Hmm.. this is somewhat of a follow up of my last post, about the fear of the Lord.
I figured it out, or gained some insight anyway. It was a Friday JCA Large group (Quest). Pastor matt was teaching about Envy from Proverbs and the verse had something about fear of the Lord and how that was how to counter Envy.
The fear of the Lord is worship, it's standing in awe and wonder of God because He is so Awesome and worthy to be praised and worship. But it's standing in awe and wonder of God in a way that produces change in our lives because we realise who God really is.
Then this image popped up in my mind about who God is...
I'm standing on the hill at Calvery seeing Jesus cry out to God above. He's looking to Heaven, so desperate to see the One He loves and the One who loves Him. His head and His whole body wants to reach up to heaven and feel the touch of God. But He cannot. He's nailed cruely to the cross, experiencing the evils of the Roman Crucifixion. But that isn't what prevents Him from seeing the Father. It's the sin. my sin, your sin nailed and hammered into every part of His being. With the sins of the Father on Him, the Father cannot but turn away, leaving his dying Son with not even a glimpse of His back.
What's going through my mind? I'm just standing there, not really wanting to look at the gory scene before me. Unmoved probably, untouched and unchanged. Sometimes, we see that image so often we (as Christians) fail to grasp the message of the cross and the power of the cross and it's meaning and implication in our lives.
Then, i feel a distinct presence behind me, two hands placed on my shoulder. I've been a Christian long enough to know that its The Holy Spirit, and the Presence of God. I turn my eyes away from the cross and hide myself in the embrace of the Spirit, of the Father, because I cannot bear to watch Jesus suffer. Then it hits me.
The cross is so painful for Christ, because as He suffers alone, as He breathes His last breath, I feel and touch the Spirit. I meet God. That's the contrast of the cross. THe One so deserving of help, in His time of greatest need is turned away, so that the one who doesn't deserve even a chance enjoys the presence of God. That's grace.
What's my response? I run to the cross, fix my eyes on Jesus nailed to the cross and I touch Him. I want to give Him the comfort that the Spirit gives me. But it was done.. Jesus breathed His last.
the next thought that comes to my mind though, is Jesus' words in matthew 25
"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'
"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'
"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'
Matt 25:34-40
The fear of the Lord is being in awe and wonder of God, His love, His sacrifice, His holiness, His awesomeness, but not just standing there, but having that awe and wonder in a way that produces permanent life change.
Sunday, February 26, 2006
Friday, February 24, 2006
Thought of the Week
What does it mean to fear the Lord?
I was doing this for quiet time, and I couldn't quite grasp the full meaning of the phrase.
Anyone?
Cheryl
I was doing this for quiet time, and I couldn't quite grasp the full meaning of the phrase.
Anyone?
Cheryl
Thursday, February 16, 2006
about me? not quite
I'm beginning to realise that this life is increasingly less about me and more about God. It's funny how we mere humans think everything, even God almight revolves around us. From our petition prayers, to our service at church, to even our quiet times (what has God got to say to me today?). But this life is not about you or me. Thankfully.
Today during prayer meeting, God was really gracious in giving me the inspiration to write my support letter. I tried writing it on monday or tuesday, and i got super sian about it, because i didn't know how to write, and i didn't know how it would even be possible to raise that sum of money.
Matthew 19:26 (NIV)
Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."
(coincidence that this passage is in Matthew which the GMC peeps are studying? i think not...)
Anyhow, God showed me tonight that this mission trip really really really isn't about me. Yes God asked me to go, yes, i had to give up stuff important to me, and yes, eventually i'll have to rough it out in India. Yes, this is an opportunity to KNOW God, and experience Him intimately.
But then one really must stop and think, when it comes to knowing and experiencing God, growing and maturing in Christian living, its not about us and our small lives, it's about God, and His plans, His Will in our little lives and how that fits into His ultimate plan for the World. It's about giving God fully glory, as we grow in Christ likeness, it's about experiencing God, so that we can worship God more, and then share with others around us, so that God gets more glory.
Tonight, God showed me that this mission trip, which is a big part of my life, is not about me. He gave me the inspiration to write my support letter, even tho i didn't deserve it, because i just wanted to quit writing. This life is about Him.
ANother thing to share, that i hope helps those who need it. Why is it such a relief that life is not about us, but about God? Because this life is about God and not us, we get what we often don't deserve (grace) so that God can do what He wants to do. It helps put things into perspective, that as we walk in God's Will, He will provide the strength, means, grace and everything necessary so that His Will be done.
Did the small stone kill Goliath? nope. It was God, all God and one small believing David.
Today during prayer meeting, God was really gracious in giving me the inspiration to write my support letter. I tried writing it on monday or tuesday, and i got super sian about it, because i didn't know how to write, and i didn't know how it would even be possible to raise that sum of money.
Matthew 19:26 (NIV)
Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."
(coincidence that this passage is in Matthew which the GMC peeps are studying? i think not...)
Anyhow, God showed me tonight that this mission trip really really really isn't about me. Yes God asked me to go, yes, i had to give up stuff important to me, and yes, eventually i'll have to rough it out in India. Yes, this is an opportunity to KNOW God, and experience Him intimately.
But then one really must stop and think, when it comes to knowing and experiencing God, growing and maturing in Christian living, its not about us and our small lives, it's about God, and His plans, His Will in our little lives and how that fits into His ultimate plan for the World. It's about giving God fully glory, as we grow in Christ likeness, it's about experiencing God, so that we can worship God more, and then share with others around us, so that God gets more glory.
Tonight, God showed me that this mission trip, which is a big part of my life, is not about me. He gave me the inspiration to write my support letter, even tho i didn't deserve it, because i just wanted to quit writing. This life is about Him.
ANother thing to share, that i hope helps those who need it. Why is it such a relief that life is not about us, but about God? Because this life is about God and not us, we get what we often don't deserve (grace) so that God can do what He wants to do. It helps put things into perspective, that as we walk in God's Will, He will provide the strength, means, grace and everything necessary so that His Will be done.
Did the small stone kill Goliath? nope. It was God, all God and one small believing David.
Wednesday, February 08, 2006
Complaining
Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may becomeblameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depravedgeneration, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out theword of life- in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that Idid not run or labor for nothing.- phil 2:14-16
I'm studying Ecclesiastes right now, and the complaining thing is sorta in line with what I read today. Firstly, after reading the passage 2:17-26, I was convicted to not complain today. But i realised how tough that was, because, like selfishness, complaining is second nature to us. The other thing i realised is that we complain because we fail to see God in the things that we do, that's why we complain. Solomon talks about how life is meaningless apart from God, and in chapter 2, he is basically complaining. We complain because we don't see God, or don't realise that we are doing the daily, mundane, busy tasks (required of us from our teachers, bosses, and superiors, even church elders), we don't realise that we do these things for God. So to combat complaining hearts, do what you do as though doing it for the Lord!
I'm studying Ecclesiastes right now, and the complaining thing is sorta in line with what I read today. Firstly, after reading the passage 2:17-26, I was convicted to not complain today. But i realised how tough that was, because, like selfishness, complaining is second nature to us. The other thing i realised is that we complain because we fail to see God in the things that we do, that's why we complain. Solomon talks about how life is meaningless apart from God, and in chapter 2, he is basically complaining. We complain because we don't see God, or don't realise that we are doing the daily, mundane, busy tasks (required of us from our teachers, bosses, and superiors, even church elders), we don't realise that we do these things for God. So to combat complaining hearts, do what you do as though doing it for the Lord!
Wednesday, February 01, 2006
losing one's life
Okay, I know this is somewhat backdated but i guess i'm going to continue talking about the things i learnt over retreat.
Well, one big thing that was really bugging me during the retreat was this: What's to stop me from becoming exactly the same as before the retreat? Nothing. I could really still be as selfish as i was before the retreat, because i mean, I'm sinful and I can try really hard to not be selfish (and to not sin) but it's not going to work, because I am human and sinful. So, there's really nothing I can do to stop sinning. Instead, I look to the only One who had a good sound response to sin, Christ who died and rose again, kicking sin in the butt! So God's daily portion of grace, enough to last me through the day and Christ's resurrection power will give me hope against sin each new day. Hope that I will move towards Christlikeness daily. So don't focus on yesterday's failures or successes, know that each day is a new one with a new portion of grace awaiting us to face the new challenges of the day.
Another important lesson that i learnt over the past 2 days is this:
Matthew 16:25For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it
On monday, first weekday after the retreat, I was fasting for my church prayer walk. I also did a bible study on John 15 and spent the day(or stray thoughts during the day) figuring out what God was trying to say when he told the disciples to abide in Him, not because i was trying to be Holy, but because i genuinely didn't know what he meant and i really wanted to know. So without sounding proud, it was a relatively un-selfish day. Surprisingly, i managed to find time to do all that needed to be done that day (yes, this despite barely touching work during the weekend because of the retreat), and even got to talk to my family and watch bits of 24.
Tuesday however was a selfish day. I was selfish. I basically planned my day out and knew what i had to do and when to do them. Of course, I didn't do so well, ended up sleeping later than i planned and not really finishing everything that I had to do, even though I had more time than the day before!
I have no idea where all that time went, and how even though i had less time, i managed to do more on Monday. It really just goes to show that God is a better planner than I ever will be.
So, because I know i'm going to need this again sometime during the semester when the tests come around, I'm going to say it again
For whoever wants to save his life will lose it but whoever loses his life for me will find it Matt 16:25
Well, one big thing that was really bugging me during the retreat was this: What's to stop me from becoming exactly the same as before the retreat? Nothing. I could really still be as selfish as i was before the retreat, because i mean, I'm sinful and I can try really hard to not be selfish (and to not sin) but it's not going to work, because I am human and sinful. So, there's really nothing I can do to stop sinning. Instead, I look to the only One who had a good sound response to sin, Christ who died and rose again, kicking sin in the butt! So God's daily portion of grace, enough to last me through the day and Christ's resurrection power will give me hope against sin each new day. Hope that I will move towards Christlikeness daily. So don't focus on yesterday's failures or successes, know that each day is a new one with a new portion of grace awaiting us to face the new challenges of the day.
Another important lesson that i learnt over the past 2 days is this:
Matthew 16:25For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it
On monday, first weekday after the retreat, I was fasting for my church prayer walk. I also did a bible study on John 15 and spent the day(or stray thoughts during the day) figuring out what God was trying to say when he told the disciples to abide in Him, not because i was trying to be Holy, but because i genuinely didn't know what he meant and i really wanted to know. So without sounding proud, it was a relatively un-selfish day. Surprisingly, i managed to find time to do all that needed to be done that day (yes, this despite barely touching work during the weekend because of the retreat), and even got to talk to my family and watch bits of 24.
Tuesday however was a selfish day. I was selfish. I basically planned my day out and knew what i had to do and when to do them. Of course, I didn't do so well, ended up sleeping later than i planned and not really finishing everything that I had to do, even though I had more time than the day before!
I have no idea where all that time went, and how even though i had less time, i managed to do more on Monday. It really just goes to show that God is a better planner than I ever will be.
So, because I know i'm going to need this again sometime during the semester when the tests come around, I'm going to say it again
For whoever wants to save his life will lose it but whoever loses his life for me will find it Matt 16:25
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