Stop! Think!
Before I begin waffling (as you know I do), I just wanted to say thank you to those who were praying for this weekend. The meeting in Birmingham went well and I managed to navigate my dad (or rather God lead us there) in good time without me falling asleep... or at least not long enough to get us lost.
I realise that it is now a bit late to make this count as a Sunday blog but seeing that it is still technically a Sunday from over here, I'm sure you'll bear with me. I was actually considering on our car journey back today what it was that I would like to say in this little contribution. I was thinking back to Friday's discussion (Since, this blog is actually mostly for the purposes of my OCF group- for those reading this on my own blog or somewhere in this crazy world wide web thing), and pondering about things that were said as well as UNSAID. It occurred to me that a lot of times we like to share our struggles with each other mostly that of our Christian walk as well as our very busy schedule of studying, travelling, eating, etc. As much as I think it is important for us to share our intimate struggles with each other so that we can HELP each other overcome those struggles, I think it is also important that we share our victories with each other so that we can celebrate God's faithfulness, mercy and love TOGETHER as well!
I don't want to be rude in saying this or anything but I get quite embarrassed when I realise that I'm the only person talking. I know Jonathan may talk more but he's the leader so it's kind of his "job" to initiate the discussions, if you can call it that. The thing is, we don't really seem to discuss much about the word and it's daily applications in our own lives. I've noticed this about myself. I tend to share about my failings as a Christian and how weak I am. I AM weak and of course we all know our common struggles but what about victories? Shouldn't we ALL be in the Victorious Christian group? You know that song?: "I will not boast in anything, no gifts,... no wisdom, but I will boast in Jesus Christ, His death and resurrection." Let us not dwell on our weaknesses for God has forgiven and forgotten them but let us strive "towards that goal" and yield to His spirit who makes ALL things possible for Him and His glory.
After talking to a couple of you, I really wish I could go more in depth about more specific areas of the Christian life where we ought to be victorious. I remember my dad saying, "In order to live victoriously, we must go through battles" and it does coincide with our last topic on faith that we should ' count it ALL joy' when our faith is tested. (John 1:3) I really believe it is important for ALL of us to really know the basics of living as a Christian is we want to have deep roots as our theme of OCF for this semester seems to imply. How are we to grow if we don't understand? I, of course, do NOT claim to know everything or even the slightest bit of anything but that's the beauty of having this Bible discussion- TO DISCUSS and conclude truths based on the WORD, which we are given. Here's a few questions that I thought you should at LEAST think through if you don't already have ANY idea of an answer. There is no ONE way to answer these but it's always good to put our minds on things so important to life as these. ( 2 Corinthians 10:5)What is prayer? What does it mean when I say I "BELIEVE" in prayer? What does it really mean to meditate on God's word? Why do we pray? Why do we read God's word? You may think that these questions are quite obvious and easily answerable but then, if we know why and we can SEE the necessity of applying this knowledge, then WHY oh WHY do we NOT do them and rob ourselves from the joys and simple pleasures we could actually get out of it? Why do rob ourselves of the JOY of being God's presence? Have we TRULY discovered who God is and experienced Him in such a life- transforming way? It doesn't matter if you were a total rebel or a church goer before you understood God's voice. 'If you truly have heard God's voice, there WILL be life- transformation". Of course, we humans FORGET God's voice and so we must DAILY and EVERY moment possible, be Communion with HIM to hear His voice and remain faithful to HIM! Maybe you have no idea what I'm talking about and this blog thing is getting long so I guess I can only end by saying I would LOVE to go into HUGE GREAT detail if you ask me or better YET, if YOU ASK GOD! You do realise He's just WAITING to talk to you and to tell you ALL these things and MORE beyond what I could even get into?! James 1:5-6 'If anyway lacks wisdom, let Him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in FAITH, without doubt, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.' If you're like me and are terribly at remembering verses or references, don't ever by shy to use a concordance or even the Internet- you always need to start somewhere.
Let us say, "Lord I believe, help my unbelief" and mean it. (Mark 9:24)
If you're reading this from the seaweed blog, and haven't already guessed who this is: it's Debbie Gan. Hope you all had a GREAT weekend and looking forward to our next little group talk.
