Sunday, May 18, 2008
I am so excited once again!!! Have I mentioned I love my church? Well, in fact I love the Church and that is why it is my dream to see the churches in the world unite as one for Jesus Christ.
The Lord has been speaking to me in many ways and its been centred on the same thing - Obedience. I know its a very simple message, but it is so hard to do it. The book I've been reading, yesterday's discipleship and today's message was all about obedience. I think God is speaking loud and clear.
At e-camp, someone spoke about our dreams, about how God puts them there for a reason. But the world somehow always tries to tear down our dreams - by telling us that we are too small, too insignificant, too un-gifted to accomplish those dreams. And before we know it, we grow up learning to believe that dreams do not come true.
You know what, the world is right. We are too small and too insignificant. But if our dreams came from God, then it is not by our own strength that we are going to accomplish those dreams but by God's . And God is not small, not insignificant or un-gifted. He is big, strong and mighty. There is nothing God cannot do.
The book im reading speaks of how great treasures in heaven await us for those who obey but for those who know the good they ought to do but don't, judgement awaits. You may say that I believe that Christ died for my sin so I won't go to hell, but if your life doesn't reflect that, your words mean nothing. Faith without deeds is dead (James 2:26b). Its scary to think how many people think they are saved simply by proclaiming they believe in Christ but still choosing to live life contrary to God's commands.
We all want to know what God's will is for us. But before we can find that out, we first have to align ourselves with His grand plan. The bible tells us of His providential will, things that will happen regardless of what we do. For example like how He sent Christ down to be the sacrifice for our sins and how Christ will return to judge us this second time round. Through this all, God uses ordinary people like you and me to fulfil it. We have to allow ourselves to be used for His purpose. We also have to be morally upright - His moral values for us are stated clearly in His word. By being familiar to His providential will and obeying His moral will, we will be able to find it easier to discern His personal will for us.
Today, Ps Jonathan asked, "How big is your world?" Sometimes the issue isn't so much about changing your circumstances but changing your perspectives. You see a need, a problem, but then you think you are not influential enough to change things. Well, if you walk daily in obedience of God, you will find yourself in a position of influence, you don't even need to plan it that way. Look at David - he went to the battle site to deliver bread and cheese to his brothers and ended up killing Goliath. He was just a boy then and there were many more seasoned fighters than him, but he was the one that killed the giant and he knew it was not by his strength's but God's.
Small world vs Big world
I go to church -----------------------I serve in God's kingdom
I'll do whatever I'm asked ---------- I'll do whatever it takes
Seek to be fed by God -------------- Seek to be led by God
My ministry, my position ---------- His mission, His positioning
My needs ---------------------------Needs of others
Build within myself ------------------Build beyond myself
See the cost -------------------------See the harvest
Pray for rest ------------------------Pray for strength
Carry my buden --------------------Carry His burden
Accept eternal life ------------------Lay down my life
So do you live in a small world or big world?
Thanks to all the blogs i referred to (countless) for html code help :) (esp. cyn' and sixseven)
Adobe Photoshop Elements for supernatural abilities