The true principles in the Bible is something what one must seek. Many Christians do not care about such especially when those principles defy their comfort.
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Do we love to blame others for our mistakes, rendering our conscience into oblivion. But our righteous God has never failed in His justice just as He has never gone behind His leniency.
I find that you have taken away my authority to rebuke in this matter. But let it be the only reproach. Let there be no lion to slew me on the road, with Thy abundant mercy. Remember me Dear Lord, for only you are my Savior. Amen.
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I've often regret how I should not have told them about my plan for missionary work. For had they known, why would they opted me to be deacon.
I also regret taking deaconship for I was naive enough to believe Pastor Chen that he wish to "Reform" the church with me. Nay, I wouldn't blame it on the pastor. He has knowledge of the reformed theology and the heart to serve God, he has all but courage, he has the knowledge but not the conviction. I pray for his lack of faith.
But nay, it is I to be blamed. For if I had not been so proud as to think my presence is so important or my absence would affect others negatively, I wouldn't be blinded so that I could not see the truth, and God's calling.
What must be done must be done. There are certain things that just cannot be tolerated.
May God have mercy upon me. That whatever He wills for me be accomplished. For it is my hope and my prayer to God almighty, that I be used by my Lord to the fullest, with much blessings.
Bless me Lord, otherwise leave me not. Amen!
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Supposed there's someone named Tikut who's afraid of mice. She went to a psychologist for help. The psychologist gave her 2 solutions to choose from:
1. Imagine there's no mouse. When you see a mouse, think of happy things. Weeee...you're in paradise.
2. Learn to hate mice. When you see a mouse, go crazy and use all ridiculous efforts to kill it!
However, a true Christian knows neither of these can truly cure Tikut. For 1. Tikut would have to live in a fantasy world, and 2. She would hate more than just mice and probably end up in an institution.
If Tikut is truly cured, she would see a mouse as a mouse and herself as herself and this time, not as helpless human, but one living under the grace and wisdom of God.
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I once heard of a renowned preacher sarcastically wondered how so many missionaries immigrate to first world countries declaring they were "called" by God.
Hence, it is not unusual to see how these countries are degrading due to this situation, for authority is something many Christians have taken for granted lately. What would these so called "ministers of God" do when their new home has fallen out of their expectation? I have a prediction: They will migrate out, to Taiwan, to Japan, to China, etc. Why? God's calling.
If no one truly loves nations in Europe, America, etc. with sorrow, then what can I say except praying to God for mercy.
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If this be reversed, it is not right.
On the debate of Predestination, George Whitefield wrote to John Wesley:
"...This letter, no doubt, will lose me many friends: and for this cause perhaps God has laid this difficult task upon me, even to see whether I am willing to forsake all for him, or not. From such considerations as these, I think it my duty to bear an humble testimony, and earnestly to plead for the truths which, I am convinced, are clearly revealed in the Word of God. In the defence whereof I must use great plainness of speech, and treat my dearest friends upon earth with the greatest simplicity, faithfulness, and freedom, leaving the consequences of all to God...." (12/24/1740)
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My last moments at my current church is not completely wasted even though I had declared my intention of leaving due to time and focus of vision, at least two years ago.
Of the rather stressful final years of standing firm on the reformed ground, I have learned an incredibly valuable lesson:
I am certain that when I preach or teach, I should not co-work with cowards.
In battle, there are those in the front line, and those for backups. These do not interchange.
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There are two kinds of people when facing repentance.
1. Those who repent immediately.
2. Those who decided to wait their repentance until they are sure they would no longer be enticed by temptations.
Here is the dilemma:
1. If repent immediately, many have continued to sin and therefore making God's forgiveness and salvation stale. Making a bad name for the Lord.
2. If wait until a certainty of perfection, then God's name is honored. But presents two unaccounted problems: a). One needs to assume absolute certainty of obtaining such righteousness before repentance. b). The mystery is that no one can reach such perfection before repentance.
Hence, it is better to see our faults and repent right away, and sin not, then to wait for a comfortable moment when we think have conquered our faults. It is the devil's thrill to see us trap ourselves in sin just because we think we are doing God's name a favor.
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I've learned that when I am quoting from someone who's quoting from somewhere else, no matter how trustworthy he is, it's best to check the authenticity of the quote less I make a fool of myself, having no one but myself to blame.[@more@]
To improve in any languages, there must be that extra commitment and in depth study. Conversing with others and spending time with friends may be encouraging but not as efficient.[@more@]
