Going back to His way

With aching knees, ankles and blisters on my palms I am back for a short time of rest.

These past week had really set me thinking, seeking, asking...
Drilled inside me are quite a handful of pockets of biblical truths and knowledge I had grasped somehow or another. These have been my source of comfort and guide whenever life get rocky.
With these limited and on my own strength, I managed to talk to a few people inside army about their take on religion and Christianity. I was somewhat stumbled.
As I ponder and look at people around in this very world we are in, this sudden surge of selfishness that is in me seems to come out. Are all the things that I do for myself? What does it really means to live a genuine Christian life from now till death?

At the back of my mind this hymn rings to me the very answer. I always remember the sweetness of the melody and my salvation and the joy inside all of us believers

There is a way by Frank Garlock

There is a way for sin to be forgiven;
There is a way prepared for you and me.
There is a way that leads a soul to heaven;
That way is Christ the sinner's perfect plea.

Refrain:
Look unto Him whose pow'r can cleanse and save your soul;
Look unto Him whose blood can set you free.
Look unto Him whose sacrifice can make you whole;
Then you will know the love of Calvary.

There is a love that passes human measure;
There is a love that's brighter than the day.
There is a love that's richer than all treasure;
The love of Christ excels in ev'ry way.

There is a place that Jesus is preparing;
There is a place where sin will be no more.
There is a place of promise we'll be sharing;
That place is heav'n, eternity's fair shore.

Jesus has promised a heaven right for me and for all believers, the very act of worship and service unto God starts from the point of salvation, and it should be a good and fruitful "walk", not bumpy and nosediving sprints up and down the tracks of spirituality. Army is like a very good preview of what life on earth is all about as a Singapore man. The very reality of it seems to make living life as a true believer all the more difficult. My prayer is that I want to walk with God, know God and do His will in every moment of my life.

So That He have the supremacy/preeminence

I was really thankful last week for being able to spend my birthday in church with many brethren and family members.
Thank God for even showing forth His Love to me through His children, by having a short celebration for my birthday, and the gifts my GCSS class got for me.

This past week passes by quite easily inside army. Partly because there was not much activities except cleaning the rifle and range. The other possible reason I could think of is because I am already used to the notion and lifestyle of a soldier.

It was during range that God led me to read back on the book of Colossians. I somewhat memorise col 1:15-18 during the free time between the shootings.
It's interesting to note the NIV translation writes in v18 "...so that in everything he might have the supremacy." while NKJV writes: "that in all things He may have the preeminence."
NIV binds v19-20 inside to further explain this while the "preeminence" in NKJV seems more accurate and complete in its meaning.
I am not trying to say the NIV is lousy or not useful. I still thank God so opportunities like this to continue to hide His Word in my Heart.

The next two weeks will be much longer than expected for me due to confinement. In fact I will need to go back tomorrow night. Reason: My platoon commander took my rifle/ stole it during field camp.
My point of blogging all this is that I wan to learn to trust in God's sovereignty that is part of His will for me.

Sometimes life inside army just isn't fair and the temptation to get selfish, take shortcuts is really great. Even on the giving of punishment, I can easily complain and grumble why must it be me when others who commit the same mistake do not get punished.
Yet His way is perfect, day by day I seek His grace and mercies. Now as I typed this down, I had this mixture of feelings inside me: partly grievances addressed mainly to God and partly anticipation of how and what He is to led me on this path.

Paul was in prison while he wrote the letter to the colossians. An army camp can never be compared to a prison, in terms of the treatment received and living conditions. Yet Paul still give thanks to God.

God, teach me how to thank and praise You every moment of my life, for God is first and last among us all, having the preeminence.

Listen to the People

Listen to the people, crying everywhere.
Groping in the darkness, with a load of care.
Listen to the homeless, living in despair.
Is there none to help them,
And the Gospel share?

Oh thou Holy Father, listen to thy prayer.
Heal this selfish servant, from thy worldly care.
Help me spread the message, that the world may see-
Jesus's Love in me
Now to every creature, a proclaimer be.

Thank You for thy Spirit, working in my heart.
I see my transgression, cleanse thou every part.
Where I been so blinded by thy vanity,
Grant me Heavenly vision, to win the lost to Thee.

Oh thou Holy Father, listen to thy prayer.
Heal this selfish servant, from thy worldly care.
Help me spread the message, that the world may see-
Jesus's Love in me
Now to every creature, a proclaimer be.


The lyrics of the first stanza of this song rings in my head as I learnt of a particular song in army that have somewhat similar lyrics.
As the song plays on my computer, the urgency to win souls for God gets more real to me.