When you go, you will be nourishment to the land and the ppl there. You're like the grass, the water and the gardener. You will bring new grass to the land.. and where there's one grass, it spreads very fast. You water it and it will grow bringing new life to the land.
I see a fountain of water and fresh grass growing and reproducing and soon the land is a whole green garden.
So your role/you will be this nourishment. Bringing in new life a fresh new living water.
Monday, May 19, 2008
Psalm 23 pt 4
Psa 23:4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
I have been thinking about this verse for quite some time. And since I can't sleep tongiht, I thought I start typing.
I like this verse very much. :) I know I seem to say that of every verse I write on. And it's true, I'm actually learning new things every time I start thinking of the verse and God seem to reveal things to me.
For this verse, I felt that the emphasis for me to write on is 'even though'. Even though what? What is even though? I keep asking myself. After some thought.... I figured even though is even though!
Even though, I, the BIG I walk through the.... Contrast to the previous verse, this verse speaks of ME walking. No longer God, the shepherd is leading, but I am walking. See what happens when we start walking our own ways? We tend to end up in the valley of the shadow of death.
Also I felt that this 'even though' is for those moment when we choose the path where we sincerely thought it was a right choice. It also includes those moment when we know it's the wrong choice but decide to go with it anyway... and go 'what was I thinking back then!' months later and regret. Either way, we shall fear no evil because the Lord watches over us with his rod and staff.
Remember also that the rod and staff of the shepherd was not meant to hit the sheep
but to keep the wolves away.
In the NT, there's a verse that also say that ALL things were worked together for our good, those who love Him. ALL things I guess includes the bad ones. Hmm... I wonder if this also fit into this verse?
Either way, even though I walk through some bad paths, I will fear no evil because God takes care of me. David calls these paths - SHADOW of the valley of death. It's not the real thing, it's just the shadow. David, who has gone through many battles and wars know a thing or two of death and he says it's just the shadow. God protects him then just as he does now to us.
I have been thinking about this verse for quite some time. And since I can't sleep tongiht, I thought I start typing.
I like this verse very much. :) I know I seem to say that of every verse I write on. And it's true, I'm actually learning new things every time I start thinking of the verse and God seem to reveal things to me.
For this verse, I felt that the emphasis for me to write on is 'even though'. Even though what? What is even though? I keep asking myself. After some thought.... I figured even though is even though!
Even though, I, the BIG I walk through the.... Contrast to the previous verse, this verse speaks of ME walking. No longer God, the shepherd is leading, but I am walking. See what happens when we start walking our own ways? We tend to end up in the valley of the shadow of death.
Also I felt that this 'even though' is for those moment when we choose the path where we sincerely thought it was a right choice. It also includes those moment when we know it's the wrong choice but decide to go with it anyway... and go 'what was I thinking back then!' months later and regret. Either way, we shall fear no evil because the Lord watches over us with his rod and staff.
Remember also that the rod and staff of the shepherd was not meant to hit the sheep
but to keep the wolves away.
In the NT, there's a verse that also say that ALL things were worked together for our good, those who love Him. ALL things I guess includes the bad ones. Hmm... I wonder if this also fit into this verse?
Either way, even though I walk through some bad paths, I will fear no evil because God takes care of me. David calls these paths - SHADOW of the valley of death. It's not the real thing, it's just the shadow. David, who has gone through many battles and wars know a thing or two of death and he says it's just the shadow. God protects him then just as he does now to us.
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Psalm 23 pt 3
Psa 23:3 He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
I wanted to write about this verse for quite some time. I think God revealed something new to me :).
Firstly, He restores my soul. He and me, we're are good buddies :) Such a personal God. Restores speaks of well, restoration. Soul here refers to our soul, our being. So (I think) He restores us - in our mind, in our will, our bodies and implies 'spirituality'. I think many of us see it that way too. He restores it all.
He can leads us to paths of righteousness BECAUSE of his name's sake. Actually most time I see 'FOR' in the bible, substitute it with 'BECAUSE" so that you can find out because of what to know the context.
Again, He leads. We follow. As a sheep we just relax and follow. I don't remember herding sheep with whips.
.. Because of his name's sake. It is really God's pleasure to lead us righteousness and He does it gracefully - literally. At least I think it's much more graceful in shepherding sheep as opposed to buffalos or cows? But then I have never shepherd... just watch TV only and learn only :P
Anyway, what I notice is this: (and I think God reveal this to me)
Did you realiase that the Psalm speak of 'material' want first before 'soul'? First God lead us to 'no wants', food, water, place to rest, then only come 'soul'. It seems that God IS interested in our physical needs. He wants us to be well taken care off! Once that is taken care of, He comes to restore our soul.
Isn't it wonderful to know that God really want us to 'rested'?
It comes quite directly opposite of what I thought I hear about 'set your life up right first... only THEN God will bless you'.
This is the gem I learnt last week. God, like a shepherd takes care of our makan, our living first before He starts talking about our 'spiritualility'. I think, I believe once we have tasted His goodness and live in His restedness - we are already spiritual. That's the relationship of a Father and son.
I wanted to write about this verse for quite some time. I think God revealed something new to me :).
Firstly, He restores my soul. He and me, we're are good buddies :) Such a personal God. Restores speaks of well, restoration. Soul here refers to our soul, our being. So (I think) He restores us - in our mind, in our will, our bodies and implies 'spirituality'. I think many of us see it that way too. He restores it all.
He can leads us to paths of righteousness BECAUSE of his name's sake. Actually most time I see 'FOR' in the bible, substitute it with 'BECAUSE" so that you can find out because of what to know the context.
Again, He leads. We follow. As a sheep we just relax and follow. I don't remember herding sheep with whips.
.. Because of his name's sake. It is really God's pleasure to lead us righteousness and He does it gracefully - literally. At least I think it's much more graceful in shepherding sheep as opposed to buffalos or cows? But then I have never shepherd... just watch TV only and learn only :P
Anyway, what I notice is this: (and I think God reveal this to me)
Did you realiase that the Psalm speak of 'material' want first before 'soul'? First God lead us to 'no wants', food, water, place to rest, then only come 'soul'. It seems that God IS interested in our physical needs. He wants us to be well taken care off! Once that is taken care of, He comes to restore our soul.
Isn't it wonderful to know that God really want us to 'rested'?
It comes quite directly opposite of what I thought I hear about 'set your life up right first... only THEN God will bless you'.
This is the gem I learnt last week. God, like a shepherd takes care of our makan, our living first before He starts talking about our 'spiritualility'. I think, I believe once we have tasted His goodness and live in His restedness - we are already spiritual. That's the relationship of a Father and son.
Tuesday, May 06, 2008
Psalm 23 pt 2
I'm a bit busy this week, so post will come a bit slower.
He leads me beside still waters.
He LEADS speaks of God leading us. I'd imagine a sherperd guiding, watching over them. Oh, btw, in ancient Israel, they don't use 'sheep dog' to do th herding. So no barking at you my friends, just leading, guiding.
He leads ME. ME speaks personally about - me. Me speaks about a personal god who looks at us individually, so that at times of need, I can be sure that he'll be leading me. Sometimes I think that God looks only at the big picture. You know, He wants the church to do this and that.. He wants the nation to be this and that... I'm comforted to know that He also guides me - this tiny person on earth. He speaks to me to guide me, personally. That's like the world's wisest, smartest man being my advisor, counsellor.
And He guides me where? beside still waters.
Still water here don't mean stale water. In hebrew (I think) it says peaceful waters like shallow gentle flowing streams. It speaks of peace, rest, ease.
So the whole sentence says: The Lord, who is my God, speaks to me and guide me, to rest and peace and ease.
I like this verse a lot. Because sometimes when I pray I don't get a 'direct answer' - like a lightning or a thunder you know? But what I do get is this 'life and peace'. I just know that God will be with me if I follow down this part and there's this joy and there's this peace - this 'at ease-ness'. It doesn't mean that the path is 'easy' in the conventional sense but it does feels right- peaceful. I try to follow it because I believe my sheperd is guiding me to quiet waters, even when I'm looking for a parking or when I'm playing dota or when I'm doing business (I've turned down many 'good' deals this way and found them to be the right choice months later).
So friends, when you pray for direction or confirmation, sometimes it is okay not to get a 'sign'. Just go with that PEACE that goes beyong ALL understanding. He's closer than you think!
He leads me beside still waters.
He LEADS speaks of God leading us. I'd imagine a sherperd guiding, watching over them. Oh, btw, in ancient Israel, they don't use 'sheep dog' to do th herding. So no barking at you my friends, just leading, guiding.
He leads ME. ME speaks personally about - me. Me speaks about a personal god who looks at us individually, so that at times of need, I can be sure that he'll be leading me. Sometimes I think that God looks only at the big picture. You know, He wants the church to do this and that.. He wants the nation to be this and that... I'm comforted to know that He also guides me - this tiny person on earth. He speaks to me to guide me, personally. That's like the world's wisest, smartest man being my advisor, counsellor.
And He guides me where? beside still waters.
Still water here don't mean stale water. In hebrew (I think) it says peaceful waters like shallow gentle flowing streams. It speaks of peace, rest, ease.
So the whole sentence says: The Lord, who is my God, speaks to me and guide me, to rest and peace and ease.
I like this verse a lot. Because sometimes when I pray I don't get a 'direct answer' - like a lightning or a thunder you know? But what I do get is this 'life and peace'. I just know that God will be with me if I follow down this part and there's this joy and there's this peace - this 'at ease-ness'. It doesn't mean that the path is 'easy' in the conventional sense but it does feels right- peaceful. I try to follow it because I believe my sheperd is guiding me to quiet waters, even when I'm looking for a parking or when I'm playing dota or when I'm doing business (I've turned down many 'good' deals this way and found them to be the right choice months later).
So friends, when you pray for direction or confirmation, sometimes it is okay not to get a 'sign'. Just go with that PEACE that goes beyong ALL understanding. He's closer than you think!
Thursday, May 01, 2008
Psalm 23
Psa 23:1 A Psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
Psa 23:2 He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.
Psa 23:3 He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
Psa 23:4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
Psa 23:5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Psa 23:6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
I was talking to a mei-mei today and we came to the topic of Psalm 23. Being the super cheong hei, long windededme... I decided to share with her what I learn from it. Much of it I learn from Pastor Prince. Seriously, if he isn't a preacher, he should be a teacher.
So Psalm 23 starts off as:
The Lord is my sheperd.
The Lord - the only one Lord. Who is He? The one mighty and loving :)
The Lord IS. Present tense. Which means that the Lord is, currently my - a personal - sheperd. He's not just any sheperd but by MY sheperd. Now why sheperd? Why compare the Lord as a sheperd. I think firstly because sheeps are dumb and in this case, we're the sheep. And it's good to be sheep with a good sheperd because the good sheperd knows our name, goes before us and He takes care of us. It's the image of Him taking care of us - despite what I do because He's my sheperd. I read that sheeps are really quite dumb and that the sheperd takes care of every aspect of thier lives - this is true of our Lord as well and what I believe David to be saying.
Wow all those words just for one sentence!
Wife also adds that the reason why we are called 'sheeps' is because sheep are obedient as compared to goats who needs to be prodded.
I shall not be in want.
Shall - confirmed in the future. Not be in want. Why want? Why not need? Why not hunger? Want is want.
It speaks of abundance. Not just 'ngam ngam ho', it's shall not want.
So that's an introduction of the Lord for us - a sheperd that takes care us who gives us more than enough.
He MAKES me lie down in green pastures.
Emphasis is mine. and MAKES really speak of God MAKING us lie down. He wants us to rest and to rest in green pastures. For a sheep, green pastures is a lot of food... imagine if you're a sheep and the green pastures roll horizon to horizon. How much food is there!!! and He MAKES us lie down, to rest on His abundant supply. Ahh.... I see myself rolling on the green grass - a bit like the bollywood scene kekeke...
eh, btw, today's 'labour day' so I'm stopping here :) I need a holi-holi day.
Psa 23:2 He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.
Psa 23:3 He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
Psa 23:4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
Psa 23:5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Psa 23:6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
I was talking to a mei-mei today and we came to the topic of Psalm 23. Being the super cheong hei, long windededme... I decided to share with her what I learn from it. Much of it I learn from Pastor Prince. Seriously, if he isn't a preacher, he should be a teacher.
So Psalm 23 starts off as:
The Lord is my sheperd.
The Lord - the only one Lord. Who is He? The one mighty and loving :)
The Lord IS. Present tense. Which means that the Lord is, currently my - a personal - sheperd. He's not just any sheperd but by MY sheperd. Now why sheperd? Why compare the Lord as a sheperd. I think firstly because sheeps are dumb and in this case, we're the sheep. And it's good to be sheep with a good sheperd because the good sheperd knows our name, goes before us and He takes care of us. It's the image of Him taking care of us - despite what I do because He's my sheperd. I read that sheeps are really quite dumb and that the sheperd takes care of every aspect of thier lives - this is true of our Lord as well and what I believe David to be saying.
Wow all those words just for one sentence!
Wife also adds that the reason why we are called 'sheeps' is because sheep are obedient as compared to goats who needs to be prodded.
I shall not be in want.
Shall - confirmed in the future. Not be in want. Why want? Why not need? Why not hunger? Want is want.
It speaks of abundance. Not just 'ngam ngam ho', it's shall not want.
So that's an introduction of the Lord for us - a sheperd that takes care us who gives us more than enough.
He MAKES me lie down in green pastures.
Emphasis is mine. and MAKES really speak of God MAKING us lie down. He wants us to rest and to rest in green pastures. For a sheep, green pastures is a lot of food... imagine if you're a sheep and the green pastures roll horizon to horizon. How much food is there!!! and He MAKES us lie down, to rest on His abundant supply. Ahh.... I see myself rolling on the green grass - a bit like the bollywood scene kekeke...
eh, btw, today's 'labour day' so I'm stopping here :) I need a holi-holi day.
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