A God of Faithfulness and Justice

If you could recall my writings on the 9th of November and 9th of December 2010, you will know that I went through some troubles at work. I just want to say our God is forever good, just and faithful.

For the one month that I prayed for justice, God has indeed answered the cry of my heart. At the same time, I also have got a better job offer and won a competition before I leave my current company. It is true what was sung by Moses in Deuteronomy 32:3-4 (New King James Version), which also are the lyrics from the song 38 from Spectrum of Praise Songbook.

Deuteronomy 32:3-4 (New King James Version)

3 For I proclaim the name of the LORD:
Ascribe greatness to our God.
4 He is the Rock, His work is perfect;
For all His ways are justice,
A God of truth and without injustice;
Righteous and upright is He.
Song 38 Ascribe Greatness
Ascribe Greatness to our God, the Rock,
His work is perfect and all His ways are just.
Ascribe greatness to our God, the Rock,
His work is perfect and all His ways are just.

A God of faithfulness and without injustice,
Good and upright is He;
A God of faithfulness and without injustice,
Good and upright is He.

I thank God for bringing my mentor to help me with the mock interview questions that gave me enough confidence in my interviews. I thank God that brothers & sisters-in-Christ were praying and helping me to cope with stress before I went for interviews. I also thank God that this coming job came to me so speedily and met my requirements after just 4 or 5 interviews AND guess what? My new direct superior has also allowed me to get unpaid leave from work to go to March retreat!

However, there’s many more challenges will come my way as I start work next month. Of course, I will need to continue to pray that God’s protection and wisdom as God promised in James 1:5 (New King James Version)

5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.

In closing, I just want to present this song to our Saviour who is our life, strength and hope.

My life is in You, Lord My strength is in You, Lord My hope is in You, Lord In You, it's in You My life is in You, Lord My strength is in You, Lord My hope is in You, Lord In You, it's in You I will praise You with all of my life I will praise You with all of my strength With all of my life With all of my strength All of my hope is in You My life is in You, Lord My strength is in You, Lord My hope is in You, Lord In You, it's in You My life is in You, Lord My strength is in You, Lord My hope is in You, Lord In You, it's in You In You, it is in You!

May I shine for Christ even at my coming workplace and May God aid me. Cheers

- Yit Mun

Images taken from:
http://chewningjourney.blogspot.com/2008_06_01_archive.html
http://mapledreamsindia.blogspot.com/

A Change In Me

Why don't i see a change in me?

Sometimes some Christians wonder why there is no change or maybe very little change in them. The testimonies they hear from other Christians sound so touching and powerful like how much Christ changed their lives totally and renewed them. They even wonder has Christ even entered their lives when they prayed the sinner's prayer!

I came across someone really dear to me who said the same thing and all i asked her was this question,

"have you been obeying?"

She was speechless.

She does all the routine of what a "basic" Christian normally do. She goes to prayer meetings, Sunday morning worship and even her own cell group. But she said she sees no change in herself at all compared to who she was before she accepted Christ.

"But how do you hear God's will and command to follow and obey?" she gently protested.

"Well, it goes by in several ways, where has God placed you? Who do you come across? Do you feel promptings and urges in your heart? If you do, have you ever asked God, is that you?" I questioned in return.

She started thinking and she said "Well..there is this lady..."

And then she started to tell stories about people around her who were unaccepted, rejected and even hated because of their undesirable behaviour.

I decided to allow her to answer herself what God would've wanted her to do and what His will would've been by asking,

"What did God says about us treating our enemies?"

Her face immediately told me that she knew what i meant and it was to "love them". And that was her part to find out how God wants her to love them. Most Christians stop at noticing but never acted upon it with obedience and hence leading their spiritual life to death.

"Faith is taking God's at His word and acting upon His promises"

quoted from the book "transformed temperaments" by Tim Lahaye

Yes, you act upon in full obedience, it's not the question of whether you feel like you can't do it or you're afraid. You do it in faith that God will keep His promises as you do your part in His calling and command for you.

Do you think there will be a change now?

Though don't expect a disparity overnight because some people take a longer time to place their trust and faith in God while some can do it within a shorter time due to their spiritual maturity. But the following steps are extremely important and it's to feed yourself with spiritual food - God's word.

Have you ever complained that you hate going to the table 3 times a day to feed your growling stomach?

Now let me rephrase the question.

How many times have you complained that you need to do quiet time every morning and being forced to fast and meditate when it's organized by the church? (noticed that i already assumed that you've complained)



Just like when you refuse to eat, you'll die out of starvation.

Likewise when you refuse to feed your spiritual life with God's word and spend time building an intimate relationship with Him, your spiritual life dies as well. And you'll find yourself harder to obey His commands and calling and you'll eventually give up and burn out.

Why?

John 15:5

"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing."

" apart from me you can do nothing."

I know that sometimes we have been studying for long hours, been to many tuitions, spent countless hours on homework and assignments and the next logical step on a free time is to be relaxing with entertainment and hang outs with friends.

While those things may be very attractive and fun to do, but can those things be compared to the joy of witnessing your friend to the saving knowledge of who Christ is and how much Christ will be changing your friend?

Can it be compared to the fact that your life is now full of eternal purpose, without meaningless frustration, anger and bitterness to one another and ultimately to yourself?

Can it be compared witnessing a miracle happening right in your own life?

The change in you can only start with one and only way, which is the choice of obeying His word. And of course, making Him your number one priority :)

- Gary Heng

Pictures are taken from :

http://william-suppressedtruth.blogspot.com/2010_07_01_archive.html
http://udleditions.cast.org/GLOSSARY,how_coyote_stole_fire,speechless.html#S
http://indradestianaputra.blogspot.com/2009/11/alone-18november2009-0125-am.html
http://www.flickr.com/photos/spursfan_ace/2328879637/
http://www.eyesofenhance.com/index/manifesto-38-why-complain-
http://faznaamat.blogspot.com/2009_01_01_archive.html

Wisdom

"Wisdom is not the comprehension of abstract principles or profound truths so much as it is the capacity to respond to the developments around us with strength, to have the skills to embrace change and new challenges with ingenuity and to become mature emotionally through difficult setbacks and disappointments."

Quoted from Courage & Calling by Gordon T.Smith.

Let's not be reckless in seeking wisdom as some of us has the tendency of picking up quotes from random public figures to suit our liking and float our boats. Forget not, who can compare their wisdom to the Lord?

For the Lord gives wisdom;
from his mouth come knowledge and understanding;
he stores up sound wisdom for the upright;
he is a shield to those who walk blamelessly,
guarding the paths of justice
and preserving the way of his faithful ones.

Then you will understand righteousness and justice
and equity, every good path;
for wisdom will come into your heart,
and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul;
prudence will watch over you;
and understanding will guard you

Proverbs 2:6-11

How do you deal with setbacks and disappointments? How do you deal with conflicts and friction with others?

Think about your current life. Whether you're a student in school, or the oldest in the family. Reflect on the relationships you have or problems and challenges still not being solved.

When things go wrong and you become all bitter and upset, be honest, have you seek the Lord with all your heart, mind and soul for wisdom? In His Word and prayer? Or do we turn to wordly songs and quotes, just to make ourselves "feel" better about it and have a "I don't wanna care anymore" attitude?

Wisdom can also be obtained from those who are more spiritually mature as the Lord may speak through them. But you've got to be sure who you're speaking to as to know how grounded they are in the Word as well as the fruits they produced for the Lord!

This is where it makes the difference. If we ought to be salt and light to the world - do ponder carefully about this.

God bless,
daryl 's u n d a e' heng

Images taken from:
http://franklinchurchofchrist.com/?p=3315

Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is

Many of my friends have asked me about my Christian faith as a religion. I always correct them by telling them how it’s a relationship with God and how I now live for Him. But when I look back at my life, it does not always seem to be that way.

I feel complacency, or in my case procrastination, is the main cause of stagnant-ness in our walk. We keep putting things off or tell ourselves “its only a small thing what” or “once in a while won’t hurt much”. And then we go around telling people how we live for God and how they should too. We live as though Christ does not.

I just want to urge you guys to take a step back to ponder upon your walk with God. Has it been silent for a while? Has it been getting warmer? Colder maybe? Life in the city often is fast paced and going with the flow of things often happens. So just a reminder to stay focused in this race that you have been called out to.

Philipians 3:12b - 14:

.. but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Peace =)

- Alex Tan

Images taken from:
http://davidwarkentin.blogspot.com/2010/09/last-thing-in-world-id-want-is-personal.html
http://tha-come-up.blogspot.com/2011/01/stay-focused.html