Bible Verses for Comforting and Uplifting for Older People

 These verses remind us of

• God's faithfulness and continued care for us,

• the value of wisdom gained through age, and

• the promise of renewal and strength in Him.

God Sustained

• Isaiah 46:4:

  • "Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. 
    I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you."

    # It is God who is sustaining us. It is not us. So we don't have to worry at all.

• 1 Peter 5:10

  • "But the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore  you and make you strong, firm, and steadfast." - # God is restoring you and making you strong again!

God Renew

• 2 Corinthians 4:16

  • "So we do not lose heart.

  • Though our outer self is wasting away,

  • our inner self is being renewed day by day." -

    # Our inner man is growing though our physical strength may weaken

• Isaiah 40:30-31:

  • "Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall;

  • but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.

    # Relying on the Lord will enable the old to outdo the youth.

  • They will soar on wings like eagles;

    • they will run and not grow weary,

    • they will walk and not be faint."

Growing Wisdom

• Proverbs 16:31

  • "Gray hair is a crown of splendor;

    # Age is the sign of wisdom and enlightenment

  • it is attained in the way of righteousness." -

    # We get it through abiding in Christ, our righteousness

• Job 12:12:

  • "Is not wisdom found among the aged? Does not long life bring understanding?"

• Psalm 92:12-14

  • 2. "The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon; planted in the house of the Lord, they will flourish in the courts of our God. 
    # We, who received Jesus as Savior and Lord, are righteous in Christ. His grace will strengthen and uphold us.

  • They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green." -
    # We remain youthful.

God Cares for You

• Psalm 55:22

  • "Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain  you;

  • he will never let the righteous be shaken." -

• Jeremiah 33:3

  • Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that 
    you have not known.

    # The Lord will give you the answer to your need and show you the path out.

• Psalm 71:9:

  • "Do not cast me away when I am old;

    # Call unto God and see His rescue and supplies

  • do not forsake me when my strength is gone."

• Psalm 71:18

• "Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, my God, 
  till I declare your power to the next generation, your mighty acts to all 
  who are to come." -

  # The purpose for our long life.

Prayer:

May the Lord give you good health and strength. May He bless you with peace and joy as you testify of the Lord's goodness to all generations. Praise and thanksgiving be unto the Lord who saves us. Amen.

Here is a motivational and encouraging post shared by someone:

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/houseofravenwolf/photos/a.934181993306960/4333407326717726/ 

Lim Liat (c) 7-6-23     

安慰和鼓舞老年人的圣经经文  

• 这些经文提醒我们

  • 上帝的信实 以及他继续的看顾我们

  • 年龄带来的智慧价值，以及

  • 在祂里面更新和得力的应许。

• 上帝支撑你

  • 以赛亚书 46:3-4:

    • 你们这家族，就是我从胎生养、抱在怀里的，你们要听我说：

    • 你们年老的时候我仍这样，直到你们发白，我仍要负担；
      我造作，也必保抱；我必扶持，也必拯救。

      # 是神在扶持我们。不是我们。所以我们完全不用担心。

  • 彼得前书 5:10

    • 那赐诸般恩典的神曾在基督里召你们，得享他永远的荣耀，
      等你们暂受苦难之后，必要亲自成全你们，坚固你们，赐力量给你们。

      # 上帝正在恢复你，让你再次坚强！

• 神更新你

  • 哥林多后书 4:16

    • 所以我们不灰心。

      • 外体虽然毁坏，

    • 内心却一天新似一天。

      #虽然我们的体力可能会减弱，但我们的内心在成长

  • 以赛亚书 40:30-31:

    • 就是少年人也要疲乏困倦；年轻人也必跌倒。

    • 但那等候耶和华的，必从新得力。

      # 靠主能使年老的胜过年少的。

    • 他们必如鹰展翅上腾；

      • 他们奔跑却不困倦

      • 行走却不疲乏

• 你的智慧增长

  • 箴言 16:31

    • 白发是荣耀的冠冕

      # 年龄是智慧和觉悟的标志

    • 这在公义的道上必能得着

      # 我们通过住在基督里得到在我们身上的耶稣的义

  • 约伯记  12:12:

    • 年老的有智慧，寿高的有知识。

  • 诗篇 92:14：「他们年老的时候仍要结果子，要满了汁浆而常发青。」

  • 诗篇 92:12-14

    • 义人要发旺如棕树，生长如利巴嫩的香柏树。
      他们栽于耶和华的殿中，发旺在我们　神的院里。 
      # 我们这些接受耶稣为救主和主的人，在基督里是义人。
      他的恩典会加强和支持我们。

    • 他们年老的时候仍要结果子，要满了汁浆而常发青，

      #我们永葆青春。

• 上帝关心你

  • 诗篇 55:22

    • 你要把你的重担卸给耶和华，他必抚养你；

    • 他永不叫义人动摇。

  • 耶利米 33:3

    • (你求告我，我就应允你，并将你所不知道、又大又难的事指示你。

      # 主会给你所需的答案，并告诉你出路

  • 诗篇 71:9:

    • "我的神啊，求你不要在我年老的时候丢弃我 
      # 呼求上帝，看看他的拯救和供应

    • 不要在我力气衰败的时候离弃我。

  • 诗篇 71:18

    • 神啊，我要传扬你的大能，直到年老的时候传扬你的大能，
      直到年老的时候传述你的能力。

      # 我们长寿的目的。

• 祷告:

  • 愿主赐给你健康和力量。当你向万代见证主的良善时，
    愿祂以平安和喜乐祝福你。赞美感谢拯救我们的主。阿门。

Verses for People suffering Depression - 给抑郁者的经节

God is Aware - 神知道你的痛苦

• God is aware of our pain and is there to provide comfort, strength, and hope.

  上帝知道我们的痛苦，并在那里提供安慰、力量和希望。

God save us - 神拯救你

• Psalm 34: 17-18 (NIV): 诗篇 34
  • "The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; 义人呼求，耶和华听见了

    We who are saved by Jesus Christ are righteous. 信主的人就有耶稣的义了

    • he delivers them from all their troubles. 便救他们脱离一切患难。

      Hold on to this promise of deliverance。 所以，神必拯救我们脱离忧患

  • The Lord is close to the brokenhearted 耶和华靠近伤心的人，

    Is that you? 是你妈？

    • and saves those who are crushed in spirit." 拯救灵性痛悔的人。

      God is close and He saves you.

      神与你同在并会拯救你。

• Psalm 147:3): 诗篇 147
  • "He heals the brokenhearted 他医好伤心的人
  • and binds up their wounds. 裹好他们的伤处。

Praise God even so 你要赞美神

• Psalm 42:11 诗篇 42
  • "Why, my soul, are you downcast? 我的心哪，你为何忧闷？
    • Why so disturbed within me? 为何在我里面烦躁？
  • Put your hope in God 应当仰望　神

    Start to praise Him no matter what

    那就要赞美神。不管你觉得如何。

    • for I will yet praise him, 因我还要称赞他
    • my Savior and my God." 他是我的帮助和拯救，是我的神。

Come to Jesus - Shift your focus 到耶稣那里 改变注意

• Matthew 11:28-30 马太 11
  • "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
    凡劳苦担重担的人可以到我这里来，我就使你们得安息。

    Change from self-focused to Jesus-focused. Go to Jesus.

  • Take my yoke upon you and learn from me 你们当负我的轭，学我的样式
    • for I am gentle and humble in heart, and 因为我心里柔和谦卑，
  • you will find rest for your souls. 这样，你们心里就必得享安息
    • For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
      因为我的轭是容易的，我的担子是轻省的。

There the Purpose for our Suffering -痛苦有目的

• 2 Corinthians 1 :3-4 (NIV): 哥林多后 1
  • "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God."
  • 愿颂赞归与我们的主耶稣基督的父神，就是发慈悲的父，赐各样安慰的神。
    我们在一切患难中，他就安慰我们，叫我们能用神所赐的安慰去安慰那遭各样患难的人。

Don't go alone. Seek Help - 不要自己承担 找人帮助:

• It is important to seek support from loved ones, reach out to professional help, and lean on the promises and teachings found in the Bible during seasons of depression.

  重要的是寻求亲人的支持，寻求专业帮助，并在抑郁的季节依靠圣经中的应许和教导。

A New Method for Bible Study - ChatGPT

You are probably aware of the AI (Artificial Intelligence) Re-generative Chat software. The most popular is ChatGPT (https://chat.openai.com/). This post is just to encourage you to try ChatGPT for your Bible Study. It is great for Book Bible Study(even for a verse) or Topical Bible Study. It is also great if you are confused or puzzled by some biblical text. It can save you lots of time in searching, reading commentaries, asking pastors, etc. to get the guidance or answer you need. It could at least be the first step.

Let's start with an example.

Book Study:

I asked ChatGPT to preach on Psalm 23.

Here is the answer:

Psalm 23 is one of the most well-known and beloved passages in the Bible. It is a powerful expression of trust and confidence in God's loving care for His people. Let us reflect on the profound truths found in this psalm:

"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want." (Psalm 23:1, NKJV)

These opening words establish a foundational truth: God is our shepherd. As a shepherd tends to his flock, God cares for us, guides us, and provides for our every need. When we acknowledge God as our shepherd, we can find contentment and rest in His provision.

"He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters." (Psalm 23:2, NKJV)

Just as a shepherd leads his sheep to nourishing pastures and calm waters, God leads us to places of rest and refreshment. In the midst of life's challenges, He invites us to find solace and peace in His presence. He knows our weary souls and leads us to places where we can find restoration and tranquility.

"He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake." (Psalm 23:3, NKJV)

Our shepherd not only cares for our physical needs but also tends to our inner being. He brings healing to our wounded hearts, refreshes our spirits, and renews our strength. Through His guidance, He leads us on paths of righteousness, aligning our lives with His purposes and bringing honor to His name.

"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me." (Psalm 23:4, NKJV)

In life, we may face dark and challenging valleys. Yet, even in the face of adversity and fear, we can find courage and peace because our shepherd is with us. God's presence brings comfort and protection, assuring us that we need not be afraid. His guidance and discipline guide us, offering assurance and security along the way.

"You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over." (Psalm 23:5, NKJV)

In the face of opposition and difficulty, our shepherd prepares a feast for us, symbolizing His abundance and provision. He blesses us even in the presence of our adversaries and pours out His anointing upon us, filling our lives to overflowing with His goodness and blessings.

"Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever." (Psalm 23:6, NKJV)

The psalm concludes with a powerful declaration of God's unfailing goodness and mercy. As we walk in relationship with our shepherd, goodness and mercy become our constant companions. And the ultimate promise is that we will dwell in the house of the Lord forever, experiencing His presence and love for all eternity.

Psalm 23 reminds us that we have a loving and faithful shepherd who cares for us deeply. In every aspect of life, He guides, protects, and provides. May we find comfort, peace, and hope in knowing that our shepherd is with us always, leading us into a life of purpose and joy.

You can click on "Regenerate Response" to get another answer.

Verse Study

I asked ChatGPT to commend on John 20:23.

The answer:

John 20:23 is a significant verse where Jesus imparts authority to His disciples and commissions them for their ministry. The verse states:

"If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained." (John 20:23, NKJV)

This verse takes place after Jesus' resurrection when He appears to His disciples in a locked room. He breathes on them and says these words, giving them the power and responsibility to proclaim forgiveness or retention of sins.

The verse is often interpreted in light of the broader context of Jesus' ministry and teachings. It emphasizes the role of the disciples, and by extension, the Church, in proclaiming the forgiveness of sins through the message of the Gospel. It highlights the authority given to believers to share the good news of salvation and the offer of forgiveness to all who repent and believe in Jesus Christ.

However, it is important to note that this verse is not giving individuals the power to personally forgive or retain sins in an absolute sense. Rather, it speaks to the role of the Church in declaring and applying the forgiveness found in Christ's redemptive work.

This verse serves as a reminder of the significance of forgiveness in the Christian faith. It calls believers to embrace their responsibility to share the message of God's forgiveness and reconciliation with others. It also underscores the importance of repentance and seeking forgiveness from God, as well as the role of the Church in guiding and nurturing individuals in their journey of faith.

Overall, John 20:23 carries a message of the Church's role in proclaiming forgiveness and emphasizes the transformative power of the Gospel in reconciling humanity to God.

Topical Study:

I asked ChatGPT to give me verses for healing

The Bible provides numerous verses on healing, both physical and spiritual. Here are a few passages that highlight God's power to heal and offer encouragement:

1. Psalm 103:2-3 (NIV): "Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits— who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases."

2. Exodus 15:26 (NIV): "He said, 'If you listen carefully to the Lord your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the Lord, who heals you.'"

3. Jeremiah 30:17 (NIV): "But I will restore you to health and heal your wounds," declares the Lord.

4. James 5:14-15 (NIV): "Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven."

These verses remind us of God's ability and willingness to bring healing to our lives, whether it's physical, emotional, or spiritual healing. It is important to seek God in prayer, rely on His strength, and have faith in His restorative power. Additionally, seeking appropriate medical care and support is essential for physical healing.

Hope you can try it for yourself and find it useful. Preachers perhaps should use it as a baseline to judge their sermons.

How to Pray and See the Result - A mind-map Abstract from Joseph Prince's Sermons

We tend to think that effective prayer is about how hard we pray and how earnestly and sincerely we pray. We are told to fast and prayed. There is too much emphasis on us as if we are the ones doing the answering. Ps Joseph Prince explained to us what "Earnest Prayer" is and getting the result is about the faith in the finished work of Christ on the cross. 

Over the years, the famous Ps Joseph Prince has preached and published articles on how to pray and see the result. There are other titles like "How to have powerful prayers?". Below is an abstract in mind-map format of the key teachings. The sources are as below. It is highly recommended that you either you watch the sermon or read the articles. I find them very enlightening and encouraging and pray that you may follow the advice and start seeing the results.

• Sources:

  • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XFFyXeVSQ8Y

  • https://blog.josephprince.com/how-to-pray-powerful-prayers-part-13/

  • https://blog.josephprince.com/how-to-pray-powerful-prayers-part-23/

  • https://blog.josephprince.com/how-to-pray-powerful-prayers-part-33/

  • https://www.josephprince.com/sermon-notes/how-to-pray-and-see-results

• Key Passage:

  • James 5:17:18 KJV

    • "Elias was a man [subject to like passions] as we are,

      Elias was a man like us -> we can also pray as effectively as Elias.

    • and he prayed [earnestly] that it might not rain:
      and it rained not on the earth by the space of  three years and six months.

      Earnest prayer is simply a proclamation of faith:
    • "And Elijah the Tishbite, of the inhabitants of Gilead, said to Ahab, 'As the LORD God of Israel lives, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, except at my word.'"—1 Kings 17:1 NKJV
    • What declaring and decreeing looks like:
    • e.g. "In the name of Jesus, you foul spirit of depression, loose that person, let his mind go free! In the name of Jesus. Amen."—You're declaring that it's not the Lord, but the powers of darkness that are holding this person back. You're declaring that He's not the problem, but the solution.

    • And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain,
      and the earth brought forth her fruit."

      Earnest is not mentioned. 1Kg 18:42  Elijah climbed to the top of Carmel, bent down to the ground, and put his face between his knees.
      • We think Elijah's prayer here is more earnest, but God just said he prayed again in James 5:18.
      • This is because when we declare God's goodness, we're partnering with Him. We're agreeing that Jesus has already borne the curse (of diseases, pains, etc.) at the cross, and given us all His blessings. In other words, praying pleading prayers (e.g. "Oh God, please heal my child") negates the truth of Christ's finished work, and gives the false impression that God still needs to be persuaded to bless us. And since the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of truth, He cannot bear witness to that kind of prayer, and we don't see results

• Take-away:

  • We pray not to soothe our emotions, but to bring heaven to earth and get results.

  • Your prayers have results when you know your influence with God

    • Pray from a position of sonship, completeness, and victory.

  • God doesn't help those who help themselves; He helps those who are helpless.

  • Today, it's far easier to receive God's blessings than His judgment because of
     what our Lord has accomplished at the cross

    • We live in the age of grace where it's easy to pray and see results

  • Earnest prayer is simply a proclamation of faith

    • Pray by declaring the Words of God.

  • You can confidently pray for non-believers to receive God's goodness

• Conclusion:

• Keep on declaring:
  It's the secret to answered prayers

  • Don't ask God to deal with the problem.
    Just own the authority He's given you over it, and declare!

  • Jesus' finished work is why we can pray powerful prayers

  • Even before you pray, see your prayers answered

• Job 22:28–29

  • "You will also declare a thing,

  • And it will be established for you;

  • So light will shine on your ways

  • When they cast you down, and you say,

  • 'Exaltation will come!' Exaltation will come!'

• Then He will save the humble person."

See related posts:

• Better than the Lord's Prayer
• The Secret of Effective Prayers and How God Answer Prayer
• The Right Way to Pray Effectively from the Lord's Prayer
• Breakthrough Prayer with the Format like a Court Case

Can we eat from the "Tree of Life"?

When I first read the story of how Adam and Eve sinned in paradise, I was puzzled that Adam should have eaten the fruit from the "Tree of Life" first rather than from the "Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil", then Adam would have lived forever! Or maybe not, the curse of death may be stronger than the blessing of life? I also regret that we can no longer eat the fruit from the Tree of Life anymore. But is it true?

The answer is no. We can eat from the fruit of the Tree of Life. This is because of Jesus. Jesus is the Life.

• John 6:35 Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.
• John 14:6 - Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." 
• John 11: 25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; 26 and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”

So, Jesus is the Tree of Life. We can then eat from the Tree of Life by accepting Jesus as our Lord and Savior, and we shall never die but have everlasting life.

Have you eaten from the Tree of Life to have eternal life?

Lim Liat (c) 23 Feb 23

Update 10 March 2023

Rev 2:7 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches;
To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.

1 John 5:5 NIV Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.

Handling Fear and Anxiety in this Uncertain 2023

Let's start with the promises of God:

One of the verses that I quoted often in my times of fear and anxiety is 2 Timothy 1:7

NLT: For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.
NIV: For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love, and self-discipline.

KJV: For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

I like KJV's version best. In panic mode, we can't think and may lose our minds. It is great that God had given us a Sound Mind. We maintain our sanity.

In the Old Testament, we have Isaiah 41:10

NKJV:

Fear not, for I am with you;

Be not dismayed, for I am your God.

I will strengthen you,

Yes, I will help you,

I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’

God gives us 5 assurances and reasons that we should fear not.
It is God who will be working or fighting for us.

We do not have to depend on ourselves, especially when we think we have no strength and no ability at all. It is all God helping us. The ever-faithful God is helping us.

What then should be our response?

The answer is in Isaiah 12:2

NKJV: 

Behold, God is my salvation, 

I will trust and not be afraid;
'For YAH, the LORD is my strength and song;
He also has become my salvation.

It begins with knowing who God is. God is my salvation, my rescuer, my savior.

We are then to TRUST God.
And then we will not be Afraid.

We shift our focus from the problem, from our weaknesses and inability, to focus on God and trust God. We are to proclaim when God had promised in Isa 41:10, we know repeat what God had said to us, and so we said, "The Lord is my strength and song, and He is my salvation." We repeat until we feel calmness and peace. 

Prayers:

May we acknowledge God's promises to us, trust and repeat what God said to our spirit and mind until we have the peace of God. May God give you this peace whenever you are fearful and anxious. In Jesus' name, amen.

Lim Liat (c) 12 Jan 2023

Additional verses for your encouragement:

Isaiah 40:29 NKJV

He gives power to the weak,

And to those who have no might, He increases strength.

Deu 31:8 NKJV
And the LORD,
He is the One who goes before you.
He will be with you,
He will not leave you nor forsake you;
do not fear nor be dismayed.

Isaiah 45:2 NKJV

'I will go before you And make the crooked places straight;
I will break in pieces the gates of bronze And cut the bars of iron.

Isaiah 52:12 NKJV

For you shall not go out with haste,

Nor go by flight;

For the Lord will go before you,

And the God of Israel will be your rear guard.

Oxymoron in the Bible Gives the Secret of Victory - Hebrew 4:11

Hebrew 4:11 "labor to rest" seems like an oxymoron. But it is the great secret for our victorious and joyful living. It is about finding rest in Jesus' finished work so that we can labor from rest, without stress, without complaints, with acceleration, productivity, and satisfaction; working to give glory to God.

Let's look at Hebrew 4:11 

Heb 4:11 (KJV)  Let us labor, therefore, to enter into that rest, lest any man falls after the same example of unbelief.

(GNB)  Let us, then, do our best to receive that rest, so that no one of us will fail as they did because of their lack of faith.

Many translations use disobedience instead of unbelief, such as:

(ESV)  Let us, therefore, strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience.

(NIV) Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will perish by following their example of disobedience.

The Solution to Not Falling:

The purpose of "Labor & Rest" is to make sure we don't repeat the failure of the Israelites in Moses' time. They fell because of disobedience with the disobedience coming from their unbelief or lack of faith. So the various translations do not contradict but give us more insights.

The secret is then related to when and how to "labor' and "rest". If we do it right, we will not fall as they did. 

"Labor" and "Rest" to Victory:

Ps Joseph Prince in his sermon (see  https://www.miltongoh.net/miltons-blog/put-aleph-tav-in-the-center-pastor-joseph-prince-sermon-notes) gives us an explanation:

• "We must labor to rest in God. 

• Someone who is controlled by emotions is easily manipulated.

• Rest in the Lord. When you rest in Him, you will not be lazy or inactive, but you will be like the burning bush that burns up for the Lord, yet never burning out."

So it is about resting first - resting by believing in the finished work of Christ and receiving His grace and empowerment and then laboring in God's glorying work and testimony.  But resting is not inactivity. Resting in the Lord is about reading, and meditating on His Words. It is about praying, listening, and fellowship with Him. It is about receiving instructions and wisdom from Him. It is quite busy. This is the labor to enter into His rest. If we don't find time and effort with Him, we cannot experience His presence.

After we get the rest and grace from Him, we can act out. Doing things according to His leading and with His help, we will be doing the right things rightly and with joy and satisfaction. If we just do what we think is good, we could be just chasing after winds and will feel tired and even grumpy. 

Lao Zi helps us to Understand Labor & Rest Better:

Lao Zi's DaoDeJing Chapter 63:

为无为，事无事，味无味.

Do as if Not-Doing, Work as if Not-working. Taste as if No-taste

(For a full and more detailed explanation see ( http://mind-value.blogspot.com/2012/06/5-principles-for-success-in-life.html )

Meditating one step further, Lao Zi is telling Do the Non-violating against Dao/God's Laws and you will not feel the struggle and pains. Following the Dao/God's Way is always meaningful and satisfying. Like sailing with wind supports. Going against the wind's direction will be a big struggle.  Do as if Not-Doing is like Doing from Rest. Resting on the wind's strength to carry you and it will be effortless for you.

Working as if not working is about working without the ulterior motive of gaining credits and honor or praise from people. Work not for the rewards but for the purpose and meaning of work and you will find the work worthy and fulfilling. 

Taste as if no-taste is to take our ego, our biases, our prejudices, and our desires for certain tastes away, then we can really discover the original and natural taste. We will enjoy our food more.

So, let's put Christ as our center, rest in Him by finding time and fellowship with Him, and receive from Him the directions and grace for our work with Him and for Him and also for our joy and satisfaction. Laboring from His rest will give us acceleration, productivity, and satisfaction and also bring glory to God. Remember God is glorified through our work and our testimony.

May God blesses you with a Victorious 2022 of rest(in Him) and productivity.

23 Jan 2022

Yin-Yang and Easter - The Secret for a Victorious Life

Yin-yang is a key Chinese concept in helping us to think better. Let's apply it to Easter.

Yin is hidden, dark, dead...

Yang is opened, bright, life,...

Yin is Good Friday, the death of Jesus on the cross, carrying the sins of the world.

Yang is Easter Sunday, the resurrection of Jesus, overcoming death, the victory for us all.

The problem with some churches is the overemphasis on death, the sins sacrifice, ... Emphasis on sin does not bring victory over sins. Stressing on the resurrection, the power over sins help.

Oth, just stressing on the resurrection, the grace, without an understanding of its purpose over sins, may result in grace as a license for sin.

What is needed is therefore the understanding of both, the yin and yang, the sin that needs the resurrection grace. The Grace that brings us freedom and victory over sins and death.

The order is important too. The sin and death and then the victory over sins and death. It reveals first the love of God - while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. The resurrection reveals the power of God, defeating sins and death, and more, that we all may become the children of God. We dead first to self and then made alive to live for and with God.

Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Remember that we are now children of God, the victors, that we can live out the resurrection power, freed from the bondage of sins, able to love and do good to others, reflecting the image of our Heavenly Father.

Have a victorious Easter and a God-blessed life.

Lim Liat (c) 3 Apr 21

Overcoming Fear in Time of COVID-19 Pandemic

What can we learn from Peter, Paul, and Confucius about overcoming fears in this challenging time?

From Peter, we learned the shortest and most effective prayer, "Lord, save me!" Mat 14:30. Jesus did everything for Peter and Peter just rested on Jesus.

For Paul, Jesus did not give him too many miracles. Paul had to go through the challenges of shipwrecks, beatings, imprisonments, escaping, etc, and coming out of them victoriously. He had the calmness and the wisdom to plan and act rightly. His advice for the young and timid Timothy was to remind him of what they had received from the Lord. Under fears, we easily forget what we have. The key verse is 2 Tim 1:7.

 (NKJV) For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

(ESV)  for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

(GW)  God didn't give us a cowardly spirit but a spirit of power, love, and good judgment.

(ISV)  For God did not give us a spirit of timidity but one of power, love, and self-discipline.

The 3 keys are:

1. Power
2. Love
3. G4995 sōphronismos which got translated as:
   discipline, self-control, sound mind, and good judgment.

Power is pushy or hard-power and Love is pulling or soft-drawing-power. How hard or how soft should one be depends on the situation and the people involved. Hence, we need the 3rd key of a right-balance, the sound-mind to make the right judgment of discipline use of power and love. 

How this works is best explained by Confucius teaching captured in the Book of Great Learning Chapter 1:

知止而后有定，定而后能静，静而后能安，安而后能虑，虑而后能得。 

物有本末，事有终始。知所先后，则近道矣。

Knowing the end-point objectives/targets enables focus.

Focus enables rest. Rest enables peace/calmness.

Peace enables thinking. Thinking enables achievements.

All things have an origin and an appearance.

All projects have a beginning and an ending.

Knowing the before and after, the order or sequence is close to knowing the Way of the Universe.

So we see Jesus always give his disciples peace first.

 “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid” (Jn. 14:27).

John 20:19 On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!”

The peace that we need to overcome fear comes from Jesus and from His Spirit (2Tim 1:7). He gives us the peace to think and even the wisdom to find the solution. James 1:5 (NIV) 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.

Peter figured it out in 1Peter 1:3-7 of the unchanging and undisruptable power that Jesus had given us to enable us to endure and go through the trials victoriously.

So, when fearful, please come to Jesus, to receive the Spirit of Power, Love and Sound mind, to boldly face the situation and work out the solution, asking Him for guidance throughout.

May you be greatly blessed and may come out of this pandemic much better than and stronger than before,

Lim Liat (c) 14 Jun 2020

How to fix our embittered heart?

Learning from Ps 73 NLV version.

1. It all begins with "Envy"

• Psa 73:3 For I envied the proud when I saw them prosper despite their wickedness.

2. Then we start to "Self-Pity"

• Psa 73:14 I get nothing but trouble all day long; every morning brings me pain.
  
  We only look at the bad side and ignoring all the good that we have.

3. Then we become "Angry" & "Bitter"

• Psa 73:21 Then I realized that my heart was bitter, and I was all torn up inside.
  
  Even at times, we get angry with God seeing that we have been obeying Him and yet...

4. Then we become "Foolish" even like a "Beast"

• Psa 73:22 I was so foolish and ignorant—I must have seemed like a senseless animal to You.

Solution:

5. Seek God

• Psa 73:17 Then I went into Your sanctuary, O God,
• and I finally understood the destiny of the wicked.
  
  Take His perspective. Take the long-term view.

6. Trust God - Hope in God

• Psa 73:26 My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak,
  but God remains the strength of my heart; He is mine forever.
• Psa 73:28 But as for me, how good it is to be near God!
  I have made the Sovereign LORD my shelter,

7. Proclaim His Goodness - It reinforces our trust in God.

• 28b and I will tell everyone about the wonderful things You do.

Lim Liat (c) 7 Apr 2020

The Testimony of Older Generation - Psalm 71

What is the story or the legacy that we want to live behind? Can you sum it up in one sentence? How will others believe your story? How will future generations be affected by you? In Psalm 71, the author summarized it as God is Great and let me tell you why...

For those of us who are more than 40 or even 50 years in Christ, how will your testimony look like?

Do you want a template to share?

Here is one from Psalm 71. I kept the key verses in the following mind-map.

May we live our lives as examples even for the next generation. 

Our motto is simple it is "trust and praise Him even through the difficult times". And God assures us that the best is yet to be.

The Mind-map:

The Text:

• Come to God 1stThe Lesson of A Long Life
  
  • O Lord, You alone are my hope. I've trusted You, O LORD, from childhood. (Psa 71:5)
    • O God, You have taught me from my earliest childhood, and I constantly tell others about the wonderful things You do. (Psa 71:17)
• Recall Past SuccessesMay Our Life be Like this...
  
  • My life is an example to many because You have been my strength and protection. (Psa 71:7)
  • Have we lived like that? Can we list now the specifics where people gave thanks to us for the help, advice, and even praise for?
• Ask of Help Now & For FutureNow Old and Weak...
  
  • But I will keep on hoping for Your help; I will praise You more and more. (Psa 71:14)
  • Keep our focus on God... He has the final say.
    
    • v24)... for everyone who tried to hurt me has been shamed and humiliated.
• Stick to Praising & Proclaiming God
• to the next generations
• • Now that I am old and gray, do not abandon me, O God. Let me proclaim Your power to this new generation, Your mighty miracles to all who come after me. (Psa 71:18)
  • by proclaiming & exemplify living as in v7
• Proven
  • You have allowed me to suffer much hardship, but You will restore me to life again and lift me up from the depths of the earth.  (Psa 71:20)
  • He has brought us through disappointments, betrayals, challenges...We thought we are gone but He will restore and honor us again.
  • You will restore me to even greater honor and comfort me once again.  (Psa 71:21)
  • The best is yet to come!

Lim Liat (c) 2 Apr 2020

What is the Gospel of Grace?

Tim Keller's Book on Psalms, "My Rock My Refuge", Ps 69:7-12, says:

"The world does not understand this gospel of grace in which holy living is the result of humble, grateful joy, not a way to earn heaven... by living lives of humility, forgiveness, and sacrificial service to others."

There is no need for us to earn our way to heaven because we are already registered there.

• (Philippians 3:20-21 (NLT) 20 But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior. 21 He will take our weak mortal bodies and change them into glorious bodies like his own, using the same power with which he will bring everything under his control.)

But we are to live out this new life of humility, grateful joy, forgiveness, and services to others because:

• 2 Cor 5:20 NLV So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!
• 2 Corinthians 3:3 NLV You show that you are a (living) letter from Christ,... written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts

A Psalm of Protection Against the Coronavirus - Not Ps 91

Psalm 91 is the key Psalm of protection for this time of Coronavirus Pandemic. Please read and meditate on it to keep our peace and enjoyed this protection from our loving God. But there is another Psalm, 68:19-21, that is even more specific to this crown-shaped virus.

Psalm 68:19-21 New International Version (NIV)

19 Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior,
    who daily bears our burdens.
20 Our God is a God who saves;
    from the Sovereign Lord comes escape from death.
21 Surely God will crush the heads of his enemies,
    the hairy crowns of those who go on in their sins.

Firstly, the Lord bears our daily burden. It is never once off. It is continuous. It is renewed every morning.

Lamentations 3:22-23 English Standard Version (ESV)

22 The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;[a]
    his mercies never come to an end;
23 they are new every morning;
    great is your faithfulness.

Secondly, God saves us from death. The Lord will crush this deadly crown-like coronavirus for us. He is our loving and faithful God.

Here is a good message from Joseph Prince about what we should during this time:

7 Things God Wants You To Know During This Virus Attack | Joseph Prince

1. Don't be Afraid - Fear Not Gen 15：1
2. Refresh yourself with His Love John 17:23
3. Trust in His Faithfulness 2Thes 3:3
It is not you holding on to God but God holding you.
It is not your faithfulness but His faithfulness
4. Be at Rest (in God) Ps 91:1
5. Be led by the spirit, not motivated by fear.
Joseph & Mary led by Angel to go to Egypt Mat 2:13
6. Keep your focus on Jesus. "The Great I am..." & "Let's talk about Jesus"
7. Death has no hold on you. Rom 5:17 Righteousness as a gift to us

May the Lord bless you and keep you and give you peace. (Num 6:24-26).
May you be His light and testimony in this challenging period.

Lim Liat(c) 18 Mar 2020