As I silently talk to God the other night asking Him for strength, this question suddenly popped in my head.
"What are your strengths and weaknesses?"
And yesterday morning at the church service, I was inspired to hear the verse from Isaiah 40:29-31, where it talks about the Lord giving us the strength. Then when I joined Annie's DG yesterday afternoon, I was surprised to hear the same question being asked. Hmmm, I'm really amazed by God's timing in responding to most of my questions/needs :)
Do you also find it hard sometimes to give the right answer to the question above?
Many of us know that it is one of the standard interview questions yet considered by majority as the most dreaded and difficult to answer.
Some even gets tongue-tied when presented with this question during an interview, while others takes on a serious effort to practice beforehand so they can persuasively deliver what they thought is the suitable response in order to, perhaps, please the interviewer and get the job.
But what if the Heaven has the same interview question before you are allowed to enter? How will you respond?
Well, I'm glad God doesn't see us like any employee trying to land a post in his organization, rather He regard us as His own child longing for His love and care.
I guess your current [or would-be] employer is much more interested in hearing your strengths than your weaknesses -- which can potentially cost you your dream job if you don't articulate your answer well.
However, I believe to God it's quite different. He's more concern about our weaknesses. Because He already knows our strengths, for He gives it to us. The scripture says, He gives strength to the weary... and those whose hopes are in Him, their strength is renewed.
While we are urged to utilise and develop our strengths (Exodus 35:10) ...our gifts (1 Peter 4:10)... we, on the other hand, are also encouraged to lift all our concerns or burdens up to Him (Mat.11:28). Because God's power is demonstrated and is made perfect especially in our weakest point.
2 Corinthians 12:9 "But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
Needful Hands By: JoC
To find that I could fall And still your grace surrounds, pursuing To freely stumble down I feel your hands around my heart
You are my eyes when I cannot see You are my voice, see, sing through me You are my strength in weakness be...
I see a lot of this on Facebook. And by just reading through them it gives us the lift we need for the day. Whether you're glad or unhappy, the words are just so comforting. Some people might ask, "what's with those words that upon reading or hearing them we experience joy and peace in our hearts?"
In the recent NY Times news article (you may check this link out), the honorable Mr.Lee (the first Prime Minister of Singapore) said in a statement that though he's not a believer, he finds the sounds soothing -- referring to the phrase from St. Paul’s first epistle to the Corinthians that he uses to calm himself by reciting them in his meditation.
If our body needs be fed to keep us physically fit and help us get through the day, I believe same is true with our spirituality. When Jesus fasted for several days the tempter came to Him, when He was hungry the enemy asked Him to turn the stone into bread. What was His response? Well, He didn't give in to the enemy's lies, instead He simply replied...
"It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.' (Matthew.4.4.NIV)
We see the need of everyone for a daily dose of encouragement. And I believe God's word is the best source that is readily available. It is living and active, online 24x7 as we term it in modern days. So why wait for the time that we're in dire need before we seek Him if we can talk to Him anytime and anywhere? God wants to talk to us. He's been longing for us. He's always there for us. He even knows our concerns. Conversing with God shouldn't be complicated. As Paul encourages us..
"Do not worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus" (Phil.4:6-7.NLT)
Lord, thank you that you are our Wonderful Councelor, a Great Provider. Thank you that through your Word we see life, we get encouraged, we get reminded of Your faithfulness, and most importantly we get to hear You personally in our hearts. Teach us to become more sensitive in hearing You, O Lord, as you speak to us in various ways and thru Your written words. Help us to learn to acknowledge You in everything we do. And thank you for the assurance that you will never forsake nor leave us... that you long to prosper us. Thank you for your love and for teaching us to love other people. In your sweet name Jesus, we pray. Amen.
Thanks for reading. God bless y'all!
People Need The Lord Artist: Steve Green / Gary Valenciano (revival)
Everyday they pass me by, I can see it in their eyes. Empty people filled with care, Headed who knows where?
On they go through private pain, Living fear to fear. Laughter hides their silent cries, Only Jesus hears.
People need the Lord, people need the Lord. At the end of broken dreams, He's the open door. People need the Lord, people need the Lord. When will we realize, people need the Lord?
We are called to take His light To a world where wrong seems right. What could be too great a cost For sharing Life with one who's lost?
Through His love our hearts can feel All the grief they bear. They must hear the Words of Life Only we can share.
People need the Lord, people need the Lord At the end of broken dreams, He's the open door. People need the Lord, people need the Lord. When will we realize that we must give our lives, For peo-ple need the Lord.
I was reading through my old blog this morning in my multiply page (which I copy-pasted below) and I was reminded of God's faithfulness thru this verse..
"The LORD is my strength and shield. I trust Him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving" (Ps.28.7.NLT)
It's always a blessing reading through God's word... truly, it's a good source of encouragement :)
What a pretty strong and motivating words from an optimist. I found this line in one of the books I’m reading currently. This phrase allow us to move forward and give us the courage to overcome any obstacles.
I remember when the Apostle John wrote about what Jesus have said, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart, I have overcome the world.”
Jesus is an overcomer! He is indeed “tough” for He overcome the world! Imagine the rejections, the persecutions, the bruises and all the pains He experienced (which He didn’t deserved but He endured anyway because of His love for us), He surpassed all of them! Some skeptics might argue, “of course he can engage himself into that because he is God or at least he claims to be God.”
Well yes, God’s power alone is incomprehensible (Please read through Psalm 145:3/Isaiah 55:8-9). What’s striking about what Jesus had stated is that He conquered the hardest phase in His life without any Godly powers. He lived like one of us (remember Jesus was the Word and the Word become flesh). Knowing that He went through so much torture during His last days here on earth, the kind of torture that neither of us would be willing to undergo nor we’d be able to withstand, He alone have triumphed over these whole ordeal! You can almost hear the pain, we as humans are likely to feel if we’re on the same situation, when he cried out “Father, why hast thou forsaken me?”
Yes tough times don’t last and they are part of this world we're living in. But tough people do! If you watch Fear Factor, Amazing Race, and even the funny “I survived the Japanese Game Show,” their common challenge is.. "will you be tough enough to survive?"
Can we imitate Jesus in trying times? That if we pray to take the cup of difficulties away from us, are we able to pray as well that if it’s God’s will then let His will be done?
Dear Father, we know that tribulations are bound to happen, but we also believe that they are just temporary. Allow us to see these challenges as opportunities. The opportunity to become a strong-willed individual, and the opportunity to draw us closer to you, knowing that you are the source of our strength and in you comes perfect peace. For your power is made perfect when we are weak.
June have gone so fast, and according to Julian calendar today is 182nd day! It's middle of the week and middle of the year, which reminds me that in the midst of everything I shall continue to rest on God. For in our comings and our goings, I believe we'll always be sheltered by His precious love. As the scripture says...
"But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint."(Isa.40.31.NLT)
Enjoy the rest of the week! ciao! c",)
For The Glory of Your Name Artist: Michelle Tumes
God, You keep us without failing As You watch us from above In our comings and our goings Sheltered by Your precious love In the pouring rain of mercy Comes the grace by which we're saved For the glory of Your Name For the glory of Your Name
You have touched our lives forever Can we be the same again? May our hearts be ever faithful Ever faithful as a friend Let us live that we may serve You Overflowing with Your praise For the glory of Your name For the glory of Your name
We behold the Man of Sorrows Hanging there upon a cross Where we wounded One so holy Yet these wounds are life to us For the blood You shed was perfect And You finished work we made For the glory of Your name For the glory of Your name
In the initial part of this blog, I talked about my impression on the first apple mobile phone. Apple's first attempt in competing with the Finnish and Japanese tech companies who brought us Nokia and Sony-Ericsson products.
And in Part2, I talked about their redesigned shuffle (which they claimed the tiniest mp3 player) that comes with a sleek earphone w/ remote.
While in Part3, I talked about the battle of 2 great OS's, i.e. Windows VS. Leopard, and that's before the Android went through the broken Windows to challenge the Leopard =)
So what now? Perhaps it's about time to answer my own question.
Yes, I'm guilty as Adam... I also took part, but it was just a tiny bite, hehe ;-) And no, they didn't had me at Hello (as I'm a green user, haha. -- and I'm starting to get a bit upset with the intermittent signal I'm getting at subway stations).
Okay, if I would be asked to describe what I think apple is good at.. Well, I'd say it's how they revolutionize their existing products. Like this new iPhone 4.
Now that's what I call an upgrade! :)
(vid courtesy of youtuber MichaelStergTv01)
ciao! c",)
P.S. If you can't view the embedded video above, you may go to this link.
Life is full of options. And one of the best is turning things to God. He always stretches His hands to meet our desires. He longs to bless us. The scripture says..
"Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion. For the LORD is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!"Isaiah.30.18
Sometimes we only realize the value of something we currently hold when they're gone. Why would you wait for that if you can simply embrace what He's been giving you. I believe as we begin to understand God's will for us... we'll find that God has always been blessing us with so many things.
So let's present our situations and/or requests to God and let's continue to have a thankful heart.
But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2.Cor.12.9,10
Have a great week ahead! c",)
Enough Artist: Passion
All of You is more than enough for All of me for every thirst and every need You satisfy me with Your love And all I have in You Is more than enough
You are my supply My breath of life Still more awesome than I know You are my reward Worth living for Still more awesome than I know
All of You is more than enough for All of me for every thirst and every need You satisfy me with Your love And all I have in You Is more than enough
You're my sacrifice of greatest price Still more awesome than I know You're my coming King You're everything Still more awesome than I know
(embedded video courtesy of youtuber extremefaith)
Whoever Is Not a Puppet Seriously takes action Experienced, not just famous Least corrupt (if u consider 'em all such) You can count on (not bet on!)
Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things. (Philippians 4:8)
You're my Designer, O Lord, for You have designed each of us uniquely. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well. (Ps.139.14.NKJV)
You're my Analyst, O Lord, for You understand everything in me. You have searched me and known me. You know my sitting down and my rising up; You understand my thought afar off. You comprehend my path and my lying down, and are acquainted with all my ways. (Ps.139.1-3.NKJV)
You're my Project Manager, O Lord, for You oversee everything in my life. Your thoughts and Your ways are always higher than mine (Isa.55.8) I dare not conform to the pattern of this world, instead I will allow You to lead my life because Your will for me is perfect (Rom.12.2) Thank you for Your great plans for me (Jer.29.11)
Just let me say how much I love you, You're my Savior, my Lord and friend.
JUST LET ME SAY Artist: Darlene Zschech - Hillsong United
Just let me say How much I love you Let me speak of your mercy and grace Just let me live In the shadow of your beauty Let me see you face to face and the earth will shake as your word goes forth And the heavens can tremble and fall but let me say how much I love you O my savior, my Lord and friend
Just let me hear your finest whispers As you gently call my name And let me see Your power and your glory Let me feel your spirit's flame Let me find you in the desert 'Til this sand is holy ground And I am found completely surrendered To you, my Lord and friend
So let me say how much I love you With all my heart I long for you For I am caught in the passion of knowing This endless love I've found in you And the depth of grace, the forgiveness found To be called a child of God Just makes me say How much I love you O my savior, my Lord and friend Just makes me say How much I love you O my savior, my Lord and friend
It may look a li'l gloomy outside but it is during this time that we get to really, i mean really, enjoy small things like a piece of bread dipped in a hot cup of coffee (or hot milo as others would prefer to have it), or an extended time tucked in a blanket on a nippy tuesday morning.
I actually don't like rainy days, but thinking how it turned the muggy warm weather we had the past few days into a chilly atmosphere has allowed me to just be simply thankful for the day.
Each day is diff'rent from the other. We could be most of the time happy, yet we may sometime brush through gloomy days. I believe as we approach each day with optimism, it'll certainly stir a thankful heart as we conclude our day. And what happens if we have a thankful heart? We sing praises to God. Ü
"Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God." (Col.3:15-16)
I'm inspired to share today's devotional, pls see below.
Thanks for reading and God bless y'all!
- Jep c",)
Today's Devotion
March 23
Encourage Each Other
I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong-that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith (Romans 1:11,12).
When a friend shared her heart-breaking trial with me, I was amazed at her strong faith. "Don't you ever get discouraged?" I asked.
"Of course," she replied. "That's why I need to keep in close contact with my Savior through prayer and reading the Bible. I also stay connected to my church, which lifts my spirit. And I thank God for the gift of my Christian friends. Their faith gives me strength, as well."
She then pointed to the apostle Paul, who was a spiritual father to numerous individuals and church groups throughout Asia. He had such a positive faith and was a constant encourager to others, even though he, like all of us, was subject to discouragement at times. That's why he longed to visit the believers everywhere. It's what nourished his faith and brought him joy.
"We all deal with problems too heavy to bear alone," my friend added. "If Paul needed to constantly talk to God and seek the company and encouragement of other Christians to bolster his faith . . . how much more do I?"
O Lord my God, thank You for the gift of Your presence, Your Word, and Your people-all of which nourish my faith. May I always praise You, even in trying circumstances. In Christ's name, I pray. Amen.
Jeff - In old French means God's Peaceful Ruler. While "kinetics" is derived from the Greek word κίνησις (kinesis) meaning "movement". It is the study of the rate of change. Basically, this blog is just to capture some variations goin' around my brain -- creatively and figuratively :)
