I do not know whether it is justified and fair for me to make this statement but I will still share as it is a burden in my heart. I feel that many in the society (Christians included) are too engrossed with their problems that they fail to see the needs of others which may be more pressing than theirs.
In fact I sometimes wonder whether these "problems" we think are so serious are really that bad afterall. These self-pity and self-centered mentality have caused many to fail in helping the needy.
Narrowing the above-mentioned to that of a Christian's point of view, it is sad that we have failed to be contented with what God has already blest us with.
Recently I have come across the following complaints made by some Christians:-
1) There are a couple of them complaining about the courses that they are doing in their respective academic institutions because the subjects taught are not to their likings;
2) There are some who are so concerned about whether they can get a job after graduation that they are feeling discouraged and lost;
3) There are yet others who are unhappy about their family members just because certain remarks were made against them;
4) There is a certain individual by the name of Andy Chew who actually got frustrated as to what he should be eating for dinner because there were simply too many to choose from;
5) There are also many (Andy Chew again included here) who keep changing their mobile phones just so that they can own the latest when in actual fact the basic purposes of this communication device is to make calls and send messages. How hi-tech does one desire their mobile equipment to be?
The thing about what I have mentioned so far is not that we do not have them - in actual fact, we have the privilege to be given proper education; many employment opportunities in Singapore; family members by our sides; so much food for us to choose and eat till our tummies can explode; and at least one mobile phone in our possession.
WE basically HAVE all these blessings! Yet, the way we live our lives makes us look as if we have nothing. If we really do not have then perhaps we are justified to make some noises about our misfortunes. In fact, come to think about it, even if we are poor, we would naturally learn to be contented for the little we have because if one has nothing but yet given something, it is already a luxury.
Sadly the parties mentioned above also involved leaders who are supposed to be more mature in their faith but yet the mindset we have is so childish.
How can one make an impact in the lives of others when that individual is not even thankful for the basic things in life? Are we falling into the traps of the evil one hence rendering us ineffective in being light to the world and a testimony to those who do not know the God whom we regard and worship as our Lord and Saviour?
I need to reflect on what I have written myself because I am equally guilty. If I am not wrong, I think I have shared something similar in my previous blog but as humans, I guess I need to be reminded again of my role and purpose as a child of God in this world I live in.
Anyway, the past two days, work has been easy-going though I had to do a major presentation yesterday morning. Thank God all went well! Initially I was so afraid to tackle the Question and Answer session but the worry came to naught because the feedback given to me by the management was that the presentation was clear enough for all to understand. All glory to God for that! :)
I also enjoyed some moments of fellowship with a dear sister as she did some revisions for an examination coming up in two weeks' time while I did some report and also computer stuff.
Well, thanks be to God for the adventures so far.
"So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness." Colossians 2:6-7
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons: "My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son." Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons. Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live! Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. "Make level paths for your feet," so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed." Hebrews 12:1-13
In fact I sometimes wonder whether these "problems" we think are so serious are really that bad afterall. These self-pity and self-centered mentality have caused many to fail in helping the needy.
Narrowing the above-mentioned to that of a Christian's point of view, it is sad that we have failed to be contented with what God has already blest us with.
Recently I have come across the following complaints made by some Christians:-
1) There are a couple of them complaining about the courses that they are doing in their respective academic institutions because the subjects taught are not to their likings;
2) There are some who are so concerned about whether they can get a job after graduation that they are feeling discouraged and lost;
3) There are yet others who are unhappy about their family members just because certain remarks were made against them;
4) There is a certain individual by the name of Andy Chew who actually got frustrated as to what he should be eating for dinner because there were simply too many to choose from;
5) There are also many (Andy Chew again included here) who keep changing their mobile phones just so that they can own the latest when in actual fact the basic purposes of this communication device is to make calls and send messages. How hi-tech does one desire their mobile equipment to be?
The thing about what I have mentioned so far is not that we do not have them - in actual fact, we have the privilege to be given proper education; many employment opportunities in Singapore; family members by our sides; so much food for us to choose and eat till our tummies can explode; and at least one mobile phone in our possession.
WE basically HAVE all these blessings! Yet, the way we live our lives makes us look as if we have nothing. If we really do not have then perhaps we are justified to make some noises about our misfortunes. In fact, come to think about it, even if we are poor, we would naturally learn to be contented for the little we have because if one has nothing but yet given something, it is already a luxury.
Sadly the parties mentioned above also involved leaders who are supposed to be more mature in their faith but yet the mindset we have is so childish.
How can one make an impact in the lives of others when that individual is not even thankful for the basic things in life? Are we falling into the traps of the evil one hence rendering us ineffective in being light to the world and a testimony to those who do not know the God whom we regard and worship as our Lord and Saviour?
I need to reflect on what I have written myself because I am equally guilty. If I am not wrong, I think I have shared something similar in my previous blog but as humans, I guess I need to be reminded again of my role and purpose as a child of God in this world I live in.
Anyway, the past two days, work has been easy-going though I had to do a major presentation yesterday morning. Thank God all went well! Initially I was so afraid to tackle the Question and Answer session but the worry came to naught because the feedback given to me by the management was that the presentation was clear enough for all to understand. All glory to God for that! :)
I also enjoyed some moments of fellowship with a dear sister as she did some revisions for an examination coming up in two weeks' time while I did some report and also computer stuff.
Well, thanks be to God for the adventures so far.
"So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness." Colossians 2:6-7
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons: "My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son." Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons. Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live! Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. "Make level paths for your feet," so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed." Hebrews 12:1-13
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