TTP

「人若自潔、脫離卑賤的事、就必作貴重的器皿、成為聖潔、合乎主用、豫備行各樣的善事。」 　　~ 提摩太後書　2:21



2014年7月9日，我做完第一份lesson plan，羅馬書15：14－16：23。

Surely Goodness and Lovingkindness Shall Follow Me ...

Mom is a testament of Psalms 23:6, "Surely goodness and lovingkindness shall follow me all the days of my life."  It's been a great and constant comfort to see God's providence for my mom in the past several years.  Mom and I weren't always on good terms, but God has amazingly turned things around in the last several years, and she is a blessing to me time and time again.

This is what I wrote on FB on the 25th of December,
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"I am incredibly touched to learn from mom's caregiver that mom sat quietly and put her two hands together and prayed to God today. I didn't know she still has that mental capacity to do that. Caregiver was so surprised that she called me to tell me about it. Yes, we know Jesus was likely not born on December 25th. But God can honor Himself and honor our celebration of Jesus' birth, and touch our hearts just the same. Thank you Jesus."
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I believe God must have prompted mom to pray to Him that day, as she has lost her sense of date/year since several years ago, and most of the time she doesn't seem to respond even when I pray for/with her.  I used to worry that mom wouldn't know to turn to God for strength and comfort as alzheimer disease progresses.  I don't anymore.  I see God's not limited by mom's illness; He can speak to mom whenever.  I used to feel bad about dad's coma in 2007; now I believe more than ever the sovereignty of God in it.  I used to worry about some dear friends because they seem to have chosen a path that's not of God's.  I will not worry, but pray with confidence because God is God and He is good.

Spiritual Journal

It's about time to return to blogging.  I decided that this morning after listening to a radio program about keeping a spiritual journal and harvesting it.

STM

After 3 short-term mission trips and six years, I thought I've gotten too old to work with the high-school kids, and I thought I don't have the burden anymore.  It's true that those trips gave me lots of joy and sweet memories.  But then, the heat, the packed work schedules, the discomforting, diplomatic meals with the officials, it's hard work.  When I chatted with an old teammate last week, she said we sometimes get lazy and want to stay comfortable.  She continued to say that it's really a blessing to be called to do such work.

Getting lazy -- am I?  The blessing of being sent to do the work for God -- do I still want it?

* * *

I was a little early to play for the mandarin worship service at SGV church.  Auntie May was sitting there and shared with me,

  "I didn't like to share the Gospel with others.  Even though I knew that Jesus wouldn't return unless the Gospel is spread throughout the world, I thought it was okay for Jesus not to return, since I quite like this world.  But God said to me, 'May, the world is not going to stay the same.  It will turn into something that you will dislike.'"

 Auntie May continued to share with me,

"You know, it's true.  I never imagined that a son would murder and dismember his parent.  Yet it's happening."

I kept listening her talk, as I recalled reading that piece of horrendous news a few days ago.  I also didn't like reading about Manila's trying to develop herself as another Las Vegas, and I thought I'd read too many news of gruesome rapes in the past month.  I don't like how this world is turning into.  Pretty soon, there's no place for Christians like me to hide and live.  There's evil everywhere.

Jesus needs to return to make things right.

***

I came across a sermon by Dr. Philemon Choi on YouTube.  Some 30 years ago, he was called by God to quit the job of being a medical doctor to work with teenagers.  Now he's already a grandpa, yet his passion has not diminished and he's still active with the mission he was called to do.

Am I calling it quit only after 6 years?  Is there a calling for me?

Feeling Helpless

 I am re-reading Yancey's book on Prayer and he reminded me that admitting that I can't do it and am helpless is the best condition to pray. 如果我無理解錯的話，it's like, 0拿，神，我唔得，我唔掂，我唔撐落去因為我無力了，祢上！

The Best or the Worst

Strive to bring the best, not the worst, out of another person.

健康真的很重要，這兩個星期甚麼也做不了。

Grace

A pastor sent me this daily devotional by Chuck Smith out of the blue.

He also wrote me the following,

Romans 6:23,  "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."

"Eternal life" is a free gift in Christ Jesus our Lord.   We do not need to "work" on it.  This is His Grace.   

However, after accepted Christ, we need to serve and work hard.    

When Jesus talked about the woman who broke the vial and poured it over Jesus head, Mk. 14:8a  "Jesus said, she has done what she could; ... "  Mt. 25:21, 23  Our Master wants us to be "good and faithful." 

I believe that you always try to do your best.  This is also "by His Grace" that we can serve Him more and serve Him better."

I was at first puzzled by why this pastor sent me things out of the blue.   I think I do now.  God must know what I'm going through these two days.  I so need His Grace.  "God's blessings are not dependent on our faithfulness or our hard work but are predicated upon his nature of love."

He knows my every need

馬太福音 6 章  

7 你們禱告的時候，不要像外族人那樣，說話空洞，絮絮叨叨，他們以為話多了就必蒙垂聽。 8 不要像他們那樣，因為你們祈求以前，你們的父已知道你們的需要了。 (漢語聖經)

"And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him."  ~ Matthew 6 (ESV Bible)

Both Matthew and Luke have recorded the Lord's Prayer, and more context is given in Matthew of how this teaching came about.  I think Matthew 6:8 holds the key to orient our thinking, in order for us to understand the essence of and to pray with sincerity the Lord's Prayer.

I no longer feel the need to pray for what I need, as the Lord has already known.  I needed friendship last year,  as much as I needed food and shelter.  I needed joy in my life.  The Lord has provided for me to my heart's desire.

No, I do not need to pray for what I need.  What I need to pray for is what the Lord wants:  Hallowed be His Name, His kingdom come, His will be done on earth as it is in heaven.