Sundaysnippets #15 Through it all (30th May 10)

Dear...


'The simple believes every word. But the prudent considers well his steps...'
Proverbs 14:15

Just yesterday, I heard a comment by a respectable gentleman who said that he hardly reads the newspaper as most of it is trash, and gossip. This might be a little harsh, but is there some truth to it, much as we want to believe that there do exist journalistic integrity amongst those in this profession? No news is good news, and this is a truism for we are inundated with news in the published press of disasters, conflict, murders and other manifestation of the ills of society. Bad news sells better, and the more sensational, the greater is its appeal to our innate carnal being. The purveyors of the published form is well schooled in this, and besides the gore and blood, they also throw in a generous dosage of flesh and sensuality that will not just titillate our lusts, but corrupt both old and young. The British tabloids are very adept at this genre.

Life indeed is quite sad, given the primeval instincts that the newspapers believe is what drives us. For the fairer sex, we see a surfeit of advertisements that implies that everyone can be a Venus, when reality is beauty is in the heart, and not just in the eyes of the beholder. For the men, if the advertisements that promise a re-invigoration of our virility with the restoration of our crowning glory is not compelling enough, the stories of material success or means towards attaining it, coupled with enticing plethora of what monies can buy in delusory dreams might be suffice to keep our adrenalin pumping that bit longer.

'Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression. But a good word makes it glad.'
Proverbs 12:25

I am as much a willing if not addicted recipient of this massive influx of information that permeates our very wired world. It is necessary if we are to be in this world. But if we desire not to be of this world, should we not increasingly feed that much more on the good news of the gospel and less on the machinations of finite and sinful men?

Just these past few days, being a long weekend, having too much time without the distractions of work, I found myself in a state of stupor, with an unexplainable troubled spirit. King Saul had David play the flute to him to assuage his sense of incompleteness. What about me?
The Word of God is indeed the spring of life from our God, for the Word is God, and in spending time reading and pondering upon the Word of God, I found my peace, my joy and regained my sense of singular purpose as ordained by God to all who seek Him. Nothing of this world can ever come close to what God has provided.

'They shall be My people, and I will be their God.'
Jeremiah 32:38

'My son, give attention to My words. Incline your ear to My sayings. Do not let them depart from your eyes. Keep them in the midst of your heart. For they are life to those who find them. And health to all their flesh...'
Proverbs 4:20-22

"Through it all" is a wonderful song sung back in 1975 during a Billy Graham crusade in New Mexico, USA ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CvIxwc90BEI). Wonderful because it is written from the heart. And if we sing from a grateful heart, the words in this song will minister wonderfully to us. The song talks about our trusting God upon His Word, for His faithfulness and goodness in our lives. It reminds us of the need to acknowledge the Sovereignty of God, much as we might be in the midst of our present refinement process. It reinforce the command to us to be obedient much as life might seem less than radiant, with troubles lingering longer than they should. But through it all, God is not just our anchor upon which we cling our very all to, but His Spirit will carry us forth, and uplift our very being, to a glory only God can create.

'Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.'
Jeremiah 33:3

For all of us who have obeyed God's command to seek Him in His words, He is a very visible God in our lives. The carnal man looks for proof of a Living God from their natural senses, but God is Spirit, and His Spirit resides in our hearts, His Spirit seeks out our spirit, and in our living the fruits of the Spirit, God renews our mind and transform us. What is the meaning of life? There are diverse views, but one commonality in the carnal man, is a longing that the finite man living in the sinful world can never satisfy, for only God can. This is the indescriable joy and peace that faithful followers of our Lord Jesus Christ is blessed with. It is no trade secret of our faith, for the sanctifying grace of God's love is offered to all, but sadly accepted by few.

'But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. For he that eatheth and drinketh unworthily, eatheth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.'
1 Corinthians 11:28-30

The book I am reading "None of these diseases" the Bible 's Health secrets for the 21st Century(S.I McMillen, M. D. and David E Stern, M.D.) stated an obvious truism if not generalization, That faith makes for health, and lack of faith brings one closer to death. Our body is the temple of God, upon which the Spirit of God resides. To not live a life that honors God, is to leave us open to the ills of the world, and the purveyor of mortal death, the devil who will so love to see us crumble both physically and emotionally, for he longs for your soul in accompaniment in eternal damnation.

' I rise before dawn and cry for help. I have put my hope in Your word.....that I may meditate on Your promises.'
Psalm 119:147-148

A picture speaks a thousand words, just like a face albeit beautiful of that of Helen of Troy launched a thousand ships. But every word of God will speak to us, in His way, and if we are willing to soak in His words, God's love will blossom forth through our very being, that it matters less whatever we might be going through, for we will know that God will see us through. That is the power of His words.

'All Your words are true, all Your righteous laws are eternal.'
Psalm 119:160

Much as I hope to be a faithful wordsmith as the hands of God leads me, I am often lost for words, when asked to pray and assure a fellow being who is in need. Yet, it is not what I say, but rather, how the Spirit of God will minister to a parched soul that matters. And what role can we who luxuriates in the grace of God's word do in responsive faithfulness as He leads?

My my tongue sing of Your Word....Let me live that I may praise You....for I have not forgotten Your commands.'
Psalm 119:171-176

I have been through it all. Not what life can throw at us in this wretched world for on that, all believer or not, follower or not will be subjected to its ills, for the world is ruled by the devil. But rather, through it all, I have learned that only the word of God matters, for it is our sustenance, and its resonance will uplift us and bring us forth, to the spirit man that God wants us all to be.

'I rejoice in Your promise like one who finds great spoil.'
Psalm 119:162

rgds and God Blesses

Eng Hieang
(30th May 10)