Why?

Definition of 'why'- For what reason or purpose.

To want to know the reasoning behind why things are the way they are is human nature. We have numerous professions dedicated to it, spent countless hours in school learning about the 'why' behind things in subjects like science and history. You'll even find that inquisitive toddlers can't stop asking the question.

There are the easy questions, like- Why do we need to eat? Or why is it important to exercise? Questions that can easily be answered. But there are questions that even now, the smartest person on earth can't wrap their head around.

This generation has information at their fingertips. We are the most informed bunch of youngsters that have ever lived. But we still have a lot of questions. And it's good to be inquisitive. But sometimes needing to know 'why' can be dangerous.. it might even cost us our faith.

Let me explain. I think sometimes we feel that God owes us an explanation. "Why did you let that happen to me God?", "Why did you place me in this position?".

He is GOD. He is SOVEREIGN. In His grace, sure, sometimes God reveals to us the reason behind his actions. But he doesn't owe us anything.

And when we ask the questions like that, I think we have to ask ourselves what we are really questioning. Are we questioning God's character? His faithfulness? Who He says He is? Because that is dangerous territory to get into.

When God speaks, and asks us to do something that just seems ridiculous at the time, or when bad things happen, it's natural to want an explanation. But when we ask and don't get an answer, I hope it doesn't cause us to stumble. Because he is God. Trust in who God says He is. You would follow the instruction (no questions asked), or accept the ruling of someone whose character you had total faith in. Because you know they would never purposely do anything to harm you.

So trust in God. Even if you don't know why. That sounds something like faith to me.

Servanthood

"whoever wants to be great  among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as ransom for many"

Mark 10:44

It's a hard lesson to remember sometimes. Riches and glory does not bring us greatness. Perfect grades or a huge social circle does not bring us greatness. Serving and being servant-hearted brings greatness. Humility and selflessness brings greatness. And by then, greatness isn't even the most important thing anymore. Love is. Love for others, love for God.

I think this is such a profound antithesis in the bible, but a lesson I'm still trying to learn and apply in all areas in my life.

My prayer is that everyone will adopt a servant-heart. It'll change your perspective on a lot of things in life. Even doing the dishes!

Daddy Daughter Day

Spent some good time with my dad yesterday morning - lining up at Costco, having cheap chinese food for lunch, picking up free pot plants from the council, doing the groceries...

It reminded me that quality time needs to be set aside and purposed.

"You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you..." - Psalm 63:1

So in the same way, we need to purposely set aside time to be with God.

Every day should be Daddy daughter day :)


K

Making up make up lessons

As a busy person, it is difficult to accomodate the requests of students/parents to make up missed lessons without having to compromise on my holiday time. Like today, a girl who usually was meant to come on Friday was scheduled to come today at 1.10pm. But she then forgot to tell me that she couldn't make it today. And because of this, I have a one hour gap in my schedule, which I could have filled with another student. In fact, the student who came before, at 12.10 could have come for 90 minutes instead of only one hour. Instead they are coming again on Tuesday night at 8.30pm for the rest of the half hour.

What's more...I decided to make up this "make up" lesson. At least half of it anyway. I'm not actually that annoyed. I've gotten used to things like this happening, and instead of reacting with a bad attitude, to just go with the flow, and know that people make mistakes.

How much more has God been gracious to me, for all the times I've knowingly and unknowingly sinned? I hope that by having a peaceful and forgiving spirit towards others that He would be reflected in me.

Little things, Big things, All things

Sorry this was meant to go up on monday but it's been a bit of a crazy week!

This is just a little reminder that God answers your prayers, no matter how minuscule, or insignificant or HUGE and impossible it may seem. GOD IS LISTENING.

Earlier this year I had been actively searching for a job, and felt the pressure as the uni semester began and it became harder for me to take money from my mum. (Maybe its a "growing up/getting out of high school" thing?) I was specifically interested and looking for a receptionist/tutoring job ( I figured it could be good for me, and it'd be good for my resume later on too). I must have applied for over 50 or so jobs, and looked through hundreds more, mind you I hadn't really prayed about it through this period.

Then, MANY months later, Caleb told me that he put in a prayer request for me at one leader's CG, and prayed with me again that night about getting a job. We were very specific in what we wanted. A good receptionist job, nearby, and suitable to my uni timetable.

Maybe a month or less later, a dear friend of mine called me up to ask if i wanted a job where she worked! HOW AMAZING IS THAT. It fit perfectly with my uni timetable, its about 3 minutes from my house, and its a receptionist/tutoring position!

Also, you all may have heard about the difficulty I had initially with not being able to communicate properly with my boss and if I remember correctly we prayed about it at CG. And guess what? It's getting so much better! I'm beginning to enjoy my job more, and seeing how I'm able to facilitate each student that comes in, organise various things, it just feels a lot more fulfilling now. Not to mention I'm beginning to form a basic "code" of what my boss wants when she says certain things in her broken english.

This, amongst other little prayers, truly show me how loving and attentive God is. And it's just really begun to dawn on me that I have the great privilege and honour to have a direct communication line to the creator of the universe!

Sometimes your prayers may not go to plan, but know that God has a greater plan than you can imagine!

On a little side note question:

What are your opinions on getting tattoos/piercings? Considering this verse:
"You shall not make any cuts on your body for the dead or tattoo yourselves: I am the Lord." - Leviticus 19:28 

(This was from a post by a friend on fb, who also asked the same question, which sparked some great answers and discussion, but I want to know what YOU guys think :D)

Thanks for reading guys! Love you all <3

Busyness

I used to be in a choir in New Zealand. Looking back, those were some of the best years I've had. We got to travel internationally with friends, just by doing what we loved. One little thing I remember the choir conductor saying one day that was pretty cool and I've kept with me is- "there is always a time for silence in music".

In every piece of music, there is a pause. There are rests. Whether its for a crotchet beat, or a semibreve, or a quaver. And it adds to the music. In fact she put it this way- rests are "musical notes of silence". In a song for example, if there are no rests, everything would just run into each other. There would be no proper phrasing or shape, and it would be very bland. There are a proper places for rests, and they are intentional.

Being productive is good. And I'm all for that. But it's good to stop and take rests. God didn't need to take the day of rest on the Sabbath. He's GOD. He doesn't need to rest. But it was intentional. It was a principle that he laid out for us to follow.

So I guess the goal is to apply it to my life, and hopefully this may speak to you as well. Rest is intentional. We all need it. It's a fast-paced world we live in. And we all want things to have been done yesterday. But life will soon get tough pretty fast if we don't learn to slow down. Take a breather. Rest.

"The seaweed is always greener,

In somebody else's lake"


I have the song "Under the Sea" from the movie, the Little Mermaid in my head because I'm teaching one of my students to play it on the piano. Basically the song is about appreciating the things that we have and to stop wanting what we don't have.


At times, this year, I've wanted to have the free time of my brother...who currently doesn't have a full time job, or have to study. While I'm doing both at the same time. I think about the movies I could watch, the friends I could go out with, the shopping I could do, the holidays I could take. And seeing the fun stuff my friends get up to without me through their shared online photos doesn't help either.


But I am also aware that I'm so blessed to have built up a piano teaching career, where the supply of students is ever flowing. I have also been blessed to have been accepted into a PhD in Music. This must have all been for a reason. To glorify God in the work that I do, and to trust him when I feel overwhelmed, tired or frustrated. After all, He provides for me everything I need (including time, health and enough energy) to complete the tasks ahead. 

Ecclesiastes 3:1

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.

As for my brother, although he has free time in abundance, it's been difficult for him to find a job in his field. So there's always two sides to the story. Also, although we are finite in our abilities, God is able to do more than we could imagine (and in a way that is incomparable to what other people have) in our lives if we trust Him. 

Ephesians 3: 20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, ²¹ TO HIM BE THE GLORY

Are We Born Rebels?

"I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do." - Romans 7:15

This has been on my mind lately: Why are we often so intent on destroying ourselves? Why is it so hard for us to do what is good for us? Just like it is with nutritious food and junk food, why does the bad stuff taste so good?

I suppose sin would not really be a temptation if it didn't feel good or sound good or look good (though in the long run and in the ways that matter, it is none of these things).

Just like Paul, I don't really have an answer to those questions, but praise God that despite our conundrum, He provides a saving grace:

"Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!" - Romans 7:25

:)


K

On whose authority?

So the past weeks in Uni have been an experience. We've been put into clinical placement where we are paired up with a 4th year student Speech Pathologist to treat a client. And above us, is a supervisor who oversees everything that we do with the client. Eg. The activities, our plans and whatnot. I was super excited bout going into the clinic, actually being able to practice what I've been studying.

BUT

I made the WORST first impression. I missed my first meeting with my supervisor. It wasn't on purpose, there was just a lot of mis-communication. Now... you would think that it wouldn't be that a big of a deal since it was the first week and all. Turns out, it was.

Something you should probably know about me, I have an irrational fear of people in authority. I would rather not speak to my teachers (I never ask questions- unless absolutely necessary), I feel uncomfortable having to talk to my boss (at Subway).

So here I was freaking out about missing my meeting, totally convinced I would have to repeat the unit- hating myself for not handling the situation better, when I paused and realized.. Am I more afraid of my supervisor or God?

She had authority, and yes- It could potentially set me back. But God has the ultimate authority. And it is Him that I should really look to in this situation. His authority. Ultimately He has the final say. And it is Him I should fear.

"In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge." Proverbs 14:26

Question Time!

So instead of posting a revelation, I thought I'd post up a question here that you guys can help me (and anyone else that may need it)!

What do you do when you are feeling anxious? (not just the "I'm anxious to go up and speak in front of my class", but the anxiety that can come with life, "How am I going to pay all these bills?")

What are some bible verses that you think are relevant and helpful?

Thanks guys :)

They didn't reply! THEY DIDN'T REPLY! How rude!!!

Don't you hate it when you write a letter, or send an email, or write a comment on Facebook....
and people don't reply! It's very annoying.

Facebook example: I write a nice comment for someone on their photo, or I ask a question...and it's like they didn't even see it, and they don't answer. And the worst thing is, they reply to other people's comments, or they like other people's comments...but mine are just...ignored... :(

To make this post more godly, I'll relate it to God.

God waits for our reply everyday.
He asks,
"Will you spend time with me?"
"Did you just hear what I said?"
"I love you!"

You can ignore me. I'll just get upset. But at least won't cost you as dearly as if you ignore God.

If God was your friend on Facebook, and He commented on your status, surely you would reply?

How To Save A Life

"Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men." - Matthew 4:19

In a way, this phrase perplexes me, as winning people for the kingdom is nowhere near as easy as catching fish. It takes more than a hook to 'catch' a person for Christ.

I automatically think of the saying, "You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink."

So how on earth do you save a life???

I like what Ronni said about it not being circumstances or our words that change a heart - thank God. Perhaps all it takes is for us to simply but wholeheartedly follow Him, and He will make us into the fishers He called us to be (and successful ones at that).

True, we cannot make a horse drink, but we can lead one to water.

I hope by the end of my life, I have led as many horses to water as possible, and let God do the rest.


K

Deadlines

So I guess my assignment that's due on Monday has been at the forefront of my mind for the past week. Honestly, most conversations that I've had been with my friends recently have been about how much they've done, which countries they're researching and blah blah blah.. And I just keep procrastinating (mostly watching tv) through it all, thinking that I can put it off for an hour because I've still got 3 days left.

I don't know about you guys, but my attitude towards evangelism is a lot like that most of the time. I know that I should talk to my friends about deeper things at least once in a while, and I shouldn't back down from having conversations when they happen, but I just don't. I keep saying to myself that it's not the right time, and we'll probably have lots of time left in the future.

But what I tend to forget is that we actually don't have eternity to evangelise. There is a deadline looming, we just don't know when it is. I always think that they'll still be next week, or next month, or next year... The thing is, depressing as it sounds, that might not be true. And it's not like there's ever going to be a perfect time to talk to people.

On the upside, I'm so happy that it's not circumstances that change a heart. It's not even what we say. It's God. Even if we say something slightly dodgy, or they're completely distracted, it's all right because God's got it sorted.

V

Ideally...

So as most of you will hopefully have realised, I fractured my wrist about a month ago.

I have been constantly trying to focus on what I can do, but it was increasingly irking me that conditions were less than ideal, more inefficient than they could have been. Usually, this builds up to a peak, when there is a teary outburst, followed by annoyance at not being able to control my emotions.

This has been continuously exacerbated lately (seriously, has anyone watched Stranger than Fiction? I feel like someone is trying to write stuff into my life to keep it "interesting"). But sometime in the last week, I had just gotten off the bus to uni (when I usually do my Bible reading) and I was pretty cranky about what I couldn't do, which included putting on my backpack with any semblance of grace ... it felt like a calm gust of wind blew by (maybe one did), and the thought popped into my head "It's okay. Things aren't always perfect. But God will see that you have enough to get the job done". So recall bias in action... I don't know what the exact words were, but essentially, it has helped me accept/be more resigned to my state of temporary disability.

And the song to go with this is The Beatles - Hey Jude. Go listen to it =)

Would you date yourself?

The subject of dating has been on my mind lately, and I'm sorry to all those who are dating/ are married. This post is kind of a shout out to all the single ladies : ).

I happened to stumble across a teaching series called "The New Rules for Love, Sex & Dating" and was really impacted by it. It's a series taught be Andy Stanley about the way we should view relationships- it's mainly for single people, and the benefits of preparing for a relationship- so that will last the long haul.

One thing that really stood out to me, was this:

Are you the person you're looking for is looking for?

Right now, at this very moment, do you think you're someone who is datable? Now that might sound like a silly question, but it's a question that I have been asking myself lately. From the outside looking in, if I were a guy would I date me? And if not, what do I have to do to change that habit, or personality trait, or mindset, that I have been developing for the whole 20 years of my life?

A good amount of us have preferences, a set of attributes that we would to see in someone that would make them an ideal candidate to date. In fact, girls usually like to make up a list. And the list usually includes things like: Makes me laugh, is understanding, caring etc. -I'm excluding physical traits on purpose, because it isn't something we can really change.

We have a list of ideal things that would make up the ideal parter. But the flipside I guess is to ask ourselves that question, check ourselves against the list. Do we have the same traits that we are looking for in others in ourselves?

We have to prepare ourselves for the best chance at a life-long marriage. We have to prepare ourselves for commitment. Because it's not something that comes naturally to us, as the world has so clearly demonstrated. So we have to work on what we have to bring to the marriage, because the reality is A LOT of people come in bringing habits, things that they have been accumulating for years- debt, addiction, unforgiveness. They bring it in, and it has the potential to unravel a marriage.

Change takes work. Change takes time. And just because we love the other person, doesn't mean that change will come naturally. In the words of Andy Stanley "We spend a year planning our wedding, but seven developing our bad habits".

Let's not buy the fairytale that Hollywood is selling us. That people can do a 180 in a day, because they have found "the one", that because they've found the right person, marriage will be a breeze. We have to start developing good habits to replace the bad ones.

I guess what I'm saying is, let's start NOW. We're Powerhouse age, and not getting any younger. God wants us to have great relationships, it's time to take responsibility for our future. Let's start becoming the person we're looking for is looking for.

LL.

Blurb of my life

Sorry, this was supposed to go up last Friday..

Don't you find it really annoying when you go looking for a movie to rent, and because there's nothing in particular you want to see, you base your choice on the blurb on the back, and it turns out to be some really boring and weird story? [This bit will make sense later, I hope.]

Not sure how many of you have actually read Ezra, but it's about some of the Israelites returning to Jerusalem after their exile to rebuild the temple. And before they set out, this is what Ezra said in 8:21-23:

"There, by the Ahava Canal, I proclaimed a fast, so that we might humble ourselves before God and ask Him for a safe journey for us and our children, with all our possessions. I was ashamed to ask the king for soldiers and horsemen to protect us from enemies on the road, because we had told the king, 'The good hand of our God is on everyone who looks to Him, but His great anger is against all who forsake Him.' So we fasted and petitioned our God about this, and He answered our prayer."

I found this passage really challenging. Do our actions back up what we say? Do our attitudes reflect what we really believe? Or is it that we don't truly believe what we claim to? If we trust that God will provide for us and protect us, then how can we stress out when an assignment deadline is looming? If we believe that God wants to use us to proclaim His gospel to those around us, then how can we back down because it seems really scary? If we call ourselves Christian, but I look like those around me and act the same way as the world, then what does that say about my faith?

In brief, what struck me is that the blurb I tell of my life (and my faith) should match up with the movie that others see (my actions). I guess I'm praying that we all reflect our convictions in our actions.

V

Million Dollar Debt

A great story of forgiveness is told in Matthew by Jesus.

 Matthew18:23 

"There for in the Kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. And when he had begun to settle accounts, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. But as he was not able to pay, his master commanded that he be sold with his wife and children and all that he had and that payment be made. 

The servant therefore fell down before him saying 'Master, have patience with me, and I will pay you all'

Then the master of that servant was moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt. But that servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and he laid hands on him and took him by the throat saying, 'Pay me what you owe!' 

So his fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged him saying 'Have patience with me and I will pay you all' 

And he would not but went and threw him into prison till he should pay the debt. So when his fellow servants saw what had been done they were very grieved and came and told their master all that had been done.

His master called him and said 'You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. Should you now have also had compassion on your fellow servant. just as I had pity on you?'

And his master was angry and delivered him to the tortures until he should pay all that was due to him."

It's a confronting lesson Jesus tries to teach us here. We have been forgiven of ALL our sins in the past, present and future by the Almighty God, the highest of all kings. He should us great love and compassion, yet our hearts are still filled with unforgiveness for our brothers and sisters over minuscule things. "He didn't do the chores", "She said something really offensive to me" etc. As big as it may seem, to think of all the bad things we have done, are doing and will do in the future.... doesn't quite measure up.

It's not easy to forgive, I for one know that really well. It's easier to hold a grudge and to blame everything on the person than to forgive, and sometimes it makes you feel better too.  But though we may feel like we are able to forgive, through God's grace we will. Bitterness will only stifle your heart and will not gain any justice. Forgive others as Jesus has loved and forgiven us. 

So that's my short little revelation this week. I hope you get your own revelation from this little parable!

Love,

Joyce

Watch Your Words

The other day I was thinking about God's judgement and forgiveness. Jesus says, in Matthew 12:36: I tell you that everyone will have to give an account on the day of judgement for every empty word they have spoken. 37: For by your words you will be aquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.

The verses say, everyone, including Christians. Why is it by our words (not our actions even), that we are condemned? These 2 verses seem to be confusing because the Bible also says that there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1).

I was thinking, if God has already forgiven us, then why will He judge us? Is there a jail in heaven that you have to spend time in for a while if you deserve a sentence for something you did/say or didn't do/say?

As I was thinking about it, I couldn't understand, why is there judgement and accountability after we have already been saved? Then am I really forgiven?

Usually, when there is a question I have in my mind about a particular verse in the Bible, it's useful to find other passages about the same topic, or to read around the verse, to put it into context. 

In Matthew 12, Jesus was talking to the Pharisees, who had just accused Jesus of casting out demons by the power of Satan. In verses 31-32, Jesus tells the Pharisees that "If you reject the Son of Man out of some misunderstanding, the Holy Spirit can forgive you, but when you reject the Holy Spirit, you're sawing off the branch on which you're sitting, severing by your own perversity all connection with the One who forgives" (Message version).

In other words, if you won't accept forgiveness, then you won't receive it. It's like someone leaving a Christmas gift for you under the tree that will make your life a whole lot better, but you refuse to go and open it. Or, you open it, then trash it when you find out what it is. Maybe that's what the Pharisees did. They trashed what they knew was God's gift. It's not like they didn't know about it. So if you want forgiveness, you have to realise your fault, ask for forgiveness, and accept it, and be grateful for it. How does this relate to us giving an account for the words we have spoken? 

One answer could be, that if we have to account for all the wrong and idle things we said, when we stand (or bow face down?) before God, we could ask Him for forgiveness when we meet Him. However, I'm still not sure if that's the answer, asking God to forgive me again, when He said that He has already forgiven me for past, present and future sins (including sinful words).

Possibly, even if we have spoken regrettable things in the past (or will in the future), we could be condemned for it. BUT....

Is it God who condemns us?

Verse 37: For by your words you will be aquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.

The verse does not say, "God will condemn you for your words". 

Does this then mean we should be relieved? Maybe not. Who, or what is going to condemn us for our words? I will tell you why I think it is not a "who".

Romans 8.33- 

 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. ³⁴ Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. 

Therefore, God does not, and will not condemn us for our words. He is even interceding for us, and is on OUR side. He's like, our lawyer, as well as our judge.

Sometimes, it's not about looking around the passage for the answer, it's shortening the verse:

by your words you will be condemned

Our own words condemn us! 

The message version says, "Words can be your salvation. Words can also be your damnation".

It's not someone else's words condemning us, it's our own. Have you ever said something you've regretted? Sometimes, it's easier to deal with the things that have been said to us, than with the words we've said to others. Even when we know that we've been forgiven, there are still consequences for our actions. And our words. More often, we think, "I wish I'd never said that to him/her", instead of "I wish he/she never said that to me".


I know that you know how powerful words are, and there are many verses in the Bible that tell you about how they reflect what's in the heart, and how they can direct our life. 


"Watch your words and hold your tongue; you'll save yourself a lot of grief" - Proverbs 21:23


So, be careful about what you say, because those words in themselves will be your regret or your blessing. Guard your heart, be wise, and make every word you say count for good...because it can!

My Eulogy

Ever since I was young, I've thought often about my own funeral and what it would be like. I wonder who would be there, who would cry, who would eulogise me... Up until recently, all my thoughts revolved around the people that would be there and what they would do, and what they would be feeling and thinking.

But all those things are not really in my control (especially when I am dead..haha). What is in my control, to an extent, is what they say about me.. or more precisely, what kind of person I was that they are able to speak of (truthfully).

The point is not that I live a 'good' person's life so that people can say nice things about me at my funeral. It's also not so that I am loved and praised in this life (I don't do very well with praise). I hope the point always will be what God was able to accomplish through me for His glory.

"As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead." - James 2:26

As lovely as it is to be eulogised as smart, happy, kind, funny, diligent or generous, to be honest, that isn't enough for me. I don't want to be generic, because generic shows nothing of Jesus. Jesus was anything but generic!

What I would want said is that I loved Jesus and showed Him to others.

If people from each of my 'circles' (church, work, family, friends, acquaintances, etc) were asked to speak at my funeral, I would love if they were all able to say that same thing: that I loved Jesus and showed Him to others.

I know my deeds alone cannot save me and that God's love for me is unchanging no matter what I do, but I think the time for spiritual nappies is over. The time for being spoonfed and taking gentle baby steps is over. It's so easy and comfortable to stay in Neverland and never grow up, but I know God is asking me to do so much more.

I'm still a far way off from this kind of consistency and maturity, but I hope that day by day, my steps are becoming bigger, my faith more sure and my life less my own.

Hope yours are too.. xx

K

The Centrepiece

Hey guys! So it's a new week with new revelations ready for you to unearth =). I hope you're pumped, and ready to receive what God has in store for you!

Here's what I've been pondering about in the last week.

Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose. (Phil. 2:12,13)

"continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling" Our Salvation is not earned, we don't work "for" it, but I believe that once we attain it through grace by faith, that we are supposed to ensure that it is centred and grounded in Christ. And we have it work it out, to make sure that what we believe our "Salvation" is, is what Jesus actually died for. Because if it mere religion, that's not it.

We are to, in the words of Pastor Brian "Keep the main thing, the main thing". And keep Christ at the centre of it all. And I think that can be hard sometimes, because a lot of things are trying to get our attention and especially in these times I think, it's a real danger to turn Salvation into what it is not. Our salvation is a gift, it is unfair- we didn't get what we deserved. It's a genuine miracle. And we are to take is seriously. Because God did.

I love that God never throws us anything more than we can handle, a goal to reach, a deed to be done without giving us the means to accomplish them. And the neat thing is, he says in his word that HE will provide us the will to be able to do so. Not by our own strength, but he empowers us to achieve what we never could by ourselves.

And that gets me kind of excited, and I hope it does the same for you. Because this is the kind of God we serve. Not some distant judgemental being, but someone who comes alongside us, knows that we are weak in some ways, so he GIVES us the will to do what he wants us to do. Kinda cool.

LL

A Gift that Never stops Giving

A few years back, possibly in 2009 when I was in year 11, most of you would have heard about how my iPod was stolen which had contained many precious photos and memories from my computer (my computer was dying so I backed it all up on the iPod), and it was an iPod classic so... I literally lost a couple hundred dollars, and to add to it.. it was my brothers.

Dun Dun Duunnn.

I prepped myself up for a harsh tongue-lashing from my brother and mother. But to my surprise, all I got was "it's alright man, just be more careful with this sort of stuff yeah?" from my bro and a "it's just material things lah, don't worry, it's just such a pity we lost all those photos!" from mum. A little gobsmacked, I went away that day realising that money and material things are the least important things in this world; holding onto such things so tightly can only be detrimental and cause anxiety in your heart. It's okay not to have these things. As nothing is as valuable as Salvation or a relationship with God.

And thus is the long-winded introduction to what I had on my heart.

Matthew 6:19-20 says, Do not store up for yourself treasures on earth where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.


I've just recently got a job (Thank you God!) and I'm finally earning some money. The first thing that came to mind was "YAY I CAN FINALLY BUY MORE CLOTHES!!" and was also excited that I could now finally tithe! And a question came up, why should I tithe? why is it that God wants me to tithe? Then that verse popped up, Matthew 6:19.

The money I spend on clothes, food, and other worldly things will all rust and fray; and thieves may steal them, proven in my story of the iPod. These things will not last and only give a momentary satisfaction. Once the latest fashion/gadget comes out next year, your $50/$100 spent today will be redundant. If we grow too attached and dependent on such things, we will always be let down and never satisfied.

Instead, we have an opportunity to sow into something that will have eternal effect. Perhaps our giving will help in salvations, which in turn can cause more salvations, and more and more!

In essence, all these material things we have hoarded up will eventually die, but as we sow into God's kingdom, His purpose and His vision will propel our giving further than the monetary value of it is really capable of. Money, clothes and fancy expensive gadgets don't add value to our lives, or anyone else's. God does. Taking part in the amazing opportunity to support and mobilising God's purpose does. (Not that God needs our money)

Why does God want me to tithe? I believe that God is teaching me how to trust in Him in something that I find most difficult to let go of, my finances. I have so many plans and so many ways to spend, but God is teaching me to be obedient in trusting that God will provide for every need I have. Not to mention teaching me how to be more generous, and just loving people.


This is what that has been relevant to my life recently now that I have a job, and I pray that I (and all of us) will always give with joy, a knowing that our giving ripples through to peoples lives/eternity, and an expectation that God will do amazing things through it.

Sorry for the long-winded post =) Time for bed!

Love,
Joyceywoyce.