To Charmaine

BLESSED BIRTHDAY CHARMAINE!

As you turn 15 in 12 hours and 10 minutes time, I would like to thank God for how He has placed you in my life. Thank God for placing us in the same tribe. Thank God for being able to get to know you better. Thank God for everything that He has blessed you with.

As you celebrate this day with your friends and family, do take the time to thank God for all the things He has done for you. May God continue to give you wisdom, grace and strength. May God continue to protect and sustain you. May you draw ever so close to Him.

I dedicate this poem below to you:

The Best Day of Your Life

One day when you awake this week,
it will be your birthday.
May this day be the best day of your life, ever.
There may have been times when you wondered
if you would make it to this birthday; but you have!
And because you have, may you celebrate!

May you celebrate what an unbelievable life
you have had so far:
the accomplishments, the many blessings, and your hardships
because all of these have helped to make you stronger.

May you go through this birthday with a happy heart.
May you marvel at God's seemingly simple gifts:
the sun's warmth, a person's touch, ice cream, a child's laugh
May none of His miraculous creations escape your notice.

On this birthday may you share
your excitement for life with other people.
May you make someone smile.

May you go out of your way to create
an unexpected act of kindness
for someone you don't know.

May you give a sincere compliment
to someone who seems down.
Tell a child how special they are.
Tell someone you love
just how deeply you care for them.

May this birthday be the day to quit
worrying about what you don't have and
start being grateful for the wonderful things
that God has given and is giving you.

On this birthday before you go to bed, may you
go outside and raise your eyes to the heavens.
Stand in awe at the beauty of the stars and the moon
and praise God for these magnificent treasures.

As your birthday ends
and you lay your head down on your pillow,
thank the Almighty for the best day of your life.

Sleep the sleep of a contented child knowing that
you can make tomorrow be the best day of your life, ever

From your tribal leader with much love,
Marcus

One God, One tribe, One family... Oasis loves you!

1 Corinthians 3

'...For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men?' (1 Corinthians 3:3)

'Aye, I tell you a secret arh. Yesterday I saw....'
'You know something. Actually hor, so and so is like that one leh...'
'Aiyo, I didn't know he and she is together leh...'
'You know what he did anot? I tell you...'

It's disgusting to see strife, divisions and disunity in the house of God, in the family of God. It's sad to hear gossip and quarreling, to hear of people being jealous and angry with one another. It's disappointing to see a lack of love in the people of God.

Are you gossiping about someone?
Are you being a part of a clique?
Are you causing disunity?

God is glorified when we are united!
Christ is exalted when we are united!
The Holy Spirit is glad when we are united!

We need to be UNITED!

'If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are.' (1 Corinthians 3:17)

The temple of God is a place when God dwells. We are called the temple of God because the Holy Spirit lives in us. The temple of God is a holy and righteous place. Our hearts have to be holy and righteous.

When we sin, the Spirit of God is grieved. When we say something unkind, the Spirit of God is upset. When we do or think of something impure and wicked, the Spirit of God is disappointed.

Let's take this moment and examine our hearts.

Are we righteous before God?
Are we holy before God?
Is our heart right before Him?

1 Corinthians 2

But as it is written: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” 1 Corinthians 2:9

This simple verse speaks so much to me. It tells me that what I'm going to experience is far greater that what I have experienced now. The thought of receiving something greater and better thrills my soul.

I believe this speaks of the place that God will prepare for us when we die. It speaks of the glorious place, heaven, and the glorious presence with God after our death.

In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. John 14:2

In this world, we see many precious and nice things, but this verse tells me that what I'm going to experience beat all these earthly things hands down. In fact, I don't think anyone will be able to understand the glory and majesty of what's in stalled for us, the people who love God.

What an AWESOME GOD!

Push Ups

I got this email from Jean and decided to share this.

There was a certain Professor of Religion named Dr. Christianson, a studious man who taught at a small college in the western United States

Dr. Christianson taught the required survey course in Christianity at this particular institution. Every student was required to take this course their freshman year, regardless of his or her major.

Although Dr. Christianson tried hard to communicate the essence of the gospel in his class, he found that most of his students looked upon the course as nothing but required drudgery. Despite his best efforts, most students refused to take Christianity seriously.

This year, Dr. Christianson had a special student named Steve. Steve was only a freshman, but was studying with the intent of going onto seminary for the ministry. Steve was popular, he was well liked, and he was an imposing physical specimen. He was now the starting center on the school football team, and was the best student in the professor's class.

One day, Dr. Christianson asked Steve to stay after class so he could talk with him.

'How many push-ups can you do?'

Steve said, 'I do about 200 every night.'

'200? That's pretty good, Steve,' Dr. Christianson said. 'Do you think you could do 300?'

Steve replied, 'I don't know.... I've never done 300 at a time.'

'Do you think you could?' again asked Dr. Christianson.

'Well, I can try,' said Steve.

'Can you do 300 in sets of 10? I have a class project in mind and I need you to do about 300 push-ups in sets of ten for this to work. Can you do it? I need you to tell me you can do it,' said the professor.

Steve said, 'Well... I think I can...yeah, I can do it.'

Dr. Christianson said, 'Good! I need you to do this on Friday. Let me explain what I have in mind.'

Friday came and Steve got to class early and sat in the front of the room. When class started, the professor pulled out a big box of donuts. No, these weren't the normal kinds of donuts, they were the extra fancy BIG kind, with cream centers and frosting swirls. Everyone was pretty excited it was Friday, the last class of the day, and they were going to get an early start on the weekend with a party in Dr. Christianson's class.

Dr. Christianson went to the first girl in the first row and asked, 'Cynthia, do you want to have one of these donuts?'

Cynthia said, 'Yes.'

Dr. Christianson then turned to Steve and asked, 'Steve, would you do ten push-ups so that Cynthia can have a donut?'

'Sure!' Steve jumped down from his desk to do a quick ten. Then Steve again sat in his desk. Dr. Christianson put a donut on Cynthia's desk.

Dr. Christianson then went to Joe, the next person, and asked, 'Joe, do you want a donut?'

Joe said, 'Yes.' Dr. Christianson asked, 'Steve would you do ten push-ups so Joe can have a donut?'

Steve did ten push-ups, Joe got a donut. And so it went, down the first aisle, Steve did ten push-ups for every person before they got their donut.

Walking down the second aisle, Dr. Christianson came to Scott. Scott was on the basketball team, and in as good condition as Steve. He was very popular and never lacking for female companionship.

When the professor asked, 'Scott do you want a donut?'

Scott's reply was, 'Well, can I do my own push-ups?'

Dr. Christianson said, 'No, Steve has to do them.'

Then Scott said, 'Well, I don't want one then.'

Dr. Christianson shrugged and then turned to Steve and asked, 'Steve, would you do ten push-u ps so Scott can have a donut he doesn't want?'

With perfect obedience Steve started to do ten push-ups.

Scott said, 'HEY! I said I didn't want one!'

Dr. Christianson said, 'Look!, this is my classroom, my class, my desks, and these are my donuts. Just leave it on the desk if you don't want it.' And he put a donut on Scott's desk.

Now by this time, Steve had begun to slow down a little. He just stayed on the floor between sets because it took too much effort to be getting up and down. You could start to see a little perspiration coming out around his brow.

Dr. Christianson started down the third row. Now the students were beginning to get a little angry. Dr. Christianson asked Jenny, 'Jenny, do you want a donut?'

Sternly, Jenny said, 'No.'

Then Dr. Christianson asked Steve, 'Steve, would you do ten more push-ups so Jenny can have a donut that she doesn't want?'

Steve did ten....Jenny got a donut.

By now, a growing sense of uneasiness filled the room. The students were beginning to say, 'No!' and there were all these uneaten donuts on the desks.

Steve also had to really put forth a lot of extra effort to get these push-ups done for each donut. There began to be a small pool of sweat on the floor beneath his face, his arms and brow were beginning to get red because of the physical effort involved.

Dr. Christianson asked Robert, who was the most vocal unbeliever in the class, to watch Steve do each push up to make sure he did the full ten push-ups in a set because he couldn't bear to watch all of Steve's work for all of those uneaten donuts. He sent Robert over to where Steve was so Robert could count the set and watch Steve closely.

Dr. Christianson started down the fourth row. During his class, however, some students from other classes had wandered in and sat down on the steps along the radiators that ran down the sides of the room. When the professor realized this, he did a quick count and saw that now there were 34 students in the room. He started to worry if Steve would be able to make it.

Dr. Christianson went on to the next person and the next and the next. Near the end of that row, Steve was really having a rough time. He was taking a lot more time to complete each set.

Steve asked Dr. Christianson, 'Do I have to make my nose touch on each one?'

Dr. Christianson thought for a moment, 'Well, they're your push-ups. You are in charge now. You can do them any way that you want.' And Dr. Christianson went on.

A few moments later, Jason, a recent transfer student, came to the room and was about to come in when all the students yelled in one voice, 'NO! Don't come in! Stay out!'

Jason didn't know what was going on. Steve picked up his head and said, 'No, let him come.'

Professor Christi anson said, 'You realize that if Jason comes in you will have to do ten push-ups for him?'

Steve said, 'Yes, let him come in. Give him a donut.'

Dr. Christianson said, 'Okay, Steve, I'll let you get Jason's out of the way right now. Jason, do you want a donut?'

Jason, new to the room, hardly knew what was going on. 'Yes,' he said, 'give me a donut.'

'Steve, will you do ten push-ups so that Jason can have a donut?'

Steve did ten push-ups very slowly and with great effort. Jason, bewildered, was handed a donut and sat down.

Dr Christianson finished the fourth row, and then started on those visitors seated by the heaters. Steve's arms were now shaking with each push-up in a struggle to lift himself against the force of gravity. By this time sweat was profusely dropping off of his face, there was no sound except his heavy breathing; there was not a dry eye in the room.

The very last two students in the room were two young women, both cheerleaders, and very popular. Dr. Christianson went to Linda, the second to last, and asked, 'Linda, do you want a doughnut?'

Linda said, very sadly, 'No, thank you.'

Professor Christianson quietly asked, 'Steve, would you do ten push-ups so that Linda can have a donut she doesn't want?'

Grunting from the effort, Steve did ten very slow push-ups for Linda.

Then Dr. Christianson turned to the last girl, Susan. 'Susan, do you want a donut?'

Susan, with tears flowing down her face, began to cry. 'Dr. Christianson, why can't I help him?'

Dr Christianson, with tears of his own, said, 'No, Steve has to do it alone; I have given him this task and he is in charge of seeing that everyone has an opportunity for a donut whether they want it or not. When I decided to have a party this last day of class, I looked at my grade book. Steve here is the only student with a perfec t grade. Everyone else has failed a test, skipped class, or offered me inferior work. Steve told me that in football practice, when a player messes up he must do push-ups. I told Steve that none of you could come to my party unless he paid the price by doing your push ups. He and I made a deal for your sakes.'

'Steve, would you do ten push-ups so Susan can have a donut?'

As Steve very slowly finished his last push-up, with the understanding that he had accomplished all that was required of him, having done 350 push-ups, his arms buckled beneath him and he fell to the floor.

Dr. Christianson turned to the room and said, 'And so it was, that our Savior, Jesus Christ, on the cross, plead to the Father, 'Into thy hands I commend my spirit.' With the understanding that He had done everything that was required of Him, He yielded up His life. And like some of those in this room, many of us leave the gift on the desk, uneaten. '

Two students helped Steve up off the floor and to a seat, physically exhausted, but wearing a thin smile.

'Well done, good and faithful servant,' said the professor, adding, 'Not all sermons are preached in words.'

Turning to his class, the professor said, 'My wish is that you might understand and fully comprehend all the riches of grace and mercy that have been given to you through the sacrifice of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He spared not only His Begotten Son, but gave Him up for us all, for the whole Church, now and forever. Whether or not we choose to accept His gift
to us, the price has been paid.'

'Wouldn't you be foolish and ungrateful to leave it lying on the desk?'

James 1:9-11

One thing that's inevitable.
One thing that will come to all.
One thing that everyone will experience.
One thing that has no escape.
DEATH!

Let the lowly brother glory in his exaltation, but the rich in his humiliation, because as a flower of the field he will pass away. For no sooner has the sun risen with a burning heat than it withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beautiful appearance perishes. So the rich man also will fade away in his pursuits. James 1:9-11

whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. James 4:14

Life is like a flower that perish away. Life is like a vapour that appears for little while and then vanishes away. No one knows how long he or she can live for. No one knows when we'll pass away.

Yet, when you do pass away, what legacy are you leaving behind? What do people remember you for? What have you done with your life? What have you done with Jesus?

It is possible to live under a delusion. You think you are kind, considerate and gracious when you are really not. You think you are building positive stuff into your children when in reality, if you could check with them twenty years later, you really didn't. What if you could read your own obituary? How do people really see you? Here is the story of a man who did.

One morning in 1888 Alfred Nobel, inventor of dynamite, awoke to read his own obituary. The obituary was printed as a result of a simple journalistic error. You see, it was Alfred's brother that had died and the reporter carelessly reported the death of the wrong brother. Any man would be disturbed under the circumstances, but to Alfred the shock was overwhelming because he saw himself as the world saw him.

The "Dynamite King," the great industrialist who had made an immense fortune from explosives. This, as far as the general public was concerned, was the entire purpose of Alfred's life. None of his true intentions to break down the barriers that separated men and ideas for peace were recognized or given serious consideration. He was simply a merchant of death. And for that alone he would be remembered.

As he read the obituary with horror, he resolved to make clear to the world the true meaning and purpose of his life. This could be done through the final disposition of his fortune. His last will and testament--an endowment of five annual prizes for outstanding contributions in physics, chemistry, physiology or medicine, literature, and peace (the sixth category of economics was added later)--would be the expression of his life's ideals and ultimately would be why we would remember him.

The result was the most valuable of prizes given to those who had done the most for the cause of world peace. It is called today, the "Nobel Peace Prize."

For Alfred Nobel, he left a legacy of being the founder of the Nobel Peace Prize. Today, what legacy are you leaving behind?

Christians, what are you doing for God on this earth? What have you done for Him? Have you been serving Him and giving your time, effort, energy, resources for His work and glory? Have you been living a life that's pleasing to His sight? Have you been living each day in anticipation of His second coming?

Non-Christians, where are you headed for after you die? Heaven or hell? What have you done with Jesus today? Have you rejected Him and think that you can do it by yourself? Have you thought that you can make it to heaven in your own strength and merits? What have you done with the free gift of salvation that God has given you?

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16

Today, if you will hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion. Hebrews 3:15

Open you hearts to receive Jesus today.

Death is real, what preparation have you made yet?

Baoyue, Jiahao, Eleanor

Lord, I pray for Baoyue even as she is in New Zealand now, that You will continue to watch over her. Protect her and continue to keep her so close to You. Lord, help her to have fun, help her to have a good rest and to be recharge and ready to serve You when she returns. Lord, keep on working in her life and use her mightily in Uth Camp and Children's Ministry. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

Lord, I pray for Jiahao and I thank You for such an awesome friend. Thank You for the time at the airport, the time that we had, the stuff we did. Lord, I pray that You will continue to work in his life, continue to give him a fear for You and raise him up to be the man You want him to be. Keep him humble and faithful and use him in Uth Camp and the Children Musical. In Jesus' Name. Amen.


Lord, I pray for Eleanor that You will continue to be with her in a special way even as she is in Thailand now. Lord, I pray that even as she does the community work there, that You will continue to draw her so close to You. Keep her shining for You. Lord, protect her from harm, from wicked things and people. Father, keep her depending on You. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

1 Corinthians 1

I'm reading through the book of 1 Corinthians recently and will be reading one chapter a day, so decide to share one main point from each chapter as I proceed along this book and I hope this simple sharing will minister to you as you read this post.



The pictures above show Roger Federer, Thiery Henry and Tiger Woods, who are considered one of the best in their respective areas.

In this world, we are always looking for the most qualified person for a job. We are always on the lookout for the most talented person and we 'book' him. The smartest person is highly honoured. When we look for a team of people, we look for the best in terms of skills, talents and gifts.

Sadly, we have brought this attitude to church. We tend to judge others. We tend to choose only the best person to do certain things, and we deem others as unworthy. We favour the rich, famous, powerful, beautiful and talented and look down on the weak, poor, unknown, unlovable and untalented people. By focusing on the abilities and talents of the person, we are thinking like the world and not like God.

From past to present, God has never focus on choosing the most qualified or talented, He's simply looking for a man or woman who's willing to serve. He's looking for a humble person!

For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called.

But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, that no flesh should glory in His presence.

1 Corinthians 1:26-29

It is said that God do not call the qualified, He qualifies the called.

As James 5:16 puts it 'Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.' There is beauty in confessing sins, there is beauty in sharing experience.

Firstly, it helps others learn from my mistake. Secondly, it reminds myself of the mistakes and for me not to do it again. Thirdly, it helps others pray for me better after knowing my struggles and needs.

I would like to share one struggle in my life, and that is pride. I struggle with the sin of pride countless times and God has to break me down over and over again and remind me that I am nothing.

I remember there was one time I was at Adam Road and I boasted about how good I was, serving in the children ministry, the various activities we are having, how great the plans are, what's going to happen and stuff. It was all about ME!

After that, when I looked back, I'm disgusted by my pride. What a proud and boastful person I am! I can claim to be doing it for God's glory, but deep within, I'm snatching His glory. This is a pride hypocrite! I need to come back to God, confess my sins and ask Him to forgive me.

Even now, there are times when I struggle with pride. A sinful and proud thought enter my mind and I'm tempted to sin. At that moment, I need to catch the thought and say to myself, 'I'm doing this for God's glory, not mine.'

Please pray for me and with me that as I serve in Children Ministry, I would not be proud, I would not snatch God's glory, but I'll humble myself and depend on Him.

Pride hinders our effectiveness for God.
Looking to ourselves make our service for God futile.
Humility enhances our effectiveness for God.
Looking to God make our service for God fruitful.

Isaiah 1:2-4

The Wickedness of Judah

Decided to read one New and Old testament book at the same time and decided on the book of Isaiah. In Isaiah 1, we see the description of the wickedness of Judah.

Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth! For the LORD has spoken:

“I have nourished and brought up children, And they have rebelled against Me; The ox knows its owner And the donkey its master’s crib; But Israel does not know, My people do not consider.”

Alas, sinful nation, A people laden with iniquity, A brood of evildoers, Children who are corrupters! They have forsaken the LORD, They have provoked to anger The Holy One of Israel, They have turned away backward.

Isaiah 1:2-4

Ungrateful!
Sinful!
Laden with iniquity!
Evildoers!
Corrupt!
Forsaken the Lord!
Turn away from God!

All the above are adjectives used to describe Judah.

It seems to me that this is very much similar to the state of many churches in the world today. It sounds like the lives of many Christians today. All of us must examine our own lives.

Are we ungrateful? When was the last time we give thanks to God? When was the last time we are thankful and grateful for His blessings?

Are we full of sin? Are our minds constantly filled with wicked, sinful and impure thoughts? Are our hands constantly doing things that displeases God? Are our tongues constantly mocking, insulting and complaining? Are we a wicked and sinful generation?

Are we people who turn away from God? Do we think we can do it by ourselves and turn our eyes away from Him? Do we trust our skills, abilities and talents more than God? Do we forsake the Lord?

My Prayer for myself and those who read this post is:
Lord, I come before You, realising my weakness, sinfulness and wickedness. Lord, I pray for myself and for those reading this post that You will bring us to the end of our ways. Help us to make a decision to forsake sins and to live for You. Lord, glorify Yourself in our lives. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen.

James 1:6-8

Stability VS Instability
Faith VS Doubt
Dependence VS Independence
God VS Me

In James 1:6-8, we see that in these verses, it describes an instable, doubtful, independent, and me-centered person. Here is someone like the wave being tossed to and fro, someone who is easier sway from one side to the other.

But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. James 1:6-8

When we come to God, we should come to Him by faith, with no doubting.
When we come to God in prayer, we need to ask in faith.

A double-minded man will not receive anything from God.
He or she will not be blessed by the Lord.

Faith connects us with the blessings of God.
Doubts separates us from the blessings of God.

James 1:5

The power of God's Word!

I was just reading James 1:5-8 today. One of my purpose was to find a verse that I could blog about. As I read those few verses, I decided to blog about James 1:5. I understood the verse from an intellectual point of view, kind of like head knowledge.

Now, here I am blogging this verse after understanding it not just intellectually, but experientially. Chemistry Paper 1 is tomorrow. And as I did some revision today, there were quite a number of stuff that I do not know and I got a little nervous and scared. I tried to ask people for help and stuff, but none could actually help me. It never crossed my mind that I could turn to God.

Until, I decided to take a break from studying and blog. At this moment, I realised that I was blogging about James 1:5 and I read the verse. And I saw the light!

God was reminding me that I could turn to Him, I could ask Him for wisdom. At that moment, I uttered a quick prayer. I'm amazed at how God can use verses to remind and encourage us.

Praise the Lord! After turning to God, one of my friend said that he can help me tomorrow.

I'm totally rebuked. It seems as though, God is saying, 'Marcus, remember... Seek Me first!'

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
James 1:5

What is wisdom?
Wisdom is Christian enlightenment, godly principles and knowledge.

Who has wisdom?
God!

How to get wisdom?
Ask God! Through prayer or through the reading of His Word.

If I ask, will I get wisdom?
God says yes! He will give to all liberally and without reproach. Liberally means that God gives freely. Without reproach assures us that God gives without reminding us of our unworthiness.

May the Lord find us faithful (Part 2)

We now move on to what are the practical ways we can be faithful.

Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his master made ruler over his household, to give them food in due season? Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes, will find so doing. Assuredly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all his goods.

But if that evil servant says in his heart, ‘My master is delaying his coming,’ and begins to beat his fellow servants, and to eat and drink with the drunkards, the master of that servant will come on a day when he is not looking for him and at an hour that he is not aware of, and will cut him in two and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

(Matthew 24:45-51)

Firstly, we are to be faithful in our service.

As seen in verse 48, the master of the house placed a particular servant as ruler over his household and his duty is to give them food in due season. In due season means at the right time. I suppose that giving them food probably refers to giving the animals food. In other words, the job of the servant is to feed the animals at the right time. Hey, this is not an easy job. It's boring and routine and the servant has to do it every day and he has to ensure that he feeds them at the right time. But he's faithful in this ministry and thus when the master returns, he will be blessed.

Maybe God has placed you in a particular ministry, be faithful in that ministry. It may seem routine and boring, maybe you're getting sick and tired of it, press on, be faithful! Your reward is coming soon.

For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey.

Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents. And likewise he who had received two gained two more also. But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord’s money.

After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them. So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, ‘Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.’ His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’

He also who had received two talents came and said, ‘Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them.’ His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’

Then he who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.’ But his lord answered and said to him, ‘You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed. So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest. So take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents.

For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

(Matthew 25:14-30)

Secondly, we are to be faithful in our gifts and talents.

In the parable, the good servant invested and spend his talents and multiplied it. In the same way, we are to use our gifts and talents for God's glory. Maybe God has gifted you with the ability to run, then run for His glory. Maybe God has gifted you with the ability to plan games, then plan games for His glory. Maybe God has gifted you with the ability to play the violin, then play the violin for His glory. We need to be faithful in using the gifts and talents that God has blessed us with for His glory.

He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much. Therefore if you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? And if you have not been faithful in what is another man’s, who will give you what is your own?

Luke 16:10-12

Thirdly, we need to be faithful in our money.

When one is able to be faithful in the area of money, then he or she is ready to be entrusted with true riches. When one is faithful in little things, then he or she is ready for greater things.

May the Lord find us faithful (Part 1)

May the Lord find us faithful
God has not given us the spirit of fear,
But has given us the strength to obey.
With power and sound mind,
with love, the unfailing kind,
O be not ashamed of His way.

Chorus:
May the Lord find us faithful.
May His Word be our banner held high.
May the Lord find us faithful.
Everyday, though we live, though we die.

No man that seeketh after things of this life
is a soldier who passes the test.
Be faithful, be working,
be running, be serving,
Be searching His Word for His best.

Living or dying, may honor be Thine,
From this wretched life, You loved and forgave.
A life that is on fire,
be only our heart’s desire.
Be faithful from now to the grave.

As we sang this song on Sunday, many thoughts struck my mind. I took some time looking through the Bible and meditating on some of the truths in this song. Actually one truth - faithfulness.

What is faithfulness?

It seems like faithfulness is no longer such a big thing today. We rarely hear the word 'faithful' being mentioned. As the song goes, I started to think over the meaning on faithful and what does it mean by the line 'May the Lord find us faithful'.

“Therefore know that the LORD your God, He is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and mercy for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments;" (Deuteronomy 7:9)

Faithfulness is a quality possessed by God! Here, we see the meaning of faithfulness. God demonstrates His faithfulness by keeping His covenant for a thousand generations, which means that God never breaks His Word. In the same way, let's ask ourselves, are we faithful in keeping our word? Do we make promises just to break them?

"Most men will proclaim each his own goodness, But who can find a faithful man?" (Proverbs 20:6)

People are constantly seeking to be praised, exalted and lifted up. We are always going around and proclaiming and boasting about our goodness and our glory, but rarely we can find a faithful man.

Where can we find someone who will arrange chairs without seeking to be noticed? Where can we find someone willing to do powerpoint without wanting to be recognised? Where can we find someone serving without the desire to be singled out?

So practically, what does it mean for us to be faithful?

Let's find out in our next installment of May the Lord find us faithful.

James 1:2-4

Moving on to the Book of James. Was reading and thinking through James 1:2-4.

"My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing." (James 1:2-4)

Trials and struggles is something that every Christian faces. It could come in the form of a failed relationship, a broken family, a insult or slander, bad results, etc. Yet, we are told to count it all joy when we fall into various trials. This is the response to trials - JOY!

Then we are told that the testing of our faith produces patience. This is the reason for trials - PATIENCE!

And finally, we are told to let patience have its perfect work, that we may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. Perfect doesn't mean sinless but mature. When patience is allowed to grow and bear fruit, we will be spiritually mature, lacking nothing (as we are able to claim God's promises in His Word). This is the result of trials - MATURITY!

3 John 4

Currently reading the Book of Third John.

"I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth." (3 John 4)

As the aged apostle, John refers to his coverts and other believers under his guidance as his children. And according to John, he derives no greater joy than to hear his children walking in truth. So what is the truth?

"Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth." (John 17:17)

And here we have our answer! The Word of God is truth! Knowing what is the truth, so what does walking in the truth means?

Walking brings the idea of following a certain path. For example, when you walk to school, you are following a certain way or path to school. In this case, when we say that we are to walk in the truth, it means that we are to follow in God's Word and abide in His truth. Simply put it, we are to follow in His Word and obey His commandments!

Are we walking in His Word today?