The faith element

I spent my whole week at the teen games with these boys and I really love them. I really want to see them all saved.

I figured that the two words ‘Have Faith’ is actually very powerful. They can be used to the benefit of your belief and also for your non belief. Like for example as much as the Christian can have faith in God, the Christian can also choose to have faith in his doubts and skepticism, choosing not to let go. Faith leads us in the direction we want it to lead us into. Faith can be of use for God or against God. If we publicly proclaim that we have faith in Yahweh then we must be careful not to stand at the wrong side of our living faith.

This is sobering reminder that we can be so comfortable, confident and self sufficient that we can delude ourselves into thinking that we do not need God. When all is going well and comfortable, there exists a temptation to have too much faith in ourselves and to think that we do not need God.

It's really painful to see the way the youths worship God. I mean how can we actually sing ‘church on fire’ as if the church is really on fire? It’s so hypocritical to sing about what you do not believe and people display their faith in their unbelief in their attitude towards God. If one does not believe in the truth that they are singing about, the truth then becomes lies that people unconsciously sprout out from their mouths. In other words, if we do not sing the truth in faith, we sing lies.

Pray people pray. Pray for your ministry and your non Christian friends.

Grace - the meaning of forgiveness

The more we can understand how wretched we really are, the more we can understand the meaning and intensity of the word 'grace'. Love unconditioned was bestowed onto us to make us his children without our prior knowledge or consent. Just like we whom never got a chance to choose our parents, God willed us to be called his own. And to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.

It’s as simple as that! Many times I guess I tired too hard to be a worthy son to my father in heaven. I really thought that the more I can bring before him the happier he would be and the worthier I would feel. And to worship I bring along my talents, gifting and voices all in hoping they would please God. But now my Lord tells me to simply come. Obedience is better then sacrifices, and my presence before him is much valued then what I can bring to him. Presence is valued much more than presentation. God being the giver of all gifts and talents need not us to please him using those.

Freedom from the hunt for individuality can only be found in Christ alone. When we know this truth, truly we are free. People can refine us, but only God can define us. Jesus didn’t defend himself when he was captured and/or scorned. His identity is not from the people but rather it is that from his heavenly father. His security of kingship identity is from a transcendental perspective and thus because his kingship is secured, he can freely be a servant to all Man.

As our focus is on God and son-ship identity secured we too are set free to serve. Christ’s claim of kingship rule is never geographical or political but more potently it is that of the heart. His rule in our hearts is a choiced decision, not a forced one. If that is Christ’s focus, we must amplify that.

Lord, as we look to you, bring us to a ‘place’ where we have got nothing to loose.
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Amazing grace! How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found;
Was blind, but now I see.

Never ceasing

As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by failing to pray for you. And I will teach you the way that is good and right. (1 Samuel 12:23)

Samuel was always concerned for the children of Israel. For Samuel, beside his primary ministry to Yahweh, his ministry focus is to the Israelites. He is to be a faithful mouth piece for the Lord delivering the Word of God to all Israel. Failing which, he regards as failing what he was called to do and thus sinned before Yahweh.

Now, there’s nothing particularly wrong about not praying, but as a leader am I being faithful to my calling and my responsibility? Will I able to say the same thing as Samuel did in the face of constant failure by children of Israel to recognize Yahweh’s sovereignty? Will I give up in the face of discouragement?

Like Samuel, our primary ministry is to Yahweh. And while our ministry focuses may defer, let us minister and grow before the Lord just like Samuel did for we are called to minister before the Lord first before we minister to his people. Far be it from me that I should minister to people with an empty cup. I have nothing to offer as such.

I shall not cease in praying for the ministry that I love.