Many questions pop up recently, as usual. As Christmas season draws close, it's the time of inviting frens, meeting them up, gatherings for bros and siss as well etc. Does it seem busier than school days one wonders? Whatever the answer may be, is it good or bad? More importantly, is it worthwhile to EACH OF US?
But again, allow me to give thanks for the many things that happened this week.
- Devotions with CG, well though small, but i want to believe and TRUST that God will do miracles in here, and not becuz we deserve it in any way, but because we choose to live for Him.
- Shepherding: Been a long while, but a good time of sharing.
- QT: Despite busy schedules, i thank God for the ad hoc times of QT where we'll never think we can squeeze out time.
- Prayer meet: Thank God for His faithfulness, his belief and strengthening in us, the importance of seeking an all rounded perspective, both for the lost and asking God to strengthen/refresh us. Prep our lives, biblical leadership, base camp and outreach... Help us remember God.
- Unit outing: Besides the food (:, a good time of sharing childhood memories, scrutinising each other's parents/sibilings and comments of people looking like they want to "shit", amidst much laughter. Prayer session as well, that we want to commit all that we're doing into His mighty hands, that Hes still in the picture even as we enjoy each other's fellowship.
To end off, we want to give You, God, the honor and glory, for what You do in us this season. For You are great, for You are great.
It's titled PTL this week because this is the phrase that has popped up most in QT.
"Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, his love endures forever.
- The end of exams! Well, not that exciting as it sounds, because after the paper i was just like, "what next?"
- The time at NUS, visiting them, and getting to know a few more people as well.
- A good week with my dad, spending good time with him when Mum's away
- NYCA1, my cg (: A very interesting situation indeed, diverse and sparse, but still making the effort to come together. Overcoming self love together, as one. Perservere...
- Housework - The load shared between my dad and i (: ahh... brilliant. Mum we'll really appreciate you much more when you come back. It is times like this. Heh.
- Sinus attack (flu/runny nose/sticky mucus for the whole week, even as i am typing): For when i am weak, then i am strong. (no sarcasm here, i really mean it)
- Shopping with Zac and Jeek: Good time of fellowship (:
- QT times with God: More comforting then usual, with added wisdom (don't ask for it, it will come)
- Sharing over meals with the many bros and siss of NYC during this 3rd week of exams
- Lunch with an ex colleague
- Raffles Place crowd... ahh... the many facades and faces (that's minusing the "ad"). God won't you increase this burden...
- Blog posts. Answers just pop up when you don't search anymore...
- And of course, prayers! What can i do but pray Lord...
I pray Lord... I pray. Even with exams looming around the corner, i pray for things to happen. And wait in expectation. Things are tough, i feel like giving up almost every day, but i want to have that faith. These are not new prayers, but how many of us can say we understand every word we pray to God? I want to understand. God, please tell me why. I will ask, and ask, and ask. For as long as i live. (:
I pray for courage, the nerve that seems to have crumbled and faded into distant memory. The courage to do things and not be conscious of others' opinions, and know that it is You who judges, not others. The courage and confidence to look people in the eyes and not shun away, be it shyness or fear.
I pray for friendship, the renewal and building. The friendship that is not measured by situations on the outside, the facades and pride and position.
I pray for love, agape and pleasing to You. The love that stems from the source which You gave, the cup of communion which we drink and the bread we partake every week, that speaks of a fragment of that great love You had when You sent Jesus Your only son to die for our sins.
I pray for knowledge, that self motivation of increasing our skills and wisdom to be more like You, and to use them to further Your kingdom and not to our own selfishness.
I pray for purity. Having a pure heart, being close with people yet guarding it well with our lives. Checking our thought life every moment of our lives, even as we are immersed in the world. Hating sin just as You hate them, striving to be as holy as You.
I pray for sincerity, that stems from within. Too often have people around us fail us, but i pray that our response will still be true and mean what we say, walk our talk. Not about the face value, but seeing within, just as You see our hearts and not on the outside.
I pray for hope. When all seems lost, when all seems down, we praise You still. We win, we praise You, and we lose, we praise You too. The hope and belief that nothing can bring us down, as long as we are with You Father. Importantly, hope in people too.
I pray for light. Being the salt and light of the world is definitely not easy, yet by calling us to be salt and light You know our abilities and believe in us. The light that shines forth, the light that demonstrates who You are in our lives, i pray for that.
Prayers work wonders. Lord thank You! Perservere... (:
1:04 PM
1 Comments
Hi Kuang Ting
Thanks for the prayers that you posted. Really reminded me of the things we should be praying for, the things that are of value in our lives. Thanks for posting this. Jiayou =)
You know, many things don't happen on the outside. It happens right from the inside of our hearts (just reminded of the heart with "weeds" during service just now, wah lao). I begin my post with these verses:
1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (New International Version)
24Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.
25Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 26Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. 27No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.
Indeed, we want to last the race. Having only 2 papers does not equate to "relaxing" or "slack", nor is it compensation for a tough semester. It's definitely more than just that. God's season is definitely not the world's season. By the way, the world's season now is "Exams".
Indeed, stress. Suddenly felt the relief of stress when i reached home, yet knowing that i have to go through training to see where God will bring me to.
Indeed, renewing covenant with God when we take what He says seriously, completely and specifically. How many of us can testify that agreeing with it is much easier compared to actually doing it right.
Many thanksgiving points this week. Exams bring out the best and worst of people, yet at NYC it's heartwarming seeing many fellow brothers and sisters gathering together to study. Very much different feeling from last sem, but nonetheless thankful.
Thierry Henry's handball in the France/Ireland game. Once a legend of Arsenal 5 years ago, yet undone by a stupid unethical mistake amidst broken Irish hearts en route to the World Cup next year. Worthwhile cheating just to win? Hmm...
Suddenly felt the urge to blog about God once again. One big thanksgiving point today. God dropped a passage into me in the form of Psalms 78, delivering nothing but a clear cut warning after earlier comforting passages.
v9 to v11 The men of Ephraim, though armed with bows, turned their back on the day of battle, they did not keep God's covenant and refused to live by his law. They forgot what he had done, the wonders he had shown them.
v17 to v18 But they continued to sin against them, rebelling in the desert against the Most High. They wilfully put God to the test by demanding the food they craved.
More verses to come about how the men continued to sin despite God's grace and mercy. Our responses are crucial. The difficult part is here. How resilient is the walk with You? (sustainability)
Even though i choose to be proactive which might mean potential discouragement and setbacks, more importantly, i choose to partner with You and desire Your guidance. Help me remember God.
Relationship with God. How true that the experiences one experiences with God is so unique that even when you tell others, others can only feel happy for you and not be able to feel God the way you feel when you experience Him yourself.
Our natural responses: Fear, blame, regret. We know jolly well we should respond with conviction, standing firm. God, we need You. Because.
The God we know, righteous and holy The God we know, faithful and true The God we know, my tower of refuge Hearts are healed, Christ revealed
The God we know, the light of the city The God we know, strengthens the weak The God we know, Your heart beats within me As You are, so are we
It's all about You God... This is my cry, my one desire, more of You...