A very popular question

that many people ask is, "If God is such a great and loving God, why does He allow all the bad things in the world to happen?"

Let me give my straightforward opinion.

No.1, Acknowledgement

Notice that people credit themselves for the good things that happen, and blame God for the bad things that happen? (referring to majority here).

Take a step back and look. Isn't that just childish? Only taking what you want and cursing what you leave.

Acknowledge that God is an omnipotent God first. YES, He can do whatever He likes. What can you say about it? Before you call Him a cruel God, look at yourself. You're reading this now, meaning you have internet connection. Meaning you are blessed. Take some time to thank God.

As my brother once said, "Ukur baju sendiri" before you start blaming God. Are you (or me, for that matter) more righteous than God? Can you understand the mechanics of holding the world in your hand?

Everybody would end up doing things that eventually benefit themselves. Which brings us to our second point about God.

No.2, Appreciation

God, being a leader of this world, did NOT create us for destruction. He said before that He is the good shepherd that lays His life for us. And He DID do it.

Which leader of this world will actually TOLERATE being accused, tortured, mocked, betrayed and so much more, while being quiet about his sovereign power? Tell me who.

Most of us, being just touched by a small hint of these, recoil in immature outbursts of wrath (myself included).

Jesus didn't. He shut up even though He didn't have to. He could have silenced and transported them all to hell. He could silence YOU and transport YOU to eternal burning flames. But no, He didn't. More often than not people like to dwell and meditate on what God CAN do, rather than what God HAS done.

He HAS died for us. Being a leader, He sacrificed Himself for His followers. Now THATS what i call a leader, not someone self-serving or self-righteous. Jesus didn't even mutter a word.

No.3, Appraise

Check at whatever tragedy had just happened. Even when things seem bleakest, be sure, and you better be, that our God is ever-present to the needy. THE QUESTION IS, HAVE THEY RESPONDED?

Not all things always turn out for the worst. Even mighty tragedies. Look, if Jesus didn't have to go through all that suffering, He wouldn't have saved us all, right?

If there is no rain, there is no sunshine, right?

Same theory applies, no matter how much you might condemn me or God, saying "oh, you never will understand." Truth is, God always does, though humans may not. He understands, He comforts. Can you say that God doesnt understand? Can you see past those nail-pierced hands, that for love's sake, He became poor?

Appraise. Bad things may not always turn out bad. It requires patience, most of the time. God might be using the testing to produce the best testimony.

Until then, God bless, all of you.

Curious

Hi guys. Faithful readers, brothers and sisters in the Lord Jesus Christ, as well as fellow friends and guests who read this blog. God bless you all :)

I'm curious. Have you ever wondered the mysteries of the world? Well, lets expose one of them today.

Ever watched a korean/japanese drama? Or even a malay/chinese/english one? Blockbusters or romantic movies? There's even a movie called Valentine's Day hitting the cinema's now. Ever wonder why people always pay so much to watch those love stories?

Yet, they all almost end up cliche'd. You could tell the ending just before you watch it, yet somehow theres a certain magnetizing force dragging and prompting you to watch it anyway. Its nice to watch love stories; it gives you fuzzy feelings; it makes you feel good, etc, etc.

Why do you watch them? Why do I watch them? I don't know. Just for fun? Entertainment? To fill in the emptiness where love was supposed to be? Or just to pick up some dating skills from the theaters *hint hint*

Well. Mention a well-known love story like Titanic and everybody would know it. People would love it or hate it, but they know it.

Mention a love story like Jesus, and people will either get angry, excited or stare at you blankly.

Why is the most powerful love story ignored when all the other cliched events of life's love being replayed get all the attention?

Sure, we love a good love story where the hero/heroine breaks off from their partner through some manner and for some reason get back together *aww*. But think about it. In Jesus's love story, we are the ones that try to get away from God.

And God, loving us so much, sent His only Son to us. For free. Even when we rejected Him, He died for us.

In movies, we may tear up or cry when a touching scene involving separation or death occurs. In the cross, many people hold contempt or apathy against it. Why?

Is it because the cross is so powerful that it exposes all human intent, yet at the same time displays the purest of love?

People can read fantasy romance novels like Twilight and yet never touch the TRUE love story of our Lord Jesus. He's calling out to you, knocking at your door, waiting for you to respond, as a long-lost lover waits for his partner. He waits patiently. He doesn't fret.

I don't understand why earthly love stories can trump the greatest one ever told. And if it has been told, it deserves much more a place than our minds and our eyes; it deserves our lives and our hearts.

Dear Lord Jesus, please forgive me of my sins, for I have ignored You constantly. Lead me back to Your ways, and help me walk closely to You as a sheep to his Shepherd. Lead me to quiet streams and make me lie down; let my heart not be troubled as I trust in You, my Lover. I thank You and praise You..from the bottom of my wretched heart. Amen...

Blessed conviction

It has been a wonderful and very humbling weekend for me, with God beating every circumstance for my heart's desire to be fulfilled. But trust me, it didn't go without trial and despair and low spirits. But after this great display of love that God has shown me, I finally realized just how much God loves us.

And I know I will never be able to fully comprehend and understand the width, depth and length of God's love for us, but my recent experience opened doors of insight that led to a whole new path of light, shining from our Heavenly Father.

I thought about it. About three years ago, I was nobody. I was a Christian, but only by name. I thought good works could get you to heaven, but even then I didn't make an effort for it. I was game for popularity, self-glory and self-justification, fleeing judgement when it arose and basking in flattery at every mention.

I was destructive, and I was destroyed. I was immoral, I was tainted, but yet I went on in sin. I walked in darkness, away from our Light Jesus Christ. It all didn't change over night, but through camps, through form 2's CF, through all the humbling experiences, God has truly taken me from the miry clay and set my feet upon the rock.

I was utter and complete darkness. I didn't know my Savior. I didn't bother to. I lived for myself. My eyes were haughty and my legs were shifty, my mind constantly plotting sins and devious plans for evil.

What did I do to receive the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, Prince of Peace, King of Glory, Bright morning Star, the Worthy Lamb? What did I do for His crucifixion?

This is love; that when we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

I realized today. Once again, in a whole new light, how God has been giving us 100% before we were even born, and how He still answers our prayers (even though we already have salvation!) and continues giving us 100%, and ONLY asks of our 10%, and even then, many of us don't even give that kind of commitment! I don't! But through my testimony, God has proved Himself to be exceedingly faithful.

When we are faithless, God is faithful, for God cannot go against His faithfulness. Let man be faithless, but God is faithful.

I can testify to His grace. He continuously gave, and gave, and gave. Poured out His heart and His life for me. For ME. A sinner, a lowly servant who deserves to bury his head in the ground and chew the dust for all I'm worth.

Instead of condemning me, my God gave me a second chance, third, fourth and so on. He never gave up on me, always believing that one day I'd turn my heart back to Him. For if we confess our sins, He is faithful to forgive us.

He took me away from my spiral of destruction, AND put me up high on the Rock of foundation. He strengthened me, put me in positions of power, blessed me, taught me, rebuked me, and above all, loves me.

I feel so, very undeserving. I can only bow my head down low and proclaim that MY LORD IS GREAT.

BLESSED BE THE NAME OF THE LORD. HE IS REAL IN MY LIFE, AND HE CAN BE REAL IN YOUR LIFE TOO.

THE HEAVENS AND EARTH PROCLAIM YOUR GLORY, YOUR MAJESTY, AND YOUR UNFAILING LOVE. TO YOU BE ALL GLORY AND POWER AND KINGDOM, FOREVER AND EVER!

Thank You Lord. Thank You...I just wanted to share how faithful He is in my life. Thanks guys if you have made it this far. I pray that all of us will walk in Christ, being found spotless in times of tribulation, forever praising His holy name.

God, Your name is holy. We beat our breasts and ask for Your forgiveness and Spirit to rain down on us. Let this nation praise Your holy name!

For Those Hungry for the Word

I've found this awesome site where they upload most of their sermons. Good sound biblical teaching, suitable for anyone who is thirsting for the news of the Gospel. Don't hesitate to help yourself!

http://www.smacc.info/29101.html

Taking things for granted?

Hey guys. Been pretty busy/tired so I haven't been blogging much lately, but I just wanna exhort a friendly reminder from the CF here in malacca :)

How have things been going on in your CF? Hopefully things aren't fine.

Things should be AWESOME!

Its already february. Time flies, no? Lets not fall into the deceiving trap of complacency. Its when we're satisfied and happily settled that we fall into ignorance. Lets remember the vow and those songs of commitment we sang during NSCFL, and truly devote our lives to Him, taking the extra step to glorify His name. Even as I am typing, I'm being reminded about how many more things can be done.

There is always someone out there who needs an extra helping hand. That person could be a total stranger, or he/she could be your best friend...

Hmm. I hope we can all come together and fellowship with one another soon. :) Until then, lets not take things for granted, knowing that we are all so very undeserving of God's grace and free gift of salvation, but through Jesus Christ, we are made worthy and accounted for righteousness through faith! Lets work as hardworking servants, remembering that this life is so, very short compared to the exciting eternity we're gonna spend together with Him, showering Him praise!

I can't wait :)

Exalt Him!