Thursday, June 09, 2005
(Email dated 24/05/2005)After 4 days of back-to-back retreat, Ah Sam is kinda drained. I mean the sleeping part :P But it was worth it (Wahahaha sounds like I'm being young and wild). And the best thing is that God gave me a triple combo of lessons (Cell Retreat, Sunday Sermon & Leaders Retreat), into this puny mind of mine.
Anyway, just want to share with you guys what God had hammered into the thick skull of mine during the Leaders Retreat which Ah Leong and I attended.
And so it was just another discussion session and we had to break up into pairs to pray for each other.
So Ah Sam paired up with Elder Francis Lim.
There on the table, his bible was opened to 2 Peter. Before I said anything, he started quoting 2 Peter 1:3.
This verse, plus 2Peter 1:5-7 are the 2 verses which God has spoken to me personally since 2 weeks ago.
Humm.... Obviously Ah Sam still did not understand what God is trying to tell him, that's why God had to bring up these verses again.
And I would like to share with you, especially those who are struggling along in their life and faith
2 Peter
3: His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.
5-7: For this very reason, make every effort(applying all diligence) to add
to your faith goodness(moral-excellence);
and to goodness(moral-excellence), knowledge;
and to knowledge, self-control;
and to self-control, perseverance;
and to perseverance, godliness;
and to godliness, brotherly kindness;
and to brotherly kindness, love.
Just as God has made everything I need for life and godliness, I also need to make the effort to add to my faith -> goodness(moral-excellence) -> knowledge -> self-control -> perservence -> godliness -> brotherly-kindness -> love
Theoretically, it sounds good right? But how to do it? Especially when things around you seems to work against you?
(Warning!!! OldManSam's abstract thinking at work here :P)
When Jesus prayed for his disciples, he prayed for not for them to be taken out of the world, but for protection from the evil one.
So God has promised us that he has given/granted to us everything we need for life and godliness.
However it's not a gift till we take and use it for the purpose that God intends it to be.
But there are times when we'll be tempted to take shortcuts(our own tried-and-tested-and-easier-and-more comfortable method) OR to use this gift for our own purpose OR just sit back expecting the gift to just fall into our hands OR just 'move along with life' OR twist the words of God to what tickles our ears.
What's the God-desired method? Make the effort. In the NASB version, it's translated as 'applying all diligence' (According to the cambridge dictionary, diligence: careful and using a lot of effort. dictionary.com: Earnest and persistent application to an undertaking; steady effort; assiduity)
Wah!!! CAREFUL, use A LOT of EFFORT, EARNEST & PERSISTANT APPLICAION. Furthermore it's applying ALL DILIGENCE.
Oh well, God did not promise that christian living will be easy. But here, God is challenging me in a deeper relationship with Him (which is what he desires for all of us).
And in this relationship, it involves all components of 2Peter 5-7. If one is neglected, the whole chain is broken. And not just you alone, but the community around you will be affected
Just as the Word of God has always been associated with being a sword for our faith, it'll just be a harmful, useless piece of metal if we are not careful with it and we do not use the effort to train ourselves in using it.
Along comes another warning. Just when you think you've conquered the mountain peak and feel like standing tall and proud, remember to kneel down. This is because just a gust of wind will throw you off the mountain.
Heb 11:6 (NKJV)
But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
Will you diligently seek the Father's reward?
I am willing Lord.
Old Man Sam | 1:22 PM |
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Still under construction
HaHa.... I'll just post one of my thoughts.
Old Man Sam | 1:20 PM |
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This will be my......3rd attempt at blogging
Old Man Sam | 9:36 AM |
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