Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Matt 5:14,16" You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven."
I think being the "light" to your friends is already kind of difficult sometimes but He calls us to be a light OF THE WORLD. How intimidating does that sound?
err.. very?
How do i lead my life with that conviction and surety that i can lead it with a righteousness that shines and love which abounds to the people around me when i'm so imperfect? Sometimes i think its scary if people use little old sinful me to measure God's reputation. I'm simply not worthy.
But then, i'm greatly comforted by God's promise and grace for us and that He'll surely provide for us if He called us to be so.
Romans 4:17b
"He is our father in the sight of God, in whom he believed—the God who gives life to the dead and calls things that are not as though they were."
I'll always be his "work-in-progress".
And I'll be forgiven in the face of wrong decisions even though i may have to pay for the mistakes.
I'll always have someone at my back.
I'll always have someone who sees me " not as though i were."
That someone's name is Jesus.
And i'm thankful because He has set these hopes for me not because he wants to stress me or make me so nice that its fake.
But he truly believes that i will be able to live up to this promise.
This faith in me i'm not worthy of.
But because of his sacrifice, i can live this life of freedom and i rather live for Him.
Thank you for Your Grace and Mercy Jesus (: and i know you'll provide for me and be with me through this process.
I really want to live not only as a righteous man of God but to live out this value placed in my life.
NS Core Value
2. I will carry the message of the Cross
WITH MY LIFE! (:
And with all i have.
Amen (:
-- Cale (:
Sunday, July 27, 2008
"But John tried to deter him, saying," I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?"
Jesus replied,
" Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness."
Jesus replied,
" Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness."
right·eous 
[rahy-chuhs] Pronunciation Key –adjective
–noun
We usually see righteous from the meaning of the first 3 but i think it isn't accurate enough.
The Hebrew word for righteousness is tseh'-dek, tzedek, which comes from the root of upright, just, straight, innocent, true, sincere.
Why did Jesus submit to John when He had all authority? He is God. But He found it proper to be baptised by one lower than He is. But the amazing thing is Jesus accepted it. He treasured it above his stature. He respected John's authority instead of bringing in who he is.
Humility for the sake of righteousness.
I think i learnt a beautiful thing from this simple verse which caught me wondering and wondering. God cannot deny who He is and He treasures righteousness above Himself. I think that's a great comfort to me coz i know my God is not a God of whims who will conjure up random things coz he feels bu shuang! :P But it amazes me how Jesus humbles himself to live by righteousness despite everything else.
Righteousness is not simply just a set of morals or "doing what's right". because what is "right" is determined by Man. Who determines the ultimate values of "right"? And what is "right" in the first place?
I love Ms Shiang's definition of righteousness.
Christ-likeness or to live like Christ.
Because ultimately i know i'll never be able to put a word to being "right". But Jesus lived exactly how to live "right" without sin. And i think the person can express exactly what words can't.
And i hope to live like that.
After all, the NS Ministry's first Core Value:
[rahy-chuhs] Pronunciation Key –adjective | 1. | characterized by uprightness or morality: a righteous observance of the law. |
| 2. | morally right or justifiable: righteous indignation. |
| 3. | acting in an upright, moral way; virtuous: a righteous and godly person. |
| 4. | Slang. absolutely genuine or wonderful: some righteous playing by a jazz great. |
| . |
We usually see righteous from the meaning of the first 3 but i think it isn't accurate enough.
The Hebrew word for righteousness is tseh'-dek, tzedek, which comes from the root of upright, just, straight, innocent, true, sincere.
Why did Jesus submit to John when He had all authority? He is God. But He found it proper to be baptised by one lower than He is. But the amazing thing is Jesus accepted it. He treasured it above his stature. He respected John's authority instead of bringing in who he is.
Humility for the sake of righteousness.
I think i learnt a beautiful thing from this simple verse which caught me wondering and wondering. God cannot deny who He is and He treasures righteousness above Himself. I think that's a great comfort to me coz i know my God is not a God of whims who will conjure up random things coz he feels bu shuang! :P But it amazes me how Jesus humbles himself to live by righteousness despite everything else.
Righteousness is not simply just a set of morals or "doing what's right". because what is "right" is determined by Man. Who determines the ultimate values of "right"? And what is "right" in the first place?
I love Ms Shiang's definition of righteousness.
Christ-likeness or to live like Christ.
Because ultimately i know i'll never be able to put a word to being "right". But Jesus lived exactly how to live "right" without sin. And i think the person can express exactly what words can't.
And i hope to live like that.
After all, the NS Ministry's first Core Value:
1. I must live as a righteous man of God.
As i understand it better, i hope to be able to live it out as well. (:
Thank God for his provision today (:
Amen.
Thank God for his provision today (:
Amen.
Monday, July 07, 2008
I've decided to update after a long absence(:NS vision night was fruitful watching people respond to the calling and to the mission that we have been commissioned to do. To reach out to souls in every single camp out there. Outreach isn't something we do because we want to or just because we should do it, but because it is our commission, our birthright and our primary mission.
What if the Great Commission comes to pass tmr?
My schedule has been hectic with duties increasing and NDP setting in. Its been quite an exhausting experience though its only the start of July, i'm already praying that it'll end soon haha(: But if there's one thing which really makes me smile, its that i know God is moving in this. That i know in this period is when God will grow me the most and that He will move the most powerfully in!! Its quite amazing! I'm looking fwd to see what will happen! Especially with a lot of special events happening within the NS ministry as well.
I thank God for our new brothers, Han Jun, Pengjie and Wayne (i think, woops:P) because they've been a huge encouragement to the ministry! As we strain towards our goal, i think i slowly see how our batch of NS guys slowly find our common ground and strain towards God's goal for us! I really can't wait to see the miracles that He has in store for us!
Quoting Han Yang, " To see a revival, we must first see a revival in our hearts."
I want to see that revival! For people to look for God and in this week, i thank God for how the Holy Spirit has moved in the people around me and also made me aware to certain things which i want to change in (: The more i look around my camp and hope in the Spirit, the more i see people needing god, seeking God even though they don't really know it! Even though God says that bringing people to know Him will be an uphill task, but he promises that in perseverence of this good work will we be victorious in Him and to bring the fight down below!
I may be weary physically but i'm truly excited for the things that are about to come. I really want to thank God for my shepherd, Ding Chuen that altho he lived thorough all my complainy moments and through the times when we differed in opinions, his support and advice has been invaluable. This West ministry will grow! I want to claim this by faith! Because i believe that in this time God wants us to start claiming promises and not doubting them!
I can't wait to see the miracles and wonderful things that God will do in the days to come because as i grow in faith, i do not doubt that God will be able to use me all the better as well as to let His perfect plan flow through.
Heh as you can see the randomness of this post explains itself (: but oh well, more next time (: