Jeremiah 20:7-10 - Telling God what we really think

Our generation is the first generation to be exposed to so many people, so many things and so many ideas at at young age due to technology. We really know how to act when we're around people, that's if we're not Otakus. The problem is that we know what to say, and what not to say, and we're always really appropriate.

We talk to God the same way. We tone it down, so much. Whatever happened to the raw emotions that people used to give through communication? I really want to include the good the bad and the ugly, as long as it's honest.

Jeremiah 13:1-11 - Rotten as old shorts

Ambiguous passage.

What is the "linen belt"? When it rotted, did it symbolise us putting God aside? Or did it symbolise our spiritual deterioration?

Our hearts are rotten. And God rebukes us.

I think I'm being rebuked... in my academic area of life...

Jeremiah 8:18-9:3 - A Time to Grieve

Not sure whether it's just coincidence or did You really plan it! But... right now it is a time of grief for our church. An aunty passed away this morning, and the fellowship that I'm part of is falling apart spiritually. It breaks my heart, and it has been like this since last year when nobody was willing to go to our prayer meeting.

There's division in the church, people who can't stand others and which in turn leads to falling attendance in events.

Why the heck is it happening?

Doesn't nobody care about why we go to church any more?

Jeremiah, this is probably nothing compared to what it was like for you... but still...

Jeremiah 1:5 - God's knowledge of us

I do believe that before I was born, God already had a plan for me.

I've been thinking a lot about whether there is point in what I'm doing... A commerce degree. But my passion is in youth ministry, not in numbers and the market, that's an interest not a passion. Lord, please tell me what You have designed my life to be like.

Today the speaker at church spoke about how He prayed for God to show him what he can do for him, and God led him to work with one of the poorest and most violent areas of Sydney. The organisation is called Urban Neighbours of Hope. It really struck me because I'm living in a sheltered bubble here, doing a commerce degree. There has to be more to life than this.

Jeremiah

Devotions on the book of Jeremiah

Jeremiah 1:5 - God's knowledge of us

Jeremiah 8:18-9:3 - A time to grieve

Jeremiah 13:1-11 - Rotten as old shorts

Jeremiah 20:7-10 - Telling God what we really think

Jeremiah 28:10-17 - Consequences that burn

Jeremiah 33:2-3 - I will answer you

Jeremiah 38:1-6 - Bad things happen to very good people

Jeremiah 51:1-5 - God's Deep Commitment

Isaiah 65:17-22 - Anticipating the Workings of God

Isaiah is a book full of promises, full of hope for His people - which includes me. The one reason why people look forward to the New Heavens and the New Earth is that there is something wrong with the world we live in now.

Why do infants die before their first steps?

Why do our work sometimes not bear fruit?

But when the new age comes, when Christ reigns, it will be all better. No more being as tired as I am now, no more toiling through uni with no results.

4 Sep 2009

A lot has happened lately. So many things to have to pray for specifically, and so much suffering around. It's scary.

Auntie went into hospital to have a brain surgery, which failed. She had half a stroke from the surgeon accidently cutting a vein and was in critical stages for 24hours. I visited when she was still unconcious, but I didn't stay long in the ward. I really can't stand hospitals. Aunty has since been discharged - all well and can even speak softly. The family has such strong faith, and is now using this as a testimony to glorify Your name.

Auntie came back from Germany for alternative cancer treatments. It's not looking good. Everyone's been visiting and keeping the kids company... It's so awesome. We sang to auntie today, it's such a beautiful song how could I have not noticed it before?

I'm so tired, sleep seems to be such a luxury. I'm living on mints because I don't believe in caffeine, and strong mint is 2nd best to do its job!

But through all this stuff, I know that You delight in me and that You look after me. Even when I'm so weak and tired and I can't do anything, You show me who's actually doing the work. When I go to work with my best game, I sell nothing. I go as a zombie, You sell for me. Thank You!

Isaiah 62:2-5 - Jesus Comes to You

God delights in me. So much that I'll get a brand new name bestowed by Him.

For most Asians, I find that they are extremely harsh on themselves. We’re like expected to do well in every aspect, and in particular, do well academically. I remember a girl who topped Computer Studies, but cried because she was expecting full marks, but accidently made a minor mistake. We put ourselves down so much.

But God gave us a new name and delights in us still.

Isaiah 61:1-11 - Rescue and Release

I find that I have problems reading passages like this one, whenever there's verses relating to calling etc, I always think that it only applies to the author. For example, v2 "He sent me to preach good news to the poor, heal the heartbroken", I read it in the perspective of Isaiah. But I've never considered that it could also apply to me.

I'm not someone who particularly cares about the poor or the heartbroken, in fact I'm leaning more towards being classified with the ignorant trait.

But ultimately, no matter what avenue of serving we're called to do, the goal is to tell people of the rescue plan. So in the end it's all the same, as long as we have joy in God not joy in the rewards from serving, then we'll never burn out.

Isaiah 54:4-10 - My love won't walk away

I went to a single sex school, an all girls' school. I've seen every possible episode of friendships breaking, mending, breaking, mending. Love back in the junior years was so insecure.

Here, our redeemer God is saying that He once turned His back on us, but only for a moment. From that moment on, (where the Israelites had a bad scene with God, again), we were able to enjoy the angerless God. He promised that His love won't walk away from us, and His covenant commitment of peace won't fall apart. And we are certain that it is impossible for God to lie, therefore we are the luckiest generation alive. Until Isaiah, we've seen two covenants, Noah's rainbow and this covenant here. So we'll never have the same flood that Noah's had, and we'll never have the same anger that the Israelites had. Are we not living the life or what?