In Christ Alone

Things so often do not go our way. People often disappoint and more often than not, things don’t quite work out the way we want them to. Invariably, we find ourselves complaining about such things. We are constantly absorbed in our personal issues and lives. Every day we hear of people complaining or ranting about their lives in some way, whether it has something to do with their family, friends, studies, personal issues – the list goes on and on.

Personally, I have become so accustomed to complaining and ranting about my personal issues that it has become absolutely normal. It has become a thing that I do every day. For instance, today itself I complained about my room being really dusty, the terrible traffic jam and the police road block on the way to uni, the lack of parking spaces when I reached uni, the jam on the way back from uni etc. I have become so preoccupied with myself that I have completely forgotten to be thankful for what God has blessed me with. Every day is a blessing and I take all He has given me for granted.

Last Sunday, the speaker spoke about the oppression of the people in Pakistan and how Barnabus fund was helping these people. I realized then how completely shallow I am. I felt more and more ashamed with every picture shown and story told. Here I am whining about my own petty problems when people are dying. Christians there are getting killed every day for what they believe in. They are getting jailed, shot and even burned alive. The speaker even showed us a map of “the United States of Islam”. The Muslims there have a World Islamic Mission in which they plan for the whole world to be Islamized within the 21st century!

The speaker also told us the story of Shahbaz Bhatti, Islamabad's minister for minorities, who was assassinated outside his home. Bhatti was a Christian and he was speaking out for what he believed in. This is a video of him hours before he was assassinated.



The Armor of God

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

10

In Christ alone
I place my trust
And find my glory in the power of the cross
In every victory
Let it be said of me
My source of strength
My source of hope
Is Christ alone

There are so many things happening around us that we sometimes don’t notice because we are too busy with ourselves. So, just a reminder for us to keep persevering.

Let’s run this race and keep our focus on what matters most. God bless!

- Phoebe Lim

Image taken from:
http://bigthink.com/ideas/21246
http://www.menscosmo.com/tips-on-overcoming-a-breakup/

God's Sovereignty

You probably know by now that life doesn’t always go our way. But the funny thing about us is that no matter how much we know that statement is true, we still live our lives as if we’re in total control. So, when things don’t go our way we immediately start to flip out, at least that’s what I do. However, God in His merciful ways makes certain things happen in our lives for our own good and we have to always keep that in mind.

Ever since I was 16, I was very sure about my future plans in terms of what I was going to study. My plans went on relatively smooth till it came time to apply to go overseas for my third year. You see for the past two years, I worked really hard to make sure I had good grades so that I’ll be able to go to a more prestigious university.


Well, things didn’t really go my way. Due to circumstances I had no choice but to apply to the university that was at the bottom of my list. To be honest I was quite bitter about it and was drowning myself in self-pity. Being the emotional person that I am, I made sure everyone around me knew how dissatisfied I was. Which is incredibly unfair to them and it really made them disappointed and angry with me. I really did not know how to deal with my emotions and looking back now I was behaving rather childishly.

Jeremiah 29:11 tells us this:

11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

The thing is we never know what God has in store for us but rest assured that whatever happens in our lives is beautifully designed by Him to build us up for His Kingdom. God wants nothing but the best for us. Even when you feel that the whole world is crumbling down around you, remember that God is always with us therefore we should fear nothing.

Philippians 4:4 also says:

4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!

As for my emotion-driven behaviour, through this experience I learned that whenever I feel angry or overwhelmed by things that happen around me; I stop and seek God in prayer to keep me calm. Because you can never think straight when you are overwhelmed by your own emotions. When I seek God, I realized that a sense of peace is in me, at the same time God also teaches me to trust Him more. Most importantly I learned to rejoice in Him and be thankful despite of the unfavourable circumstances. Note the word ‘always’ in Philippians 4:4.

I know that my predicament at that time may not be as serious as the trials other people had or have to go through. But this experience reminded me to keep my eyes on God and realize that ultimately God is in control of my life. I do not know right now what God’s plan is for me but I am confident that in His time he will make all things beautiful!

- Xin-Yi

Images taken from:

http://www.geograph.ie/photo/22053
http://creative.ly/search/q/pinay?size=normal
http://www.gospeltemplemissionarybaptist.org/We_Believe.html