Ephesians 5:20 – “Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
There are four types of people.
There are those who are constantly complaining and grumbling. Have you met any of these folks? I mean, they can brighten up a room just by leaving it. That’s the lowest level.
Then there are others who live lives of ingratitude. They don’t complain, but they never thank God for His obvious blessings. That’s a little better, but not much better.
Then there are people who thank God for obvious blessings. When something good happens, they’re grateful. That’s a better level.
But the highest level is to be grateful for all things at all times. That is the secret of a happy and productive life.
Bow before the Lord and begin to think about difficult circumstances you’re facing. Now, thank Him for each one in light of James 1:2-4 which tells us: “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.”
Article extracted from http://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/LoveWorthFinding/11582584/
The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD, and He delights in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; for the LORD upholds him with His hand.
When you first read these verses, it is easy to focus on the truth that God orders the steps of a good man, someone who is following God. That is certainly a comforting, motivating, and powerful truth.
But I want to point you to the second sentence, Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; for the LORD upholds him with His hand.
What an amazing statement! Even when your steps are being ordered by the Lord, you can still goof up! God affirms that you may be seeking to walk with Him and you can still mess up, there is always that human factor.
Our flesh gets in the way. Sometimes we make wrong decisions. Sometimes we can be a bit stubborn. And sometimes we blow it, even when that is the last thing we want to do!
Here is what I want you to grasp today: Even if you mess things up, even if you stumble and fall, God will not utterly abandon you. He will support you, and He will lift you up with His hand.
The Bible says in the book of Deuteronomy that God is our refuge and our strength and that underneath us are His everlasting arms. That brings me a lot of comfort.
You and I may stumble, you and I may fall, but we are not going to stay down, because God’s arms and His hands are underneath us, and they will uphold us.
Thank God for that!
Above article was extracted from http://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/answersforeachday/
Behind the scene: Sister Yeong Yin.( far left)
Jeff and Joan...Joan and Jeff.
Chairman: Uncle Jeffrey
Bride, awaiting to walk into the church, while we watch...
Flower boy whatever boy you name it walked in first...
The Groom
Boy:"I do..."
Girl:Eh...come, I show you something...
At last, a romantic sight of the guy..LOL! SO cute!!!!!!!!!!!!
Boy:Take my hand la, why take that idiot flower.
The man was selling water and soft drinks from his scooter. He had a little cooler and a money box with a slot. There was a sign that listed the prices. Another sign noted a box to make change because he was unable to execute even that simple task. So I went up to the man, smiled at him, told him I wanted a water and put money in the box. He grunted a response as I took my water and walked away.
I have to tell you that I walked away inspired and uplifted. Inspired by a man who refuses to let major challenges keep him from doing something for himself. I thought about how this man was demonstrating total trust every time he ventures out. He must trust those who do business with him to leave the correct amount and to make change. He has no choice but to trust others. I would struggle with having to trust others and not being able to control the situation at all. But he has made a choice to take a chance to trust others with himself.
That is what God asks me to do. He wants me to completely trust Him with all of me. A sincere comment from one of the recent blogs came to mind. The writer said that “the primary focus of our Christianity is pleasing God”. That seems to make sense and that is what I lived for years. But I am learning through my study from the book TrueFaced that my primary focus should be trusting God, not pleasing Him. I encourage you to watch a bit of that message. What can I do to please God? Scripture tells me that faith pleases God. In Hebrews we read that without faith it is impossible to please God. But I would rather do stuff to try and earn His favor. If I take that path I can maintain a little control. When I choose to simply trust God I get scared. I want to hold back a little (or a large) percentage. We have been taught a theology that God rewards us based on our deeds. Read carefully. I am not saying that we should do nothing. I am saying that my deeds flow out of trusting God, allowing Him to love me even in my “as is” condition. My deeds flow out of worshiping Jesus for paying the price to make me righteous before a Holy God. My deeds flow out of peace as the Holy Spirit fills my heart with comfort. I spent three decades trying to do good deeds to access what I already had the first day I trusted Christ. I spent years trying to earn gifts that were already given and simply need to be unwrapped.
Was this man an angel in disguise today? I was blessed by his courage and trust. I want to continue to learn to put my ego, my need to hang on to control and my pride on the altar and leave it there. I want to trust Him completely. That will please Him more than anything
