"...but of Love, of Joy and of a Sound Mind."

Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy, to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen. Jude 24-25

Sunday, January 13, 2008

How have I been?

I made an observation about myself since Contender Asia. The next realisation was during the Beijing trip in December . During that trip I was afraid that I might get trapped by the lure of the TV set. However during my stay in Beijing, TV wasn't a problem and I did had a great time with the Lord every morning reading John Piper's Pierced by the Word and Charles Spurgeon's Morning and Evening (though I only read the morning readings). Evening is the worse time for devotion. I was distrated by the internet in Beijing and the TV in my hotel room in Bangkok (was there for 3 days this week).

Now sitting in Thailand's airport waiting for the transfer flight to London, I decided to take out my laptop to do some surfing. Doing my devotion was last on my things-to-do list for the two hour wait, but I decided to do it (via http://www.spurgeon.org/). O how the sweet Spirit of God works his way amongst us. And within myself, the Spirit has set the tone for my behaviour for the trip. There is so much me in me which is so ugly. If the real me unleashes himself, it's really ugly and makes me a total filth. I desire to be more like what God would have me to be. Despite all my struggles to be "perfect", I know i will always fall short. However it doesn't mean I cease to better myself. I only do that if I die... zoom, straight to glory! My time is not up yet. There is so much life to Share with SW. So many things to teach and do with Chia Ee. Too many more people to share the light of Christ with... to share the light of Christ... and back to my devotion today. What a timely reminder to stop talking about myself when there is nothing in me to boast about apart from the Cross and my Saviour. I hope u'll be as blesses as I do.

It's been a long time since I shared. It's great to do it again in my present position - hiding behind the cross, but standing on the top of a hill. What shines is not me, but the One before me.

"I have yet to speak on God's behalf."—Job 36:2.

We ought not to court publicity for our virtue, or notoriety for our zeal; but, at the same time, it is a sin to be always seeking to hide that which God has bestowed upon us for the good of others. A Christian is not to be a village in a valley, but "a city set upon a hill;" he is not to be a candle under a bushel, but a candle in a candlestick, giving light to all. Retirement may be lovely in its season, and to hide one's self is doubtless modest, but the hiding of Christ in us can never be justified, and the keeping back of truth which is precious to ourselves is a sin against others and an offence against God. If you are of a nervous temperament and of retiring disposition, take care that you do not too much indulge this trembling propensity, lest you should be useless to the church. Seek in the name of Him who was not ashamed of you to do some little violence to your feelings, and tell to others what Christ has told to you. If thou canst not speak with trumpet tongue, use the still small voice. If the pulpit must not be thy tribune, if the press may not carry on its wings thy words, yet say with Peter and John, "Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee." By Sychar's well talk to the Samaritan woman, if thou canst not on the mountain preach a sermon; utter the praises of Jesus in the house, if not in the temple; in the field, if not upon the exchange; in the midst of thine own household, if thou canst not in the midst of the great family of man. From the hidden springs within let sweetly flowing rivulets of testimony flow forth, giving drink to every passer-by. Hide not thy talent; trade with it; and thou shalt bring in good interest to thy Lord and Master. To speak for God will be refreshing to ourselves, cheering to saints, useful to sinners, and honouring to the Saviour. Dumb children are an affliction to their parents. Lord, unloose all Thy children's tongue.

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