Weeks 24 - 26 (07) - Blessings of Divine Guidance

Last week, we had a new Labour Prime Minister Gordon Brown, replacing the most successful ever Labour Prime Minister Tony Blair. Under presssure from his Chancellor, Tony Blair reluctantly stepped down from power after 10 years. Gordon Brown, standing outside No. 10 Downing Street for very first time, boldly proclaimed "let the change begin". His tone in the first few days in office was certainly "conciliatory".

Tony Blair, at the same time, was appointed Envoy on behalf of the Quartet of United Nation, European Union, United States & Russia. His brief is to broker a solution and lasting peace to the Middle East conflict. His last official engagement as Prime Minister was to have an audience with the Pope.

Could this be the beginning of a new era in the human history? Could this be the beginning of the end of thousands of years of fighting between the descendents of Abraham's Children Ishmael & Issac [Gen. 16:12], Esau & Jacob [Gen. 25:23] - Muslims & Jews? Could this pave the way to a One World Government and a One World Religion? Could this lead to the persecution of the true Church in the western world? Could this eventually launch the antichrist onto the world stage? Developments in the next few years will give us better indications of when all these will happen.

This is a time for the Church to be extra vigilant. The key is to remain faithful to God's Word. "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path. I have taken an oath and confirmed it, that I will follow your righteous laws. [Ps 119:105-108 NIV]"

"God said to Jacob, "Go up to Bethel and settle there, and build an altar there to God, who appeared to you when you were fleeing from your brother Esau." So Jacob said to his household and to all who were with him, "Get rid of the foreign gods you have with you, and purify yourselves........let us go up to Bethel, where I will build an altar to God, who answered me in the day of my distress and who has been with me wherever I have gone. [Gen 35:1-5 NIV] " Let us build an altar in our churches to worship the true God Jesus alone and get rid of all idols. Let us be in the world, but not of the world. May our God answer us in the day of our distress and be with us wherever we go.

The royal official in John 4 understood the principle of taking God at His Word. He believed and then saw the miracle coming true. He went to Jesus "and begged him to come and heal his son, who was close to death......Jesus replied, "You may go. Your son will live." The man took Jesus at his word and departed. While he was still on the way, his servants met him with the news that his boy was living. [John 4:47-54 NIV] " It is time to take God at His Word and believe. It is time to trust in Him fully.

God says that "Wealth is worthless in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death.The righteousness of the blameless makes a straight way for them, but the wicked are brought down by their own wickedness.The righteousness of the upright delivers them, but the unfaithful are trapped by evil desires........[Prov 11:4-6,18 NIV] "

God, help us to heed Your Word at a time such as this. Amen!

Weeks 22 & 23 (07) - Blessings of Divine Guidance

Recently I was reading a Guide on "Your First Full Marathon" (yes I am seriously considering doing the one in April 2009), it suggests that it is all about endurance and that preparation is key (surprise, surprise).

Near our house, there is a route comprising running on the road for a mile, followed by a path through a field for another mile and back on the road again for a third mile coming home. The final half a mile or so is uphill (hur.... hur....)!

The first few times when I did it, I had to walk the final uphill stretch. Now, after about 6 weeks, I could run (very slowly) all the way. It took about 30 minutes and by the time I got to the bathroom, I would have worked up a healthy sweat and suitably exhausted.:o)

But a full marathon is 26.2 miles. That means doing 9 times my regular distance in one go!

The Guide also suggests that the preparation means a weekly total of 65 to 80k (40 to 50 miles), and having the ability to comfortably cover 25k (15 miles) in one go! This means running two times my regular distance 7 times a week and having the ability to comfortably cover 5 times my current distance in one go!!! A looooooonnnnnnng way to get ready yet. :o)

I thank God that I am a plodder. That has been my experience walking with God. Many people would find that boring. But I am happy just making it to the finishing line. Speed to me is not that important. It is interesting to note that the shortest book in the Bible, which occurs in the centre of the Bible, says that "........the faithfulness of the LORD endures forever........". God is also a plodder when it comes to His faithfulness towards us - it ENDURES FOREVER. That is why the psalmist says "Praise the LORD, all you nations; extol him, all you peoples...." [Ps 117:1-2 NIV].

In life, we also need to be patient in our decision making. It is our human nature to run away from difficult situations. Right now I am feeling the same with my boss at work. But when I look at Jacob, who had to work 14 years for his uncle Laban to get the woman he loved. And he had to continue to endure Laban's unfair treatment for another 6 years. My situation is nothing in comparison. And it is good to see that in God's time, "Jacob noticed that Laban's attitude toward him was not what it had been. Then the LORD said to Jacob, "Go back to the land of your fathers and to your relatives, and I will be with you." [Gen 31:1-3 NIV] Jacob would only leave Laban when God says so. So be patient PK. :o)

Jesus once warned His disciples about their hearts not to be ".......weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness and the anxieties of life.......Be always on the watch.......and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you be able to stand before the Son of Man." [Luke 21:29-36 NIV] The same warning applies to all believers. But praise God that we are in the Body of Christ. We have one another for encouragement and support in running the marathon.:o)

It is a huge encouragement to hear God says "Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at my doorway. For whoever finds me finds life and receives favor from the LORD." [Prov 8:32-36 NIV] Yes Lord, I am more than happy to wait at your doorway. :o)