Not everyone in Jesus’ world gave him a warm welcome. Not everyone received him with grace. And many didn’t just ignore him, they rejected him.
Isaiah prophesied his reception like this: “He was despised and rejected by men” (Isa. 53:3 NIV).
John summarized the rejection of Jesus with these words: “He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him” (John 1:10-11 NIV).
How did Christ endure treatment like that? At any point he could have said, “I quit. I’ve had enough.” Why didn’t he? What kept him from giving up?
I wonder if Lee Ielpi understands the answer? He is a retired firefighter, a New York City firefighter. He gave twenty-six years to the city. But on September 11, 2001, he gave much more. He gave his son. Jonathan Ielpi was a fireman as well. When the Twin Towers fell, he was there.
Firefighters are a loyal clan. When one perishes in the line of duty, the body is left where it is until a firefighter who knows the person can come and quite literally pick it up. Le made the discovery of his son’s body his personal mission. He dug daily with dozens of others at the sixteen-acre graveyard. One Tuesday, December 11, three months after the disaster, his son was found. And Lee was there to carry him out.
He didn’t give up. The father didn’t quit. He refused to turn and leave. Why? Because his love for his son was greater than the pain of the search. Can’t the same be said about Christ? Why didn’t he quit? Because the love for his children was greater than the pain of the journey. He came to pull you out. Your world had collapsed. That’s why he came. You were dead, dead to sin. That’s why he came. He loves you. That’s why he came.
That’s why he endured the distance between us. “Love…endures all things.”
That’s why he endured the resistance from us. “Love…endures all things.”
That’s why he went the final step of the incarnation: “God made him who had not sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Cor. 5:21 NIV).
Why did Jesus do that? There is only one answer. And that answer has one word. Love. And that love of Christ “bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things” (1 Cor. 13:7 NKJV).
Think about that for a moment. Drink from that for a moment. Drink deeply. Don’t just sip or nip. It’s time to gulp. It’s time to let his love cover all things in your life. All secrets. All hurts. All hours of evil, minutes of worry.
The mornings you awoke in the bed of a stranger? His love will cover that. The years you peddled prejudice and pride? His love will cover that. Every promise broken, drug taken, penny stolen. Every cross word, cuss word, and harsh word. His love covers all things.
Let it. Discover along with the psalmist. “He…loads me with love and mercy” (Ps. 103:4). Picture a giant dump truck full of love. There you are behind it. God lifts the bed until the love starts to slide. Slowly at first, then down, down, down until you are hidden, buried, covered in his love.
“Hey, where are you?” someone asks.
“In here, covered in love.”
Let his love cover all things.
Do it for his sake. To the glory of his name.
Do it for your sake. For the peace of your heart.
And do it for their sake. For the people in your life. Let his love fall on you so yours can fall on them.
By Max Lucado
1 what do you say?
On this fine day.......we thank God
Labels: from Caleb
On one fine day (3rd June 2010), Mabel and I went to our gynecologist for a normal, routine check up. We never expected anything as the last check up we had last month went well, showing no symptom of complications. During our journey to the hospital, we were still discussing whether we should buy some baby stuff afterward or push it to some time later. Seeing we still have more than 2 months before the expected delivery on August, we put the plan on hold.
The doctor checked on Mabel's blood pressure and told us that her BP was too high. He said we needed to send her to the hospital immediately and that the baby should be delivered anytime from now.
Though things weren't as expected, there are many areas that we would like to express our gratitude to God. Here is the list in chronological of events and is not based on priorities nor importance.
1. We thank God that this is discovered through a normal check up and not through any complicated situation.
2. We thank God for Dr. Edson who refered us to HUKM and conveyed the situation to us with much assurance, yet highlighting the urgency of this matter without alarming us.
3. We thank God for Dr. Edson, with his professionalism, did not consider his own benefit by hiding the matter from us in order that we continue with his service. He also considered our affordability when refering us to the relevant hospital for further treatment.
4. We thank God that the doctors and staff of HUKM carried their job effectively.
5. We thank God for our spiritual family for their support, comfort and most of all, their prayer and intercession.
6. We thank God for a very kind and professional team of doctors who executed wise and prompt decisions.
7. We thank God for doctors and medical staff in getting everything ready for us. They actually called all nearly hospitals even way up to Perak, in getting a cubicle (incubator) for our prematured baby when all in HUKM are occupied.
8. We thank God for all the nurses for attending to us with much love though there were still times of them being fierce or in bad mood.
9. We thank God that our cell members were (and are still) able to continue with the good works and stepped in to fill the gap when we weren't around.
10. We thank God for His favor that the doctor managed to get an incubator for our son and thus there wasn't a need to send him (son) to Slimriver in Perak. I can't imagine myself travelling to Slimriver to see him every day!
11. We thank God for our family for helping us and supporting us during this time. May God's strength and blessing be upon them richly.
12. We thank God for our spiritual family for their continuous prayers, support, love gift, gifts, visits, wishes and greetings.
13. We thank God for His strength, presence and power upon Mabel.
14. We thank God for His embracing love and strength upon Matthias Lee, our son.
15. We thank God because He is and always is our good, great and mighty God!
In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:18. 0 what do you say?
The doctor checked on Mabel's blood pressure and told us that her BP was too high. He said we needed to send her to the hospital immediately and that the baby should be delivered anytime from now.
Though things weren't as expected, there are many areas that we would like to express our gratitude to God. Here is the list in chronological of events and is not based on priorities nor importance.
1. We thank God that this is discovered through a normal check up and not through any complicated situation.
2. We thank God for Dr. Edson who refered us to HUKM and conveyed the situation to us with much assurance, yet highlighting the urgency of this matter without alarming us.
3. We thank God for Dr. Edson, with his professionalism, did not consider his own benefit by hiding the matter from us in order that we continue with his service. He also considered our affordability when refering us to the relevant hospital for further treatment.
4. We thank God that the doctors and staff of HUKM carried their job effectively.
5. We thank God for our spiritual family for their support, comfort and most of all, their prayer and intercession.
6. We thank God for a very kind and professional team of doctors who executed wise and prompt decisions.
7. We thank God for doctors and medical staff in getting everything ready for us. They actually called all nearly hospitals even way up to Perak, in getting a cubicle (incubator) for our prematured baby when all in HUKM are occupied.
8. We thank God for all the nurses for attending to us with much love though there were still times of them being fierce or in bad mood.
9. We thank God that our cell members were (and are still) able to continue with the good works and stepped in to fill the gap when we weren't around.
10. We thank God for His favor that the doctor managed to get an incubator for our son and thus there wasn't a need to send him (son) to Slimriver in Perak. I can't imagine myself travelling to Slimriver to see him every day!
11. We thank God for our family for helping us and supporting us during this time. May God's strength and blessing be upon them richly.
12. We thank God for our spiritual family for their continuous prayers, support, love gift, gifts, visits, wishes and greetings.
13. We thank God for His strength, presence and power upon Mabel.
14. We thank God for His embracing love and strength upon Matthias Lee, our son.
15. We thank God because He is and always is our good, great and mighty God!
In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:18. 0 what do you say?
Healing Rain~~
Labels: Prepared by AlexGUITAR CHORD:
Healing Rain – Michael W. Smith
Capo 1
C
Healing rain is coming down
C
It's coming nearer to this old town
C
Rich and poor, weak and strong
C
It's bringing mercy, it won't be long
C
Healing rain is coming down
C
It's coming closer to the lost and found
C
Tears of joy, and tears of shame
C
Are washed forever in Jesus' name
G Am
Healing rain, it co mes with fire
F C
So let it fall and take us higher
G Am
Healing rain, I'm not afraid
F C
To be washed in Heaven's rain
C
Lift your heads, let us return
C
To the mercy seat where time began
C
And in your eyes, I see the pain
C
Come soak this dry heart with healing rain
G Am
And only You, the Son of man
F C
Can take a leper and let him stand
G Am
So lift your hands, they can be held
F C
By someone greater, the great I Am
G Am
Healing rain, it comes with fire
F C
So let it fall and take us higher
G Am
Healing rain, I'm not afraid
F
To be washed in Heaven's rain
C G
To be washed in Heaven's rain...
C
Healing rain is falling down
G
Healing rain is falling down
Am
I'm not afraid
F
I'm not afraid... 0 what do you say?
Heaven’s Grocery Store
Labels: from ashleyAs I was walking down life’s highway many years ago,I came upon a sign that read: “Heaven’s Grocery Store”.
When I got a little closer，the doors swung open wide.
And when I came to myself，I was standing inside.
I saw a host of angels; they were standing everywhere.
One handed me a basket and said，“My child，shop with care.”
Everything a human needed was in that grocery store.
And what you could not carry you could come back for more.
First I got some Patience; Love was in that same row.
Further down was Understanding，you need that everywhere you go.
I got a box or two of Wisdom and Faith a bag or two.
And Charity，of course，I would need some of that too.
I couldn’t miss the Holy Ghost; it was all over the place.
And then some Strength and Courage to help me run the race.
My basket was getting full，but I remembered I needed Grace,
And then I chose Salvation for Salvation was for free,I tried to get enough of that to do for you and me.
Then I started to the counter to pay my grocery bill,For I thought I had everything to do the Master’s will.
As I went up the aisle，I saw Prayer and put that in,For I knew when I stepped outside，I would run into sin.
Peace and Joy were plentiful，the last things on the shelf.
Song and Praise were hanging near，so I just helped myself.
Then I said to the angel，“ Now，how much to I owe?”
He smiled and said，“Just take them everywhere you go.”
Again I asked，“Really now，how much do I owe?”
“My child,” he said，“Jesus paid your bill a long time ago.”
BY: 佚名
I read about this article coincidently. Ya, frankly speaking, sometime i really thought i have to pay for it (by discipline myself, by studying and read bible verses, by... etc) in order to got God's grace, God' strength, favour... But the truth is , Jesus has already paid for me, He paid for all of us by dying on the cross and resurrection from the death. Hope this article remind you of His love, He has done all the things for us, given His love and life freely to us. People of God, live life as God's people, cheers.
Jesus paid it all for me and you.
Angela's water baptism big day
Labels: baptism, from LydiaThis is the moment that we waiting for... The precious moment that Angela testifies Jesus through water baptism 0 what do you say?
The victory of the Cross....
Labels: from Doreen
Gal 6:14-15
But God forbid that i should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor circumcision avails anything, but a new creation.
Bio-data of Apostle Paul
The Apostle Paul wrote these words by the inspiration of the Holy spirit. However, he was someone who could have boasted about many things in his life:
-His ethnicity: he was a Jew, of tribe Benjamin. He was no Gentile.
-His religious background: He came out of one of the strictest forms of Judaism: the sect of the pharisees.
-His high education: he studied with one of the greatest Jewish scholars of all time: Gamaliel. In the contest of Israel that was like studying in Oxford or Harvard today.
-His social status: He was a Roman citizen - something highly coveted in his day. Wealthy people could buy Roman citizenship for a high cost. However, Paul was born a citizen (Acts 22:28) (Philippians 3:4-9)
However he wanted to boast about the cross! The cross was more important than anything else in his life: more important than ethnicity, education, background, citizenship etc.
Question to ponder about.
1) Why do you think Paul had such a high regard for the cross?
2) What has the cross establish in our lives?
3) In the eyes of the people watching Jesus on the cross it looked like "defeat" but the Word calls it "triumph". Read Colossians 2:13-15 in the New King James Version) and why the cross was place of victory?
4) How was Satan defeated by the cross and what that means to us today: John 12:31, 32; Hebrews 2:14, Colossians 1:13, 4)
5) Acts 1:3 says that Jesus presented Himself alive after his resurrection by many infallible proofs being seen by many people for forty days. The people of His day saw infallible proofs of his resurrection. Today, we continue to experience the reality of the fact that He is alive.
6) An old song says 'I know the tomb is empty because my heart is full'. Think about it.
7) The greatest achievement of the cross and resurrection of Jesus was the new birth and, therefore, eternal life in the presence of God.
The preacher of this message is from Ps. Luis Cabral
The end.
DD signing off. 0 what do you say?
But God forbid that i should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor circumcision avails anything, but a new creation.
Bio-data of Apostle Paul
The Apostle Paul wrote these words by the inspiration of the Holy spirit. However, he was someone who could have boasted about many things in his life:
-His ethnicity: he was a Jew, of tribe Benjamin. He was no Gentile.
-His religious background: He came out of one of the strictest forms of Judaism: the sect of the pharisees.
-His high education: he studied with one of the greatest Jewish scholars of all time: Gamaliel. In the contest of Israel that was like studying in Oxford or Harvard today.
-His social status: He was a Roman citizen - something highly coveted in his day. Wealthy people could buy Roman citizenship for a high cost. However, Paul was born a citizen (Acts 22:28) (Philippians 3:4-9)
However he wanted to boast about the cross! The cross was more important than anything else in his life: more important than ethnicity, education, background, citizenship etc.
Question to ponder about.
1) Why do you think Paul had such a high regard for the cross?
2) What has the cross establish in our lives?
3) In the eyes of the people watching Jesus on the cross it looked like "defeat" but the Word calls it "triumph". Read Colossians 2:13-15 in the New King James Version) and why the cross was place of victory?
4) How was Satan defeated by the cross and what that means to us today: John 12:31, 32; Hebrews 2:14, Colossians 1:13, 4)
5) Acts 1:3 says that Jesus presented Himself alive after his resurrection by many infallible proofs being seen by many people for forty days. The people of His day saw infallible proofs of his resurrection. Today, we continue to experience the reality of the fact that He is alive.
6) An old song says 'I know the tomb is empty because my heart is full'. Think about it.
7) The greatest achievement of the cross and resurrection of Jesus was the new birth and, therefore, eternal life in the presence of God.
The preacher of this message is from Ps. Luis Cabral
The end.
DD signing off. 0 what do you say?
2009 Christmas gathering-part2.
Labels: celebration gathering, from CalebSpecial wish from chow hua - please on your speaker loud loud!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! watch till the end.
The best actor of 2009,SIMON!!!!!!!!! - see how he drop his pen and make a u-turn, so natural.LOL 1 what do you say?
2009 Christmas gathering.
Labels: celebration gathering, from Caleb
Happy New year to everyone and also our faithful reader. 2009 had being a great year and I wish 2010 will be even a greater year for everyone Be ready for the great thing God willgoing to do thru your life. Here are some pictures and videos of our christmas gathering. All the best in 2010. Remember we are one family, together we stand.
0
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