Demands knock on my door. Burdens beckon me to answer. The to-do list stretches for miles.
I whisper, "I feel overwhelmed." And in the stillness it seems I hear...
"Child, open your heart to Me instead of the demands of the day. Lay those burdens at My feet, not on your shoulders. Let go of your list and dare to embrace My grace. I do not require you to be overwhelmed. I enable you to overcome. And with Me, you always will."
I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace.
In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. John 16:33
When couples come to me for pre-marital counseling, I sometimes ask: "Why do you want to get married?" Whatever else, they say, they always give me the big reason; and the big reason is always the same. What do they say? "We love each other." Then I ask a very unfair question: "Tell me, what do you mean by that?" There is silence. Then, one will say, "Oh... you know!"
I guess maybe I do know. I think they are talking about a euphoric emotion that makes them oblivious to reality. They are the happiest they have ever been. What they don't know is that the euphoric feelings will last for two years and then they must find another foundation for marriage. Wouldn't it be better to explore that foundation before they get married?
Love is a choice. What is love? One definition says, "Love is the feeling that you feel when you feel a feeling like you've never felt before." If that is your definition of love, I can tell you, that kind of love will never lead you to a life-long marriage. The euphoric feels are temporary. It is interesting that in Eph. 5:25 husbands are commanded to love their wives. If the intense feelings of love were permanent, why would God command a husband to love his wife?
The fact is, they are not permanent and love is not a feeling, but an attitude, with appropriate behavior. Love is the attitude which says, "I'm married to you, so what can I do to help you? Love is choosing to be kind, and supportive. Is that your attitude?
Love is a way of life. Most people get married based on love. However their concept of love often focuses on feelings. I read one definition which said, "Love is a four-letter word composed of two consonants, L and V; two vowels, O and E; and two fools, you and me." There is some truth to that, and fools often make poor decisions.
In the Bible, love is not a euphoric feeling, but a way of life. In Titus chapter two the older women are instructed to teach the young wives to love their husbands. This implies that love can be learned. It is not something that happens to you. It is something you choose. Once you choose to love, then you look for appropriate ways to express it. This kind of love will lead you to a life-long productive marriage. Love is powerful. Would you like to know what love looks like in a marriage? Then, turn to I Corinthians chapter 13. Listen to these words: "Love is patient and kind; is not arrogant or rude; it does not insist on it's own way; it is not resentful; Love does not bring up past failures, but chooses to forgive." Does this describe your attitude and treatment of your spouse?
This is the kind of love that makes for happy marriages. Love focuses on meeting the needs of the spouse; helping them succeed; listening to their thoughts and feelings. In short, it is giving your life away for your spouse. That is precisely what Christ did for us, and it is what husbands are instructed to do for their wives. Love is powerful.
Love can be learned. "I don't love her anymore." How many times have I heard that in my office! What is that supposed to mean? Usually, it means that he has lost the euphoric feelings he had for her when they got married. And that their differences have emerged and ended in arguments. The fact is, everyone loses the euphoric feelings. They usually last for only two years.
Then, we must learn to love. We must choose to treat each other with respect. We must listen to differences of opinion and try to find a solution. We must learn to work together as a team; using our differences for the benefit of the team. This attitude is commanded by God. To say, "I don't love her anymore," is admitting that you are breaking God's command.
All I want Is to seek Your face In Your presence Lord All I want Is Your sweet embrace In Your presence Lord
Holy One I am Yours and You are mine
Jesus You are the love of my life You are the reason I live And I've found there is no other like You You are all that I need Jesus You are the joy in my heart You are living in me And i know there is no other like You You are all that I need
This is my prayer, All I want is to be still in his presence. I am currently facing challenges in life. At times I just want to run away from it. God is just so real to me especially in these period of life. Issues is not settled. I am at a crossroads now. This morning as I do devotion, this verse God gave me "When you pass through the waters, I'll be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze,"says the Lord. -Isaiah 43: 2- The Lord reassured me again and again HE will be with me ALL the days. Whatever things that I am going through now He will be with me to walk with me. I felt encouraged. I broke down and cried for few nights but now I am awake and ready to go through this battle again with the help of God. :)
2010 doesn’t seem started very long but yet I have gone through a lot of hiccups in life. For the past 2 months besides celebrating Chinese New Year, I guess one of my highlight would be closing a chapter in life. Grandpa has gone back with the Lord. Things changes when one chapter is closed. It would be different from this year onwards. Thank God because of Him, the families are still having a very close relationship. I can see God slowly fixing the broken puzzle back and frame it again. All the prayer effort was not wasted. God just want us to be persistent and consistent in praying. During the wakes services & funeral I have got to know grandpa more. Of his 105 years of living in Malaysia he has make a mark on people’s life. He has brings many to God… He has drawn many to God….He has never failed to pray for each of his sons & daughters (11 of them) every morning. Someone who is very hardworking, someone who loves his parents so much, someone who give as much as he can, someone who is smart and it goes on and on……. I am learning to be like that also…
Thanks for all the sms & phone calls.. Appreciate it!. Thank God for all of you guys..
I have been super busy with work since I came back from Shanghai. God has been good to me. He is the only one that I could not effort to left behind even though so much things had happened. His daily words helped me a lot to go through my day.
I have learnt something from Moses’ life. Moses’ life was kept on track by only focusing on 2 things:
1)The God he could no see, except by faith
2)Rewards he could not see, because they would come not in this life but in eternity
We’re all so easily distracted. Our lives are full of demands and circumstances that require our attention, and all too often, God slips quietly into the background of our thoughts. This is really a good reminder for me especially in the year 2010 where many things are going to happen.
Sunday, 10 January 2010
Happy New Year! I am back from Shanghai. Indeed it was a good break. It is a great time to end the year with a break and to charge up for the New Year. Together we run in the same track to the destination we have set. I pray that company will achieve the highest score for all the products.
A Blessing for the New Year
Lord, as a New Year begins We come to you and ask for your blessing We pray that you would give us joy to fill our days And peace to fill our hearts and love to fill our lives. Thank you for the plans you have for us in the New Year.
Thanking God for you and praying your new year is blessed in every way.
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