February 9 - 新年进步

[VicHetrot]

腓立比书 3：16

然而，我们到了什么地步，就当照着什么地步行。

民数记 14:24

惟独我的仆人迦勒，因他另有一个心志，专一跟从我，我就把他领进他所去过的那地；他的后裔也必得那地为业。

人生的一生中，最光辉的并非功成名就的那一天，
而是从绝望中产生对人生挑战与勇敢而迈向成功信念的那一天。
----福楼拜----
~进步是今天的活动、明天的保证。~

Philippians 3:16

Only let us live up to what we have already attained.

Numbers 14:24

But because my servant Caleb has a different spirit and follows me wholeheartedly, I will bring him into the land he went to, and his descendants will inherit it.

In the life of a man, the most magnificent day is not when he accomplished,
but the day when he produced the faith of success towards life's challenges and courage to take a new step from despair.
----Flaubert----
~Progress is today's event, tomorrow's guarantees.~

[`char]

I read about Caleb's story sometime ago. He was a perfect role model for what Jesus called 'the greatest commandment'.

Matthew 22:36-38 (New International Version)
36"Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" 37Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.'[a] 38This is the first and greatest commandment.

Wholeheartedly meant full-time, not only when convenient, popular or safe.

Also, Caleb was noted for having a 'different spirit'. We must be strengthened by a different spirit - the spirit of God in us.

Philippians 4:13 (New International Version)
13I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

Romans 8:12-13 (New International Version)
12Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation—but it is not to the sinful nature, to live according to it. 13For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live,

Ephesians 3:16 (New International Version)
16I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being,

Ephesians 6:10-13 (New International Version)
10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. 12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.

So many verses talked about the spirit of God in us, not outside of us! Surely it can be done such that we'll live a useful and fulfilling life like Caleb's.

[TanYuanShengVictor]

WE must follow Jesus willingly and also have a spirit to serve him and do whatever he want us to do !

We also must strengthen every part of our body to work for GOD and must hav change in our spirit
In our daily life we do different kinds of thing sometime good or sometime even do some bad things but
we must pray to GOD about the problem

A successful person is not what we do everyday

But to trust in GOD and also believe him and also to do things with always putting
GOD as number 1
Let GOD be number 1 in all of our heart and love him wholeheartedly
HE love us so much so we must also love him as much as he love us

[VicHetrot]

Lord, I pray that I could truly take a step away from despair with the courage and confidence that You give...to face my life's challenges... Amen.

[yehosaphat]

Caleb not only follows the Lord wholeheartedly, he also sees the Lord differently. When the group of recce team went to check out Canaan, the promised land, the rest of the recce team saw the people there were of great sizes while they are like grasshoppers. Whereas, Joshua and Caleb saw God being even GREATER than the people of great sizes, and not only that, Caleb took a step further, silenced the people before Moses, and said: "We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it!" Is that great faith or what?!

Again this brings me back to our preparation for the mission trip. This is the first time we are preparing for 2 mission trips concurrently AND trying out new things like new dances and the hand mime! Shall we say we can't do it one la, no time, so difficult, its impossible la... OR shall we declare we should go up and take possession of the land (not literally la), for we can certainly do it!!

Like the last quote mentioned: I believe at the end of the day, our magnificence is not what we have or will accomplish IN the mission trip, but BEFORE the trip while we prepare with faith that we will overcome all challenges and experience His providence and grace!

[chengling]

Only let us live up to what we have already attained.

Sometimes I am so appreciative of all the titles that God gives.
He is so willing to be so close to Him that He don't mind being friends with us -.-
Think about it, you have a friend - God. *swallow*

And the above verse, 'live up to what we have already attained' reminds me to act like my title.
If I'm God's child, I should act like one, even in busy or irritable times.
If I'm God's friend, I should let Him know my thoughts, talk to Him and keep Him close.
It's not difficult when we're in good-spiritual times when you enjoy every sec with Him.
However, it gets tough when we just want to put Him aside for a time being, so to achieve own desires.
Because there are times when God is 'not around' we can numb our conscience abit...

But ofcourse, "... have already attained" tells us otherwise.
That we cannot jump from this LIFE to another LIFE.
Whatever grace and mercy and love we received from Him will follow us throughout our lives!
And we have to live it up.

Dear Lord,
Help me to live a life that reflects what I've attained.
Give me courage to do things right.
Amen.

新年进步!

[chengling]

Amen with Sam's sharing!

[Malcom]

Dear God, help me live up to what i have already attained.. the status of being your child.. God teach me how to be my caleb who has a different spirit because he's spirit is a wholehearted one who seeks you earnestly, and You have blessed him greatly.. Let me learn not to be short sighted to always look at things which do not last, but rather set my eyes on the eternal life that you offer.. thank you lord.. Amen

[suya]

focus on God and there will always be progress!
focus on God and the path that is walked on will not be wrong!
because God will lead in front all the way and assist!

[Isaac LongXiang]

Yes Sam.
I believe that God let us see the vision of having 2 mission trip not just for us to vision it,
we should make use of what we have to the fullest and leave the rest to God.

Its the same goes to any other things, like my work.
Many people are treating me very differently from the others,
so i just do my job, follow their instructions and leave the rest to God.
I have been telling myself to give thank's to God as everyday run smoothly.

Thank You Lord that I'm in Your plans,
may Your wills be done. =D
Amen!

Matt 6:
31 所以不要忧虑，说：『我们该吃甚么？喝甚么？穿甚么？』
　 So do not worry, saying, `What shall we eat?' or `What shall we drink?' or `What shall we wear?'
32 这些都是教外人所寻求的，你们的天父原知道你们需要这一切。
　 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.
33 你们要先求他的国和他的义，这一切都必加给你们。
　 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
34 所以不要为明天忧虑，因为明天自有明天的忧虑，一天的难处一天当就够了。
　 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

[suzannaho]

I believe that Caleb’s exemplary life shows us how to love GOD, as Jesus said “If you love me, you will obey my commandments” (John 14:15). It also shows us how to stand against all odds, and believe GOD’s Promises to us. These Promises though they may delay, are never late- if we hold fast to the words spoken over us, and those intimate words spoken to our hearts… always trusting in our LORD’s faithfulness.

Dear God, I pray that I'll produce the faith of success towards life's challenges and have the courage to take on a new step from despair, Amen!