Filled to Overflowing
“My cup overflows with blessings.” (Psalm 23:5)
The overflowing cup was a powerful symbol in the days of David.
Hosts in the ancient East used it to send a message to the guest. As long as the cup was kept full, the guest knew he was welcome. But when the cup sat empty, the host was hinting that the hour was late.
On those occasions, however, when the host really enjoyed the company of the person, he filled the cup to overflowing. He didn’t stop when the wine reached the rim; he kept pouring until the liquid ran over the edge of the cup and down on the table.
Have you noticed how wet your table is?
God wants you to stay. Your cup overflows with joy. Overflows with grace.
You have a place at God’s table. And he is filling your cup to overflowing.
A Max Lucado devotional
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In the midst of all the noises surrounding us....our ears strain to hear certain words. Words of acceptance, of love, of belonging...spoken to us.
The clumsy boy who excels in studies, always surrounded by inquiring classmates when help and explanation is needed for the work, now finds himself standing alone awkwardly, neither of the 2 game teams of his classmates wanting him in their team.
The quiet simplistic girl, keeping to herself in a corner of the classroom. Too plain a jane for the guys to take note of, too borish and un-fashionable for any cliques among the girls.
A lady's first visit to a church, tired of her promiscuous lifestyle and late nights spent in the wrong arms. Her name, apparently having reached the church way before her, surrounded her with doubtful and questioning eyes from church members that caused even more discomfort and unease than wondering lewd eyes of her past male partners.
An elderly old man, with a face mapped full of wrinkles that spoke of the heartaches and sacrifices given to his family back in his heydays, now roaming the streets after being chased out and seen as a burdensome eccentric old nut.
People with unpopular, weird and conflicting viewpoints, thoughts and habits, opening up themselves to people, only to be dismissed, ignored and put down. And so they pipe down, enjoying whatever little ounce of seeming acceptance and belonging to a person or group, as long as they keep quiet or be who the others want them to be.
And somewhere out there...a heart once cherished and belonging to another, now refused and rejected, burdening with its scars and regrets, having been pulled, now left aside.
When a house, a clique, a group, a family, an organisation or a heart becomes too narrow and small to contain us, to delight in our presence....
...to whom do we go?
From whom and whence, would come these words that we long for, that would bring rest and delight to a heart...
“Would you stay with me?”
- Deqi
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[Wide Eyed] - Nicole Nordeman
Having lived in Hollywood for about a year
I was forced to come face to face
With many diverse people everyday
I was surprised and embarassed by how sheltered
My life had been until then...
Surrounding myself mostly with people who were like-minded
and consequently, safe to know
I really had to come to terms with my quickness to judge
To laugh, to dismiss anyone who threatened my sense of normalcy
And it made me wonder -
How would I have reacted to Jesus
If I'd met Him in Los Angeles?
When I met him on a sidewalk
He was preaching to a mailbox
Down on 16th Avenue
And he told me he was Jesus
Sent from Jupiter to free us
With a bottle of tequila and one shoe
He raged about repentance
He finished every sentence
With a promise that the end was close at hand
I didn't even try to understand
He left me wide eyed in disbelief and disillusion
I was tongue tied, drawn by my conclusions
So I turned and walked away
And laughed at what he had to say
Then casually dismissed him as a fraud
I forgot he was created in the image of my God
When I met her in a bookstore
She was browsing on the first floor
Through a yoga magazine
And she told me in her past life
She was some plantation slave's wife
She had to figure out what that might mean
She believes the healing powers of her crystals
Can bring a balance and new purpose to her life
Sounds nice
She left me wide eye in disbelief and disillusion
I was tongue tied, drawn by my conclusions
So I turned and walked away
And laughed at what she had to say
Then casually dismissed her as a fraud
I forgot she was created in the image of my God
Not so long ago, a man from Galilee
Fed thousands with His bread and His theology
And the truth He spoke
Quickly became the joke
Of educated, self-inflated Pharisees like me
And they were wide eyed in disbelief and disillusion
They were tongue tied, drawn by their conclusions
Would I have turned and walked away
And laughed at what He had to say
And casually dismissed Him as a fraud
Unaware that I was staring at the image of my God
God’s Poetry
“We are his workmanship.”
(Ephesians 2:10 NKJV)
Scripture calls the church a poem. “We are His workmanship” (Eph. 2:10). Workmanship descends from the Greek word poeo or poetry. We are God’s poetry! What Longfellow did with pen and paper, our Maker does with us. We express his creativity best.
You aren’t God’s poetry. I’m not God’s poetry. We are God’s poetry. Poetry demands variety.
“God works through different men in different ways, but it is the same God who achieves his purposes through them all” (I Cor. 12:6 Phillips).
God uses all types to type his message. Logical thinkers. Emotional worshipers. Dynamic leaders. Docile followers. The visionaries who lead, the studious who ponder, the generous who pay the bills…
Alone, we are meaningless symbols on a page.
But collectively, we inspire.
A Max Lucado devotion
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Could you do with more grace?
Would you like to be accepted and loved for who you are?
Then i beseech you....do the same...show it.
Extend that same love, grace and acceptance to the people
we call "fellow church members", "brothers and sisters".
Do I know his struggle? Do I know what she's working as?
Is he tired from all that preaching? How is she coping with her children?
What does the call to "love one another" mean?
Can we be part of a church whom we do not care for?
Can we serve a body of Christ whom we do not know or love?
They may not be perfect, and our wavelengths in thoughts and actions may differ...
Shall we then break away and dis-associate ourselves from
what we see as an "abomination church" unto God?
Shall we disregard the people and dismiss them off
thinking that they don't understand?
Or...could it be...
..a place for His grace to shine through,
His strength to be made perfect in our weakness,
a place where people would see that He is Lord because of the love we have for one another despite our differences?
..a place to see that we're not so fine and perfect ourselves?
Love one another....
...it's not a cliche...
..it's His desire, His command.
Nothing To Offer
"LORD, I call to You...Listen to me when I call to You."
Psalm 141:1
Nicodemus came to Jesus in the middle of the night. The centurion came in the middle of the day. The leper and the sinful woman appeared in the middle of the crowds. Zacchaeus appeared in the middle of a tree. Mathew had a party for him.
The educated.
The powerful.
The rejected.
The sick.
The lonely.
The wealthy.
Who would ever assemble such a crew? All they had in common were their empty hope chests, long left vacant by charlatans and profiteers. Though they had nothing to offer, they asked for everything:a new birth, a second chance, a fresh start, a clean conscience.
And without exception their requests were honored.
A Max Lucado devotional
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[I Will Offer Up My Life] - Matt Redman
I will offer up my life in spirit and truth
Pouring out the oil of love as my worship to You
In surrender I must give my every part
Lord receive the sacrifice of a broken heart
Jesus, what can I give
What can I bring
To so faithful a friend
To so loving a king
Saviour, what can be said
What can be sung
As a praise of Your name
For the things You have done
Oh my words could not tell
Not even in part
Of the debt of love that is owed
By this thankful heart
You deserve my every breath for You've paid the great cost
Giving up Your life to death, even death on a cross
You took all my shame away, there defeated my sin
Opened up the gates of Heaven, and have beckoned me in
What can I give
What can I bring
What can I sing as an offering, Lord
(What can I give, what can I give to You, to You)
Finally had the chance to be involved in a multi-party tele conference today. Pretty cool...though kinda weird with all those voices. Especially when it's all females....kinda feels like being in the middle of an all girls talk.....ehhh....which I am actually... let's hope such conferences will be kept to a minimum, and if there is, goes smoothly... when my colleague leaves officially tomorrow.
Had a cool lunch today man. We drove out to Republic of Singapore Yatch Club (RSYC) for a long lunch there. Must say....it's a nice place...country club feel, with a view of the sea and yatchs as you dine.
Thought I could combine the pics taken of the place for a
panorama look. Wasn't intending for it though...so didn't turn out too well
Ordered the special set lunch of the day, lobster hor fun.
(sorry for the poor pic...was feeling too hungry and excited when I saw my food)
Dessert of ice-cream blueberry cake
Mmm....a busy and tiring day it has been...but pretty enjoyable =)
Before I take my leave to rest, would you like to take a short walk through it with me?
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I woke up this morning, to find that my eyes still see, my limbs still move, my nose and mouth could still draw breath. I’m reminded that He sustains me, and graciously added a number to my days on earth.
I looked at myself in the mirror, feeling tired and looking all messed up. I’m reminded that this is one whom He loves.
On my way, I see the throngs of people going about their daily routine, rushing for work. I’m reminded of the multitudes of lives that He is involved in, and desires to be a part of.
Realising I was late, I quickly rushed on my way, only to see the company shuttle bus drive off as I was running towards it. He reminded me that despite His grace, my actions do have consequences, and there are things in life I can still miss out on because of my choice.
I took a cab to office, and while in the car, the driver offered me newspaper, wondering if I was bored. It felt nice…special. He reminded me of how much it means to people when we take the effort to reach out and seek to minister to them in His name.
When I reached the office and settled down, taking in the quiet surrounding in the morning, I’m reminded of the stillness that He desires me to have in Him.
When I see my colleagues arrive, and as they relate with me, I’m reminded of His gracious providence of the people around me.
During lunch time, as I relate with a newly introduced colleague whom I realize is a fellow Christian, I’m reminded that in Him, there is a unique bond and relation shared as His children.
As I do my work, and send the mail to the client explaining our side’s neglect on certain areas, I’m reminded of His enablement and guidance in my work.
As I took time off the work to read up and prepare the material for Sunday’s BS, He reminded me of the people He has positioned under my care and accountability, and how they bring joy and are worth the effort.
As I knock off from work and walk out of the office building, I’m greeted by the sight of a beautiful sunset. He reminded me that He made the universe in order, and has the whole world in His hands.
As I waited for the bus, catching a glimpse of a squirrel scurrying across the road up a tree, I’m reminded of His grand and marvelous creation and design all around me.
As thoughts of the internal issues of hurt and pain come to me, I’m reminded that the problems are still around….but so is He.
As I type this feeling tired and weary from the day’s work, I’m reminded that I am but dust, and nothing without Him.
As I close this entry for today, I’m reminded of how He loves and desires to walk with me through the day...
... reminding me of who He is.
“You are my place of safety and protection. You are my God and I trust you.”
Psalm 91:2
Have bad things really happened to you? You and God may have different definitions for the word bad. Parents and children do. Look up the word bad in a middle-schooler’s dictionary, and you’ll read definitions such as “pimple on nose,” or “pop quiz in geometry.” “Dad, this is really bad!” the youngster says. Dad, having been around the block a time or two, thinks differently. Pimples pass…
What you and I might rate as an absolute disaster, God may rate as a pimple-level problem that will pass. He views your life the way you view a movie after you’ve read the book. When something bad happens, you feel the air sucked out of the theater. Everyone else gasps at the crisis on the screen. Not you. Why? You’ve read the book. You know who the good guy gets out of the tight spot.
God views your life with the same confidence. He’s not only read your story…he wrote it.
A Max Lucado devotional
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For all my ways are before you
I let Your hand become my help
My soul longs and adores you
Let my cry come before you oh Lord
Revive me, according to your loving kindness
Revive me, that I may seek your word
Revive me, according to your loving kindnes
Revive me, oh Lord
Please
There was a boy who had the faith to move a mountain
And like a child he would believe without a reason
Without a trace he disappeared into the void and
I've been searchin' for that missing person
He used to want to try to walk the straight and narrow
He had a fire and he could feel it in the marrow
It's been a long time and I haven't seen him lately
but I've been searchin' for that missing person
For everything that could have been...
I'm sorry, to You, Lord.
You don’t want his life.
Sure you’d take the Dove Awards earlier this year that honored Jeremy Camp as Male Vocalist and New Artist of the Year. You wouldn’t mind that kind of rocket-boosted ascent so quickly in your music career. You’d take that powerful rock ‘n’ roll voice, reminiscent of Creed or Third Day. And why not add the physique — at least those arms? The guy’s got guns.
Then there’s the pretty wife with the cool South African accent who not only sings background on your album but who used to front her own rockin’ band. (Remember Benjamin Gate?) And throw in your first child, a daughter, who was born just last month.
No, you don’t want this seemingly fairy-tale life. Unless . . .
You don’t want to pay the price. You don’t want to ride the roller coaster Jeremy’s been on, the one that felt like it jumped the track and took an all-out nosedive. You don’t want to listen to the doctor tell you that the cancer is back and that your wife has only weeks, maybe months, to live. You don’t want to experience the desperation of watching every treatment method you can find fail.
You don’t want to feel your heart ripped out — not at any age, especially not as young as 23. You don’t want to wait and watch your wife die. You don’t want to fall to your knees and ball up in a foetal position on the cold hospital floor and tell God that you don’t want to live anymore.
You don’t want to know that devastation. Unless . . .
. . . Unless you’re willing to get back on your feet in that hospital room, raise your hands just barely and worship alongside family — not because you feel like it at all, but out of obedience to the Lord. Unless you’re able to walk through the grief, the anger, the questioning of God. Unless you can choose to be content with the answer: "You don’t need to know why. I want you to have a testimony of walking by faith. If you knew why, you wouldn’t be walking by faith."
. . . Unless you’re willing to be broken. Unless you believe there’s no struggle God allows you to face that He won’t give you the strength to handle. Unless you want to cling to the Scriptures as if they’re your oxygen. Unless you desire to trust God more than you thought possible. Unless you’ll encourage others to worship and believe in God’s faithfulness in the midst of life’s darkest trials.
Maybe then you could handle Jeremy Camp’s life. Then you’d be able to watch humbly as your music career takes off. Then you would walk through your days with a deep thankfulness and understanding that eternity is all around us. Then you would know how far you’d come and truly appreciate being restored.
But don’t take our word for it.
Listen to Jeremy....
by Jeremy V. Jones
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Click here for a video of the song above, 'I Still Believe'.
[I Still Believe] - Jeremy Camp, 'Stay'
Scattered words and empty thoughts
Seem to pour from my heart
I've never felt so torn before
Seems I don't know where to start
But its now that I feel your grace fall like rain
From every fingertip washing away my pain
I still believe in your faithfulness
I still believe in your truth
I still believe in your holy word
Even when I don't see, I still believe
Though the questions still fog up my mind
With promises I still seem to bear
Even when answers slowly unwind
It's my heart I see you prepare
But its now, that I feel, your grace fall like rain
From every fingertip washing away my pain
I still believe in your faithfulness
I still believe in your truth
I still believe in your holy word
Even when I don't see, I still believe
Well the only place I can go is into your arms
Where I throw to you my feeble prayers well in brokeness
I can see that this was your will for me
Help me to know that you are near
I still believe in your faithfulness
I still believe in your truth
I still believe in your holy word
Even when I don't see, I still believe
I still believe
Ohhh, i still believe, i still believe
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An Undeserved Gift
“Many people received God’s gift of life
by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ.”
Romans 5:15
We take our free gift of salvation and try to earn it or diagnose it or pay for it instead of simply saying “thank you” and accepting it.
Ironic as it may appear, one of the hardest things to do is to be saved by grace. There’s something in us that reacts to God’s free gift. We have some weird compulsion to create laws, systems, and regulations that will make us “worthy” of our gift.
Why do we do that? The only reason I can figure is pride. To accept grace means to accept its necessity, and most folks don’t like to do that. To accept grace also means that one realizes his despair, and most people aren’t too keen on doing that either.
A devotional by Max Lucado
thank You.
“Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.”
Psalm 37:4 NIV
I recently met a twenty-year-old, just discharged from the military, and pondering his future. He bore a square jaw, a forearm tattoo, and a common question. He didn’t know what to do with the rest of his life. As we shared a flight, he told me about his uncle, a New England priest. “What a great man,” the ex-soldier sighed. “He helps kids and feeds the hungry. I’d love to make a difference like that.”
So I asked him the question of this chapter. “What were some occasions when you did something you love to do and did it quite well?”
He dismissed me at first. “Aw, what I love to do is stupid.”
“Try me,” I invited.
“Well, I love to rebuild stuff.”
“What do you mean?”
He spoke of an old coffee table he had found in a garage. Seeing its potential, he shaved off the paint, fixed the broken legs, and restored it. With great pride, he presented it to his mom.
“Tell me another time,” I prompted.
“This one is really dumb,” he discounted. “But when I worked at a butcher shop, I used to find meat on the bones others threw out. My boss loved me! I could find several pounds of product just by giving the bone a second try.”
As the plane was nosing down, I tested a possibility with him. “You love to salvage stuff. You salvage furniture, salvage meat. God gave you the ability to find a treasure in someone else’s trash.”
My idea surprised him. “God? God did that?”
“Yes, God. Your ability to restore a table is every bit as holy as your uncle’s ability to restore a life.” You would have thought he’d just been handed a newborn baby. As my words sank in, the tough soldier teared up.
See your desires as gifts to heed rather than longings to suppress, and you’ll feel the same joy.
Reflect on your life. What have you always done well and loved to do?
