Finding Renewal in God

During the Thanksgiving weekend, my family and I went to Algonquin Park.  I was in aweof how beautiful and majestic the nature can be.  It also gave me insight on faith lessons.

Some of the greatest insight of nature were found along Two Rivers Trail.  This trail was filled with both older and younger plan species, which showed both the old and new generation of plants.  One fact that interested me the most was that the young plant started growing as a rewult of occurences that may be seen as "destructive" in human perspective.  I was also amazed by the idea of how wildlife could benefit from changes in nature after "destrructive" events, such as fire, in which wlidlife can find food and livelihood.

Afterall, how could faith lessons come from nature?  First, the theme of renewal reminded me how God has been working in every creation and the promise of bringing his good work to completion in Ephesians 1:6.  2 Corinthians 5:17 also came to me, which stated that "if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!"  Another encouraging verse that came to me was 2 Corinthians 4:16, it said, "Therefore, we do not lose heart.  Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day."  It further reminded me that God is continuously his creation, and leading his children closer to Him.  The theme of more good things would come after "destructive " force showed me that God is more than capable of "[working] for the good of those who love him" (Romans 8:28).

Servant in an "Upside-Down" Kingdom

 ²⁶ Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. ²⁷ But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. ²⁸ God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, ²⁹ so that no one may boast before him. ³⁰ It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. ³¹ Therefore, as it is written: “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord." -- 1 Corinthians 1:26-31

Wow! I am in awe of how God is more than willing to invite us into servanthood!  At least for me, I am not perfect, not the most experienced teacher, yet God is leading me to this upcomming missionary journey to serve as a teacher.  I feel previleged to have encouragement from fellow missionary who has told me about their confidence in their own child's education being taken care of, because of teachers who have the heart for God, along with some new opportunity to put my training as teacher into practice at tutoring and work as program instructor in the library.

I know that I need Him to lead me in my daily walk with Him and any service that God calls me to.  I need God to lead me to seek his wisdom, righteousness and holiness, so I can follow Him, the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6).  I know that I need to be a humble and teachable servant, since God is the one who is competant, and He is the one who enable and empower his servant (2 Corinthians 3:5-6).
 
On a side note, it is really interesting to see the "upside-down kingdom" of God.

Please pray that I will seek Him, look up to Him, and follow Him all the time.  Let me not boast about me, but to let God be glorified.  

More Precious than Gold, Sweeter than Honey

" ⁷ The law of the LORD is perfect,
   refreshing the soul.
The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy,
   making wise the simple.
⁸ The precepts of the LORD are right,
   giving joy to the heart.
The commands of the LORD are radiant,
   giving light to the eyes.
⁹ The fear of the LORD is pure,
   enduring forever.
The decrees of the LORD are firm,
   and all of them are righteous.
 ¹⁰ They are more precious than gold,
   than much pure gold;
they are sweeter than honey,
   than honey from the honeycomb." -Psalm 19:7-10

After reading the verse above, I am encouraged by knowing that the word of the Lord is always true and trustworthy.  Thank you Lord, for providing your word that brings refreshments to the soul, joy to the hear, and light to walk in yout path!  How great and how precious is your word, that is "more precious than gold" and "sweeter than honey from the honeycomb" (v.10).  Thank you for bringing joy, hope, wisdom, guidance, and so much more through your word that gives life.  Thank you Father, for being the one who I can put my trust and hope in, and who I can look up to. 

Father, lead me and take me to walk with you on the path of righteousness and light, "May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer" (Psalm 19:14). 

May God word become accessible for people of all nations in heart langauges, so every tribes and nations can know the goodness of the Father through life-transforming power of God's word!  

Unfailing Love

Recently, God has shown me his unfailing love through Romans 8:31-39 and Psalm 33.  He shows me that his love for us is everlasting and it never fail, for nothing can seperate his children from the love of God.  The beauty and the power of this love is that there is hope, joy, and peace from knowing that he cares for us and continuously guiding us to walk with him.  There is also victory in him, as the result of the Father has given his only Son to graciously redeem us.  I know that I can always put my trust in him and seek him, for his way is eternal and it will stand forevermore! 

Attached is a video of the song "Our God" by Chris Tomlin

"and if out God is for us, then who could ever stop us, and if our God is with us, then what could stand against"     

Look Up

"Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.  Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.  For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.  When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory"
- Colossians 3:1-4

I am continually learning to accept delayed and the unexpected,  which has some highs and lows.  However, Colossians 3:1-4 has been a powerful reminder of looking up to the Lord above, and of putting my hope in Him.  As a new creation in Him, my life belongs to Him, thus, my relationship with God can never be taken away, for his love is unconditional.  I am glad that I can bring my burden to him, put my hope in him, and let him take control of my life through triumphs and trials.

Please pray that I will continue to put my trust in the Lord, to find strength in him, also learn to be content with his plan.

"I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty.  I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whther well fed or hungry, whther living in plenty or in want.  I can do all this through him who gives me strength"
- Ephesians 4: 12-13

Set the heart on things above

"Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set yout hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.  Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.  For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.  When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory."

- Colossians 3:1-4

Dealing with delayed can be difficult and discouraging sometimes.  However, God is using this kind of situation to teach me about patience and faith, also to bring my focus back to him.

Live and move and have our being in the Lord

"From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places they should live.  God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us.  For in him we live and move and have our being"-Acts 17: 26-28

Recent lessons on faith and patience are humbling and they challenge me to grow.  It is not always easy to let God take control because of human nature, but God is really the one who is in control of every aspect of life.  When my plan is not going as expected, God can certainly use this situation to draw me back to him and seek him.  I need to keep looking up to the Lord and seek to live and move and have my being in him wherever I am.
Thank you Lord that you are near, and desire a close relationship with your children!  What a wonderful reminder that God is here to have a relationship with him, to guide us and care for us!