Youth Impact embarked on the 'Fruit of the Spirit' (ref. Galatians 5:22-23) theme for the final quarter of the year.
Last Saturday was Peace.
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- Peace is NOT the absence of fear or troubles.
- Peace is not an emotion or a feeling. (Emotions/feelings word-alikes for the the word peace but does not even come close: quiet, sated, calm, tranquil…)
- The Hebrew translation for the word peace is shalom.
- Biblical peace is unrelated to circumstances; it is the GOODNESS of LIFE that is not touched by what happens on the outside.
- You may be in the midst of trial, and still have biblical peace.
- Paul wrote of his encounter when he was jailed in Philippi that he had “learned to be content in ANY circumstance” (Philippians 4:11)
2. Why Do We Need Peace in This Life?
- "Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful." (John 14:27)
- His peace is one that "transcends ALL understanding" shall "guard your hearts and minds in CHRIST JESUS" (Philippians 4:7) – The word guard in this verse does not come in a negative connotation, it is not to “watch” or to “keep imprisoned”. It has a military sense of meaning, to “stand at a post and guard against the aggression of an enemy”.
- When a Christian has peace on guard, he/she enters an assurance that nothing of this world can dislodge him, not the worries of today, or the cares of tomorrow.
- We need this peace to be able to witness to a restless world today. The world wants a peace that:
- Deals with the past
- Governs the present
- Holds promise for the future
And, no religion in the world or new age medicinal tactic can take care of ALL THREE aspects. Only JESUS can do that. Only HIS peace can deal with the past, govern the present and hold promise for the future.
3. How Can His Peace Change The World?
- “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts.” (Colossians 3:15)
- The Prince of Peace embed in our hearts His peace for us to be a representation of Him to our world: To be a peacemaker.
- Matthew 5:9 says, “Blessed are the PEACEMAKERS, for they shall be called sons (and daughters!) of God.”
- Saying sorry when you’re not in the wrong is NOT a sign of weakness. It is a conscious decision to be submitted to the will of GOD, instead of the will of self, OUR selves.
- Being a peacemaker involves HUMILITY, lots of it, in fact. But God is ever ready to BE strong where WE are WEAK – “God opposes the proud, but GIVES GRACE to the humble…” (James 4:6)
Yesterday
Today
You're unreserved when it comes to showing me how much you care for me (and for everyone else) and you are uninhibited when it comes to your love for me.
The past two days had been rough for me. I contracted food poisoning early Monday morning and my little angel catered to my every whimper and obliged my every request, without complain. She never left my side - she slept in my room, made her bed beside mine, just to make sure that someone would be around in case I got worse during the night.
Thank you for showing me that a love that is so pure, true and honest - not in the least bit watered down because of our difference in character or diluted by our occasional spars - exists... I am more than honoured to be loved by you.
When you came into my life 17 years ago, I knew that my life was irrevocably changed... for the better.
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Happy 17th Birthday, baby girl!
Love you more than all the stars in the sky,
Jie Jie
Watched the show when I was a child (LOVED it big time) and I've met my fair share of kids (belonging to friends, cousins, aunties and uncles) who held nothing back with nothing to lose (the cuteness factor... works every single time).
For instance, an incident which took place a couple of months back that still makes me chuckle to myself whenever I think of it.
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Location:
Fancy restaurant
People involved:
My 3 y.o cousin and my grand-aunt
Scene:
- My grand-aunt spilled her soup on the floor.
- The waiters from the restaurant hurried to her side and began wiping the little boo-boo.
- They missed a couple of spots, and my grand-aunt wasn't too happy about it (being the Type A cleanliness inspector that she is), so she began directing them on how. to. do. it. right.
While most of us were watching the scene (fascinated by everything that was taking place, and slightly embarrassed), little Evan (who sat across from my grand-aunt) was taking everything in and after the waiters were released from her stare, he looked up, scrutinised my grand-aunt disapprovingly and spoke the following sentence:
"You're a bossy woman, aren't you?"
His mother was horrified, the rest of us gaped for like 5 seconds and chortled silently, being very careful to keep our heads down.
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P/S: Don't judge, but... After the little guy was done with his meal, I cuddled him in my lap, planted extra kisses on his cheeks and whispered in his ears, "Good boy."
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Earlier today, while I was perusing the Internet.
... it's a good day.
"Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us."
Romans 5:5 (New King James Version)
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Hope sees in faith what the natural eye can't.
In the darkest of nights, lowest of valleys... when optimism fails and positivity runs out... when I can't carry on any more on my own... He swoops in - strong but tender - and reminds me that He is; He simply is and He does not disappoint.
This day and for the rest of my days, this is my life's song and my lip's confession: My hope is found in Jesus.
From my colleague, whose sister just returned from her R&R in Japan.
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Not only do I buy things because of their cuteness factor, I keep items for the same reason.
I am never gonna unwrap those adorable babies, for fear of disfiguring them.
Last Friday, my colleagues at CM invited me for a steamboat dinner-cum-sleepover at one of the service apartments in town.
I acquiesced to their dinner invitation, but politely declined the sleepover proposal (My bed and I are in a co-dependent relationship, remember?).
All of us...
That night, we had three tables that were covered with plates upon plates of food choices. All of us weren't big eaters so after one and a half rounds, we were floored... and completely guilty of being gluttons.
Naturally, the leftovers were saved up and today during lunch time, we had a second round of steamboat (fresh pot of homemade soup, of course) with the remainders.
Guess what I had (part of Friday night's surplus) after I downed two bowls of steaming soup?
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