Talking too much...

I feel that I'm talking to much, and not practicing the art of listening as much as I should be...
God speaks in a still small voice for the most part...So I'm going to try and listen more and talk less...

Holiness vs Happiness

I heard a sermon today and he said something that really got me thinking again...
He mentioned a pastor officiating a wedding ceremony saying to the couple:
"Marriage is more about holiness than it is about happiness"!! I was like wow!!
Well I can't apply this principle because I'm not married, in fact I'm single..

But I can apply this principle..

I need to be more focused about being who God wants me to be, and what he wants me to do, and what he expects of me as his child and as a believer, so that I can be a channel of transformation wherever I am.

And as I pursue holiness, I will be happy...

-amen-

Matters and Attitudes of the heart....

Just came back from a B/S...it was very enriching and good for the soul. So I'm just going to write this blog in the form of a prayer, instead of words..

Lord, changed my heart. Though sometimes I am disappointed in You, Lord heal my heart, and heal my disappointed. Pour over me, Your hope and joy. Help to apply these truths in my life..

Lord help to me to listen, and turn to you for you will heal me when I do that, according to:
Matthew 13: 15 - For this people's heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them.

Help me to...ask..and wait for your timing to receive...
Luke 11: 9 - Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.

Help me not to worry but be like..

Mark 4: 18-19 - Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word; but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful.

Help me to bring all my cares to you...

Philippians 4:6-7 - Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Grant me a heart that is submissive to you..so that I can bear fruit just like what it says in:

Matthew 13:23 - But the one who received the seed that fell on good soil is the man who hears the word and understands it. He produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.

-Amen-

Intercession....Mission trip??....

Some time ago.....

I felt the need to pray for others. I realized how important it is to pray for different people, and situations that my friends, family, church and world are facing.
So I have set one day per week to pray for different things that I felt that I should pray for. The prayers of a righteous man are powerful and effective: verse found in the book of James. There is after all an unseen battle that we just can't see. It is important to be consistent and passionate about prayer even though we can't see the results or the effectiveness of it.

In other news....

I've been trying to look into possible mission trips this spring/summer. I just have a desire to serve and to see and meet different people. One of the things that I do cherish the most is when I meet and fellowship with different believers from a different ethnic background. That is always a great joy for me! I've been looking at going with habitat for humanity and serving in a South American country to build a house for a family. I've been learning about holistic ministry, and how mind, body, soul are all very connected. What a good way to serve God by providing for the basic needs for others, and then providing for their spiritual needs. So I'm looking into it, and possible dates and I hope to confirm it soon, by the grace and will of God.

-Joshy-

The Father's love....

Father God says to His children.....

"The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save.
He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love,
he will rejoice over you with singing."
-Zephaniah 3:17 -

A response song from his child.....

I'll worship at Your throne, whisper my own love song
With all my heart I'll sing, for You my Dad and King
I'll live for all my days, to put a smile on Your face
And when we finally meet, it'll be for eternity

How wide You open wide Your arms
When I need Your love
And how far You would come
If ever I was lost, and You said that all
You feel for me, is undying love,
That you showed me through the cross

I'll worship You my God, I'll worship You my God
I love You, I love You, forever I will sing, forever I will
be with You, be with You...
-Marty Sampson-

-Joshy-

Making these words my own.....

Reading from Psalm 4: 3-8

Know that the LORD has set apart the godly for himself;
the LORD will hear when I call to him.
In your anger do not sin;
when you are on your beds, search your hearts and be silent.
Offer right sacrifices and trust in the LORD.
Many are asking, "Who can show us any good?"
Let the light of your face shine upon us, O LORD.
You have filled my heart with greater joy
than when their grain and new wine abound.
I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.

I've been reading this today..just as a personal devotion and prayer. I would just like to take hold of a few words, and carry it with me wherever I go..

-the LORD has set apart the godly for himself and the LORD will hear when I call to him.
-when you are on your beds, search your hearts and be silent.
-Offer right sacrifices and trust in the LORD.
-Let the light of your face shine upon us, O LORD. You have filled my heart with greater joy
than when their grain and new wine abound. I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.

What really matters the most....

Sometimes when we are around people, you see that they have habits and traits that tend to annoy and really bother you. This happened at work the other day. Certain people just started to bother me, and I do admit that I was grumbling and angry in my heart towards them. I was then reminded about what love is...

Sometimes we think that doing good things for others is love, like doing some good deed for another person or giving your money away to someone in need. That could possibly be love. But I was reminded that it ought to go deeper than that. Love ought to come from the heart and not just an outward action.

I was reminded of a few verses.....

1 Corinthians 13: 1-7

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Matthew 9: 35-36

Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.

These two verses remind me that love is much more than just actions, it's an emotional, attitude, heart issue as well. What a challenge and a reminder from God, what love is really all about. It always is more than the surface, but about the heart, and how we see and think about people internally as well.

So God change my heart...I want to truly love like you love, and to see people the way you see people.

-Joshy-

3 really amazing incidences...

Every day at work, I go down to the coffee shop and order a bagel and a coffee. The guy at the cash has always been friendly to me and all of his customers. Recently, we've had some better conversations about different things such as what we are doing in the weekend, how's everything, how's work, religion...

Recently, with all of the talk about the Islamic cartoon, and how it stirred violence and anger across the Islamic world, we just started talking a little bit about religion. He mentioned to me that he is Muslim, and believes that Jesus was only a prophet, just one of many prophets mentioned in the bible..nothing significant really about him at all. He mentioned how he respected all faiths, and gave me the impression that all faiths lead to heaven. In response, I just let him know that I believed in Jesus Christ, and really believed that He is the only way to heaven, and salvation. I mentioned to him that I believe that there is such a thing as "absolute truth" and that it is only found in Christ. I challenged him by asking him if he would be willing to stake his life and soul, such that when he dies and looks back, would he realize that he was wrong all along, and it was too late?....I just left that question with him that day...I haven't followed up with him, but I will pray for him...

Also...

The other day at lunch, I just had a massive craving for a Hot Dog..I was walking around Downtown and was really really disappointed that I didn't find any stands. I must have walked a few blocks and taken about 30 minutes doing that. Then I realized that Union Station would have hot dogs! I finally got there, bought the hot dog, went inside, sat and ate my dog. Some guy just started talking to me. He was an old man, who was visiting Toronto from a town near Ottawa. He came to see the Canadian Opera that night, and was scheduled to leave the next day. We ended up having a nice conversation, and he just let me know that he really appreciated that I talked to him.

On friday at Out of the cold....

My small group was scheduled to cook and serve the homeless at a church downtown. I arrived and started to help out as much as I could. Then I just started making rounds to try and talk to people. Nobody really seemed to be in the mood for talk. But later, I sat near this man, and we just started talking about life and everything. He mentioned to me that he was going through a rough time in his life. He also shared about his life and the trials that he has gone through, throughout his life. He really has gone through some difficult times. While listening, I just was praying for God to give me some words to say to him. He shared a specific incident with me, and really was not optimistic about it. I just tried to let him know that God would not fail him, and will provide all of his needs. I shared with him that I didn't have all the answers, and that there aren't always guarantees, but I let him know that God will take care of him and will provide a miracle...
So I've been praying for him too..

Through these 3 incidents, I've realized that it is so important to build relationships with others in order to reach out to them. God confirmed to me that one of my gifts, is just simply to talk and listen to people. I really did that! And I trust that he was using me! and he will still use me. I also realized that sometimes, people just need the company, and just need to talk and to feel like someone is listening to them. That's one of the ways to show God's love...
Thank you for using me...and continue to use me..

A very strong desire!!.....

A strong desire for marriage...but being single isn't necessarily a bad thing, God keeps telling me to wait and to "seek His Kingdom and His righteousness." So I'm doing that!


-Joshy-

Reality of a fallen world...

I really enjoy reading and watching in their various forms through the newspapers, internet, radio and television. Every day I read about a fallen world. From the war in Iraq, to terrorism, to North Korea, to Iran and the Middle East, and to Canada. News about deadly viruses that will spread around the world as well as the effects of global warming.

Recently we read about how a cartoon depicting Muhammad in a negative or poor light, which caused uproar and violence across the Middle East causing death, and destruction. I look at that incident and think to myself, "How many times has my Jesus been depicted in a negative light?" or "how many times have I heard the name "Jesus" spoken in a vain, or casual way?" and yet Christians don't hurt anybody for that, do way?? Or even better, the sacredness of marriage is being changed to accomodate same sex couples, or the legality of abortion, wow! I think that's even worst!, maybe Christians should be up in arms!!?? But I don't think we are taught to do those things, rather we are taught to set a high standard of moral excellence for people to follow. Whether it be, having great marriages and families, being good parents, and being productive members of society. We are taught the value of living for God in holiness, obedience, and loving our neighbours as ourselves.

Aids and famine in Africa, the depletion of moral values, sex and violence in the media, the negative influence of money, and gun crime are plaguing my city and world.

I see the world, and I see a lost and hopeless people, who need a saviour. Who need Jesus. They need healing, mercy, and compassion.

So this is my prayer:

God, send out your church, help your church to be the light and salt of the world, to go and reach out with Your love and gospel. Help your church, to live pure lives, lives that reflect what a Christian ought to be.

Help me! show me how I can make a difference in every way: family, church, friends, city, country and world. Use me Lord! Renew, or give me any vision that I ought to be pursuing.
I'm going to keep praying, and living for You!

-Amen-

Journey thru Proverbs

I've been reading the book of Proverbs. It's so meaningful to me, really teaches me how to live, how to think, and how to look at things better. I've just started it recently, and I'm learning how important "wisdom" is. It's like a treasure, something to search for and obtain. There's a lot of information in there, so I'm trying to take it in little by little, applying it day by day. Proverbs 3: 1-6 "My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life many years and bring you prosperity. Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." What straightforward wisdom, how clear can it be!! I've reflected upon these truths, and interpreted it into my own language. - Treasure God's word by remembering it, and applying it into your life, and it will bring me long life. - May God's love be in my life, towards Him and others, and may I be a trustworthy, faithful, dependable person, then favor will come to me from God and man. - Don't worry about anything, trust in Him, do what He wants me to do and trusts that God will take care of the outcome. Maintain, strengthen, walk with the Lord every day, in relationship and obedience.