The Tears of Jesus
Jesus wept— John 11:35
He beheld the city, and wept over it— Luke 19:41
Only Two Occasions of Jesus Weeping Are Recorded
There are but two occasions in the Gospels on which we light upon our Savior weeping; only two instances in which we see His tears. It is true that in the Epistle to the Hebrews we have a glimpse into the inner life of Christ, and there we read that He made supplication with tears and strong crying unto God. But into that interior life of prayer when Father and Son had fellowship together, we cannot enter, for it is holy ground. The point to observe is that in His recorded life we only hear of the tears of Jesus twice; once at the grave of a man who was His friend: once when Jerusalem lay spread out before Him. And both, not in the earlier days of youth when the human heart is susceptible and quivering, but in the later season when the cross was near. Goethe confesses in his autobiography that as he grew older he lost the power of tears, and there are many men who, as experience gathers, are conscious of a hardening like that. But our Savior, to the last moment that He lived, was quick and quivering to joy and sorrow, and His recorded tears are near the end. Never was He so conscious of His joy as in the closing season of His ministry; never did He speak so much about it nor so single it out as His most precious legacy. And so with weeping, which in the human heart is so often the other side of joy—it is under the shadow of His last days that it is recorded.
Both Weepings Prompted Not by Suffering,but by Divine Compassion
I am going to speak on the differences between these two Weepings; but first I ask you to observe one feature in which the two are beautifully kin. There are tears in the world, bitter and scalding tears, which are wrung out by personal affliction; tears of anguish, of intense corporeal anguish; tears caused by cruelty or mockery. And the point to be ever observed is that our Lord, though He suffered intensely in all such ways as that, never, so far as we read, was moved to tears. He was laughed to scorn—He of the sensitive heart—yet it is not then we read that Jesus wept. He was spat upon and scourged and crucified; but it is not then we light upon Him weeping. And even in the garden of Gethsemane where great drops were falling to the ground, drops which would have looked like tears to any prying child among the olives, Scripture tells us, as with a note of warning lest we should misinterpret what was happening there, that they were not tears, but drops of sweat and blood. The tears of our Lord were not wrung out by suffering, however intense and cruel it might be. On the only two occasions when we read of them they are the tears of a divine compassion. And whenever one thinks of that, one is impressed again with the wonder of the figure of the Christ, so infinitely pitiful and tenderhearted; so unswervingly and magnificently brave.
The First Tears Were Shed for the Individual, the Second for Many
Now if we take these two occasions on which the weeping of Jesus is recorded, and if, having found their common element, we go on to note the points on which they differ, what is the difference that first would arrest you? Well, I shall tell you what first impresses me. It is that the former tears were shed for one, and the latter tears were shed for many. Jesus wept beside the grave of Lazarus, for one single solitary friend; for a man who had loved Him with a great devotion and given Him always a welcome in his home. There is no such human touch in all the Gospels, nothing that so betrays the heart of Christ, as to be simply told that Jesus wept when He went out to stand before the grave of Lazarus. Here is a heart that has known the power of friendship, that has known the infinite solace of the one; a heart more deeply moved when that one dies than by all the cruelties which men can hurl at Him. And then, having learned of His infinite compassion for those who have had one heart to love and lose, we read that Jesus wept over the city. Picture Jerusalem on that Sunday morning, densely crowded for the Passover. Every house was full and every street was thronged; there were tens of thousands gathered there. And when our Lord, turning the crest of Olivet, saw before Him that crowded city, then like a summer tempest came His tears. Tears for the one; tears for the twice ten thousand: how typical is that of the Redeemer! Never was there a compassion so discriminative, and never a compassion so inclusive. Our separate sorrows—He understands them all, and our hours of solitary anguish by the grave; but not less the problem of the crowd. There are men who are full of sympathy for personal sorrows, but have never heard the crying of the multitude. There are men who hear the crying of the multitude, but have never been broken-hearted at the tomb. Christ has room for all and room for each. He loves the world with a divine compassion. And yet there is no one here who cannot say, "He loved me, and gave Himself for me."
Tears Shed for Death and for Life
The next difference which impresses me is this—and it is a suggestive and profound distinction—it is that the former tears were shed for death, and the latter tears were shed for life. There was something in the death of Lazarus which made a profound impression upon Christ. He was troubled; He groaned in spirit; He wept. Often He had been face to face with death before, with death in some of its most tragic aspects. He had looked on the still, cold face of Jairus' daughter, and had seen the anguish of the widow of Nain. Yet it is only now, upon the road at Bethany, that we see the storm and passion of His soul when faced by the awful ravages of death. Nobody ever fathoms all that death means until its hand has knocked upon his door. It is when someone whom we have loved is taken that we understand its meaning and its misery. And Christ, being tempted like as we are, felt the anguish of it in His soul with intensity. Death had come home to Him—attacked Him at close quarters—carried one of the bastions of His being. How utterly cruel was the last great enemy. The Lord groaned in spirit and was troubled: a storm of passion swept across His soul. He wept for all that death had done and all that death was doing in the world. And so these tears of His are sacramental of all the sorrow of the aching heart when the place is empty, and the grave is tenanted, and the familiar voice is silent.
Now with that dark and dreary scene will you for a moment contrast the other scene? It is a city shimmering in beauty under the radiance of a Sunday morning. Children are playing in the marketplace; women are singing as they rock the cradle; men are at business and regiments are marching—there is movement and there is music everywhere. Friends are meeting who have not met for years for Passover was the great season of reunion, and eyes are bright and hearts are beating bravely in the gladness of these old ties reknit. Out on the Bethany road there had been death; here in the teeming city there was life; life in the crowd—life in the marching soldiery—life in the little children romping merrily; life everywhere, in the indistinguishable murmur which rises where there are ten thousand people who have waked in the sunshine of another morning to the traffic and the concourse of the day. It was all that which swept into the gaze of Christ, and it was that which swept into the heart of Christ that Sunday morning when from the brow of Olivet He looked across the valley to Jerusalem. As a lad of twelve He had looked, and looking wondered, with all the thrilling expectancy of boyhood. Now we read that He looked, and looking, wept. They were not tears for death, but tears for life; tears of divine compassion for the living; tears for the might-have-been—the vanity—the awful judgment that was yet to be; tears for the living who have gone astray and who are hungering for peace and have missed it and who have had their opportunity and failed. There is a sorrow for the dead which may be intense and very tragical. It may wither every flower across the meadow and take all the summer sunshine from the sky. But there is a sorrow deeper than sorrow for the dead—it is the sorrow for the living; and it is much to know that Jesus understood it. The bitterest sorrow has no grave to stand at, no sepulchre to adorn with opening flowers; the bitterest sorrow wears no garb of mourning, and receives no beautiful letters by the post. The bitterest sorrow does not spring from death; it springs from that mystery which we call life; and Jesus felt it to His depths. Thou who art mourning for the dead, for thee there is Jesus by the grave of Lazarus. Thou who art mourning for the living, for thee also is that same compassion. He understands it all. He shares it. Like a great tide it flowed upon Him once, when in the morning from the brow of Olivet, He looked upon Jerusalem and wept.
Tears Others Shared in and Tears None Could Understand
I close by pointing out one other difference that stands out very clearly in the Scripture. The former tears were such as others shared in; the latter were tears that no one understood. Read that chapter in the Gospel of John again, and you find that Christ was not alone in weeping. Martha and Mary were there, and they were weeping also, and the Jews who had known Lazarus and loved him. There was a kinship in a common sorrow there, a fellow feeling which united hearts, a sense of common loss and ache and loneliness. Now turn to the other scene, and what a difference! It is a pageantry of enthusiastic gladness. The cry goes ringing along the country road, "Hosanna to the Son of David." And it is amid these shouting voices of men beside themselves with wild enthusiasm that the Scripture tells us Jesus wept. At the grave of Lazarus many an eye was wet. Here every eye was dancing with excitement. No one was weeping here; nobody thought of weeping; it was the triumph of the Lord—Hosanna! And all alone, amid that welcoming tumult, in a grief which nobody could pierce or penetrate, the tears came welling from our Savior's eyes. In this our mortal life there are common griefs, touches of nature which make the whole world kin. But how endlessly true is the old saying of Scripture that the heart knoweth its own bitterness. And in those bitternesses which words can never utter and which lie too deep for any human help, what a comfort to know that our Savior understands! In all the common sorrows of humanity He is our Brother, and He weeps with us. He stands beside the grave of Lazarus still, clothed in the beauty of His resurrection. But in that lonely unutterable sorrow, which is the price and the penalty of personality, we may be sure He understands us also.
- From "Devotional Sermons" By George H. Morrison
I've been reading a few devotional materials these few days... which explains the previous few posts... I got them from this wonderful Bible Software "e-Sword"... Its free and very very good... Many different Bible translations, languages, Bible dictionaries, devotionals, and commentaries to choose from, you just need to download them from the downloads section...
Hope this post about Jesus' tears lets all of us understand more about Him...
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
The Lord Reigns
“The Lord reigneth, let the earth rejoice.”
- Psalm 97:1
Causes for disquietude there are none so long as this blessed sentence is true. On earth the Lord’s power as readily controls the rage of the wicked as the rage of the sea; his love as easily refreshes the poor with mercy as the earth with showers. Majesty gleams in flashes of fire amid the tempest’s horrors, and the glory of the Lord is seen in its grandeur in the fall of empires, and the crash of thrones. In all our conflicts and tribulations, we may behold the hand of the divine King.
“God is God; he sees and hears
All our troubles, all our tears.
Soul, forget not, ‘mid thy pains,
God o’er all for ever reigns.”
In hell, evil spirits own, with misery, his undoubted supremacy. When permitted to roam abroad, it is with a chain at their heel; the bit is in the mouth of behemoth, and the hook in the jaws of leviathan. Death’s darts are under the Lord’s lock, and the grave’s prisons have divine power as their warder. The terrible vengeance of the Judge of all the earth makes fiends cower down and tremble, even as dogs in the kennel fear the hunter’s whip.
“Fear not death, nor Satan’s thrusts,
God defends who in him trusts;
Soul, remember, in thy pains,
God o’er all for ever reigns.”
In heaven none doubt the sovereignty of the King Eternal, but all fall on their faces to do him homage. Angels are his courtiers, the redeemed his favourites, and all delight to serve him day and night. May we soon reach the city of the great King!
“For this life’s long night of sadness
He will give us peace and gladness.
Soul, remember, in thy pains,
God o’er all for ever reigns.”
- MORNING AND EVENING
Daily Readings
By Charles H. Spurgeon
- Psalm 97:1
Causes for disquietude there are none so long as this blessed sentence is true. On earth the Lord’s power as readily controls the rage of the wicked as the rage of the sea; his love as easily refreshes the poor with mercy as the earth with showers. Majesty gleams in flashes of fire amid the tempest’s horrors, and the glory of the Lord is seen in its grandeur in the fall of empires, and the crash of thrones. In all our conflicts and tribulations, we may behold the hand of the divine King.
“God is God; he sees and hears
All our troubles, all our tears.
Soul, forget not, ‘mid thy pains,
God o’er all for ever reigns.”
In hell, evil spirits own, with misery, his undoubted supremacy. When permitted to roam abroad, it is with a chain at their heel; the bit is in the mouth of behemoth, and the hook in the jaws of leviathan. Death’s darts are under the Lord’s lock, and the grave’s prisons have divine power as their warder. The terrible vengeance of the Judge of all the earth makes fiends cower down and tremble, even as dogs in the kennel fear the hunter’s whip.
“Fear not death, nor Satan’s thrusts,
God defends who in him trusts;
Soul, remember, in thy pains,
God o’er all for ever reigns.”
In heaven none doubt the sovereignty of the King Eternal, but all fall on their faces to do him homage. Angels are his courtiers, the redeemed his favourites, and all delight to serve him day and night. May we soon reach the city of the great King!
“For this life’s long night of sadness
He will give us peace and gladness.
Soul, remember, in thy pains,
God o’er all for ever reigns.”
- MORNING AND EVENING
Daily Readings
By Charles H. Spurgeon
Monday, August 11, 2008
Oh that I were as in months past..........
“Oh that I were as in months past.”
- Job 29:2
Numbers of Christians can view the past with pleasure, but regard the present with dissatisfaction; they look back upon the days which they have passed in communing with the Lord as being the sweetest and the best they have ever known, but as to the present, it is clad in a sable garb of gloom and dreariness. Once they lived near to Jesus, but now they feel that they have wandered from him, and they say, “O that I were as in months past!” They complain that they have lost their evidences, or that they have not present peace of mind, or that they have no enjoyment in the means of grace, or that conscience is not so tender, or that they have not so much zeal for God’s glory. The causes of this mournful state of things are manifold. It may arise through a comparative neglect of prayer, for a neglected closet is the beginning of all spiritual decline. Or it may be the result of idolatry. The heart has been occupied with something else, more than with God; the affections have been set on the things of earth, instead of the things of heaven. A jealous God will not be content with a divided heart; he must be loved first and best. He will withdraw the sunshine of his presence from a cold, wandering heart. Or the cause may be found in self-confidence and self-righteousness. Pride is busy in the heart, and self is exalted instead of lying low at the foot of the cross. Christian, if you are not now as you “were in months past,” do not rest satisfied with wishing for a return of former happiness, but go at once to seek your Master, and tell him your sad state. Ask his grace and strength to help you to walk more closely with him; humble yourself before him, and he will lift you up, and give you yet again to enjoy the light of his countenance. Do not sit down to sigh and lament; while the beloved Physician lives there is hope, nay there is a certainty of recovery for the worst cases.
- MORNING AND EVENING
Daily Readings
By Charles H. Spurgeon
- Job 29:2
Numbers of Christians can view the past with pleasure, but regard the present with dissatisfaction; they look back upon the days which they have passed in communing with the Lord as being the sweetest and the best they have ever known, but as to the present, it is clad in a sable garb of gloom and dreariness. Once they lived near to Jesus, but now they feel that they have wandered from him, and they say, “O that I were as in months past!” They complain that they have lost their evidences, or that they have not present peace of mind, or that they have no enjoyment in the means of grace, or that conscience is not so tender, or that they have not so much zeal for God’s glory. The causes of this mournful state of things are manifold. It may arise through a comparative neglect of prayer, for a neglected closet is the beginning of all spiritual decline. Or it may be the result of idolatry. The heart has been occupied with something else, more than with God; the affections have been set on the things of earth, instead of the things of heaven. A jealous God will not be content with a divided heart; he must be loved first and best. He will withdraw the sunshine of his presence from a cold, wandering heart. Or the cause may be found in self-confidence and self-righteousness. Pride is busy in the heart, and self is exalted instead of lying low at the foot of the cross. Christian, if you are not now as you “were in months past,” do not rest satisfied with wishing for a return of former happiness, but go at once to seek your Master, and tell him your sad state. Ask his grace and strength to help you to walk more closely with him; humble yourself before him, and he will lift you up, and give you yet again to enjoy the light of his countenance. Do not sit down to sigh and lament; while the beloved Physician lives there is hope, nay there is a certainty of recovery for the worst cases.
- MORNING AND EVENING
Daily Readings
By Charles H. Spurgeon
Monday, July 28, 2008
Restructuring Part 0.01
Its finally done... the restructuring that we planned for so long...
Many mixed feelings and very sleepy... Part 2 tomorrow lah... =)
Many mixed feelings and very sleepy... Part 2 tomorrow lah... =)
Sunday, July 27, 2008
My prayer requests this week..
Hello.. thought this might reflect some of my thoughts now....
- Thank God for the 3+ years in CLAY zone and the 9 years in CYYAM... its been absolutely wonderful.. =)
- Thank God for His faithfulness and love which never fails to draw me back to Himself where I can enjoy the greatest joys
- Thank God for the chances to serve Him all these years although I'm absolutely unworthy... and for all the happy and sad times and the lessons I've learnt and how I've grown up over the years, being shaped by Him
- Thank God for all the wonderful brothers and sisters in CYYAM.. its great to know that there are people looking out for you and people with the same ideals, same purpose, same direction in life... to go thru this short journey of a few decades before we all meet in Heaven
- Thank God for bringing me thru 3 years of uni life...
- Pray for the coming changes in ministry - adjustment and that I can have love from God for all the people I'm working with and in the new environment
- Pray for wisdom and patience, humility, and that I can influence the youths positively
- Pray for people in YA taking up new roles - that God will be their strength in difficult times
- Pray for CYYAM to be rooted in the Word of God and that each of us will have a close relationship with God to empower us for useful service to Him
- Pray for strength for CYYAM leaders - most of us are undergoing big changes in life and ministry - that we will be faithful to Him
- Pray for REVIVAL in CYYAM and the church
- Pray that in the next 5 years, God will continue to lead us and use us to advance His kingdom
(^_^)
- Thank God for the 3+ years in CLAY zone and the 9 years in CYYAM... its been absolutely wonderful.. =)
- Thank God for His faithfulness and love which never fails to draw me back to Himself where I can enjoy the greatest joys
- Thank God for the chances to serve Him all these years although I'm absolutely unworthy... and for all the happy and sad times and the lessons I've learnt and how I've grown up over the years, being shaped by Him
- Thank God for all the wonderful brothers and sisters in CYYAM.. its great to know that there are people looking out for you and people with the same ideals, same purpose, same direction in life... to go thru this short journey of a few decades before we all meet in Heaven
- Thank God for bringing me thru 3 years of uni life...
- Pray for the coming changes in ministry - adjustment and that I can have love from God for all the people I'm working with and in the new environment
- Pray for wisdom and patience, humility, and that I can influence the youths positively
- Pray for people in YA taking up new roles - that God will be their strength in difficult times
- Pray for CYYAM to be rooted in the Word of God and that each of us will have a close relationship with God to empower us for useful service to Him
- Pray for strength for CYYAM leaders - most of us are undergoing big changes in life and ministry - that we will be faithful to Him
- Pray for REVIVAL in CYYAM and the church
- Pray that in the next 5 years, God will continue to lead us and use us to advance His kingdom
(^_^)
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Life...
Wah... what a week... actually wanted to blog on several days.. but like so hard and always so tired.....
Well this week was busy despite it still being holidays... especially when there's a long slide show with music to prepare.. plus the photos are not electronic but in photo albums... well glad it came out in the end although i almost smashed my computer for hanging just at the right times to maximise the amount i had to redo (windows movie maker)... but thank God it turned out ok in the end...
I always believed that my choice not to work during the holidays is a right one... well i still think so... since its the-last-longest-holiday-of-my-life-before-retirement.... :) must say it has been great and purposeful and enjoyable...
Well today is the last sunday together with Clay zone.... its been a great few years with Clay... as it was in the past with COWS and PASSION... CYYAM history is already almost a decade long, since we started in december 1999.. or was that 98...? :) my memory is failing... I can say confidently that my journey into maturity and young adulthood was a journey walked with many people in CYYAM... u all take up such a big part of shaping the person i am... looking back, i can really see how God has moulded me thru all these different people and circumstances and the numerous breakthroughs in my own character and personality... God, the Master Potter doesnt make mistakes in moulding people... to Him be all the glory and praise for these wonderfully meaningful years...
Why did i suddenly recall the past.. well... actually we all went for dinner at xiaoling's house today... and then after that somehow the conversation turned towards the past and the things we did in CYYAM... the prize for best memory goes to Kai En, who can recall almost all the zone names and what they stand for...! =) hey Kai En... how about a blog post on CYYAM history..?
Haha.. ok... yah... so this is the very last week before the reshuffling... new challenges, new people, new hopes are coming soon... hope to do a nice round up of everything in Clay... As a side note, lets keep everyone in prayer and the whole ministry.. do u all realise how MANY of us are about to go through super big changes in our lives? not just ministry-wise but in our school, work, life in general... really need to support each other and depend 100% on God for strength and faithfulness to Him... the road ahead is tough but it will be a joyful one....
Lastly... just want to end off with this passage.. may it be our encouragement time and again when we need the strength.. and may CYYAM have a great many decades ahead fulfilling God's purpose and mission... only few more decades before we get to Heaven... about maximum 7?
(^_^)
2 Corinthians 4
Treasures in Jars of Clay
Therefore, since through God's mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake. For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness,"made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.
But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that his life may be revealed in our mortal body. So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.
It is written: "I believed; therefore I have spoken."With that same spirit of faith we also believe and therefore speak, because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you in his presence. All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
May God use us to advance His kingdom more and more...
Well this week was busy despite it still being holidays... especially when there's a long slide show with music to prepare.. plus the photos are not electronic but in photo albums... well glad it came out in the end although i almost smashed my computer for hanging just at the right times to maximise the amount i had to redo (windows movie maker)... but thank God it turned out ok in the end...
I always believed that my choice not to work during the holidays is a right one... well i still think so... since its the-last-longest-holiday-of-my-life-before-retirement.... :) must say it has been great and purposeful and enjoyable...
Well today is the last sunday together with Clay zone.... its been a great few years with Clay... as it was in the past with COWS and PASSION... CYYAM history is already almost a decade long, since we started in december 1999.. or was that 98...? :) my memory is failing... I can say confidently that my journey into maturity and young adulthood was a journey walked with many people in CYYAM... u all take up such a big part of shaping the person i am... looking back, i can really see how God has moulded me thru all these different people and circumstances and the numerous breakthroughs in my own character and personality... God, the Master Potter doesnt make mistakes in moulding people... to Him be all the glory and praise for these wonderfully meaningful years...
Why did i suddenly recall the past.. well... actually we all went for dinner at xiaoling's house today... and then after that somehow the conversation turned towards the past and the things we did in CYYAM... the prize for best memory goes to Kai En, who can recall almost all the zone names and what they stand for...! =) hey Kai En... how about a blog post on CYYAM history..?
Haha.. ok... yah... so this is the very last week before the reshuffling... new challenges, new people, new hopes are coming soon... hope to do a nice round up of everything in Clay... As a side note, lets keep everyone in prayer and the whole ministry.. do u all realise how MANY of us are about to go through super big changes in our lives? not just ministry-wise but in our school, work, life in general... really need to support each other and depend 100% on God for strength and faithfulness to Him... the road ahead is tough but it will be a joyful one....
Lastly... just want to end off with this passage.. may it be our encouragement time and again when we need the strength.. and may CYYAM have a great many decades ahead fulfilling God's purpose and mission... only few more decades before we get to Heaven... about maximum 7?
(^_^)
2 Corinthians 4
Treasures in Jars of Clay
Therefore, since through God's mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake. For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness,"made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.
But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that his life may be revealed in our mortal body. So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.
It is written: "I believed; therefore I have spoken."With that same spirit of faith we also believe and therefore speak, because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you in his presence. All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
May God use us to advance His kingdom more and more...
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Zhi Yang's Prayer Requests
Hello everyone.... argh.. sorry, forgot to put Zhi Yang's prayer requests on today...
Here they are... please pray for him!!
Pray for a regular and fruitful QT...
Pray for good time management as he won't be starting school so soon so there's a lot of free time
Pray for enrollment next week, that he can plan his timetable
Pray for his family - going taiwan next week - safety
That's it... thanks for praying... =)
Here they are... please pray for him!!
Pray for a regular and fruitful QT...
Pray for good time management as he won't be starting school so soon so there's a lot of free time
Pray for enrollment next week, that he can plan his timetable
Pray for his family - going taiwan next week - safety
That's it... thanks for praying... =)
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Bless Those Who Persecute You
Another good sermon... will post summary... i know i know.. still owe some right... =/
http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/Sermons/ByDate/2005/201_Bless_Those_Who_Persecute_You/
=)
http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/Sermons/ByDate/2005/201_Bless_Those_Who_Persecute_You/
=)
Sunday, July 6, 2008
Unless.
Unless the LORD builds the house,
its builders labor in vain.
Unless the LORD watches over the city,
the watchmen stand guard in vain.
In vain you rise early
and stay up late,
toiling for food to eat -
for he grants sleep to those he loves.
-Psalms 127:1-2.
Just came back from the retreat and Church today... this year, retreat felt different because its the first time i work directly with many of those in the group going down to train the youths... although its been gone through many times in my mind what to expect when such a big change takes place in my ministry area, i guess things have to be experienced before truly knowing what its like... i must say... it felt strange not to have familiar voices around me, familiar points of view and ways of doing things... i found myself wondering what was going on in the YA side and how they were doing......
Thank God, it wasn't exactly a negative feeling or any unhappiness... in fact it could have been bad if i wasnt sure that this is the path that God wants me to go... questions like... "er.. ok.. really ah.. God wants me to come here?" will be quite frequent if i had not settled it already.... so really thank God, i settled it on friday finally after 2 weeks of trying hard to have longer QT times and prayer... but i guess it shouldnt stop here, since there are many more issues in life and it'll always be so.... gotta keep keeping in step with Jesus.. :)
Yah.. well actually, another feeling that i got is a feeling of excitement.. like the hope that big things are going to happen, that God is going to use us to advance His kingdom, that so many brothers and sisters can really be united in love and fight for God together, that younger ones are coming up to join us on this journey, that life can be a big adventure that God has put us on, together... there's no other place in the world with such hope and love and peace and joy... =)
Soreally looking forward to working in the youth ministry, with the various people and "feeding God's sheep" in the coming 5 years.. at the same time, happy for and looking forward to seeing the YA ministry take off with God as our Leader...
On a different note, my computer died again just now... the desktop. the thing to thank God is, i'm typing on it now... think i didnt repair it this time. guess its better to say, "God repaired it..."? I tried two things when trying to repair: first one failed, second one made it worse. To put things simply, thought i had to spend ~$400 for a new processor at least.. then... i prayed and asked God for help, tried a different method, and it was revived. Back to normal again...
Think God is trying to tell me something thru this... I need to depend on Him more, need to know that i'm powerless to do anything alone, need to talk to Him more... not exactly feeling very happy today actually... sort of a bit lonely when i got home and also very tired... guess i need to talk to God and have a long chat with Him...
Ok, till next post, take care... :)
its builders labor in vain.
Unless the LORD watches over the city,
the watchmen stand guard in vain.
In vain you rise early
and stay up late,
toiling for food to eat -
for he grants sleep to those he loves.
-Psalms 127:1-2.
Just came back from the retreat and Church today... this year, retreat felt different because its the first time i work directly with many of those in the group going down to train the youths... although its been gone through many times in my mind what to expect when such a big change takes place in my ministry area, i guess things have to be experienced before truly knowing what its like... i must say... it felt strange not to have familiar voices around me, familiar points of view and ways of doing things... i found myself wondering what was going on in the YA side and how they were doing......
Thank God, it wasn't exactly a negative feeling or any unhappiness... in fact it could have been bad if i wasnt sure that this is the path that God wants me to go... questions like... "er.. ok.. really ah.. God wants me to come here?" will be quite frequent if i had not settled it already.... so really thank God, i settled it on friday finally after 2 weeks of trying hard to have longer QT times and prayer... but i guess it shouldnt stop here, since there are many more issues in life and it'll always be so.... gotta keep keeping in step with Jesus.. :)
Yah.. well actually, another feeling that i got is a feeling of excitement.. like the hope that big things are going to happen, that God is going to use us to advance His kingdom, that so many brothers and sisters can really be united in love and fight for God together, that younger ones are coming up to join us on this journey, that life can be a big adventure that God has put us on, together... there's no other place in the world with such hope and love and peace and joy... =)
Soreally looking forward to working in the youth ministry, with the various people and "feeding God's sheep" in the coming 5 years.. at the same time, happy for and looking forward to seeing the YA ministry take off with God as our Leader...
On a different note, my computer died again just now... the desktop. the thing to thank God is, i'm typing on it now... think i didnt repair it this time. guess its better to say, "God repaired it..."? I tried two things when trying to repair: first one failed, second one made it worse. To put things simply, thought i had to spend ~$400 for a new processor at least.. then... i prayed and asked God for help, tried a different method, and it was revived. Back to normal again...
Think God is trying to tell me something thru this... I need to depend on Him more, need to know that i'm powerless to do anything alone, need to talk to Him more... not exactly feeling very happy today actually... sort of a bit lonely when i got home and also very tired... guess i need to talk to God and have a long chat with Him...
Ok, till next post, take care... :)
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Busy!
Hello everybody.. this week has been really busy so far... =) for example, yesterday my schedule was like this:
9 am - QT @ Cheng Hung's house with Wei Hong
12 noon - Lunch, buy organiser, buy running shoes
3:30 pm - Reach home to grab IPPT attire
4:15 pm - Meet Yanheng @ Dover MRT, go IPPT
7 pm - After IPPT & bath, dinner @ Chinatown
9 pm - Reach home, grab guitar, go to neighbour's house to teach him guitar
10:30 pm - Reach home, conference prayer
12 ++ - Bathe, sleep
As you all can see... yesterday was really tiring.. haha.. guess it's the busiest day of the week...
Well tomorrow onwards will still be as busy... =) do pray for me that i'll be able to really keep focused and keep my mind tuned to God - its easy to get distracted once i go out, but i guess home is even more distracting... its so important to keep our minds stayed on God in every moment, every day, every circumstance, and in every smallest activity of the day.. Or we can easily become drifters.. drifting thru life without a clear mind and purpose...
Another thing to pray for is the retreat, of course... Pray that God will guide us and we will be used by Him to accomplish His purposes for His glory. Really really hope that CYYAM will be able to reach out and touch the lives of many many seekers in the future, and make disciples out of each one of them... and us...
Yup.. lastly.. announcement...
Friday 4th July - Extended Prayer & QT
10 am @ Wei Hong's house
We'll probably go for lunch together after that.. and maybe all the way till retreat timing (optional)... yup... =) register early with me!! hope to see you all there... those that can't make it, dun be sad, cos there'll still be chances next week and next time...
Ok see you all again soon...!
9 am - QT @ Cheng Hung's house with Wei Hong
12 noon - Lunch, buy organiser, buy running shoes
3:30 pm - Reach home to grab IPPT attire
4:15 pm - Meet Yanheng @ Dover MRT, go IPPT
7 pm - After IPPT & bath, dinner @ Chinatown
9 pm - Reach home, grab guitar, go to neighbour's house to teach him guitar
10:30 pm - Reach home, conference prayer
12 ++ - Bathe, sleep
As you all can see... yesterday was really tiring.. haha.. guess it's the busiest day of the week...
Well tomorrow onwards will still be as busy... =) do pray for me that i'll be able to really keep focused and keep my mind tuned to God - its easy to get distracted once i go out, but i guess home is even more distracting... its so important to keep our minds stayed on God in every moment, every day, every circumstance, and in every smallest activity of the day.. Or we can easily become drifters.. drifting thru life without a clear mind and purpose...
Another thing to pray for is the retreat, of course... Pray that God will guide us and we will be used by Him to accomplish His purposes for His glory. Really really hope that CYYAM will be able to reach out and touch the lives of many many seekers in the future, and make disciples out of each one of them... and us...
Yup.. lastly.. announcement...
Friday 4th July - Extended Prayer & QT
10 am @ Wei Hong's house
We'll probably go for lunch together after that.. and maybe all the way till retreat timing (optional)... yup... =) register early with me!! hope to see you all there... those that can't make it, dun be sad, cos there'll still be chances next week and next time...
Ok see you all again soon...!
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