1 Corinthians 9:27-10:13

But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be disqualified. Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; And did all eat the same spiritual meat; And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ. But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness. Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play. Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand. Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents. Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer. Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

A long passage to read and grasp, but I'm thankful Pastor preached on this passage this morning. It reminded us firstly, of the ever present judgement God has towards those in sin and rebellion yet secondly, filling our hearts with utter gratefulness for the mercies God has towards us sinful men! Sometimes I feel Christians this day has placed too much emphasis of the love and grace of God and this Christian liberty to the point of accomodation of sin in our lives, and the lives of others. But as certain as God is gracious and loving, God IS a holy and righteous God, whose righteous judgements demand the life of His own Son on the cross for our sins! God, ought to be feared because of His perfect holiness! This grace movement has been overemphasized because we simply cannot understand this grace unless we know what this grace has pardoned us of! When I heard today's sermon, I was convicted of my infirmities and in great fear of my God's righteous judgement of my life. But realising how I have been kept by mercy and grace all this while, only cause me to give thanks to Him who has dealt bountifully with His servant.

This passage was a warning and example to Christians because the Israelites bear 5 similar characteristics as saints in the Lord.
1. The Israelites were under the cloud of God's protection. Christians are under the providential care of our Heavenly Father.
2. The Israelites were delivered from bondage in Egypt. Christians have been delivered from the penalty and the power of sin by our Savior.
3. The Israelites were baptized into God's chosen leader, Moses. Christians are baptized into their Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
4. The Israelites ate spiritual food, manna. Christians feed on the living word of God- the bread of life.
5. The Israelites drank from the Rock that followed them. Christians drink daily from the living waters of Christ our Rock.

Yet, the bible tells us that despite the innumerable blessings God has poured out upon His chosen people, with most of them, God was not well pleased. Why? Because this priviledges and liberty we have in God, have been used for disobedience instead of obedience! Think the lesson to be learnt, is that the freedom to do whatever we want as Christians, having being pardoned by the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, ought to be used to pursue perfection in Christ! Christians who think that they can do whatever they please, enjoy as much flesh they desire yet partake in the salvation of the Lord, are not wrong in the sense of salvation. Ha. But they fail to understand that as many as are in this race, not many will win the race; many will be disqualified from the prize because of their failure to bring their bodies under control. A Christian realises the folly of sin and is convicted of it and renounces it the moment He accepts Christ as Savior. Are we gonna embrace sin, having forsaken it at the cross?

Youthie committee meeting on saturday further comfirmed the thought that there are great needs to be met and great amount of work to be done on a ministry level, too much to consider taking up 6-day a week training during the holidays. There are things that need to be sacrificed for ministry, and sometimes they arent necessary bad. If God doesnt lead back to training, I guess this is the path I will still take. But God knows how badly I wanna join back next year, for the people and for the team. Aye. His will be done!

I've been really impatient this past few days. At times I wished God would let me have my way at my own time about certain issues. I wished I didnt have to wait. And it makes it even more difficult to wait when I feel I'm losing it and nothing seems to be going the way I hope it would. But then comes the Psalmist's advice, "Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance." It occured to me while pondering abt it that God certainly has His good reasons for withholding things from His children, often when we do not see the danger behind an impulsive decision. When Christ explained the heart of the Father in Matthew 7, "ask and it shall be given unto you" I am quite certain God meant it. "If we being evil know how to give good gifts to our children, how much more will our heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask of them?" Is the question posted by Jesus. Think God is asking me not to doubt His goodness towards me. Yet I've realised God is also keeping the promise to "work all thing for our good". For our good, does God work! Truly, He makes all things beautiful in His time! (: