We all get caught up in them.
(Without me realizing it has been awhile since I've posted anything on here)
Some good, some bad - sure it helps fix a sense of (often much needed) responsibility and independence into our lives, helps give us a sense of direction and purpose, perhaps a little more organized? That would help, wouldn't it?
But when routines become such an integral part of our lives we often find ourselves missing out on everything else that is life. I'm sure when God said He has a purpose for us, he didn't mean a rigid pattern of wake up, study , classes, more study, food, and sleep. Certainly not! We might tell ourselves it's alright to fall into routines, but all it is doing is lulling us into false senses of security, that everything is going well, when indeed it couldn't be further away from the truth.
Where is that sense of freshness, the kind we always experience when doing something new for the first time? Isn't every new day the first day of the rest of our lives? We need to rediscover that childlike admiration and awe when faced with the mundane possibilities (or lack thereof) day in, day out.
Do something different, do something new, do something fresh. Like blogging this down in anticipation of a hectic exam week a few days away. It helps keep a fresh perspective on things. I really need that.
Prayer : Dear Father, I guess I have turned away once more. Forgive me. I need freshness in my life Lord, I need clarity, I need renewal. Only You can give me those things. Amen.
Friday, November 12, 2010
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Day #40
Final day of fasting! Actually, we broke fast today =)
I guess I'm going to miss all this journalling and blogging. I'll post from time to time, I think.
Anyways the final framework in which we took Ephesians in was this :
4. WHAT ARE OUR PASSIONS, AND OUR POSITIONS IN RESPONSE TO THEM?
Ephesians is a rather instructive book, albeit in a fatherly-advice kind of way.
Not everyone has a clear picture of what they want to do with their lives. Even more so their passions. How do we identify what our passions are?
To attempt to understand that, we have looked into several questions, such as 'who are we really living our lives for? Ourselves or God?' and 'What are we destined to be?' And since no one can serve two masters, we have to be absolutely sure where we stand.
For our first and foremost passion should be for Christ. It is only by His grace that we are saved, and by His truth we have been set free. And now He calls for us to follow after Him, to be fishers of man. God's plan for us has always been, and will always be because of love, in love, and for love.
But as mentioned many times before, realizing we have a passion is one thing, and actually doing something about it is another. It is not he who has a dream who succeeds; it is he who acts on it.
And acting on it first takes a response. A simple step, but a necessary one. How are we, as sons and daughters of God, responding to our Father's call?
Perhaps we have not been paying attention.
Perhaps we have been distracted by the wrong noises, or are just not concentrating hard enough.
Or maybe we haven't even started learning to listen. Are our ears open?
But whatever it may be, Ephesians is pretty clear about it. It is us who have to take the initiative with God, not the other way around. So why not we get started today!
Prayer : Dear Father, even as this period of fasting draws to a close, we just want to thank You for everything you have been doing, are doing, and will do in our lives. We thank You also, for using this space that we have intentionally opened up to continue changing and molding us to who You want us to be, Lord. We want to be like You; as Your children we long to worship and adore You. I pray for blessings and grace on me, my friends, my family, my relatives, and everyone else, God - You continue to watch over each and everyone of us as we place our hope and trust in You. In Jesus' name, Amen.
I guess I'm going to miss all this journalling and blogging. I'll post from time to time, I think.
Anyways the final framework in which we took Ephesians in was this :
4. WHAT ARE OUR PASSIONS, AND OUR POSITIONS IN RESPONSE TO THEM?
Ephesians is a rather instructive book, albeit in a fatherly-advice kind of way.
Not everyone has a clear picture of what they want to do with their lives. Even more so their passions. How do we identify what our passions are?
To attempt to understand that, we have looked into several questions, such as 'who are we really living our lives for? Ourselves or God?' and 'What are we destined to be?' And since no one can serve two masters, we have to be absolutely sure where we stand.
For our first and foremost passion should be for Christ. It is only by His grace that we are saved, and by His truth we have been set free. And now He calls for us to follow after Him, to be fishers of man. God's plan for us has always been, and will always be because of love, in love, and for love.
But as mentioned many times before, realizing we have a passion is one thing, and actually doing something about it is another. It is not he who has a dream who succeeds; it is he who acts on it.
And acting on it first takes a response. A simple step, but a necessary one. How are we, as sons and daughters of God, responding to our Father's call?
Perhaps we have not been paying attention.
Perhaps we have been distracted by the wrong noises, or are just not concentrating hard enough.
Or maybe we haven't even started learning to listen. Are our ears open?
But whatever it may be, Ephesians is pretty clear about it. It is us who have to take the initiative with God, not the other way around. So why not we get started today!
Prayer : Dear Father, even as this period of fasting draws to a close, we just want to thank You for everything you have been doing, are doing, and will do in our lives. We thank You also, for using this space that we have intentionally opened up to continue changing and molding us to who You want us to be, Lord. We want to be like You; as Your children we long to worship and adore You. I pray for blessings and grace on me, my friends, my family, my relatives, and everyone else, God - You continue to watch over each and everyone of us as we place our hope and trust in You. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Monday, November 1, 2010
Day #39
And Count down!! One more day till fast ends, having a corporate break fast with the whole church at 10 am tomorrow morning.
Onto the third concept we thought about throughout our fast.
3. WHAT IS THE LAND THAT GOD HAS GIVEN US?
After thinking about ourselves as heirs, as children of destiny, we then looked at attempts to identify the Kingdom of God. And now, we turn to a more personal subject. What, indeed, is the land that our Father has given to us?
We are all different; and God's purposes for us are equally unique. But are we really clear on what those purposes are? For God does not create man for the land; He creates the land for man. And it is then our responsibility to ensure that this land we have been entrusted with does indeed grow, that we are indeed working out what God wants us to do with our lives.
Ephesians is rather adamant about the response we should have towards God's calling. God is calling out to us, but we MUST take the initiative and respond, and reply. We might think we are not suited for the job, but if our Father deems us qualified, then we are qualified, regardless of what we or other people might think.
We all have to start somewhere (usually small), and there is no task discrimination in the Kingdom - no task is 'better' than another, and no task is more important than the rest. However it IS in our human nature to compete, compare and complain (the 3 Cs) amongst our peers. And the bible tells us to put off that old behaviour, and instead treat everyone equally, with love.
It is also important to remember that even as we go about working in the space we have been given, that we are ultimately serving God, not man. Nothing else should be used as a reason or an excuse to do / think otherwise.
In community especially, there is a need for tolerance and love, for in cultivating our land we usually engage with other individuals who are doing the same. And when differences in opinions occur, they result in strife and unnecessary social tension. How do we handle such situations? With sound judgement, discernment from the Holy Spirit, and through love. Forgive and forget, very meaningful ideas to live by.
For if we understand what the land God wants us to have is, and actively set aside our individualistic mindsets to follow after Him, surely He will pour His abundant blessings upon us, that we may become a blessing for others.
Prayer : Dear Father, help us to correctly recognize the lands You have planted us in, and equip us with the necessary tools to cultivate and develop them, that Your name will be glorified through our faith in You, and that more may come to know the saving grace and power of Your name. Amen
Onto the third concept we thought about throughout our fast.
3. WHAT IS THE LAND THAT GOD HAS GIVEN US?
After thinking about ourselves as heirs, as children of destiny, we then looked at attempts to identify the Kingdom of God. And now, we turn to a more personal subject. What, indeed, is the land that our Father has given to us?
We are all different; and God's purposes for us are equally unique. But are we really clear on what those purposes are? For God does not create man for the land; He creates the land for man. And it is then our responsibility to ensure that this land we have been entrusted with does indeed grow, that we are indeed working out what God wants us to do with our lives.
Ephesians is rather adamant about the response we should have towards God's calling. God is calling out to us, but we MUST take the initiative and respond, and reply. We might think we are not suited for the job, but if our Father deems us qualified, then we are qualified, regardless of what we or other people might think.
We all have to start somewhere (usually small), and there is no task discrimination in the Kingdom - no task is 'better' than another, and no task is more important than the rest. However it IS in our human nature to compete, compare and complain (the 3 Cs) amongst our peers. And the bible tells us to put off that old behaviour, and instead treat everyone equally, with love.
It is also important to remember that even as we go about working in the space we have been given, that we are ultimately serving God, not man. Nothing else should be used as a reason or an excuse to do / think otherwise.
In community especially, there is a need for tolerance and love, for in cultivating our land we usually engage with other individuals who are doing the same. And when differences in opinions occur, they result in strife and unnecessary social tension. How do we handle such situations? With sound judgement, discernment from the Holy Spirit, and through love. Forgive and forget, very meaningful ideas to live by.
For if we understand what the land God wants us to have is, and actively set aside our individualistic mindsets to follow after Him, surely He will pour His abundant blessings upon us, that we may become a blessing for others.
Prayer : Dear Father, help us to correctly recognize the lands You have planted us in, and equip us with the necessary tools to cultivate and develop them, that Your name will be glorified through our faith in You, and that more may come to know the saving grace and power of Your name. Amen
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)