Do It for Christ

One reminder to help us to discover the purpose and passion in doing everything:

"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving." Colossians 3:23-24

If we carry on with the mindset that whatever that we do, we are doing it for the glory for God, we will find the invisible strength and momentum to keep going. When we are half-hearted, we are not committed. Thus, the expected result is what we deserve. How much we sow, how much we will reap. God doesn't show favoritism.

Often we say, "Just do your best, and God will do the rest!" But in real fact, ask ourselves if we actually give our best. Is there signs of laziness, procrastination, issue with punctuality, easily distracted, losing focus, or the lukewarm attitude - "hit it as it goes"?

In our work place and university, we can shine for God by pouring out the spirit of excellence in our commitments. God will reward us at the end of the day, for He knows the best in us.

God wants us to give a full cup, and He will overflow our cup.

Triune God

This is what I came across from the Sovereign Grace Ministries. Many people including most believers either asked or confused by the nature of God. 3-in-1?

"Erm, you mean in relation to instant coffee or noodle?"

"Way Nottt!"

God is triune

There is one God: infinite, eternal, almighty, and perfect in holiness, truth, and love. In the unity of the godhead there are three persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, co-existent, co-equal, co-eternal. The Father is not the Son and the Son is not the Holy Spirit, yet each is truly Deity. One God—Father, Son and Holy Spirit—is the foundation of Christian faith and life.

God the Father

God the Father is the Creator of heaven and earth. By his Word and for his glory, he freely and supernaturally created the world from nothing. Through the same Word he daily sustains all his creatures. He rules over all and is the only Sovereign. His plans and purposes cannot be thwarted. He is faithful to every promise, works all things together for good to those who love him, and in his unfathomable grace gave his Son, Jesus Christ, for mankind’s redemption. He made man for fellowship with himself, and intended that all creation should live to the praise of his glory.

Jesus Christ

Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, was the eternal Word made flesh, supernaturally conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary. He was perfect in nature, teaching, and obedience. He is fully God and fully man. He was always with God and is God. Through him all things came into being and were created. He was before all things and in him all things hold together by the word of his power. He is the image of the invisible God, the first-born of all creation, and in him dwells the fullness of the godhead bodily. He is the only Savior for the sins of the world, having shed his blood and died a vicarious death on Calvary’s cross. By his death in our place, he revealed the divine love and upheld divine justice, removing our guilt and reconciling us to God. Having redeemed us from sin, the third day he rose bodily from the grave, victorious over death and the powers of darkness, and for a period of 40 days appeared to more than 500 witnesses, performing many convincing proofs of his resurrection. He ascended into heaven where, at God’s right hand, he intercedes for his people and rules as Lord over all. He is the Head of his body, the Church, and should be adored, loved, served, and obeyed by all.

The Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of life, convicts the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment. Through the proclamation of the gospel he persuades men to repent of their sins and confess Jesus as Lord. By the same Spirit a person is led to trust in divine mercy. The Holy Spirit unites believers to Jesus Christ in faith, brings about the new birth, and dwells within the regenerate. The Holy Spirit has come to glorify the Son, who in turn came to glorify the Father. He will lead the Church into a right understanding and rich application of the truth of God’s Word. He is to be respected, honored, and worshiped as God the Third Person of the Trinity.

Sovereign Grace Ministries

Shipwrecked

This post is dedicated to the shadow of my confidence.

I decided to pen it down not because I am pensive right now, but merely I think it is a lesson or rather an experience that might reveal more of what He wants for me, now and in the future.

It was prior to the date of this post when everything unearthed. The past few nights had been of cramming and relentless typing of letters and summation approaching one of my major assignments in this semester. It was due on Friday. It just didn't taste nice as Friday supposed to be an everything-free day, dedicating to God and His people. Rostered to co-lead the Praise and Worship session for the evening lifegroup, I decided to swap with someone after discussing with my mentor.

It was prior to the lifegroup in the evening that I made my way to the uni to do some final touch-up before dropping my piece of work at the assignment minder. The sky was fairly gloomy and so was my heart. Gunning down one piece of big big work supposed to bring soothing light feeling to the soul but it twisted into a disheartening one. The fact was that I received the worst piece of result in my entire Uni life for my favourite unit of the semester. I repeat again, The Worst. Perhaps due to the many copies of essays that had been remarkably done and even numerous praises literally from all the feedback received from the markers, this was just not so in accordance to the norm! It was the first ever Grade 4 / 7 and for it to be the outcome of a professional writing, it virtually meant - Off Topic. To further aggravate the solemness of the work, it was the first time my sentence structure and continuation being pierced unmercifully.

It crushed my spirit on my way to Roma St for Lifegroup, so profoundly that though the songs being played on the Ipod were meant to deliver great peace and grace to the listener, I wasn't moved. "Let it rain, let it rain. Open the floodgates of heaven and ...." All in a sudden I felt the whole world crashing down on me and everything was falling apart. Everything was just not right. All the wrong move in the wrong time.

With disappointment I walked into that familiar room. I felt really bad as my response to all those cheerful lovely faces was a mere shrug. I shouldn't be reacting in such a way as my emotion just somehow distanced the people. How to shine for Jesus! Where is my testimony! Throughout the lifegroup and discussion, I was held back. It was just sooo not me. Figuring out the unusual me, my unit leader waited at my home for my return, comforting and hugging off my disappointment till midnight.

Through this experience, God has revealed more of His interests in me. I started to reflect my reliance on Him and my storage of confidence. I need a fall, to realize how feeble I am without Him. I believe he is constructing some works within me, sorting out my veins and put them in the right places. I learnt to rejoice in other people's achievement, and I shall not compare.

Philippians 2:3 says: "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves."

I need to be refined. I believe everything happens with a purpose. God is not done with me yet.

Travel.

I am back, from church convention and a short trip.

I love travelling, not wandering through the busy concrete jungle but where the mountains meet the waters.

How I wish my life is just sitting amazed by the wonderful creation of my Papa, everyday. Breathtaking scenery triggers me to ponder much about life. I learn to appreciate the Maker's creativity and how He holds all things together. Through the majestic creatures and phenomena of life, I see the glory of God. I see a purpose.

Unraveling through the world, take some stops in life to sit back and savour the creations around us. Find satisfaction for your soul.

Triumph

"When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the written code, with its regulation, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross. Ans having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross." Colossians 2:13-15

This, is the Father's love. We are meant to be victorious for our king has conquered the death. The power of His resurrection lives in His people. From the dominion of darkness, for those who believe, they can walk in the kingdom of light. Do not slumber! Wake up o people! Redemption, forgiveness of sins and salvation is here, free for all. Don't be hard-hearted. You got nothing to lose.

Faith

I was taught that Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. It is by grace alone through Faith that we are saved. By Faith we understand that the universe was formed at God's command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible. By Faith Moses raised the staff and parted the Red Sea. By Faith Abraham, even though he was past age and Sarah was barren - was enabled to become a father - The Father of All Nations. By Faith Noah built the ark. By Faith Enoch was taken from this life so that he did not experience death.

By Faith, with one out of five pebbles he held, David trampled over Goliath. As long as we have faith as large as a mustard seed, the key is to Believe. Put on the eyes of Faith to see through our situations, circumstances and the world. Give room to the Lord for Him to perform. He is Faithful even when we are faithless. The power of Faith can turn the world upside down.

Without Faith, we are unsure of what we hope for, and uncertain even if we see. Without Faith, God is absent.

Once a BB, Always A BB

I first joined BB when I was 13 years old. Since young I have been watching the spectacular round town Christmas Procession and have good impression towards BB band. To me, BB is really cool. The opportunity came as I had to select a uniform body to fulfill the co-curriculum requirement set by the school.

However, the very first few meetings intimidated me regarding the strictness of the rules and the overall operation. These areas include punctuality, greeting the officers and those who are higher in rank, uniform tidiness, punishment for committing mistakes in drilling to name a few. Despite that, I gradually found thrill and excitement throughout the process, driven by the motivation to out-perform my peers. From there I moved on and continued to attend BB parades regularly and seeing more than what I had expected. Although I had always wanted to join the band to pick up certain musical instrument, the opportunity came late only when I finished my PMR public examination due to external commitments and tight schedule.

BB blessed me deeply throughout my teenage years. Reflecting back, BB taught and shaped me into the person I am today. Throughout my years in BB, I learnt much about discipline, self-control, spirit of excellence, unity, obedience, respecting others, taking up responsibility, servanthood heart, how to grow in a big community, and even in the areas of spirituality through NCO Sunday schools and bible study class. I also learnt to be thankful, giving and contributing back to the community and multitude real life skills from camping to cooking through all the award classes that I attended. I had great fun and special experiences through all the camps that I participated in. On top of that, I was honoured to be promoted to be a NCO where I started to pick up leadership skills. Apart from that, I picked up my dream instrument to be a snare drummer, something that I have been passionate about. I had to say from the beats and skills that mustered, it crafted the way to where I am today, serving the Lord as a drummer in my church’s praise and worship team.

All the camps, classes, meetings, competitions, and dozens of activities had made me a better person today. BB motto – forever Sure and Stedfast rings in me until today. I am challenged to make a difference in the world today and to the calling God has installed for me. God calls not the skillful ones, but those who are willing to serve Him. BB has shaped me in my character and personality, in alignment to the teaching of the Word.

To end my testimony, I would like to share a verse in the book of Philippians 3:12-14. It says that “ Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining towards what is ahead. I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” What are we pursuing after in life? It is important to run with a purpose and not beating the air. We are called to die to oneself, to pick up the Cross that Jesus carried and to glorify God in all the things that we do, even as we drink and eat. Brothers and Sisters, lets count all those we have gained as loss and to value what God values in our life. Through BB, let us grow, build up and encourage one another as His love continue to compel us. God bless!