Romans 5:10

"For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life." Romans 5:10 (NASB)

1. It is simply not by our works, so that none may boast.

2. Both past and future work is done by God, thru Jesus Christ.

3. "much more", the past work of God increases the certainty of God's future work.

• God did the tough part of re-conciliating us by putting His own Son to death for our sins, all while we were still enemies of Him.
• "much more" will He be willing and able to ascertain our eternal salvation in Him.
• E.g. A student is going overseas for studies, his/her parents paid for all the school fees, flight tickets, hostel fees. MUCH MORE will they pay for the textbook he/she needs.

4. "His life", refers to the life of Jesus after ascension.

• Where is Jesus now? Heaven, right hand of God, with angels, authorities and power been subjected to Him. (1Pet 3:22)
• With all of these in His hand, what is Jesus doing? He intercedes for us (Rom 8:34), He is indeed able to save to the utttermost (completely) those who draw near to God through Him, since He lives to make intercession for us(Heb 7:25)

This short study simply blows my mind about how good and awesome God is. He is so committed to our salvation and our response is but to simply draw near.

Gospel: God Worked.

In the Gospel, God worked. The Gospel can be condensed into 4 power-packed verses in the book of Romans. You ready? It's Romans 3:23-26.

"for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus; whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness, because in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed; for the demonstration, I say, of His righteousness at the present time, so that He would be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus." Romans 3:23-26 (NASB)

meh. it's like one of the many verses we just read and overlook. But these verses clearly outlines why God has worked, what was it He worked, the resultant of His work and what our response is toward that work that He did. In short, in the Gospel, God worked, Jesus paid the price in full, His blood appeased God's holy wrath toward sinners and we are justified as we put our faith in Him and His complete and perfect work on the cross.

Sounds pretty low level isn't it? But it's exactly this that we so desperately need! Our assurance should have never depart from the work that is already completed on the cross. We have chosen instead, to place our assurance in the things we do as Christians, the duties, obligations, service, the battles against our old selves, trying not to sin or break God's law, etc, etc. Now, the problem occurs when we find ourselves simply, unable. (But that is reserved for another time.)

to be continued...

Gospel.

If i were to ask you this question, "Where would you go if you were to meet with a fatal accident tonight?".

No, this aint for non-believers but believers. Now i imagine, you'll be thinking of the things you've done or not done in your life pertaining on the things of God. Great! let that flow for a while and then as you resolve to yourself if you've qualified or not for heaven, let me tell you this...

You are simply unconvinced of the gospel.

Just as i was. Until recently as God spoke thru His Word and thru gospel-centred preachers like Joshua Harris, Matt Chandler, C.J. Mahaney, John Piper and Mark Discroll then i realize how wrong my beliefs were and that just made my Christian life so full of uncertainties, so full of defeats, so full of fear and all so performance-driven.

We live our lives with a theology so flawed, caused by our lack of understanding of God's Word and our laziness to examine scripture. So we fall back on the most basic thing that our heart calls us to: work. Effort is good, it gets us good grades, gets chores done, gets us awesome career reports, etc, etc, oh wait, i'm sure it's so good that it gets us to heaven too! So the gospel just becomes a name we call the first 4 books of the new testament or just something of a cliche term for nonbelievers.

That's where we are so wrong.

to be continued... (or post will get really loooooong! :O)

3:2.

Do you know?

There's a breathing technique for runs, it's called the 3:2 ratio. 3 steps of inhaling and 2 steps of exhaling. That would take care of all your body's oxygen needs without overly exerting the heart. Also all breathing should be done thru the diaphragm and not the chest.

Stand Chart is less than 3 months away and i've still got bout 10km to train up. Now, i really dont know what i've gotten myself into do i. X_X

8.8 Hours.

That's the flight time i got during last year's stint at cadet flying school. I was packing my documents file and i saw my flight-time table and i guess it kinda made me reminisce the past a bit. Reading my past posts during my time there sure put a few smiles on my face, yea tho it was quite a stressful affair, it's nonetheless an preeeetty awesome experience.

So anyway was looking through some SIA adverts (dont know how i got there.) and they're hiring cadet pilots! They must be really short on pilots these days huh. Recruitment's been around for this whole year already. Now i think flying's quite a job and definitely worth some consideration, so i guess i'll be listing it down in my prayer journal! ;]

Junior Master Chef.

I think, Junior Master Chef is the GREATEST TV SHOW EVER. It never fails to leave me in a jaw-dropping, awe-stricken and mouth-watering state after every episode (third so far?). Plus it's a really good bonding time with my dad, it's like for alllll the soccer matches i've never watched with him (yea, i dont like soccer.), i made up with this. I'm glad he liked that show too.

It's so inspiring, it's crazy. I watched it and i just want to learn how to cook up a storm like those kids, who are, by the way, ABSOLUTELY cute OVERLOAD. Especially Lucy, the princess of pudding (for those who watched the show), gosh, and she reminds me of a certain someone (older.please.not pedo here).

Yea, i think i'll learn some cooking from my dad, perhaps french? and i'll be on the way in becoming a perfect guy. MUAHAHA. Still, need to get some dough in first, cooking's expensive with all the ingredients and stuff so i'll probably have to start this new hobby at year's end. It's gonna be so much fun!

A Single-Handed COUNTDOWN.

It's great. I cant wait for these 5 days to be over, for this yoke that has been upon me for 2 years shall be BROKEN. MUAHAHA. It's reallly great.

Thank God i'm getting back on track with Him! Back to a disciplined routine of love and grace. You know, discipline can exist with love and grace, it's more than just subjecting yourself to a routine, it's subjecting yourself to the understanding God's grace, which beckons you to do more, spend more time and read more.

There's really so many things to look forward to this month! ORD, start of my project, arrival of my DD20, getting to see an old friend (Debbb that's you if you'll ever see this!). Woot, and more chances to play the guitar in church. GAHHH, i really needa get better tho, decide the style and clock more hours of practice. Shesh, i really aspire to play better man, i think i've been really terrible to the congregation by playing badly, hurrr. BUT still i thank God for the stage experiences, it's exasperating sometimes (in fact, most of the time) but it's also utterly fulfilling to hit the right notes that suit the song.

Oh yes, thank God for the new people who are coming in to church! The time is near, the harvest is coming and there's certainly much to do! Better yourselves and be ready to be wielded by God! ;]

Whatever You're Doing.

We are like pieces of a jig saw puzzle, but the problem with all of us is that we are all in odd shapes and sizes, never fitting into God's big picture. Changes have to be made, sides trimmed, edges smoothened so that we could be a part of His plan. Yea, it's painful but give it more thought and you'll find that the truth really is that, there is nothing more fulfilling, more wonderful, more exciting, more accomplishing, more delightful and more worthwhile than being at the centre of God's will.

Oh, if only i could be less short-sighted and more patient in the hands of the Master Craftsman.

5 Languages of Love.

LOL. i never thought i'd pick up this book, till my friend bored me enough to go get something to read while he studied at Starbucks. It's quite a steal actually; costs me only 12 bucks. Nevertheless i'd really like to say that it's a great book, really enlightening and rational, a treat for my logic craving mind. I'd recommend this one to everyone out there, do check it out!

Ahh, oh yes. I've put some of the pointers to action, really trying hard to find out what my parents' love languages are. Money's on "Acts of Service" (for those who've read.), they're always nagging me to do housework and so i did (well at least a little)! And i think it kinda worked a bit, my mom actually gave me the i-dont-want-to-say-it-but-thank-you smile which really perked me up during these rather saddening times. I guess i'm more of the words of affirmation person? Or maybe not. i've no idea, and i dont really care either.

Yea, i think this is really gonna be fun.

Grace.

"Change starts when by the grace of God, you finally realize how filthy and desperately helpless you are. And change can only continue on the basis of God's grace, without which, all discipline equates to mere human effort."

P.S: I'm off the grid. I've de-activated my facebook for this period of time.

Change.

The truth is, i lost myself in the midst of all the chaos.

The life, the environment in camp just dont shape me into a better person, and if we dont get better, we could only get worst. I got ugly.

The ups, the downs in my walk with God proves to be detrimental to my spiritual health, if our souls aren't healthy, we start to decay. I crave consistency.

The emotions, the thoughts in my heart and mind are just too messed up, and if we make a mess of ourselves, we could only hurt others. I lost a friend.

If only i could realize all these sooner then so many unpleasant experiences wouldn't have happened. I need (to) change.

Because You're the only Constant in my Life.

Oh yes, His love endures.

Okay, Guess that Wasn't So Bad.

And i thought i'd be really sad when the latest batch of OCTs got commissioned. Oh yea, could've been there at the parade square with my parents pinning up that bar on my shoulders but guess it's not meant to be. Well it's not as if i've not been thru this feeling of regret, it's just that ever since the previous one, i thought i'm all braced up for this one.

I guess God dealt with my heart that night as i drown myself with "might-have-beens". It's quite an ordeal but hey, isn't life all about that? (Especially for people who reflect a lot.) Shattered dreams, longings of the heart denied, having hope dangle on a string, it's what makes life kinda interesting and worth thinking about. But we all got to learn how to pick up the pieces and move on don't we? And there's no greater joy than to move on with Someone who cares and comfort you in times like that.

Yea, He sure gives and takes away but He will also never fail to make everything beautiful in His time.

"The infathomable sadness of the "might have been!" God never opens doors that have been closed. He opens other doors, but He reminds us that there are doors which we have shut, doors which need never have been shut, imaginations which need never have been sullied. Never be afraid when God brings back the past. Let memory have its way. It is a minister of God with its rebuke and chastisement and sorrow. God will turn the "might have been" into a wonderful culture for the future" - Oswald Chambles (in, My Utmost for His Highest)

Knowing God.

I've embarked on reading Knowing God by J.I Packer and i find it totally essential to any Christian who yearns for true knowledge of God's character and attributes (not that it should replace the Bible, period). It's really well written, a solid theological read, but now now, please do not let that word "theological" scare you away, theology is but a study of who God is according to His Word.

"And if Jesus said that eternal life is to know God (John 17:3) then shouldn't theology be for everyone?"

It'll be awesome if i could read and study this book with like-minded people to the aroma and ambience of starbucks (Mmm Mmm :p). The book's topical, each of God's character or attribute is written as a chapter which makes it even easier to study and discuss. But i guess the ultimate outcome of this study should be the application of what we've learned into our private lives and so, much of the time will be devoted to sharing the hows and outcomes. I think it'll be preeetty encouraging. ;)

I dont think i have a big readership but if anyone's interested, give me a heads-up thru facebook! :D

Weekends, Routines?

Routine, my friend, no matter how i dread you, you seem to follow me everywhere, every time.

Hah. Ever since i'm required to stay in, my weekends have turned into routines that go over and over again. Kinda dread it sometimes but then again, it's not all that bad, it provides comfort and security, sometimes too much i reckoned. I guess the really bad point about routines is that there are times or events that seems really important but are still overshadowed by routines. Like meeting a friend for example. You see, I'm a self-confessed socially passive person and when it comes to friendships, i'm stumped but i guess i'm learning and breaking outta my shell. i try to.

So a typical saturday will go like, wake up, breakfast, guitar, lunch, bail out of house by 12 or 2 depending on whether there's practice or not, youth service, fellowship, home sweet home, reading/thinking/devotions then boom(!) before you know it, it's bed time. And Sunday's pretty much the same cept that church is in the morning and then it's booook in time.

Church, tho a big chunk of my precious weekend should never be compromised, i guess i gotta learn to let go of some guitar time and maybe a bit of fellowship here and there to accommodate other stuffs, like FAMILY. Sigh, i think i'm quite a disappointment to my parents :/ Hope they'll one day understand.

New Calvinism.

I need to get my hands on some books regarding new calvinism.

Sigh-chedelic!

Aiyoh. Was reading my recent posts and i counted like 5 sighs. :/ lol i guess it's something i picked up while in Australia cause i was like sighing a lot there everyday. And i do mean a lot, like probably 5 times a day haha super emo man.

Anyway, :/ i kinda realize i deviated from my original intents of this blog. Gosh it's suppose to be an avenue to write encouraging and interesting stuff but i kinda turn it into a emo dump! THIS HAS GOTTA CHANGE! RAWR.

And so i decided to think what i should write about and probably try my hand at writing articles :D So stay tuned for new columns and continuations on old ones!

A Little Excitement.

Will be booking in an hour's time for tmr's outfield! I cant believe i'm actually looking forward to it lol. It's gonna be fun tho, with all the shooting and all, and it's probably a good preview of what's gonna happen when i go back to a cadet's life.

So seeeeeeeee y'all in 3 days' time! :D

p.s.: gosh i feel really accomplished having able to do One Way's electrifying intro in an hour's practice. :] Now i cant wait to get back so i can continue with the chorus!

It's Been So Long!

It sure feels good to partner GOD and accomplish some sorta thing with Him. I'm really really really glad that my brother came back to God today and re-committed himself! Whoa it's like finally a major prayer answered! Thank God man!

Come to think of it, it's been so long since i've been on such a journey. Hahahaha hope it's a beginning of many MORE! I feel so energized to do more ever since i've cleared up a bit but meh, time to get back to training soon :( It's kinda a dilemma, got posted to command school, dont know whether to stay in or not while i wait for the course to start. I'd definitely save up a lot on sleep and transport if i stay in but if i do that, i'd kinda lose my freeeeedom. Sian ttm.

Anyway, it's interesting to visit other churches and see how they function. Learn stuff and try to bring back the lessons. From the church i've been to for these couple of weeks, i've learned that being genuine and warm really goes a long way to touching a person's heart, may it be a non-believer or a person coming back to God. It's so important to break out of the comfort zone! Break out of the cliques and interact with the new people, get to know them and take a genuine interest in their lives. It's all about establishing intimacy! Wonderful people there.

Also, their life group was pretty interesting, though i didnt get to attend one myself, i've learned from my bro that they'd havta prepare something to share during the session, probably a verse that they might have been pondering about during the week. They'd have to talk about what is it and how would they apply it into their lives. Awesome stuff here. However this would require diligence and a certain degree of independence from men and a full dependence on God for that mini-message for others and yourself. If one dreads preparation, he/she would probably dread this kinda life group sharing, but if one takes full delight in the Word of the Lord and is hungry to learn more about His Word and how to apply it, he/she would definitely benefit a lot through this. Mmm i wonder if we could implement a little of this into our own life group. :/

I am really glad. :)

Tools.

I learned a new word today, nihilism, the belief that life is meaningless. Can a Christian be nihilistic? Maybe.

A man perched far away from God, a man who can only look back at times once glorious but nevermore, he has lost all hope in sanctification. His idea of God gradually became warped and tainted. He reeked of indifference but yet he still stubbornly holds on to the fact that God still exist. He is one very weary soul, no longer aware of his purpose nor calling and life to him becomes meaningless once again.

Like a broken tool sitting in the dusty corner of the blacksmith's workshop, once upon a time useful to the master but nevermore. It got tired of the molding, the pounding, the sharpening, into the fire and out of the fire, it just couldn't see the master's intentions. It then snapped, cracked and never saw action anymore. It now sits useless, oblivious to the potential it once had, watching as the master works through his other tools.

*Now after a run and much pondering about what i've just blogged, i finally reasoned over myself if God's the one chucking people aside.

Well it isn't really God who's chucking us aside. When it comes to Christianity, it always takes two hands to clap and it happens that God's hand is always there, it's usually our hands which isn't in place. The weary soul can become a wealthy soul if it is a willing one, willing to re-realize that God has indeed come to seek and save the lost ( which includes those who were found but are lost again).