Friday, May 31, 2013
Lightness of being #2 From independence to dependency (1 June 2013)
Dear...
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
Psalms 119:105
Much as my carnal self continues to be peeled away, and my spirit man is increasingly being brought forth, I am still very much a work in progress. The more I soak myself in the Word of God, the more I find my heart transformed, and my mind renewed. And the more I respond as His Spirit leads, my faith grows.
The Lord God hath given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary: he wakeneth morning by morning,
he wakeneth mine ear to hear as the learned.
Isaiah 50:4
But beyond my conscious hours, the Spirit of God continues to mold me. Last night, I found myself being spoken to by our Lord on this issue of independence versus dependency.
For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.
Genesis 3:5
Having just returned from Bangkok, I am reminded of the great credence many of my Thai friends ascribed to the fortune telling prowess of their favorite clairvoyant. In the financial markets, there is also a surfeit of soothsayers, difference is that they wear business suits.
But truth is, the preponderance to predict into the future is innate in all of us. A couple of choice gems of such behavior would include our tendency to worry because we start to extrapolate into the future, much as no one knows for certain the next moment. And what about striving hard for a bright future? Truth is, will you still be alive tomorrow?
For ye shall not go out with haste, nor go by flight: for the Lord will go before you;
and the God of Israel will be your rereward.
Isaiah 52:12
Living in a developed city like Singapore, light is everywhere, and rare would one experience pitch darkness. But on a spiritual plane, darkness in its most oppressive has and continues to encapsulate the hearts of many. The Word of God can enlighten, enliven and enable us His people to walk through the darkness.
Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
Proverbs 3:5-6
But we must be willing to look to Christ and not upon our own understanding.
We must discard this fallacy of being independent minded and deliberately move to a total dependence upon our Lord. And the Word is God. And all who do take time to dwell upon the Word of God will know that the Word of God will correct, enlighten, inspire, assure and lead forth.
The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.
Proverbs 18:10
To look to Christ is to run unto His presence. How does one do that? Why must one do that?
As the Spirit leads, let me start with the "why."
If you were to take a step back and consciously observe your surrounds, you will realize that we live in a very self conscious world. Class consciousness be it the Indian caste system, the British stiff upper lip vis a vis Eliza Doolittle's docklands cockney accent or present day Singapore's fixation with the school you attend and is it a Beemer or a bummer that shuttles you around? And not forgetting the surfeit of slimming salons and aesthetic care centers.
Life is indeed one unfulfilled Odyssey. And as long as we are self conscious, Satan will have a firm grip upon us. The "independence" that Satan offered Adam and Eve is an illusion. In reality, this "right to decide" independent of our Sovereign God has entrapped man in the barnacles of sin that the devil has laid.
Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:
And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
Psalms 139:23-24
From self conscious to God conscious, that is what the spirit man of God must consciously do. I always start the day in the presence of our Lord, to know His will. And in all things I do , I now take time to look from His perspective. This determined effort to place total reliance upon God has freed me from my own inability to foresee or fathom whatever troubles the day brings. For the peace that God gives is independent of our circumstances. And I like to close the night by remembering and thanking God for His grace, much as I have been imperfect.
But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions;
Hebrews 10:32
Trusting God does not mean a trouble free life. In fact, troubles are often the ideal platform for us to meet and know our Maker. God will show us the path to take, faith is about knowing and clinging on to this route much as circumstances seek to sway us otherwise.
By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed to go out unto a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.
Hebrews 11:8
Would you be like Abraham or would you rather wallow in misery like the present day Adams who chose not to follow God?
Wherefore, when I came, was there no man? when I called, was there none to answer?
Is my hand shortened at all, that it cannot redeem? or have I no power to deliver? behold, at my rebuke I dry up the sea, I make the rivers a wilderness: their fish stinketh, because there is no water, and dieth for thirst.
Isaiah 50:2
God blesses
Eng Hieang
1st June 2013
Saturday, May 18, 2013
Lightness of being#1 Yesterday once more (18th May 2013)
Dear.....
And the Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden,
and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not. And they that shall be of thee shall build the old waste places: thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations;
and thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in.
Isaiah 58:11-12
How wonderful this mantle of empowerment that God has given us the faithful to prepare His sheep for the return of Christ. And we walk not alone but with the Spirit of God residing in us( read Joshua 1:9). This is God at work in our lives, this is His Grace. But much as grace is unmerited, it requires not just faith, but a responsive faith, a heart that is willing to be transformed into Christ likeness.
Wherefore, when I came, was there no man? when I called, was there none to answer?
Is my hand shortened at all, that it cannot redeem? or have I no power to deliver?
Isaiah 50:2
Yet few would just move boldly forth even when they were sure of the call of God. Moses hesitated for he felt his lack of eloquence will hinder his ability to convince both the Pharaoh and the Israelites. Abraham did walk across in answer to God's call, but faltered twice in the execution. Christ himself struggled at the Garden of Gethesame.
But the end be of it all was that they still let go and let God. They responded because they know and trusted God, much as they cannot fathom His ways.
This is faith at work, for faith is knowing God, and because we know Him, and His will, we will take the step of faith as His Spirit leads.
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:
Psalms 103:2
Perspective. To be able to move forward, it is good to take more than a moment to look backward, to revisit the miles that one has walked, be it under the blue sky days, or through the parched deserts, and to recollect the smiles our ever faithful God and Abba Father has brought upon our once wretched countenance. A thankful heart helps bring us into perspective, the sovereignty of God's will and the wisdom of His ways, that carried us through in the past, and that will carried us in our present time of refinement, for God is always faithful.
That all the people of the earth might know the hand of the Lord, that it is mighty:that ye might fear the Lord your God for ever.
Joshua 4:24
I will urge you right this moment, to put pen to paper, the times when the hand of God was clearly in your life. For what might seem an indelible experience of the grace of God, will fade into memory with time. It is easy to turn away from God, and be distracted by the delusions of the devil.
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path
Psalm 119: 105
Scripture is indeed written by men, inspired by the Spirit of God. To immerse in the Word of God, is to be in His presence, for the Word is God. My growth as a follower of Christ has been wonderfully nourished by my soaking in His Word this past decade. But lately, I must be feeling fatigue from my new ministry at work, for I do struggle not with the understanding, but with being able to stay awake. Restful sleep, that is what I often find myself succumbing to, whenever I put on the headset to listen to the Word of God being expounded upon. While it should not become the norm, God knows my heart, and indeed the drowsy mind might not have comprehended, but an open heart His Spirit will minister to.
Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord be with you all.
2 Thessalonians 3:16
Peace. We think we are at peace when we achieve the conclusions desired. But alas, the peace as given by the world is temporal and it will never satisfy that longing in our hearts. The indescribable peace and joy that God imbues in the willing, that only He can provide, and the peace He gives is not just different from that the world gives, but is independent of our circumstances.
Prayers is not incessant chanting, nor is it a laundry list of demands. Prayers bring our spirit man into communion with the Spirit God. Prayers is about being still, a quietening of our restless soul, to be cleansed and to sense the will of God.
Prayer ministry was the next last thing on my mind when I first returned as the prodigal son unto our Father's presence, back in 1998. "Orison," to pray, this was the word God led me to when His Spirit lifted me up from my son's bed back in early 2000, much as I heard His voice roar like the rushing waves, and the light of His countenance was bedazzling.
The last thing on my mind was leading worship in church. With God all things are possible, and it is a privilege that God has placed me in a position to pray on behalf of the congregation. And it always give me great joy and assured peace that the theme of my prayers have since I started(7 sessions) always coincided with the emphasis of the sermon for the Sunday. Prescient because I have always prepared my corporate prayers a few days before the worship theme is sent to me. By faith, God has always led the way.
And the angel of God, which went before the camp of Israel, removed and went behind them; and the pillar of the cloud went from before their face, and stood behind them: And it came between the camp of the Egyptians and the camp of Israel; and it was a cloud and darkness to them, but it gave light by night to these:so that the one came not near the other all the night.
Exodus 14:19-20
Preparation of a willing heart. If we draw near to God, He will draw near to us.
Every time I am up on the pulpit leading worship, I remind myself that a baritone I am far from, but I will sing from the heart. Every worship I lead is a journey of faith, for since primary two, I have had a mental block ever since my music teacher told me that I cannot sing. God indeed brings us to realms we never thought possible. On hindsight, He has prepared me these past few years. From leading worship ( or more like ad lip) in my baptism class, through the years of small group and man's fellowship, with praise acapella style as the di rigueur. And sending me to a Believer's singing course. Not forgetting impressing upon my heart to buy my own Hymnal Book a few months before I was asked to consider leading worship.
God might not always take us away from challenging circumstances. But He will definitely prepare us for it. And much as this equipping is important, of greater significance is the deep reassurance He gives us, that will enable us to stay steadfast even as the crucible gets hotter, and God is seemingly no where in sight.
Passion. It is often what differentiates success from failure in the secular world. But in the Kingdom of God, a Christian needs more than passion. Compassion - agape love for our neighbors. Christ Our Messiah(COM) must not just precede our passion, but under gird what drives our very being
Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee:turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest.
Joshua 1:7
Dependency and yielding, are they two sides of the same coin? In the days of Moses, the Ten Commandments as well as a whole litany of law were given but man find it difficult to adhere to. God knows this inability of sinful man remains the same today. Difference is He has given us His Spirit, Who will help us overcome if we are willing to surrender our self will.
Even in the midst of our greatest angst, we must not give up seeking our Lord. In yielding to Him, God will lift us up.
Adam the first man moved from God dependent to self dependent. The Spirit man of God must strive by His grace, to move back from independent to God dependent.
Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily:
and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the Lord shall be thy rereward.
Isaiah 58:8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rnqeDx4kdRc&list=FLuHfo7CXj0gXE0852VtxOIg
God blesses
Eng Hieang
18May 2013
And the Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden,
and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not. And they that shall be of thee shall build the old waste places: thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations;
and thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in.
Isaiah 58:11-12
How wonderful this mantle of empowerment that God has given us the faithful to prepare His sheep for the return of Christ. And we walk not alone but with the Spirit of God residing in us( read Joshua 1:9). This is God at work in our lives, this is His Grace. But much as grace is unmerited, it requires not just faith, but a responsive faith, a heart that is willing to be transformed into Christ likeness.
Wherefore, when I came, was there no man? when I called, was there none to answer?
Is my hand shortened at all, that it cannot redeem? or have I no power to deliver?
Isaiah 50:2
Yet few would just move boldly forth even when they were sure of the call of God. Moses hesitated for he felt his lack of eloquence will hinder his ability to convince both the Pharaoh and the Israelites. Abraham did walk across in answer to God's call, but faltered twice in the execution. Christ himself struggled at the Garden of Gethesame.
But the end be of it all was that they still let go and let God. They responded because they know and trusted God, much as they cannot fathom His ways.
This is faith at work, for faith is knowing God, and because we know Him, and His will, we will take the step of faith as His Spirit leads.
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:
Psalms 103:2
Perspective. To be able to move forward, it is good to take more than a moment to look backward, to revisit the miles that one has walked, be it under the blue sky days, or through the parched deserts, and to recollect the smiles our ever faithful God and Abba Father has brought upon our once wretched countenance. A thankful heart helps bring us into perspective, the sovereignty of God's will and the wisdom of His ways, that carried us through in the past, and that will carried us in our present time of refinement, for God is always faithful.
That all the people of the earth might know the hand of the Lord, that it is mighty:that ye might fear the Lord your God for ever.
Joshua 4:24
I will urge you right this moment, to put pen to paper, the times when the hand of God was clearly in your life. For what might seem an indelible experience of the grace of God, will fade into memory with time. It is easy to turn away from God, and be distracted by the delusions of the devil.
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path
Psalm 119: 105
Scripture is indeed written by men, inspired by the Spirit of God. To immerse in the Word of God, is to be in His presence, for the Word is God. My growth as a follower of Christ has been wonderfully nourished by my soaking in His Word this past decade. But lately, I must be feeling fatigue from my new ministry at work, for I do struggle not with the understanding, but with being able to stay awake. Restful sleep, that is what I often find myself succumbing to, whenever I put on the headset to listen to the Word of God being expounded upon. While it should not become the norm, God knows my heart, and indeed the drowsy mind might not have comprehended, but an open heart His Spirit will minister to.
Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord be with you all.
2 Thessalonians 3:16
Peace. We think we are at peace when we achieve the conclusions desired. But alas, the peace as given by the world is temporal and it will never satisfy that longing in our hearts. The indescribable peace and joy that God imbues in the willing, that only He can provide, and the peace He gives is not just different from that the world gives, but is independent of our circumstances.
Prayers is not incessant chanting, nor is it a laundry list of demands. Prayers bring our spirit man into communion with the Spirit God. Prayers is about being still, a quietening of our restless soul, to be cleansed and to sense the will of God.
Prayer ministry was the next last thing on my mind when I first returned as the prodigal son unto our Father's presence, back in 1998. "Orison," to pray, this was the word God led me to when His Spirit lifted me up from my son's bed back in early 2000, much as I heard His voice roar like the rushing waves, and the light of His countenance was bedazzling.
The last thing on my mind was leading worship in church. With God all things are possible, and it is a privilege that God has placed me in a position to pray on behalf of the congregation. And it always give me great joy and assured peace that the theme of my prayers have since I started(7 sessions) always coincided with the emphasis of the sermon for the Sunday. Prescient because I have always prepared my corporate prayers a few days before the worship theme is sent to me. By faith, God has always led the way.
And the angel of God, which went before the camp of Israel, removed and went behind them; and the pillar of the cloud went from before their face, and stood behind them: And it came between the camp of the Egyptians and the camp of Israel; and it was a cloud and darkness to them, but it gave light by night to these:so that the one came not near the other all the night.
Exodus 14:19-20
Preparation of a willing heart. If we draw near to God, He will draw near to us.
Every time I am up on the pulpit leading worship, I remind myself that a baritone I am far from, but I will sing from the heart. Every worship I lead is a journey of faith, for since primary two, I have had a mental block ever since my music teacher told me that I cannot sing. God indeed brings us to realms we never thought possible. On hindsight, He has prepared me these past few years. From leading worship ( or more like ad lip) in my baptism class, through the years of small group and man's fellowship, with praise acapella style as the di rigueur. And sending me to a Believer's singing course. Not forgetting impressing upon my heart to buy my own Hymnal Book a few months before I was asked to consider leading worship.
God might not always take us away from challenging circumstances. But He will definitely prepare us for it. And much as this equipping is important, of greater significance is the deep reassurance He gives us, that will enable us to stay steadfast even as the crucible gets hotter, and God is seemingly no where in sight.
Passion. It is often what differentiates success from failure in the secular world. But in the Kingdom of God, a Christian needs more than passion. Compassion - agape love for our neighbors. Christ Our Messiah(COM) must not just precede our passion, but under gird what drives our very being
Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee:turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest.
Joshua 1:7
Dependency and yielding, are they two sides of the same coin? In the days of Moses, the Ten Commandments as well as a whole litany of law were given but man find it difficult to adhere to. God knows this inability of sinful man remains the same today. Difference is He has given us His Spirit, Who will help us overcome if we are willing to surrender our self will.
Even in the midst of our greatest angst, we must not give up seeking our Lord. In yielding to Him, God will lift us up.
Adam the first man moved from God dependent to self dependent. The Spirit man of God must strive by His grace, to move back from independent to God dependent.
Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily:
and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the Lord shall be thy rereward.
Isaiah 58:8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rnqeDx4kdRc&list=FLuHfo7CXj0gXE0852VtxOIg
God blesses
Eng Hieang
18May 2013
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