The Lord has taught me a lesson here and there. But, again He is faithful to me and has answered my prayer.
I asked Him one night, “What is the lesson that You are trying to teach me, but I haven’t yet learned it?” I was struggling in my mind thinking, how come I am never content with my job and always looking for another place to work. How come whenever there is a little pressure knocking at my door, I am already packing my bag ready to leave the premise?
“This has to be stopped,” I said to myself.
In His awesome way, God embraced me, and taught me the following lesson, which I hope can be a blessing in your life.
We spend about half of our lives at work, or if you are a student at school, or if you are stay-at-home parents at home. Whether it is an office, school, or a home environment, the point is that we are spending majority of our time in that place.
We understand how our body is the temple of the living God, hence wherever we go, the Spirit of God goes with us. “For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: "I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people."” (2 Corinthians 6:16)
We are also called Christ’s ambassadors (2 Corinthians 5:20), hence whatever we do or say, represents Christ’s nature.
Paul also mentioned about the need of obedience to the people whom God has put as our supervisor, teacher, or parents in his letter to the Ephesians church, “Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but like slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart.” (Ephesians 6:5-6) They might call it slaves during Paul’s times, but it deals with similar relationship between subordinates and superiors.
To draw upon my own experience, which I am sure is similar to what others go through, finding a better paying job, a better house, a better education, are probably the top three priorities in one’s life when we are talking about financial matter. And we are pleased with ourselves when we have achieved something tangible connected with money, whether they are in a form of a house, a car, or a diploma.
And we all know how Jesus, Himself has taught us that we can’t serve two masters. “No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.” (Luke 16:13).
But, He also reassured us when He said how we are more important than birds or lilies that spin in the field, and how He knows what we need and would always provide for us. And that our life is more important than food, and our body is more important than clothes. And how we shouldn’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. (Matthew 6:25-34)
I believe it’s ok to plan ahead, and it is actually very important. But it is just as important as planning that we seek what God wants us to do before we jump into any conclusion. “Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matthew 6:33)
The Lord gave me an understanding also that another common theme that we have at work, school, or home, is relationship.
Simply put, we can say that our co-workers are our family. Our teachers or the custodians in school are our family. And at home, our parents and siblings are family.
We can extend this relationship idea to the strangers that we meet on the street, at a store, bank, library, and the list goes on.
But, when we talk about the three families mentioned above, we are talking about those people whom we spend a lot of time with together.
There might or should be a priority set on this, where family or work or school should come before or after the other. And the Lord will guide you and teach you this as well.
A family cares for one another, it helps each other, it builds one another, it does not envy each other, it is patient in dealing with one another, it thinks no evil of each other, it does not angry easily, it always trusts one another. (1 Corinthians 13:4-8)
In summary, when we are thinking of changing our jobs, or making a decision on our next step, think about all of the above, first ask the Lord if it is in His will that we move on, second, think about the impact that you will have on the people around you, last, but not least, be ready to hear no as an answer, because the Lord is constantly building your character to be humble and more like Him, and staying or being content is what He may desire for you at that moment.
God bless.
Friday, March 16, 2007
Thursday, March 08, 2007
The truth vs. The world.
Sure, the media would portray what they deemed popular on their magazines, or their websites. Sure, people’s perceptions are somewhat influenced by information provided by the media.
But, these are not the truth folks.
God has freed us from these bondages. Not only has God set us free by the blood of Jesus, but He has also taught us through His Words and the Holy Spirit.
When Jesus came to the earth, He showed us examples of how He wants us, believers to live.
Everyday in our lives we are presented with choices. Many require subtle and hard-to-make decision. But one thing, I know, the Spirit of God is bigger than the spirit in this world. And it’s a guarantee that we can obey His will over our own will or the will of this world.
It started with simple steps, like obedience: Obeying the word of God and listening to His Spirit. We have that in our hearts. Some people called in conscience, but I believe it’s the Spirit of God that is talking to us.
Make that decision today, and stick to it. Put all your trust in the Lord and He will protect you. I’ve done it. I invite you to do the same.
Our God is faithful. He keeps His promises.
God bless.
But, these are not the truth folks.
God has freed us from these bondages. Not only has God set us free by the blood of Jesus, but He has also taught us through His Words and the Holy Spirit.
When Jesus came to the earth, He showed us examples of how He wants us, believers to live.
Everyday in our lives we are presented with choices. Many require subtle and hard-to-make decision. But one thing, I know, the Spirit of God is bigger than the spirit in this world. And it’s a guarantee that we can obey His will over our own will or the will of this world.
It started with simple steps, like obedience: Obeying the word of God and listening to His Spirit. We have that in our hearts. Some people called in conscience, but I believe it’s the Spirit of God that is talking to us.
Make that decision today, and stick to it. Put all your trust in the Lord and He will protect you. I’ve done it. I invite you to do the same.
Our God is faithful. He keeps His promises.
God bless.
Starting a non-profit
Artworks for Youth
A couple lesson learned:
1) Replication
“The model unfolds as follows: Replications selects an outstanding school, enlarges it by adding a team of three teachers-including a lead teacher-for a period of one year, and then replicates the school by having that team of three teachers open a new school in a new site (the lead teacher becomes the principal of the new school). After a year spent working in the successful school, the professional knowledge, skills and culture learned by the team is transported to the new school.
"The Replications model uses a 'people to people' approach to transmit professional knowledge, skills and culture," says John Elwell. "This insures that the intangible dynamics that make a school function successfully are carried over to the new school, often the most difficult aspect of making a new school work."”
http://www.tc.columbia.edu/news/article.htm?id=2991
2) Art Supply Drive
Not only, do people donate frequent flier miles for funding some of the trips to Africa, but they also do an art supply drive. (e.g., colored pencils, crayons, markers, paints and brushes, beads, craft wire) In addition to getting a non-profit status, receiving initial funding, the organization also auctions the art that is made by the students and the teachers.
3) Outcome
The children produce artwork that shows not only their talents but also their lives. One example is when the children were asked for some of the things that they worry the most, a few responded, hunger, or being stabbed while sleeping.
A couple lesson learned:
1) Replication
“The model unfolds as follows: Replications selects an outstanding school, enlarges it by adding a team of three teachers-including a lead teacher-for a period of one year, and then replicates the school by having that team of three teachers open a new school in a new site (the lead teacher becomes the principal of the new school). After a year spent working in the successful school, the professional knowledge, skills and culture learned by the team is transported to the new school.
"The Replications model uses a 'people to people' approach to transmit professional knowledge, skills and culture," says John Elwell. "This insures that the intangible dynamics that make a school function successfully are carried over to the new school, often the most difficult aspect of making a new school work."”
http://www.tc.columbia.edu/news/article.htm?id=2991
2) Art Supply Drive
Not only, do people donate frequent flier miles for funding some of the trips to Africa, but they also do an art supply drive. (e.g., colored pencils, crayons, markers, paints and brushes, beads, craft wire) In addition to getting a non-profit status, receiving initial funding, the organization also auctions the art that is made by the students and the teachers.
3) Outcome
The children produce artwork that shows not only their talents but also their lives. One example is when the children were asked for some of the things that they worry the most, a few responded, hunger, or being stabbed while sleeping.
Tuesday, March 06, 2007
The day of the Lord
Can you imagine what the day would be like when Christ return to gather His brides?
We know it in our heart the day when the Lord would finally appear before His people. This would be the day when His brides are ready to receive Him fully in their hearts.
Do you remember the day when you accepted Christ as your Lord and Savior, the day when you say "I do" to Him?
Do you still remember the love that He showed you?
Do you still have that love and desire for Him? To honor and worship Him with all your life, heart, and soul.
That day would be a glorious day, He will appear from the cloud, shining like a sun, heightened by the trumpet's sound.
Let us pray that we will be ready when Christ return at anytime.
Let us pray that we don't play around with this life He has given us, but to use it for His glory.
Maranatha.
We know it in our heart the day when the Lord would finally appear before His people. This would be the day when His brides are ready to receive Him fully in their hearts.
Do you remember the day when you accepted Christ as your Lord and Savior, the day when you say "I do" to Him?
Do you still remember the love that He showed you?
Do you still have that love and desire for Him? To honor and worship Him with all your life, heart, and soul.
That day would be a glorious day, He will appear from the cloud, shining like a sun, heightened by the trumpet's sound.
Let us pray that we will be ready when Christ return at anytime.
Let us pray that we don't play around with this life He has given us, but to use it for His glory.
Maranatha.
Thursday, March 01, 2007
Worship
Worshipping God…
What’s on your heart…what do you talk…what is your concern…
Teaching children to worship God…
How do we define the word “worship”?
According to the Blue Letter Bible Lexicon, the English word “worship” has more than one Hebrew and Greek word attached to it. For example, the Hebrew word for worship that appears 172 times in the Old Testament is shachah {shaw-khaw'}, means to bow down or prostate oneself before superior in homage, before God in worship, before false gods, or before angel. On the other hand, one Greek word for worship that appears 60 times in the New Testament, also used in the verse John 4:23, “God is a Spirit, they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.” is proskuneo {pros-koo-neh'-o}, which means to kiss the hand to one, in token or reference, or to fall upon the knees and touch the ground with the forehead as an expression of profound reference.
By understanding the original meaning of a word or the context in which it was used can help us to understand the word better and in a more complete term.
For example, the word “worship” and “sing” had different root word. The word “sing” also has more than one meaning: to make music (zamar or shiyr - Hebrew), to overcome or to cry (ranan – Hebrew), to praise with a grateful soul (ado - Greek), to play instrument (psallo – Greek).
What is the difference between singing and worshipping? According to the root word mentioned above when we are in a state of worship, we are exalting or giving our reference, and that can come in form of singing, or playing instrument, or dancing. Hence, when we sing, we know and understand what we are singing, and we are acknowledging God’s sovereignty over our lives. Hence, we know why Jesus rebuked the Pharisees and scribes, “You hypocrites, rightly did Isaiah prophesy of you, saying, “This people honors Me with their lips, but their heart is far away from Me. But, in vain do they worship Me, teaching as their doctrines the precepts of men.” (Matthew 15:7-9), because the Pharisees cares more about what people think of them than what God thinks.
I was reading Psalm 84 this morning and amazed at the fact how these verses were sang or written long time ago but are used widely in today’s Christian contemporary songs.
These verses were the cries, prayers, and exaltations that came from the heart of the people back then.
I believe, even David produced some of the psalms when he was young, while tending sheep. Young David knew the God that he serves. He put his whole trust in Him. He grew up knowing who God is as he fought the battle with the Philistines, or when he dealt with Saul, or when he committed adultery or even until his death bed.
God seeks a generation that will worship Him in the spirit and in truth. “He will pour out His Spirit on all people. Our sons and daughter will prophesy; our old men and young men will see visions. There will be many who will call on the name of the Lord and there will be deliverance.” (Joel 2:28, 32)
In conclusion, worship comes from the heart that knows and accepts God’s sovereignty over our lives, that is accepting Jesus Christ, who has died on the cross, as our Lord and Savior. Continue in “speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.” (Eph 5:19)
God bless,
I have listed below sites that I think are useful:
Online bible with lexicon, commentaries, study tools
http://www.blueletterbible.org/
“The Disciple-Making Minister,” by David Servant
http://www.shepherdserve.org/dmm/dmm_20.htm
Free ESL lesson
http://www.usingenglish.com/reference/idioms/a.html
Lesson Plan on different subjects
http://www.education-world.com/a_lesson/lesson122.shtml
More for writing ideas and practice
http://www.teenagewriters.com/forum/
http://writersalmanac.publicradio.org/
What’s on your heart…what do you talk…what is your concern…
Teaching children to worship God…
How do we define the word “worship”?
According to the Blue Letter Bible Lexicon, the English word “worship” has more than one Hebrew and Greek word attached to it. For example, the Hebrew word for worship that appears 172 times in the Old Testament is shachah {shaw-khaw'}, means to bow down or prostate oneself before superior in homage, before God in worship, before false gods, or before angel. On the other hand, one Greek word for worship that appears 60 times in the New Testament, also used in the verse John 4:23, “God is a Spirit, they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.” is proskuneo {pros-koo-neh'-o}, which means to kiss the hand to one, in token or reference, or to fall upon the knees and touch the ground with the forehead as an expression of profound reference.
By understanding the original meaning of a word or the context in which it was used can help us to understand the word better and in a more complete term.
For example, the word “worship” and “sing” had different root word. The word “sing” also has more than one meaning: to make music (zamar or shiyr - Hebrew), to overcome or to cry (ranan – Hebrew), to praise with a grateful soul (ado - Greek), to play instrument (psallo – Greek).
What is the difference between singing and worshipping? According to the root word mentioned above when we are in a state of worship, we are exalting or giving our reference, and that can come in form of singing, or playing instrument, or dancing. Hence, when we sing, we know and understand what we are singing, and we are acknowledging God’s sovereignty over our lives. Hence, we know why Jesus rebuked the Pharisees and scribes, “You hypocrites, rightly did Isaiah prophesy of you, saying, “This people honors Me with their lips, but their heart is far away from Me. But, in vain do they worship Me, teaching as their doctrines the precepts of men.” (Matthew 15:7-9), because the Pharisees cares more about what people think of them than what God thinks.
I was reading Psalm 84 this morning and amazed at the fact how these verses were sang or written long time ago but are used widely in today’s Christian contemporary songs.
These verses were the cries, prayers, and exaltations that came from the heart of the people back then.
I believe, even David produced some of the psalms when he was young, while tending sheep. Young David knew the God that he serves. He put his whole trust in Him. He grew up knowing who God is as he fought the battle with the Philistines, or when he dealt with Saul, or when he committed adultery or even until his death bed.
God seeks a generation that will worship Him in the spirit and in truth. “He will pour out His Spirit on all people. Our sons and daughter will prophesy; our old men and young men will see visions. There will be many who will call on the name of the Lord and there will be deliverance.” (Joel 2:28, 32)
In conclusion, worship comes from the heart that knows and accepts God’s sovereignty over our lives, that is accepting Jesus Christ, who has died on the cross, as our Lord and Savior. Continue in “speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.” (Eph 5:19)
God bless,
I have listed below sites that I think are useful:
Online bible with lexicon, commentaries, study tools
http://www.blueletterbible.org/
“The Disciple-Making Minister,” by David Servant
http://www.shepherdserve.org/dmm/dmm_20.htm
Free ESL lesson
http://www.usingenglish.com/reference/idioms/a.html
Lesson Plan on different subjects
http://www.education-world.com/a_lesson/lesson122.shtml
More for writing ideas and practice
http://www.teenagewriters.com/forum/
http://writersalmanac.publicradio.org/
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