People often wonder, why is it so hard to serve God?
Facing disappointments after disappointments, difficult circumstances or worse, stagnant situations cause us to find serving God so difficult.
In the past, I would have thoughts like "why is serving God so difficult and tiring?" or "I wish I can just drop everything and not care" and even "God, what if I backslide...".
But deep down inside of me, I know that I won't. Cos God has revealed Himself as Yahweh (or Jehovah) to me. He is my everything. It's to the point that I know I can only rely on Him. I can never live my life independent of Him. It's impossible.
Christian life is never a destination. It's a journey. Receiving Christ is just the beginning. It's a constant walk with God. Just like what Pst Kong always says, Christian walk is definitely not a smooth sailing journey. However, if we want to be a true disciple of Jesus, we should learn to take up His cross. (Getting Started lesson 5)
We have to admit that it does get tiring sometimes to constantly sow into people's lives yet not bearing fruits. You can treat them to meals, spend time with them, pray for them, buy gifts for them, go out of your convenience just so you can meet their needs.. Spending so much time and money but they end up disappointing you, hurting you..
Last week's sermon on the 7 kinds of suffering was a word in season for me. I was feeling very discouraged, disappointed with people and myself. Even during the sermon, I was irritated by the distractions around me. But what Pst Kong preached really hit me.
7 kinds of suffering:
1) Storms of Life
2) Chastening (Dealings of God)
3) Temptation
4) Spiritual warfare
5) Afflictions
6) Persecutions
7) Trials of faith
"For whom the Lord loves He chastens..." [Heb 12:6]
Only true sons and daughters are chastened by God.
I definitely wanna be a daughter of God.
Pst Kong mentioned a statement that impacted me a lot.
He said this, "Only GENUINE Christians (Giants of Faith) are WORTHY to be persecuted."
Wow.
As I am typing now, I'm reminded of a verse. God promises that when we're feeling tired, discouraged or burdened, seek Him and He will provide us with the rest that we need.
"Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." [Matt. 11:28-30]
Indeed I need more of God each day. I need to learn from Him. I need His wisdom and direction. Just like what Kenrus shared in Psalms 127:1-2 "Unless the LORD builds the house, they labor in vain who build it..." Unless God directs, all my work and sowing will be wasted.
I really like what Brendan shared with me today. In brief, he shared that we got to be like Christ during His earthly ministry-to do what He did. Not only do we look back at the cross and thank Jesus for what He has done for us but more importantly to look FOWARD to His 2nd coming (having the hope and peace that Jesus is coming back for us to bring us to eternity) and while looking FORWARD, we are to fulfil God's calling upon our lives - making disciples, preaching the gospel etc.
God, I am willing...
Lord, thank You for the work You have completed at the Cross. You died so You can give us life. Thank You for this new God-man race that You have created. Your unfailing love has overwhelmed me time and time again. Thank You for not giving up on me. :)
