your life
And the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work
And the only only way to do great work is to love what you do
If you haven't found it yet, keep looking and don't stop
Your work is going to fill a large part of your life
And the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work
And the only only way to do great work is to love what you do
If you haven't found it yet, keep looking and don't stop
Tuesday, November 29, 2016
Nonstop travels
When you travel you will never be completely at home again, because part of your heart will always be elsewhere. That is the price you pay for the richness of loving and knowing people in more than one place.
Sunday, November 27, 2016
Counterfeit Gods
Idolatry
Taking some "incomplete joy of this world" and building your entire life on it
In Ezekiel 14:3, God says about elders of Israel, "These men have set up their idols in their hearts." God was saying that the human heart takes good things like a successful career, love, material possessions, even family, and then turns them into ultimate things. Our hearts deify them as the centre of our lives, because, we think, they can give us significance and security, safety and fulfilment, if we attain them.
The very things upon which these people were building all their happiness turned to dust in their hands because they had built all their happiness upon them. The greater the good, the more likely we are to expect that it can satisfy our deepest needs and hopes. Anything can serve as a counterfeit god, especially the very best things in life.
We can locate idols by looking at our most unyielding emotions. What makes us uncontrollably angry, anxious, or despondent? What racks us with a guilt we can't shake? Idols control us, since we feel we must have them or life is meaningless.
Abraham
When Abraham listened to God and brought Isaac up to the mountain, he was not just exercising "blind faith." He was not saying, "This is crazy, this is murder, but I'm going to do it anyway." Instead he was saying, "I know God is both holy and gracious. I don't know how he is going to be both -- but I know he will."
In Psalm 130:4, we see that "the fear of God" is increased by an experience of God's grace and forgiveness. What it describes is a loving, joyful awe and wonder before the greatness of God. The Lord is saying, "Now I know that you love me more than anything in the world." That's what "the fear of God" means. This doesn't mean that God was trying to find out if Abraham loved him. The All-seeing God knows the state of every heart. Rather, God was putting Abraham through the furnace, so his love for God could finally "come forth as pure gold."
Abraham's agonising walk into the mountains was therefore the final stage of a long journey in which God was turning him from an average man into one of the greatest figures in history.
Like Abraham, you could take a walk up into the mountains. You could say, "I see that you may be calling me to live my life without something I never thought I could live without. But if I have you, I have the only wealth, health, love, honour, and security I really need and cannot lose." As many have learned and later taught, you don't realise Jesus is all you need until Jesus is all you have.
Like Abraham, Jesus struggled mightily with God's call. In the garden of Gethsemane, he asked the Father if there was any other way, but in the end, he obediently walked up Mount Calvary to the cross. We can't know all the reasons that our Father is allowing bad things to happen to us, but like Jesus did, we can trust him in those difficult times. As we look at him and rejoice in what he did for us, we will have the joy and hope necessary - and the freedom from counterfeit gods - to follow the call of God when times seem at their darkest and most difficult.
Replacing idols
In Paul's letter to the Colossians he exhorted them to "put to death" the evil desires of the heart, including "greed, which is idolatry" (Colossians 3:5). But how? Paul lead out the way in the preceding verses: Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, se your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthy nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.
Colossians 3:1-5
Replacing idols entails joyful worship, a sense of God's reality in prayer. Jesus must become more beautiful to your imagination, more attractive to your heart, than your idol. That is what will replace your counterfeit gods. If you uproot the idol and fail to "plant" the love of Christ in it's place, the idol will grow back.
Rejoicing and repentance must go together. Repentance without rejoicing will lead to despair. Rejoicing without repentance is shallow and will only provide passing inspiration instead of deep change. Indeed, it is when we rejoice over Jesus's sacrificial love for us most full that, paradoxically, we are most truly convicted of our sins.
Paul directed that we should "rejoice in the Lord always" (Philippians 4:4), but this cannot mean "always feel happy," since no one can command someone to always have a particular emotion. To rejoice is to treasure a thing, to assess its value to you, to reflect on its beauty and importance until your heart rests in it and tastes the sweetness of it. "Rejoicing" is a way of praising God until the heart is sweetened and rested, and until it relaxes its grip on anything else it thinks it needs.
The great pastor and hymn-writer John Newton once wrote about this struggle: If I may speak my own experience, I find that to keep my eye simply on Christ, as my peace and my life, is by far the hardest part of my calling... It is easier to deny self in a thousand instances of outward conduct, than in its ceaseless endeavours to act as a principle of righteousness and power.
Taking some "incomplete joy of this world" and building your entire life on it
In Ezekiel 14:3, God says about elders of Israel, "These men have set up their idols in their hearts." God was saying that the human heart takes good things like a successful career, love, material possessions, even family, and then turns them into ultimate things. Our hearts deify them as the centre of our lives, because, we think, they can give us significance and security, safety and fulfilment, if we attain them.
The very things upon which these people were building all their happiness turned to dust in their hands because they had built all their happiness upon them. The greater the good, the more likely we are to expect that it can satisfy our deepest needs and hopes. Anything can serve as a counterfeit god, especially the very best things in life.
We can locate idols by looking at our most unyielding emotions. What makes us uncontrollably angry, anxious, or despondent? What racks us with a guilt we can't shake? Idols control us, since we feel we must have them or life is meaningless.
Abraham
When Abraham listened to God and brought Isaac up to the mountain, he was not just exercising "blind faith." He was not saying, "This is crazy, this is murder, but I'm going to do it anyway." Instead he was saying, "I know God is both holy and gracious. I don't know how he is going to be both -- but I know he will."
In Psalm 130:4, we see that "the fear of God" is increased by an experience of God's grace and forgiveness. What it describes is a loving, joyful awe and wonder before the greatness of God. The Lord is saying, "Now I know that you love me more than anything in the world." That's what "the fear of God" means. This doesn't mean that God was trying to find out if Abraham loved him. The All-seeing God knows the state of every heart. Rather, God was putting Abraham through the furnace, so his love for God could finally "come forth as pure gold."
Abraham's agonising walk into the mountains was therefore the final stage of a long journey in which God was turning him from an average man into one of the greatest figures in history.
Like Abraham, you could take a walk up into the mountains. You could say, "I see that you may be calling me to live my life without something I never thought I could live without. But if I have you, I have the only wealth, health, love, honour, and security I really need and cannot lose." As many have learned and later taught, you don't realise Jesus is all you need until Jesus is all you have.
Like Abraham, Jesus struggled mightily with God's call. In the garden of Gethsemane, he asked the Father if there was any other way, but in the end, he obediently walked up Mount Calvary to the cross. We can't know all the reasons that our Father is allowing bad things to happen to us, but like Jesus did, we can trust him in those difficult times. As we look at him and rejoice in what he did for us, we will have the joy and hope necessary - and the freedom from counterfeit gods - to follow the call of God when times seem at their darkest and most difficult.
Replacing idols
In Paul's letter to the Colossians he exhorted them to "put to death" the evil desires of the heart, including "greed, which is idolatry" (Colossians 3:5). But how? Paul lead out the way in the preceding verses: Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, se your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthy nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.
Colossians 3:1-5
Replacing idols entails joyful worship, a sense of God's reality in prayer. Jesus must become more beautiful to your imagination, more attractive to your heart, than your idol. That is what will replace your counterfeit gods. If you uproot the idol and fail to "plant" the love of Christ in it's place, the idol will grow back.
Rejoicing and repentance must go together. Repentance without rejoicing will lead to despair. Rejoicing without repentance is shallow and will only provide passing inspiration instead of deep change. Indeed, it is when we rejoice over Jesus's sacrificial love for us most full that, paradoxically, we are most truly convicted of our sins.
Paul directed that we should "rejoice in the Lord always" (Philippians 4:4), but this cannot mean "always feel happy," since no one can command someone to always have a particular emotion. To rejoice is to treasure a thing, to assess its value to you, to reflect on its beauty and importance until your heart rests in it and tastes the sweetness of it. "Rejoicing" is a way of praising God until the heart is sweetened and rested, and until it relaxes its grip on anything else it thinks it needs.
The great pastor and hymn-writer John Newton once wrote about this struggle: If I may speak my own experience, I find that to keep my eye simply on Christ, as my peace and my life, is by far the hardest part of my calling... It is easier to deny self in a thousand instances of outward conduct, than in its ceaseless endeavours to act as a principle of righteousness and power.
Tuesday, November 22, 2016
Church of the Master Presbyterian Church
Mark 5.
The man in the tomb was cutting himself but still he ran ahead and worshipped Jesus. He worshipped FIRST, before he was delivered from his situation.
Protocol --> Progress.
The demon spirit went into the pigs but the pigs didn't want to be with the spirit and so they chose to drown instead!
Worship will take you to restoration. If God has pulled you out of a tomb, you owe Him some worship!
The man in the tomb was cutting himself but still he ran ahead and worshipped Jesus. He worshipped FIRST, before he was delivered from his situation.
Protocol --> Progress.
The demon spirit went into the pigs but the pigs didn't want to be with the spirit and so they chose to drown instead!
Worship will take you to restoration. If God has pulled you out of a tomb, you owe Him some worship!
Affirmations
1. I am in charge of how I feel and I choose to feel happy.
2. I can handle whatever comes at me.
3. I am capable of tackling this project. I am going to own it.
4. I deserve it.
5. I look forward to tomorrow and the opportunities that await me.
6. My quirks are not weaknesses.
7. I have good instincts. Trusting my gut is always a good move.
8. I will work hard and because I work hard, I will succeed.
9. Good things will happen today.
10. I will work to provide other people with value and encouragement.
11. I am worthy.
12. I live with purpose. I will create change through my purpose.
13. I am in control of my life. (GOD IS IN CONTROL OF MY LIFE.)
14. At this moment, I am where I am meant to be.
15. I am surrounded by beauty.
2. I can handle whatever comes at me.
3. I am capable of tackling this project. I am going to own it.
4. I deserve it.
5. I look forward to tomorrow and the opportunities that await me.
6. My quirks are not weaknesses.
7. I have good instincts. Trusting my gut is always a good move.
8. I will work hard and because I work hard, I will succeed.
9. Good things will happen today.
10. I will work to provide other people with value and encouragement.
11. I am worthy.
12. I live with purpose. I will create change through my purpose.
13. I am in control of my life. (GOD IS IN CONTROL OF MY LIFE.)
14. At this moment, I am where I am meant to be.
15. I am surrounded by beauty.
Friday, November 11, 2016
Living on the Edge
Part 1, chapter 4 reflections
1. THINK: What or who might be the "Isaac" in my life?
School work, wanting success
Tim
2. REFLECT: What do you fear the most about releasing your "Isaac" and allowing Christ to be Lord of your life? What might be the underlying issues? Security? Significance? Control?
What if my grades become bad? If I don't have that sense of success? I don't want people to think badly of me... I want to be the best. I want to succeed in life. I want to control what I study and do it so that it is "perfect," although it never is!
3. UNDERSTAND: What past experiences with family or other people make it hard for you to trust God? Could past abandonment, neglect, or divorce be unresolved issues making it hard to trust God?
NA
4. SURRENDER: Why not take a moment right now to talk with God about what you are thinking, how you feel, and ask Him to direct your next steps.
Lord, I want to surrender my life to you. I want to give you everything, I want to let you take charge. I want to be moulded by you, and I want to put you as my priority each and every day. Lord, would you please come and show me how I can study and be a diligent student while always always always putting you first? Would you please remind me constantly to communicate and open, reveal myself to you? Help me to remain silent at times, so that I might be able to hear your words. Help me to contemplate the choices that I make everyday, so that I might be able to bring glory to you. Help me to reach out to you, and to make my heart quiet for you, so that I will be able to be in your presence all the time.
How can I put you before my school work, and the feelings of satisfaction that I derive from it? How do I humble myself, so that you are ahead? How do I ensure that you the Lord of my life, and that school work is not an idol? Help me Lord, to love you and to communicate in a seamlessly manner.
Amen.
1. THINK: What or who might be the "Isaac" in my life?
School work, wanting success
Tim
2. REFLECT: What do you fear the most about releasing your "Isaac" and allowing Christ to be Lord of your life? What might be the underlying issues? Security? Significance? Control?
What if my grades become bad? If I don't have that sense of success? I don't want people to think badly of me... I want to be the best. I want to succeed in life. I want to control what I study and do it so that it is "perfect," although it never is!
3. UNDERSTAND: What past experiences with family or other people make it hard for you to trust God? Could past abandonment, neglect, or divorce be unresolved issues making it hard to trust God?
NA
4. SURRENDER: Why not take a moment right now to talk with God about what you are thinking, how you feel, and ask Him to direct your next steps.
Lord, I want to surrender my life to you. I want to give you everything, I want to let you take charge. I want to be moulded by you, and I want to put you as my priority each and every day. Lord, would you please come and show me how I can study and be a diligent student while always always always putting you first? Would you please remind me constantly to communicate and open, reveal myself to you? Help me to remain silent at times, so that I might be able to hear your words. Help me to contemplate the choices that I make everyday, so that I might be able to bring glory to you. Help me to reach out to you, and to make my heart quiet for you, so that I will be able to be in your presence all the time.
How can I put you before my school work, and the feelings of satisfaction that I derive from it? How do I humble myself, so that you are ahead? How do I ensure that you the Lord of my life, and that school work is not an idol? Help me Lord, to love you and to communicate in a seamlessly manner.
Amen.
Monday, October 17, 2016
Maturity
Darlene: Humanly speaking our behaviour changes as we mature... would our behaviour change with spiritual mature? So what should we be seeing in a maturing person?
Lavinia: I think definitely a spiritually mature person will be more self-controlled and not act upon fleshly impulses. I was just thinking about that verse in 1 Timothy (?) about God giving us a spirit of discipline. The Holy Spirit teaches us wisdom, and part of that wisdom is controlling our tongue and our anger. This is also human maturity, I think.
More specifically in terms of behaviour, we should be seeing in spiritual people a quickness to forgive, to love, and to serve. I think a spiritual person will exhibit the fruits of the spirit and show Christ's self-sacrifice love to others. She should be patient, kind, slow to anger meek, wise and more.
Lavinia: I think definitely a spiritually mature person will be more self-controlled and not act upon fleshly impulses. I was just thinking about that verse in 1 Timothy (?) about God giving us a spirit of discipline. The Holy Spirit teaches us wisdom, and part of that wisdom is controlling our tongue and our anger. This is also human maturity, I think.
More specifically in terms of behaviour, we should be seeing in spiritual people a quickness to forgive, to love, and to serve. I think a spiritual person will exhibit the fruits of the spirit and show Christ's self-sacrifice love to others. She should be patient, kind, slow to anger meek, wise and more.
Thursday, October 13, 2016
Our Prayer, from The Color Purple
When I lay me down to sleep
I will say my prayer
That God love me so deep
He will promise our souls to keep
Together
I'll say a prayer
I will say my prayer
That God love me so deep
He will promise our souls to keep
Together
I'll say a prayer
Monday, October 10, 2016
I believe
I believe in Christianity as I believe the sun has risen:
not because I see it but because by it, I see everything else.
C.S. Lewis
not because I see it but because by it, I see everything else.
C.S. Lewis
Sunday, September 25, 2016
To tell my kids
I am strong
I am smart
I am respectful
I try new things
Mistakes are opportunities to learn
If I fall, I get back up because I am resilient
I am not better than anyone else, no one else is better than me
I am smart
I am respectful
I try new things
Mistakes are opportunities to learn
If I fall, I get back up because I am resilient
I am not better than anyone else, no one else is better than me
Saturday, September 10, 2016
To sustain myself in Christ
1. Solitude and silence
To look up: Ruth Hailey Barton (author)
At the very core of all my needs is God. His relationship will satisfy me.
2. The Word
If you know him better, you will understand more
Jesus' ministry was not his mission. His mission was listening to God's will, making himself available to help others. He took the time out.
Let God renew you!
To look up: Ruth Hailey Barton (author)
At the very core of all my needs is God. His relationship will satisfy me.
2. The Word
If you know him better, you will understand more
Jesus' ministry was not his mission. His mission was listening to God's will, making himself available to help others. He took the time out.
Let God renew you!
Zeke on spreading the gospel in the hospital
Yeah the Bible talks about doing both "In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father." (Matthew 5:16 NIV)
But also "How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”" (Romans 10:14-15 NIV)
見習/實習 are full of wonderful opportunities to share with classmates, nurses, patients, patients families, doctors, and even janitors [Joyful]
So Matthew 5 talks about representing Christ through actions. But at the same time Romans 10 talks about the need to share with everyone.
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. (Colossians 3:23-24 NIV)
And then Colossians and 1 Corinthians 10:31 talk about studying/working hard and excelling as a student. But for the reason of serving God.
Haha sorry if I sound like I'm preaching to you Sarah. Just knowing you're at 航天 makes me excited because that was my mission field for two years and I was doing it all alone. I just hope to be a source of encouragement to you, sister! [Joyful]
But also "How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”" (Romans 10:14-15 NIV)
見習/實習 are full of wonderful opportunities to share with classmates, nurses, patients, patients families, doctors, and even janitors [Joyful]
So Matthew 5 talks about representing Christ through actions. But at the same time Romans 10 talks about the need to share with everyone.
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. (Colossians 3:23-24 NIV)
And then Colossians and 1 Corinthians 10:31 talk about studying/working hard and excelling as a student. But for the reason of serving God.
Haha sorry if I sound like I'm preaching to you Sarah. Just knowing you're at 航天 makes me excited because that was my mission field for two years and I was doing it all alone. I just hope to be a source of encouragement to you, sister! [Joyful]
Friday, September 2, 2016
Cornerstone
My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus' blood and righteousness
I dare not trust the sweetest frame
But wholly trust in Jesus' name
Christ alone; cornerstone
Weak made strong; in the Saviour's love
Through the storm, He is Lord, Lord of all
When darkness seems to hide His face
I rest on His unchanging grace
In every high and stormy gale
My anchor holds within the veil
When He shall come with trumpet sound
Oh, may I then in Him be found
Dressed in His righteousness alone
Faultless stand before the throne
- Cornerstone, Hillsong Worship
We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.
Hebrews 6:19-20
Thus says the Lord God, "Behold, I am the One who has laid as a foundation in Zion, a stone, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, of a sure foundation."
Isaiah 28:16
Jesus said to them, "Have you never read in the Scriptures: 'The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; this was the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes'?"
Matthew 21:42, quoting Psalm 118:22
You are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In Him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the spirit.
Ephesians 2:19-22
Than Jesus' blood and righteousness
I dare not trust the sweetest frame
But wholly trust in Jesus' name
Christ alone; cornerstone
Weak made strong; in the Saviour's love
Through the storm, He is Lord, Lord of all
When darkness seems to hide His face
I rest on His unchanging grace
In every high and stormy gale
My anchor holds within the veil
When He shall come with trumpet sound
Oh, may I then in Him be found
Dressed in His righteousness alone
Faultless stand before the throne
- Cornerstone, Hillsong Worship
We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.
Hebrews 6:19-20
Thus says the Lord God, "Behold, I am the One who has laid as a foundation in Zion, a stone, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, of a sure foundation."
Isaiah 28:16
Jesus said to them, "Have you never read in the Scriptures: 'The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; this was the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes'?"
Matthew 21:42, quoting Psalm 118:22
You are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In Him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the spirit.
Ephesians 2:19-22
Sunday, July 3, 2016
CCC 3rd June 2016 Sermon - Count yourself dead
Romans 6: 3-10
Verse 6 - Crucified
Verse 4 - Buried
Verse 5 - United
So when Paul says death, he doesn't mean it as an experience, but rather as a knowledge, as a fact. He says, "因为知道” or "know".
Are you living a victorious life now? It means to win the battles over our sin. In Romans 7:18, Paul points out that everyone struggles with sin.
18 For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out.
Therefore dead to sin does not mean sin is dead. But God promises that we as followers can and will have victory.
2 Corinthians 2:14-15
14 But thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ’s triumphal procession and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of him everywhere.15 For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.
How can we be God's aroma? How can we be transformed into Gods image? We have to overcome sin. To overcome sin, we first need to realize that we are dead to sin.
What is pain if we are already dead? We would be dead to selfishness, we would be dead to insults, we would be dead to pain.
In front of sins, we need to count ourselves as completely dead. Paul uses the word death because 他表示的是完全的破碎. When we die with Christ, the good part and the bad parts all die. Only when we realize that we must count ourselves very dead to every action that we can be alive to God.
To overcome sin, Paul gives us a 3 practical principles:
1. Count yourself dead
2. Live according to the holy spirit
3. Let Jesus live for us
Romans 8:5-6
2 Corinthians 4:10
3 Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.
5 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his. 6 For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with,[a] that we should no longer be slaves to sin— 7 because anyone who has died has been set free from sin.
8 Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. 9 For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him. 10 The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God.
With Christ we have been:Verse 6 - Crucified
Verse 4 - Buried
Verse 5 - United
So when Paul says death, he doesn't mean it as an experience, but rather as a knowledge, as a fact. He says, "因为知道” or "know".
Are you living a victorious life now? It means to win the battles over our sin. In Romans 7:18, Paul points out that everyone struggles with sin.
18 For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out.
Therefore dead to sin does not mean sin is dead. But God promises that we as followers can and will have victory.
2 Corinthians 2:14-15
14 But thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ’s triumphal procession and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of him everywhere.15 For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.
How can we be God's aroma? How can we be transformed into Gods image? We have to overcome sin. To overcome sin, we first need to realize that we are dead to sin.
What is pain if we are already dead? We would be dead to selfishness, we would be dead to insults, we would be dead to pain.
In front of sins, we need to count ourselves as completely dead. Paul uses the word death because 他表示的是完全的破碎. When we die with Christ, the good part and the bad parts all die. Only when we realize that we must count ourselves very dead to every action that we can be alive to God.
To overcome sin, Paul gives us a 3 practical principles:
1. Count yourself dead
2. Live according to the holy spirit
3. Let Jesus live for us
Romans 8:5-6
5 Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. 6 The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.
10 We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.
Saturday, July 2, 2016
Due to their merit
"There are strong minds in every walk of life that will rise superior to the disadvantages of situation and will command the tribute due to their merit."
- Hamilton, The Federalist No. 36
- Hamilton, The Federalist No. 36
Thursday, June 23, 2016
BULLETPROOF
As Christians, we need to become un-offendable. Be bulletproof. No one can reject you, because they cannot reject what they don't have. Jesus has you, and he will NEVER reject you. He loves you as you are right now, whether they plan to live your life for Him or not. But if you allow Him to find a place in your heart and fill you up with His love, you will be bulletproof. No one will be able to reject you or offend you or hinder your walk with Him. So be bulletproof!
Tuesday, June 7, 2016
Prodigal Son - Elder brothers
Elder brothers base their self-images on being hardworking, or moral, or members of an elite clan, or extremely smart and savvy. This inevitably leads to feeling superior to those who don't have those same qualities. In fact, competitive comparison is the main way elder brothers achieve a sense of their own significance.
Beauty alone to me
As the poet George Herbert wrote, looking at Jesus on the Cross: "Thou art my loveliness, my life, my light, Beauty alone to me."
BSF notes that spoke to my heart
1. The writer of Hebrews says to "fix our eyes upon Jesus." He "endured the cross" by consciously looking at "the joy set before him." As the deep joy of Jesus' return takes hold of you, you will find new energy to live a holy life.
2. Those who keep this prophecy may suffer pressure or persecution, but Jesus blesses them with unshakeable hope. Jesus strengthens His people with joy as they watch for His glorious return
3. Psalm 130:4, we see that "the fear of God" is increased by an experience of God's grace and forgiveness. What it describes is a loving, joyful awe and wonder before the greatness of God. The Lord is saying "Now I know that you love me more than anything in the world." That's what "the fear of God" means.
2. Those who keep this prophecy may suffer pressure or persecution, but Jesus blesses them with unshakeable hope. Jesus strengthens His people with joy as they watch for His glorious return
3. Psalm 130:4, we see that "the fear of God" is increased by an experience of God's grace and forgiveness. What it describes is a loving, joyful awe and wonder before the greatness of God. The Lord is saying "Now I know that you love me more than anything in the world." That's what "the fear of God" means.
Tuesday, May 31, 2016
Judges 16:23 - 17:13
Judges 16:23-31
Samson confessed his sins and ended up doing good. Similarly, after we have confessed our sins to God, we are no longer tied to the boundaries of this earth. We have freedom in God after we confess our sins.
Judges 17:1-13
Micah was such a silly man! He (and his mother) placed emphasis and hope in idols when in reality, only God is worthy of worship and only God can give us true hope. Am I like Micah - do I place my emphasis on wrong places ? Am I behaving like a true Christian, showing the world that my hope and love is in God alone?
How can I act according to my faith?
Samson confessed his sins and ended up doing good. Similarly, after we have confessed our sins to God, we are no longer tied to the boundaries of this earth. We have freedom in God after we confess our sins.
Judges 17:1-13
Micah was such a silly man! He (and his mother) placed emphasis and hope in idols when in reality, only God is worthy of worship and only God can give us true hope. Am I like Micah - do I place my emphasis on wrong places ? Am I behaving like a true Christian, showing the world that my hope and love is in God alone?
How can I act according to my faith?
Thursday, May 26, 2016
Friday, May 20, 2016
TED talk: The power of introverts, by Susan Cain
Most people fall on different points in the spectrum of introverts and extroverts. There are pros and cons for both categories, but creativity seems to be most poignant when a person first exchanges ideas/thoughts with others, and then later spends some time alone to further develop such ideas.
Take a good look at your suitcase and find out why you put them in there. Whatever it is, you should try to open it up and share it with others. Introvert or extrovert, the world needs you.
Youtube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c0KYU2j0TM4
Take a good look at your suitcase and find out why you put them in there. Whatever it is, you should try to open it up and share it with others. Introvert or extrovert, the world needs you.
Youtube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c0KYU2j0TM4
DDQ notes from 2014
Important takeaway notes:
(1) Isaiah - God stretched His arms and measured the Earth. He is organised.
(1) Isaiah - God stretched His arms and measured the Earth. He is organised.
(2) Order for others to achieve better?
(3) Doctor x because I don't get to watch the growth process?
Tuesday, May 17, 2016
Judges 10:6-16
The Israelites sinned against God again. This time its more severe - there is a list of idols that they worshipped. Irony: the people who also worshipped the same idols that the Israelites did would come and overtake them. Your idol will control you.
We cannot take God for granted. God was angry with the Israelites - He reminded them of all the times that He had already saved them and delivered them from the enemies. It's not fair that we treat God this way. We cannot skim and try to do the bare minimum. People can be deceived but not God. If we think that deceiving God is possible, then we do not know God. God said that He no longer wanted to save the Israelites!!
These verses are not stating that God had mercy on the Israelites because they repented. Rather, it was because He had mercy on them. Because of His just nature, He is unable to stand for sin. Yet He is compassionate and continues to give us His mercy & grace.
God is living. We need to understand more of God's character, we need to know what kind of behaviour is acceptable and what kind of behaviour is not. What is it that He does not like, or does not put up with? Pray that I will know God's character more and I will be able to glorify and worship Him according to what He deserves.
We cannot take God for granted. God was angry with the Israelites - He reminded them of all the times that He had already saved them and delivered them from the enemies. It's not fair that we treat God this way. We cannot skim and try to do the bare minimum. People can be deceived but not God. If we think that deceiving God is possible, then we do not know God. God said that He no longer wanted to save the Israelites!!
These verses are not stating that God had mercy on the Israelites because they repented. Rather, it was because He had mercy on them. Because of His just nature, He is unable to stand for sin. Yet He is compassionate and continues to give us His mercy & grace.
God is living. We need to understand more of God's character, we need to know what kind of behaviour is acceptable and what kind of behaviour is not. What is it that He does not like, or does not put up with? Pray that I will know God's character more and I will be able to glorify and worship Him according to what He deserves.
Saturday, May 14, 2016
Judges 9:22-59
每一天一个小时亲近神
让你今天一整天都不一样
经历祂从上赐给你的祝福和能力
God allowed the Abimelech and the men of Shechem to die in such a way as part of His punishment, His judgement on them.
Why does Chapter 9 take time out to tell us teh story of Abimeleck? To demonstrate to us that without Jesus:
1) There will be no light in this world
2) Revenge and murder becomes a part of life (we don't have a judge, there is no right/wrong)
3) Revenge and murder seems reasonable
4) There will be a downfall
It is easy to take Jesus for granted, to treat Him as a Santa Clause. If you want your service to be fruitful, you need to remain close to Jesus. It is only through Jesus that we will be able to achieve greatness. May we be filled with Jesus' spirit this weekend.
Wednesday, May 11, 2016
Judges 1:27-2:5
The Israelites did not fully obtain the land because they did not chase away the Canaanites. It was only later that they realised what they had missed out and tried to make changes. How you spend your time will definitely affect your behaviour. (Israelites were spending time with the Canaanites.)
What God is concerned about is not the battle, but the spiritual battle that His people struggle with.
To delay is to disobey.
部分顺服＝没有顺服
What God is concerned about is not the battle, but the spiritual battle that His people struggle with.
部分顺服＝没有顺服
Relation between Jesus and the Israelites
Jesus also flees to Egypt and then returns, showing us that our Savior recapitulates, or repeats, the story of Israel and is a second opportunity for the Father’s intent to be realized. He is the true Israel, the true Son of God who will endure what His people endured and yet will be faithful to His Father and accomplish His purpose for the nation.
Matthew 2:13-15
Matthew 2:13-15
Tuesday, May 3, 2016
BSF discussion, 2nd May
Pray that God's desire will be mine - LORD, whatever you want for my life, help me to want that too.
What decisions am I making that might prevent me from receiving what God has in stored for me?
What decisions am I making that might prevent me from receiving what God has in stored for me?
Monday, May 2, 2016
29th April. small group
For the past two weeks I have been spending more time with God but it seems somewhat stagnant - I don't have an obvious high or an obvious low. It is calm. The small group took turns praying for one another and when they were praying for me these are the images they had:
1) Giggle: My spirit emerged out of my body and God's spirit, bigger than mine, came and embraced me. We danced together.
2) Esther: God's light is radiating off me, and affecting those around me
3) Sara Tong: The moon and the stars are in the sky, and I am like a reflection - I am shining God's light over the earth
In my BSF notes, it reminded me that time on this earth is like an engagement period, it should be used for building up my relationship with God. Despite the outcome, it should be the process that I am looking towards and I should continue to preserve.
1) Giggle: My spirit emerged out of my body and God's spirit, bigger than mine, came and embraced me. We danced together.
2) Esther: God's light is radiating off me, and affecting those around me
3) Sara Tong: The moon and the stars are in the sky, and I am like a reflection - I am shining God's light over the earth
In my BSF notes, it reminded me that time on this earth is like an engagement period, it should be used for building up my relationship with God. Despite the outcome, it should be the process that I am looking towards and I should continue to preserve.
Friday, April 29, 2016
Arrow and Sword
Jonathan became a strategic ally for the future king. He gave two of his personal weapons to David, changing the arsenal from that of a shepherd boy to that of a man of war. These are two different kinds of weapons - one for distance and one for close combat. These two weapons mirror two separate but important weapons in the arsenal of the believer: prayer and the Word.
The arrows represent the power of prayer. Through prayer, we can be a great distance away and still find our target. We can shoot down the attacks of the enemy and throw the opposition into confusion. I can sit in my study in Denver and fire arrows at the enemy waging war at a sister church in Melbourne, Australia. I can sit in my chapel in Denver and drop bombs on the enemies attacking my friends all over the world. Through prayer, I can shoot arrows at the enemy attacking my two sons. I can shoot into the future and reach into the past. I can break generational curses and decree blessings on unborn grandchildren. The arrow is a distance weapon that mostly meets a moving target. In the hands of a gifted archer, it is most deadly, and David developed this weapon as well.
Jonathan also gave David his sword, which, of course, is not a long-distance weapon. It is a weapon used in closed quarters. One does not hurl a sword. It stays firmly in the hand of the soldier and is used to attack an enemy who is just an arm's length away. The sword is made of forged metal, and it is honed to a razor-shape edge. Throughout the Bible, the sword symbolises the Word of God. In this, we can see that Jonathan symbolically gave David his personal word-his true covenant.
Taken from the 7 day devotions leading to the publication of Walking to Jerusalem: Discovering Your Divine Life Purpose, by Chris Hill
The arrows represent the power of prayer. Through prayer, we can be a great distance away and still find our target. We can shoot down the attacks of the enemy and throw the opposition into confusion. I can sit in my study in Denver and fire arrows at the enemy waging war at a sister church in Melbourne, Australia. I can sit in my chapel in Denver and drop bombs on the enemies attacking my friends all over the world. Through prayer, I can shoot arrows at the enemy attacking my two sons. I can shoot into the future and reach into the past. I can break generational curses and decree blessings on unborn grandchildren. The arrow is a distance weapon that mostly meets a moving target. In the hands of a gifted archer, it is most deadly, and David developed this weapon as well.
Jonathan also gave David his sword, which, of course, is not a long-distance weapon. It is a weapon used in closed quarters. One does not hurl a sword. It stays firmly in the hand of the soldier and is used to attack an enemy who is just an arm's length away. The sword is made of forged metal, and it is honed to a razor-shape edge. Throughout the Bible, the sword symbolises the Word of God. In this, we can see that Jonathan symbolically gave David his personal word-his true covenant.
Taken from the 7 day devotions leading to the publication of Walking to Jerusalem: Discovering Your Divine Life Purpose, by Chris Hill
Wednesday, April 27, 2016
Ephesians 3:14-21
A prayer for the Ephesians
For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord's holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge - that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord's holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge - that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
Sunday, April 24, 2016
23rd April prayer
Father, help me to remain humble, to be aware that all I have is from you and for your glory. Father I know that I am nothing without you! I cannot achieve even a small % of all that I have done if not for you. Thank you, thank you, thank you Father, that you have given me such a sweet & blessed life. Thank you for your grace; giving me what I do not deserve, and thank for you for mercy; not giving me what I deserve. Help me to constantly keep in mind that you are what I'm living for, you alone are my shield, my rock, my comforter. You alone, and not treasures of this world, where they are prone to rot and destroy. I pray that in the upcoming days, I will be able to continue to be in you presence throughout the day. Help me to understand that it is not a 'passing' thing, but rather that it is an on-going battle. It is something that I should be striving for always, not just during periods of my life. I know that with you all things are possible and I know that my declaring so means that the battle is already half-won. Help me to hold fast to that Father, and to always put you as my #1, just like you deserve. LORD, I ask that I will be like John, who fell to his feet at worship. Help me to see you for all your wondrous wonder and glory and help me to understand the magnitude of it. You and you alone LORD, are God Almighty. You are Holy.
Friday, April 22, 2016
Who is Our God?
God is my sovereign, wise, and compassionate Father. He is intimately aware of the details of my life, and I can trust him with my circumstances. Christ took my sins on his shoulders to pave the way for me to enter God's presence. God is transforming me into Christ's image, and his discipline, his training in righteousness, is a blessing because it roots out sin and wrong thinking in my life. Christ is my perfect Bridegroom. The core longings of my heart for relationship are perfectly fulfilled in him. He loves me, he died for me, and he sits at the right hand of the Father eternally making intercession for me.
Practical Theology for Women, by Wendy Horger Alsup
Practical Theology for Women, by Wendy Horger Alsup
Wednesday, April 20, 2016
Joshua chapter 18:1-7, 19:49
制伏 means to be in charge of the land, to have control. This verb is also used in Genesis chapter 1, when Adam was entrusted to be in control of the world.
God wanted to give the Israelites the land, but there is still a process of them going to get it. They had to have faith in order to obtain the land.
In this world, in our life, it may seem like we are in charge, but in reality, God is in control. We should use what God provides to go against satan. Be certain that I CAN obtain control and win Satan, because God is with me. 他与我同在
Ask God to help me know my enemy, ask God to help me obtain His promises, to ask and then receive.
What is satan doing in my life?
- Conceited? Too proud?
- Jealousy among friends!
- School work; stress and anxiety, undermining what I can truly do?
What I ask of God:
LORD, since you have brought me so far, can you carry me the rest of the way? Can I leave my stress and just focus, letting you do the 'hard' work? You can do all things. Help me to remember that my battle is against satan, not my friends, not my self competition.
LORD, would you help make me skinny and healthy? Is it wrong to want such a body? Would you help keep me humble and a light for you?
God wanted to give the Israelites the land, but there is still a process of them going to get it. They had to have faith in order to obtain the land.
In this world, in our life, it may seem like we are in charge, but in reality, God is in control. We should use what God provides to go against satan. Be certain that I CAN obtain control and win Satan, because God is with me. 他与我同在
Ask God to help me know my enemy, ask God to help me obtain His promises, to ask and then receive.
What is satan doing in my life?
- Conceited? Too proud?
- Jealousy among friends!
- School work; stress and anxiety, undermining what I can truly do?
What I ask of God:
LORD, since you have brought me so far, can you carry me the rest of the way? Can I leave my stress and just focus, letting you do the 'hard' work? You can do all things. Help me to remember that my battle is against satan, not my friends, not my self competition.
LORD, would you help make me skinny and healthy? Is it wrong to want such a body? Would you help keep me humble and a light for you?
Tuesday, April 19, 2016
Romans 8:28
"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."
This verse has appeared to me 3 times within the last week.
1) At BSF, Joyce said that it is her go-to verse for encouragement
2) At church, Rick reminded us of God's grace
3) At BSF, Angie stating in the lecture that though Babylon will face punishment, God is protective of his believers
Being in control
April 3rd Sermon at Watermark Church, HK
When I feel like things are going out of control, it's just going out of MY control. God is always in control. Fear is when things are going out of my control.
Kinda like pharaoh, he wanted control but could not get it from the Israelites even though he tried 3 different tactics to bring down the Israelites population.
God is great so I do not have to be in control.
When I feel like things are going out of control, it's just going out of MY control. God is always in control. Fear is when things are going out of my control.
Kinda like pharaoh, he wanted control but could not get it from the Israelites even though he tried 3 different tactics to bring down the Israelites population.
God is great so I do not have to be in control.
Joshua chapter 17
At that point in time, the Israelites had not yet met with the problem of having to give inheritance to girls. Yet, He includes this in the bible to let us understand that He is fair. God is fair.
When you have a problem, make sure you go to God. Ask and you will receive. The girls (Manasseh's descendants) had faith - they prayed to God, and God led them to the elders. Their courage is seen earlier on in the bible when they went to Moses to obtain land. Again, they demonstrate courage to ask for what is theirs.
Why don't we ask? Usually, it is because of a number of reasons:
1) No faith in God
2) We think that God is unwilling to give us what we desire
3) Pride
But these are all lies - God does want to give us what we desire.
Let us come to God with His promises in mind (应许) and ask, and pray.
We are all going through spiritual battle
Pray Courageously
Pray for all his 应许
//Pastor Sung made a comment that we are all listening to this message for a reason. Because it is my first time joining the morning prayer with New Life Church, I am even more convinced that God has something planned, He wants me to hear/learn something... but what ?
My concluding thoughts from this morning:
Work hard, excel in school. BUT, do not be overwhelmed, do not let my school work overtake me. It is by the GRACE of God that I can achieve so much.
1) Perserve
- Continue to attend morning prayer meetings
- Read bible more
- Practice the presence of God
2) Faith
- Trust that God is at work for me
When you have a problem, make sure you go to God. Ask and you will receive. The girls (Manasseh's descendants) had faith - they prayed to God, and God led them to the elders. Their courage is seen earlier on in the bible when they went to Moses to obtain land. Again, they demonstrate courage to ask for what is theirs.
Why don't we ask? Usually, it is because of a number of reasons:
1) No faith in God
2) We think that God is unwilling to give us what we desire
3) Pride
But these are all lies - God does want to give us what we desire.
Let us come to God with His promises in mind (应许) and ask, and pray.
We are all going through spiritual battle
Pray Courageously
Pray for all his 应许
//Pastor Sung made a comment that we are all listening to this message for a reason. Because it is my first time joining the morning prayer with New Life Church, I am even more convinced that God has something planned, He wants me to hear/learn something... but what ?
My concluding thoughts from this morning:
Work hard, excel in school. BUT, do not be overwhelmed, do not let my school work overtake me. It is by the GRACE of God that I can achieve so much.
1) Perserve
- Continue to attend morning prayer meetings
- Read bible more
- Practice the presence of God
2) Faith
- Trust that God is at work for me
Thursday, April 14, 2016
Four anchors
Found in Andrew Murray's formula for trial.
1. Say, He brought me here. It is by His will I am in this strait place and in that fact I will rest.
2. He will keep me here in His love and give me grace to behave as His child.
3. Then He will make the trial a blessing, teaching me the lessons He intends for me to learn.
4. In His good time He can bring me out again - how and when He knows.
So let me say, I am (1) here by God's appointment; (2) in His keeping; (3) under His training; (4) for His time.
1. Say, He brought me here. It is by His will I am in this strait place and in that fact I will rest.
2. He will keep me here in His love and give me grace to behave as His child.
3. Then He will make the trial a blessing, teaching me the lessons He intends for me to learn.
4. In His good time He can bring me out again - how and when He knows.
So let me say, I am (1) here by God's appointment; (2) in His keeping; (3) under His training; (4) for His time.
Blogilates - treadmill
Google search:
Hill running (incline)
It's easy to run hills on a treadmill, since you can elevate the grade. The higher the incline, the more you work the quads and calves. According to a 1997 study at the University of Georgia, running uphill activates 9 percent more muscle with each stride than running on flat land. Do fast hill runs or hill sprints as part of a high-intensity interval training workout, or run uphill at a steady pace. You'll build muscle either way, but intensity intervals work your muscles harder and build muscle faster.
Sprinting:
Sprinting, unlike jogging and running, builds your glutes, quads, hamstrings, calves and abs. According to Shape magazine, running at a steady pace can lead to muscle loss, whereas doing sprint intervals builds muscle and burns more fat. For a great sprinting workout on the treadmill, do high-intensity interval training. That means running at a steady pace for a few minutes, then sprinting at full intensity for a minute.
Min's comments on the workouts:
Both are okay but serve different purposes. The first one (pink) is low intensity (LISS) so it's good if you have no carbs or better yet no food in your system. Your body will switch to converting fats for energy, instead of let's say carbs that you just ate before your workout. It's basically aerobic exercise. So do in morning or if you feel tired/weak.
The other one has sprints so it's high intensity (HIIT). You can do this after you've had food because its anaerobic. You'll be more efficient in converting carbs to energy and subsequently fat later on. I don't really recommend doing this kind of HIIT in the morning or on empty stomach because it's very taxing on your body. But if you ate a big meal the night before then yes, can!
Me (in regard to Min's notes): "better than google!!"
Hill running (incline)
It's easy to run hills on a treadmill, since you can elevate the grade. The higher the incline, the more you work the quads and calves. According to a 1997 study at the University of Georgia, running uphill activates 9 percent more muscle with each stride than running on flat land. Do fast hill runs or hill sprints as part of a high-intensity interval training workout, or run uphill at a steady pace. You'll build muscle either way, but intensity intervals work your muscles harder and build muscle faster.
Sprinting:
Sprinting, unlike jogging and running, builds your glutes, quads, hamstrings, calves and abs. According to Shape magazine, running at a steady pace can lead to muscle loss, whereas doing sprint intervals builds muscle and burns more fat. For a great sprinting workout on the treadmill, do high-intensity interval training. That means running at a steady pace for a few minutes, then sprinting at full intensity for a minute.
Min's comments on the workouts:
Both are okay but serve different purposes. The first one (pink) is low intensity (LISS) so it's good if you have no carbs or better yet no food in your system. Your body will switch to converting fats for energy, instead of let's say carbs that you just ate before your workout. It's basically aerobic exercise. So do in morning or if you feel tired/weak.
The other one has sprints so it's high intensity (HIIT). You can do this after you've had food because its anaerobic. You'll be more efficient in converting carbs to energy and subsequently fat later on. I don't really recommend doing this kind of HIIT in the morning or on empty stomach because it's very taxing on your body. But if you ate a big meal the night before then yes, can!
Me (in regard to Min's notes): "better than google!!"
Saturday, April 9, 2016
10 Surprisingly Simple Ways to Add Prayer to Your Day
Here are 10 Surprisingly
Simple Ways to Add Prayer to Your Day:
One – Say “Good Morning” to the Lord.
§ Acknowledge Him
as you begin your day.
§ Look toward
heaven and speak to Him.
§ Spend a few
moments at the first of your day in the Word.
§ Talk to Him as
you are getting dressed, driving carpool, or driving to work.
*
To look to heaven and acknowledge Him each morning is PRAYING!
Two – Share your needs as they arise.
§ Make your needs
known to the Lord throughout the day.
§ As needs arise,
pray.
§ As you need
wisdom, ask for it.
§ As you think
over problems, present them to God and ask for His help.
§ As you worry
about one of your kids or grandkids, pray!
§ Talk things
over with Him just like you’d talk to a friend.
*
To talk over your cares, problems, and worries with the Lord is PRAYING!
Three – Thank Him all day long.
§ How has He been
sweet to you?
§ What has He
done for you?
§ What are 10
things you could stop and thank Him for right now?
§ You can thank
Him for the sunshine, rain, life, breath, a car to drive, a place to live, food
to eat, friends, a job, children, grandchildren, and so much more.
§ You can thank
Him as you are driving down the street.
*
To thank the Lord for His goodness and kindness is PRAYING!
Four – Offer sincere praise to Him for His
character.
§ Take time to
consider how awesome He is.
§ Go through the
alphabet and thank Him for one of His traits that starts with each letter.
A-Awesome, B-Bountiful, C-Compassionate.
§ Look around you
and praise God for His creation.
§ Thank Him for
gorgeous sunny days or beautiful flowers or refreshing rain.
*
To sincerely praise God is PRAYING!
Five – Repent as the Spirit convicts you.
§ Agree with God
as He puts some sin on your heart.
§ Keep short
accounts with Him.
§ Ask for His
help to make things right with others as needed.
§ Check in with
Him often and ask Him if there is anything you need to confess.
§ Think of it as
keeping things right and reconciled.
*
To admit our sin to God and to make things right is PRAYING!
Six – Make appeals to the Lord.
§ Just as a
lawyer would appeal to a judge, you can appeal to God.
§ Discuss your
concerns and frustrations with Him.
§ Talk things
over with Him just as you would talk to a close friend.
§ Express your
deepest hurts, needs, desires, passions, and wishes to the Lord. Share your
heart with Him.
*
To pour out our hearts to God and to appeal to Him is PRAYING!
Philippians 4:6
encourages us to, “Be anxious for
nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let
your requests be made known to God;”
Seven – Think about Him.
§ Silently direct
your thoughts to Him during the day.
§ Lift your eyes
to heaven and focus on Him for a few seconds.
§ Think about how
much to love Him.
*
To think or contemplate about the Lord and to focus on how much we love Him is
PRAYING!
Eight – Sing to Him.
§ Raise your
voice and sing.
§ Turn up the
praise music and sing along.
§ Singing is a
form of prayer!
§ If you can’t sing, hum the tune and
think about the words!
§ Or, just listen
to the words of a wonderful hymn or inspirational song.
*
To sing or hum words of praise to the Lord is PRAYING!
Nine – Listen for His voice.
§ Tune your ears
to listen for His voice.
§ Allow Him to
speak to you through a friend, the Bible, a sermon, music, and even a beautiful
sunset.
In John
10:27-28, Jesus teaches, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they
follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish;
neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.”
*
To tune in and listen for the Lord is PRAYER!
Ten – Say “Good Night” to the Father.
§ Close out your
day with Him.
§ Go to sleep
thinking about Him and talking to Him.
*
To whisper “Good Night” to the Lord is PRAYER!
“Prayer is a
little like eating salted peanuts; the more you do it, the more you want to do
it.”
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