Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Against all hope

Want to hear a secret? I'll tell it to you. Jesus loves you!

Its sad that so many people don't fully understand this life-changing, awesome truth. Lets pray that Daddy God uses us to spread His message yeah?

My results came back. Remember when I said that God's grace is enough to see us through? Lately I have been recalling all those nights I wasted away on the computer, not studying. All those hours of dozing off in class. And I wonder: can I even get promoted? I worried especially for Geography and Economics as I especially wasn't ready for them.

I knew that I was worrying too much, far too much. So the recess before I was to collect my first paper, I had a talk with God in a quiet place. I gave Him all of my cares, my worries and was honest with Him about what I was feeling. Then I went to collect my Literature paper.

Lit comes in four parts, all carry a maximum of 50 marks. I was shocked when I saw my marks.

28/50. 34/50. 30/50. 34/50.

Whoa! My best results ever! God is so faithful! Guess what? I actually got NO U GRADES, NO S GRADES and NOT EVEN AN E GRADE! My lowest core subject got 50%, Geography.

I'm speechless. I think about how unprepared I was and look at these marks. Its not me, honest. All the glory goes to God.

I have some classmates who fear for their future due to not-so-ideal marks. I'll be keeping them in my prayers. Despite my joy, I feel sad with them. God, take care of them.

My CG mates did well in their exams too! And as the perfect "dessert" to a wonderful day, I received the news that a friend going through a personal crisis has gotten over it. Thank you, Lord, for all You've done. Make me bolder next time so I can share with my classmates about the grace that You've shown me.

Friends, stay blessed! For because of Jesus, we can hope against all hope, even if natural circumstances seem against us. God's grace supercedes the laws of nature.

Love, Judah

Abba, You love me.
6:09 PM

Sunday, October 25, 2009

Wisdom, the Principal thing

Have you ever wondered how to get true wisdom? Here is how NOT to get wisdom:

1) Asking for wisdom only when you think you can't do it. (Trusting your strength)

2) Making a ritual out of asking for wisdom daily. Its not a "good luck charm" when you ask God for wisdom every day just because you always have. God wants a relationship with you. ot to be reduced to a slot machine (put in a prayer, press the wisdom button and out comes wisdom!)

But guess what? He who seeks wisdom shall surely get it from God's ever-supplying hand! Let us see how Solomon received wisdom from God:

At Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon during the night in a dream, and God said, "Ask for whatever you want me to give you."
Solomon answered, "You have shown great kindness to your servant, my father David, because he was faithful to you and righteous and upright in heart. You have continued this great kindness to him and have given him a son to sit on his throne this very day.
"Now, O LORD my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David. But I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties. Your servant is here among the people you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to count or number. So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?" (1 Kings 3:5-9)

Notice that Solomon made this prayer at a troubling time. He had been just made king of Israel and the task overwhelmed him. Did he let his worry keep him up at night? I believe that he did seek God's peace at that time, for in the night he was soundly asleep! (Seek God's rest! Don't fret about asking for wisdom)

To desire wisdom from God, we need to humble ourselves and realise that we cannot do it alone. We need to be like children to our Daddy God and expect to receive His provision!

Beloved, God provides the question and the answer for you, if you would only desire wisdom!

Abba, You love me.
9:55 AM

Saturday, October 17, 2009

My exams ended on Wednesday. Through it all, I have seen wonderful displays of God's grace. I wait in confident expectation for my results!

Went out with half of my class on Thursday. Usually I'm not a very sociable or talkative person among people I'm unfamiliar with(sadly this includes many class members. I hope this changes soon). Sometimes I plan to be more outgoing and am disappointed when I fail to do so. That is why I feel encouraged by Proverbs 16:1 and 16:33:

We can make our own plans, but the Lord gives the right answer. (Proverbs 16:1)
We may throw the dice, but the Lord determines how they fall. (Proverbs 16:33)

Do you know what is the best thing about God being in control, no matter what we humans plan? Its knowing that God is the being that loves you the most! His mind is always on your welfare:

For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. (Jeremiah 29:11)

In context, the above verse was given when the Israelites were in captivity. Don't let your outward circumstances deceive you into thinking that God doesn't care. Sometimes, we need to undergo trials in our life to walk out the destiny that God has for us. Would Joseph have made a good king had he not undergone hardship? The trying of our faith produces patience(James 1:3). Life may not be easy sometimes, but God is with you, through it all.

This was unexpected. I only intended to blog about my class trip on Thursday. Hopefully somebody will be blessed by this truth. God bless!

Abba, You love me.
7:47 PM

Monday, October 5, 2009

'Tis the first of many exam days. I call them blessed in Jesus's name!

Did you know that when you cast all of your cares to the Lord, you will unstopper His grace in your life?

I'm not asking you to be full of cares. Neither am I asking you to care nothing about what your life is like. Instead, just be care-free!

Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous fall. (Psalm 55:22)

Do you know what is the best way to cast your cares onto God? Why, by praise, of course! Think about it. Can you listen to your teacher if you are thinking about what to eat for lunch later? Can you pay attention to two things at once? Similarly, you will cease caring about all your burdens when you shape them into prayers using praise! But don't trust any spiritual advice unless it is rooted in Scripture. So here's Philippians 4:6-7 from The Message Bible:

Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.

Have a blessed week ahead!

Judah

Abba, You love me.
6:45 PM