When You Need to be Strong

I look at the days ahead and wonder what they hold.
Don't we all?

And then these words make their way to my heart:
"Go in the strength you have...am I not sending you?"

Judges 6:14

What is EVERYTHING?

The front cover of the Newsweek magazine dated April 12, 2010 reads “What’s so great about the iPAD? With the background of the sky and the bold letter EVERYTHING stood out indeed. Well Steve Job has indeed revolutionise our reading, watching, computing, gaming and many more.

Today, this hype continues coz people just expect big things from Apple perhaps due to the success of its iPod and later iPhone and now iPad. So much so little children/babies today knows how to SLIDE to Unlock and swipe thu’ pictures on these gadgets. Apple managed to change our mind to Think Really Different. Let's face it we all think these tools are particularly brilliant. We are mesmerized by all that they can do. Not sure about the cost but I have heard people are willing to skip meals just to buy one. Incidentally I do not own even an iPod but I knew many of my colleagues are talking about getting their iPhone 5 and iPad2 and indeed I must say I may get stuck into these craze too.

Now Apple is coming out with iCloud. It is so much more than a hard drive in the sky. It’s the effortless way to access just about everything on all these devices. iCloud stores your content so it’s always accessible from your iPad, iPhone, iPod touch, Mac or even PC. It gives people instant access to their music, apps, latest photos and more. And it keeps their email, contacts and calendars up to date across all their devices. No syncing required. No management required. In fact, no anything required. iCloud does it all for you that is their new tag line.
Six months has passed us by and many incidents and events has changed us, inspired us and/or discouraged us. Our theme for the year lest we forget is “God’s Way Always”. Fact is it is easily forgotten as coping with the anxiety of life overwhelm all of us. We should take time to take stock.

Did you know the Bible says God is recording “Everything you and I say”, good or bad? He employs no one to “edit out” the embarrassing or condemning things we say. Every “idle words” that men shall speak said our Lord in Matthew 12:36 ‘they shall give an account thereof in the day of judgement’. If everything we have ever said will be introduced as evidence against us in a future day it is pretty frightening prospect wouldn’t you say?

The Greek word that was used in this passage is “argos” which simply means unprofitable. It also means what it implies in the English: “Idle” or “not working”. The identical word is used in Matthew 20:3 where Jesus spoke of labourers “standing idle in the marketplace” They were free from work, unproductive. They are “weeds in the garden patch of speech”. They serve no good purpose.

The month of July and August is critical for all of us to learn. Consider carefully the Morning Ministry and Discovery Moments topics as His word will truly warn us and guide us. We need to learn and be encouraged by and thru God’s word, the Bible and be inspired by the many things that God is promising us. Do not be discouraged and give up at this stage of your Christian Walk as you find carrying the cross of Jesus heavy to bear. Take time off and be refreshed by joining our NGC Family Camp from Aug 31 to Sept 3. Start saving RM3 a day from now onwards and you could be on your way. More important create the desire in you that it is the right things to do and sign up by July 24 so that the organisers of the camp could plan more easily. Remember EASY payment is available and it is worthwhile and value for money. No iCloud, iBible or iCamp can ever replace the time well spend with God and His people. Let’s not be idle with our words and time.

Jehovah Jireh – God is Our Provider ! God is EVERYTHING. God’s Way Always.