peace . love . joy

I thought today's sermon was good. It applies to practically everyone. Cos in life, we're bound to face situations which leave us feeling overwhelmed. And I thought it good that we should know wad to do in times like that..

Thanks, Pastor Moh Ying, for the lovely sermon =] (you've no idea how much I needed it)

The character we focussed on was Mary (Jesus' mother) in Luke 1 : 26-40

Wad we, as Christians, should do in the face of stressful \ overwhelming circumstances can be summarized in 3 steps :

1. Learn to LET GO
Luke 1 : 38
38And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.
· What is demonstrated here, is one word : FAITH
· Stop trying to figure out everything on your own (God does not intend for us to know everything, because this then forces us to be dependent on Him)
· Although things are out of your control, know that it is NEVER out of God’s control
Proverbs 3 : 5
5Trust in the LORD with all thine heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding
· We should work WITH God and not against Him
· TRUST that He knows best (because He really does!)
Psalms 138 : 8
8The LORD will perfect that which concerneth me; Thy mercy, O LORD, endureth for ever; forsake not the works of Thine own hands.
· God’s plan for our lives is often bigger, more painful, but always better
· Nothing in our lives is an accident; everything has a purpose.
· God looks at our lives from an eternal perspective, He is interested in preparing us for ETERNITY
· When we are overwhelmed, we get down on our knees, stretch out our hands in defeat and resignation, and depend entirely on God
· That is where God wants us : down on our knees
· Know that God has plans for your life: Great and Marvellous plans

2. Let Others help you
Luke 1 : 39-40
39And Mary arose in those days and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Judah, 40and entered into the house of Zacharias and saluted Elizabeth.
· Mary went in search of Elizabeth
· Elizabeth was a Godly woman (who could pray for her)
· She was older (she could draw from past experiences to guide and advice Mary)
· She was also pregnant, also because of a miracle by God (she was going thru the same thing as Mary, and could identify with her. Since she was more “advanced” in her miracle, she could help her younger cousin)
· God NEVER meant for us to be alone or totally independent of each other
· We each need to find someone who is willing to journey thru life with us, who can keep us accountable
· We each need to find a STRONG BELIEVER to help us along

3. Let God give you strength
Benjamin Franklin said once “God helps those who help themselves” while this is true to a certain extent, God DID NOT say that.
Here’s where we can find strength (or rather some ways in which we can find strength in God) :
· PRAISE God for His goodness
- Praising and worshipping God creates a tremendous amount of energy
- When we take the focus off what we are occupied with, and turn our eyes upon Jesus, we feel re-energized
· THINK about God’s word
- In Luke 1 : 46-55, Mary sang a song unto God, shifting the focus away from herself, and onto Him
- Her song was made up of events that happened in the past, and shows just how well-versed she was with the Old Testament
- These days, we are pre-occupied with a lot of things, and our to-do list is practically endless
- Know that only a few things really matter \ must be done
- The Bible helps us CLARIFY VALUES, SOLIDIFY PRIORITIES, and RANK THE IMPORTANCE of tasks

Remain in firm reliance on God, Christians.

Learn to LIFT UP our troubles (and our entire lives) to God.
Learn to LET GO.
Learn to TRUST.

Micah 7 : 1 & 7
1I'm overwhelmed with sorrow! sunk in a swamp of despair! 7But me, I'm not giving up. I'm sticking around to see what God will do. I'm waiting for God to make things right. I'm counting on God to listen to me.

Don’t give up!
Trust God!
Stick around to see what God’ll do
And indeed, God WILL make things right.

Trust that God knows best and that He can be depended upon.

Be it unto me
According to your Word
According to your promises
I can stand secure
Carve upon my heart
The truth that sets me free
According to your Word O Lord
Be it unto me

You promised your word will deliver
Lord, we believe it's true
You promised us joy like a river
Lord we receive it from you
These things you have spoken
And you're bringing to pass
This world's disappearing
But your word will last

You promised to carry our sorrows
Lord, we believe it's true
You promised unending tomorrows
Lord we receive them from you
You'll be our Provider
In Your word it's revealed
By the strifes that You bore
Lord We have been healed

So be it unto me
According to your Word
According to your promises
I can stand secure
Carve upon my heart
The truth that sets me free
According to your Word O Lord
Be it unto me

~Don Moen, “Be It Unto Me”

gOd bLEsS

me