Jf Kinetics: Jars of Clay

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Interview

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...

[+/-]

The Purifier and the Lid

I have here in the office this nice white mug that I use solely for drinking water. And to prevent any unwanted particles from hopping in, making my mug their private pool, I bought a ceramic cup lid that fits just right. But even with this cover on, albeit the water's been purified, there's no guarantee that my drink will remain clean and pure. Still, it's comforting to know that I'm taking in safe drinking water. Water-purifiers and refilling stations sprouted because there's a need for us to ensure that the H2O we are consuming everyday stays clean.

Purification and protection are both God's desire for us. I'm not perfect, neither anybody else. So I believe there's a need for us to constantly allow God to purify us. If we try to look at the "purifier" as the Word of God and the "lid" as God's protection thru our prayers, as we meditate daily on His word and converse with Him in prayer, we can be confident that we're being cleansed and always protected. :)

Create in me a clean heart, O God,
And renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not cast me away from Your presence
And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of Your salvation
And sustain me with a willing spirit (Ps.51:10.12.NASB)

Have a fine Tuesday! God bless Ü

Ciao! c",)

Hiding Place
Artist: Jars of Clay
Album: Redemption Songs

Amidst the sorrows of the way
Lord Jesus, teach my soul to pray
Let me taste Thy special grace
And run to Christ, my hiding place

You know the vileness of my heart
So prone to act the rebel's part
And when You veil Your lovely face
How can I find a hiding place

Hiding place, hiding place

Lord, guide my wandering feet
Draw me to Thy mercy seat
I've nought to trust but sovereign grace
Thou only art my hiding place

How unstable is my heart
Sometimes I take the tempter's part
And slight the tokens of Thy grace
And seem to want no hiding place

Hiding place, hiding place

But when Thy spirit shines within
Makes me feel the plague of sin
And how I long to see Thy face
'Tis then I want a hiding place

Lord Jesus, shine and then I can
Feel sweetness in salvation's plan
And as a sinner plead for grace
Christ, the sinner's hiding place
And as a sinner plead for grace
Christ, the sinner's hiding place

[+/-]

They will know...

It all boils down to one.. i.e. Love :)

Jesus, when asked which is the greatest commandment, gave this answer.. "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' (Matt 22:36-39)

Yes, it's easy to pour out our love to someone we already love, yet it's difficult to love those who have offended or hurt us. But God placed strong emphasis on the importance of loving, that He even instructed us to love our enemies, as recorded in Matthew 5:44.

And here's a good reminder.. I like these verses...

"My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life many years and bring you prosperity.
Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart." (Prov 3.1-3)

"And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love." (1Cor13.13)

God's message for me today is coupled with an old worship song revived by my favorite band, Jars of Clay. Allow me to share them with you...

They'll Know We Are Christians By Our Love
Artist: Jars of Clay

We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord
We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord
And we pray that our unity will one day be restored
And they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love
Yeah they'll know we are Christians by our love

We will work with each other, we will work side by side
We will work with each other, we will work side by side
And we'll guard each man's dignity and save each man's pride
And they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love
Yeah, they'll know we are Christians by our love.

Today's Devotion

January 22

On Loving and Praying

I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you (Matthew 5:44, New American Standard Bible).

Scripture: Matthew 5:43-48

Song: "They'll Know We Are Christians by Our Love"

The meeting was called to order. The question: Should we continue having Sunday evening worship services? Attendance was low, so we were considering home Bible study groups instead. A vote was taken: Sunday night church would continue.

The man sitting behind me bristled. The decision didn't please him, and he didn't hold back his feelings. (I thought about telling him he needed a serious attitude adjustment, but I kept quiet.)

I couldn't forget about his comments. The next time he taught Sunday school, I thought: How can you preach to me about holiness?

I held onto my contempt, though, until God showed me that I was the one sinning. Jesus said, "Love your enemies," but I was holding a grudge against my brother in Christ. Jesus said, "Pray for those who persecute you," but I wasn't even praying for a man who had been kind to me. I realized I'd never be able to love my enemies, if I couldn't even love those who were more than willing to be a friend.

Dear Lord, please bring to my mind those whom You would like me to love, and for whom I ought to pray. In this way, may I become more like You, through the inner workings of Your Spirit. I pray in Jesus' name. Amen.

This devotion is from the book, 365 Devotions.