These days I have been re-reading my blog last year during my chemotherapy. There are also lots of additional reminders from devotions, sermons, bible study, etc. I noted that the Lord’s spiritual blessings during the treatment time were amazingly rich. Just as I began to doubt whether my walk with the Lord was as close as my “retreat time” last year, the Lord showed me His presence is just as wonderful and He has continued to work in my life. Praise Him!
Psalm 138:8 is a verse that has touched me deeply last year. Today it is just as refreshing! Here are 4 differnt translations:
NIV: The Lord will fulfill [his purpose] for me; your love, O Lord, endures forever —
do not abandon the works of your hands.
NASU: The Lord will accomplish what concerns me; Your lovingkindness, O Lord, is everlasting; Do not forsake the works of Your hands.
New Living Translation: The Lord will work out his plans for my life for your faithful love, O Lord, endures forever. Don't abandon me, for you made me.
NKJV
The Lord will perfect that which concerns me; Your mercy, O Lord, endures forever; Do not forsake the works of Your hands.
Isn't this a wonderful promise?! Today my prayer is that He will perfect my love for Him and for others. I am totally helpless regarding that. Our "love" is so entangled with our own unconscious desires, our self-seeking motives and our sins & pathologies that it cannot be pure. Only God can perfect that which concerns me. He will not forsake me. He will accomplish!
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
May 4th Celebrating an anniversary
The semester is almost over (currently it is exam and paper grading time) and I am much more relaxed now. Thus the irrational jealous feelings and negative thoughts somewhat subsided. It reminds me how stress is not only bad for our bodies, but also potentially bad for our souls as well. Nevertheless it is an opportunity for us to face who we are, our sinful nature and our frailty.
The only path to combat jealous feelings, negative thoughts and ultimately sin is to rely on the Lord and surrender to His sovereignty over us. When we actively yearn for the Lord’s love, He will become the only desire of our heart. When we seek His love for others, He will fill us with His love and there will be little room for jealousy and selfishness. When we are actively engaging in good deeds, we will be too busy to do bad things. It may not be easy though. It reminds me that in order to be a cheerful helper – the source of cheerfulness must be from Him.
Today was an anniversary too – last year May 4th I had my first chemotherapy shot. Today I paused to remember the Lord’s goodness; how He had carried me through and taught me to trust in Him.
Someone I knew died of a heart attack at 55. It is sad. He has so much more to contribute to the profession as well as to the church. I wondered again how many more years I would have. The Lord has His timing. Once more I commit my life in his hands. May he help me live each day for His sake and in His love!
The only path to combat jealous feelings, negative thoughts and ultimately sin is to rely on the Lord and surrender to His sovereignty over us. When we actively yearn for the Lord’s love, He will become the only desire of our heart. When we seek His love for others, He will fill us with His love and there will be little room for jealousy and selfishness. When we are actively engaging in good deeds, we will be too busy to do bad things. It may not be easy though. It reminds me that in order to be a cheerful helper – the source of cheerfulness must be from Him.
Today was an anniversary too – last year May 4th I had my first chemotherapy shot. Today I paused to remember the Lord’s goodness; how He had carried me through and taught me to trust in Him.
Someone I knew died of a heart attack at 55. It is sad. He has so much more to contribute to the profession as well as to the church. I wondered again how many more years I would have. The Lord has His timing. Once more I commit my life in his hands. May he help me live each day for His sake and in His love!
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