Psalm 37:23 The steps of a man are established by the LORD, And He delights in his way.

What have you experienced from the hand of God recently? How does reflecting on these increases your faith and hope in Christ?

Recently, I drove to the Car Inspection Centre, VICOM @ Changi for my mandatory bi-yearly check. The queue was so long that I was queuing way outside the Centre and along the road. It would take more than a hour to get through this.

“Should I come another day?”.

A few cars came and on seeing the long queue decided to back off. After about 10 minutes, I was still the last car at the queue and worst still, nothing seems to move! I felt dumb waiting there. As the feeling inside me began to churn, I felt God telling me to be patience. I think I am right to credit it to God as patience is the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22). For the past few days, the theme of being patience kept coming back to me. My wife even ticked me off for not being patience and always on a rush. Maybe the queue was there to train me. Yet, seeing cars come and go; and I was always the last at the queue just frustrated me more.

“God, help me to wait. Keep me safe for queueing in the middle of the road. I pray that nothing bad will happen to me.”

Feeling more calm after praying, my anxiety was replaced with peace. Just then, a VICOM-inspector came out and signal to a few cars in front of me to move forward. Wow! a second lane was formed, and I was the third car on a new inspection lane.

“Thank you, LORD!” Waiting became easier.

Then, the inspector walked to me and signal to me to go to a new lane, I was the first car to go for the inspection! My mind suddenly became alive: “The last shall be the first!” Thank God, the inspection went well.

As I drove out of the Inspection Centre, all the cars that were in front me were still waiting for inspection. I thought of those cars that came after me and left after seeing a long queue and the understanding of “live by faith, not by sight (2Cor 5:7)” become clearer – faith; because I felt God wanted me to learn patience even though common sense say that I am wasting my time at the queue.

Thank you, Emmanuel – God is with us. I know, I felt His hands leading my steps.

May the good LORD guides your steps today!

Have a blessed day!

Looking into my Journal

 

I like to keep a journal. Oftentimes, reading what I wrote long ago in my journal would rekindle the Spiritual fire again. Let me share one that was written not too long ago when the Sunday sermons were on the Story of the Prodigal Son in Luke Chapter 15:

Looking at the story of the Prodigal Son and the older brother from another angle:

(1) Why did the Father give his inheritance to the younger son while he is still alive? Answer: the younger son asked for it. In John 16:24 - God, our Heavenly Father desires us to ask Him. Always approach God as His child and ASK!!

While the older brother long to have a goat to celebrate with his friends, he never asked (verse 29). He expects the father to give without asking. But that is not how Kingdom principles work. Kingdom principle is: “Ask and it will be given you (Matthew 7:7)” and “You do not have because you do not ask (James 4:2b)”

(2) The older brother never neglects any of the father’s commands, serve faithfully for many years (verse 29). His way of loving the father is by Act of Service. But there are many ways to show love, not just Act of Services. The father showed love by:

        Physical touch – kiss and embrace the son (verse 20)

        Giving gifts – best robe, ring, sandals (verse 22)

        Words of encouragement – “my son was dead and is now alive!” (verse 24)

        Quality time – waiting for his son daily to return; giving time to celebrate with his son

People whose love language is only Act of Service (like the older brother), tend to despise those who don’t serve (“mine way of loving God is more superior”). So, the older brother sees only the “faults” of others, including his father; just like the Scribes and Pharisees look down and sneer at the common people.

 

 In church, people who serve in various ways are often recognised and esteemed. Those who don’t are considered lukewarm and mediocre.

 Applications: 

(1) I, and every Christians can do something – ask/pray for one another and for anything. 

(2) Love God and love people with many love languages – Services; Friendly touches; Gifts; Words of thanksgiving, encouragement, affirmation and Quality time.

 

May the Spiritual fire in you be rekindled.

Agape, Have a blessed day!