The Gift of Grace

Faith, is the gift of grace. It's is the eye from God, to see God as Father, to know Him as a covenant God, to experience His love planted in us. It's is the grace of union. It casts our anchor upwards to where we trust. It tells us what our senses do not, but not the contrary of what they see, is just above.

A childlike faith, faith that can move mountain, faith that holds on no matter what. To know this Faith, one has to know the Giver of Faith - God.

"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." Hebrews 11:1 (NIV) or the New Living Translation says:

"Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see."

Faith is accompanied by confidence. The assurance.

It is believing and certain that the sun will rise in the morning despite the whacking thunderstorm in the night. It's believing that the raging sea waters will calm when the wind stops.

Someone once said, faith is not believing that God can, it is knowing that He will. It is not knowing what the future holds, but knowing who holds the future. God it is.

Unwavering faith in God gives us the strength to believe that God will bring it to past, that He will deliver, that He will fulfill his promises, that He is coming soon.

So, never let our faith slumber or sleep. For when it sleeps, our heart is fount of every loathsome desire, accumulating lusts, growing the deadly fruit and walking away from God. We are losing life.

So awake my Faith, put forth your strength until all heaven fills my soul, till I see You.

The Constant Grace

God enables us to make it, no matter what. God's unfailing grace is ever ready to pick us up. Never inadequate, never ever depleted. It won't run out. No expiry date, will not rotten. It can carry us to as far as we believe in God.

It is not depending on our own adequacy, but God's sufficiency. Is the old Paul adequate? Yet God chose him. Therefore Paul can really say it out loud, applicable to all of us that,

But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. ~ 2 Corinthians 12:9

In our weakness we see God's overwhelming grace that sustains us.

God's grace saves us, directs us, guides us, hears our cry and carries our burdens and sorrows, provides all our needs, keeps us going, and never leaves us alone.

Therefore, can man give us grace like God?

Knowing Christ can fill our inadequacy is the greatest comfort and encouragement. For that, we do not need to rely on ourselves, knowing that no matter how hard we try, if we rely on our own might and strength, we can fail. But think in the way that Christ is equal to any task that we face. Nothing is too big, or too small for His grace to handle.

So convince me, that I cannot be my own God, or make myself happy, nor my own Christ to restore my joy, nor my own Spirit to teach, guide, rule me.

Convince me, that if I venture forth alone I will stumble and fall, but on Your arms I am firm as the eternal hills.

So, be my strength to stand, my light to see, my feet to run, my shield to protect, my sword to repel, my sun to warm.

All I need is your constant grace. ♥

Lesson derived from Mortar

5/12

We must have unity, not at all costs, but at all risks.

"Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken." Ecclesiastes 4:12

As a QS student, I have the opportunity to learn the different types of materials used in construction. I am often amazed by the chemical reactions between different elements, the study of matter, motion, energy, strength ... and how A + B produces an end product that is way stronger or durable than A alone or B alone. From that, many principles that are applicable to life and even to Christianity can be derived.

Bricks have smoother surface but not stone. Constructing a stone wall takes more effort than putting a brick wall together. Stones rarely have flat sides, often come in voids or "defects" here and there. Builder uses mortar to bind a bunch of irregularly shaped stones together. Yet, the deformities contribute to a stronger bonding than the smooth surfaced bricks. Mortar, magically acts as the mediator, the substance to unite the indifferent stones together.

Likewise, Christians need mortar too. All of us are imperfect, unshaped in different ways, that sometimes the differences are just too extreme to surmount. Even though we are dear brothers and sisters in Christ, but at times we can find ourselves at loggerheads, dissensions take place or fading relationships appear as time goes by. There's always a thousand and one reason that we can easily wrong another fellow believer, as a result, relationships turn hostile.

We all need mortar. The ultimate mortar is Christ Jesus. But in Him, we can find a wide array of elements that are able to bind broken relationships and to ease the tension. Love, forgiveness, kindness, goodness, self-control, gentleness ... Above all, the mortar of Love can sum up all that we need.

"And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony." ~ Colossians 3:13-14

A layer of mortar can heal the bumps, fill up the gaps and with a layer of paint a stone wall can look even more fabulous.

A layer of love, with the right quantity and quality is all that we need to build a better world. A right Mortar Ratio Mix incurs 1 part of Cement, 6 parts of sand and 1 part of lime. Then, how much of love is enough? Is it the more the better?

"Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins." 1 Peter 4:8.

Love goes beyond. Love compels. Love overwhelms. Love is a verb.

Someone once said, factions always breed fractions. The Churches of Christ should stand united till the second coming of Jesus, relating to the prayer of Christ:

"“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me." John 17:20-23

Why then, should we allow cultural differences, languages, backgrounds, personal interests and practices to widen the already existing gap caused by our very own imperfection?

We have something to do, to stir the wind of change, to impact the world, but it all starts from building up unity among the brothers and sisters in our small group setting, then church, then across the churches regardless of the denominations, then over the whole world.

"Be united with other Christians. A wall with loose bricks is not good. The bricks must be cemented together." ~ Corrie Ten Boom

One God. One Faith. One Baptism. Arise and be united.

Pride vs Deficiencies

So let go, let God break the stained glass masquerade into pieces, and in exchange, receive a transparent heart.

It's natural human tendency to pretend we are strong and alright even though our inner world might be crashing down.

We want to cover, we want to hide. We try and strive to project a stainless image. We don't want others to see our blemishes. It will be worse if we try so hard to be a Jekyll and Hyde. Sometimes we are just trying too hard, that we hate ourselves for failing, for messing up, when our weaknesses resurfaced. We want people to see the good side of us, trying to be perfect.

Pride is torturing us, little do we realize we have become a slave to our own pride. Pride is drifting us too far that comments are unacceptable. Advises are intolerable. We become defensive. We think our own reflection and evaluation are more accurate. We misquote the Scripture to say " Who are you to judge me? " It's our pride against our very own deficiencies.

John Newton threw a good statement there. Open our eyes and see the truth. Humility takes us to greater heights. We ought to remind ourselves we are not seeking the approval from men but God alone. God knows our inner self, our failures, our weaknesses, our deficiencies.

I learn not to be ashamed of my our weaknesses and incapability. As a traveler, I learn to admit "Erm, I can't do it." "Sorry I don't know about that." I am willing to learn.

How can I learn the value of humility that Christ has when I only allow the world to see my strength and not my weakness? How can I ever enhance and strengthen my deficiencies if others are not allowed to intervene?

I learned the hard way in my teenage years that it's frustratingly tiring to keep covering up, pretending that I am better, I am alright, I am strong when I am not.

Learning to say Sorry or to admit our Weakness isn't easy, but by saying that, we are one step towards humility and one step away from pride. He gives grace to the humble, opposes the proud.

The Scripture assures us that God's mercy and grace is new every single morning.

"Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." ~ Lamentations 3:22-23

2 Corinthians 12:10 - "That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong."

I realize how strong my God is when I am weak. When there is less of me, I see more of God.

Why then, shall we live like a stained glass masquerade?

So let go, let God break the stained glass masquerade into pieces, and in exchange, receive a transparent heart.

It doesn't matter if the glass is stained because if we are crowned with the helmet of humility, together with the strong support from the brothers and sisters in Christ and working through Christ, we can remove the stains. Man looks at the outward appearance, but God looks at the heart. So what counts?

Therefore, we rejoice for we have a great high priest where mercy, grace and help can be found. ♥

Yet I Sin

I know I am not perfect and I can never be. That's why I need a deliverer, a Saviour, a lover of my soul.

Temptations and sins surround me. They are lurking for victims. They are sneaky. I might be strong this minute, but can be totally devastated by the army of Satan in the next to come. Therefore I need a constant guide, a light that shines in the darkness, to protect me, to remind me, and to keep me at His bay. I have tasted the goodness, the mercy, the grace and yet a single slip is enough to destroy.

Again, when I truly gaze at the Cross and meditate the wood, my heart pains.

So this is my prayer. I will pray it everyday to remind myself and to remind the Satan that trying to evoke me. The God who lives in me is bigger than the one out in the world.

Eternal Father,

Thou art good beyond all though,

But I am vile, wretched, miserable, blind;

My lips are ready to confess,

but my heart is slow to feel,

and my ways reluctant to amend.

I bring my soul to thee;

break it, wound it, bend it, mould it.

Unmask to me sin's deformity,

that I may hate it, abhor it, flee from it.

My faculties have been a weapon of revolt against thee;

as a rebel I have misused my strength,

and served the foul adversary of thy kingdom.

Give me grace to bewail my insensate folly,

Grant me to know that the way of transgressors is hard,

that evil paths are wretched paths,

that to depart from thee is to lose all good.

I have seen the purity and beauty of thy perfect law,

the happiness of those in whose heart it reigns,

the calm dignity of the walk to which it calls,

yet I daily violate and contemn its precepts.

Thy loving Spirit strives within me,

brings me Scripture warnings,

speaks in startling providences,

allures by secret whispers,

yet I choose devices and desires to my own hurt,

impiously resent, grieve, and provoke him to abandon me.

All these sins I mourn, lament, and for them cry pardon.

Work in me more profound and abiding repentance;

Give me the fullness of a godly grief that trembles and fears,

yet ever trusts and loves,

which is ever powerful, and ever confident;

Grant that through the tears of repentance

I may see more clearly the brightness

and glories of the saving Cross.

From the Valley of Vision

Only One Life

“Two little lines I heard one day,
Traveling along life’s busy way;
Bringing conviction to my heart,
And from my mind would not depart;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, yes only one,
Soon will its fleeting hours be done;
Then, in ‘that day’ my Lord to meet,
And stand before His Judgement seat;
Only one life,’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, the still small voice,
Gently pleads for a better choice
Bidding me selfish aims to leave,
And to God’s holy will to cleave;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, a few brief years,
Each with its burdens, hopes, and fears;
Each with its clays I must fulfill,
living for self or in His will;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

When this bright world would tempt me sore,
When Satan would a victory score;
When self would seek to have its way,
Then help me Lord with joy to say;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Give me Father, a purpose deep,
In joy or sorrow Thy word to keep;
Faithful and true what e’er the strife,
Pleasing Thee in my daily life;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Oh let my love with fervor burn,
And from the world now let me turn;
Living for Thee, and Thee alone,
Bringing Thee pleasure on Thy throne;
Only one life, “twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, yes only one,
Now let me say,”Thy will be done”;
And when at last I’ll hear the call,
I know I’ll say “twas worth it all”;
Only one life,’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last. ”

~ C.T. Studd

For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul? For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done. (Matthew 16:26-27)

Only one life. How should I live it?

About

September has been a really tight month and I barely caught myself a breather. Thank God for sustaining me. Thank God for His unfailing mercy and grace upon me. Last weekend marked another record as I spent 12 hours at church, being given the privilege to serve along with the Youth Band in the morning and afternoon church anniversary celebration service where realistically speaking I am no longer a youth anymore :P

Just a few thoughts that I gathered along the past few weeks that I didn't manage to pen them down.

About Change

We always initiate Change for a better. Change of lifestyle, change of habit, change of sleeping pattern, change of new gadgets ... We always Restructure for the better. Restructure of administrative system, restructure of human resources in a company, restructure of departments ... The question is, will change and restructure always result in something better? Recently the cell groups in my university decided to birth forth a new cell group after much prayers. Different ones were approached and taken to form the new group. Some were reluctant at first but they acknowledged the importance and purpose so they availed themselves. At the same time, some leaders or key players of each group left for respective reasons. As the leadership team shrunk, new coordinators were given the batons to take charge and lead. The split was meant for radical multiplication, but many groups have since then, growing smaller and smaller. Culture within the group (the one that I attend) has gradually changed, it is different right now. New visitors came but most of them did not stay long. Some didn't want to commit, on and off. Some came to know Christ but sad to say, haven't been seeing some for a season of time. I wished they would have stayed, perhaps there are issues to deal with or perhaps, the follow-up system ought to be polished. I once thought, didn't it seem to be better and stronger before and not after the split? After all, I believe in the God-given authority within the leadership team. The season has not been performing well, the split caused some to lose heart, but it's all for a good cause. I will just walk along and witness. I do what I can and to serve, though I don't have a say to change or impart something right now, I pray I can ignite something great to boost the gloom through the student movement next year on campus. That's my greatest resolution.

About Influence

Everyone has his/her own influence, in his/her unique way. Some are good at motivating and encouraging people, some's presence within a group setting can stir a big woo-wow, some are just natural born leaders where people will just willingly follow ... It has been a long season, if it is negative I will say a season of frustration and asking God WHY. But I am taking it positively, I might be restrained, refrained, kept in the shell but thus far I have opted to use the space and time I have to meet and greet as many people as I can, trying my best to be a living testimony. I slip into many groups with the intention to know a wide array of people and to find the little hole which I can bless, impart, encourage, and ultimately to point them closer and closer to Christ the chief cornerstone. My prayer is that they do not need to remember me or what I have done, but Christ. I am bold enough to say I love every group, I love my neighbour, I just want to extend what I can do and offer to beyond my house. I hope people understand that. After all, I want to be a Godly influence. I was told I might not be given the position, but I can disciple people as I go. Recognition doesn't matter.

About Lukewarm

Sometime I just couldn't figure out how people can choose to snuggle underneath their warm blanket, stay in their comfort zone and be pathetic. What does it mean to Deny oneself, Take up the Cross and Follow Christ? How much have we endured? Just a smooth ever sailing life? NO WAY! The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Only if all can contribute and strive for the Kingdom, I can't imagine the magnitude of power we can generate as Christ Ambassadors. So, don't just taste the grace and do nothing. Buckle up and do something! If not, be reminded that God can easily deny us when we reach the heaven's door.