Ought We To Pray

28 07 2010

Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit,and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints

-Ephesians 6:18–

I have been really thinking about this matter lately. It is one of significant spiritual importance … the importance of prayer in the life of a believer. As the old sunday school song used to go, “Read your bible, pray everyday, if you want to grow“, i believe that the simplicity and truth of those words will always hold true. There is no secret formula to spiritual growth, it has always been down to the basic discipline of spending time before the Lord in His Word and in prayer.

If there is one aspect that is lacking in many a believer and then would inevitably get translated to the local assembly of other believers, it is prayer. How much the believer sees the need for prayer as an individual, governs how he sees the need to pray corporately as a church. The weekly prayer meeting has always been the barometer of a church’s spiritual state. When God’s people pray, things happen. However, when they don’t pray … things just seem to happen or nothing really happens at all. How wonderful it would be to see adults, young people and children all coming together for united purpose of prayer. It would really lend weight to the uttered conviction that God will bless His church when His people pray.

The verse in Ephesian 6:18 above is a reminder that we ought to pray always (in all seasons) with all prayer. And this call to prayer is found right in Ephesians 6 where Paul spoke concerning how believers are to wage their spiritual struggle. A battle is waged in 2 positions, one .. standing, the second on our knees. What i found helpful from the VWS commentary was “all prayer”  basically means prayer in its various kinds. It could be a silent prayer we utter to the Lord, a vocal verbalized one, in a formal setting …  or even a cry unto the Lord for help. But the battle call must be accompanied by the believer realizing that his strength of resource can only come from God, and he does that by prayer.

We are also called to supplication. While ‘prayer’ is the more general form, ‘supplication’ adds to it the meaning of making earnest request or petition unto the Lord. Supplication is mentioned twice in the same verse, and the second time with a specific request to pray for the saints, meaning for one another. Here we see that the scope of prayer should extend beyond one’s personal concern (own own needs) but for the needs of other fellow believers who are also engaged in the same spiritual war. It is the spirit of Paul’s words in Philippians 2:4 where we are to “Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.” And so, while prayer brings the believer before the Lord, he then brings other believers before the Lord. And O how blessed it is to know that other faithful believers are praying for you. Paul’s ministry certainly wouldn’t have been as effective without that kind of support from the believers of his day and how he was thankful for it. I too know that that to be true in my life, I have had the benefit of godly parents and aunts who have spent much a time praying for me over the many years. Only the Lord will truly know how much of what and where I am today has been a result of sustained sustaining prayer by His saints.

There are many important passages to consider on this wide subject of prayer. I do hope to be able to consider them and perhaps write a little more about it as the Lord leads. Of course what we must also guard against is the attitude of talking too much about it, while failing to do enough of it. But as we are to exhort one another daily while it is called today (Heb 3:13), perhaps we really ought to encourage one another to be more faithful in the simple yet important matter of prayer.

So believer, if you’re reading this today and haven’t yet taken time to pray… perhaps this thought may find a place in your heart. If you’ve not been keeping a regular quiet time before the Lord, you can begin by resuming it today. If you haven’t prayed in a while, just close your eyes and quieten your heart before the Lord and commit yourself to Him today. He’ll listening.


Comments : Leave a Comment »

Categories : Prayer, Spiritual, Warfare

A Tale of 2 Gardens

8 04 2010

Over the recent weeks and in preparation for the Palm Sunday service in Karachi, my thoughts were led to Christ in the garden of Gethsamane in the account of Matthew 26.

There we see our Lord in distress as He wrestled within His soul with the cross casting it’s dark shadow over Him. As sweat as drops of blood hit the earthly ground, He went through anguish as no man would ever understand as he foresaw the weight of the world to be placed upon Him in the impending hours. The Father, of whom declared from heaven “This is my beloved son in whom i am well pleased” (Matt 17:5) was whom our Lord prayed to in the garden. It is sobering to realize that it was the Father Himself who was to be the one who would subject the Son to the agony of the cross. We recall the words of the prophet Isaiah when he prophesied “Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin..” (Isaiah 53:10). The sacrifice had to be perfect and holy (of which our Lord was) … but it also had to be ‘pleasing’. The Lord Jesus was just that, as the Father declared. Yet we hear the words “Yet it pleased the LORD”. I believe I’ve not come to a full appreciation of the enormity of the words, nor will I ever on this side of heaven.

Surely we must  marvel when think of the words in Romans 8:32 that “He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all …”. What did it cost the Father to provide the world, you and I with the free gift of salvation? It cost Him His best … His dearest … His beloved Son. And what did it cost the Son? Not anything less than own His life. And as Christ looked towards the cross … He knew what He had left Heaven’s glory for. His Mission: to live amongst His fallen creation and die by offering His life as an all consuming sacrifice for sin. Sin that had placed it’s price on your life and mine, death and eternal separation from God.

Ultimately, the cup could not be passed, and the Lamb of God was to offer up His life as a sacrifice for a perfect sin offering unto the Lord. In His perfect obedience, our Lord prayed “nevertheless not my will, but thine be done” thus showing us the true servant heart of the Messiah, the King of glory. What manner of man, would submit His will completely to that of another? No man, but only that of a true servant.

3 times our Lord wrestled in prayer alone, “sorrowful and very heavy” Matt 26:37. And then we find a notable contrast in verse 43 where we read that the disciple’s “eyes were heavy”. All 11 of them, but most importantly Peter, the most vocal of them all could not keep watch and pray, and his failing to do so was a precursor to his denial as each regression led to a final spiral. This is a reminder to us never to trust in our own strength and a timely admonition to “.. be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.” (1Peter 4:7) penned by the same apostle who learned the lesson in the hardest possible way.

After the 3rd prayer, there was no more pleading, no more wrestling over the matter but a clear direction. Our Lord arose from the ground knowing heaven’s reply and set His face steadfastly towards the cross, and immediately after, He was led into the hands of His accusers by the kiss of a familiar brother who ate bread at His table.

Looking back in that garden … here was the Son of Man in the garden of Gethsamane. But there is another garden that we must are familiar with, the garden of Eden. And when we compare the accounts, we see parallels and contrasts between the 2 Adams.

1Co 15:45 Thus it is written, “The first man Adam became a living being”; the last Adam became a life-giving spirit. (ESV)

In the first , the disobedience of one brought death, in the other, His obedience brought life.

Romans 5:15 tells us “But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many.”

While the actions of the first Adam brought spiritual bondage, the last Adam brought liberty. In the first, that disobedience led to banishment, through Christ’s obedience there is granted unto access. In the first, it was men choosing to do their will, but in the second it was about choosing God’s will.

In both gardens there was sorrow. However in one, sorrow would be multiplied, in the other it would soon be turned to joy.

As a result of the fall, the ground was cursed, thorns and thistles would grow forth, there would be sorrow, and sweat and toil. In Gethsamane, our Lord sweat as drops of blood, as he wrestled the immense sorrow and heaviness upon his soul. Approaching the cross, he would go on to suffer the effects of that fall when they twisted a crown thorns upon his head. Thorns that were there as a result of sin entering the world.  He was a man of sorrows and would carry it, bearing our grief and the punishment. However, the most astounding of all to me was that Christ suffered the ultimate effect of the fall as the warning in the  first Garden stated “..for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die. ” (Gen 2:17). And our Lord went on to die, not for His own sins, but for yours and mine.

All this, because of His obedience to the Father’s will and His love for you and me. It is a love that is most genuine and willing. My dear friend, if you have yet to believe on the one who gave His life in exchange for yours and paid the highest price for redeeming you from sin and hell, I pray you consider the cross and what Jesus went through. The sacrificial offering for sin has been made, the free offer of salvation is extended to you, and God invites us to believe in simple faith.

Oh, what a blessed knowledge to know that when the Lord Jesus had finished praying, the matter was fully settled and He set His face toward Calvary’s cross. There was no turning back, no recoiling from obeying the will of the Father. And this all because our Lord prayed “Thy will be done”.

May we too have the same prayer.

om 8:32 “He …  spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all …”

Comments : 3 Comments »

Categories : Meditations, Prayer, Spiritual

The Happy Locker

12 03 2010

Ooh, it’s been a long time since i last wrote. To the many who still make a little visit every now and then .. thanks for dropping by.

During the times that i’m further away from home, i’m always glad that i have a little storage of photographs and videos accompanying me on my journeys. Makes me pause and thank the Lord that I have family praying and cheering me across the miles. Here are 2 from the image bank that i particularly like. These were taken over a weekend holiday with the family in Perak recently.

Taken at Kellie’s Castle and here my lil’ boy displays his unique liking for playing with shirt tags.

Family pic at the beautiful Taiping Lake Gardens. My lovely wife, son (only 1 as implied), and me spotting my favourite Roberts Hall shirt from Monash days.


Comments : 6 Comments »

Categories : Family, Photos, Ryan

God Bless …

8 01 2010

With all the news of what’s happening in my nation Malaysia today, I intend to add no fuel to the fire. However, here I offer my brief comments on what we have witnessed this day.

Today, there was a series of premeditated strikes at churches (some successful, others not) aimed at expressing displeasure against certain sections of this country’s Christian community. This certainly has it’s catalyst from the recent High court’s verdict on the usage of the word ‘Allah’ in a Catholic publication and the fact that the case has yet to be resolved.

What we’ve witnessed today marks a sad and dark day in the history of this young country. To my knowledge it is unprecedented, and it unfortunately may serve as a precedent for the future. The mental barrier for committing acts of this nature has been breached, and the unthinkable in this peaceful country (and it still is) has unfortunately been committed. I’ll be honest to say, that I didn’t quite envision that what i saw in Pakistan and the need for police personnel to monitor at the gates of some churches, would be a reality in Malaysia. Now, we won’t quite be able to say that this kind of thing doesn’t happen here . That is a reality we’ll have to live with irrespective of whether this sort of thing ever occurs again.

To put this in perspective, there has been a positive and widespread condemnation from all quarters (government, opposition, religious parties, public and many more) against what has occurred, and this is certainly something noteworthy.

With all that said, I think it’s as opportune a time to be reminded of our Lord’s words when He said in Matthew 5:43-45 “Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. (44) But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; (45) That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. ”

Here we’ve been commanded to do 4 things. Love, bless, do good and pray for those who persecute you. So, let’s always look for the practical ways we can do that while continuing to keep Malaysia in prayer … that the Lord’s name be glorified in the actions of those who are His.


Comments : 4 Comments »

Categories : Country, Life, malaysia, out of the blue, Perspective, Politics

Resolute

8 01 2010

Everyone got a brand new shiny 2010 a week ago, the question is what will they do with it?

For the past few years, I’ve been resolute against making new year resolutions simply because I realized that the most important ones to be made are when the moment demands for it. When one stalls till a new year to implement something, it probably won’t happen.

Yet resolve is good. And when i think of resolve, i’m always reminded of one of the most outstanding young men in the scriptures in the face of tremendous pressure. This we read of in the 1st chapter of the book of Daniel. Here were the children of Israel being led away into Babylonian captivity, away from their homeland in Jerusalem. And Nebuchadnezzar’s had an interesting policy with regards to his captives. He chose the best of the young minds (still impressionable) and desired them to learn the language and the ways of the Chaldeans. He would also feed them the provision of the kings table so that they would receive the best that Babylon could offer. To make the transformation complete, they even were given new names. The names of the children of Judah namely: Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah (v.6) were changed to “Belteshazzar, Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego.” Resolute in making them absolutely Babylonian, this was a policy of assimilation. Mindset and identities being altered, they’d look, speak , live and be known as Babylonian.

But we read the words in Dan 1:8 “But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat … “. And that tells it all. There was a purpose in Daniel’s heart that was made him unwilling to enjoy the refineries of Babylon. This was a young men who was away from his homeland, and despite all he had gone through … he maintained his integrity and his love for the one true God amidst the prevailing conditions of the allures of Babylon. This was the man whose unquestionable devotion to God would one day also cause him to be thrown into a lion’s den during the time of Persian rule. And his testimony was ever bright, to the degree that king Darius when ordering him into the den of lions could even say ” … unto Daniel, Thy God whom thou servest continually, he will deliver thee.” (6:16) and also “Daniel, O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions?” (6:20). Such a testimony.. and it all started with a conviction. It found it’s grounding in that first mention of Daniel in chapter one where he “purposed in his heart”. They could label Daniel’s whatever name they wanted, or attempt to assimilate him as the others … but they could not change Daniel heart.

That’s the resoluteness God desires. And it’s in the words of exhortation in Peter that i’m reminded how we’re supposed to pass this earthly sojourn. 1Peter 2:11 “Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul“. Resolution has to do with staying clear of anything that would weaken our desire, our devotion to our one true God. Just like Daniel knew he was in a foreign land, so are we to be mindful of where our home is, and where our affections are to lie.

The stranger, the pilgrim, the sojourner … keeps on walking despite the attractions of Vanity Fair.


Comments : Leave a Comment »

Categories : Life, Meditations, Seduction, Spiritual

Just a Word

7 01 2010

An ‘avatar’ with it’s modern usage in instant messaging profiles and lately in a new block buster James Cameron flick  has some history.

Some of the noteworthy Google’s results when you key in define: avatar

  • embodiment: a new personification of a familiar idea; “the embodiment of hope”; “the incarnation of evil”; “the very avatar of cunning”
  • the manifestation of a Hindu deity (especially Vishnu) in human or superhuman or animal form; “the Buddha is considered an avatar of the god Vishnu”
    wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn
  • In Hinduism, Avatar or Avatara (अवतार, IAST ), often translated into English as incarnation, literally means descent (avatarati) and usually implies a deliberate descent from higher spiritual realms to lower realms of existence for special purposes. …
    en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avatar

Notice the words… deity, manifestation, incarnation. The movement these days is certainly towards eastern mysticism and we see the borrowing of terminologies into the every day. Read up the wikipedia link and you’ll see that this, once again (like my previous posting on yoga) is not neutral.

I may be wrong, but I personally don’t think Cameron was oblivious to this.


Comments : Leave a Comment »

Categories : Mysticism, Seduction, Words

Selah..

25 12 2009

Once again, there was the usual slightly crazy last minute rush to find all the presents for family just in time for Christmas. The thought process and effort to find the perfect gift for that someone does take a little bit of resource and resourcefulness. This time, it was a just little more frenzied than previous years due to an especially busy December period … with a Penang Bible Camp to attend , lots of work commitments and a few things that popped up last minute. But for the fact that i’m typing this post, post-Christmas reminds me that we always do get there … eventually. Just that the ride could be a little bumpy at times.

Leaving KL pretty late last night due to the last minute shopping right til the  shops closed at 9:30 on the eve of Christmas ( i told you it was last minute), we was already exhausted as we got to the wheel for the home bound journey. But as it turned out, it turned out to look like a master stroke of timing (none of our own active planning) because we evaded the massive jams across the whole city and the highways and got in within 4 hours. My dear friend Guna & family started at 5 pm, and only reached Penang by midnight. I didn’t gloat, but we had a good laugh talking about it. 😉

It’s been a fun and busy day. Got in by 2:30 am, I tossed and turned in sleep throughout the night and hardly got a wink out of it. I was up by 7 absolutely ragged. 10:30am Christmas service saw a lovely SNGH choir presentation, the gospel preached, a great tasting luncheon. I hadn’t tasted 747’s food in ages … mind blowing stuff. I was taking loads of rice and bee hoon to do justice to some really awesome Penang styled nyonya sambal. Oh man, I can still picture it … *falling faint* It was great just to see all the familiar faces all over again and catching up … it really really made my day. Good ol’ Kit Siong, still cracks me up like no other … still comes up with the zaniest goods year after year.

As i type this in my dad’s study at almost 2 in the morning, I’m just reminded of all God’s goodnesses to me all these years. I reflect on the best times of my childhood and teenage years and bless the Lord for how He has graciously seen me through it all. If not for the Lord’s hand and the lives and prayers of my parents and many believers who invested time for me, I really don’t see how I would be still walking in the Lord and serving him at this point of my life (yes, i just touched 30 just about 2 weeks ago). The Lord has been good, indeed been good to me and my family. Through it all, the Lord has been ever so faithful and His Word the surest thing amidst every gale that has blown, and I stand a blessed man indeed.

I was reminded from the words of Jeremiah that I read today …

Jer 10:23-24 “O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.  O LORD, correct me, but with judgment; not in thine anger, lest thou bring me to nothing.”

Sometimes we may certainly think that the way out is to trust ourselves and find a way by our own means without bringing in the Lord into our decision process. This is certain folly for the believer. We must allow the Lord to direct our steps, but for that we’ve to listen to our master’s voice. That comes from a quietened heart before Him and the Word. I too have learned that the Lord has more than gracious in His dealings with His children especially in correcting and discipline. All this serves as a reminder to me today, that I should all the more place my trust in His Word, in His Wisdom, in His Way … not in the wisdom of the world or in my own.

The year end is fast approaching, and with what’s still lined up for work for the last week of 2009 I know I’m going to especially need the grace of God and the mercies which are new every morning. But i’m trusting it’ll be the same outcome, that I’ll get there… eventually.  Just that the ride could be a little bumpy at times.

2010 beckons.


Comments : Leave a Comment »

Categories : Life, Meditations

Timely Reminder

24 11 2009

Just had a friend who got into a little car incident this morning. Thankfully, he’s unhurt but his car suffered a different fate. It was a slightly wet morning with mild showers causing the roads to be a little more slippery than usual. His car careened off the road when he took a curved bend and struck the embankment. The poor chap’s myvi is a little bruised. 2 weeks back, I saw a wreck of a Proton just around the bend in front of my work area. It’s a very inviting bend to take on but he must have approached it way too fast and lost control.

So here’s a little word of reminder to check that threading on the tyres … and more importantly go easy on gas and corners when the roads are wet. Our cars don’t generate the necessary down force to make it stick to the road.


Comments : Leave a Comment »

Categories : Uncategorized

This One’s For the Children

20 11 2009

Unicef

Unicef

As in the words an old N.K.O.T.B. song (yes, i am from a different era), today UNICEF’s campaign hits airwaves. Saw a short segment on my local NTV7 channel this morning where a kid was on air talking to 2 adults about this effort by UNICEF and I think it’s important that the voice of children are heard and we are alerted to their plight. There are still children in many countries across the world, from all walks of life who need to be defended and taken care of. Many are facing struggles like suffering from diseases like HIV, forced into child labour, being trafficking, abused … and many others mistreatment. I was reminded of the words in Zechariah 7:9-10 ” Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, Execute true judgment, and shew mercy and compassions every man to his brother: (10)  And oppress not the widow, nor the fatherless, the stranger, nor the poor; and let none of you imagine evil against his brother in your heart. ” and James 1:27 “Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world. ” There’s a part all of us must play when it comes to putting our faith into practice.

Let’s pray for the children of the world, and aspire to do (or continue to do) our part in helping out in this area. We can’t change the world by ourselves, but we can start a little ball rolling where we are. Perhaps do your little bit for children’s charity home or lend support in one way or another to a fund towards this end.

The Unicef site is http://www.unicef.org/malaysia/ and the nicely constructed flash site with the cute little adverts can be found at http://www.tuneintome.bluehyppo.com/


Comments : Leave a Comment »

Categories : Uncategorized

Getting Lean

18 11 2009

It’s an occupation hazard, you know … sitting at a desk for a good portion of the day where the non-physical activity is interspersed with meal times and occasional snacks. Slightly detrimental I’d say. It was only recently that I decided to embark on a little diet regime which i hope would keep me a little more in check and bring back some of the youthfulness to this 29 year old just before he turns 30 in about a month’s time. Seems to be working, I’ve lost a bit of weight and hope to see the ‘downtrend’ continue.

In this my first more genuine attempt to actually start on a simple diet plan to lose some much ‘not-needed’ weight, it got me thinking. Here I am depriving myself of some of the usual food fare that I’m used to tucking away. For the first time, I’m watching calorie counts and making sure i drink lots of water etc etc. Now, there’s nothing quite wrong with a getting involved in a good nutritious diet or a fitness plan to trim down. It’s important to look after this physical body God has given us. But there’s something much more important than watching what you eat and physical shape…. it’s the taking care of our spiritual diet and our spiritual condition.

Spiritual lethargy is a sad reality amongst believers of any generation. And in this generation, we have seen that there are a myriad of things that occupy our time so much as to crowd the out Lord from our lives. Just to name a few … there’s the tv and the net, RSS feeds, books and magazines, techno gadgetry, meetings and meetups , movies, cooking, children and there’s even gym and fitness programs to add to the mix. Basically, anything can become an idol in our lives if we don’t keep it in check and we slacken in our walk with the Lord. The book of 1John ends with 5:21 “Little children, keep yourselves from idols.” Idols are anything which take the place of God at the center our lives and replaces His influence.

And so I’d borrow from an analogy of what we can do to maintain our walk with Lord strong and vibrant …

Point 1: Watch what we eat. We all need a steady supply of consumption of God’s Word. This is where true spiritual nourishment is found. Sometimes, we may enjoy reading a book by a Christian author to the neglect of actually going to the word. But there are no substitutes for the word of God and to spiritual vigor. I’m reminded of the words in Psalm 1 “But his delight [is] in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. ” (2:3). His preoccupation is with the word of God and he consumes and is consumed by it, the results are blessings which the Lord would not withold because he is well nourished.

Now, watching what we eat also entails being careful of what you and I should not consume. And the word of warning in 1Peter 2:11 tells us “Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul” and we are not to “.. make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof. ” Romans 13:14.

As believers we ought to be careful of what we allow our eyes to see and mind to take in. Gal 6:7-8 “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.” Just as in any case, there is cause and effect if you do that which can only be detrimental to you … we will reap blessings if we sow rightly.

An interesting passage on nourishment is when the apostle spoke to young Timothy.

1Tim 4:6-8 If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained. (7) But refuse profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise thyself [rather] unto godliness. (8)  For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come. (9) This [is] a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation….

God desires that  we are nourished in the words of faith and good sound doctrine. It tells me that nourishment comes from God’s word and we to be put remembrance of these things.

Verse 7 leads me on to my second point. Alongside nourishment, we also need something else.

Point 2: Exercise

It’s time to pick up the pace and work off the lackadaisical attitude. Paul contrasts it with bodily exercise to tell us that  exercising ourselves toward godliness is so much more profitable. That’s because there is an eternal value tied to it. This body can and will decay one day, it is inevitable. But just as the man in Psalm 1, even in his old age he will be as a tree planted by the river and his leaves shall not wither. Speaking on the trials and afflictions in life, we are reminded “For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.” 2Co 4:16. How do we exercise ourselves toward godliness. It mean put yourself to the test of living a godly life. It entails the rest of the apostle Paul spoke regarding how we are to be careful to be prayerful in our walk, careful to maintain good works (Titus 3:18), exercising discernment (Heb 5:14), it’s exercising to “… live soberly righteously and godly in this present world” (Titus 2:12) . It is also in keeping our conscience clear before the Lord just as he said in Act 24:16 “And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and [toward] men.”

Believer, are you facing spiritually leanness? Have you lost the joy and desire of walking with the Lord? If we are undernourished and spiritual vitality has waxed away, God calls us back to His Word. And to balance it up … don’t forget the exercise.


Comments : 2 Comments »

Categories : Exercise, Fitness, God, Meditations, Prayer

« Previous Entries


Design a site like this with WordPress.com
Get started