2018-03-25

The Power & Benefits of Confession of Sins - Psalm 32

Since Jesus Christ has redeemed us from our past, present and future sins, why then bother with confessions and repentance of our sins? A study of Psalm 32 will tell us why - Confession brings forgiveness and a teachable spirit for us to live blessedly.
Today is Palm Sunday - Jesus' Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem. The scene quickly changed, before the end of the week, into the rejection and death on the cross by Jesus to pay for our sins. When Jesus died for us, we are yet to be borne. He death paid for the future sins of many generations to come. The OT saints, look forward to that day when Jesus death sealed their salvation too. So all will agree that Jesus paid for our past, present and future sins. Some may then argue, if our present and future sins are forgiven, then why to bother to confess and repent of our sins? Let's just live freely and happily. However, the grace of God is not a license for us to sin freely. It is rather to save us from our bondage in sin and to empower us to live rightly and victoriously. The reality is shown in Psalm 32. 

A Mind-map of Psalm 32:


Take-Away:
The devil's method is to tempt you to sin and then accuse you of your sins. He wants to keep you suffering in bondage. The only solution out is to face your sins, approach the Throne of Grace and Mercy of God (Heb 4:16) to confess and to ask for forgiveness. It is the way to break through to a life of victory and blessedness. Listen now to the guidance of God and follow therein. If there by any violation, quickly come back for restoration. Keep the relationships alive and well.

Lim Liat (c) 25 March 2018


2018-03-07

A Message for the Aging and Sick - Psalm 103

Life is brief. Almost suddenly, we have live passed fifty, sixty and seventy years and more. Our bodies tell us that. Psalm 103 put our life in good perspective and offer us comfort and hope for now and evermore. Read and meditate on it and share your thoughts with us too.
Psalm 103 Mind-map with comments:





A Message for the Aging & Sick Ps 103 

  • 1 Of David.
    • Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name!
  • 2 Bless the LORD, O my soul,
    • & forget not all his benefits,Counting His Blessings helps our faith in God
      • 3a who forgives all your iniquity,Present tense. God has, is and will continue to do
      • 3b who heals all your diseases,
      • 4a who redeems your life from the pit,
      • 4b who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,
      • 5a who satisfies you with good
      • 5b so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.So speak to your body every day. Get renewal.
  • The Lord
    • Deliver the Bullied
      • 6 The LORD works righteousness & justice for all who are oppressed.
    • Revealed His Way
      • 7 He made known his ways to Moses, his acts to the people of Israel.His ways are not secretive. They are obvious in the creation - the universe, nature, living things all around us.
    • Is Merciful
      • 8 The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.Don't run away from God because of your sins, failures, betrayals etc. Run towards Him, He is like the prodigal son's father, waiting for your return with opened arms,
    • Is Forgiving
      • 9 He will not keep his anger forever.His discipline is for our good and is only temporary.
      • 10 He does not repay us according to our sins & iniquities.He did not because we had Jesus who paid for our sins.
    • Is Love
      • 11 His steadfast love is as high as the heavens above the earth.
        • toward those who fear him;Not everyone but those who receive Him will get to taste His love.
      • 12 he remove our transgressions as far as the east is from the west,
    • Is Compassion
      • 13 As a father shows compassion to his children, so the LORD shows compassion
        • to those who fear him.
  • Man is
    • Dust
      • 14 For he knows our frame;he remembers that we are dust.We need a rebirth by the Holy Spirit with an external new body
    • Brief
      • 15  As for man, his days are like grass; he flourishes like a flower of the field;"Flower" - Man will shine for a while.
      • 16  for the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place knows it no more.We will return to dust.
    • So
      • make every moment count
      • Take good care of your health to stay alive longer
      • use now to invest in the eternal future
  • God is
    • Eternally Loving
      • 17 But the steadfast love of the LORD
        • Forever
      • His righteousness to children's childrenHis blessings pass unto the next generation
      • Who?
        • who fear him,
        • 18 who keep his covenant & do his commandments.
    • In Charge
      • 19  The LORD has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all.So worry not. Cast all your cares upon Him 2Pet5:7 because He cares and He is able.
    • His Angels
      • 20  Bless the LORD, O you his angels, you mighty ones who do his word, obeying the voice of his word!The Lord commands His angels to great work to bless you too because He loves you.
  • Praise Him
    • 21  Bless the LORD, all his hosts, his ministers, who do his will!His created beings
    • 22 Bless the LORD, all his works, in all places of his dominion.His created things
    • Bless the LORD, O my soul!And Me too! Especially Me!
  • Take Away
    • Praise God all the time because He is Great & Loving
    • He has, is, and will continue to heal, renew and give us life
    • His love and forgiveness are greater than our sins. So repent and come to Him quickly to receive forgiveness and restoration.
    • Our life is brief. Make it count for God and for external. Know, Fear and Obey God in this life.
    • Praise Him all the time.
Lim Liat (c) 7 Mar 2018

2018-03-05

The 5C's of Marriage - The Keys to A Lasting & Joyful Life

I used to a be solemnizer for weddings and have given many exhortations to young couples. Last Saturday 3 March 18 was my daughter wedding. What could I tell my daughter and son-in-law about having a good and fulfilling marriage? The exhortations that I gave to others are equally applicable to my daughter and her spouse. This 5C's of Marriage is a key one to be shared with her as I have shared it with others.

Introduction:
Marriage is a blessing ordained by God. Gen 2:24,Mat 19:6.
It is for building each other up and for glorifying God. Here are 5 keys for a successful, satisfying, joyful marriage.

1. Christ first:
Love each other as Christ’s love and with His love. This love is unconditional and unchanging. Not on romance, feeling, economics, other reasons. Such things changes with time. People grow old.
So, we need to draw from Him, especially His Love given to and is in us, and to Give to each other.
Follow His teachings & ask for His wisdom in times of needs and indecisions.

2. Covenantal Commitment of 100%-100%:
Covenant is 100%-100%, not 50%-50% contract. It is not breakable.
It is giving 100% even when you feel the other side is not giving. Not I give only when you give.
We commit to work it out no matter what. Not to give up. No back door or Exit. Encourage each other to go on.
Not depend on feeling. Feelings, security, and joy come from unchanging commitment.

3. Communication & Compliment More:
Know your spouse' love language. Speak to her or him in his language, not yours.
The languages are word, touch, time, service, gift. Always clarify rather than jump to conclusion.
A key part of communication is Compliment – giving of praise & appreciation. Complimenting each other is the glue that holds the relationship together. Saying “Yes”s.

4. Companionship & Caring 
Treat your relationship with your spouse more important than with your children.
Spouse is for our keep till the end of this life. Children are to be under our care for their development and to let go later. Parents' relationship affects their children. When a father abuses mother., the son will hate the father & be depressed because he can't protect his mother. The best thing you can for your children is to love each other all the time.

5. Co-operation or Co-labor together
A good relationship is about drawing out & building on each other strengths.  It is not to destroy each other. Always encourage and never tear down the each other. Anyone winning is actually a loss to the relationship. All negative remarks can be made positive, such as, instead of "Why are you so late and complaints....", says, "It will be great if you are here earlier …". Do it. Treat each other with Respect - Give benefits of doubt … e.g. late, did not do, … there are good reasons behind. Don't jump to conclusion that he/she does not care or love anymore.

The Final Question:

Five years from now, if you I ask you how much you love her, what will you say?

If you answered "as much as today, the wedding day." then it is wrong.
The right answer should be "More than today."
Love increases with time of investing in the relationship.
Invest in your this precious relationship from now onwards.
Do the five C's of Christ-centered, Commitment, Communication, Companionship & Co-laboring.

Some Testimonies from Books:

A story of Alzheimer wife & professor husband. 
Dr. J. Robertson McQuilkin - president of Columbia Bible College; Wife, Muriel suffered Alzheimer's disease for the last twenty years. He gave up his presidency and numerous other responsibilities to care for her and to love her. An incident is recorded in his book “A Promise Kept”
(See https://matttroupe.net/tag/ravi-zacharias/ )
  • Once our flight was delayed in Atlanta, and we had to wait a couple of hours. Now that's a challenge. Every few minutes, the same questions, the same answers about what we're doing here, when are we going home? And every few minutes we'd take a fast-paced walk down the terminal in earnest search of what? Muriel had always been a speed walker. I had to jog to keep up with her!
  • An attractive woman sat across from us, working diligently on her computer. Once, when we returned from an excursion, she said something, without looking up from her papers. Since no one spoke to me or at least mumbled in protest of our constant activity, "Pardon?" I asked."Oh," she said, I was just asking myself, 'Will I ever find a man to love me like that?'“
Andy Stanley's mother? 92 years old.
She married a man 19 years older. The man loved her much. When she was about 70, unable to take care of her sick husband, she sent him to an old age home to be cared for. She walked, every day, for 2 years, to and fro, for 2.5 miles to the old-age home to care for her husband until his pass away. She said that was the toughest but yet the most joyful life. She wished God would allow her a few more years to care for him!

Lim Liat (c) 5 March 2018

See also: True Love For Successful Marriage