Archives for February 2013

The richness of being a Christian

February 27, 2013 by Jonathan Leave a Comment

Something I saw posted on Facebook courtesy of Darryl Teo:

A Christian’s Possessions:

A tax officer came one day to a poor Christian to determine the amount of taxes he would have to pay. The following conversation took place:
“What property do you possess?” asked the assessor.
“I am a very wealthy man,” replied the Christian.
“List your possessions, please,” the assessor instructed.

The Christian said:
“First, I have everlasting life, John 3:16
Second, I have a mansion in heaven, John 14:2
Third, I have a perfect conscience & peace that passes all understanding, Philippians 4:7
Fourth, I have joy unspeakable, 1 Peter 1:8
Fifth, I have divine love which never fails, 1 Corinthians 13:8
Sixth, I have a faithful wife, Proverbs 31:10
Seventh, I have healthy, happy obedient children, Exodus 20:12
Eighth, I have true, loyal friends, Proverbs 18:24
Ninth, I have songs in the night, Psalms 42:8
Tenth, I have a crown of life, James 1:12
The tax assessor closed his book, and said,
“Truly you are a very rich man, but your property is not subject to taxation.”
I pray that all of us will have this kind of tax free “wealth.”

Author Unknown

“According to His riches in Glory”

This is the reason why Christians can claim to be rich. We are co-heirs of God’s Kingdom (Galatians 4:7). Our blessings are not merely for our own benefit, but to portray the richness of God’s blessings as a christian to the world. For how else can we bless except we first be blessed? James 1:17 tells us that
“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” So everything that we have that can bless others is not ours to begin with, but God’s. So freely we have received, freely we should give ( Blessings, forgiveness and so on).

But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?

My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. – 1 John 3 17-18
Scriptural Readings: 1 John 1 thru 1 John 3

Worship in Spirit and in Truth

February 24, 2013 by Esther Leave a Comment

God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. -John 4:24

Worship should be a lifestyle. Worship is only onto The Lord.

It is easy for our hearts to misinterpret that, which means to worship the worship.

When the act of worshipping became of greater importance than God Himself, that’s the danger zone. It is a form of idolatry.

Thank God He corrected me, and I’m delivered from it.

Main lesson that I want to share from that episode of my life is, do not serve God out of guilt, nor to earn His favour. Serve Him only when one is sure of the calling.

I do not want to be deemed unworthy to enter the Kingdom of Heaven, just because I’ve been serving in God’s name, yet with the wrong motive. If you happen to read this, I pray that the Holy Spirit will help you to know the motives behind your service to God.

Lastly, in 1 Corinthians 3:13-15

13 Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.
14 If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.
15 If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

Running the Spiritual Race

February 24, 2013 by Jonathan Leave a Comment

Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. -1 Corinthians 9:24

A christian walk is likened to a race, a marathon, and at the end the prize of eternal salvation awaits us. The point whereby Jesus would say “Well done my good and faithful servant, enter into His rest.”
This blog serves as a reminder of His goodness, testimonies and records of miracles and healings. Of Sunday sermons and word.

How then shall we run this spiritual race?

1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.By setting our eyes on Jesus, the author and finish of our faith, for it is written:

“The Just Shall Live By Faith”

Running the spiritual race requires endurance, and if we rely on own strength we will surely fail. No doubt God knows, that is why he has provided the Holy Spirit to be our Comforter and Guide. But at the end of the day, can we be perfect before God? No. Therefore, we trust in God completely to save us and completely sanctify us. (Romans 1:17)

“Come boldly Unto The Throne of Grace”

As God has made us sons and daughters of the most, we should learn to approach the Father in all circumstances. Jesus Christ by the Cross has torn the veil and made it possible – therefore – we need to learn to not rely on our own understanding but trust in God in for our problems. Sometimes, we feel we don’t deserve God’s help because we have turned away from Him. On the contrary, those are times that we all the more ought to come to Him and ask for help. The parable of the prodigal son is the reflection of God’s heart towards all His children that have strayed so far away from Him. Return, He is calling you. Ask for God for wisdom (James 1:5, Proverbs 4:5) and He will give liberally.

“Finishing the Spiritual Race Well”

Life is a marathon and there is an end to the spiritual race we must all run. After that comes death and then judgment (Heb 9:27) – there is no escaping these truths. Therefore, run as though to finish this spiritual race that we may obtain the prize. At the end of the spiritual race called life, we have a crown of life awaiting for us that Jesus will reward us with. Be an overcomer of Life.

“Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.” – James 1 : 12
“Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.” – 2 Tim 4:8