How Christ Has Changed The Way I See Everything

Let us start living the way Christ held his hand out and called us to live.

This is what a true Christian, a Son of God, a Citizen of Heaven, a person whom Christ is not ashamed to call His Brother, will see things.


The Christian Will See,

Himself unworthy of anything, hence Giving Thanks to God in everything.

Himself the chief of sinners, hence earnestly seeking Forgiveness from his Saviour.

Himself least in the Kingdom of Heaven, hence looking upon himself with sober judgment, not judging others, but living humbly.

Himself weak and needing, hence looking to the Lord for Strength and sustenance.

Himself with a heart, broken and contrite, hence surrendering everything to his Lord.



Himself as a part of a great family in God, hence treating all his fellow Brothers and Sisters in Christ with loving kindness.

Himself as a steward of God's Love, hence treating all people, whether good or bad, poor or rich, famous or needy, with love and care.

Himself as a servant with an ultimate Master in Heaven, hence treating all his subordinates with kindness, his superiors with respect.

Himself as a Citizen of Heaven, hence living life on earth not for living's sake, but in preparation of soul, mind and heart for the dwelling above.

Himself as a heir to God's promise, hence storing for himself riches in heaven, and not pursuing materialism on earth, serving God, and not money.


But More importantly, the Christian will see,

God watching over him continuously, with Love, with Grace, and with a sadness whenever the Christian chooses to sin against God; because he knows God is looking, and that God cares, he will follow in the imitation of Christ's righteousness.


And Most importantly, the Christian will see,

Christ Jesus hanging upon the Cross of Calvary, stretching his hands out in agony, and with a faint smile and tears in his eyes, tells the Christian: "I love you this much. I chose to save you. I died so that you may live."






Let us start living the way Christ held his hand out and called us to live.

"Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;

And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;

In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:

In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit."

Ephesians 2:19-22

Weekly Memory Verse(s)

This is what the Lord says:
"Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom
or the strong man boast of his strength
or the rich man boast of his riches,
but let him who boasts boast about this:
that he understands and knows me,
that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness,
justice and righteousness on earth,
for in these I delight,"
declares the Lord.
JEREMIAH 9:23-24

God-Confidence, not Self-Confidence

Matthew 5:3 Says:
"Blessed are the Poor in Spirit,
For theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven."

The World tells us that the solution to life's problems lies in Self-Reliance, Self-esteem, Self-confidence that you have the power and the potential to accomplish whatever you set out to do.

But what does Poor in Spirit mean? It refers to a state of recognition of bankruptcy of self, which ultimately points to God.

When you admit that you suck, there are two roads for you to go down to. The first, well, is the path set by the Devil.

Satan will tell you, "hey you stink, life sucks for you, nothing's going well, so feel sorry about yourself! Feel bad about it!!"

The second is the path of reliance on God. Yes, its true that you don't do well, and stuff, but Jesus has much to say about that!

Jesus tells you, "Hey my brother, I died for you. You are so important that I gave my life up for your sake! Rejoice!"

But he doesn't stop there.

Jesus doesn't tell you to trust in yourself. He doesn't tell you that you can do it if you believe in yourself and get some self-confidence going. No!

Jesus goes on to say, "You may be weak, but I'm strong. And I know how it feels like to struggle, cos I've gone through it like you . . ."

Hebrews 4: 15 says, "For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin."


" . . . and I'm willing to lend you my strength. Whether it has been a bad day or a good day, I'm going to lend you my strength."


Remember that when God told Moses to take his people out of Egypt and Moses complained about his inadequacies, God was angry,

Not because Moses felt that he himself was weak. No.

But because Moses, in his own weakness, overlooked the Strength, the Power, the Glory, the Majesty and the Almightiness of the Living God.

Let us not overlook God's strength in our lives. Indeed, to do that, let us pray that God will grant us a poor spirit and a contrite heart and a meekness of character.

Where is Harold ?

WEEKLY MEMORY VERSE(s)

But seek ye first the kingdom of God,and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Matthew 6:33

Well, since I just got to know about this blog, I guess I will post now before I have no more time to blog...

Today, my sharing will be on Luke 12: 22-34, "Do Not Worry"

Green Font: Verses

Blue Font: My Opinion

22Then Jesus said to his disciples: "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear.
Well, in my opinion, Jesus is telling us not to be worried about our lives on earth, but rather look forward to our lives in heaven where there is joy.

23Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes.

He also tells us in verse 23 that life is more important than food which (may) also mean our spirit because it is life that allows us to be God's messenger on Earth. Also, He mentioned to us that our bodies are more important than clothes as our bodies are temples of God so we may worship him anywhere we want. Therefore it also told us to take care of our health.

24Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! 25Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? 26Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?

27"Consider how the lilies grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 28If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith!

Here Jesus is emphasizing the reason why not to worry about needs for whom of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life. He also shows that we don't have to worry about our necessities as God has already provided ours. How can we be sure? Jesus quoted three example, if the ravens (birds) have no ability to sow or reap, and yet God feeds them, how much more will He feed you? This shows that Jesus is telling us that we should have faith in the Lord, and trusting him in giving us the necessities to live on our lives.

29And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. 30For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. 31But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.

Jesus in this verses is telling us not to worry about what you will have to eat for only the world seeks for food. As Christian, we need not worry as God we know that God will provide the necessities in order to carry out His will when seek His kingdom.

32"Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. 33Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. 34For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Lastly, for the last few versus, Jesus here tells not to be afraid as God willingly wants to give you his kingdom and therefore do not be afraid of whether he will allow you to His kingdom, for if you do things according to God's will, He will grant you His kingdom. He also tells us to donate, in this case, sell our possessions, to the poor as all our earthly possessions are only temporal and will be gone when we leave this world. Provide yourself a space in your hearts (purse that will not wear out) for a treasure in heaven will always remain. It will never and cannot be stolen or destroyed for your hearts will decide where your treasure will be. So, your "purse" will store your heavenly treasure when you have gain possessions of it.

1 Peter!

About 1st Peter: Hmm, let's see...
Peter was an apostle of Christ.
This letter was written amidst fierce persecution by the Roman Empire of the Christians.
Yes. It is a letter.
Written to the Christians, specifically to the cities of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia.

It is a book about suffering. Should persecuted Christians flee or resist? Should they tone down their outward signs of faith? Give up? Peter's readers, their lives being in danger, needed clear advice on suffering. They also needed explanations of the meaning of suffering. Why does God allow it? Can good result? Does God care? In short, they were asking questions that occur to any Christian who goes through great trial.1



But far more than just a book about suffering, 1 Peter is a book about assurance, an assurance of the power of the Gospel and the power of a person's identity as a Christian.



It also gives concrete content on the responsibilities and the life which a Christian ought to live out. Peter's guide to how Christians have to live their life, compressing practical actions and attitudes with strong doctrine and firm values of the Christian life into 5 chapters. Peter packs a punch.



Much of Peter's words can be cross-referenced with other books of the New Testament as well, an indication that what he was saying was very much stemming from the same Christ-like view which the other apostles such as Paul, James and John were assuaging. Examples are Hebrews 11, Ephesians 4, ya you get the idea.



Though focused on the issue of suffering, Peter gives much weight also to the way Christians should deal with life's struggles and the people around us which make up the essence of life itself.



And Peter's message is clear: your attitude should be like that of Christ, your holiness should be like that of God, your motivation should be focused upon your eternal reward, and your guide should be the Holy Spirit. This is both the essence of Christian life - no, all life on Earth as it is (on which we are strangers), and yes, life is full of struggles. But we know that God is here for us.


1: Adapted from notes by Philip Yancey and Tim Stafford from The Student Bible

Great that we can finally share our thoughts, our grievances, our troubles, our worries, our joys, our struggles, our thanksgivings, our prayers, and at times, our nonsense. . .
not only with each other, but with God and Christ Jesus our Lord as well!

Remember that although the Holy Spirit constantly guides us and ensures our sanctification, we still have to tell God how we feel about the things which happen around us; good or bad as we may perceive them, know that God has placed them in our paths for a purpose. Just as he creates and gives us each new day, we should also cherish each new day with him and share with him our thoughts and our lives. What more high-tech way to do it, than with a blog?

Alright. Enough said. From now on, let us not only pour ourselves unto God through prayers, actions and in the reading of his word. But let us offer our thoughts and blog entries to him as an act of worship, as we continue to surrender ourselves to him each day, be it bit by bit.