Monday, 1 November 2010
Thursday, 28 October 2010
Saturday, 16 October 2010
Tuesday, 27 July 2010
DESPERADO
At what point in our situation do we remember to call on God?. Is he ALWAYS our last option, at the edge of our desperation?
A student, Rose who was about to write her exams said she studied, prepared mentally, discussed with groups, revised and ticked all the boxes before the day. After the exam had been completed, things did not go as she had expected, she remembered to turn to God, she said 'I have never prayed so hard in my before'. This is just one case scenario, we often go through this phase especially when we are planning for things ahead and suddenly we get to a grinding halt. We become ''desperados'' when we run out of options, when all that we used to rely on is gone, when we can't trust our state of mind, alas we finally remember to turn to God.
Thank goodness our God is faithful, he is omnipresent and is present even in the last minute. But remember, dont get into the habit of last minute. Always call on him at the beginnings so as to run a smooth course, whatever your plans.
A student, Rose who was about to write her exams said she studied, prepared mentally, discussed with groups, revised and ticked all the boxes before the day. After the exam had been completed, things did not go as she had expected, she remembered to turn to God, she said 'I have never prayed so hard in my before'. This is just one case scenario, we often go through this phase especially when we are planning for things ahead and suddenly we get to a grinding halt. We become ''desperados'' when we run out of options, when all that we used to rely on is gone, when we can't trust our state of mind, alas we finally remember to turn to God.
Thank goodness our God is faithful, he is omnipresent and is present even in the last minute. But remember, dont get into the habit of last minute. Always call on him at the beginnings so as to run a smooth course, whatever your plans.
Friday, 23 July 2010
Privileged
I found myself reading the story of Job and how his suffering began; I enjoy reading the end of the story, where he got his blessings double fold for being faithful. But that’s not the focus now. Remember how the devil requested he inflicts pain on Job to try and prove a point? Picture this - Job 1:6- Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and satan came also among them... I don't know what picture you have painted, but I pictured a fallen, unrepentant, no good person bouncing into the presence of God to ask a favour- saying ‘yo’ God I need me a favour’- a favour?!! How bold- and guess what? God granted him his wish - Job 1:12 -..''and the Lord said unto satan, behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. Satan went forth from the presence of the Lord to carry out his plan''. Hmmm.
Now if Satan who was not repentant and was not even welcomed walked boldly into the presence of God and asked- he sure had the confidence that God will not send him away without granting his request.
So we who are God's heir should always bear this in mind and walk boldly to his throne to make our requests, knowing that God who is faithful has asked us to, that we may obtain grace.
John 16:24- Ask, and you shall receive, that your joy may be full.
If the Devil can ask and be confident about it, why can’t we who are more privileged? Take a cue
Thursday, 22 July 2010
''For official use only''
A colleague of mine and I were chatting during our lunch break and she complained about a problem she was having with her direct line manager. After she explained the situation, I asked ''have you prayed about it?''
She responded with a puzzled look ''NO''.
''why not?'' I asked
''oh, its work'' she said, I can't pray about that''.
I have found myself in this situation a few times, where in my minds eye I see myself bringing out my superhero cape(kinda like superman) only when I felt it was absolutely necessary. To many of us prayer is ''for official use only''- official meaning ''religious''. For what may I pray? Jesus gave us the answer in John 14:13- ..''and whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son''.
Paul reminded us in Philippians 4:6 - ''worry about nothing, pray about EVERYTHING. As kids, when we started learning to pray during family time, I remember my younger brother having to pray for the spoon we ate with, the bed we laid on, the clothes we wore....e.t.c. That was a typical example of pray about EVERYTHING- I am sure you understand where I am coming from.
Prayer is ALWAYS relevant. If its big enough to worry about, then its big enough to pray about.
Lets do this again soon.
She responded with a puzzled look ''NO''.
''why not?'' I asked
''oh, its work'' she said, I can't pray about that''.
I have found myself in this situation a few times, where in my minds eye I see myself bringing out my superhero cape(kinda like superman) only when I felt it was absolutely necessary. To many of us prayer is ''for official use only''- official meaning ''religious''. For what may I pray? Jesus gave us the answer in John 14:13- ..''and whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son''.
Paul reminded us in Philippians 4:6 - ''worry about nothing, pray about EVERYTHING. As kids, when we started learning to pray during family time, I remember my younger brother having to pray for the spoon we ate with, the bed we laid on, the clothes we wore....e.t.c. That was a typical example of pray about EVERYTHING- I am sure you understand where I am coming from.
Prayer is ALWAYS relevant. If its big enough to worry about, then its big enough to pray about.
Lets do this again soon.
Wednesday, 21 July 2010
Computer Christian
I am hardworking, I do not harm anyone but I do not pray; What am I?
A computer.
Does this description fit you? When we tell ourselves, 'afterall I have lived a good life and thats all that counts;do i really need to pray....? We can take a cue from the response Jesus gave to Martha when she complained that Mary was not helping.(Luke 10:38-42).
Martha was the hardworking one while Mary was the 'Lazy' one at the feet of Jesus. Our natural instinct will tend to sympathise with Martha(after all she is sweating herself out to make all the preparation)- we prefer doers as opposed to 'sitters'.
As humans we are more comfortable with action than with prayer. We like to be seen as being busy(really, are we?). Jesus challenged this view when he said Mary had chosen what is best. He made us realise that Martha was struggling to feed the crowd while Mary wanted to be fed with the presence of God. Martha was distracted, while Mary was the focussed one.
The challenge we face each day is to establish prayer as a priority - a moment to commune with God is vital to our spiritual health. So, lets not be like the computer. Take time to commune with God today
A computer.
Does this description fit you? When we tell ourselves, 'afterall I have lived a good life and thats all that counts;do i really need to pray....? We can take a cue from the response Jesus gave to Martha when she complained that Mary was not helping.(Luke 10:38-42).
Martha was the hardworking one while Mary was the 'Lazy' one at the feet of Jesus. Our natural instinct will tend to sympathise with Martha(after all she is sweating herself out to make all the preparation)- we prefer doers as opposed to 'sitters'.
As humans we are more comfortable with action than with prayer. We like to be seen as being busy(really, are we?). Jesus challenged this view when he said Mary had chosen what is best. He made us realise that Martha was struggling to feed the crowd while Mary wanted to be fed with the presence of God. Martha was distracted, while Mary was the focussed one.
The challenge we face each day is to establish prayer as a priority - a moment to commune with God is vital to our spiritual health. So, lets not be like the computer. Take time to commune with God today
Excuse me, CONCENTRATE
''Erm.. In the name of Jesus...
No, no start again..
In Jesus name...
Come on concentrate..
Pardon me - I am having a hard time keeping a proper image of what I want to pray about in my mind. ''
How often do we find ourselves thinking about all the activities of the day that we muddle it up and don't know where to begin? How many times have we found ourselves stuck at the beginning of our prayers?
''..I know what I want but don't know how best to put it in front of the KING. Do I even have to pray, after all God knows what I want, He has already planned out ahead of me. Besides I have a lot of things to do today and can't spare the time - I will just pray on my way''...sound familiar?
Lets face it - prayer suffers from a very poor image in our minds eye. People dismiss prayer as a weak alternative to practical action.
Personally, I have discovered that prayer is not a religious exercise- Its a human necessity. In one way or the other, we are enveloped with the need of something beyond us, someplace to run to, someone to cry out to - someone above us.
I now know the importance of prayer - It means I never have to say ''there is nothing I can do''. Even if all my prayers have been answered, I can intercede for someone. I can clasp my hands together, go down on my knees, for even as little as one minute and PRAY.
No, no start again..
In Jesus name...
Come on concentrate..
Pardon me - I am having a hard time keeping a proper image of what I want to pray about in my mind. ''
How often do we find ourselves thinking about all the activities of the day that we muddle it up and don't know where to begin? How many times have we found ourselves stuck at the beginning of our prayers?
''..I know what I want but don't know how best to put it in front of the KING. Do I even have to pray, after all God knows what I want, He has already planned out ahead of me. Besides I have a lot of things to do today and can't spare the time - I will just pray on my way''...sound familiar?
Lets face it - prayer suffers from a very poor image in our minds eye. People dismiss prayer as a weak alternative to practical action.
Personally, I have discovered that prayer is not a religious exercise- Its a human necessity. In one way or the other, we are enveloped with the need of something beyond us, someplace to run to, someone to cry out to - someone above us.
I now know the importance of prayer - It means I never have to say ''there is nothing I can do''. Even if all my prayers have been answered, I can intercede for someone. I can clasp my hands together, go down on my knees, for even as little as one minute and PRAY.
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