Thank God I Have You!

Have you ever had someone who had been accompanying you along your walk with Jesus? They may be once were strangers or they may be someone who is close to you. You may or may not realise it but they are the one(s) who encouraged you to go to Christian fellowships, youth meetings, church services, reading the Bible together, singing praises with you, praying with you and with whom you keep each other’s secrets. You may once or twice were backslided but because God has brought them to you, you once again found yourself in God’s embrace. Although, it wasn’t them who save you, but God used them as ‘vessels’ to bring you back to Him. Simply put, they are your mentors.

I have such wonderful people around me. They helped to transform me and now are still walking with me. Back then, I thought Christian fellowship, youth meetings and other 'Christian stuff' are 'not necessary', as long as I go to church every Sunday. However, I came to a turning point when I personally know someone who is one of the strong soldiers in Christ. She’s very active in many Christian events, be it in our school CF or her church youth. She would always encourage me to join our school CF or prayer meetings or other churches’ praise and worship session. But I would always shy away and gave her many excuses.

Once she asked me to try out Bible Knowledge class as I was wondering which subject to take as my tenth subject in SPM. Usually, I will most probably decline, but this time, to my own surprise – I agreed. There were two Bible Knowledge teachers in my school. What I like about our teachers is that they are not like any other teachers who only teach you what is required in exams. Our teacher taught us about life lessons, and I don’t know about the other students, but I was touched and at the same time, felt condemned as I studied the Bible. During Bible classes was also the first time I ever led a prayer aloud, despite the fact that I seldom pray on my own. I also started to join prayer meetings every morning before class starts. So everything came to me like a tsunami. But God has provided me with what I needed and I enjoyed these changes in my lifestyle. Since then, I took Bible study seriously, as to me it is so much more than just to fill in for the tenth SPM subject but it was to fill that hunger and thirst that I have been putting up with these years.

They are not the only one who have helped me, there are many others – my family, friends and relatives. As I’m writing this, many faces, songs, movies and fond memories came to mind.

Even now, thinking of them puts a smile on my face.

So, if you have that someone who has brought joy to your heart, why not take time to thank them? Take a break from whatever you are doing now and write down a list of people who you want to thank and spend time with God, expressing your gratitude towards them. Thank God for blessing you with these special gifts which reminds you of who you are, where you come from and where God wants to take you. Later on, by any means, tell them how thankful you are for having them. Write them a note. Text them. E-mail them. Call them. Post on their Facebook wall. Tweet them. Or even better, look at them in the eye, and say, “I thank my God for you every time I think of you;” – Philippians 1:3

Thinking beyond the box

First things first, I suggest reading Genesis 50:15-21
Reading through these verses you'll see that the brothers of Joseph son of Jacob(or Israel) are trying to seek forgiveness from their brother who they sold to Egyptian Slave Traders(well something close to that, forgot the real occupation)
            If I was Joseph I would have lashed out to my brothers saying ' get away men! You sold me when i was young!? No way la i forgive u!' but.. Luckily I'm not =p huhu. Nonsense aside, Joseph believed differently and acted righteously, he chose to forgive them explained that their actions (although with ill-intent) was actually an act allowed by God to save many people in the world from a severe 7 year famine! Praise be to God!
             If Joseph didn't endure all those years of prison and pain away from family, if he thought only of his happiness , humanity could have gone close to extinction at that time.
So my advice , no matter how hard you think your life is, remember how Joseph handled it, and remember most of all to think, WWJD(what would Jesus Do?)

Genesis 50:20-21

As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about many people should be kept alive, as they are today. So do not fear, I will provide for you and your little ones...