Fear not, for I have redeemed you;..Isa 43:1 d( NIV)

The Bible tells us to fear GOD. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom. As much as we are exhorted to fear the LORD, we are also told not to fear. "Fear not," "do not be afraid," GOD assures his people many times in the Bible. For in his infinite kindness, He knows that we are but made of dust and are weak and easily frightened. We may be afraid because of the insecurity of our jobs, we may be afraid of a bad boss, of cunning colleagues, snatch thieves, old age... the list goes on. BUT stop! Don't you know that when you are afraid, it infers you do not believe God's promise that he will be with you?

Oh Lord, thank you for the sweet assurance
That we should fear not
For your watchful eye is ever over us
Hovering like a doting mother over her children.

Therefore I shall still my fear
Of the known as well as the unknown
Of the present as well as the future
For you are with me through storm and calm
And you will lead me home victoriously.

Grace

I’m reading Philip Yancey’s book, “What’s So Amazing About Grace? His accounts of grace, especially the lack of it in the church rings a shrill bell. Grace should be the hallmark of the church in a world that desperately needs it, in a world that says : “You scratch your back, I scratch your back.” In other words, I expect a favor in return for my favor. Nothing is free. Instead everything comes with a price.

Grace, on the other hand bestows love, forgiveness, kindness to one who doesn’t deserve it and expects nothing in return. Grace is the extra mark that the teacher gives that moves you from Fail to a Pass grade. You didn’t work for it, you didn’t deserve it, but the teacher gave it to you, anyway.

Stories about grace warm the heart. The hand of forgiveness extended to Germany and Japan for war atrocities illustrates the concept of grace. Corrie ten Boom who was sent to concentration camp during the Second World War spoke of how she was preaching about forgiving your enemies when a man in the audience came up and asked in an unbelieving voice whether it was truly possible to be forgiven. He turned out to be the prison officer who had made life hell for the inmates of her concentration camp – the man who had killed her sister.

It’s easy to talk about grace until it hits home! There was a moment of emotional conflict for Corrie ten Boom. But grace, through the enabling of the Holy Spirit triumphed and she was able to forgive him and to pray for God’s forgiveness for him.

Grace is best seen in my favorite hymn:
Amazing grace. How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost but now am found
Was blind but now I see.

Twas grace that taught my heart to fear
And grace my fear relieved……
The hymn was written by a former slave trader. Remember, slave traders are inhuman. See how the power of God’s grace changed this man.

Lord, may we see more of such grace in your church!!!

He has made everything beautiful ( Ecc 3:11,NIV)

Here is a beautiful poem e-mailed to me in the Christmas of 1999. I don't know if Audrey Hepburn was a Christian but her lyrics are laced with scriptural essence.
The Bible tells us that the same lips that praise God is also used to curse fellowmen. Didn’t Jesus say: Why do you look at the dirt in someone’s eye and not see the plank in your own? Remember, Jesus attracted tax collectors, prostitutes, lepers and a never ending line of those regarded as no gooders during his earthly ministry. As Christmas approaches, let’s learn from this legacy left by the enigmatic Audrey Hepburn. Let’s stop being critical. Instead, let's see the good in others. Let's treat them with love and care. By the way, I've used this poem with great effect with my classes.

Beauty Tips

By Audrey Hepburn

For attractive lips, speak words of kindness.
For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people.
For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry.
For beautiful hair, let a child run his or her fingers through it once a day.
For poise, walk with the knowledge you'll never walk alone.
People, even more than things have to be restored, renewed,
revived, reclaimed, and redeemed; never throw out anybody.
Remember, if you ever need a helping hand,
you'll find one at the end of your arm.
As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands,
one for helping yourself, the other for helping others.
The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears,
the figure she carries or the way she combs her hair.
The beauty of a woman must be seen from within her eyes.
because that is the doorway to her heart, the place where love resides.
The beauty of a woman is not in a facial mole,
but true beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul.

Lord how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? (Mt,18:21 b, NIV)

My spirit is troubled. LST dropped a bombshell by way of conversation, announcing that she had left the faith. This past year, I’ve been lifiting her up in prayer like she was a non believer. I guess my spirit knew but my eyes refused to accept the signs. Still, the confirmation direct from the horse’s mouth, left me dazed. I was in remorse the whole day-shaken, frightened and defeated.

Lord, you who are a God of covenant
Who keeps to your side of the promise
I pledge today before You
To stop asking to see your punishment
Upon those who have torn my name to smithers
With lies and distorted truths
Who slander my name with vindictiveness
I wipe off their account
The abacus is at zero
They owe me nothing now
In exchange, I beg You
To restore LST’s faith
To touch her heart and spirit
Once more, with your love and grace
In your mercy, forgive her sins
May your angels minister to her spirit
May she see your hand of grace
In every adversity
And know that she worships
A God who is alive and who cares
In Jesus’ most precious Name
Amen

For it is by grace, you have been saved, through faith..Eph 2:8 a

Today, I'm reminded of God's grace to me from the time, I believed in Him, three decades or more ago. One incident stands out clearly, illustrating His grace to me. It took place in my early twenties, when I joined a group tour to the East coast. I was playing by the edge of the beach but before I realized it, the people on the beach looked to me like puppets. I realized that I had somehow, drifted far out to Fear, alarm overcame me! I swam with all my strength back to the beach, swallowing tons of salt water from the South China Sea in the process.
I wasn't a Christian then, A week later, I read in the papers that a skin specialist from the University Hospital, an expert swimmer had drowned in the same spot.
When I finally believed in Jesus Christ, my eyes were opened to His grace, extended to me, even before I knew Him.

Lord, You are so gracious
Even when we don't deserve it
You give wealth to the righteous and wicked
You suffer our disobedience and impudence
You suffer our sins which are dirty rags in your sight
You continue to shower your grace on mankind
Even when we are hostile to you

Like the father waiting for the prodigal son
You wait for us to return to your bosom
Where we can find comfort and rest
Protection from the storms of life

Ah Lord, that you may give me a portion of your grace
To show to those who don't deserve it
Grace that comes not from self
But from the enabling of the Holy Spirit

...be prepared in season and out of season; 2 Ti 4:2 (NIV)

When I was taking a short course in Beijing, my hostel looked out to the college backyard. The fall had set in and each time I looked out of my fourth floor window, my attention was drawn towards this tree with its wide canopy . As fall set in, its crowning glory was being shed, slowly but surely. By winter, it was totally bald. It stood stark naked with its bare arms in surrender to the freezing Beijing temperature. Coming from the tropics, I often marveled at the sight. Then summer set in and before I knew it, the tree was rejuvenated, its glory once again restored.

Lord, you made the heavens and the earth
You made the seasons too
Summer to bear fruit
Winter to rest
It is your way of teaching your people
That there is a season for everything
A season to plant and a season to harvest
But one thing is needful
Whether in season or out
To be prepared for thy coming
To have our lamps and oil ready
When the marching order comes
To welcome the Bridegroom

Pray continually; (1 Ti 2:8, NIV)

It's the rainy season. Afternoon convectional rains are common. I was watching one the other day. The house electricity had tripped. It does whenever fierce thunder rolls and lightning strikes. "The skies must be angry," I tell myself, jokingly. But seriously, the dark moods of the weather gives me the premonition that the second coming of Christ is imminent. That shakes me. I'm just not ready for Him!

Lord, heaven is a wonderful place
A nirvana where the streets are paved with gold
Where sadness and sickness are unheard of
Where everyone is filled with joy and peace
A second Garden of Eden
Where we can talk and walk with you
So, why am I not ready to make the step to cross over?
Cos a dead person cannot praise you
Cos I'm waiting for You to use me
Cos there are scores to be settled
Cos evil has to be overcome
Not with weapons, nor with words
But with the prayer of power