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by the love that was showered onto Rach & myself & the little princess,
by the prayers that surrounded us,
by the gifts that overflow our small living room now
by how God make all these possible.
thank you
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Monday, August 17, 2009
Stepping into winter
many whom follow me on Twitter asked me what i meant by what i twit on Sunday...
Well.. to be honest, i am also still searching for a clearer idea too...
"A season of winter has come.."
Gone were the days that serving for most was something that we look forward to.
And maybe, gone too, were the days that growth was something that were desired, from us ourselves, instead of top down. (and even that... is something i am unwilling to comment)
Maybe its due to the fact that those who caught the fire for themselves, those hot coals, those history makers, are no longer around to spread the fire,
and those whom remained, are slowing losing the fire themselves in a sea of ice hearts...
Or maybe, the long marathon run has caused many to slow down, and choose to walk on the side ways, thinking that someone else will run the race for them..
the "new system" may be a cause, (after all, since day 1, many have express our doubts on how "beneficial" the new system will have on the ushers, and its starting to show the downward spiral of burnouts, but its the attitude that determine our victories, not the situation...
Or maybe, its just how God work?
to bring us through the winter season, to strengthen the core, and to let those who were never going to be here for the long run, leave...
Just like the tree.
A plant sown in spring start to grow its first leaf as it try to hold on to whatever they can find.
A young member recruited into the ministry start to serve, and begin to be intergrate into the team, into the ministry, trying to fulfil the Great Commission.
They learn of a greater purpose beyond their self, and would like to see where this ministry journey will lead them to.
When summer come, the plant start to strengthen itself, grow bigger, and stronger.
In a season where many are growing together in the ideal environment, some choose to work together for the common good, while some became giants overnight. Flowers start to bloom, and fruits are born.
When members show themselves faithful in the little things, more are given, and depending on the "DISC" personality,
some may be contend to follow,
some may become excellent facilators, leading based on what they see in their mentor's,
some lay hold of God for themselves, and begin to lead, based on what God Himself revealed.
some may work better in teams,
while some may be breakaway stars.
whatever the process, people grow, responsiblities are given, and for those who harvested wisely will start to see fruits.
what seem to be a seed in spring is now a plant of certain influence to the younger ones.
And then autumn come.
The sower come and harvest his fruits from the plant, while the plant start to shed its leaves as the enviroment turn cold.
the arrival of night time come noticeably earlier.
for many whom have been growing with a purpose, this is the season where they began to step into leadership, with a sense of sure-ness, and steafastness.
those leading, but may not be sure of their direction, may need some form of support and guidance, and they will grow in their own time,
but for those who were sitting on the fence during summer, start to feel "bored" and "not belonged", and begin to lose their "life" in ministry, and start to leave, just like the leaves...
is there a reason why some tress are called evergreens?
because they do not shed their leaves.
They grow silently, regardless of the seasons in their lives, even in winter.
Day after day, year after year.
The strongest and biggest trees are found in countries with winters, because they know how to overcome the external changes, while growing stronger internally.
As ushers (esp for the leaders)
we can overcome the winters too, and we must.
But we need to dig deep into His Presence, find His rest, and continue to serve Him,
but not as the blind following the crowd.
Let's stop serving as fulfilling duties.
The Great commission is not about duties.
Its about taking time, each day,
to teach someone how to be more like Christ,
to show someone how to live out a better life,
to encourage someone to step out, and be a overcomer and winner,
to be a person of faith, and strength.
we can fulfil the Great Commission every day, esp on Sundays.
Anyone that we interacts with are looking at us to show them the "better life".
A younger usher is looking at you to determine if he want to have the same lifestyle as a leader.
A church member is looking at you to determine if he want to join Usher, to serve with the same joy that you have.
Winters are dark, cold and harsh.
but out of winters come colorful reminders of God's faithfulness, and promises to each and everyone of us for a new season ahead of us.
Winters are the best time for us to find Him, rest in Him, and to agree with Him on the direction that we need to take for the next 1 year.
Are you ready for the winter?
Well.. to be honest, i am also still searching for a clearer idea too...
"A season of winter has come.."
Gone were the days that serving for most was something that we look forward to.
And maybe, gone too, were the days that growth was something that were desired, from us ourselves, instead of top down. (and even that... is something i am unwilling to comment)
Maybe its due to the fact that those who caught the fire for themselves, those hot coals, those history makers, are no longer around to spread the fire,
and those whom remained, are slowing losing the fire themselves in a sea of ice hearts...
Or maybe, the long marathon run has caused many to slow down, and choose to walk on the side ways, thinking that someone else will run the race for them..
the "new system" may be a cause, (after all, since day 1, many have express our doubts on how "beneficial" the new system will have on the ushers, and its starting to show the downward spiral of burnouts, but its the attitude that determine our victories, not the situation...
Or maybe, its just how God work?
to bring us through the winter season, to strengthen the core, and to let those who were never going to be here for the long run, leave...
Just like the tree.
A plant sown in spring start to grow its first leaf as it try to hold on to whatever they can find.
A young member recruited into the ministry start to serve, and begin to be intergrate into the team, into the ministry, trying to fulfil the Great Commission.
They learn of a greater purpose beyond their self, and would like to see where this ministry journey will lead them to.
When summer come, the plant start to strengthen itself, grow bigger, and stronger.
In a season where many are growing together in the ideal environment, some choose to work together for the common good, while some became giants overnight. Flowers start to bloom, and fruits are born.
When members show themselves faithful in the little things, more are given, and depending on the "DISC" personality,
some may be contend to follow,
some may become excellent facilators, leading based on what they see in their mentor's,
some lay hold of God for themselves, and begin to lead, based on what God Himself revealed.
some may work better in teams,
while some may be breakaway stars.
whatever the process, people grow, responsiblities are given, and for those who harvested wisely will start to see fruits.
what seem to be a seed in spring is now a plant of certain influence to the younger ones.
And then autumn come.
The sower come and harvest his fruits from the plant, while the plant start to shed its leaves as the enviroment turn cold.
the arrival of night time come noticeably earlier.
for many whom have been growing with a purpose, this is the season where they began to step into leadership, with a sense of sure-ness, and steafastness.
those leading, but may not be sure of their direction, may need some form of support and guidance, and they will grow in their own time,
but for those who were sitting on the fence during summer, start to feel "bored" and "not belonged", and begin to lose their "life" in ministry, and start to leave, just like the leaves...
is there a reason why some tress are called evergreens?
because they do not shed their leaves.
They grow silently, regardless of the seasons in their lives, even in winter.
Day after day, year after year.
The strongest and biggest trees are found in countries with winters, because they know how to overcome the external changes, while growing stronger internally.
As ushers (esp for the leaders)
we can overcome the winters too, and we must.
But we need to dig deep into His Presence, find His rest, and continue to serve Him,
but not as the blind following the crowd.
Let's stop serving as fulfilling duties.
The Great commission is not about duties.
Its about taking time, each day,
to teach someone how to be more like Christ,
to show someone how to live out a better life,
to encourage someone to step out, and be a overcomer and winner,
to be a person of faith, and strength.
we can fulfil the Great Commission every day, esp on Sundays.
Anyone that we interacts with are looking at us to show them the "better life".
A younger usher is looking at you to determine if he want to have the same lifestyle as a leader.
A church member is looking at you to determine if he want to join Usher, to serve with the same joy that you have.
Winters are dark, cold and harsh.
but out of winters come colorful reminders of God's faithfulness, and promises to each and everyone of us for a new season ahead of us.
Winters are the best time for us to find Him, rest in Him, and to agree with Him on the direction that we need to take for the next 1 year.
Are you ready for the winter?
Monday, August 3, 2009
A usher's heart that moves me to tears...
Celebrating CHC's 20th birthday on Sunday was already a very emotional day for us..
watching and hearing how God used 1 man & his wife,
and through them,
a church,
and then a movement,
to change and influence Asia for His glory..
i may have tweet many times already, but i still stand amazed at the journey we walked through...
joined CHC on 8 Dec 1998.. and that mean i was with Ps Kong for the past 11 yrs..
yet.. the journey felt like only days...
(well.. except during my younger ushering days when we are serving back to back duties, running around like rabbits chasing carrots)
if everyone is waxing how God have changed their lives through the ministry of Ps Kong & CHC,
no one live it out more than this usher, who make me cry on Sun.
His son is in hospital (due to some lung infection),
but he still came to serve at 7am.
He didn't tell anyone, and didnt' ask for a more easy allocation
(he was serving with me for East SOF)
He didn't ask for time off, (even though no one will fault him)
He didn't ask for understanding (even though we will all stand with him in prayers)
He didn't even ask us to pray that God will heal his son that very day
(i wonder.. how did he feel when Ps was praying for someone's else child)
He could have ask to serve for only 1 svc, but he continue to serve willingly for both,
and only asked to leave SIS when Ps Kong took the stage for the sermon...
He could have done nothing, and just spend time with his family..
But he came.
And he gave his all to God,
to glorify God, for all that He has done for Ps Kong, and CHC.
Will anyone remember him?
I didn't even have the time to ask him for his name.
I was caught off guard, and was already lost in thought when he is going to the hospital.
Maybe, no one will ever remember this awesome brother.
But God will surely remember how this one man put all aside, to put God first.
Trusting that God will never let him down, when he put God first.
It's time to wake up.
I heard enough of ushers telling me that they can't serve becoz of this and that excuses.
Will your studies really be better if you don't serve?
You have so much faith that you will do well ONLY IF you don't serve for an extra 3hrs on a church going Sun..
BUT you can't have faith to believe that as you put God first, He will impart to you HIS wisdom.
Will your light cough, headache, and whatever really go away if you don't serve?
You have so much faith that you will recovered if you just rest at home...
BUT you can't have the faith to believe God that as you serve Him, He will take all your sickness away...
Will you have enough money if you just sit and listen to sermons week after week?
Or will you have faith to believe that as you give Him your life, He will give you His promises?
But more than anything else, i am sick of members coming late for services, and demands to be treated like royals.
If you can't even come on time, don't challenge my ushers who are simply trying to give God their best.
You are not part of CHC.
You are the stones that slow us down.
You are a shame.
The only reason why i won't bother to argue with you is simple:
You don't deserve my time, and my heart to reason with.
When we prayed on Sunday that we will all be united and continue to give God our best,
to follow His desires,
my mind has 2 "models"
1 that testify the DNA of CHC,
and the other, that call us their church, but is living otherwise.
Which one will we all become?
Which one will YOU become?
watching and hearing how God used 1 man & his wife,
and through them,
a church,
and then a movement,
to change and influence Asia for His glory..
i may have tweet many times already, but i still stand amazed at the journey we walked through...
joined CHC on 8 Dec 1998.. and that mean i was with Ps Kong for the past 11 yrs..
yet.. the journey felt like only days...
(well.. except during my younger ushering days when we are serving back to back duties, running around like rabbits chasing carrots)
if everyone is waxing how God have changed their lives through the ministry of Ps Kong & CHC,
no one live it out more than this usher, who make me cry on Sun.
His son is in hospital (due to some lung infection),
but he still came to serve at 7am.
He didn't tell anyone, and didnt' ask for a more easy allocation
(he was serving with me for East SOF)
He didn't ask for time off, (even though no one will fault him)
He didn't ask for understanding (even though we will all stand with him in prayers)
He didn't even ask us to pray that God will heal his son that very day
(i wonder.. how did he feel when Ps was praying for someone's else child)
He could have ask to serve for only 1 svc, but he continue to serve willingly for both,
and only asked to leave SIS when Ps Kong took the stage for the sermon...
He could have done nothing, and just spend time with his family..
But he came.
And he gave his all to God,
to glorify God, for all that He has done for Ps Kong, and CHC.
Will anyone remember him?
I didn't even have the time to ask him for his name.
I was caught off guard, and was already lost in thought when he is going to the hospital.
Maybe, no one will ever remember this awesome brother.
But God will surely remember how this one man put all aside, to put God first.
Trusting that God will never let him down, when he put God first.
It's time to wake up.
I heard enough of ushers telling me that they can't serve becoz of this and that excuses.
Will your studies really be better if you don't serve?
You have so much faith that you will do well ONLY IF you don't serve for an extra 3hrs on a church going Sun..
BUT you can't have faith to believe that as you put God first, He will impart to you HIS wisdom.
Will your light cough, headache, and whatever really go away if you don't serve?
You have so much faith that you will recovered if you just rest at home...
BUT you can't have the faith to believe God that as you serve Him, He will take all your sickness away...
Will you have enough money if you just sit and listen to sermons week after week?
Or will you have faith to believe that as you give Him your life, He will give you His promises?
But more than anything else, i am sick of members coming late for services, and demands to be treated like royals.
If you can't even come on time, don't challenge my ushers who are simply trying to give God their best.
You are not part of CHC.
You are the stones that slow us down.
You are a shame.
The only reason why i won't bother to argue with you is simple:
You don't deserve my time, and my heart to reason with.
When we prayed on Sunday that we will all be united and continue to give God our best,
to follow His desires,
my mind has 2 "models"
1 that testify the DNA of CHC,
and the other, that call us their church, but is living otherwise.
Which one will we all become?
Which one will YOU become?
Monday, July 27, 2009
How a burnt out star can step out of the fire, victorious!!
it was something that well... sad to say.. expected..
Stars do burn out..
but leaders are more than stars..
Leaders have been annointed, appointed, and called.
Called into greatness,
But also called into the fire places.
And how a burn-ed leader responsed determined how he/she will come out of the fire.
Like sugar, we can turn black and harden..
we can start blaming everyone else for the things that didn't happened, nor what should happened..
we can be angry, and start to lash out at people, thinking that they didn't care..
We can form a wall against the very people whom we need to find comfort in...
OR
Like stones, we can remain lifeless..
we can start to be routinely...
without passion, without interest, without a desire to influence & impact.
we can still stay in the race, but its following the crowd.
there is no more stepping out.
everything that we can do is "safe",
but before long, we start to lose interest, and begin to look for greener pasture, usually outside the kingdom of God.
OR
Like bread, we can allow bitter yeasts to be fed into our lives, and help us grow..
we can be accountable, and allow our leaders to speak words of guidance.
words that may not sound nice, but surely, words that are Spirit-led.
words that like yeasts, help us to grow in our character.
there are times that i know i have to allow my leaders to speak to me..
to be more accountable,
to be more humble,
to be more willing to be invisible and let other lead,
to be more Christ like in my ministry,
to die to myself.
it wasnt always easy.
dying to my own desires or even feelings when i am feeling real bad, lousy and unappreciated.
even though my leaders may not be there for me, i MUST still share.
i MUST still listen to them, and pray through their words.
i MUST still serve, even though there is no fruits, becoz i MUST remain ready when God bring in the next harvest.
i MUST still seek God, even though God didn't answer my prayers, becoz i MUST remember that God is always bigger than my problems.
the heat may not decrease, but like bread,
when i allow God to move, the yeasts will grow, and out of the lump of flour, bread will start to form.
Bakers don't bake the bread in fire for the whole day.
God know how much heat we can take.
And when we are ready, God will surely take me out of the fire, and prepare me for the next level.
Leavened bread are life giving.
How?
Your personal stories & testimonies will encourage others.
Your personal victories will inspires others.
But more than your victories, how God was able to bring you out of your defeats will motivate others to keep trusting God, even when all fronts are lost.
Do you enjoy bread?
I do.
And every time I enjoy bread, i can't help but remember how God will use the fires of life to make me better,
as a leader,
as a minister,
as a friend,
as a husband,
and soon, as a father.
May this bless you!
Stars do burn out..
but leaders are more than stars..
Leaders have been annointed, appointed, and called.
Called into greatness,
But also called into the fire places.
And how a burn-ed leader responsed determined how he/she will come out of the fire.
Like sugar, we can turn black and harden..
we can start blaming everyone else for the things that didn't happened, nor what should happened..
we can be angry, and start to lash out at people, thinking that they didn't care..
We can form a wall against the very people whom we need to find comfort in...
OR
Like stones, we can remain lifeless..
we can start to be routinely...
without passion, without interest, without a desire to influence & impact.
we can still stay in the race, but its following the crowd.
there is no more stepping out.
everything that we can do is "safe",
but before long, we start to lose interest, and begin to look for greener pasture, usually outside the kingdom of God.
OR
Like bread, we can allow bitter yeasts to be fed into our lives, and help us grow..
we can be accountable, and allow our leaders to speak words of guidance.
words that may not sound nice, but surely, words that are Spirit-led.
words that like yeasts, help us to grow in our character.
there are times that i know i have to allow my leaders to speak to me..
to be more accountable,
to be more humble,
to be more willing to be invisible and let other lead,
to be more Christ like in my ministry,
to die to myself.
it wasnt always easy.
dying to my own desires or even feelings when i am feeling real bad, lousy and unappreciated.
even though my leaders may not be there for me, i MUST still share.
i MUST still listen to them, and pray through their words.
i MUST still serve, even though there is no fruits, becoz i MUST remain ready when God bring in the next harvest.
i MUST still seek God, even though God didn't answer my prayers, becoz i MUST remember that God is always bigger than my problems.
the heat may not decrease, but like bread,
when i allow God to move, the yeasts will grow, and out of the lump of flour, bread will start to form.
Bakers don't bake the bread in fire for the whole day.
God know how much heat we can take.
And when we are ready, God will surely take me out of the fire, and prepare me for the next level.
Leavened bread are life giving.
How?
Your personal stories & testimonies will encourage others.
Your personal victories will inspires others.
But more than your victories, how God was able to bring you out of your defeats will motivate others to keep trusting God, even when all fronts are lost.
Do you enjoy bread?
I do.
And every time I enjoy bread, i can't help but remember how God will use the fires of life to make me better,
as a leader,
as a minister,
as a friend,
as a husband,
and soon, as a father.
May this bless you!
Sunday, July 5, 2009
DISC results for 2009
D: 56%
I: 40%
S: 0%
C: 4%
my goodness.. its a very big increase... and decreases!!!
the lion is roaring again,..
just don't let him bite you!
I: 40%
S: 0%
C: 4%
my goodness.. its a very big increase... and decreases!!!
the lion is roaring again,..
just don't let him bite you!
My Salvation is About Him
Who would look at the cross of Christ and say,
"Great work, Jesus. Sorry you couldn't finish it, but I'll take up the slack."?
Dare we question the crowning work of God?
Dare we think heaven needs our help in saving us?
Legalism discounts God and in the process makes a mess out of us.
To anyone attempting to earn heaven, Paul asks,
"How is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable principles?
Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again? ....
What has happened to all your joy?" (Galatians 4:19, 15 NIV).
Legalism is joyless because legalism is endless.
There is always another class to attend, person to teach, mouth to feed.
Inmates incarcerated in self-salvation find work but never joy.
How could they?
They never know when they are finished.
Legalism leaches joy.
Grace, however, dispenses peace.
The Christian trusts a finished work.
Grace offers rest.
Legalism never does.
Then why do we embrace it?
"Those who trust in themselves are foolish" (Proverbs 28:26 NCV).
Why do we trust in ourselves?
Why do we add to God's finished work?
But the truth is, we don't.
If we think we do, we have missed the message.
"What is left for us to brag about?" Paul wonders (Romans 3:27 CEV).
What is there indeed?
What have you contributed?
Aside from your admission of utter decadence, I can't think of a thing.
"By his doing you are in Christ Jesus" (1 Corinthians 1:30).
Salvation glorifies the Savior, not the saved.
Your salvation showcases God's mercy.
It makes nothing of your effort but everything of his.
"I--yes, I alone--am the one who blots out your sins for my own sake and will never think of them again" (Isaiah, 43:25, emphasis mine).
Can you add anything to this salvation?
No.
The work is finished.
Can you earn this salvation?
No.
Don't dishonor God by trying.
Dare we boast about this salvation?
By no means.
The giver of bread, not the beggar, deserves praise.
"Let him who boasts, boast in the Lord" (1 Corinthians 1:31).
It's not about what we do; it's all about what he does.
Max Lucado
It's Not About Me
"Great work, Jesus. Sorry you couldn't finish it, but I'll take up the slack."?
Dare we question the crowning work of God?
Dare we think heaven needs our help in saving us?
Legalism discounts God and in the process makes a mess out of us.
To anyone attempting to earn heaven, Paul asks,
"How is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable principles?
Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again? ....
What has happened to all your joy?" (Galatians 4:19, 15 NIV).
Legalism is joyless because legalism is endless.
There is always another class to attend, person to teach, mouth to feed.
Inmates incarcerated in self-salvation find work but never joy.
How could they?
They never know when they are finished.
Legalism leaches joy.
Grace, however, dispenses peace.
The Christian trusts a finished work.
Grace offers rest.
Legalism never does.
Then why do we embrace it?
"Those who trust in themselves are foolish" (Proverbs 28:26 NCV).
Why do we trust in ourselves?
Why do we add to God's finished work?
But the truth is, we don't.
If we think we do, we have missed the message.
"What is left for us to brag about?" Paul wonders (Romans 3:27 CEV).
What is there indeed?
What have you contributed?
Aside from your admission of utter decadence, I can't think of a thing.
"By his doing you are in Christ Jesus" (1 Corinthians 1:30).
Salvation glorifies the Savior, not the saved.
Your salvation showcases God's mercy.
It makes nothing of your effort but everything of his.
"I--yes, I alone--am the one who blots out your sins for my own sake and will never think of them again" (Isaiah, 43:25, emphasis mine).
Can you add anything to this salvation?
No.
The work is finished.
Can you earn this salvation?
No.
Don't dishonor God by trying.
Dare we boast about this salvation?
By no means.
The giver of bread, not the beggar, deserves praise.
"Let him who boasts, boast in the Lord" (1 Corinthians 1:31).
It's not about what we do; it's all about what he does.
Max Lucado
It's Not About Me
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Saturday, June 27, 2009
My Message is About Him
The request came when I was twenty.
"Can you address our church youth group?"
We aren't talking citywide crusade here.
Think more in terms of a dozen kids around a West Texas campfire.
I was new to the faith, hence new to the power of the faith.
I told my story, and, lo and behold, they listened!
One even approached me afterward and said something like, "That moved me, Max."
My chest lifted, and my feet shifted just a step in the direction of the spotlight.
God has been nudging me back ever since.
Some of you don't relate.
The limelight never woos you.
You and John the Baptist sing the same tune:
"He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less" (John 3:30 NLT).
God bless you.
You might want to pray for the rest of us.
We applause-aholics have done it all:
dropped names,
sung loudly,
dressed up to look classy,
dressed down to look cool,
quoted authors we've never read,
spouted Greek we've never studied.
For the life of me, I believe Satan trains battalions of demons to whisper one question in our ears: "What are people thinking of you?"
A deadly query.
What they think of us matters not.
What they think of God matters all.
God will not share his glory with another (Isaiah 42:8).
Next time you need a nudge away from the spotlight, remember:
You are simply one link in a chain, an unimportant link at that.
Remember the other messengers God has used?
A donkey to speak to Balaam (Numbers 22:28).
A staff-turned-snake to stir Pharaoh (Exodus 7:10).
He used stubborn oxen to make a point about reverence and a big fish to make a point about reluctant preachers (I Samuel 6:1-12; Jonah 1:1-17)
God doesn't need you and me to do his work.
We are expedient messengers, ambassadors by his kindness, not by our cleverness.
It's not about us, and it angers him when we think it is.
We who are entrusted with the gospel dare not seek applause but best deflect applause.
For our message is about Someone else.
Max Lucado
It's Not About Me
"Can you address our church youth group?"
We aren't talking citywide crusade here.
Think more in terms of a dozen kids around a West Texas campfire.
I was new to the faith, hence new to the power of the faith.
I told my story, and, lo and behold, they listened!
One even approached me afterward and said something like, "That moved me, Max."
My chest lifted, and my feet shifted just a step in the direction of the spotlight.
God has been nudging me back ever since.
Some of you don't relate.
The limelight never woos you.
You and John the Baptist sing the same tune:
"He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less" (John 3:30 NLT).
God bless you.
You might want to pray for the rest of us.
We applause-aholics have done it all:
dropped names,
sung loudly,
dressed up to look classy,
dressed down to look cool,
quoted authors we've never read,
spouted Greek we've never studied.
For the life of me, I believe Satan trains battalions of demons to whisper one question in our ears: "What are people thinking of you?"
A deadly query.
What they think of us matters not.
What they think of God matters all.
God will not share his glory with another (Isaiah 42:8).
Next time you need a nudge away from the spotlight, remember:
You are simply one link in a chain, an unimportant link at that.
Remember the other messengers God has used?
A donkey to speak to Balaam (Numbers 22:28).
A staff-turned-snake to stir Pharaoh (Exodus 7:10).
He used stubborn oxen to make a point about reverence and a big fish to make a point about reluctant preachers (I Samuel 6:1-12; Jonah 1:1-17)
God doesn't need you and me to do his work.
We are expedient messengers, ambassadors by his kindness, not by our cleverness.
It's not about us, and it angers him when we think it is.
We who are entrusted with the gospel dare not seek applause but best deflect applause.
For our message is about Someone else.
Max Lucado
It's Not About Me
Monday, June 22, 2009
God is Cheering for You
If your God is Mighty enough to ignite the sun, could it be that He is mighty enough to light your path?
God is for you.
Not "may be,"
not "has been,"
not "was,"
not "would be,"
but "God is!"
He is for you.
Today.
At this hour.
At this minute.
As you read this sentence.
No need to wait in line or come back tomorrow.
He is with you.
He could not be closer than he is at this second.
His loyalty won't increase if you are better nor lessen if you are worse.
He is for you.
God is for you.
Turn to the sidelines; that's God cheering your run.
Look past the finish line; that's God applauding your steps.
Listen for him in the bleachers, shouting your name.
Too tired to continue? He'll carry you.
Too discouraged to fight? He's picking you up.
God is for you.
God is for you.
Had he a calendar, your birthday would be circled.
If he drove a car, your name would be on his bumper.
If there's a tree in heaven, he's carved your name in the bark.
We know he has a tattoo, and we know what it says. "I have written your name on my hand," he declares (Isa. 49:16).
Max Lucado
Let the Journey Begin:God's Roadmap for New Beginnings
God is for you.
Not "may be,"
not "has been,"
not "was,"
not "would be,"
but "God is!"
He is for you.
Today.
At this hour.
At this minute.
As you read this sentence.
No need to wait in line or come back tomorrow.
He is with you.
He could not be closer than he is at this second.
His loyalty won't increase if you are better nor lessen if you are worse.
He is for you.
God is for you.
Turn to the sidelines; that's God cheering your run.
Look past the finish line; that's God applauding your steps.
Listen for him in the bleachers, shouting your name.
Too tired to continue? He'll carry you.
Too discouraged to fight? He's picking you up.
God is for you.
God is for you.
Had he a calendar, your birthday would be circled.
If he drove a car, your name would be on his bumper.
If there's a tree in heaven, he's carved your name in the bark.
We know he has a tattoo, and we know what it says. "I have written your name on my hand," he declares (Isa. 49:16).
Max Lucado
Let the Journey Begin:God's Roadmap for New Beginnings
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