The LORD is My SHEPHERD

SHEPERHDS...have you ever thought of shepherds as warriors? They watch out for predators that lurk around seeking for opportunities to devour their charges. When they do spot them, whether it be one or many, they will fight to protect and deliver their charges from harm, even if it means injury or death to self. That's what King David did when he was just a shepherd boy. He killed the lion and the bear that came for his sheep.  

The Lord Jesus Christ is the Good Shepherd. He is the Mighty Warrior, the Lord of Host. He is ever watching over you and I, to protect and deliver us from the enemy. His eyes run to and fro to show Himself strong on behalf of those who love Him. He who watches over us neither slumber not sleeps.

Who then shall we fear? Of whom shall we be afraid? With God watching over us, we can be assured of the best protection policy ever!

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not lack...

 

 

 

Your Worth, My Worth, Our Worth...

We all know in our mind that God does not place more value and worth on one above another. Every soul is equally precious to Him. BUT, somehow, somewhere deep in the recesses of my mind and heart, I can't help but feel that maybe, just maybe, some are more precious to Him than others.  

For most part of my Christian life, I have thought that those who are more talented and who serve God better than I do are more precious and valuable to Him. When in comparison to such people, my self-esteem and self-worth take a nose-dive. Low self-esteem or a lack of self-worth is a DIS-ease that a large number of us suffer from.

One day, while reading the Bible, my heart leapt for joy when I came upon some scriptures that set my foolish thinking straight! I found out that, (contrary to my twisted mind) to God, we are all of equal worth. As far as He is concerned, no one is more valuable than another. Don't believe me? See for yourself!

"Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying:'When you take the census of the children of Israel for their number, then every man shall give a ransom for himself to the Lord, when you number them, that there may be no plague among them when you number them. This is what everyone among those numbered shall give: half a shekel according to the shekel of the sanctuary... The rich shall not give more and the poor shall not give less...'" Exo 30:11-15

A ransom is the price one pays for the redemption of a life. According to this scripture, whether one is rich (in materials or gifts or abilities) or poor, the ransom price is the same - half a shekel. In terms of silver and gold, it's not much, I should say. But, more importantly, it shows that we are all  of equal  worth in the eyes of God.

Your worth, my worth, our worth is not determined by our service, possessions, abilities, and talents. There is a line in a song that says, "Nothing you can do could make Him love you more. And nothing that you've done could make Him close the door...".

Jesus demonstrated on the cross at Calvary that we are worth dying for! You are worth more than you could ever imagine...not just half a shekel but the life of the Son of God! 

Your worth, my worth, our worth...

~portions excerpted from my book, A Peek into the Father's Heart

Celebrate Your Self

A few days ago, I was writing a birthday greeting to someone and part of it says, "Enjoy your special day and celebrate yourself."  The moment I typed those words a bell rang in my head, "DING...!!!"

How many of us actually do celebrate "us"??? We celebrate occasions, events, and other people but ourselves? Hardly! Most of the time, we don't even like ourselves much less celebrate! We can be our own worst critic :(

I'm not advocating for us to be narcisstic, no far from it. I'm asking us to see the good and beauty in ourselves, appreciate ourselves, and love ourselves. Be kind to ourselves. I know when we are able to see the good in "us", we would also be so much kinder and gracious to others.

"Love your neighbour as yourself." To be able to truly celebrate others with all sincerity, I must be able to first celebrate myself. 

The ability to celebrate self gives 

one a zest for life and living.  

You are worth celebrating. God rejoices (celebrates) over you. 

Think for a moment, what would you do if you were to celebrate yourself? Go ahead and do it. 

Find occasions to continually celebrate the person that is you and the life that is uniquely you. Today you are alive and it is a good day to start ~.~

Cheers to you and me!

A Good Name

My name is Yoke Lan; Mandarin for Magnolia. Some years ago, I was in the Summer Palace, Beijing and the Magnolia was in full bloom. I heard the locals calling out my name (in Mandarin) and commenting how beautiful 'Yoke Lan' is. This sure did put a smile in my heart for the rest of the trip. I was at the right place, at the right time :). 

Proverbs 22:1 says "A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches..." A good name! Some people have great riches but the mention of their name brings all kinds of remarks and snickers, even shudders...great riches but bad name!

I would like the mention of my name to evoke warm feelings and place a smile on someone's heart and face.  

Jesus, just the mention of Your name...flowers grow, the desert blooms again. Like the fire in winter's cold, like the pure and precious gold...Jesus, just the mention of Your name!

Wouldn't it be nice to have both, not to have to choose between one or the other? However, sometimes in life we have to make choices; between maintaining a good name or great riches.

Help us, Lord!!!

 

Inside Out

I was in Chiangmai for a Silent Retreat in December, 2010, just a month ago. One morning, I was staring at a papaya tree. Half of its leaves were dried,withered, and drooping. But, the tree was laden with fruits. I was never a poet but these words filled my mind..."Withered leaves drooping down, not a pretty sight. Luscious fruits a glorious crown, reveals what's inside."

The withered leaves; dry, shrivelled and listless reflect some areas of my life at that time. Not a pretty sight. But it's what's inside (Christ) that causes the fruit to come forth, abundantly. The external does not matter, much as I want to 'look good' all the time. Some areas of my life may be dry and shrivelled for a season but because of Christ in me, I shall be fruitful regardless. 

"Abide in Me and I in you and you shall bear much fruit", Jesus said. What's inside determines the level of fruitfulness of my life...INSIDE OUT, not the other way round!

Humble Beginnings

Today's Reflections is from 2 Sam 23:1. This is a portion from the last words of King David. The last words of a dying man are usually very important. He will not be talking about the weather but rather about things that weigh deeply upon his heart.

He refered to himself as David, son of Jesse. He did not forget his humble beginnings as the shephered boy that was overlooked by his own father, Jesse. He remembered where he came from, what he was before God found him, anointed and highly exalted him. In his father's eyes, he may be unsuitable and unqualified to be the next king and leader of Israel. He was bypassed by his father. How often we are bypassed and overlooked by Man...we are deemed unsuitable and unqualified. But not by God. 

In his last words, he did not refer to himself as Israel's king but rather as Israel's singer of songs. His humility has kept him small in his own eyes but big in God's. Perhaps that was one of the secrets of his success. He became and was Israel's greatest king.

Our beginning may be lowly, like David. We may be the underdog in the eyes of Man. We may not have a good headstart like some people. But just as God made a difference to David's life, He can do that for you and me. God found him, chose him, anointed and HIGHLY exalted him. At the end of the day, his boast is not in himself but in God who did all these for him.

He started low but ended right at the top. He started humble and remained humble until the last days of his life. What a fine example of a successful man!