When I say... "I am a Christian"

Lydia tagged me in her notes in FB and true enough it is one of the issues I've been struggling, which is even though I'm a Christian, I'm not perfect, I still need God in every way. It is really comforting when and after reading it. Hope it'll do the same to you too. Enjoy.

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not shouting "I'm clean livin'."
I'm whispering "I was lost,
Now I'm found and forgiven."

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I don't speak of this with pride.
I'm confessing that I stumble
And need Christ to be my guide.

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not trying to be strong.
I'm professing that I'm weak
And need His strength to carry on.

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not bragging of success.
I'm admitting I have failed
And need God to clean my mess.

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not claiming to be perfect,
My flaws are far too visible
But, God believes I am worth it.

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I still feel the sting of pain.
I have my share of heartaches
So I call upon His name.

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not holier than thou,
I'm just a simple sinner
Who received God's good grace, somehow!

Written by Maya Angelou

Groanings of the Spirit

Romans 8:26-28 says,

"And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness.
For example, we don't know what God wants us to pray for.
But the Holy Spirit prays for us
with groanings that cannot be expressed in words.
And the Father who know all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying,
for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God's own will.
And we know that God causes everything to work together
for the good of those who love God
and are called according to his purpose for them."

At times when troubles strike us till the point we don't even know how to face or even how to present it unto God, here it says that the Spirit interceeds for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words.

So take heed for those who feel helpless and clueless in times of difficulty for there is always help that is given unto us that we sometimes don't even realize. Therefore, trust the Lord always for God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.

Life's Principals

1 Timothy 6:11-16

But you, Timothy, are a man of God;
so run from all these evil things.
Pursue righteousness and a godly life, along with faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness.

Fight the good fight for the true faith.
Hold tightly to the eternal life to which God has called you,
which you have confessed so well before many witnesses.

And I charge you before God, who give life to all,
and before Christ Jesus,
who gave a good testimony before Pontius Pilate,

that you obey this command without wavering.
Then no one can find fault with you
from now until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again.

For at just the right time Christ will be revealed from heaven by the blessed and only almighty God,
the King of all kings and the Lord of all lords.

He alone can never die,
and he lives in light so brilliant
that no human can approach him.
No human eye has ever seen him, nor ever will.
All honour and power to him forever.
Amen!

Came across these verses during my QT last night. I've read these verses many times but somehow it seemed to give me a big impact last night. These verses will be the principals that I build my life on. Persevere through everything life throws at me, all for the sake of God's glory and honour.

May these verses speak to you as they did to me.

True Love

Elephant Love Medley

All you need is love.
A girl has got to eat.

All you need is love.
Or she'll end up on the streets.

All you need is love.
Love is just a game.

I was made for loving you baby, you were made for loving me.
The only way of loving me baby, is to pay a lovely fee

Just one night, gimme, just one night.
There's no way, cause you can't pay.

In the name of love, one night in the name of love.
You crazy fool, I won't give in to you.

Don't leave me this way, I can't survive, without your sweet love.
Oh baby, don't leave me this way.
You'd think that people would have had enough of silly love songs.

I look around me and I see, it isn't so, oh no.
Some people want to fill the world with silly love songs.

Well what's wrong with that, I'd like to know? Cause here I go again!

Love lifts us up where we belong, where eagles fly, on a mountain high.
Love makes us act like we are fools, throw our lives away for one happy day.

We could be heroes, just for one day.
You, you will be mean.

No I won't!
And I, I--I'll drink all the time.

We should be lovers.
We can't do that.

We should be lovers, and that's a fact.
Though nothing, will keep us together.

We could steal time...
Just for one day.

We could be heroes, for ever and ever.
We could be heroes, for ever and ever. We could be heroes...

Just because I will always love you.
I can't help loving you.

How wonderful life is,
when you're in my world.

Just a random song that I picked, not because of the lyrics but it's just the song itself that i simply like. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TaqYgWc8-vs

Much love and joy surrounds this day but in reality, is it true? Today will be like a dream to many and tomorrow, everything will fall back into reality. Today will be a day to remember our loved ones, whether they are still with us or not. Cherish the times with your loved ones today, with family, life partners or simply with fellow friends.

In all the love you give and receive today, let us not forget the one true love in our heart, God the Father. It is written in the famous verse John 3:16 that 'For God so love the world that He gave His only Son. That whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.' As we channel our love to the people around us, remember, there is a greater love that surrounds us, God's love.

May you continue to love God always as He has loved you all the days of your life.

Peter vs. Judas

At the most recent Sunday, I suddenly had a little insight from God on what I last posted.

Just a little info, I attend Whispering Hope (preaching point of Emmanuel Methodist Church) every Sunday. We're currently doing a study on the book of Mark.

So here's where I got the little 'insight'. In Mark 3, Jesus appointed His 12 disciples, the order begins with Simon (Peter) and ending with Judas Iscariot. Uncle Sam shared with us that this 2disciples of Jesus had 1 thing in common. They both betrayed Jesus. Peter denied Jesus 3 times while Judas 'sold' and plotted Jesus' death with the pharisees. I'm not comparing the severeness of the 2 different betrayal but instead what did Peter and Simon did after they realize they betrayed Jesus, the innocent man.

After Peter had realized that he denied Jesus 3 times when the cockerel crowed, he was shocked that what Jesus prophesied that Peter thought would never happen took place when Peter denied Jesus 3 times when the roosted crowed for the second time. Peter broke down and wept in grief because he knew he had betrayed or denied the Son of God. The bible did not speak much on what Peter did after he realized his wrong doings but I assume he would have prayed to God and ask for forgiveness. Later, before Jesus' went back to be with the Father, He asked Peter, "Do you love me?", not once but 3 times. For all the 3 times Peter answered, "You know I love You."

In Judas' case, he suddenly came to his senses that he had betrayed an innocent man. Jesus was not only an innocent man, but Jesus was Judas' teacher, the person Judas vowed to follow and obey. When Judas had realized, he ran to the pharisees to return the 30 pieces of silver for which was given to him for handing Jesus over to the pharisees. The pharisees ignored and told Judas it was all too late. Judas lost his way and went on to hang himself.

The difference between Peter and Judas that I want to share is that Peter turn to God when he knew he was wrong while Judas turn to man when he knew he was wrong. What would have happened if Judas turn to God to ask for forgiveness instead of running back to the pharisees? On the other hand, Peter repented and went on to become a great disciple of God.

Relating back to my previous post, we have fallen short of God's glory many times in our lives. But it is shown here through the example of Peter and Judas that if we repent and turn to God, He will not only accept us with open arms but God will also use us or even bless us far greater than what we ask or deserve.

Peter: a fisherman - Jesus' follower - betrayed Jesus - realize and repented - a great servant of God.
We: born sinners - saved as we accept Jesus as our personal Lord and Saviour - betray Jesus by following the ways of the world - realize and repented - a great servant of God.

Can the plot as written above be true? I believe it is, if we realize and repent.

Show us Your way Father. We come before You with humility and repentance. Hear our cry and accept us once again Father, as we repent and turn back to You.

so near yet so far...

God is always near us and with us. But at times, we feel like He's so far, beyond where our arms could reach. Indeed, it is clearly stated in the Bible that men have fallen short of the glory of God. Therefore, I believe it is during these times when we feel that God is miles away from us. Being humans, we will ask questions like where is God when we need Him, why God doesn't answer me, why God allow such heartaches to happen in my life, and so on.

Is it for us to blame God for not showing us the light? Or is it for us to reflect on ourselves?

We have fallen short of God's glory. Darkness has no place in the awesomeness of God. If we want to be in God's presence, if we want to feel God's hand in our lives, we ought to look at ourselves. How has our life been. Is it pleasing to God or is it just pleasing our earthly desires?

We humans are selfish. We want God when we're in deep trouble and we push God aside when things are going the way we like it. We are being unfair to God. If it's because of this reason that God has shun His face from us, do we have the right to question what God is doing.

This agenda has been mingling around in my mind for a long long time. When are we going to live a life that is holy and righteous, that is completely pleasing to God. Is it even possible for us to achieve such a thing in this life on earth with our sinful nature?

God... Have mercy on me and all your children Lord for we have fallen short of Your standards. Teach us Father to live a life that is faultless before You. We yearn to come to You one day as a pure and holy sacrifice, spotless and acceptable to you.

Teach us O Father, how to be the children of God...

Hanging On...

There was a boy, background unknown. He saw Jesus, standing at a short distance away from him. He ran towards Jesus, embracing Jesus' legs for Jesus is so big. He then looks upon Jesus' face with a smile. Jesus in return look down at him, returning the smile by stretching out His hand and stroke the boy's hair. Immediately, blessings flow into the boy, from head to toe, he was covered in Jesus' blessings.
Then Jesus said, " Hang on to me tightly. Hang on to me in faith. For as long as you are a part of me, I will never let you go. My power is your power. Stay with me and my blessings will always fill you."
Instantly, the boy fell to his knees and worship Jesus, thanking Jesus for this great promise that has been given to him.

This was what I saw, not once but twice in three days. It has given me faith to continue to seek God and like the boy, hang on to Jesus.

I hope this will give you great encouragement like how it did to me.

God bless all of you!