Sevants under grace?

Phillipians 1: 1-2

Two things struck me from the sermon:

1) Who (or what) is my master?

2) Cheap grace versus costly grace

As Brad elaborated on how Paul so humbly referred to himself as a 'servant' (for better translation: slave) of Christ Jesus (vs 1), it made me realize the impact of the meaning of that word. A 'slave' does not have his or her own rights, they belong to their masters and have to obey their masters.

Sure, in my own life I have often thought about 'serving God' or being in the 'serving team', or even how I want to 'serve' God in university and later in my career. But what about day-to-day living? My attitudes, my thoughts, my actions toward others.... who or what really is my 'master'?

'If we are not slaves to Christ, we are slaves to other things.' (Brad)

In examining my heart, God has showed me that instead of Christ being my master, very often myself is my own master. In making decisions, I admit that I first consider my own desires ('Do I want to go to this event?' /'Will I enjoy the event?'/'Will my friends be there?') rather than asking God ('Do you want me to go?'/ 'is there something you want me to do there? Is there someone I can invite along with me? Or someone I should speak to?'). Being a slave to Christ is definitely not easy. It means I no longer live under my own desires, but the desires of God.

The first question served as a timely reminder for me, as I was just preparing to move back to uni for my final year. The beginning of a new term is a perfect time to make a new start! I know I cannot do this on my own: may God give me a teachable heart! Show me how to be a slave of Christ Jesus :) Please take over the driving seat of my life.

The second thing that struck me was my attitude toward grace.

Maybe it was because I have been Christian for so many years... as Brad said, the word 'Grace' is thrown around so much in Christian circles, that we can forget the real meaning behind the word. So often I myself have turned it into something cheap, by serving myself, following my own selfish nature and doing what i want to do rather than what God wants me to do. I have forgotten (or rather, become hardened) to how costly it was for grace to be given to us: Jesus on the cross- all the suffering, torture, humiliation, pain, insults, the crown of thorns on his head... with the burden of all sins on his shoulders. It was costly.

Each time I sin I nail Jesus on the cross again. And recently I listened to a sermon that talked about sin is falling short of the glory of God. I may not have gossiped/ slandered/stolen/ done anything to harm others.. but if I deliberately failed to do something I know God wanted me to do (such as answering my flatmates' questions about God/ being kind to someone/helping my mum wash dishes after she had a long day) that is sin as well. Woah... the number of times I sin each day... mind boggling! Yet Jesus willingly took on the suffering because He loves us, in order that we could be made right with God again.

Do I really appreciate and comprehend how costly grace is? I can't say I fully get it. I am still learning everyday and asking God to help me to appreciate the real meaning and cost of grace. I really pray that as a Christian, I can have a genuine deep understanding of the gift of grace, so that I can live with God as my master, and not myself.

Let us not throw grace around carelessly, let us not keep on sinning and then confessing half-heartedly.

I came across a very thought-provoking quote yesterday, and I will end my reflection with this:
'God loves us the way we are, but He loves us too much to leave us that way' (Leighton Ford).


God-is-not-finished-with-me-yet:)
CY

What is Joy?

What is joy?

Now that a new year of school has begun, people from other schools have joined. My day is filled with cracking jokes in order to make the new students laugh and feel comfortable, and it brings me great joy when they do so. How is that joy different from Paul's joy, which is seen in his letter to the Philippians?

1.) The joy that I experience does not last very long.
Paul's joy lasted his entire letter and entire life. The Christian joy is an adventure which deepens as the years go by.
2.) My joy was centred on myself.
A joyful Christian heart is rooted in Christ, and the assurance of salvation.
3.) My joy is not confident - i don't know whether people will laugh or not
God's promise of Heaven gives us joy that is confident.
4.) My joy isn't always shared with others
We share joy with other believers.
5.) My joy could be superficial
A Christian sense of joy comes from a deep awareness of life which is meaningful.

Joy is not about putting on a happy face, and distracting ourselves from the troubles we face. But in the midst of trials and sufferings, as Christians we should always remember that God tests us in order for us to grow in Him and act out our faith.

James 1:2
2Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.

So let's have joy in Christ during times of hardship and suffering, have joy in the good results which will come out of it and have joy which will radiate from our insides out.
JTx

Choosing Sides

Joshua 5:13-15

The 'Fall of Jericho' is a familiar story to me, having heard it countless times in my life: the incredible tale of the collapse of a city by just marching around it seven times and giving a loud shout. But so often I missed the scene BEFORE the action. I never really gave attention to the strange exchange between Joshua and the 'man standing... with a drawn sword in his hand'.

Facing this mysterious character with unknown intentions ('is he an enemy? Is he a bad guy or a good guy?!') Joshua asked the man 'Are you for us or for our enemies?' (vs 13).

Strangely, the man answers 'No'... and reveals his identity as 'commander of the army of the Lord...'.
Why did he give this answer?

The question was not whether the man was on Joshua's side.

The real question was whose side was Joshua on?

There is a difference between the two.

Instead of asking... 'God are you on my side?'

It's 'Am I on God's side?'

This morning as I reflected on the sermon... A phrase came in my mind-
'Are we praying for God to work according to our own agenda? Or are we praying to GOD to help us live according to HIS agenda?'

Joshua didn't use his own wisdom to think of a plan, didn't use his own way or his own strength to attack Jericho and then asked God to bless his plans. Joshua obeyed God and chosen to do things God's way. He was following and doing God's agenda.

For me, this was a very good reminder for me to reflect in my own life. Am I living according to God's agenda? Am I willing to step out and take risks for God and do things God's ways (unconventional it may be!)?

To be honest, I think I still very much live according to my own agenda and use my own wisdom rather than trust in God's plan and God's way:

''Lord, this is what I want to happen in this situation; and this is how I want this problem to be solved. Lord, I want You to do this, and Lord, I hope you will hurry up and do this other thing.''

Sometimes I even presume I know what the Lord thinks is best!
''Lord, I know you would not want this to happen to me; or Lord, I know You would not want me to be unhappy.''

Joshua made a decision very early on that he will do things God's way, and to center his life on God. In the same way, I'm praying that I too, can let go of my own agenda and take a risk to live by God's agenda. I've been challenged this week to not just pray, but to listen more. In the same way that Joshua was quick to listen to God's voice- 'What message does my Lord have for his servant?' (vs 14) I pray that I too, can be sensitive and attentive to God this week.


God-is-not-finished-with-me-yet:)
CY

Talents

In the Parable of the Talents, the first two servants are commended for what they did, for their work, for their risk. I'm not really one to take risks, to step out of my comfort zone and in many ways, I am like the third servant, the one who played it by the book, played it safe. But this servant was thrown out with the rubbish and took no part in the future glory which God gives us. The message really challenged me to step up, to step out. We find from the parable that it is not about knowing the teachings as the third servant did...but our spiritual growth comes from obeying our master.

The message really reminded me of Peter in that boat. He wasn't afraid of what the others around him thought, he wanted only to obey and go to his master. He took a step of faith, stepping outside his comfort zone, stepping out of the boat and onto the water. If this doesn't shock you very much, the next time you are in a boat, try walking off the edge! As a result of his faith and willingness to take a risk, he walked on water! God does wonders when we take risks and trust in Him!

May taking risks for God be our worship to Him. Just as He gave his life for us, just as He took a risk so that we might find Him, so too, let us step out of our comfort zone, step out onto the water and walk with Him.

~Sck