Sunday 19 July 2009

eternity in a cab

i woke up early on Friday, but still ended up taking a cab to teach.

It was mainly due to the fact i changed my outfit, which needed ironing. I decided to take a cab because it was too late to take the mrt and bus, so i slowed my pace down, decided to wear my highest heels, and packed an extra pair of shoes in case my feet started hurting.

I turned the lock, then reached into my bag to check that i had my keys. That took me a few seconds. When i turned back again to the door, i forgot that i was supposed to unlatch the chain, and just yanked the door open. The whole latch came off the door and hung by the hook. I gave a yelp. Oh no! i had to confess to hubby who was still sleeping. Deciding to sms him first, and then speak to him after the lesson, i went out.

In the lift, i took a deep breath, smsed an apology to hubby about the latch (he has to get it replaced, you see) and decided to focus on the Lord. This is still a good day. I began to pray and praise Him. I got a cab easily within a couple of minutes as usual (mainly due to the location of my home, and of course the blessing of the Lord). When i got in, i gave instructions to the cab driver regarding destination and which way to go. He kindly suggested another route. I agreed.

As we reached the expressway, he began to hum and sing along with the Mandarin 'oldies' that was playing. I was distracted by the music, but at the same time, impressed he could remember all the lyrics and began to compliment him on his singing, together with the fact that he was so relaxed driving in the morning traffic. I had begun the trip wanting just to relax and pray in the cab, but sensed the Holy Spirit leading otherwise. We began to chat in Mandarin, and in my heart, i was praying for an opportunity to speak to him about Jesus.

As we left the expressway, i saw Trinity Christian Church and pointed it out as a landmark i recognised. He asked me whether i attended the church. I said that i had friends who did. He then deduced i was a Christian and began to quote John 3:16, first in Mandarin, then in English. I became really excited, and wanted to know where he had learnt it from. But i had to wait till he finished quoting the verse in both languages, complete with reference!! :D

From an exercise book, he said, and went on to explain that he had a friend who was a teochew pastor. I asked him why he did not believe. His opinion was that all religions are the same. Not really, i ventured, pointing out the difference in a believer's relationship with the Lord, our heavenly Father. He insisted that every religion teaches people to do good. But as Christians, i explained, it becomes possible to do good because of what Jesus did. He says he knows about all this, but had been put off by those who put down or spoke bad about other religions. I tried to defend these people by emphasizing their passion and thus they offended unintentionally, but he disagreed.

We were near my destination. He shared that he used to attend church and he likes the older hymns. He sang his favourite one in Mandarin, and i recognised the tune - What A Friend We Have In Jesus!

Wow...i was very touched. I wished for him to know God's love, and encouraged him to go to church and find out more, saying that God loves him. I would have said more, but i needed to alight.

Next time, i will take time to ask for prayer needs, and to pray for them there and then. It was a moment for eternity, and i needed to learn to take hold and make the most of it. This is what the Holy Spirit showed me to do.

I shared this brief encounter with my class. I believed that it was in God's plan for me to meet the cab driver. At the end of my lesson, we prayed for him and for others we knew personally who needed the Lord - that their eyes will be enlightened, and labourers would be sent along their path.

I believe with all my heart the cab driver and his family will know Jesus.

I believe that as i put distracting, temporal moments aside, which divert me from the purpose that God has for me, then only can i fully focus on moments with eternal impact.

Thursday 16 July 2009

the life i have now

Having said all that in the last post, i'd like to add that the life i have now is a good life. I believe Jesus came to give me life, and that i might have it abundantly.

I enjoy what i do, and am contented with what i have.

I was just referring to specific aspects of my life, and things i am still believing in God for.

His promise is always yes in Christ and in Him amen!!

Wednesday 15 July 2009

the life i want

I woke up for a few minutes in the middle of the night, so i started praising God and telling Him i love Him, focusing my attention on God instead of tossing and turning meaninglessly or fretfully.

Then, the Holy Spirit spoke to me about an aspect of a situation i have been dealing with. I decided to make adjustments.

Thereafter, i was drifting in and out of sleep. But each time, i was awake, i rehearsed in my mind, or whispered to myself:

I will no longer say: "this is not the life i want(ed)" about things that God promised, but i have not seen them being fulfilled in my life, yet.

I will say: "My life is lived according to His plan and purpose and will for me".

Saying that former statement expressed slight self-pity i was not aware of until now, and that is not healthy, not glorifying to God. Saying that statement expressed frustration and that is not faith.

The latter statement expresses faith - I believe, i confess, i receive His promises. This is the kind of life i want to live.

Thursday 9 July 2009

more on revolutionary counterculture

I woke up this morning with the term, revolutionary counterculture, on my lips.

Then the Holy Spirit alerted me to 1 Peter 2:9
But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;

Jesus came to make a difference. He revolutionised the world at that time by introducing a new concept of intimacy with God, whom He called "Father". He showed the disciples how to pray by addressing God as Heavenly Father.

Jesus demonstrated the heart of Abba Father when he healed the sick, the lame, the blind, the deaf, the mute, and the broken-hearted. He was tender towards the children, compassionate towards the people of God without a shepherd (spiritual leader), loving towards the physically hungry.

His power and authority displayed in the way he spoke and taught, Jesus amazed the spiritually 'empty' leaders of that time with his wisdom and boldness. He saw beyond their superficial practises into their hearts.

We are called to be His disciples. As born-again believers, God placed in us the Holy Spirit, full of power and glory, so that we can do the same works, and even greater works, because of the sheer numbers that we can form.

Brennan Manning understood this when he concluded that the Work of the Kingdom is not to be carried out by individuals here and now. We can never accomplish this vast work of bringing many souls into the kingdom of God by ourselves.

Instead, we are to proclaim His praises, His excellencies as a generation, a priesthood, a nation, a people. He chose us, and because He called us, He gives us His gifts and His grace to enable us. We are royal, His very own children, belonging to His family, joint heirs with Jesus Christ - this means we have a position and an inheritance. We are seated in the heavenly places in Christ, and are thus able to see things from a high perspective. Moreover the inheritance given to us is unprecedented and unsurpassed - whatever Jesus has, we have, being joint heirs with the Son.
We are holy, even as our heavenly Father is holy, a people set apart for Him and His purpose. Because of Jesus Christ, we are made the righteousness of God. From that position of righteousness, we are able to follow the ways of the Lord and live holy lives. As a special people belonging to the Lord, we walk out His divine plan, fulfilling His divine purpose - TOGETHER.

We form a counterculture when we boldly walk out the truths in God's word, not conforming to the world, but even as we are transformed, other lives are impacted FOREVER.

Romans 12:2
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

A counterculture is formed by a people daring to be different, not for the sake of being different, but because the God-kind of life placed in our spirits is flowing out. Jesus was that kind of a person. God in Him made Him different. He drew controversy not because he liked or enjoyed it - in fact, it could have pained him - but because He spoke the truth, inevitably stepping on the toes of tradition and meaningless rituals. However, he was unfazed by the accusations and criticisms when He knew that He was following God. He did and said what He saw and heard His Father do or say.

It is time for us to look beyond ourselves.
It is time for walls of indifference - in ourselves, in the church - to crumble.
It is time for to live out who we are in Christ.

Wednesday 8 July 2009

revolutionary counterculture

My pastor quoted from Brennan Manning in her sermon last Sunday and what struck me was Manning's vision of how the Kingdom of God should be served and advanced.

"If we dared to live beyond our self-concern, if we refused to shrink from being vulnerable, if we took nothing but a compassionate attitude toward the world, if we were a counterculture to our nation's lunatic lust for pride of place, power and possessions, if we preferred to be faithful rather than successful, the walls of indifference to Jesus Christ would crumble.

A handful of us could be ignored by society, but hundreds, thousands, millions of servants would overwhelm the world. ... The call of Jesus Christ is revolutionary. If implemented, we would change the world in a few months."

Pastor went on to say that all believers are called to be priests, dedicating our entire lives to serving God. We are not to be concerned with our own lives alone, or our individual projects, but with the concerns of His Kingdom and His Church.
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