Psalms 115:1-3
Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us
But to Your name give glory,
Because of Your mercy,
Because of Your truth.
Why should the Gentiles say,
"So where is their God"
But our God is in heaven;
He does whatever He pleases

The song, "Not to us, not to us O LORD, but to Your name give glory" keep ringing in my head from the moment I chanced upon this verse in the Book of Psalms. I think its such a wonderful truth. That God would give no glory to us, but all glory due to His name. To be completely self-abased and Christ exalt.

Okay, I planned that to be the introduction to my this entry already, so it was there. Random but a truth that spoke to me recurringly. So how was my weekends spent? Quite spendid I would say. Honestly, after blocks I went home to just sleep and rest because I was physically exhausted. So my friday was spent resting at home.

Saturday was Joshua and Jan's wedding ((: It was a simple and sweet wedding. Haha, I pressupposed that it wouldnt be as romantic as normal cos they already had a wedding in Thailand jus the week before. But, I was wrong. Haha. Bro Josh actually sang before the congregation to Sis Jan. Ah, I thought that was fairly romantic and extremely sweet. Lol. Sis Jan teared quite abit. Anyway, I'm so happy for them. Cos they finally end their separation and cease to communicate via MSN and phonecalls and finally can live with each other in Singapore. (sis Jan's from thailand) It was my first wedding of this year, the last one was my cousin's wedding last year. And, weddings leave me... haha, I dunno. Rather warm and fuzzy inside. Lol. I do not dare pressume that there might not be a chance God gives to me the gift of celibacy, but honestly, I eagerly await that day of marraige with whomever He puts in my life. I think its a really wonderful and blessed thing! I even have the list of songs I wished the chorale and congregation would sing on my wedding day prepared! xD Okay, so much for dreaming! Lol.

Deuteronomy 6:4-5
"Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one! You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength."

Sunday was a busy busy day. After church we had the semi-big youth meeting in conjuncture with youth day which is the following day. Haha, it was quite fun and the fellowship was sweet. I'm always thankful and grateful to be around my brothers and sisters in Christ, perhaps even when we do not spend the most time together, when we come together there is just something which keeps us close- and I know that its the Blood of Christ Jesus. And it was also during the reading of Spurgeon's sermon on Personal service that challenged me and confirmed my desire to preach Christ wherever I go, whatever I do this semester. I guess I have been too comfortable and it has resulted in a distracted worldly lifestyle.

Second stanza of "More precious than Gold", reads, "Christians are losing God's treasure, fooled by the world's empty pleasures... More precious than God, much better than silver, is the price of a soul, God wants to deliver. There are people around you, crying out for a Saviour, and their lives are a treasure, of worth beyond measure, more precious than gold"

Ignorant or rather, indifferent to Christ's command to "go ye into all the world, and make disciples" as I have been, have been burden by a fresh new desire and perhaps zeal to start living for God instead of selfish desires. In Matthew Chapter 10, Christ's call for discipleship was clear. "Whoever does not take up his cross and follow Me, He cannot be My disciple." In the earlier part of the chapter, He said to his twelve, "Freely you have received, freely give" and that "I send you as sheeps in the midst of wolves, therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves".

As I read the biography of Sandhu Sundar Singh, I am reminded by the fact that unless I am used by God to do His will, whatever I do it pointless and useless. The fact is that all that I am doing now, my studies, my work in future, my relationships, my achievements are naught, if Christ is not in them. A life that is void of all material stuff but with the fullness of Christ in it, that is the life that enjoys true blessdness, peace and joy from the Lord. It simply reflects the truth that "whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake, will save it". The more we think that life is FOR us, ABOUT us, the emptier it will be. Challenged and encouraged by the testimony of Sundar Singh, a missionary in India, I want to be faithful to all that God calls me to be, and I want a life that truly counts for Christ.

To end, let me tell you a story that illustrates the simplicity of the message of Salvation that God gives to every man:

There is a very kind hearted boy whose name is Sundar Singh. One day his father gave him five rupees to spend at a fun fair. On the way to the fair, he saw a poor elderly without food, etc. He gave his five rupees to her. And he decided that she needed a blanket, so he went back to ask his father for five more rupees. To his dismay, his father said that he knew the old woman and had already given alot to her. He told the son that he shouldnt do anymore. However, Sundar still sympathized with the old woman greatly and he decided that he should steal 5 rupees from his dad to buy the blanket. His father realised that there was 5 rupees missing and asked if Sundar had taken them. Sundar, in his anxiety, said no and was relieved that his father didnt pursue the matter. That night, Sundar could not sleep because even though he wanted to do something good for the old woman, yet he stole and lied to his father. That next morning, he was bold enough to confess his mistake to his father. He was expecting a fierce scolding of sort from his father. However, after explaining his desire to help the old lady and his remorse for his stealing and lying, Sundar's father broke down and wept and hugged him, because he knew that Sundar had not disappointed him and he had not trusted Sundar wrongly. He immediately forgave him and the incident was completely forgotten by his father.

This, is in fact, a simple illustration of the very heart of God. Our Heavenly Father does not need us to make up for our sins by doing good works, just like our dad, when we have erred, God only desires, requires us to confess our mistake before Him and acknowledge our sin and seek repentance. Because He loves us so dearly He is willing to forgive us almost immediately. But the holiness of God requires that there must be a payment for our sins, and thats why Jesus humbled Himself and took upon Himself the cross and died for us. But the simple act of confess ing our mistake, (for all have sinned) and seeking repentance and forgiveness of God is all that God requires from his children who have fallen and gone astray. Ah, if we would only stop questioning whether God is real or not, whether the Bible is true or not, and understand intent of God for our salvation! O sinners, repent and turn to Jesus- for He laid down His life that we may be forgiven and pardoned for our sins!